20 Best Books About Los Angeles (2023 Update)

A los angeles times's and southern california indie bookseller association's bestseller! los angeles stories is a collection of loosely linked tales that evoke a bygone era in one of america's most iconic cities. in post-world war ii los angeles, as power was concentrating and fortunes were being made, a do-it-yourself culture of cool cats, outsiders and oddballs populated the old downtown neighborhoods of bunker hill and chavez ravine. ordinary working folks rubbed elbows with petty criminals, grifters and all sorts of women at foggy end-of-the-line outposts in venice beach and santa monica.rich with the essence and character of the times, suffused with patois of the city's underclass, these are stories about the common people of los angeles, "a sunny place for shady people," and the strange things that happen to them. this quirky love letter to a lost way of life will appeal to fans of hard-boiled fiction and anyone interested in the city itself.

Los angeles was founded in 1781 as one of the two original spanish pueblos in california. by 1945, the small town that had begun with 28 square miles in the late 19th century had grown to 450 square miles through almost 100 annexations. businessmen constructed a downtown streetscape whose architecture elicited envy in other cities, hotels catered to visitors with such enthusiasm that guests eventually returned with ambitious schemes of their own, and the construction of an elaborate freeway system suddenly made los angeles a drive-in city.

Brand-new stories by: michael connelly, janet fitch, susan straight, hector tobar, patt morrison, robert ferrigno, gary phillips, christopher rice, naomi hirahara, jim pascoe, scott phillips, diana wagman, lienna silver, brian ascalon roley, and denise hamilton. denise hamilton writes the eve diamond series. her books have been shortlisted for the edgar, macavity, anthony, and willa cather awards. the los angeles times named last lullaby a best book of 2004, and it was also a usa today summer pick and a finalist for a southern california booksellers association 2004 award. her fourth eve diamond novel, savage garden, is a los angeles times bestseller and was shortlisted for the southern california booksellers association award for best mystery of 2005.

A los angeles times bestseller. named a best california books of 2021 by the new york timesa provocative, exhilaratingly new understanding of the united states’ most confounding metropolis—not just a great city, but a full-blown modern city-stateamerica is obsessed with los angeles. and america has been thinking about los angeles all wrong, for decades, on repeat. los angeles is not just the place where the american dream hits the pacific. (it has its own dreams.) not just the vanishing point of america’s western drive. (it has its own compass.) functionally, aesthetically, mythologically, even technologically, an independent territory, defined less by distinct borders than by an aura of autonomy and a sense of unfurling destiny—this is the city-state of los angeles.deeply reported and researched, provocatively argued, and eloquently written, rosecrans baldwin's everything now approaches the metropolis from unexpected angles, nimbly interleaving his own voice with a chorus of others, from canonical l.a. literature to everyday citizens. here, octavia e. butler and joan didion are in conversation with activists and astronauts, vampires and veterans. baldwin records the stories of countless angelenos, discovering people both upended and reborn: by disasters natural and economic, following gospels of wealth or self-help or personal destiny. the result is a story of a kaleidoscopic, vibrant nation unto itself—vastly more than its many, many parts.baldwin’s concept of the city-state allows us, finally, to grasp a place—los angeles—whose idiosyncrasies both magnify those of america, and are so fully its own. here, space and time don’t quite work the same as they do elsewhere, and contradictions are as stark as southern california’s natural environment. perhaps no better place exists to watch the united states’s past, and its possible futures, play themselves out. welcome to los angeles, the great american city-state.

To the untrained eye, los angeles may seem like a spectacle of glitz and glamour, freeways and traffic snarls. but beneath those superficial impressions hides a richly complex and diverse city teeming with quirky art, dazzling buildings, hidden histories, strange spectacles, and inspiring cultural landmarks. secret los angeles guides you to the hidden gems that make the city, and surrounding county, truly sparkle. discover the story behind the featherbrained statue of liberty of l.a. and the butterflies of an abandoned oceanside neighborhood. stroll along the other walks of fame and drive along a musical road. explore a historic movie palace hidden in the jewelry district and find the inspiration for disneyland nestled within griffith park. find the secretive locations of prohibition-era speakeasies and sip top-notch booze at a willy wonka-like distillery. experience a reenactment of the great los angeles air raid and uncover the history of central avenue's jazz legacy. local author danny jensen directs you to under-the-radar destinations that are often overlooked, even by locals, and yet offer fascinating insight into a place that captures so many people's imagination. whether you've recently arrived or lived here all your life, this book will help you see and understand l.a. in a completely new way, and inspire you to explore further.

