Los Angeles
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check our disclosure policy for more details.
Many people think of Los Angeles as America’s entertainment capital, home to famous celebrities and beautiful people. Although that is technically true, there is much more to LA than Hollywood and the entertainment industry. The city’s diversity contributes to its impeccable food scene and unique neighborhoods, while the arts play a huge role in trendy and educational exhibits as well as top-notch curated museums. There’s really something for everyone in LA, you just have to explore a little.
Places of Interest
The Last Bookstore: This used and new bookstore and record shop is California’s largest. Housed in the streets of Downtown LA, it’s the perfect place to relax for a couple hours, leaf through their impressive selection of books, and check out some featured local artists on the upper levels.
LACMA: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is on Museum Row in Miracle Mile. It’s the largest art museum in the western part of the United States and is constantly changing things up. Make sure to pose for a photo opt in front of the iconic white lampposts outside the entrance.
The Broad: One of the newer museums in LA, The Broad is a contemporary art museum with some larger than life exhibits. Eli Broad founded it in 2015 and has made entrance free for everyone. Some of the special exhibits sell out quite early in the day, so it’s best to get there before opening if you want to experience those.
California Science Center: If you’re looking for something more interactive and kid-friendly, the California Science is a great place to get hands-on and learn about our world through science. There are different exhibits throughout the museum that focus on space, the human body, ecosystems, and more. It’s located in Exposition Park near USC, so you can take the Metro if needed.
Skirball Cultural Center: Located off the 405 Freeway on the way into the Valley, the Skirball Cultural Center hosts a variety of events, programs, talks, exhibits, and music performances with the goals of educating the community, bringing people together, sustaining Jewish heritage, and upholding American democratic ideals. The museum exhibits change every several months, some being more interactive than others but all being interesting and well-curated.
Griffith Park Observatory: Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America. It has hiking trails, an observatory, and spectacular views of Los Angeles. The best time to go is before sunset to appreciate the cityscape during golden hour. Then, stay to explore The Observatory and look at the LA lights.
Elysian Park & The Hidden Swing: Elysian Park is one of the city’s largest and oldest parks. It’s a great place to relax and have a picnic. If you’re lucky, you can find the hidden swing on one of the hilltops within the park to snap some awesome photos!
Hollywood Forever Cemetery: This is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angeles, and many famous Hollywood stars call this cemetery their final home. Every year, the cemetery hosts one of the biggest Dia de los Muertos festivals in Los Angeles filled with vendors, performances, and art.
Wisdom Tree Hike: Located in Griffith Park, the Wisdom Tree sits near the top of Cahuenga Peak. People hike this steep and rocky trail for a stunning view of Los Angeles, as well as to write their wish on the lone tree (the Wisdom Tree). The hike takes about 2 hours roundtrip. Bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen—it can get quite hot.
Hollywood Sign Hike: There are multiple routes to get to the Hollywood Sign, some easier than others. You cannot get to the base of the Hollywood Sign, but you can get pretty close to it. Or, you can always view it from afar from Griffith Park. If you’re looking to hike one of the trails to access the sign, click here.
Bee Rock Trail: In Griffith Park near the merry-go-round you’ll find several hiking trails. One of which is the Bee Rock Trail that gets its name from the hive-shaped formation. There’s a great view from the top of the surrounding area, including the mountains!
Santa Monica: Take a ride on the iconic ferris wheel during golden hour, play games, and walk along the beach in Santa Monica. If you’re into shopping and dining, Third Street Promenade has a plethora of stores and shops to choose from, as well as restaurants.
Venice Beach: An eclectic mix of art, music, and fashion, Venice Beach will give you a feel for the laid back side of Los Angeles. There are street performers, break dancers, and skaters around the “boardwalk” area, as well as souvenir shops, marijuana dispensaries, and art shops.
Koreatown: In the 1960s, people from Korea began immigrating to the United States, many settling in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. Today, Koreatown is one of the best places in LA to grab something to eat, check out a new restaurant, or just hang out. Parking is bad throughout LA, but is unfortunately even worse in Koreatown.
