LA travel guide

The Definitive Los Angeles Travel Guide

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Wolters Travel Guide to Los Angeles

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about traveling to Los Angeles California. The “City of Angels” is the home of movie studios, celebrities, and American beach culture. If you’ve never been to Los Angeles, your first visit can be overwhelming. So we’ve put together some travel tips to help you figure out the best places to visit in Los Angeles.

Visit LA Tourist Information

Getting Around Los Angeles

Los Angeles traffic is notorious, and you will inevitably get stuck in it at some point! There’s never a time when there isn’t traffic; it just goes from bad to worse at certain times of the day. The only thing you can really do is try to plan around rush hour. When you are flying home from Los Angeles, make sure to leave plenty of time to account for traffic. If you get there too early, see our LAX tips below!

Driving a rental car can be intimidating, but it is the best option for getting around Los Angeles. Make sure you have GPS set up and programmed ahead of time. There are some Los Angeles neighborhoods that you should avoid, so don’t just drive around aimlessly. If you aren’t sure what areas to avoid, check with your hotel front desk or concierge.

Keep in mind that parking in Los Angeles is expensive, frustrating, and even confusing at times. If you’re not on a tight budget, you can valet park almost anywhere and save yourself the headache of finding a spot. Otherwise, just pay close attention to the parking signs because the rules can be different depending on the time of day.

If driving in Los Angeles is not for you, there are other options.

Rideshare options like Uber/Lyft are widely available in Los Angeles. Just beware of surge pricing during rush hour. I’ve seen the same ride triple in price from one hour to the next. If you’re in an outlying area like DisneyLand, you may want to pre-schedule your ride home as there may not be a lot of rides late at night in the “suburbs.”

Public transportation in Los Angeles is available, and it’s kind of hit or miss depending on where you want to go. I don’t recommend the buses, but sometimes the subway can be useful. Most trains depart from downtown, so you may have to go downtown first. If you are on a tight budget, then taking public transportation will save you money, but it may take you much longer to reach your destination.

Los Angeles Neighborhoods

Los Angeles is a huge city made up of much smaller cities. What we think of as Los Angeles is actually many surrounding cities, like Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and others. It can take an hour or more to get from one side of town to the other. When you start planning out your places to visit in Los Angeles, it’s a good idea to plot them out on a map. Grouping LA attractions by location can save you a lot of frustration and travel time, and also help you decide where to stay in Los Angeles.

I even recommend staying in multiple Los Angeles neighborhoods for a few days at a time. It might seem like a hassle to switch hotels mid-trip, but it’s an even bigger hassle to cross the city multiple times in one day.

If you’re thinking about grouping various Los Angeles neighborhoods together, these are some good options:

  • Beverly Hills, West Hollywood & Hollywood
  • Santa Monica & Venice Beach
  • Downtown has a lot of museums and the La Brea Tar Pits
  • Amusement parks like Disney Land and Knott’s Berry Farm are in Anaheim
Hollywood do's and don'ts

Hollywood may have once been all glitz and glamour, but it is no longer that way. It’s more grit and grime. To follow the glamour, you want to go to Beverly Hills, not Hollywood. Hollywood is still home to iconic attractions like Grauman’s Chinese Theater, but it’s not a squeaky-clean tourist destination, it’s a bit rough around the edges.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is iconic, but there are almost 3,000 stars. If there’s one you really want to see, it may be worth visiting but don’t expect to know who all the stars are. Be prepared for lots of buskers and street performers ready to relieve you of your loose change and small bills. If you take their photo, you should be prepared to pay them something. They will not give you change, so make sure you have some small bills!

You can visit some show tapings in Hollywood, but be prepared for an all-day event. A 30-minute sitcom can take hours and hours to film.

Tours of the Stars is another popular Hollywood attraction, aka tourist trap. You might see some homes where celebrities used to live, but these days, celebrities live in gated communities. If you’re just looking to get off your feet for a bit, then go for it, but keep your expectations in check if you decide to join a Hollywood Homes tour.

The other iconic destination in Hollywood is the Hollywood Sign. But the sign itself isn’t really a destination because once you get up close, you lose the view of the whole sign. It’s best to get your photos from afar where you can get the whole sign in the photo. Don’t pay someone to take you up there; it’s not worth it.

West Hollywood sits between Beverly Hills and Hollywood, and there are some great clubs and restaurants to check out in this area.

When we think of Hollywood, we think of movie stars. But you’re more likely to see movie stars in Beverly Hills than in Hollywood. It’s still pretty rare to see a celebrity, but Beverly Hills has famous hotels like the Beverly Hilton and the Beverly Hills Hotel. It’s also home to some fantastic restaurants, so it’s a great place to splurge on a nice dinner out on the town.

