Palm-lined boulevards, golden beaches and mountain landscapes abound in the United States' most culturally influential cities, Los Angeles. Home to Hollywood, a booming music industry LA is considered the de facto capital of Southern California. Originally inhabited by the Chumash and Gabrielino, Los Angeles became the site of one of Junipero Serra's Spanish Missions in 1771 which was established in the low desert basin. The area remained a sleepy ranching town for almost a century, even after the United States gained control of the state. An interesting reminder of this era can be found in downtown Los Angeles, where the sea-facing street layout favored by the Spanish clashes with the north to the south Jeffersonian style used throughout the States at the time. After the discovery of oil in 1892, the city's population boomed and with the establishment of Hollywood's film industry, Los Angeles became a leading capital in what was then the world's newest medium. With its breathtaking natural beauty, upbeat vibe, and world-class dining and entertainment, Los Angeles packs quite a punch. Of the major attractions in the city, the Kodak Theatre, Chinatown, Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Sign are iconic.