A pictorial history of the world's most enigmatic city from the first known photograph taken in los angeles to its most recent sweeping vistas, this photographic tribute to the city of angels provides a fascinating journey through the city's cultural, political, industrial, and sociological history. it traces the city's development from the 1880s' real estate boom, through the early days of hollywood and the urban sprawl of the late 20th century, right up to the present day. with over 500 images, l.a. is shown emerging from a desert wasteland to become a vast palm-studded urban metropolis. events that made world news–including two olympics, bobby kennedy's assassination, and the rodney king riots–reveal a city of many dimensions. the entertainment capital of the world, hollywood, and its celebrities are showcased along with many other notable residents, personalities, architects, artists, and musicians. the city's pop cultural movements, its music, surfing, health food fads, gangs, and hot rods are included, as are its notorious crimes and criminals. this book depicts los angeles in all its glory and grit, via hundreds of freshly discovered images including those of julius shulman, garry winogrand, william claxton and many other superb photographers, culled from major historical archives, museums, private collectors, and universities. these are given context and resonance through essays by renowned california historian kevin starr and los angeles literature expert david ulin.

Teach your little ones to count from one to ten with this fun, brightly colored board book that features the diverse culture of los angeles.los angeles 1 to 10 celebrates the city's diversity from the hills of griffith observatory to the music of mariachi plaza, from watts tower to the breezes of the pacific ocean. filled with colorful modern illustrations, this book is a fun way to introduce young children to this culturally rich city. little readers and their families will enjoy this colorful board book that celebrates the city of angels.

Keen to explore a different side of los angeles? like a local is the book for you. this isn't your ordinary travel guide. you won't find disneyland or the hollywood hills in these pages, because that's not where angelenos hang out. instead, you'll meet the locals at quirky museums, mexican food trucks and hidden speakeasies- and that's where this book takes you. turn the pages to discover: the small businesses and community strongholds that add character to this vibrant city, recommended by true locals.6 themed walking tours dedicated to specific experiences such as flea markets and movie theatres.a beautiful gift book for anyone seeking to explore los angeles. helpful 'what3word' addresses, so you can pinpoint all the listed sights.compiled by four proud locals, this stylish travel guide is packed with los angeles' best experiences and hidden spots, handily categorized to suit your mood and needs. whether you're a restless angeleno on the hunt for a new hangout, or a visitor keen to discover a side you won't find in traditional guidebooks, los angeles like a local will give you all the inspiration you need. about like a local: these giftable and collectible guides from dk eyewitness are compiled exclusively by locals. whether they're born-and-bred or moved to study and never looked back, our experts shine a light on what it means to be a local: pride for their city, community spirit and local expertise. like a local will inspire readers to celebrate the secret as well as the iconic – just like the locals who call the city home. looking for another guide to los angeles? explore further with our dk eyewitness or top 10 guides to california.

Los angeles, the city of angels, is the capital of show business, where to be young and beautiful is to have it all. los angeles then & now is a captivating chronicle of history and change in the mecca of glamour and glitz. this tell-all book matches 70 historic images with 70 specially-commissioned photos of modern la, showing the amazing evolution of california's largest city. notice how native american and spanish colonial architectural and cultural influences reside comfortably alongside the glitz of tinseltown and the cosmopolitan high-rises of la. movie fans will enjoy the many then-and-now pix of legendary hollywood landmarks like schwab's pharmacy, paramount studios, grauman's chinese theater, and the roosevelt hotel. along with a “map to the stars homes,” this compact edition of best-selling los angeles then & now makes the perfect travel guide.

