First Timer's Guide to Los Angeles
If you’re heading across the pond to Los Angeles anytime soon, then we’ve got all the information you need to plan your perfect trip to America. LA is one of the most famous cities in the US, and it’s known for its film industry, gorgeous beaches, and the Hollywood stars who call this sun-drenched city home.
As with any holiday, there’s a lot to think about for your trip to the City of Angels, but that’s all part of the fun! It’s time to get excited – in no time at all, you’ll be strolling down Rodeo Drive in your oversized sunnies!
We’ve put together this complete guide with everything you need to know for your first time in LA. Read on to find out where to stay and what to do when you visit this incredible city.
How long should I spend in LA?
Los Angeles is a huge city with lots to do. Its landmarks are also quite spread out, so you’ll spend a bit of time travelling between them. We’d recommend spending between five and seven days in the city, which should give you enough time to see a lot of the main tourist attractions – although, of course, you could easily stay longer and still not see everything!
LA is also a good stop on a California road trip. It’s a fantastic drive up the west coast from San Francisco, and there are lots of incredible places to stop along the way, including Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur.
How to get to LA
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the airport that serves the city. You can fly direct to LAX from London Heathrow or London Gatwick. Flights take just over 11 hours and are available with several airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Aer Lingus. You can also get flights with a connection from other UK airports.
Once you arrive in LA, there are a few different options for getting to your accommodation. These include:
- Hiring a car
- Getting a taxi
- Booking a private shuttle
- Catch a bus
- Take the Metro
Where to stay in LA
There is no shortage of hotels in Los Angeles and there are many options for places to base yourself. There’s also a range of accommodation types, from budget motels and self-catering apartments to luxury hotels and beachfront houses.
Here’s our guide to some of the most popular neighbourhoods to stay in in LA:
Hollywood
Step into the legendary home of the movies with a stay in Hollywood. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the Hollywood sign on the hillside, there are so many iconic sights here, not to mention the mega-mansions of the rich and famous.
In addition, there are plenty of bars, restaurants, boutiques, and galleries to explore, and the night-time vibes here are fantastic. Hollywood is centrally located and is on the red Metro line, so it’s easy to get around.
Best for: Movie lovers
Venice
Venice Beach is home to a colourful boardwalk that runs between Washington Boulevard and Ocean Boulevard. Here, you’ll find souvenir shops, arts and crafts stalls, and plenty of places to grab snacks. You’ll also notice a fair few people rollerblading and we definitely recommend giving it a go!
This beach resort is named after Venice in Italy and also features canals, piazzas, bridges, and a lagoon. Don’t miss Muscle Beach, where bodybuilder and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger used to work out.
Best for: Active holidays
Santa Monica
Beach bums will love Santa Monica in the northwest of LA. It’s relaxed and welcoming, with farmers markets, independent cafes, restaurants, and bars, and plenty of green spaces. There’s also the famous Santa Monica pier, where you’ll find fairground rides, street performers, and yummy snacks. It’s fun for the whole family.
Santa Monica is also an excellent base for creatives and bohemians, as there are many boutique museums, galleries, and bookshops. It’s easy to explore the neighbourhood on foot, and it’s just a bus or train ride from the rest of LA.
Best for: Laidback, creative vibes
Downtown LA
Downtown LA is made up of lots of different neighbourhoods that reflect the cultural diversity of the city, including Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, and Olversa Street (Mexico).
There’s lots to see here, including Grand Central Market, the Grammy Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s got some fantastic shopping and is a major transport hub, so you’ll be able to get around easily from here.
Best for: Easy travel around LA’s sights
Beverly Hills
For a super-glamorous stay, head to the 90210 area code, which the A-listers call home. If you have some extra cash to splash, then this is definitely where you want to base yourself for huge mansions, high-end boutiques, and the most exclusive area codes.
Here, you’ll find famous streets like Rodeo Drive and the Santa Monica Boulevard. There’s a bus route between Downtown LA and Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills is on this route.
Best for: Luxury stays
Weather in LA
The climate in Los Angeles is mild, warm, and mostly dry year-round. It has a dry summer and a winter season, which can see showers. August is the warmest month, with average highs of around 24°C (75°F), and February is the coolest month, although temperatures still see average highs of about 18°C (64°F).
When is the best time to visit LA?
To ensure a dry visit, heading to LA in summertime is best when rainfall is unlikely, and the weather is at its warmest. Shoulder season in spring and autumn will see fewer visitors, but you should still get good weather.
What to pack for LA
When you start packing for your trip to Lose Angeles, you should consider the weather forecast and your itinerary. Remember that LA is full of fashionistas, so bring your most stylish clothes!
