HOME > CITY GUIDES > LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES
AT A GLANCE
COUNTRYUnited States |
CURRENCYDollar |
WHEN TO VISITMarch to June September & November |
LANGUAGESAmerican / English |
Los Angeles often known by its initials L.A is the biggest city in the state of California in the United States, located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. After New York City, it is the second-most populous city in the US with nearly four millions people living in this sprawling municipality. As you know, Los Angeles is very famous for the Hollywood industry, but it offers so much more for those who want to dwell on it. If we had to describe Los Angeles in three words, we would say it is a vibrant, creative and a culturally diverse city. You’ll never get bored and if you are looking for the “American way of life” spirit, you’re in the right spot.
Los Angeles is made of distinctive neighbourhoods with almost 140 nationalities and each of them has something exciting to give. You can stroll in the Latin America neighbourhood, Chinatown or even Little Tokyo during you trip to make the most of your experience. If you fancy going to the beach, sunny L.A will definitely charms you. From Venice Beach to famous Malibu Beach including Santa Monica’s pier, as many people in Los Angeles, you will find your favourite beach to relax. Culture and museums are not left behind of course as the city has more museums and theatres than any other city in the U.S. To enjoy L.A, you just have let yourself go in the chill vibes and make the most of It.
Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, Los Angeles is accessible all year but the best times to visit are from March to June and between September and November.
At these periods, you’ll be able to enjoy a nice and sunny weather with good temperatures. The air will be more breathable and you will avoid big crowds. If you consider a trip in January or February, don’t forget your umbrella because you’re more likely to encounter rain.
Los Angeles is made of distinctive neighbourhoods with almost 140 nationalities and each of them has something exciting to give. You can stroll in the Latin America neighbourhood, Chinatown or even Little Tokyo during you trip to make the most of your experience. If you fancy going to the beach, sunny L.A will definitely charms you. From Venice Beach to famous Malibu Beach including Santa Monica’s pier, as many people in Los Angeles, you will find your favourite beach to relax. Culture and museums are not left behind of course as the city has more museums and theatres than any other city in the U.S. To enjoy L.A, you just have let yourself go in the chill vibes and make the most of It.
Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, Los Angeles is accessible all year but the best times to visit are from March to June and between September and November.
At these periods, you’ll be able to enjoy a nice and sunny weather with good temperatures. The air will be more breathable and you will avoid big crowds. If you consider a trip in January or February, don’t forget your umbrella because you’re more likely to encounter rain.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles is definitely one of the most must-see cities in the world. It will amaze you by its diversity, excitement and cool vibes. Before travelling to L.A, there are some things you should know to enjoy its atmosphere the most.
THE BEST LUXURY HOTELS IN LOS ANGELES
If you consider a trip to the “Hollywood home”, you definitely have to stay in nothing else than a five-star hotel. We selected for you the best luxury hotels in Los Angeles you can stay to live your California dream and enjoy your vacation in this amazing city.
CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION WISELY
To make the most of your experience in L.A, you should pick your accommodation wisely to be sure your hotel is close to must-see attractions. Indeed, the best place to stay really depends on what you’ll be doing. The best way to discover the city is to rent a car as public transportation is lacking, but be careful of the traffic by making sure you have a good navigation app that could estimate it well. You can also rent a bike to discover hidden parts of the city and do some exercise at the same time.
ENJOYING LOS ANGELES BEST BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Nightlife in Los Angeles; is a big part of the city’s atmosphere with exciting places where you can enjoy great cocktails and restaurants. We made you a selection of top bars and restaurants you should go during your stay.
DIALOGUE
Restaurant. Dialogue's seasonally shifting, 21-course tasting menu is as ambitious as any Michelin-starred offering, and the attention to minutiae and detail shows the chef's chops. Chef Dave Beran comes most recently from Chicago’s concept-changing Next, and the fine-dining experience is abundantly apparent in the service at Dialogue as well. Similar to Next, the vibe is more playful than buttoned up, but still as attentive as you'd expect from the price tag.
N/NAKA
Japanese Restaurant. N/naka's food is almost too beautiful to eat, served to diners who have sometimes waited up to three months for a reservation. Each dish on their 13-course menu (which is also available in vegetarian form) is a love letter to the season—you'll be equally as impressed with her classic presentation of sashimi as you will the spaghettini with abalone, pickled cod roe, and Burgundian truffles—and chef Niki Nakayama impresses with her use of native Californian ingredients. Thoughtful's the word here for the three-hour culinary experience that might transform the way you view food.
SKYBAR AT THE MONDRIAN
Cocktail Bar. This view is breathtaking, but there are several reasons to visit The Mondrian Los Angeles Hotel's Skybar. Whether you want a breath of fresh air, a trendy place to spend your weekends or just a place to enjoy a poolside, you can count on the Skybar. Their drinks have delicious names: Sunburnt Margarita, Skybar Bellini, Summer Fun, and Watermelon Mojito.Count on us! Pair any of these beverages with the best view of the city and you've got a deluxe combo.
PERCH LA
Cocktail Bar. Since downtown continues to captivate us with its booming nightlife scene, we're bound to start this list with Perch, one of the sexiest bars in downtown LA. What could be better than enjoying the twinkling city lights from the 15th floor above South Hill Street? This restaurant, bar and lounge offers its guests blazes, indoor and outdoor seating and French cuisine. If you love Parisian cocktails or want a good, cold craft beer, this could be your new HQ. Sit at the bar or lounge around the balcony, and enjoy unobstructed views of the City of Angels. You can thank us later.
