STAR QUALITY

Los Angeles plays a starring role for RICHARD BACHE as he hits California

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A CENTURY of movie-making means nowhere blends sci-fi and reality quite like Los Angeles as I discovered from the back of a driverless taxi hours after seeing KITT from Knight Rider in a museum.

Seeing the steering wheel turn of its own accord was as nerve-rack-ing as watching a London cab's meter spinning, but as the Waymo (an app like Uber, but with no driver) safely navigated the streets, it gave a surreal taste of the future.

Like anyone landing at LAX for the first time, I had plenty of preconceptions - but LA is full of surprises.

GAME FACE

LA is one of the host cities for next year’s World Cup and will welcome the Olympics in 2028. For sports-loving families, catching a game during your visit is a must.

LA Clippers-owner Steve Ballmer sank £1.5billion into the Intuit Dome basketball arena - and boy, can you tell. The former Microsoft CEO wanted the world’s best arena for his NBA team. Befitting a tech titan’s toy, it’s a space-age venue.

For starters, after booking a seat online, you upload a selfie on to the Clippers’ app and your face acts as your ticket. Want a drink, hot dog or jersey? Pick one up from any bar or shop and stroll away. Facial recognition is also linked to your Google or Apple Pay. Pretty cool.

I also caught the Lakers at their downtown Crypto.com Arena, it's great fun spotting which A-list celebrities are courtside.

TAKING IN MICKEY