Los Angeles is a city I never thought I would love. It is strange to start my Los Angeles Guide with that sentence, but I want to let you know that underneath its misunderstood surface is a very lovable city. It is one of the best food cities in the world. It is filled with art and innovation. There are countless reasons to choose Los Angeles for your vacation. The Los Angeles Guide breaks down everything you should know before you visit. As a travel advisor, I love sharing my home city with you, and I hope this post inspires you to visit.
UPDATED: FEBRUARY 3, 2026
This is what travelers should know about Los Angeles. (Use the Table of Contents to jump around.)
The 411: Things to know about Los Angeles
Transportation
Airport
These airport(s) serveLos Angeles:
LAX—Los Angeles International Airport
LAX is the main airport serving Los Angeles. It is also the airport locals love to hate.
Although LAX is the main airport that serves Los Angeles, other airports in the area may save you money or offer options closer to your destination.
- BUR—Hollywood Burbank or Bob Hope Airport (Closer to Hollywood and Studio City)
- LGB—Long Beach Airport. (This is closer to Disneyland)
Train
Los Angeles is well-connected by MetroLink and Amtrak. Union Station is beautiful and connects you to major cities around the country as well as within Los Angeles. The Surfliner and
Have you ever considered a train vacation?
Public Transportation & Ride Share
Public transit
I would rate Los Angeles’ public transit at a B-. With the upcoming global events of FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Summer Olympics in 2028, Los Angeles is working hard to connect more of the city. Bus connections need work, but I have been to places where public transit is worse.
You can pay your fare by phone through the TAP to Go app.
The train to/from LAX is an ongoing project. Completion dates have come and gone. For now, TBD.
Ride Share
Los Angeles has Uber, Lyft, and Alto. Taxis also serve Los Angeles, but I don’t recommend them.
More information about your first moments in Los Angeles can be found at This Ugly Beautiful City.
Currency
USD-The United States Dollar
Language
The official language of the United States is English.
Los Angeles is an international city where you can hear many languages while walking the city streets. There are areas like Koreatown where Korean is more often heard and seen. On any given day, I hear Spanish, Mandarin, Ukrainian, and languages of the Philippine Islands while I am out and about.
The Best time to visit
Los Angeles is a great destination all year round, but if I had to pick a best time, I would say April and September—December.
In September and October, Los Angeles is still experiencing summer. In December, Angelenos travel for the holidays, leaving a less crowded, easier-to-navigate city. (I tell all of my clients this)
The worst time to visit
In May and June, the Pacific Ocean’s marine layer washes a shore, leaving cloud-filled mornings, which locals call May Gray and June Gloom. The sun may or may not peek out after 2:00 p.m. Just an FYI.
It may surprise people that Los Angeles experiences cool, rainy winters.
What are Los Angeles’ Hours?
This might seem odd, but I am adding this to my guides because knowing a city’s hours is essential when traveling.
Los Angeles is open seven days a week. With much of the city working non-traditional schedules, there isn’t a quieter or busier time to be in the city. The exceptions are Coachella, Thanksgiving, and the December holidays.
Speaking of the above, these are great times to visit. If you want to spend the holidays in Los Angeles, let’s talk.
It is an earlier dinner crowd, with most restaurants ending dinner service before 10:00 p.m. Taco trucks pick up the slack for after-hours dining.
Minimum number of days to spend in Los Angeles
5+ exploration days*
Even as an almost twenty-year Angeleno, I still learn about things to do in Los Angeles, making each day a new adventure. At a minimum, I would spend five exploration days in the city, which would give you a taste but only scratch the surface.
Could you come for a long weekend and have a great time? Absolutely.
*Depending on your departure city, travel days may take an entire day and may include a jetlag day.
Average hotel room cost per night
$275. Of course, you could pay less or more depending on which neighborhood you choose. Los Angeles does not charge resort fees like Las Vegas, Palm Springs, or San Diego.
Let’s chat if you want to work with a local to get insider advice on Los Angeles.
Do you need to rent a car?
