LOS ANGELES, CALIF.-The spectacular Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels inspires tourists from around the globe. If you attend mass on Sunday, you get three hours of parking free. But if you happen to visit on Monday, be prepared to spend $4 for every 15 minutes and $18 flat fee for the day. It's so L.A.!

The $188 million cathedral unveiled in 2002 and designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, is an elaborate, 12 story postmodern building with obtuse and acute angles minus any right angles. The grounds span 58,000 square feet and contain:

* A $5 million altar, a giant slab of Rosso Laguna marble.
* $3 milion main bronze doors
* $2 million lectern
* 1 million tabernacle
* Alabaster instead of stained glass windows
* Tapestries of the communion of saints by painter John Nava

So grand are its appointments that it is no wonder visitors flock by the thousands daily to tour the church, plaza, gardens, gift shop, the Galero Grill, and of course, the restrooms!

The massive cathedral organ has 105 ranks of pipes and a 60 foot high case, and is the focal point for special concerts featuring renown choral and philharmonic groups. On Dec.19, 2010, the church hosts a Christmas Concert with Cathedral Choir & L.A. Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m.

For those seeking a unique Christmas celebration, attend the Christmas Eve Family Mass at 4 p.m.; Spanish Mass at 7 p.m.; English Mass at 9 p.m.; Christmas Carols with the Cathedral Choir at 11:30 p.m. and 12:00 am Midnight Mass. On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, wake up and attend an 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. English Mass

Location: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
555 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2707
(213) 680-5200

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is located on Temple, between Grand and Hill Streets in downtown Los Angeles. The entrance to the parking structure is located off both Temple and Hill street. Admission is free. Open daily. olacathedral.org