The Los Angeles 30

In its July/August issue, National Geographic Traveler magazine suggests 30 things for visitors to enjoy in L.A.

It's a pretty good list -- one that Angelenos would surely debate, both for what's included and what's not included. And it's not that vast: Apparently National Geographic Explorer doesn't think you need to visit the Valley or San Pedro.

Here's the 30:

1. Hollywood Entertainment Museum
2. Venice's Abbot Kinney Blvd. shops
3. Topanga Canyon's Inn of the Seventh Ray
4. Catalina Island
5. Downtown's Flower Market
6. One spa at Santa Monica's Shutters on the Beach
7. Pink's hot dogs
8. Fred Segal's
9. Free TV tapings
10. La Brea Tar Pits
11. Chinatown's Chung King Road galleries
12. Hollywood Forever cemetery (and Cinespia screenings)
13. Museum of Jurassic Technology (in Culver City)
14. Larchmont Blvd. (especially Cafe Chapeau)
15. Shopping at Robertson and 3rd
16. Grand Central Market
17. American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre
18. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
19. Live music at Santa Monica's McCabe's
20. Los Angeles River (Los Feliz to downtown)
21. Beverly Hills Hotel
22. Venice's canals
23. Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park
24. Little Ethiopia restaurants
25. The Grove
26. Koreatown's Brass Monkey (for karaoke)
27. Farmer's Markets in Hollywood and Santa Monica
28. Melrose's Urth Caffe
29. Adamson House
30. Philippe's french dip sandwiches

I know, I know -- The Grove?! Well, it is a strangely L.A. spectacle. (I'm also not so sure outsiders will appreciate the L.A. river and look beyond the grafitti-encased concrete...)

But I suppose it's not meant to be a conclusive list -- and it's not meant for us residents. Plus, you gotta give 'em props for not going with the usual touristy picks.