In this video, we’ll cover all you need to know before traveling to Los Angeles like
what’s the best time to visit, how to get around the city and avoid traffic jams,
best apps to use in LA, and other practical information.
We also made a separate video on Top 10 things to do in Los Angeles.
And don’t forget to like this video, subscribe
to our channel and enable notifications. And share your Los Angeles tips or ask a question
in the comments below.
With four million people, Los Angeles is the largest city in California,
and the world center of film and television industry.
Here are our tips on what to know before traveling to this amazing city.
NUMBER 16: LOS ANGELES AREA
Los Angeles metropolitan area is the second largest metropolitan area in the US after New York.
In practice, it is impossible to tell
where Los Angeles starts or ends because most of its neighboring areas just seem like
one big city.
So let’s take a look at the map of Los Angeles
and its surroundings so you can get a sense of where the famous attractions are located.
Malibu, famous for its beautiful beach and surfing, is located Northwest.
While still popular with tourists, this is a predominantly residential area
with beautiful beach houses.
Westside includes Santa Monica Pier, the historic end of Route 66, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills
and, for example, the Getty Center. Downtown is the central area, where most of
the high rises, including the famous US Bank Tower is located.
Hollywood is located to the west and northwest of downtown. Here is where you’ll find the
Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign, followed by San Fernando Valley,
commonly referred to as just The Valley, where you will find Universal Studios.
If you drive Southeast, there is Long Beach, and if you continue Southeast, you enter
Orange County, another palace known for beautiful beaches and home to Disneyland.
Attractions in Los Angeles are spread out just as the city is, so driving from one side
of LA to another will probably be your daily routine.
NUMBER 15: TRAFFIC
Los Angeles is known for its slow traffic.
Since the city covers everything from the beaches in the West to East LA and spreads
in all other directions, you can travel almost 50 miles and never leave the city.
So, expect delays everywhere you go.
Some roads have tolls, so use your Google Maps, Waze or a similar apps
to check if there are tolls on your route as well as to see your ETA
according to latest traffic situation.
The best way to beat the LA traffic during the week
is to travel when there is less traffic on the road like between 10 AM and 3 PM
during the day and after 9 PM in the evening.
Of course, rush hours can stretch either way and there’s no guarantees.
It is also good to stay away from the I-405.
Also, don’t forget to use Carpool lanes if you are not travelling alone.
NUMBER 14: SAFETY
There is some pickpocketing but mostly on the subway and places like the Hollywood Walk
of Fame. Similar with tourist scams, so don’t buy your tickets on the streets.
NUMBER 13: WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Los Angeles has Mediterranean climate, mild-to-hot and mostly dry all year.
The warmest months are from July to September
and the average temperature in August is 84 °F (29 °C).
However, if you’re planning to swim in the ocean, the water temperature is relatively
low even in the summer, usually around 68 °F (20 °C).
The weather in Spring and Fall is dry, the only exception are winter months, which tend
to me more wet, especially February. Average high temperature in the winter is
around 68 °F (20 °C) with the lows around 48 °F (9 °C) during the day.
Unfortunately, smog is also a very common phenomenon in Los Angeles.
NUMBER 12: BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
The best time to visit Los Angeles is from March to May
and between September and November, when there are less crowds, average temperatures
range between 70 °F (21°C) and 84 °F (29°C) during the day, and the air is more
breathable, which makes visiting Los Angeles great for both outdoor and indoor activities.
NUMBER 11: WHERE TO STAY
Finding good budget accommodation in Los Angeles can be tricky.
An average three-star hotel costs around $150 per night, but you can get
some deals for under $100 per night.
When it comes to luxury hotels Los Angeles offers plenty of options.
Since tourist attractions are spread out,
there is no ideal place in terms of being close to major sights
so we recommend that you choose an area that you generally like so you can,
for example, take a walk on the beach if you like the ocean.
Some of the best areas to stay are Downtown,
Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Grove, West Hollywood, and Westwood.
Watch our video on best apps to book your stay and find your best accommodation
in Los Angeles. And check the description for more information.
NUMBER 10: TRANSPORTATION
From and to the airport
The main airport in Los Angeles is LAX, located 18 miles (30 km)
southwest of Downtown Los Angeles.
There are several options to travel from and to LAX,
including renting a car, an Airport FlyAway Bus, a shuttle service that provides
that provides non-stop transportation between LAX and designated bus stops
in five LA neighborhoods, Uber or Lyft,
Shared Ride Shuttles and taxies.
If you plan on renting a car, it is wise to
do so in advance as you can get much better deals this way.
is not as efficient and organized as in other cities such as New York or San Francisco.
So, check if your destination is covered by public transportation by using apps like Google
Maps, where you can easily see public transportation options and how much time it takes to arrive
at your destination. Some areas are still well covered by either
metro trains or buses. If you want to use public transportation,
you can buy a reusable TAP card. Available from TAP vending machines at Metro stations
with a $1 surcharge, the cards allow you to add a preset cash value or day passes.
