Travel Guide to Los Angeles
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General Information about Los Angeles
Los Angeles (or L.A. for short) is the largest city in California, both in terms of area (about 1200 sq. km.) and population: over 3.5 million residents in the city itself, and about 10 million in the entire metropolitan area. It is the second most populous city in the U.S. and is considered the capital of the West Coast.
The city is composed of a collection of communities and suburbs that vary in character. The area was first discovered in 1769 by the Spanish. The city was the capital of the California district of Mexico and passed to American rule in 1847. Los Angeles is world-famous as the movie city: most American films are produced there. The city is a magnet for many who come to seek their fortune in the film and entertainment industry, and it is home to hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Mexico, Asia, and Arab countries dreaming of success and wealth, influencing its character and culture. The city is prominent for the massive freeways running its length and breadth. Residents spend a great deal of time traveling from place to place (the city stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains and the desert) and in enormous traffic jams. The American dream apparently begins in the car...
Tourism is the largest source of income in Los Angeles. Every member of a traveling family has much to see and do there. Besides Orlando, it is the city with the largest number of amusement and entertainment sites in the U.S. Additionally, it has interesting museums, beautiful beaches, and nearby snowy mountains (in winter). Los Angeles also serves as an excellent starting point for trips to many national parks in California.
On the other hand, the number of homeless people in the city is very large and the crime rate is high. There are many areas where it is not advisable to wander, particularly at night, especially the city center (Downtown) and the airport area.
Tickets for amusement parks and attractions in the Los Angeles area from Expedia
Recommended hotels in a central location in Los Angeles:
Best Western PLUS Hollywood Hills – A 3-star hotel located 4 minutes' drive from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The hotel has 86 spacious and well-equipped rooms including a microwave and refrigerator. The hotel features a diner restaurant and a swimming pool. Free internet. Private parking for an additional fee.
Holiday Inn Express Hollywood Walk of Fame - A 3-star hotel located 8 minutes' walk from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The hotel has 94 spacious rooms with a small refrigerator in each room. The hotel has a swimming pool and a gym. Free internet and free breakfast. Private parking for an additional fee.
Residence Inn by Marriott Beverly Hills – A suite hotel in Beverly Hills less than a kilometer from Rodeo Drive. The hotel has 186 suites from double studios to two-bedroom suites designed for 5 people. Each suite has a fully equipped kitchen. Free internet and free breakfast. The hotel has a jacuzzi and a gym. Private parking for an additional fee.
Hilton Los Angeles-Universal City – A 4-star hotel located a 2-minute walk from Universal Studios. The hotel has 495 rooms. The hotel features a restaurant, business center, gym, swimming pool, and jacuzzi. Each room has a small refrigerator. Hotel rooms offer views of the theme park or the city. Internet and parking for an additional fee.
♦ Book guided tours in Los Angeles from GetYourGuide.com:
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♦ Guided tours in Los Angeles from Viator:
recommended discount card for amusement parks and attractions in Southern California:
Disneyland, California Adventure Park, SeaWorld, Legoland, San Diego Zoo:
Southern California's best attractions
Tours in Famous Neighborhoods of the City:
Details about the attractions of Los Angeles in its famous neighborhoods: Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Downtown can be found in the article: Trip to the Famous Neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
Transparent slide on top of the OUE Skyspace tower:
Amusement Parks, Water Parks and Studios:
♦ Admission tickets to amusement parks and attractions in Los Angeles:
In the article "Amusement Parks in Los Angeles" read about the following amusement parks, water parks and studios in Los Angeles:
Amusement Parks:
♦ Disneyland
♦ Disney's California Adventure
♦ Six Flags Magic Mountain
♦ Knott’s Berry Farm
Amusement Parks and Studios:
♦ Universal Studios Hollywood
Additional movie studios in Los Angeles:
♦ Warner Bros. Studios
♦ Paramount Studio tours
♦ Sony Pictures Studios Tour
Water Parks:
♦ Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
♦ Knott's Soak City Water Park
♦ Raging Waters
♦ Recommended Hotels in the Universal/Six Flags area:
Hilton Los Angeles-Universal City
Or cheaper:
Best Western Media Center Inn & Suites
Alternatively, it is recommended to stay in the prestigious Santa Monica area
Recommended hotels in Anaheim for visitors to Disney Parks:
Apartment Hotels:
Springhill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate Clementine Hotel & Suites Anaheim
Or the following hotels which are also suitable for families:
Staybridge Suites Anaheim At The Park
Suite and studio hotel suitable for families.
Hotel with rooms suitable for families.
