Traveling aro
Los Angeles
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8/5/202412 min read
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Los Angeles has a special significance for me, as the city that hosted my most impactful and rewarding years.
Given my deep affection for this place, I'm eager to share an itinerary that will help make your time here, be it a weekend or a week-long journey,
as fulfilling and memorable as possible
To help enhance your Los Angeles experience, I've compiled the following recommendations:
Consider purchasing a travel pass -
With the abundance of attractions and activities throughout the city, costs can add up quickly.
Investing in a travel pass can provide significant savings and convenience.
The Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass is an excellent option to consider if you'll be in the city for less than a week and intend to pack in as many activities and attractions as possible.
This pass can provide significant savings, often paying for itself if you plan to visit one of the major theme parks (excluding Disneyland) or several of the included sights.
I'd recommend reviewing the comprehensive list of eligible attractions to determine if the multi-day pass aligns with your intended LA itinerary.
When planning your Los Angeles visit, there are a few travel pass options worth considering:
The Go City Explorer Pass offers an alternative option if you don't want to visit a large number of attractions.
With this pass, you can select 2-7 specific attractions that you're most interested in, and explore them at your own pace.
The pass is valid for 60 days, giving you flexibility to visit the chosen attractions within that time frame.
If you don't plan to rent a car at the airport, booking an airport pickup from LAX is the most convenient way to get to your hotel.
You can book a private airport pickup service in advance.
Alternatively, you can opt for a shuttle bus, which is a more cost-effective option compared to taking a taxi or using ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.
Renting a car is often the most convenient option for getting around Los Angeles. You can book a car rental that you can pick up and return directly at LAX.
While public transportation in LA has improved in recent years, it still may not be the best option for getting to your desired destinations.
Taxis typically need to be booked in advance, and ride-sharing services can get quite costly.
Based on personal experience, not having a car in LA can be quite challenging. For more details on driving and parking in Los Angeles, please refer to the next section of this blog.
If you are unable to drive in Los Angeles, taking a tour or sightseeing bus is a viable alternative.
While this may not be the most direct or efficient method of transportation, it will still allow you to visit the key attractions and destinations in the city.
Here are some tour options that provide hotel pickup and cover many of the must-see activities in Los Angeles:
It's important to be mindful of the operating hours for the specific attractions you plan to visit in Los Angeles.
For instance, The Getty and the Griffith Observatory are closed on Mondays, while the Getty Villa is closed on Tuesdays.
As a result, the latter part of the week, from Wednesday through Sunday, is generally the best time to visit LA if you want to maximize your sightseeing opportunities.
Familiarize yourself with the American tipping customs - the tipping culture in the US can certainly be perplexing for visitors.
While you may not agree with this social norm, it's important not to shortchange service providers just because you find it confusing.
One of the most common situations where you'll need to tip is when dining at a restaurant.
The general guideline is to tip 15% for average service, 20% for great service, and 25% for exceptional service.
However, you don't need to tip at establishments where the food is already prepared and you simply pick it up, rather than being served at your table.
While it's not required, it would be considered a nice gesture to tip at these types of places if you felt the staff provided exceptional service.
You also don't need to tip ride-sharing drivers, but it is generally expected to tip taxi drivers.
The tipping customs in the US can be confusing for visitors, but it's important to be aware of the social norms to avoid shortchanging service providers.
Sales Tax
Be mindful of the sales tax in California. In the state, a sales tax is applied to purchases, but this tax is typically not included in the listed or advertised price.
Instead, the sales tax will be added at the time of payment. So keep in mind that the final amount you pay will be higher than the stated price due to this additional sales tax.
Money
The Wise Debit Card proved to be exceptionally useful for me as an international visitor in the United States.
If you're traveling to the US from another country, I highly recommend getting a Wise Debit Card.
It will allow you to save significantly on foreign transaction fees, which can quickly add up when making purchases.
When I visited New York City and San Francisco, I was able to rely on the Wise Debit Card for all my transactions and never had to worry about using cash.
Sunset
Plan to be at the beach in the late afternoon to witness some of the most stunning sunsets you'll ever see.
I suggest visiting Santa Monica Beach or Venice Beach around 5 PM to catch the sunset at its best.