Los angeles, the city of angels, is the capital of show business, where to be young and beautiful is to have it all. los angeles then & now is a captivating chronicle of history and change in the mecca of glamour and glitz. this tell-all book matches 70 historic images with 70 specially-commissioned photos of modern la, showing the amazing evolution of california's largest city. notice how native american and spanish colonial architectural and cultural influences reside comfortably alongside the glitz of tinseltown and the cosmopolitan high-rises of la. movie fans will enjoy the many then-and-now pix of legendary hollywood landmarks like schwab's pharmacy, paramount studios, grauman's chinese theater, and the roosevelt hotel. along with a “map to the stars homes,” this compact edition of best-selling los angeles then & now makes the perfect travel guide.

los angeles is…surfing waves and fashion faves, citrus fruits and long commutes, lowrider cruising and poolside snoozing, zipping cars and hollywood stars. from taco trucks to tar pits, this stylish primer to california's city of angels, illustrated by alexander vidal, is spot-on for toddlers and first-time travelers.

The definitive guide for tourists and locals alike, this comprehensive guidebook draws on a lifetime of local experience for 1001 great things to do in los angeles. probably more than any other major cultural metropolis, los angeles is a city for those in the know. a guide like no other, this is the first book to go beyond locations and events to tap into the variety of things only a local could know. the best things to do in los angeles explores every aspect of los angeles life. find the best spots to view the hollywood sign or exactly where to catch postgame fireworks at dodger stadium. track down the most authentic eateries in ethnic enclaves, and engage in l.a.’s legendary food wars, from hamburgers to french dips. follow the most beautiful routes up and down the pacific coast, take your own unique architectural tour of the hollywood hills, or find out where the city’s best bookstores are and read up on it all instead. organized by theme – from destinations to views and sights, food and drink, and of course the hollywood trail of superstar haunts and famous locations – and with contributions from celebrated angelenos including, gary baseman, flea, ludo lefebvre, sasha spielberg, and more, this is simply the most helpful and fun guidebook there is to the city of angels.

* the ultimate insider's guide to los angeles; features interesting and unusual places not found in traditional travel guides * part of the international 111 places/111 shops series with over 170 titles and 1 million copies in print worldwide * appeals to both the local market (nearly 10 million call los angeles home) and the tourist market (over 42 million people visit los angeles every year) * fully illustrated with 111 full-page color photographs * revised and updated edition "in los angeles, everyone is a star." – denzel washington for more than a century, seekers of sun and celebrity from around the world have flocked to this sprawling metropolis on the pacific, which dorothy parker once described as "72 suburbs in search of a city." but beyond the red-carpet reputation and tinseltown trappings is a west coast wonderland teeming with unexpected cultural experiences, iconic architecture, gorgeous open spaces, quirky museums, hidden vistas, unconventional art, and obscure stories about the starlets, moguls, personalities, and players who have made los angeles their playground. this unusual guidebook explores 111 of the city's most interesting and unknown places and experiences: wander a serpentine path in a spiritual quest of your own making; channel your inner cowboy at a tried and true honkytonk bar; pay homage to the dude at the bungalow where the big lebowski lived; turn your car tires into musical instruments on the country's only musical road; sleep with the ghosts of marilyn monroe and charlie chaplin; view a constellation of stars more vivid than anything hollywood has to offer. from the san gabriel mountains to the pacific ocean, angelenos and visitors will fall in love with the real los angeles. adventures beckon. surprises await. just imagine how much more scintillating your dinner-party storytelling will be.

