People will often ask me what they're supposed to visit in LA. Here's a guide… ish
What takes off must come down
You're probably going to fly in to LA, and if you're planning on landing, you better pick an airport. Ya got options.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the big one with the cool pictures of the glowing letters. Tickets to and from it are certainly the cheapest, though it is also by far the busiest. If you choose to fly through LAX, you'll be saving money at the expense of your sanity. If a friend is picking you up, they must be a good fucking friend to deal with the LAX pickup line. If that sounds bad, good thing you're in America, the land of excess.
Burbank Airport (BUR) is a much nicer, saner experience. Smaller airport means less flights. Fewer flights mean fewer lines, and fewer people. You can arrive and board your flight in just 15 minutes, if you're insane enough. Low demand, though, means high prices. You'll pay a premium for taking a flight through Burbank, but for some, it is worth it.
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the airport of choice for those flying in for Disneyland. If you can afford a trip focused on Disneyland, you can afford the premium for getting the closest airport to Disneyland.
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is a 2-hour drive from LAX (yes it's still in LA!) and mainly serves people visiting the Ontario, Pomona, San Bernardino, and Rancho Cucamonga areas. The region is referred to as the "Inland Empire". If you're looking to visit the Inland Empire specifically, this airport is for you. Otherwise, land elsewhere.
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is just like the Ontario airport, except it's for residents of Long Beach and the surrounding areas.
San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) is an airport that only one airline flies to. Very weird.
So you have landed... now what?
Welcome to Los Angeles! Enjoy the traffic. On that note:
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
When in LA, drive as the Angelinos drive.
Get a rental car, Uber, or Waymo.
LA is a city of cars. The public transit system is cool... when it goes where you want it to go, which isn't often.
If you haven't experienced a Waymo yet, I highly recommend it! They're a fleet of driverless cars that you can summon with an app, for around the cost of an Uber. The service area is limited, but it's a must-try if your trip is in the operating area.
Time to eat.
Hungry? Here's some stuff you might want to try:
California Classic: In-N-Out
Despite some of their... quesitonable politics... I can't claim to hate the place. If you've always wondered what all the fuss is about, you should give In-N-Out a try. If you're coming from another country, prepare to have a true lesson in American excess.
Here are "two 4x4s with grilled onions"
The Original Farmer's Market
This is a great way to taste the world. It's a little touristy, but I come here decently often, and I'm a local. This is a market made up of dozens of permanent stalls, all selling various kinds of food. You can have a bit of every country, or go all-in on one spot. The lines do get a little long, and the crowds a little thick, but it's a fun time. Adjacent to here is The Grove, a fun shopping experience, though a bit high-end.
I can personally recommend the Pampas Grill Churrascaria stall, which you can spot with its absurdly long line. Worth it.
A similar market is Grand Central Market, located downtown.
Giorgio Baldi
For a traveler looking for a fine dining experience, I can recommend Giorgio Baldi. Their meatballs are unmatched by anyone else, though you need to be prepared to pay quite a bit. Absolutely delicious, even if the bill at the end is not as palatable.
Mickey Fine Pharmacy and Grill
You read that correctly. This is both a pharmacy and a grill. I can (and do!) pick up my (expensive American) medication, take a few steps, and sit down at a grill. As a tourist, I don't imagine you'd have any medication to pick up, but they do have some killer French Toast.
I'm full. What next?
Well if you're tired of my food recommendations, let's go over what there is to actually do.
The obvious:
- Disneyland - No explanation needed.
- Six Flags Magic Mountain - Theme park with more coasters than anywhere else.
- The Hollywood Sign - You can hike or drive to get a good view
- Universal Studios Hollywood - Get a back lot tour or get eaten by a dinosaur
Watch a TV show in-person
It's Hollywood. If you've ever wanted to be in the live studio audience of a TV show, now's your chance! Instructions here.
Sportsball Arenas
If you (for some godforsaken reason) enjoy watching sports, we allegedly have plenty of places to do that. Wear earplugs at the concerts.
- Crypto.com Arena - Basketball (Lakers) and Hockey
- Intuit Dome - Basketball (Clippers) and Concerts
- Dodger Stadium - Baseball (Dodgers... duh)
- So-Fi Stadium - Football (LA Rams and LA Chargers) and Concerts
- The Forum - Concerts
- The Hollywood Bowl - Concerts
- Rose Bowl - Football (NCAA) and Concerts
- Dignity Health Sports Park - Soccer (LA Galaxy)
Griffith Observatory
This is a now-museum and former space observatory with great views of Los Angeles, including the Hollywood Sign. They have some cool planetarium shows, as well as some interesting scientific demonstrations.
The (optional) hike up is fairly easy, and is a good way to experience the outdoors.
More Museums...
Speaking of Museums, LA has some other great ones! I certainly don't expect most people to visit all or most of them, but you've got options!
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is directly adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits, the Academy Museum, and the Petersen Automotive Museum. You can hit all 4 in one day if you're ambitious.
There's also the Getty Villa, the Getty Center, the Hammer Museum, the National History Museum, the California Science Center, and La Plaza de Cultura y Artes.
Sequoia National Forest
If you've ever wanted to see trees that are bigger than any tree you've ever seen before, it's a 4-and-a-half-hour drive to see these truly massive Giant Sequoia trees. They're truly a sight to behold, and I urge you to at least consider visiting.
The California Coast
If you like surfing, swimming, or just laying on the sand to tan yourself like a solar panel, you'll love the beaches here.
Zuma Beach
Looking for great surf? Try Zuma Beach. It's got plenty of fun waves for people who love to surf. The water isn't exactly Hawaii temperature, but it's certainly not Alaska either. Wetsuit optional.
The Santa Monica Pier
At the end of Route 66, you'll find a pier overlooking the Pacific Ocean. That pier is the Santa Monica Pier. There's an expensive amusement park on it, though I do admit that it is fun. It's full of tourists sometimes, but there's not much you can do about that.
Venice Boardwalk
If you love getting pickpocketed or scammed, the Venice Boardwalk is the place for you. Filled with tourists, shady street sellers, and homeless people, the Venice Boardwalk is a great place to... bike through without stopping. 2/10, would not recommend.
Marvin Braude Bike Trail
If you like to bike, LA isn't for you... except for this single wonderful bike path along the beach, in which you can enjoy the sights, scents, and sounds of the ocean. You can rent a bike nearby, and take it for a spin. Quite fun!
Ski, Hike, and Surf in one day. Yes, really.
Yep. Instructions here.
We may be known for our surfing... but we're also a short drive from Big Bear Mountain, where you can ski, snowboard, or fall flat on your face the moment you step off the chairlift. Up to you.
That's a lot of options! But as with anything, there are...
...things you should not do:
- Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Go anywhere near Hollywood Blvd.
- Take a Hop-on-Hop-off bus
- Take a Star Line tour (tour van)
- Drive on the left side of the road
- Drive slower than traffic
Things you (probably) will not do:
- See your favorite celebrity walking down the street
- Experience an earthquake
- Find snow on the ground in the city
Some miscellaneous facts:
- San Francisco is a 6-hour drive away.
- Las Vegas is a 4-and-a-half-hour drive away.
- There are homeless people here. Don't bother them and you will be fine.
- It is not always sunny, even in June.
- Be prepared for traffic.