Public Transit
The LA Metro is a public transportation system that includes both a rail network and bus routes.
The rail lines connect downtown Los Angeles all the way to Santa Monica
The DASH bus service is operated by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and primarily serves the downtown area of Los Angeles.
Riding the DASH buses is free for passengers who use a TAP card, the same card used to pay for rides on the metro system.
Attractions
Starting your day at the Griffith Observatory is a great way to get a bird's-eye view of Los Angeles.
From this vantage point, you can see the entire city as well as the famous Hollywood sign.
However, it's important to note that the areas immediately surrounding the Hollywood sign are private properties
so getting too close to the sign could be considered trespassing unless you have permission from the landowners.
Despite the popular perception, you can't simply walk up to the Hollywood sign itself.
The Griffith Observatory is an intriguing destination, but it has very restricted visiting hours.
It's important to be aware that the observatory is closed on Mondays. However, the good news is that admission is free for visitors.
The Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard is a must-see attraction where you can literally see the stars. This famous sidewalk features over 2,600 stars embedded into the ground, each one honoring a renowned Hollywood entertainer who has achieved the ultimate recognition in their career.
Strolling along this star-studded path is a unique and iconic experience for anyone visiting the area.
Just down the road from the renowned Walk of Fame stands the iconic Chinese Theater. This theater's decor was designed to resemble a traditional Chinese pagoda, with its distinct red hue.
The Chinese Theater has been the grand stage for countless blockbuster movie premieres, including the 1977 release of George Lucas' legendary sci-fi film, Star Wars.
In addition to hosting major film premieres, the theater is renowned for the collection of handprint and footprint impressions of famous Hollywood celebrities embedded in the ground of its front courtyard. Over 200 of these celebrity handprints and footprints can be found there.
This theater is most famous for hosting the prestigious Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, since 2002. While it has been officially called the Dolby Theater since 2012, longtime Los Angeles residents, like the speaker, still think of it as the Kodak Theater.
The speaker moved away before the name change and was surprised to learn of the new name later on.
The Hollywood Museum is located across the street from the iconic Chinese Theater.
At the museum, visitors can explore the history of Hollywood and view props, costumes, and scripts from renowned classic films.
If you're a fan of museums, this is a must-visit destination. The iconic Urban Light installation by artist Chris Burden is prominently displayed at the museum's entrance on Wilshire Boulevard, a prominent street in Los Angeles.
This recognizable artwork will likely catch your eye as soon as you arrive.
If you plan to actually visit the museum itself, be sure to go during the day as it closes at 5 PM.
However, if your main interest is seeing the iconic Urban Lights installation, you can come at night as well, since it is open 24 hours and looks especially beautiful when lit up after sunset.
One block away from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the LA Farmers Market, a vibrant and engaging place where you can people-watch, enjoy a meal, and get refreshments.
The LA Farmers Market is open every day, making it a convenient and lively destination for visitors and locals alike.
Adjacent to the location is The Grove, which I consider to be one of the most visually stunning outdoor shopping destinations I've ever visited.
Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles is renowned for its exclusive and upscale shops, as well as frequent celebrity appearances and the lavish vehicles often parked along the street.
It's advisable to stay alert and observant when visiting this area, as you may unexpectedly encounter famous figures.
Food & Drink
Pink's Hot Dogs is an essential stop for visitors to Los Angeles.
Originating as a humble food cart in 1939, Pink's has since grown into a renowned landmark, offering a variety of inventive hot dog creations.
Urth Caffe offers organic coffee, tea, and nutritious breakfast fare made with locally-sourced ingredients.
The café is particularly known for attracting celebrity patrons. While there are now eight Urth Caffe locations across Los Angeles, the Melrose Avenue outpost is likely the most convenient option to visit as part of your itinerary and also presents the greatest potential for celebrity encounters.
The Griddle Cafe is the destination for decadent, substantial American breakfast fare.
The menu features options such as indulgent red velvet pancakes and similar indulgent specialties.
In-N-Out Burger is an essential experience for anyone visiting California.
There is a convenient location near the Chinese Theater on Sunset Boulevard, so be sure not to miss out on this iconic burger establishment during your trip.
