Bypass Hollywood vendors peddling “maps of star’s homes” (a popular tourist scam) and head over to Hancock Park, one of L.A.’s most prized neighborhoods. Some of the most eccentric residential architecture in the city can be found here. Many of the large mansions were built for old film producers and directors, and even Mae West once called this neighborhood home.

A Los Angeles nearly new home makes a great base for a sports fan, with the Lakers, the Dodgers, the Los Angeles Galaxy and many more great teams playing regularly in world-class venues. Los Angeles also has plenty of great sports bars, where you can hash the highlights after the game.