Here are some suggestions for what to bring with you for your trip to LA:
- Shorts and t-shirts or dresses
- Sweatshirt for cool mornings and evenings
- Sandals
- Trainers
- Swimwear
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Light jacket
- Umbrella and waterproof coat in case of rain
How to get around in LA
The sprawling landscape of LA can be a little overwhelming, and getting around does require a bit of forethought. Here are some of the options:
Hiring a car
Hiring a rental car is the most convenient way to travel in Los Angeles, as some of the areas of the city aren’t accessible by public transport. However, the downside to this is that the LA traffic is slow, especially during rush hour.
Rideshares
Ridesharing is very popular in LA, and Uber, Lyft, and Alto all operate here. You’ll rarely have to wait long for one of these, and most rideshare companies have greener options if you’re conscious of the environment. One of the main benefits of ridesharing is that you don’t need to worry about calculating or paying for parking.
Catch a bus
Getting a bus is one of the most cost-effective ways to travel in Los Angeles, and the extensive bus network covers most of the city. The downsides are that the bus is slower than driving and the timetables can be a little challenging to understand.
Use the Metro
The train system in the city is called the Metro, and it’s a good way to avoid traffic. Unfortunately, it’s not as extensive as some of the train systems in other cities, but it does serve popular areas like Downtown, Hollywood, Universal City, and Santa Monica and runs every 10-15 minutes.
Things to do in Los Angeles
Of course, there’s no shortage of things to do in LA. From thrilling theme parks to sightseeing tours or soaring over the city in a helicopter, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Top tip: The Go City: Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass is the most cost-effective way to explore LA. It gives you admission to over 40 attractions, sightseeing tours, and activities in Los Angeles and includes entrance to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, and the Big Bus Celebrity Homes & Lifestyle Tour.
Summary: things to do in LA
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Disneyland California
- LEGOLAND® California
- Sightseeing tours
- Helicopter tours
- Santa Monica & Venice Beach
Universal Studios Hollywood
Go behind the scenes of your favourite Hollywood movies before discovering amazing thrill rides and attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood. You’ll see the movie sets from iconic films and TV shows on The World Famous Studio Tour before heading into the themed worlds. Fans of the boy who lived will love The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™️ where you can wander the corridors of Hogwarts and come face-to-face with some magical creatures.
Disneyland Resort in California
Visit the Happiest Place on Earth, the very first Disney theme park, at Disneyland California in Anaheim. There are two incredible theme parks to explore – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park – and you’ll make some magical memories here.
LEGOLAND® California
There are over 60 rides and attractions at LEGOLAND® California, a kid-friendly theme park based on the popular toy building bricks. Not only is there a theme park with classic rides, but you can also visit the LEGOLAND Water Park and explore the SEA LIFE® aquarium.
Sightseeing tours
There are countless options for sightseeing tours in LA. Try the hop-on hop-off bus tour to get closer to the sights, or take the Celebrity Homes Tour to see where celebrities like Simon Cowell, Will Ferrell and Katy Perry live.
The LA, Hollywood City Tour is the perfect option for first-time visitors to Los Angeles. You’ll see iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Griffith Observatory, and the Dolby Theater, where the Academy Awards take place.
Take a Helicopter tour
See Southern California from the sky on a luxury helicopter experience. You’ll see iconic landmarks such as Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills from above, plus the stunning Pacific Ocean. You’ll even feel like a celebrity yourself as you soar high above the LA traffic.
Visit Santa Monica and Venice Beach
If you’re not staying in either Santa Monica or Venice Beach, it’s worth taking a trip here to see these fabulous coastal locations. They’re both home to incredible beaches and sights such as Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals, and the Art Walls.
Take an e-bike tour to ride along the beach path and enjoy some of the very best California coastal views with an expert guide to provide commentary.
4 top tips for visiting LA for the first time
Summary – top tips for visiting LA for the first time
- Plan your itinerary
- Hire a car
- Enjoy a free museum
- Visit LA in the latter half of the week
- Plan your itinerary: When you take a city break, you may enjoy just wandering around and seeing what there is to see, but this is unlikely to happen in LA as there is no “city centre” in the traditional sense. Attractions and sights are very spread out and it needs some arranging to get between them – lucky you’ve got this guide then!
- Hire a car: A car is the quickest and best way to get around the city, even despite the traffic. If you only have a short amount of time in LA, having a hire car will really help you maximise this
- Enjoy a free museum: If you’re travelling on a budget and you want to keep costs down, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are plenty of free museums in LA. The Broad, Getty Center, Getty Villa, Hammer Museum, and MOCA are all free to explore
- Visit LA in the latter half of the week: Some attractions in LA are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (like the Griffith Observatory), so the latter half of the week is better for visiting these. You can spend the first half of the week taking a tour or enjoying the beaches
Now that you’ve got all the info you need to plan your trip, take a look at our LA attraction tickets to start putting your itinerary together.