LOS ANGELES FOOD TRUCKS ARE AMAZING
During your stay, you should absolutely go for food trucks. From tacos to hot dogs or cookies, the culinary scene in L.A is delicious and vibrant like the city. If you don’t know what to choose, just go for food trucks with the longest lines, it’s usually the best ones and you will not be disappointed.
THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES
L.A is filled with must-see attractions and places so it can be a bit tricky to organise your trip and see everything. As the city is huge, you have to pick carefully the places you absolutely want to discover. We selected an essential list of must-see in Los Angeles to help you enjoy the city the most.
TAKE HEIGHT AT THE GETTY CENTER
The Getty Center is an unmissable place when you go to Los Angeles. It is a impressive cultural campus dedicated to art which will also give you access to one of the most breathtaking views in L.A. Perched on the hilltop of Santa Monica’s mountains, The Getty Center is both impressive from the outside and the inside. On the outside, you will discover a unique architecture with modern design, gardens and
beige-coloured stones that catch the brightness of Los Angeles. Inside, you will come across many paintings and sculptures collections from Italy, France, Spain or England. A must-see!
beige-coloured stones that catch the brightness of Los Angeles. Inside, you will come across many paintings and sculptures collections from Italy, France, Spain or England. A must-see!
LIVE THE GLAMOROUS LIFE ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME
If you think about Los Angeles, Hollywood Walk of Fame directly comes to your mind. Even if it’s a touristic area, it is a must-see if you travel to Los Angeles. Just have a stroll on Hollywood Boulevard to see all the stars dedicated to cinema, music or TV celebrities. Indeed, more than 2500 stars are waiting for you on the Boulevard And the walk is really worthwhile.
WATCH THE SUNSET AT GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY
The building itself is worth a visit as it offers a great view of the city and the Hollywood sign. If you like cosmos, you can come to the Observatory to look through telescopes and discover exhibitions about space. It is also the best place to watch the sunset and see the city twinkles at night.
EXPERIENCE UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
If you are a cinema and television fan, Universal Studios is a must-see when going to Los Angeles for exciting attractions and activities. This theme park is also a real active cinema studio and the place dedicated to entertainment. Take a part in a behind-the-scenes studio tour for a unique experience or relive your favourite movie scenes from Jurassic Park, Harry Potter or Fast and Furious movies. You can also explore the filming locations of big Hollywood productions. An experience not to miss!
APPRECIATE THE CALIFORNIAN SUN IN LOS ANGELES BEACHES
When it comes to enjoy the sun and the sand, Los Angeles has a lot to offer with dozens of beaches all over the city.
LIVE LIKE A LOCAL AT FARMERS MARKETS
Farmers market in Los Angeles is an institution. A few local farmers have created it in 1934 to sell food, fruits and vegetables. Over the years, local and visitors became more and more enthusiastic about it and it is now a tradition in L.A. Very convivial, the market is permanent, opened every day with good quality goods and
you can find everything you need from appetizer to dessert. You will also find nice restaurants and food stalls to enjoy Californian cuisine.
you can find everything you need from appetizer to dessert. You will also find nice restaurants and food stalls to enjoy Californian cuisine.
We put together a list of the best you should go to enjoy an endless summer during your vacation. Santa Monica is iconic and one of the most famous beaches in Los Angeles. Just take a walk on Santa Monica Pier to experience one of the most emblematic areas of the city and have a snack in one of the many food kiosks overlooking the sea. When you think about Los Angeles, Venice Beach is certainly the beach you directly think about. It is renowned for its creative vibe and Muscle Beach, where people come to exercise and show their muscles under the Californian sun. Last but not least, Zuma Beach is one of the longest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles. Located in Malibu, West of L.A, you will be amazed by its white sand, transparent sea and bug waves. It is also a great spot for surfing. So get your sunscreen and explore!
STORES AND SHOPPING CENTERS IN LOS ANGELES
RODEO DRIVE
Rodeo Drive is one of the world’s most exclusive luxury destinations, and an unparalleled hub at the intersection of luxury, fashion and entertainment. Discover and enjoy exceptional savoir-faire, craftsmanship, and new experiences in luxury art and culture.
THE GROVE
The Grove is a popular fashion, shopping, dining and lifestyle destination with the best mix of retail, restaurants and entertainment in Los Angeles.
CITADEL OUTLET MALL
Located near downtown Los Angeles, Citadel Outlets is unlike any other mall. Behind an exotic 520-meter facade straight out of Babylon, a vestige of the tire factory that stood there in the 1920s, you will discover more than 130 shops ... and a hotel.
THE BEST WAY TO GO AND MOVE IN LOS ANGELESAIRPORT
Los Angeles International Airport TRAIN STATION Union Station NATIONAL TRAIN COMPANY Amtrak |
The main airport in Los Angeles is the International Los Angeles Airport (LAX) with several international flights everyday from all over the world. If you are already in the United States, local flights are operated every day. You can also choose to travel by train with Amtrack or bus with Greyhound that provides connections from many cities in North America.
LOS ANGELES IS BIG
L.A can be confusing for people visiting it for the first time as it is huge and definitely sprawling. The city can be hard to navigate and you need to get prepared if you want to take the most of your vacation. To find your way around, the best thing to do is divide the city in blocks and discover them day after day according to what attracts you the most.
DON'T FORGET TO TIP
Tipping in the USA and in Los Angeles is usually required, unless the service is really bad. The big question is to know how much you have to give after dining at a restaurant. Usually, the percentage of the tip will depend on the service quality. We consider that 10% of the bill is a minimum, 15% of the bill is a good tip and 20% is a great tip. In fancy restaurants, you can add 5% to these percentages.
Enjoy your trip !