Los Angeles Travel Guide

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Pro

Erin74 profile photo

 Great weather, good shopping, lots of diversity, great cultural events/activities, excellent dining, friendly people. 


Con

marinarena profile photo

 too much car traffic & pollution; so widespread to appreciate in a short visit, depressing poor areas, increasingly high living costs in some areas, undeveloped & crime-filled parts like in most... 


In a nutshell

LostBoyPN profile photo

 You can see beaches, mountains and all kinds of weird people 

 

Explore Los Angeles

Things to Do  

Universal Studios

Universal Studios, Los Angeles

 112 Reviews  I went there alone! But it was so fun! I screamed like a kid and had a blast! It is a little bit expensive but it totally worth it. Avoid long lines with the "special pass" they sell. With this pass you don't have to wait in line. I would do it again for sure! 

Olvera Street

Olvera Street, Los Angeles

 63 Reviews  Last visit November 2012 Although a bit of a tourist trap, Olvera Street is still a lovely place to stop for a short visit if you find yourself in downtown LA. Olvera Street is a pedestrian only street that is only about a block long, stuffed full with Mexican eateries, both sit down and take out,... 

Hotels  

Magic Castle Hotel

 5 Reviews and 1250 Opinions  The Magic castle hotel is a great place to stay. It looks small at first view but its rooms are on... 

Sofitel Los Angeles - Beverly Hills

 4 Reviews and 864 Opinions  This is a very nicely appointed hotel but not as imposing as I thought it would be. I booked a... 

Restaurants  

In-n-Out Burger

In-n-Out Burger, Los Angeles

 19 Reviews  Last visit November, 2012 Californians are passionate about their In-N-Out Burger's, the drive thru is always stacked with cars, there is always a line inside with people waiting patiently for their orders. I usually find myself at In-N-Out at least once when I'm in So Cal and this trip was no... 

Nightlife  

Sunset Strip

Sunset Strip, Los Angeles

 21 Reviews  Thursdays with Karma brings a more casual, but no less label-minded crowd (less suits, more Fred Segal). Soulful house, hip-hop and funk ! Drink specials change weekly from free champagne and strawberries for the ladies to early open bar for all. HIGH FASHION~ Definitely a place to put your heels &... 

Downtown

Downtown, Los Angeles

 23 Reviews  Orpheum Theatre is a beauty of a theater in a so-so stretch in downtown. The gorgeous 2000+ seat venue is host to an ecletic variety of music artists, movie and TV shoots, occasional movie premieres and small private events. The Broadway St. theater is also home to the rare Mighty Wulitzer one of a... 

Transportation  

Driving

Driving, Los Angeles

 66 Reviews  Don't be nervous about driving in LA if you are a tourist. I landed at LAX on my first ever visit to US and drove straight from LAX to West Hollywood. Also this was my first time driving on the right side of the road. The roads (boulevards) are very wide and the Interstate is super wide. Maybe on... 

Metro

Metro, Los Angeles

 29 Reviews  For your Los Angeles Metro trip, you should get a TAP card for your bus and rail travel. OK, I know, yet another card to put in the wallet! Metro has decided that paper passes are just way too evil and it wants you to go green with the tap. If you have an old Metro paper stub, it'll be a collector's... 

Shopping  

Outlet Malls

Outlet Malls, Los Angeles

 14 Reviews  Located west of LA is the Camarillo shopping mall. It's huge and has a large number of your (well my) favourite brands incl North Face, New Balance and Vans. Lots and lots to keep boys and girls of all ages happy though it's a long trek to get here. The mall is broken into three areas and there's... 

Santee Alley Fashion District

Santee Alley Fashion District, Los Angeles

 14 Reviews  FABRIC, and discounted designer inspired items for a small fraction of the price. There is every type of fabric that you could imagine here, all on the tall 60" bolts. There are stores that have $1 a yard, or $2 a yard promotions. I love getting $20 fabric for $2. I also found an amazing D&G... 

Local Customs  

Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants

Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants, Los Angeles

 14 Reviews  When you are in Los Angeles, either in the city of L.A. or in another part of the county, you'll see several restuarants. On the window of establishments, you will see a letter- either an "A", "B" or "C". These letters go accordingly to the quality of food preparation and overall kitchen standards... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Unsafe Areas

Unsafe Areas, Los Angeles

 62 Reviews  I come from a small town in New Hampshire and moved to East LA for grad school. Honestly...I never really researched the area before moving there but after I got there, so many people that I met were astonished that I lived in that area! I do not think it is as bad as most people think. Yes, there... 

Driving / Traffic

Driving / Traffic, Los Angeles

 23 Reviews  If you are travelling to L.A make sure to hire a car. Just about everybody in L.A drives and you will not be able to walk everywhere. Compared to cities like Sydney, Canberra etc. the roads are much LARGER and freeways more common. Just a tip, if you are from say Australia (countries like Australia)... 

Tourist Traps  

Hollywood Sign

Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles

 15 Reviews  It is sad that tourists spend so much time and gas driving to see the sign when the only way to get really close to it is to hike up to it by parking just north of 6363 Deronda Dr, 90068. Or, see it from Griffith Park so you can enjoy the observatory too. There is noting, zero, zilch around the sign... 

Homes of the Stars

Homes of the Stars, Los Angeles

 12 Reviews  I went on a tour called hollywood tours it is located between mcdonalds and gunniess world of records right on hollywood blvd. the lady boss was very nice to the customers but mean to her employees. she was shouting at the sales guys telling them to get away from the front of her.... store, it was... 

What to Pack  

What To Wear

What To Wear, Los Angeles

 11 Reviews  If you are coming during the winter, be prepared for generally, sunny days and cool evenings. The best way to dress is in layers. When it does rain, it is chilly. So be prepared and do bring a warm jacket. When the sun is out, the days are quite comfortable and nice. People on average dress pretty... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Downtown LA

Downtown LA, Los Angeles

 62 Reviews  Central Library on 5th St. OK, maybe a library is not the typical tourist site but it is an intriguing place speaking from an architectural standpoint. Also, there is an on-going exhibit area and art gallery. There is a beautiful little park-like setting which serves as a place where people can... 

Hiking / Mountains

Hiking / Mountains, Los Angeles

 33 Reviews  Getting up close and personal with the back of the Hollywood sign, with views over Los Angeles, is an excellent way to get acquainted with the topography of the city. The iconic sign is located in the Hollywood Hills, within Griffith Park. A hiking trail wraps around the sign giving the visitor... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Dodger Stadium

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

 12 Reviews  My goal in life is to visit every baseball stadium in the Major Leagues. Dodger Stadium is special because it is my home stadium. I've been there more times than I can count. It's always a pleasant experience. 1) Arrival & Departure I give this a 4 (on a scale of 1-5 where 5 is best). It has... 

Favorites  

Downtown LA

Downtown LA, Los Angeles

 21 Reviews  Stimson House is a gorgeous little Richarsonian Romanesque castle just south of downtown. Once the most expensive home in all of Los Angeles (costs of over $150,000 in the 1890s), it has been a popular TV series shooting location (The Bionic Woman, Pushing Daisies, Mad Men, The Mentalist), feature... 

Beaches / Other Beach Cities

Beaches / Other Beach Cities, Los Angeles

 15 Reviews  Venice Beach was beautiful. Be careful when walking the boardwalk you can be pulled into over priced items which you could find cheaper when you walk futher down the path. EXAMPLE: At the beginning of the boardwalk I paid $8 for a henna tatto but a few minutes of a walk down the road I got it for... 

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