Two main attractions in Beverly Hills include the famous sign which you have to get your photo with, and Rodeo Drive. (Ro-DAY-o, not rodeo like the cowboy contests!) Rodeo Drive is famous for shopping, but it’s only about three blocks long, so it’s a quick stop. You can also find some high-end shopping along Beverly Drive or Wilshire Boulevard.

Other things to see in Beverly Hills include:

Beverly Hills is one of the more expensive areas of Los Angeles, so it’s nice to visit for a day, but I don’t recommend staying there unless you really want to splurge.

Unlike a lot of other cities, downtown Los Angeles isn’t full of attractions. In fact, many tourists don’t even venture downtown. There are some great ethnic neighborhoods for affordable and amazing food, but it’s also where you’ll find skid row and lots of homeless encampments.

LA travel guide

Venice Beach is another popular Los Angeles neighborhood. If you’re coming to LA, you have to at least check out the Pacific Ocean! Venice Beach can get super crowded on the weekend, so plan a mid-week visit if you can. It’s a great spot to rent a bike and cruise the boardwalk that’s been featured in so many movies and TV shows. You might even start to see why the city was named after Venice, Italy.

Other Los Angeles beaches include:

  • Santa Monica Beach
  • Huntington Beach
  • Manhattan Beach
  • Hermosa Beach
  • Redondo Beach

Be warned, though, the water is cold! This is not a tropical beach destination; most of the surfers you see will be wearing wetsuits to stay warm.

Other Los Angeles Attractions

Besides the beaches and touristy Hollywood attractions, there are actually some great cultural attractions in Los Angeles. Just a few of my favorite places to visit in Los Angeles include:

Greater Los Angeles is home to several amusement parks as well, including Disney World. There’s also Universal Studios and Harry Potter World, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier.

Of course, there are lots of outdoor attractions in Los Angeles as well. LA is surrounded by National Forest and National Recreation land, and locals love to get outside and explore nature. Whether it’s hiking, mountain biking, golf, or surfing, make sure you get outside and take advantage of the sunny Southern California weather!

Ten Things That Will Shock You in Los Angeles

Where to Eat in Los Angeles

Before your trip to LA, make sure you download the LA Times 101 Restaurants list. The list is a great tool for deciding where to eat in Los Angeles. It ranges from high-end fine dining to food trucks. There is a ton of great food in LA, so the list will really help you narrow down your options.

Don’t be afraid to branch out and try new types of food. LA has restaurants from all over the world, and it’s worth trying some new cuisine. Of course, In N Out and Del Taco are worth trying if you don’t have them at home, but balance those out with unique cuisines you’ve never tried before.

Don’t pass up the street food in LA as well! Food trucks are a huge part of LA culture, and this is really where they became so popular. If you’re visiting LA on a budget, eating at food trucks is a great way to save some money and enjoy delicious food!

Is Los Angeles Safe?

LA isn’t always shown as a safe destination for travelers, and there are definitely some areas to avoid. However, as a tourist, you’re not likely to accidentally wander into a gang fight or a dangerous situation. Of course, anything bad can happen anywhere, but I don’t feel like LA is worse than other cities in the US. That said, I do have some safety tips for visiting LA.

  • Don’t mess with the homeless people in LA. You will see them nearly everywhere you go; it’s not concentrated in one area over another. If you do see a large encampment, don’t go wandering around in it. Leave them alone and they will probably leave you alone.
  • LA used to be known for smog, and it was a real safety concern for many years. But California has some pretty strict clean air policies now, so it’s not much of an issue. Some summer days can be bad, so if you have serious breathing issues, you may want to visit in spring, fall, or winter.
  • Some people worry about earthquakes when visiting LA, and it’s always a possibility, but it’s not something you can predict, so there’s no use worrying. LA has pretty strict building codes that can withstand some very large earthquakes.
  • Jaywalking can be very dangerous in Los Angeles. Because of the notorious traffic, LA drivers are always in a hurry, so don’t assume they will follow traffic signals. Be on high alert when walking around LA.
  • Cigarettes are typically frowned upon in LA, but you will smell marijuana just about everywhere. It is legal and has created a funny double standard, but cigarette smokers should beware of disapproving looks from locals.

Besides these safety tips, use your usual travel smarts that you would anywhere in the world. Don’t leave valuables in your car, don’t flash money or expensive jewelry, don’t wander alone after dark in a compromised state, etc.

Honest Travel Safety Tips You Should Know

Los Angeles Budget Tips

Los Angeles is such a diverse city; you can go all out and live like a movie star, or you can set a strict budget and stick to it. Most of us are probably somewhere in the middle. I do have a few tips for saving money when you visit Los Angeles.

