L.A. still has more than its fair share of opulence and outrageous wealth. And the choice of upmarket drinking, dining and overnighting here is outstanding. Expect to pay more – but you’ll be impressed in return. And surely there’s no other city in the World where you can rub shoulders with so many ‘celebs’ – whether you want to or not.

One of the world’s leading gay and lesbian destinations, Los Angeles is much more than a single metropolis – rather, it’s an entire collection of both sprawling and in many cases scenic neighbourhoods and adjacent cities. It could take a full week just to visit even those areas with the greatest numbers of gay-popular businesses and residential blocks, including West Hollywood, Silver Lake, Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, Westwood, and even the increasingly trendy downtown. The centre of America’s entertainment industry has a gazillion great restaurants, hotels, and bars.