14 Things to Know Before Visiting Los Angeles
Everything about Los Angeles appears overwhelming at first glance: the congested network of freeways, the sprawling map and the traffic—because seriously, it’s worth mentioning twice. But once you get past L.A.’s more confounding qualities, you’ll discover a dynamic, diverse, culturally rich and beautiful city blessed with mountains, beaches and nearly perfect weather. So start studying L.A.’s best attractions and its ever-growing list of essential restaurants, and familiarize yourself with these travel tips before your first visit.
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There is so much to do in Los Angeles. In a city that spans over 500 square miles, it can be hard to know the ins and outs of what L.A. has to offer. While there’s no single way to experience L.A., here’s a list of tips and tricks to getting the most out of what Los Angeles has to offer, whether you’re a local or even if you’re just visiting for a day.
Those unfamiliar with L.A. sometimes assume it’s permanently sunny, full of neon lights, aspiring movie stars, and celebrities – the truth, however, is far more nuanced. Gray days happen, lots of locals are working-class folks and there’s more amazing food and art here than a visitor could possibly cram into a lifetime, let alone a weekend getaway. Here are 14 tips for the Los Angeles newbie.
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1. It’s always sunny and sometimes hot
Aside from some morning fog, you can expect it to be sunny almost 300 days out of the year. While winter can bring a few wet days, you won’t see a drop of rain in the summer. Temperatures by the ocean hover comfortably in the 70s nearly all year; if you’re venturing into the Valley, though, expect occasional triple digit days in the late summer and early fall.
Blue skies are common, meaning the sun can be hot and unrelenting. Mitigate any damage from UV rays by applying sunscreen and donning sunglasses and/or a hat. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than a painful sunburn after a day at Venice Beach. Also, be sure to always carry water, especially if you plan on going hiking.
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2. But it’s pretty “cold” every night
You’ll really regret wearing shorts as you learn that 70 degrees in a pretty dry climate doesn’t feel warm at all. Even on the warmest summer days, you’ll be more comfortable in pants once the sun goes down. So to sum it up: Lather on sunscreen, bring a hat, leave the umbrella and carry around a sweatshirt.
People think Los Angeles is perpetually 72 degrees and sunny, and it often is. The nights, however, can become rapidly chilly and it really does rain sometimes. Travelers who plan to be out and about from sunrise to sundown should not assume the temperatures won’t change. Check the weather before heading out and bring a light jacket for when the sun goes down. In winter, it can actually get quite cold and an even warmer coat is advised.
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3. Public transit
The song “Nobody Walks in L.A.” is often quoted, but it’s not true. Plenty of Los Angeles neighborhoods are not only walkable, but connected to one another by train. Guests who are hoping to avoid driving or renting a car should check a map to find lodging near one of L.A. Metro’s many stops. The Red Line, which begins at downtown L.A.’s Union Station, will take guests all the way through downtown, Los Feliz, and Hollywood to Universal City (home of Universal Studios), and North Hollywood in less than 40 minutes away.
The Purple Line will zip tourists through Koreatown, while the Gold Line services fun neighborhoods like Chinatown, Highland Park, and Little Tokyo. The Expo Line will take tourists all the way to Santa Monica, just a short walk from the famous Santa Monica Pier and the beach. To use the Metro, purchase a TAP card at any Metro station from one of the vending machines. A one-way fare is $1.75, with free transfers. Day passes are available for $7. TAP cards will also work on Metro buses, which can be used in combination with the trains to get around more efficiently and avoid parking fees.
4. There’s more than just one beach
Look at a map of Los Angeles County and you’ll find 70 miles of coastline. Yet many visitors won’t stray from the sand near the Santa Monica Pier or the Venice Boardwalk. Head north into Malibu and you’ll find a peaceful stretch of sand below the cliffs at Point Dume State Beach and a series of rock outcroppings perfect for sunset at El Matador State Beach. To the south, you’ll find a series of beach cities, each with its own distinct personality, including the pleasant and posh Manhattan Beach.
If you’re willing to pay for parking, you’ll be rewarded with this wide and rarely crowded patch of sand and surf. You can repel up and down the beach’s namesake rock face or take an idyllic hike along its summit. With all of the parking spots only steps from the sand, Point Dume is the perfect place to pack a picnic for a beachfront meal as seals and dolphins frolic in front of the sunset—just watch out for those hungry seagulls.
