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The Sakai North American Conference 2011 will take place on the 14th, 15th and 16th of June, at the Westin Bonaventure*, Los Angeles. Pre-conference sessions will be held on June 13th.

Orientation

The greater Los Angeles area is a vast and sprawling metropolis with many cities, neighborhoods, and micro-communities.

Amusement Parks, Rides, and Zoos

Location	URL	Notes
Disneyland	http://disneyland.disney.go.com/	In Anaheim. A significant commute from downtown LA.
Universal Studios	http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/	A short freeway drive from downtown LA.
Six Flags Magic Mountain	http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/index.aspx	In Santa Clarita/Valencia. A commute from downtown LA.
Knott's Berry Farm	http://www.knotts.com/	A significant drive. Not as impressive as the others, IMO.
Santa Monica Pier	http://www.santamonicapier.org/	Carnival-style rides and games, food, beach...
LA Zoo	http://www.lazoo.org/	Great for kids. Gene Autry Museum across the street.
Aquarium of the Pacific	http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/	Long Beach. A significant commute from downtown LA.

The Arts, Museums

There are many great art and history museums in Los Angeles. Here are some resources to explore and just a few options to consider:

Location	URL	Notes
Discover the Arts in Los Angeles	http://discoverlosangeles.com/thearts/	Resource to find deals for numerous museums, plays, etc.
LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)	http://www.lacma.org	An amazing museum, including two new complexes. Check our BCAM for contemporary art.
Getty	http://www.getty.edu	Two locations, one in LA off the 405 and one at the coast on Pacific Coast Hwy. Both are amazing!
MOCA - Museum of Contemporary Art	http://www.moca.org/	South Grand Ave near Pershing Square exit.
Annenberg Space for Photography	http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/	A small space, but great photography. In 1-2 hours, you'll see it all and be ready for your next adventure in LA.
Petersen Automotive Museum	http://www.petersen.org/	If you're a car nut, this place is for you. Just across the street from LACMA.
Hollywood Bowl	http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/	Music, performances.
Walt Disney Concert Hall	http://www.laphil.com/visit/	Not sure if there will be performances, but worth a look!
Ahmanson Theater, Mark Taper Forum	http://www.centertheatregroup.org/	If a play's your thing, check out these great venues.
Griffith Observatory	http://www.griffithobservatory.org/	Great view of LA, planetarium, and much more!
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens	http://www.huntington.org/	In San Marino-Pasadena.
Independent Shakespeare at Griffith Park	http://www.independentshakespeare.com/	Shakespeare. Griffith Park. Check schedule to see if playing during conference.
Autry Museum Of Western Heritage	http://theautry.org/	Learn about the American West.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles	http://www.nhm.org/site/plan-your-visit	Exhibits on earth's biodiversity.
California Science Center	http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/	Future home of Space Shuttle Endeavor.
Los Angeles Central Public Library	http://www.lapl.org/central/	Check out the art and architecture.
Culver City Art District	http://www.ccgalleryguide.com/	Cool place to explore contemporary art for sale.
Bergamot Station	http://bergamotstation.com/	Cool place to explore contemporary art for sale.

The Beach

The main beach communities of the Los Angeles Area are, from north to south: Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice and Maria Del Rey. Unfortunately, Downtown LA is on the east side of town, so in order to dip your toes in the Pacific, you'll need a car or a bus trip. Access to the beaches is free, but parking is not.

If you're looking for suggestions, here is a link to recommendations for 8 great LA area beaches.

Please be aware that we sometimes have coastal fog in June. It usually burns off my midday, but something to be aware of. Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Gloom

Dining

There are many, many restaurants and eateries in the LA area.

First, you'll notice that restaurants have a letter grade on the door. This is a rating of cleanliness from the city. You want to eat at an "A" restaurant. Less than an "A" means the establishment hasn't met all health codes. You can learn more here: http://lapublichealth.org/eh/misc/ehpost.htm

Location	URL	Notes
The Original Pantry	http://www.pantrycafe.com/	An LA landmark. Good ole American diner fare.
Urban Spoon's Picks	http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/5/415/LA/Downtown-Los-Angeles-restaurants
Yelp's Picks	http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants+downtown&find_loc=Los+Angeles%2C+CA

If you're interested in exploring LA's food truck scene, try:
LAist Food Truck Twitter List
Roaming Hunger

If you're interested in sampling some of LA's amazing tacos and taco trucks, a great resource is The Great Taco Hunt. But seriously, almost any taco trunk you come upon is going to have something unique and delicious.

You may have heard that LA has excellent Chinese food. The best place to get some of the most authentic and regional cuisines is in the various towns of the San Gabriel Valley, just east of Downtown.