Chinatown: As with most Chinatowns, LA’s is a little old and rundown, yet remains quintessentially Chinese in character. There are dim sum houses, bakeries, and shops throughout the pagoda-roofed area. In the summer, “Chinatown Nights” is a popular evening community event held in the streets and plazas.
Travel tip #1: There are tons of neighborhoods to explore in Los Angeles, including the Arts District, Westwood, West Hollywood (very LGBTQ-friendly), Atwater Village, Northeast LA, Los Feliz, and more. Each comes with their own vibe and character. Depending on preference, one neighborhood may be a better fit for you than others, so doing little research beforehand for the types of shops and food you seek won’t hurt.
Food
BCD Tofu House: Although a chain, BCD Tofu House is a reliable place to get an awesome bowl of soon dubu—Korean soft tofu soup. It’s served boiling hot in a stone pot alongside rice and traditional Korean side dishes. They provide eggs for you to crack into the soup, too. BCD also offers different courses, such as bulgogi and bibimbap.
Korean BBQ: Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong and Quarters are in the same plaza in the heart of Koreatown. They’re both delicious options for Korean barbecue, but are a little bit on the expensive side. If you’re prioritizing quality, either of these two restaurants are great selections.
Chego!: Chef Roy Choi—creator of Kogi—serves up Mexican-Korean fusion food at this little shop in Chinatown. The fusion of flavors is awesome and comes at a small price—most menu items are under $10 USD. This is one of my favorite places to meet up with friends, as it’s a no-frills spot with delicious eats. The Sour Cream Hen House is my usual go-to, but the Chubby Pork Belly is also a solid choice.
Tacos: When in LA, you must eat tacos! The large population of people from Mexico and Mexican-Americans in LA has created the perfect environment for taco culture to flourish. Even though taco trucks are a safe bet, people do have their favorites and some are better than others. The following are two restaurants I especially enjoy.
- Restaurant St. Cecilia: Located in Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights, Restaurant St. Cecilia serves up some amazing, homestyle tacos with killer salsa. A two taco plate with rice and beans will set you back about $7 USD—a steal, in my opinion, for the quality and serving size.
- Guisados: In 2010, Guisados started as a corner eatery in Boyle Heights, but has since expanded to a total of five locations throughout LA. I love the taco sampler platter, which lets you try several of their tacos on handmade tortillas. My favorite is their Tinga de Pollo.
- Sonoratown: You’ll find this little Northern Mexican-style joint near Downtown LA’s Fashion District. It’s become quite popular and there can be a line out the door! Definitely try the chivichanga burrito and the beef tacos. Everything is served on their famous homemade flour tortillas.
- HomeState: Their known for their breakfast tacos and queso, which is not a common thing in LA but I really loved the flavors here. The queso is a must-try, especially to dip in your tacos and chips in.
En Sushi: The Sawtelle area in West LA is home to some of LA’s best Japanese cuisine. Sushi Tsujita, Killer Noodle, Daikukoya, and more gems live here. However, En Sushi has a fantastic happy hour deal, and their sushi is incredibly fresh.
Pailin Thai Cuisine: LA’s Thai Town is the only Thai Town in the United States. It’s home to Pailin Thai Cuisine—a cute little family-owned restaurant, which is located right outside the designated area of Thai Town. They serve up some tasty green chicken curry and khao sao—you won’t be disappointed stopping by here.
Mama Luu’s: Inland in the San Gabriel Valley (SGV), you’ll find a good amount of Chinese cuisine. There are hundreds of restaurants to choose from, one of them being Mama Luu’s. Here, dishes are served family style in large portions for small prices. Due to its popularity, there’s typically a wait, but their xiao long bao and spicy pork dumplings are worth it.
Eggslut: Chef Alvin Cailan launched Eggslut from a food truck in LA. His sandwiches became a coveted favorite throughout the city, so he started his first brick and mortar in LA’s Grand Central Market. Now, you can find Eggslut locations across LA. All of Eggslut’s menu items are delicious, but I especially love the Fairfax. Lines can get pretty long—even during weekdays—try to visit outside of breakfast and brunch hours to cut down on wait time.