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5. Los Angeles has no center
In many world-class cities, you can step off a plane and onto a train that’ll whisk you into the heart of the city. Not so in L.A. First of all, said rail line doesn’t exist (yet). But second, L.A. is simply too spread out to stick to one compact area. You simply can’t just wander around most of the city on foot and expect to stumble onto something amazing—walkable exceptions include Santa Monica, Pasadena and Downtown L.A., though more on that last one in a minute.
Downtown Los Angeles has been swept up in a cultural resurgence unlike any other in L.A.’s recent history. The city center snapped out of decades of decline and—though it’s far from perfect—became a bona fide modern metropolis. Downtown is a worthwhile destination for tourists and locals alike, whether to check out the museums and cultural institutions atop Bunker Hill, restaurants and bars in the Historic Core or concerts and sporting events in South Park. Though its old, beautiful buildings and contemporary skyscrapers may never steal the global spotlight from the Venice beachfront and faded glamor of Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles is quickly becoming the city’s heart.
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6. Hollywood is for tourists (and that’s okay)
Tourists probably won’t see any celebrities strolling down the Walk of Fame or hanging out at Hollywood and Vine. Yet this major tourist attraction offers the fun, cheesy photo opps a family vacation wouldn’t be complete without. If not taking a shuttle or driving up to Griffith Park, the best view of the Hollywood sign is at Bronson Avenue, from either Hollywood or Sunset Boulevards.
The Walk of Fame begins at Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street, and continues down Hollywood Boulevard to La Brea Avenue. More stars can be found on Vine Street, headed south towards Sunset Boulevard. Stop at the Chinese Theater to pose with street performers dressed up like movie characters (and be sure to have cash for a tip). Hollywood is usually very crowded with tourists, especially near the Chinese Theater and Hollywood and Highland. Crosswalks at Hollywood and Highland allow pedestrians to cross vertically or diagonally, which may be unfamiliar to some. Side streets offer respite from the tourists, so explore freely.
7. Try the street food
For tourists unfamiliar with taco trucks and hot dog carts, it may seem odd to get your dinner from the side of the road. Yet nothing beats the convenience of cheap, flavorful street food, especially late at night. Taco trucks usually serve a variety of affordable tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas and more. Hot dogs carts offer the beloved “dirty dog”, a hot dog wrapped in bacon, topped with sautéed peppers and onion. Bring cash and don’t forget to tip.
Los Angeles has a varied scope of food and is the origin of the VIP culinary specialist marvel, with celebrated people like Gino Angelini, Wolfgang Puck, and David Myers at the cutting edge of the city’s chief kitchens. Visitors enjoy the sophisticated Italian options at Osteria Mozza in Hollywood and often are on lookouts for restaurants where a celebrity might visit (to have a glimpse of them). For a star-studded meal, one can try ‘Palm Restaurant’ or ‘The Ivy’ in or near ‘Beverly Hills’, ‘Fig & Olive’ in West Hollywood, or’ The Polo Lounge’ at ‘The Beverly Hills Hotel’ on Sunset Boulevard. There are several food trucks in ‘Santa Monica’ and ‘Venice Beach’ serving everything from overloaded hot dogs and BBQ to sushi burritos and gourmet quinoa bowls. Los Angeles is also home to some top-notch drinks and the city’s best cocktail bars which includes The Varnish and ETA.
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8. L.A. is full of free museums
The Broad, Getty Center, Getty Villa, Hammer Museum and Annenberg Space for Photography are always free (though you’ll have to pay for parking; the Marciano Art Foundation even has free parking). You can skip out on admission fees at L.A.’s remaining institutions if you time it right: LACMA on the second Tuesday of the month, MOCA every Thursday after 5pm, the Skirball every Thursday, the Norton Simon Museum on the first Friday of the month and the Huntington Library the first Thursday of the month (with an advance ticket)
You might think it's expensive to visit one of L.A.’s many world-class museums, but that’s not the case at all. In fact, museums like the Getty Center and Getty Villa, the California Science Center at Exposition Park, and the Hammer Museum in Westwood are free every day. And many more, like LACMA, the Huntington Library and the Norton Simon Museum offer free admission at least one day a month. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in January 2015, the annual “Museums Free-For-All” features more than twenty Southern California museums waiving their general admission fees for the day.