Made iconic by its hollywood connections, los angeles is also jam-packed with must-see sights – think world-renowned museums, top-notch restaurants, fun-filled theme parks, and scenic surfing spots.make the most of your trip to the city of angels with dk eyewitness top 10 los angeles. planning is a breeze with our simple lists of ten, covering the very best that los angeles has to offer and ensuring that you don’t miss a thing. best of all, the pocket-friendly format is light and easily portable; the perfect companion while out and about. dk eyewitness top 10 los angeles your ticket to the trip of a lifetime.inside dk eyewitness top 10 los angeles you will find: – detailed top 10 lists of los angeles must-sees including historic hollywood boulevard, the getty center, griffith park, and disneyland resort- easy-to-follow itineraries including ideas for day trips, weekends, and a week’s worth of plans to make the most out of each and every day- expert advice: honest recommendations on los angeles’ most interesting areas, with the best places for shopping, eating out, and sightseeing, with top tips on getting ready, getting around and staying safe- themed lists including the best beaches, movie theatres, drives and day trips, parks and gardens, and much more- practical tips: inspiration for different things to enjoy during your trip, including family activities and things to do for free- detailed maps including a laminated pull-out map of los angeles, plus eight full-color area maps- covers: los angeles highlights, historic hollywood boulevard, sunset strip, the getty center, los angeles county museum of art (lacma), el pueblo de los angeles, the huntington universal studios, hollywood sm, griffith park, disneyland resort, catalina island, moments in history, architectural landmarks, parks and gardens, beaches, places to see and be seen, off the beaten path, children’s attractions, hollywood connections, movie theaters, performing arts venues, restaurants, shopping streets, los angeles for free, drives and day trips, downtown, around downtown, pasadena, hollywood, west hollywood and midtown, beverly hills, westwood, and bel-air, santa monica bay, coastal orange county, getting to and around los angeles, practical information, and places to stay.planning to explore beyond los angeles? dk eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual dk eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure.

A story about baseball, family, the american dream, and the fight to turn los angeles into a big league city. dodger stadium is an american icon. but the story of how it came to be goes far beyond baseball. the hills that cradle the stadium were once home to three vibrant mexican american communities. in the early 1950s, those communities were condemned to make way for a utopian public housing project. then, in a remarkable turn, public housing in the city was defeated amidst a red scare conspiracy. instead of getting their homes back, the remaining residents saw the city sell their land to walter o'malley, the owner of the brooklyn dodgers. now la would be getting a different sort of utopian fantasy — a glittering, ultra-modern stadium. but before dodger stadium could be built, the city would have to face down the neighborhood's families — including one, the aréchigas, who refused to yield their home. the ensuing confrontation captivated the nation – and the divisive outcome still echoes through los angeles today.

In the early 20th century, there was no better example of a classic american downtown than los angeles. since world war ii, los angeles's historic core has been "passively preserved," with most of its historic buildings left intact. recent renovations of the area for residential use and the construction of disney hall and the staples center are shining a new spotlight on its many pre-1930s beaux arts, art deco, and spanish baroque buildings.

Dreams are serious business in la la land. this is a city where fantastical thoughts are encouraged; a place gleefully wrapped in endless layers of modern legend and mythology. every year countless small-town dreamers pour onto its streets and the end result is an electrifying whirlpool of creativity: edgy art spaces, cult-status rock venues, acclaimed concert halls and thought-provoking stages, all fueling a city addicted to the weird, the wonderful and the downright scandalous. la's best walks, shopping, art, food, nightlife and more full-colour, pocket-sized guidebook pull-out city map.

Cruise the slow lanes of the pacific coast highway, ride in spinning teacups at disneyland resort, or hit the trails in joshua tree national park; all with your trusted travel companion. begin your journey now!

Exploring los angeles is so much fun! see all around the city of angels in this rhyming picture book sure to delight visitors and proud angelenos alike. today's a bright and sunny day! come on, let's go explore la! from the hollywood bowl to santa monica pier, there's something for everyone in the bright and bustling city of los angeles! with stops at the griffith observatory, the hollywood walk of fame, olvera street, and more, this rhyming read-aloud is just right for young readers–and their parents!–who are eager for adventure. get ready to experience a truly memorable day in la! a celebration of los angeles: featuring some of la's most popular foods, iconic destinations, and family-friendly attractions, this picture book is a true celebration of what makes los angeles special. go-to gift for toddlers on the go: whether for an la resident or a transplant, a frequent visitor or a first-time traveler, those planning a trip or simply learning about one of the united states' most prominent cities, this lighthearted introduction to the city of angels is a gift-giver's dream, offering a wonderful way to share meaningful adventures with the little readers they love. perfect for: parents and grandparents los angeles travelers and tourists gift-givers

I had a lot of jobs in los angeles harbor because our family was poor and my father was dead. my first job was ditchdigging a short time after i graduated from high school. every night i couldn't sleep from the pain in my back.