Los Angeles is the entertainment capital — Hollywood, Santa Monica Beach, Griffith Observatory, and diverse neighborhoods from Beverly Hills to Downtown Arts District.
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world -- Hollywood, Santa Monica Beach, Griffith Observatory, and neighborhoods as diverse as Beverly Hills and the Arts District. LA's sprawl is legendary but each neighborhood feels like a different city, from Venice's boardwalk and muscle beach to Silver Lake's coffee shops and Silver Lake Reservoir. The city is a global center for film, television, and music production, with the Hollywood sign watching over it all from Mount Lee. LA's food scene rivals New York with everything from Korean BBQ in Koreatown to taco trucks on every corner.
March through May and September through November offer comfortable temperatures and clear skies. Summer (June-August) brings beach season and tourists but also June Gloom (morning marine layer). Winter (December-February) is mild at 10-20 degrees C with the cheapest flights and occasional rain. February brings the Academy Awards. December has holiday events and light displays. The Santa Ana winds in autumn bring the hottest temperatures of the year.
LAX is served by all major US carriers -- Delta, American, United, Southwest, Alaska, and JetBlue. International airlines include Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Korean Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and Cathay Pacific. Norse Atlantic offers budget transatlantic flights. Hawaiian Airlines connects to Hawaii. Allegiant flights serve Hollywood Burbank Airport. Air China and China Southern connect to Asian cities from LAX.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is 18 miles from downtown with the LAX FlyAway bus to Union Station, Hollywood, and Van Nuys. A people mover and Metro connection are under construction for 2024-2025 completion. Hollywood Burbank (BUR) is convenient for northern LA and the valley. Long Beach (LGB) and John Wayne (SNA) serve Orange County and southern LA. Compare all airports -- BUR is often cheaper and closer to Hollywood. LAX has nine terminals connected by shuttle buses with major renovations underway.
Compare LAX with Burbank and Long Beach -- the smaller airports are often cheaper and closer to key areas. The Metro day pass is just .50 for unlimited rides. Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, and many beach areas are completely free. In-N-Out Burger is a cultural institution and costs under . The Hollywood Sign viewpoint from Lake Hollywood Park is free. Eat at taco trucks for -3 per taco. The Original Farmers Market has affordable food options. Many museums have free admission days.
LA is a car city and public transport is limited compared to other global cities. The Metro system has B (Red), D (Purple), A (Blue), E (Expo), C (Green), and K (K-line) lines. A single fare is .75 and a day pass costs .50, one of the cheapest in the US. The Metro B line connects Union Station, Downtown, and Hollywood. Uber and Lyft are the most practical way to get around for most trips that don't involve the limited rail corridors. LA traffic is notorious -- the average commute time is 30 minutes each way. Renting a car is the most practical option for exploring the city's spread-out neighborhoods. The LA FlyAway bus provides airport connections to Union Station and Hollywood. Biking is feasible in beach areas like Santa Monica and Venice.
Santa Monica and Venice provide beachside stays with hotels from 150-400 USD per night. Hollywood offers central location near tourist attractions with mid-range hotels from 80-250 USD. Downtown LA has modern high-rise hotels from 100-300 USD with Metro access. Beverly Hills and West Hollywood provide luxury stays from 200-800 USD. Culver City offers a central, up-and-coming area with good value from 80-200 USD. Budget travelers check hostels in Hollywood and Santa Monica from 25-50 USD.