Los Angeles

At a glance

• Allow: 3–4 days; the metro area is enormous
• Best for: Beaches, film culture, diverse food, day trips
• Peak season: Year-round sun; summer beaches busy; awards season winter
• Base yourself: Hollywood for first-timers; Santa Monica for beach; Downtown for museums

What to see (if time is short)

1. Getty Center — art, architecture, views (free entry, parking fee)
2. Griffith Observatory — sunset and Hollywood sign viewpoints
3. One beach afternoon — Santa Monica or Venice Boardwalk

Universal Studios or Warner Bros tours need full days — don't combine with long cross-town drives same day.

Getting around

Car rental is the practical default — traffic and parking take real time. Metro expands but doesn't reach all sights. Rideshare fills gaps. Allow 45–90 minutes for cross-town trips at rush hour.

Where to stay

Santa Monica — beach, safer feel. Hollywood — central to tours, grittier blocks exist. Downtown — museums and food, quieter nights.

Good to know

• Homelessness is visible in parts of Downtown and Venice — urban awareness helps.
• Jaywalking is technically enforced in some areas — use crosswalks.
• Sun is strong year-round — sunscreen even on cloudy days.
• Many restaurants require reservations on weekends.