Destination guide

Los Angeles

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Los Angeles is a huge, sprawling city, built around the car and the film industry. It has beaches, hills, museums, neighbourhoods of every kind and a famous food scene. It is easiest to enjoy when you choose a few areas and take your time.

The weather is sunny for much of the year, and the Pacific is always nearby.

How many days: 5

Five days gives time to see several areas, a beach or two and a studio or museum. Three is enough for the highlights.

Group your plans by area, as driving between them can take a long time.

What to do in Los Angeles

Walk on Venice Beach
A boardwalk with street performers, skate parks and murals. A people-watching classic.
Walk or ride along Santa Monica Pier
A classic pier with a funfair and a long beach.
Visit the Griffith Observatory
A hilltop observatory with views of the city and the Hollywood sign. Go at sunset.
See Hollywood
The Walk of Fame and Chinese Theatre are busy but iconic. A short visit is enough.
Take a studio tour
Several film studios offer behind-the-scenes tours. Book ahead on their sites.
Visit the Getty Center
A hilltop art museum with gardens and city views. Check booking and parking rules on the official site.
Hike in the hills
Runyon Canyon and the Griffith Park trails give views and exercise.
Spend a day on the Malibu coast
Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at beaches and viewpoints.
Walk through downtown's architecture
The area has historic theatres, a grand library and modern concert halls. Check opening rules on the official sites.
Visit a major art museum
Large museums have collections from ancient to contemporary. The outdoor lamp installation is a popular photo stop.
Watch the sunset from a pier or beach
The Pacific sunsets are famous. Santa Monica, Malibu and Manhattan Beach are all good for it.
Take a food tour of an immigrant neighbourhood
Many neighbourhoods are known for specific cuisines, and local tours explain the story behind the dishes.
Browse a neighbourhood bookshop or record store
The city has many independent shops, especially in Echo Park, Silver Lake and Pasadena. A good way to see local life.

What to eat and drink

Tacos
Taco trucks and stands serve some of the best food in the city.
Korean barbecue
Los Angeles has a large Korean community. Koreatown is full of grill restaurants.
Fresh juices and smoothies
Juice bars are everywhere. A refreshing stop on a hot day.
In-N-Out style burgers
Burgers are a local obsession. Try a classic stand.
Farmers' markets
Fresh produce, street food and local stalls. A good way to eat well.
Food from every culture
Thai, Armenian, Ethiopian, Mexican and Japanese food are all excellent.
Mexican breakfast burritos
A morning staple, wrapped around egg, potatoes and meat.
Fresh seafood on the coast
Fish tacos and grilled fish are common at beach restaurants.

Getting around

A car is the easiest way to get around, though traffic is heavy. Ride-hailing apps are common.

The metro covers some areas, and buses fill the gaps.

Plan to spend time in the car, and avoid peak hours where you can.

Good to know

  • Traffic is heavy at rush hour. Plan your days by area to cut driving time.
  • Parking can be limited and rules are strict. Read the signs carefully.
  • The sun is strong, and the air can be dry. Bring sun cream and water.
  • Tipping is expected in restaurants and bars.
  • Visitors from many countries need an electronic travel authorisation. Check the official site.
  • Wildfire and heat can affect plans in dry months. Check local alerts before hiking.
  • Public transport is improving, but a car or ride-hail still saves time between distant areas.
  • Weekdays and weekends feel very different on the roads. Weekends are easier for long cross-town drives.

Where to stay in Los Angeles

6 neighbourhoods, described the way a friend would - what each is actually like, not the brochure version.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica Pier, a broad Pacific beach and Third Street Promenade create Los Angeles' easiest beach-and-city base. It suits families and couples wanting walkability; hotels are expensive and reaching Hollywood or Downtown takes considerably longer than the map suggests.

Venice

The Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, skate park and Abbot Kinney give Venice an eccentric mix of beach culture, street life and restaurants. It suits younger and creative trips; the atmosphere can be chaotic, nights are noisy in places and transport across Los Angeles is slower.

Hollywood

The Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Bowl and easy access towards Griffith Park put major Los Angeles icons close together. It suits first-time sightseeing and nightlife; Hollywood Boulevard is intensely touristy and many streets feel less glamorous than the name suggests.

West Hollywood

The Sunset Strip, Rainbow District and dense concentration of restaurants, rooftop bars and music venues make West Hollywood one of LA's strongest evening bases. It suits nightlife and dining trips; hotels skew expensive and the lack of a Metro rail station weakens car-free travel.

Downtown Los Angeles

The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Little Tokyo, Arts District and historic core concentrate culture and transport into one urban base. It suits business and museum-heavy trips; neighbourhood quality varies block by block and the beach is far across the city.

Los Feliz & Silver Lake

Griffith Park access, hillside streets, Silver Lake Reservoir and independent cafés create a residential alternative to LA's big visitor districts. It suits couples and longer stays wanting local character; beaches are distant and landmark-to-landmark transport is less convenient.

What it costs

A typical day in Los Angeles, per person, in pounds.

£226

Comfortable - a decent hotel, restaurants, the odd taxi.

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