Los Angeles Travel Guide

Angels @ Mariners 5/25/12

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Los Angeles Travel Guide Overview

Check out our dedicated Los Angeles travel guide site for a more in-depth look at the city. Los Angeles gets, and deserves, a lot of criticism from locals and travelers alike, but there is no place in the world like it and it's a place that you just have to see with your own eyes at least once. If you could take away about half the people and two-thirds of the cars the place would be paradise, but you can't so it's not. Still, if you do it right you can efficiently see everything you want to see and have a great time in the process. From movie and TV studios in Hollywood to Beverly Hills to gorgeous beaches to Disneyland and countless other famous attractions there is never a shortage of exciting things to see and do in Los Angeles.

What to do

The movie industry is based in and around Hollywood and Burbank and there are many really interesting tours and attractions that some people make fun of but are actually well worth doing once. Beverly Hills is just next to Hollywood and everyone has to see this famously ultra-rich area at least once even if you can only afford to pass through on a tour bus. Disneyland and Magic Mountain are a long way apart and neither is too close to the center of Los Angeles, but those two theme parks are the highlight of many people's visit so trying to hit at least one is worthwhile. Santa Monica is probably the most famous beach community in Los Angeles, but there's also the exclusive Malibu, the funky Venice Beach, the locals-only Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo beaches, and some really nice ones down in Orange county as well.

Getting there

If you are coming from more than 1,000 or so miles away you'll likely book a flight into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) but there are many smaller regional airports in the area so you might be able to get a deal into one of those. If you intend to stay in Hollywood then Burbank (BUR) is the closest, but LAX is almost always the cheapest. More than any other city on the planet, you'll want to rent a car when you visit Los Angeles. They tend to be reasonably priced, especially at the airports, and having a car is almost like having a key to the city. Public transportation has improved lately, but doing Los Angeles this way is slow, clumsy, and very limiting. And forget walking except within just a few small areas because the rumors about LA being spread out are very true. If you need to drive to the airport you can save yourself some money and time and pay for your Los Angeles airport parking before you get there. Another good idea is to choose the Los Angeles airport shuttle to take you to the airport and back from the airport.

Where to stay

But once you've arrived and secured a car you are in great shape. There are hostels in Los Angeles, but not as many as there should be, however there are plenty of Los Angeles hotels to choose from in all price ranges. The most popular places to stay are in Hollywood and in the beach areas south of there, particularly around Santa Monica. Hollywood is very central, but it can also be frustrating, and the best nightlife is still rather spread out through the nearby city of West Hollywood. Santa Monica and next-door Venice are better options if you want to spend much time outdoors and especially at the beach itself. Downtown Los Angeles is on the upswing and there are a few things to see, but there still isn't much reason to stay there. For a pleasant place that's slightly off the main tourist routes consider staying in the beach communities just south of LAX known as the South Bay. Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo Beaches have the most pleasant lifestyle and setting in the area, and still have a good infrastructure for visitors. Disneyland is 40 miles away down in Orange County and there are loads of hotels nearby, but if you want to stay in that area a much better choice would be ritzy Newport Beach or surf-obsessed Huntington Beach. And don't forget to grab the free map at the rental car counter. You are going to need it. Our friends at USA Tourist have guides to various U.S. cities, including a Los Angeles Travel Guide, specifically geared toward visitors from outside the country.