Los Angeles
The City of Angels: Where dreams meet reality
LA Neighborhoods Guide
Each area has its own personality
Hollywood
Entertainment capital
Must See:
- • Walk of Fame
- • TCL Chinese Theatre
- • Hollywood Sign hike
Food Spot:
Musso & Frank Grill (historic)
Stay here if: Central but touristy
Santa Monica
Beach town meets urban
Must See:
- • Santa Monica Pier
- • Third Street Promenade
- • Beach bike path
Food Spot:
Bay Cities Italian Deli
Stay here if: Great for beach lovers
Beverly Hills
Luxury and glamour
Must See:
- • Rodeo Drive
- • Beverly Gardens Park
- • Greystone Mansion
Food Spot:
Spago (Wolfgang Puck)
Stay here if: Upscale but pricey
Venice
Bohemian beach culture
Must See:
- • Venice Beach Boardwalk
- • Abbot Kinney Blvd
- • Muscle Beach
Food Spot:
Gjelina (California cuisine)
Stay here if: Quirky and artistic
Downtown (DTLA)
Urban renaissance
Must See:
- • Grand Central Market
- • The Broad museum
- • Arts District
Food Spot:
Bestia (Italian)
Stay here if: Central for Metro access
Silver Lake/Los Feliz
Hipster haven
Must See:
- • Griffith Observatory
- • Barnsdall Art Park
- • Vintage shops
Food Spot:
Night + Market (Thai)
Stay here if: Local vibe, less touristy
Must-Visit Attractions
The classics everyone should experience
Griffith Observatory
LandmarkAdmission
Free (planetarium shows $)
Best Time
Sunset for city views
Insider Tip: Park at Greek Theatre and hike up to avoid parking hassle
Getty Center
MuseumAdmission
Free (parking $20)
Best Time
Weekday mornings
Insider Tip: Gardens are as impressive as the art
Universal Studios
Theme ParkAdmission
$109-139
Best Time
Weekdays, off-season
Insider Tip: Express Pass worth it on busy days
Santa Monica Pier
Beach/EntertainmentAdmission
Free (rides extra)
Best Time
Late afternoon
Insider Tip: Original Muscle Beach is here, not Venice
LACMA
MuseumAdmission
$25 adults
Best Time
First Tuesday free
Insider Tip: Urban Light installation best at dusk
Hidden LA Gems
Skip the crowds at these local favorites
El Matador Beach
Malibu
Dramatic rock formations, less crowded
Tip: Limited parking, arrive early
Watts Towers
South LA
99-foot tall folk art masterpiece
Tip: Tours Thursday-Sunday only
Echo Park Lake
Echo Park
Lotus flowers bloom in summer
Tip: Rent a swan pedal boat
Museum of Jurassic Technology
Culver City
Bizarre and fascinating exhibits
Tip: Don't try to understand everything
Bronson Canyon Caves
Griffith Park
Batman cave from 1960s TV show
Tip: Easy hike, great for kids
LA Food Scene
A culinary melting pot
Tacos
Guisados
Braised meat tacos
Multiple
Leo's Taco Truck
Al pastor
La Brea/Venice
Mariscos Jalisco
Shrimp tacos
Boyle Heights
Korean
Park's BBQ
Premium Korean BBQ
Koreatown
Republique
French-Korean fusion
Mid-City
Sun Nong Dan
Galbi jjim
Koreatown
Burgers
In-N-Out
California classic
Everywhere
Father's Office
Gourmet burger
Multiple
Burgers Never Say Die
Smash burgers
Silver Lake
Breakfast
Republique
Pastries and brunch
Mid-City
Sqirl
Ricotta toast
Silver Lake
The Griddle Cafe
Huge pancakes
Hollywood
Day Trips from LA
Escape the city for a day
Malibu
Distance: 30 miles
Highlights: Beaches, wine tasting, Getty Villa
Time Needed: Full day
Catalina Island
Distance: 22 miles by ferry
Highlights: Snorkeling, zip-lining, Avalon town
Time Needed: Full day or overnight
Joshua Tree
Distance: 130 miles
Highlights: Desert landscapes, rock climbing
Time Needed: Very long day or overnight
Santa Barbara
Distance: 95 miles
Highlights: Wine country, Spanish architecture
Time Needed: Full day
Getting Around LA
Yes, you probably need a car
Rental Car
✓ Maximum flexibility, essential for beaches/hills
✗ Traffic, expensive parking ($5-50/day)
Best for: Overall best option
Metro Rail/Bus
✓ Cheap ($1.75), expanding network
✗ Limited coverage, slow
Best for: DTLA to Hollywood/Santa Monica
Uber/Lyft
✓ Convenient, no parking hassles
✗ Expensive for long distances
Best for: Night outs, short trips
Metro Bike/Scooters
✓ Fun for short distances
✗ Dangerous in traffic
Best for: Beach paths, neighborhoods
When to Visit LA
Spring (Mar-May)
Weather: 60-75°F
Highlights: Perfect weather, wildflowers
Events: LA Marathon, LA Times Food Bowl
Crowds: Moderate
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Weather: 70-85°F
Highlights: Beach season, long days
Events: Hollywood Bowl season, DTLA Music Festival
Crowds: Very high
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Weather: 65-80°F
Highlights: Best weather, clear skies
Events: LA County Fair, AFI Film Festival
Crowds: Moderate to high
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Weather: 55-70°F
Highlights: Rainfall possible, fewer crowds
Events: Rose Parade, Awards Season
Crowds: Low except holidays
LA Insider Tips
Do's
- ✓ Make dinner reservations well in advance
- ✓ Check traffic before going anywhere (use Waze)
- ✓ Validate parking when possible
- ✓ Dress in layers (microclimates vary)
- ✓ Try food trucks for authentic eats
- ✓ Visit beaches on weekdays if possible
Don'ts
- ✗ Don't expect to walk everywhere
- ✗ Don't drive during rush hour (7-10am, 4-7pm)
- ✗ Don't leave valuables visible in cars
- ✗ Don't expect NYC-style pizza
- ✗ Don't swim when red flags are up
- ✗ Don't forget sunscreen (even when cloudy)
Ready to Explore LA?
From Hollywood glamour to beach vibes, LA offers endless adventures