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9. DINE ON A DIME WITH SUNDAY SUPPERS
You don’t have to wait until dineL.A. Restaurant Week to try out some of L.A.’s best restaurants. Many of them offer a special Sunday Supper prix fixe menu at a reasonable cost. The weekly Sunday Supper at Lucques is an L.A. institution, featuring a three-course menu for $45 and even inspiring Suzanne Goin's cookbook of the same name. Other popular restaurants serving up a special Sunday menu include Crossroads Kitchen on Melrose and Church & State in Downtown L.A. Some restaurants take a twist on the Sunday dinner and offer prix fixe menus on other nights of the week. Most notable is the Thursday Night Farmers Market Dinner at Taste on Melrose.
Travelers from the Midwest may balk at the idea of spending $12 on a drink, but that may very well be the price of a whiskey and coke at a trendy downtown or Hollywood hotspot. Luckily for the frugal drinker, many bars offer both afternoon as well as late-night happy hours. Check for specials or consult Yelp to find the best local dive. Of course, for those fine with spending $14 on a cocktail, Los Angeles has some of the most creative mixologists around and an abundance of craft cocktail lounges. Tourists coming from other countries should know that the drinking age in Los Angeles, like the rest of the United States, is 21.
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10. Safety
A bit of caution and safety tips are helpful while traveling. In Los Angeles, the neighborhoods on the outskirts and even some parts of the city centers can be a bit dangerous as criminals tend to frequent these areas. One should watch out for pickpockets and guard their belongings. If possible one should carry minimal cash with them as credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.Adding to your safety tips, avoid an unfamiliar person on the street claiming to be from a production studio or agency. And if you are in doubt, then ask for their business card and check their credentials before pursuing anything. Scamming people in the name of casting is a common crime there so beware of such scammers.
If something goes awry and you need help, you can reach emergency services by dialing 911, as is the case in any U.S. state. Travelers can also seek help by going to any police station. Visitors may also call 311 for local information, and 411 for directory assistance.
11. TAKE A TRIP TO THE LAKE SHRINE
A glorious garden like no other is located just off Sunset Boulevard in the residential Pacific Palisades. The Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is truly a hidden gem. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, people of all backgrounds are encouraged to visit the beautiful gardens, little lake and the non-denominational temple. The Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial features a thousand-year-old stone sarcophagus from China, in which a portion of Gandhi's ashes are encased in a brass and silver coffer. Silence is encouraged throughout the Lake Shrine and speaking is kept to a minimum to allow for everyone to thoroughly enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the gardens. It’s a wonderful place to clear your mind and take a moment for yourself.
12. WORKOUT WITH UNLIMITED ACCESS TO GYMS
Don’t want to commit to one gym? No need, thanks to ClassPass, a new service that’s bound to get you motivated to work out. For $99 a month, you get unlimited access to classes at more than 50 gyms around the city. You can only attend the same location three times in a month, but other than that you can hit a different fitness class every day of the week. This costs less than most solo gym memberships, and you get to add variety to your workout.
13. SPA DAY ON A BUDGET
Treat yourself to a spa day without breaking the bank. Koreatown has a number of amazing day spas that will have you relaxing in no time. A top favorite is Wi Spa, which offers male and female facilities and even a kids zone. Known for their series of hot baths, steam rooms, saunas and cold pools, you can purchase a day pass for $25 and enjoy the facilities for as long as you like. They also feature a Jade Room, Salt Sauna and Ice Sauna to rejuvenate and detoxify.
Wi Spa is one of the most famous spas in Los Angeles with a four-story authentic Korean facility to offer a unique pick-me-up experience. They are open all day and night and provide hot tubs, nourishing body massages, facial treatments and corrections. You can come in for a quick sauna day, drop in after work or stay longer for dinner and entertainment at their rooftop restaurant and bar lounge.
14. Accommodation
Where to stay in Los Angeles? You can follow the simple guide to finding the best rates for Los Angeles hotels to get a fine lodge for the price of a “cheap” one. Yet, similar to every single shabby administration has extra shrouded charges, the inn rate that looks the most minimal may accompany a powerful day by day stopping expense, web charges, and different charges, while the place with a somewhat higher day by day rate may give free breakfast, free web, and free stopping.
Extraordinary discounts in Los Angeles: For bigger discounts on bay travels, guided visits, and a bunch of showbiz and exhibitions, you can utilize ‘Goldstar’ to set aside some cash. This is the least expensive arrangement one can get. A portion of the things you can see for free of cost incorporates a network show taping and the ‘Rose Parade’, notwithstanding the little-known methods for getting into the ‘Hollywood Bowl’ for free of cost.