The regular base fare is $1.75 per boarding, or $7 for a day pass with unlimited rides.
A more convenient method of transportation for tourists in Los Angeles are car rentals
or Uber and Lyft. You can also rent-a-car per hour, for instance with Zip Car.
Check the description for more information.
NUMBER 9: BEST APPS TO USE IN LA
Your smartphone can be your best buddy in Los Angeles. Here are some of the best apps
to use: Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, or any other
app with current traffic and public transportation information. And, as mentioned, Uber and Lyft
if you prefer a ride. ParkMe, BestParking, or ParkWhiz, if you are
looking for best and most affordable parking GasBuddy if you want to find cheapest gas
prices, since gas in California is expensive, compared to other US states.
L.A Weekly, a resource to discover events, restaurants, and activities in the city.
5 EVERY DAY, which suggest five interesting things to do in LA every day.
Airbnb, where you can book experiences and tours with locals.
Eatwith, where you can book a dinner or a cooking class at someone’s home.
Lime or Bird, where you can rent an electric scooter and explore the city this way.
NUMBER 8: LINES ARE EVERYWHERE
Since Los Angeles is usually a crowded place,
you can expect lines not only on the road but also at the restaurants and all major
attractions.
NUMBER 7: FOOD
Food in Los Angeles is not cheapest, but it is known for its quality and diversity. If
you visit Grand Central Market in downtown LA you can experience fresh food from all
over the world, all in one place. An average meal at an inexpensive restaurant
costs approximately $14, and a mid-range, three-course meal for two costs about $55.
You can find less-expensive options with a little research on Yelp or TripAdvisor.
Check the description for links to ideas for best cheap eats.
NUMBER 6: FOR TOURISTS COMING FROM OUTSIDE US
If you are not from the United States, and especially if you are arriving directly to
Los Angeles, there are a couple of things to know:
Tipping: You should always tip in bars and restaurants
in the United States, and therefore Los Angeles. The normal rate is between 15% and 20% pre-tax
for restaurants, $1 to $2 per drink for bartenders, or 15% to 20% of the bar tab. You should know
that servers in the US are usually paid minimum wage or less and rely heavily on tips.
Power Plugs: There is a chance you will need special US
power adaptor to charge your phone and other devices. This is what the US power plug looks
like. We recommend purchasing a power adaptor before traveling to Los Angeles. In fact,
it is worth buying the adapter for the entire world so you can use in in other countries too.
NUMBER 5: DRINKING WATER
Despite the public perception that tap water is not fit for drinking, the Los Angeles Department
of Water ensures that their tap water is as clean as bottled water.
It might not taste as good as bottled water, but it may save you some money.
NUMBER 4: DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS
There are many things you can do in Los Angeles,
from shows, standups to sport events, whale watching and many more.
It is worth searching on Groupon, LivingSocial and other similar coupon sites for money-saving
deals. Check the description for the links.
NUMBER 3: SAVE ON ATTRACTIONS
Some of the famous attractions in Los Angeles
are very expensive, for example, a daily ticket to the Universal Studios is around $100.
If you want to visit more attractions, we recommend buying a Go Los Angeles® Card to
visit multiple LA attractions for reduced price.
Or buy SoCAL City Pass if you plan to visit several amusement parks in Los Angeles, Orange
County and San Diego and want to save some money. Amusement parks include Universal Studios,
Disneyland, Sea World San Diego, Legoland, and others.
Check the description for links. On the other hand, there are some great attractions
in Los Angeles that are completely free, and you only have to pay for parking, for example,
the Getty Museum, or Griffith Observatory.
NUMBER 2: WI-FI
Especially if you are an international traveler, access to free Wi-Fi is very important.
You’ll find free Wi-Fi in in many places in and around Los Angeles. Download Wifi Finder,
an app that downloads WiFi map so you can search for nearby WiFi even when you’re
offline, or use Wiman that helps you find all the Free WiFi hotspots available in your
travel destination. You can also buy a local sim card and get
online that way. Some of the best providers for cheap sim cards when it comes to value
for money are prepaids cards from T-Mobile and Mint.
Check the description for more suggestions and links.
NUMBER 1: BEST VIEWS OF THE CITY
For the best and amazing free views of Los
Angeles you can visit Griffith observatory, Hollywood sign, Echo Park, Baldwin Hills Scenic
Overlook, Mount Wilson Observatory, City Hall, Getty Center, etc.
But you can also pay and see the city from another perspective from OUE Skyspace LA,
the tallest observation deck in California and ride on their SkySlide stretching directly
above downtown Los Angeles.
Do you have a suggestion on what you need to know before travelling to Los Angeles?
What’s your experience? Do you have a question about LA? Share it in the comments below.
And don’t forget to like this video, subscribe to our channel, and enable notifications so
that we can keep bringing you more awesome content.