Hiking, Outdoors

Location	URL	Notes
Griffith Park	http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/griffithpk/
Los Angeles Mountains	http://www.lamountains.com/	Trails, parks, etc.

Off the Beaten Path

Location	URL	Notes
Adamson House, Malibu	http://www.adamsonhouse.org/	Beautiful location, learn about Malibu history, amazing tile.
Bergamot Station Art Center, Santa Monica	http://bergamotstation.com/	A collection of art galleries with new and old art and photography for sale.
Bradbury Building, Downtown LA	http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/downtown/bradbury.php4	Architecture.
Culver City Art District	http://www.ccgalleryguide.com/	A collection of art galleries with new and old art and photography for sale.
Gamble House, Pasadena	http://www.gamblehouse.org/	Architecture. Pasadena. Might remember it from Back to the Future.
Grand Central Market	http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/downtown/grand_central.php4	Food, etc.
Graystone Mansion, Beverly Hills	http://www.greystonemansion.org/	Nice grounds, good view, free...
Hollyhock House, Hollywood	http://hollyhockhouse.net/	Frank Lloyd Wright. 'Nuff said.
LA Metro Art	http://www.metro.net/about/art/	The art at bus stations, rail stations, etc.
MAK Center at the Schindler House, West Hollywood	http://www.makcenter.org/	Art and architecture.
The World Famous Magic Castle	http://www.magiccastle.com/	If you know a magician or member, ask for passes... it's worth the trip!

Shopping

More places than can be mentioned here. Just a sample:

Location	URL	Notes
Americana - Glendale	http://www.americanaatbrand.com/	Popular new mall.
Beverly Hills - Rodeo Drive	http://www.rodeodrive-bh.com/index4.html	Iconic. Expensive.
Beverly Center	http://www.beverlycenter.com/	Not in Beverly Hills, but a mall nonetheless.
3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica	http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/visitors/index.html	Open-air walking mall. Moments away from Santa Monica pier and beach. Another major mall next door. A commute from downtown LA.
The Grove	http://www.thegrovela.com/	Another popular open-air mall. Farmer's market nearby.
Hollywood and Highland	http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/	See the sights, buy some things. Mann's Chinese next door, El Capitan Theatre across the street.
Los Angeles Farmer's Market	http://www.farmersmarketla.com/
Los Angeles Fashion District, Flower District	http://www.fashiondistrict.org/
Universal City Walk	http://www.citywalkhollywood.com/	At the steps to Universal Studios.

Sightseeing

Location	URL	Notes
Discover Los Angeles	http://discoverlosangeles.com/	Links to options big and small.
Hollywood Sign	http://www.hollywoodsign.org/	A popular symbol of LA.
Hollywood and Highland, incl. Mann's Chinese Theater	http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/	See the Chinese, glimpse the Hollywood Sign from the observation level, see the El Capitan Theatre across the street, gawk at people dressed in costume. A short subway trip from downtown.
Griffith Park	http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/griffithpk/
La Brea Tar Pits	http://www.tarpits.org/	LACMA next door. Petersen across street.
Beverly Hills	http://www.beverlyhills.org/	The Graystone Mansion is a free place to visit.
Santa Monica Pier	http://www.santamonicapier.org/	Rides, food, beach...
Venice Beach	http://www.venicebeach.com/	Famous or infamous?
Chinatown	http://www.chinatownla.com/	Culture, food, shops, and more. Downtown LA.
Union Station	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_%28Los_Angeles%29	Check out the architecture. Downtown LA.
Olvera Street	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olvera_Street	Culture, food, shops, and more. One of the oldest parts of downtown.
Little Tokyo	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Tokyo,_Los_Angeles	Culture, food, shops, and more. Downtown LA.
Queen Mary	http://www.queenmary.com/	Long Beach
Angel's Flight Railway	http://angelsflight.com/	Shortest railway in the world.
LA Conservancy Walking Tours	http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4

Sports, Concerts

Location	URL	Notes
Staples Center	http://www.staplescenter.com/	Lakers, Clippers, Kings, concerts, etc.
LA Dodgers	http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la	Home of the Dodgers
Anaheim or LA Angels	http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=ana	Home of the Angels
The Greek Theatre	http://www.greektheatrela.com/	Concerts, etc.
Nokia Theatre at LA Live	http://www.nokiatheatrelalive.com/	Concerts, etc.
LA Forum	http://thelaforum.com/	Concerts, etc.
House of Blues Los Angeles	http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/losangeles/	Concerts
Sunset Strip	http://thesunsetstrip.com/	Concerts, comedy, etc.

Just a sample of things to do in LA...

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