  • Buy breakfast and snacks at the grocery store, rather than eating out for every meal. And if a store sells Oscar statues, their prices are probably too high. Buy your groceries and sundries elsewhere!
  • Eat at food trucks instead of sit-down restaurants.
  • Factor transportation costs into your accommodation costs. It doesn’t do you any good to save $30 on a hotel each night if you’re going to spend that much on Ubers to get where you are going! Don’t be afraid to change hotels!
  • Avoid surge pricing when using Uber and Lyft by planning your trips outside of rush hour
  • Consider public transportation for the parts of your trip where it makes sense.

Besides these budget tips, many of the Los Angeles attractions I mentioned already are FREE! LA has lots of free museums, and even the other museums often have a free day once a month. It may be worth looking into the Go Pass or City Pass; if a lot of the covered attractions are on your itinerary, then it might save you some money.

Getting To Los Angeles

More than likely, you will fly into LAX for your trip to LA. It is the main airport in Los Angeles, but it’s not the only airport. Make sure you check the surrounding airports when you are watching flight prices. LAS has the most flights and is generally cheaper, but it doesn’t hurt to check Burbank, Orange County, Long Beach, Ontario, and others. Make sure you factor in your transportation costs, too. You might spend a bit more to fly to a different airport which will save you time and money on ground transportation. 

If you do fly into LAX, there are some things you should know:

  • While baggage claim is on the lower level, you might need to then go up one floor for shuttles and taxis. Pay attention to the signage when exiting the airport.
  • The buses can be confusing, so make sure you get on the right bus!
  • Ask your hotel if they have an airport shuttle. If they do, ask them for very detailed instructions on where to go for the shuttle. (see the previous bullet point)
  • Make sure you go in the right door! The doors are labeled by the airline, but inside, there may be walls dividing the various airlines. So you can’t always go in one door and expect to connect to another airline’s desks.
  • Don’t freak out when you see the security line. They’re actually pretty efficient.
  • If you have TSA Precheck or Clear, they’re not as easy to find, so look to the right of the main line. Or just ask a staff member to point you in the right direction.
  • Space is cramped at LAX and it doesn’t seem like the gates have enough seats. If you have to get some work done, it may be worth investing in a lounge pass because you won’t find much space at the gates and you’ll get free food without the long lines at the food court!
  • Bathrooms are kind of few and far between as well, so don’t pass one up if you have to go!

Surprisingly, there aren’t a lot of food options at LAX. Of course, there’s food to be had, but the lines are always long. It’s best to just eat before you get to the airport. There’s also an In N’Out across the street, so make sure you try that iconic California burger chain!

There’s also a park next to the airport, across from In N Out. If you have a long layover at LAX, you probably won’t have time to go into town in less than five hours, but you can get some fresh air at the park. It’s marked Airplane Landing ViewPoint on maps, and it’s right in the approach path. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s also a great place for them to run around a bit and burn some energy.

Los Angeles Myth Busting

We asked our friend and Southern California Resident, Chris from Yellow Productions, to talk about some of the common myths about Los Angeles, and why they might not always be true!

  • Los Angeles is not one big city; it’s composed of 88 smaller towns and cities. The city of Los Angeles has four million people, while the county has ten million!
  • Movies are not usually made in Hollywood. All of the movie production that made Hollywood famous has now moved out to places like Studio City or Burbank.
  • Los Angeles weather is not always amazing! In fact, they are known for having “May Gray” and “June Gloom” as those tend to be cloudy and rainy months. However, it’s always a good idea to have sunscreen and sunglasses because you will probably need them!
  • Los Angeles isn’t as smoggy as people might think. They’ve made a lot of strides in terms of emissions regulations. The biggest issue now with air quality in Los Angeles is when there are wildfires in the area.
  • While Californians love their cars, there are actually some walkable areas in Los Angeles. If you plan properly when choosing where to stay in Los Angeles, you can probably spend at least one day exploring on foot.
  • Between public transportation and walking, you don’t absolutely have to drive to get anywhere in LA. You might need to Uber to your final destination from the train station, but you don’t have to rent a car.
  • Downtown Los Angeles isn’t just skid row. Yes, there are a lot of homeless in downtown LA, but there are also some great neighborhoods. Little Tokyo, Chinatown, El Pueblo, and Union Station are all great places to visit in downtown LA.
  • Contrary to what some might say, Los Angeles does have culture! There are some great museums in Los Angeles, including the Getty, the Brode, and the Griffith Observatory are all great cultural attractions in Los Angeles.
  • You might expect LA to be expensive, but visiting Los Angeles does not have to be expensive. A lot of museums are free, the beaches are free, hiking is free, and some of the best food comes from food trucks.
  • Los Angeles locals are not unfriendly. It’s actually a very friendly city, although it doesn’t necessarily have that reputation. Part of that is because they are always running late, but it’s typically because of the notorious traffic.

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These are our travel tips for visiting Los Angeles. It may be super touristy, but there are many worthy destinations to visit, whether you are into food, culture, nature, or sports. Interested in more California travel tips? Check out these blog posts!