A complete, honest guide to Los Angeles, USA — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. Sun, stars & endless culture.
Los Angeles is a highlight of North America, and Los Angeles is sprawling and sun-soaked — beaches, mountains, movie history and endless reinvention. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Los Angeles
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Los Angeles
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — Griffith Observatory and Santa Monica & Venice. Break for lunch and try tacos, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Santa Monica & Venice.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Getty Center and Hollywood & the Walk of Fame, then explore Downtown (DTLA) at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Malibu (beaches and canyon drives) is the easy favourite, or swap in Joshua Tree (desert landscapes ~2.5 hours east).
Ready to book? Turn your Los Angeles shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Los Angeles experiences →Los Angeles on a budget — costs & money tips
Los Angeles is one of the more expensive cities by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Los Angeles
- Accommodation£55–£170 / night
- Food£28–£75 / day
- Local transport£8–£20 / day
- Typical attraction£15–£45 / entry
See how Los Angeles compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Los Angeles
- Accommodation is the budget-breaker here — book early, consider hostels/aparthotels, or shoulder-season dates.
- Supermarket and bakery meals are excellent value; reserve restaurants for a deliberate treat.
- A transport pass and free viewpoints/parks keep daily spend sane in an expensive city.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Los Angeles at a glance
A quick orientation for Los Angeles. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Los Angeles
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Los Angeles specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Santa Monica & Venice
Beachfront and boho.
Downtown (DTLA)
Galleries, food halls and rooftop bars.
Silver Lake & Los Feliz
Hip cafés and vintage.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Los Angeles further down the page.
Food & drink in Los Angeles
LA eats globally and well — tacos and food trucks, Korean BBQ in Koreatown, and a deep healthy-dining scene.
Build your Los Angeles food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Los Angeles
A car is the classic way to see LA; the expanding Metro and ride-hailing help in central areas.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Los Angeles. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Los Angeles is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Los Angeles that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Los Angeles
Spring and autumn are ideal; the famously mild climate makes almost any time workable. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Los Angeles.
Day trips from Los Angeles
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Malibu — beaches and canyon drives
- Joshua Tree — desert landscapes ~2.5 hours east
Practical tips for Los Angeles
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Santa Monica & Venice is a smart base — beachfront and boho. If that’s not your style, Downtown (DTLA) works well too (galleries, food halls and rooftop bars).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Los Angeles without trying tacos, Korean BBQ, In-N-Out or açaí and health bowls. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for Griffith Observatory and Santa Monica & Venice. With a spare day, Malibu (beaches and canyon drives) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Los Angeles, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Los Angeles — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Los Angeles, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Los Angeles?
Three to four days is enough for Los Angeles’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Santa Monica & Venice — with an extra day for a trip to Malibu if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Los Angeles?
Spring and autumn are ideal; the famously mild climate makes almost any time workable.
What food is Los Angeles known for?
LA eats globally and well — tacos and food trucks, Korean BBQ in Koreatown, and a deep healthy-dining scene.
Where should I stay in Los Angeles?
Santa Monica & Venice is a great first-time base (beachfront and boho). Downtown (DTLA) is another good option for galleries, food halls and rooftop bars.
What are the best day trips from Los Angeles?
Two rewarding day trips are Malibu (beaches and canyon drives) and Joshua Tree (desert landscapes ~2.5 hours east).
How do you get around Los Angeles?
A car is the classic way to see LA; the expanding Metro and ride-hailing help in central areas.
