Griffith Observatory
Free hilltop observatory with public telescopes, space exhibits, planetarium shows and sweeping views of the city and Hollywood Sign.
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About Los Angeles
Los Angeles is not one centre but a network of neighbourhoods linked by freeways and a growing Metro rail system. Hollywood and West Hollywood hold the entertainment landmarks and nightlife, Downtown LA the museums, Grand Central Market and Union Station, Santa Monica and Venice the beaches and boardwalks, and the hills of Griffith Park and the Santa Monica Mountains the best viewpoints and trails. Distances are large and traffic heavy, so visitors do best by basing themselves in one or two areas and using Metro, rideshare or a rental car for the rest. Most major museums, including the Getty Center, the Broad and Griffith Observatory, are free to enter, which keeps costs manageable even though hotels and meals are expensive.
- Capital
- Los Angeles (seat of Los Angeles County; the California state capital is Sacramento)
- Largest city
- Los Angeles
- Population
- About 3.9 million (3,898,747 at the 2020 census); about 13 million in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Currency
- US Dollar
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (PT): PST UTC-8 in winter, PDT UTC-7 from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November (America/Los_Angeles)
Explore Los Angeles by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Los Angeles
The 24 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
The Getty Center
Hilltop Richard Meier campus with European paintings, illuminated manuscripts, photography, gardens and city views; admission is free.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Roughly 2,700 bronze-and-terrazzo stars set into the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street honoring entertainers.
Santa Monica Pier
Historic 1909 pier with Pacific Park amusement rides, a Ferris wheel, arcade, aquarium and beach access.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Largest art museum in the western United States, spanning ancient to contemporary art, with the new David Geffen Galleries across Wilshire Boulevard.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Bohemian oceanfront promenade with street performers, vendors, Muscle Beach outdoor gym, skate plaza and murals.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Los Angeles Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Los Angeles, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Los Angeles
- Days 1-2Los Angeles city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Los Angeles
- Days 1-3Los Angeles comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Los Angeles, departure
Where to stay in Los Angeles
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget $120-180 per person
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range $300-450 per person
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury $900+ per person
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Hotel Figueroa
Spanish Colonial Revival hotel opened in 1926 as a women's YWCA hotel, with a pool courtyard and Moroccan-influenced interiors, a short walk from Crypto.com Arena and L.A. Live.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
Occupies the Wilshire Grand Center, the tallest building west of the Mississippi, with a rooftop bar and pool on the upper floors and Metro rail access nearby.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles
Luxury hotel on the upper floors of the L.A. Live tower, with 26th-floor lobby, rooftop pool and views over the city.
Check rates on Booking.comJW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE
Business and event hotel sharing the L.A. Live tower with the Ritz-Carlton, steps from Crypto.com Arena, the Peacock Theater and the Convention Center.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Los Angeles
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant
Family-run Jewish deli since 1947, known for hand-sliced hot pastrami.
Philippe the Original
Sawdust-floor counter claiming the origin of the French dip since 1908.
Eggslut (Grand Central Market)
Egg-sandwich counter inside Grand Central Market with a persistent line.
Howlin' Ray's
Nashville hot chicken counter in Chinatown's Far East Plaza with multi-hour waits.
Guelaguetza
Long-running Oaxacan family restaurant known for seven moles and mezcal.
Republique
Charlie Chaplin-era building housing a pastry counter, daytime cafe and dinner restaurant.
Book a food tour in Los Angeles We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a sprawling, car-oriented metro area of about 500 square miles, but the Metro rail and bus network, Metrolink commuter trains, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service from Union Station and widespread Uber, Lyft and Waymo coverage make a car-free visit workable if the stay is based in Downtown, Hollywood, Santa Monica or Pasadena. LAX is 15-20 miles from Hollywood and Downtown, and traffic on the 405, 10 and 101 freeways makes travel times highly variable. A rental car remains the practical choice for Malibu, Griffith Park trails, Joshua Tree and most day trips.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in USD, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $45-70 for a hostel dorm bed or $110-170 for a basic motel or budget hotel room, before taxes and fees | $200-320 per night for a mid-range hotel in Hollywood, Santa Monica or Downtown, plus about $30-60 per night in parking where applicable | $600+ per night for Beverly Hills, Bel-Air or beachfront suites |
| Food (per day) | $30-45 (tacos, food hall counters, Koreatown lunch specials) | $80-130 (sit-down lunch and dinner, coffee, one drink) | $250-500+ (tasting menus and celebrity-chef restaurants) |
| Transportation | $5-12 (Metro fares are capped at $5 per day, or a single ride is $1.75 with a TAP card) | $25-60 (occasional rideshare plus Metro; a rental car is about $50-90 per day plus parking) | $150-400 (chauffeured SUV transfers and valet parking at $15-60 per stop) |
| Activities | $0-25 (free Griffith Observatory grounds, the Getty Center, the Broad, beaches and hikes) | $40-150 (Universal Studios Hollywood tickets start around $130 on lower-demand days; museum special exhibits and tours cost less) | $200+ (private studio or Malibu tours, helicopter flights, spa days) |
| Daily total | $120-180 per person | $300-450 per person | $900+ per person |
Best time to visit Los Angeles
Weather through the year in Los Angeles
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Los Angeles has a dry Mediterranean climate with about 280 sunny days a year: daytime highs run in the high 60sF (about 20C) in winter and the low-to-mid 80sF (about 28C) near the coast and 90sF inland in summer. Spring and autumn offer clear skies and lighter crowds; winter is the rainy season but rain is brief.
