What You Need to Know Before Visiting Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California is an incredible city full of entertainment, art, museums, and more. Before you get all caught up in the glitz and the glamour of planning a Los Angeles vacation, there are a few things you need to know.

This post is sponsored by CheapOair. As always, all opinions are my own.

Top Tips for Visiting Los Angeles

Figuring out what to do in L.A. can be overwhelming

Los Angeles has so many attractions to choose from that it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why it’s great that CheapOair has created their Things To Do video series to provide reliable insights about popular destinations, starting with Los Angeles!

CheapOair will be producing new Things To Do videos each month with new destinations around the U.S. and worldwide. You can subscribe to their YouTube channel so you won’t miss a single destination!

For more exciting updates about CheapOair.com and their Things to Do series check out their YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and blog.

You’re going to want a car

Los Angeles is a sprawling city and you aren’t going to be able to walk to all the sights you want to see. You’re going to want to rent a car or rely on Uber and Lyft to take you where you want to go.

Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Downtown, Venice Beach, Silver Lake, and Echo Park are all different areas of L.A. that you’ll probably want to see, but you won’t be able to walk between them.

While we’re on the subject of cars, know that the traffic in L.A. is no exaggeration. Avoid traveling in rush hour, if you can, and always have a traffic app like Google Maps handy so you can factor in traffic to your schedule.

Choose where you stay wisely

Since Los Angeles is so huge, choosing the right accommodations can make all the difference. Make sure your hotel is located near as many of your top attractions as possible so that you don’t have to face L.A. traffic at every turn.

You might even consider splitting your stay, exploring Downtown for the first half of your trip and then getting a hotel in Santa Monica for the second half so you can experience the beaches. This can save you the headache of trying to plan around the dreaded rush hours.

Also, when booking your hotel, pay attention to which Hollywood neighborhood it’s located in.

East Hollywood and North Hollywood are separate neighborhoods from Hollywood and will put you further away from the action. Hollywood is where you’ll want to be for the Walk of Fame, while the neighboring West Hollywood contains the hilltop mansions and the Sunset Strip.

While L.A. is always sunny, it can still get chilly

Los Angeles is sunny nearly year-round, so you’ll likely have great weather. But don’t forget to pack a light jacket! In the morning and evenings, the air can get chilly and windy.

The water is also chilly in L.A. If you’re used to swimming in Florida, you’re in for a shock. The Pacific Coast is notoriously cold thanks to the currents bringing in water from the north.

In the summer, L.A.’s ocean usually doesn’t get above 70 degrees. You can expect the air to be cooler on the beach than in Downtown, too.

But just remember, you’ll still need sunscreen!

Los Angeles has tons of great hiking spots

Don’t just think of L.A. as a giant film set; it’s a great place for outdoorsy travelers to visit. There are a lot of great hiking spots for some exercise and for getting great views of the city.

Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon are popular hiking spots in L.A. You’ll be able to get out, get some exercise, and breathe in the fresh air, and your reward will be amazing views of the city.

Hiking is also a budget-friendly activity, which is great since L.A. is an expensive city to visit. With all the sunny weather Los Angeles gets, a hike is the perfect way to spend your day!

Los Angeles makes for an amazing vacation

There are so many things to do in Los Angeles, from museums and art galleries to gorgeous beaches and hiking trails. Once you cut through the Hollywood stereotypes, you’ll find a unique and amazing city full of character.

Save on Los Angeles’s Top Attractions

Want to save big on Los Angeles’s top attractions? With the Go City Los Angeles attraction pass, you can save up to 55% on the cost of entrance tickets to museums, tours, and attractions all around the city!

Visit bucket list attractions, enjoy top tours, and discover hidden gems handpicked by local experts. With one price and one pass, you have everything you need right on your phone.

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

• Top Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
• Great Value: Hollywood Hotel
• Unique Stay: Venice Canals Bungalow

Read next: Visiting Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California

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Ready to visit Los Angeles, California? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using CheapOair.
• Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Los Angeles here.
• Get a Guide Book: Check out the guide books from Fodor’s or Lonely Planet for in-depth info about traveling to Los Angeles.
• Explore Los Angeles in a New Way: Enjoy a Mystery Picnic in LA to discover more of the city.
• Save on Attractions: Save up to 55% on admission to top Los Angeles attractions using the Go City Los Angeles pass or the iVenture Los Angeles pass.

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Cheers!

Paige

Have you visited Los Angeles? Let me know your tips for L.A. in the comments!