Last week, when I wrote a few paragraphs about the new Getty Museum in Los Angeles, I thought, How inadequate! There is so much more, and so brief a mention cannot begin to give even the concept of so huge a complex. Perhaps all I can do is make you want to go, and perhaps that is enough. Fortunately, more information is available, not only on the entire Getty Center but on greater L.A. as well.

Los Angeles needs no help in promoting Hollywood. Unfortunately, many think that's all there is to see. "Discover Los Angeles" is a book to expand your L.A. horizon and help you discover the cultural wealth of this great city and its wide range of arts and events. The introduction by Kevin Starr, author of a prize-winning history of California, gives an overall view of L.A. that will help you to better understand the city with its theater, gardens, music, museums, galleries and the all inclusive "others." For convenience, the city is divided into nine districts. Each section includes an essay on some special feature of that area. For example, the section on Hollywood, Miracle Mile and Beverly Hills has a feature on theater and dance by Tom Provenzano; "Along 405 and West to the Pacific" includes "Virtual L.A.," by Margaret Trumbull Nash, who shows us how to use the Internet to discover the city's resources. There are occasional marginal notes, such as one on a wildflower hotline, where visitors can learn where to find them, and on farmers' markets as well. These, too, are a part of Los Angeles. Also included are notes on public art and children's activities.

As you can see, it is a user-friendly guidebook, and you will enjoy your visit more if you use it to plan an itinerary that will be of the most interest to you. "Discover Los Angeles: an informed guide to LA's rich and varied cultural life" (ISBN 0-89236-479-3) was compiled by Letitia Burns O'Connor. Many longtime Tokyo residents will know her as Tish O'Connor, wife of Dana Levy, who created some of Japan's most memorable books back in the days when fine printing, paper and photography were the norm and not the exception. His "Bamboo" and "Water," both published by Weatherhill, will remain classics as long as there are people around who appreciate quality. Tish and Dana (Perpetua Press) continue to produce exceptional publications on a variety of subjects, all lavishly illustrated, including a number of catalogs for museum exhibitions.