Coastal areas often sit under low cloud from late May to June ('May Gray' and 'June Gloom'), so beach days are usually sunnier from July. Santa Ana winds in autumn bring hot, dry, gusty weather and the highest wildfire risk; check air quality at airnow.gov and alerts at ready.lacounty.gov. Ocean water stays cool, roughly 58-70F (14-21C) year-round. Hotel rates rise sharply during major events and holiday weeks, so check dates before booking.
Essential travel tips
- Plan around one or two neighbourhoods per day; crossing the city by road can take over an hour at peak times.
- Buy a TAP card or use the Metro app for rail and buses; fares cap at $5 per day.
- Book timed entry in advance for Griffith Observatory planetarium shows, the Getty Villa, the Academy Museum and Universal Studios Hollywood.
- Budget for parking: the Getty Center charges about $25 per car, and Santa Monica and Venice lots charge $10-30 per day even when museum entry is free.
- Tip 18-20% at restaurants and $1-2 per drink at bars; service is rarely included in the bill.
- Pack layers: evenings by the coast are cool even in summer, and inland areas are 10-20F hotter than the beaches.
- Carry photo ID for alcohol purchases (minimum age 21) and for entry to many nightlife venues.
Safety information
Never leave anything visible in a parked car, including bags, jackets, cables and loose change: smash-and-grab break-ins are the most common crime against visitors, especially at trailheads, beach lots, viewpoints and Hollywood parking structures.
Learn earthquake safety before arriving: if shaking starts, Drop, Cover and Hold On under a sturdy table or beside an interior wall, stay away from windows and exterior walls, and do not run outside or use elevators. Install the free MyShake app for ShakeAlert early warnings.
Check fire conditions before hiking or driving into the hills. Santa Ana wind events, most frequent from October to January, bring Red Flag warnings, and Griffith Park trails and Runyon Canyon can close on high-risk days. Use the Watch Duty and Genasys Protect apps and sign up for Alert LA County (alert.lacounty.gov).
Know the hotel's evacuation routes during wildfire season and keep a charged phone, passport and medications together; if an evacuation order is issued, leave immediately.
Wear sunscreen and carry water even on mild days: UV is strong year-round, and inland areas such as the San Fernando Valley and Pasadena can exceed 100°F (38°C) from July to September. Never leave children or pets in parked cars.
Swim only at beaches with lifeguard towers and obey flags and signs: rip currents are the main ocean hazard. LA County Lifeguards (lacountylifeguards.org) staff most beaches; in an emergency call 911.
Keep phones and wallets secured on busy Hollywood Boulevard, the Venice Boardwalk, the Santa Monica Pier and on Metro trains; phone snatching from hands, especially near station exits and on sidewalks, is a common method.
Use app-based rideshare or licensed taxis only, and match the license plate, driver name and photo before getting in; do not accept rides from unsolicited drivers at LAX or outside clubs.
Take care crossing streets: Los Angeles has a high pedestrian collision rate for a US city. Cross only at marked crosswalks, watch for turning vehicles and make eye contact with drivers.
Avoid walking alone late at night in Skid Row (downtown, roughly 3rd to 7th streets and east of Main), on Hollywood Boulevard east of Highland late at night, and around MacArthur Park; use rideshare instead.
Recreational cannabis is legal for adults 21+ but may not be smoked in public places, in most hotels, on Metro or in cars; California open container laws also apply to alcohol in vehicles.
Carry valid photo ID at all times; bars, clubs and dispensaries check ID and the legal age to buy alcohol and cannabis is 21.
Frequently asked questions
Is Los Angeles safe for tourists?
Generally yes in the main tourist areas such as Santa Monica, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Downtown's museum district. The most common problems are car break-ins and pickpocketing, so never leave items visible in a car and watch bags in crowds. Dial 911 in any emergency.
How many days are enough for Los Angeles?
Four to five days covers Hollywood and Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, Santa Monica and Venice, Downtown and a food-focused day. Allow extra days for Universal Studios, Disneyland (about 30 miles south-east in Anaheim) or day trips.
Do visitors need a car in Los Angeles?
Not necessarily. Metro rail connects Downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown and Santa Monica, and rideshare covers most other trips. A car is useful for Malibu, the Getty Center area and day trips, but parking costs $30-60 per night at many hotels.
What is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
March to May and September to November bring warm, mostly sunny weather and lighter crowds. Summer has the best beach weather but coastal fog often persists into June; autumn can bring heat waves and wildfire risk.
How do visitors get from LAX to Hollywood or Downtown?
Take a taxi or Uber/Lyft from the LAX-it lot (about $40-80), the FlyAway bus to Union Station (check flylax.com for the current fare), or the free shuttle to LAX/Metro Transit Center station and the Metro K Line. Trips take 30-75 minutes depending on traffic.
Are the museums in Los Angeles free?
Several are: the Getty Center, the Broad, the Getty Villa (with timed reservation) and the grounds of Griffith Observatory charge no admission, though parking at the Getty costs about $25 and special exhibits or planetarium shows cost extra.