LA encompasses a huge amount of urban sprawl, but it pays to remember that underneath all of that concrete and asphalt still lies the wild wild west. In a land of 16 lane freeways and the smog to prove it, the old days seem to have slipped quietly away.

That western spirit is still alive and well and today, and it lives on in the people as well as the places. In fact, this concrete jungle is filled with reminders of a simpler and dustier time and they are easy to find if you know where to look. Pass on Hollywood Blvd, the real thrill of LA is in capturing the spirit of the wild west.

Find A Horse to Ride
Most of the west owes its existence to the equine animal. They carried the people, fought in the wars and made it possible to transport food and supplies over long distances.

Although you won't see many horses within city limits, you don't have to go far to find something to ride. Stables in the Hollywood Hills offer a chance to see the west like it was before roads and cars, far removed from the noise and bustle of the city. Perhaps there is no better way to capture the spirit of the west than riding through the hills on horseback.

Admire The Vision of The West
Venice beach was developed in the late 19th century by Abbot Kinney, a tobacco mogul who decided to turn the area into the Venice of America. His goal was to recreate the romantic feel of Venice, Italy, complete with canals, Italian architecture and amusement areas.

In his own quirky way Mr. Kinney helped shape the history and landscape of Los Angeles by creating one of the most famous beach areas on the west coast. Although today the area isn't particularly historical, and in fact known for a kookier crowd, it remains a testament to the open minded ideals of the west.

Learn Something From Graffiti
The Great Wall of Los Angeles is a pictorial representation of California from prehistoric times to the 1950's. This was the Social and Public Art Resource Center's first public art project, work began in 1974 and took five summers to complete.

Half a mile of art will teach you something about the history of the area and give you a glimpse of these artists in the mid-seventies whose passion and paint fueled the work. The wall can be found at the intersection of Coldwater Canyon Ave and Oxnard St, North Hollywood, CA 91606.

See The Hamburger That Started It All
Regardless of your stance on fast food, it's impossible not to have a begrudging appreciation for the humble beginnings of a company with the world on its plate. The first McDonald's restaurant ever was opened in Arcada, CA, then 3 years later moved to it's permanent home in San Bernardino where it can still be visited by those who want to see where it all started.

The McDonald brothers embody the entrepreneurial spirit of the west, perhaps more than even Mr. Kinney could. From this tiny little location they managed to take their product and influence all over the world. This isn't just a part of western history, but a part of American history too.

Cross The Most Famous Road in America
Route 66 ended right in the heart of Santa Monica in 1926 and there are still signs of it there today. The highway officially ends at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Ocean Ave, a block away from it's symbolic end at the mouth of the Santa Monica Pier.

Although the area is very modern now, there are still obvious markers of years gone by. Some of the architecture lining the historical highway reflects the grandeur of the early 20th century art deco era. Many of the old buildings have been restored to it's former glory and re-opened as historical monuments and attractions.

Dare To Walk Past The Witch's House
A stark contrast to the manicured lawns and gated estates of Beverly Hills is California's tribute to storybook-style architecture. Affectionately nicknamed the "Witch's House" the dilapidated looking building whispers about the blurred lines of reality found within the LA city limits.

The house was built in Culver City in 1921 to house the offices and dressing rooms of the Willat movie studio. In 1934 it was moved to its existing location in Beverly Hills and has been a private residence ever since. The current owner embraced the Gaudi-esque lines of the structure and has invested heavily in restoring the house to its original (albeit updated) glory. The Witch's house can be found at 516 N Walden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 - it is privately owned and not polite to disturb the tenants.

Feeling Wild Yet?
This is just a few of the areas that will help tourists in the area appreciate the spirit of the wild west. Southern California is much more than just Hollywood, and Hollywood, well that's a wild west story for another day.