That answer depends on what you want to do. That may be a vague answer, but the city is enormous, and places like Disney and Hollywood are so far away from each other. Parking in Los Angeles can be worse than its traffic.
Here are my most frequently asked questions about Los Angeles, like “When is the best time to visit?” and “Is traffic really that bad?”
Contact me if you would like to book a trip to Los Angeles. I would work with you to plan a memorable vacation.
Sample Los Angeles Itinerary
Spend A Day in Downtown Los Angeles
This itinerary gives you a history of early Los Angeles without breaking the bank. See historic movie palaces, explore the Last Bookstore, and get a taste of L.A.
Los Angeles recommendations at every budget (aKA The Three Bs)
Budget
1—The Freehand, 2—Grand Central Market, 3—The Broad Museum 4—Kippered
- Where to stay: The Freehand (Partner perks)–THIS HOTEL HAS CLOSED PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR A BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTION
- What to eat: Build your own Los Angeles local buffet at The Grand Central Market
- What to do: The Broad
- Where to drink: Hit a happy hour at Kippered
Why I chose these places
There is a surprising number of things to do in Los Angeles that cost little to no money. You don’t have to come to Los Angeles with a big budget to enjoy the city. The best way to get a taste of Los Angeles is to go to the Grand Central Market. Here, you can get Mexican, Korean, and Thai food with a side of pie and ice cream. The Broad is a contemporary art museum with FREE access to its expansive general collection. There is tons of public programming and memorable exhibits. While you are in the area, I would hit Kippered for its weekday happy hour and a feeling of Spain while you are in Los Angeles.
Contact me to book with perks.
Bonus
1–DTLA Proper 2–Shibumi 3–Walt Disney Concert Hall 3–The Wolves (Walt Disney Concert Hall photo by Photo by Enric Cruz López)
- Where to Stay: DTLA Proper (Partner perks)
- Where to eat: Orsa & Winston
- What to do: Concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Where to drink: The Wolves
Why I chose these places
Proper Hotels are design hotels with attention to interior design, history, and experiences. Proper is part of Michelin’s hotel portfolio, but don’t expect to pay Michelin prices. The DTLA Proper Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles is inside a historic building on the border of Los Angeles’s old financial district and its historic entertainment district. Of all the special experiences you can have in Downtown Los Angeles, I chose a concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a perfect temple of sound. You can hear the LA Philharmonic or hear well-known musicians like you have never heard them before. Orsa & Winston is something you can only find in Los Angeles. It is a Japanese-Italian hybrid omakase menu brought to you by a Tejano chef. This is a perfect date night spot. I My favorite cocktail bar in downtown Los Angeles is The Wolves; stepping inside feels like stepping into Art Nouveau Paris. The cocktails are outside of the box—sometimes weird but always interesting.
Contact me to book with perks.
Bougie
1–The Maybourne, 2–Providence, 3–The Weisman Foundation, 4–Bespoke
- Place to stay: The Maybourne, Beverly Hills (Partner perks)
- Thing to do: The Weisman Foundation
- Where to eat: Providence
- Where to drink: Dante at Maybourne
Why I chose these places
I am not going to lie. When you want to experience the height of luxury in Los Angeles, you still need to be in Beverly Hills or Malibu. I chose Maybourne for its class and experiences. Although The Weismann Foundation is free, it shows you what money can buy you—wall art covering every inch of your home from artists like Harring, Rothko, and Warhol, encompassing one of the largest privately owned contemporary art collections in the United States. Since you are hiring a car service at this level of travel, you should traverse the city to Providence. This two-Michelin-star and Green Star-awarded restaurant has been at the top of its game for over a decade, with the best ingredients, wine list, and service.
As a Travel Advisor I can get you perks at properties like the Maybourne.
Los Angeles is HUGE. I have recommendations all over town. Hit the contact button and let’s chat.
Side trips
The San Diego Guide
I recommend adding this southern beach town to your California travel plans. It is a fantastic road trip—or train trip—to see the Pacific Coast. If you are a beer lover, this is a great town to visit.
This guide provides all of the information you need to know about visiting this city. Newsletter subscribers get a special foodie road trip as part of their subscription.
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