THE BEST OF LOS ANGELES IN 2023 - Centennials

Hollywood Sign

Los Angeles is one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Even frequent visitors and longtime residents who are familiar with LA can always discover something new in this vibrant and exciting metropolis.

From landmark centennials and cultural milestones to state-of-the-art attractions and thrilling sports events, how many of these must-sees will you scratch off your LA bucket list this year?

CENTENNIALS

LA icons, a landmark hotel, a legendary studio and a pioneering restaurant are celebrating their 100th anniversaries in 2023.

HOLLYWOOD SIGN

The world-famous Hollywood Sign is celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout the year, and fans are invited to join the festivities and special events in-person or virtually.

A deep cleaning and new coat of paint (Sherwin-Williams "Hollywood Sign Centennial White") were completed in October 2022, and now the Hollywood Sign is ready for its centennial close-up.

Designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument on Feb. 7, 1973, the Hollywood Sign was originally created as a promotion for the "Hollywoodland" real estate development. Since then, it's become an emblem for Los Angeles and a pop culture icon.

LOS ANGELES MEMORIAL COLISEUM

Opened in June 1923, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the first stadium in history to host the Summer Olympics twice (1932 and 1984) and will host the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad in 2028. The stadium has also hosted two Super Bowls, a World Series, a Papal Mass, and visits by three U.S. Presidents. The Coliseum was declared a National Historic Landmark on July 27, 1984.

To celebrate its centennial, the 70,000-seat venue is launching Coliseum Forever, a year-long slate of live performances, sporting events, ceremonies, fan giveaways and more.

Millennium Biltmore Hotel Galleria | Photo: Yuri Hasegawa

MILLENNIUM BILTMORE

Originally opened as the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel on Oct. 1, 1923, the arrival of the opulent Millennium Biltmore Hotel was a "statement to the rest of the world that Los Angeles had arrived as an American metropolis." Its impact was immediate and its grandeur would become an integral part of the history of our city.

The Academy Awards were born at a 1927 luncheon banquet in the Biltmore’s Crystal Ballroom, and the hotel would host eight Oscar ceremonies between 1931 and 1942. The Biltmore is a star in its own right, appearing in Chinatown, The Sting, Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop, Mad Men and Bosch.

WARNER BROS.

Storytelling Showcase
Photo: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Founded on April 4, 1923, Warner Bros. kicked off its centennial celebration with the unveiling of a commemorative logo and a new slogan: "100 Years of Storytelling." The press release says the year-long festivities will include "a fully realized, fan-focused campaign involving every division of the Studio — film, series, consumer products, video games, themed entertainment, studio tours, live events and more."

Go behind the scenes and learn the history of the legendary studio on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. For the ultimate WB experience, book the Deluxe Tour, which includes a three-hour guided tour, a visit to the Property Department, lunch at the Commissary Fine Dining Room, and a beverage and snack at the iconic Central Perk Café from Friends.

El Cholo on Western Avenue | Instagram: @elcholo1923

EL CHOLO

Alejandro Borquez and his wife Rosa established El Cholo in 1923, opening Sonora Cafe in Exposition Park near the Coliseum. As the story goes, in 1925 a dinner customer sketched a character that he called "El Cholo," after the name that Spanish settlers in California gave their field hands. Alejandro liked the drawing and name so much he immediately changed the restaurant's name from Sonora Cafe to El Cholo. Along with its flagship location on Western Avenue (aka "The Original"), El Cholo has expanded to Downtown LA, Santa Monica and Orange County. The Borquez's legacy continues with fourth, fifth and sixth generation members of the family business.

El Cholo kicked off its 100th anniversary celebration in October 2022, with the unveiling of a new logo and slogan: "Creating Memories for 100 Years." Highlights of the centennial festivities include:

• The flagship El Cholo on Western will undergo a significant expansion, including a new open-air patio.
• Starting on Jan. 1, 2023, guests who are 100 years old or older will be able to eat for free, throughout the 2023 calendar year. Also starting on January 1, El Cholo will be serving a special $100 Margarita, served in a hand-blown collectible glass, all year long.
• Special menu Items will be offered, including “A Taste of History” Plate, served on a commemorative plate (available for separate purchase).
• A centennial red carpet gala will take place in October 2023 at the El Cholo on Western.

*Source: Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

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