Dodger Fans Find There is Lots to Love about Philly.

Despite a Rivalry with the Phillies that Spans Three Decades, Angelenos Find a Few Things from the City of Brotherly Love Hard to Resist

LOS ANGELES -- It's no secret that the LA Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies, both vying to take the National League Championship Series, have had a long rivalry that dates back to 1977 when the two teams squared off for the first time in baseball history. But it's a love-hate relationship that Angelenos find themselves in, and some Philly-born foods, people and heroes are just simply too good to resist. LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched a website page at www.discoverLosAngeles.com, listing "5 Things from Philly that Angelenos Love."

The list includes the original "Rocky" and, although the film is set in Philadelphia, many of the pivotal scenes were shot in Los Angeles, including the opening boxing match, which was filmed at what is now known as the Oscar de la Hoya Boxing Youth Center on South Lorena Street. The famous scene where Rocky gets a meaty workout pounding beef took place at Shamrock Meats Inc. on East Vernon. And the climatic fight against Apollo Creed happened inside the historic Olympic Auditorium on Grand Avenue.

Angelenos also have a soft spot for The Fresh Prince, AKA Will Smith, who is a Philadelphia native, and is now a Hollywood heavyweight. His hit show, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" had visitors trawling LA streets for six seasons in hopes of spotting The Fresh Prince himself.

It's true, the LA Lakers number one player, Kobe Bryant, actually hails from Philadelphia and is a graduate of Lower Merion High School just outside the city. This Philly transplant, with his good looks and star quality, has all the qualities of a California-bred boy. He has won more championships with the Lakers, four in all, than all the championships ever won by the Philadelphia 76ers.

LA may have the market on the ultimate California taco, but Philly gets props for inventing the original cheesesteak. At The Bazaar, located at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, Chef Jose Andres has his own interpretation of this classic sandwich, and there's not a speck of Cheez Whiz to be found. Instead, Chef Andres uses a torpedo-shaped roll filled with paper thin slices of seared Kobe beef and a hint of cheese. It's so LA.

And, while the residents of Philadelphia are the stewards of Liberty Bell, Angelenos are blessed with the Korean Bell of Friendship, which was presented by the Republic of Korea to the American people in celebration of the bicentennial. Located on the bluffs of San Pedro overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the bell is only struck four times a year: New Year's Eve, Fourth of July, South Korea's Independence Day (Aug. 15) and Constitution Week in September. It was also rung on Sept. 11, 2002, the first anniversary of the terror attacks.

In addition, LA INC.'s web page also encourages die-hard Dodgers fans traveling to Philadelphia to send a virtual postcard (http://withlove.gophila.com) while on the road and offers Phillies fans visiting Los Angeles a few "only in LA" suggestions, including an "Entourage" itinerary featuring places around town where Vincent, Ari, Turtle, E and Drama are known to flock, as well as "100 Free Things to Do," including stargazing at Griffith's Observatory and special packages and deals at area hotels.

LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau is a private, nonprofit business association whose primary mission is to market and promote Los Angeles as the premier site for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. Though not part of city government, LA INC. is recognized as the city's official tourism marketing organization. For more information, visit the official visitor information website of Los Angeles at www.discoverLosAngeles.com.