Transportation in Los Angeles
The Airport
Los Angeles International Airport (code: LAX), on Century Blvd., is one of the busiest in the world. It serves about 90 airlines from all over the world and is the third largest in the world in terms of passenger volume. Besides it, there are three other smaller airports in the suburbs. Near the international airport are branches of all major car rental companies. There are also bus services, shuttles, vans, and taxis at the field. Travel time from the airport to the city center is about 30 minutes, provided there are no traffic jams.
The Seaport
The seaport of Los Angeles is in San Pedro, and many passenger ships visit it. The freeway connecting the airport to the port is I-110. It is almost impossible to manage in this giant city without a private car. Public transportation is scarce. It is not easy to get taxis and the fares are high due to the long distances.
Roads
The road system in Los Angeles is one of the most sophisticated and advanced in the world: giant bridges arranged one above the other connect the many freeways spread throughout the city, yet traffic density is high and traffic jams are unbearable during peak hours. The main freeways that cross the city but bypass its center are: I-405, I-210, and I-101. To save yourself frustration, equip yourself with a GPS! And it won't hurt at all to have a detailed road map of the city. Plan your route well. Try to avoid driving near rush hours, between 8:00-9:00 and 17:00-18:00.
Weather
The weather in Los Angeles could be considered perfect if not for the smog polluting the air. The winter is quite mild, rain falls mainly in the months of November to March and is usually not prolonged, although on particularly rainy days there is a risk of floods. The hottest months are July to October, but even then temperatures usually do not exceed 25°C. The weather sometimes changes rapidly. Often the sky is cloudy in the morning and clears up only towards noon.
In summer average temperatures are between 18-29 degrees Celsius and in winter 8-20 degrees Celsius.
Duration and Timing of Visit
Timing of Visit
Any season is suitable for a visit to Los Angeles thanks to its comfortable and pleasant weather for most of the year. In summer, during the Christmas holidays and spring break, the crowding at tourist sites is heavy and lines in amusement parks are long. However, the parks close late then and special night performances are held. Some parks, particularly water parks, open to the public only starting in May.
Thanks to the city's great ethnic diversity, festivals and events take place throughout the year to mark the independence celebrations or the New Year of many nations: Japanese New Year in early January, Chinese New Year in early February, Mexican Independence Day in early May, and the list goes on. If you are visiting the city in early January, do not miss the "Roses Parade," held annually on January 1st or 2nd in Pasadena, where giant figures made of flowers and plant parts are led. It is a spectacular parade that attracts crowds of visitors. You can view the floats for two additional days after the parade. It is worth waiting in line; the sight is worth the wait.
Duration of Visit
It is recommended to stay in Los Angeles for at least four days to have time to visit at least two of its large amusement parks (Universal Studios and Disneyland), tour its famous neighborhoods (Beverly Hills and Hollywood), visit museums, and other sites. A family wishing to "scour" the amusement and water parks and go on interesting trips in the immediate vicinity should ideally dedicate at least six days to the city.
Parks, Gardens and Museums
In Los Angeles there is a large variety of museums of all types and sizes. Some of the museums are located inside parks where there are also other attractions.
Read about all of these in the article: "Parks, Gardens and Museums in Los Angeles".
Los Angeles Beaches and the Port
Los Angeles has many diverse bathing beaches. Just remember that the water is quite cold. In addition to sand and water fun, there is much to do and see on the beaches, piers, and the city's ports.
Surfing, water skiing, and sailing are very popular at the beaches, and you can also enjoy watching them.
Read about Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, the Queen Mary, and San Pedro Port in the article: Famous Beaches and the Port in Los Angeles.
Sports
Los Angeles has famous sports teams about which you can read in the article: Sports in Los Angeles.
Travel Destinations in the Immediate Vicinity of Los Angeles
An abundance of travel options are open to travelers arriving in Los Angeles. Ranging from trips to the famous national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, a fast boat cruise to a magical island, a tour of artists' towns by the sea, a trip to high and snowy mountains (only in winter) or to the desert, spending time in Legoland and the flower fields of Carlsbad.
Articles about destinations located within 90 minutes' drive from Los Angeles:
♦ Travel Destinations in the Immediate Vicinity of Los Angeles - about Laguna Beach, Newport Beach
♦ Big Bear Mountains Within about 90 minutes' drive from Los Angeles, near the city of San Bernardino, is a high mountain range, snowy in winter.
Catalina Island is located 36 km off the coast of Los Angeles.
♦ Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a resort town located in the Colorado Desert at the edge of the Mojave Desert. The city is a well-maintained oasis.
♦ Trip to Carlsbad following flowers, Legoland, shopping and restaurants
Carlsbad is about an hour's drive south of Los Angeles. It's great to visit the Legoland park there, which also includes a water park and aquarium, and to tour the Carlsbad flower fields in the spring.