The City of Angels
Sunday
Like much of the southwestern US, modern Los Angeles was formerly part of Mexico. “Los Angeles” just means “the angels,” greatly shortened from the original name “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula,” or “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porziuncola.”
Monday
Take all the pictures you want, but if you want that famous “Hollywood” sign or the “Walk of Fame” in your movie or commercial, then pay up. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce collects licensing fees for this, which in turn help pay for upkeep and maintenance of the iconic sign and walkway. That sign originally said “Hollywoodland,” promoting a housing development by that name.
Tuesday
Los Angeles is famously smoggy, and geography plays a big role. The city sits in a basin surrounded by mountain ranges while the California sun heats the big town’s trapped exhaust into an often-brown haze. For this reason, L.A. has a long-standing exemption from the air quality requirements under the US Clean Air Act.
Wednesday
There are about 11 miles of abandoned tunnels beneath LA consisting of former electric streetcar lines, horse tunnels, and passages between government buildings. They were used for the transport of bootleg liquor and other crime during Prohibition and also proved a quick escape route if the speakeasies were raided.
Thursday
Chicago was home to the most filmmakers and production companies in the early 20th century, but the industry moved to Los Angeles to take advantage of its reliably good weather and to get further from Thomas Edison, who exerted unusual (and often litigious) control over film production in the eastern US.
Friday
No major US city has a higher proportion of Hispanics than Los Angeles, an ethnic majority there.
Saturday
Los Angeles holds distinctions in the intellectual and athletic realms. It has the most museums per capita of any city, and as of 2028 it will tie with Paris and London for most summer Olympics hosted at three.