The Farmers Market in Los Angeles is an excellent spot to purchase fresh, locally-sourced produce and snacks.
Yamashiro Hollywood is a long-standing establishment in the area.
Situated atop a hill, Yamashiro offers diners the added benefit of enjoying their meal alongside a scenic overlook.
Lawry's The Prime Rib is a well-known brand for their seasoned salt products found in grocery stores, but the company originated as a renowned steak house in Los Angeles dating back to 1938.
In addition to their prime rib, their creamed corn side dish is considered a standout menu item.
Begin your day at the Blue Bottle Coffee location situated within the Bradbury Building, a renowned architectural landmark in Los Angeles.
Constructed in 1893, the Bradbury Building has maintained its original design, including an open-cage elevator and intricate ironwork details that contribute to its fame.
This historic structure has also been featured in numerous famous films, music videos, and TV shows - a quintessential representation of the city's entertainment legacy. It is perhaps most widely recognized as a filming location for the 1982 sci-fi classic, Blade Runner.
Just a short distance from the Bradbury Building, this independent bookstore has gained widespread fame thanks to its highly Instagrammable artistic displays.
Featuring a range of visually captivating installations centered around books, the store provides the perfect backdrop for creative photography.
Located just around the corner from the Bradbury Building and The Last Bookstore is Grand Central Market, offering a wide variety of dining options for lunch.
Some top recommendations include the oyster bar and the popular Eggslut eatery, known for their signature egg sandwiches.
Directly across from Grand Central Market is Angel's Flight, a funicular railway that provides a brief 30-second connection between Downtown Los Angeles and Bunker Hill.
Though largely viewed as a tourist attraction these days, the railway is still utilized by a number of local residents in addition to visitors, at a cost of just $1 per ride.
Head down to The Broad, a contemporary art museum. In typical Los Angeles fashion, while admission to the museum is free, parking can be quite expensive.
If you've already parked nearby, it's best to just walk over rather than pay high parking fees. The museum is closed on Mondays.
The Broad museum has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, largely driven by its renowned Yayoi Kusama installation "Infinity Mirrored Rooms", which is currently on display at the museum.
If your primary goal is to experience the Kusama "Infinity Mirrored Rooms" installation, be prepared to wait in line.
However, The Broad has implemented a virtual queue system that will alert you when it's your turn, allowing you to explore the rest of the museum while you wait.
More details on visiting the Infinity Mirrored Rooms exhibit can be found on their website.
Beyond the renowned Kusama installation, The Broad showcases a strong collection of modern art, featuring works by acclaimed contemporary artists such as Takashi Murakami, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jeff Koons, even if one chooses not to wait in line for the Infinity Mirrored Rooms.
Before departing The Broad, take some time to walk around the exterior of the building and admire the Disney Concert Hall.
While you don't need to go inside, the facade of the concert hall is an architectural marvel worth appreciating from the outside.
If you're interested, The Broad offers complimentary guided tours or self-guided audio tours, typically available in the mornings between 10 AM and 3 PM. I'd recommend checking the schedule for tour availability before your visit.
If you're particularly interested in music, the Grammy Museum is worth visiting. There you can explore the history of the Grammy Awards and learn about past winners. The museum also offers some paid special exhibitions.
Los Angeles' vibrant Mexican community is integral to the city's identity - the very name "Los Angeles" is in Spanish. To cap off your day, visit the colorful Olvera Street Mexican marketplace. Opened in 1930, this lively area features shops, restaurants, and souvenir vendors.
The DASH Downtown Route A bus can be taken to reach Olvera Street.
The Olvera Street market is open daily, but most vendors operate between 10 AM and 5 PM. For more details on visiting, check the market's website. If you time your visit well, you may be able to experience one of the market's major events, such as Dia de los Muertos in October or Cinco de Mayo in May - be sure to consult their events calendar.
If you have additional time after visiting Olvera Street, you can walk over to the Arts District. This area was previously run-down, but has since undergone a major revitalization under the leadership of mayor Joel Bloom. Today, the Arts District is home to many trendy dining and drinking establishments, including restaurants, cafes, and breweries.
The DASH Downtown Route A bus can be taken to access the Arts District.
Food & Drink
Blue Bottle Coffee