Spread Mediterranean Kitchen: One of my favorite DTLA locations for amazing Mediterranean fare, Spread combines healthy food with an artistic twist. Their chicken and lamb meatballs are fantastic and even better when paired with one of their teas. The vibe is hip and chill, and part of the restaurant’s tables are communal-style—so awesome!
California Chicken Cafe: Good rotisserie chicken is hard to come by, but California Chicken has a steady supply along with fresh salads and sides. My dad used to bring this home for me after he got off work, and I’ve been hooked on their Chicken Salad ever since. Ingredients are fresh and of good quality. Definitely a solid choice when it comes to chicken, wraps, and salads.
Breweries:
- Arts District Brewing Company: With a fair selection of craft beers, this cool warehouse spot has ample seating, fun games to play, and tasty food to eat. There are plenty of places to grab a bite and walk around nearby, too.
- Iron Triangle Brewery: Located on the lesser developed side of the Arts District, Iron Triangle is an unsuspecting brewery in a warehouse setting. You can bring your own food as craft beer, superb drinks, and games are what’s provided.
Donuts:
- Donut Friend: Vegan donuts from Donut Friend in Northeast LA’s (NELA) Highland Park neighborhood are a must-try. Located on York Boulevard near dozens of other hip cafes and mom-and-pop shops, Donut Friend makes delicious 100% vegan donuts that, honestly, don’t taste the slightest bit different from their non-vegan counterparts. Their Poppy Gandhi is my personal favorite, but the Husker Blu comes in a close second.
- California Donuts: For cute, creative donuts with a special twist, look no further than California Donuts in Koreatown. They’re open 24/7, making this donut shop a top-spot at all hours. Their Tiger Tails are fluffy and fresh while the Fruit Loop donuts are totally Instagram-able. As with most places in K-town, parking is tough even though they have a small, shared private lot.
Jugos Azteca: In Highland Park, you’ll find this hole-in-the-wall selling fresh-pressed juices and Mexican food. Before pressed juices were a trend, Jugos Azteca was selling traditional Mexican fruit and veggie juices, as well as smoothies. The “Chamango” is a perfect treat any day and pairs well with their chicken tostada or elote.
Wanderlust Creamery: A relatively new ice cream shop, Wanderlust Creamery delivers unique creations inspired by world flavors. I first tried Wanderlust at the LA Food Fest, where they were scooping out their awesome ice cream left and right—their Ube is to die for! Recently, they have expanded on LA’s Westside, and still have their original shop in the Valley.
Travel tip #2: LA’s diversity is absolutely amazing and lends to the innovative food scene. With so much to try, you may not know where to start. One of my favorite apps to use is Yelp—it’s user-friendly and includes customer reviews and photos. It is also helpful for informing which restaurants have closed, which is a common trend in LA due to skyrocketing rent for businesses and individuals alike.
Transportation & Accommodation
Although driving in LA is absolutely horrible, it’s the main way to get around the city. The LA Metro system connects major parts of the region by rail, which can be used to avoid some of the city’s unrelenting car traffic. However, the Metro isn’t very timely nor is it the cleanest. I wouldn’t rely too heavily on public transportation if you’re visiting for a short time because it’s a tad chaotic and not very efficient. If possible, try to divide your itinerary into regions to better-conquer the massive city while taking advantage of ride share options like Uber or Lyft, or even a traditional cab service.
Accommodation in LA varies from region to region. You can stay at budget motels outside of major tourist areas or shell out for luxury suites in Beverly Hills or DTLA. If you prefer an ocean view, LA’s got you covered, too. Location and services are really the biggest determinants for accommodation in Los Angeles, so it’s based on your budget and preference. Booking.com is a great way to sift through prices and options. Similarly, Airbnb is huge in LA, but be careful of the neighbor you choose and check reviews before booking. If you have a car, make sure you check with the Airbnb Host if parking is available.
Travel tip #3: Driving in LA can be a nightmare. Traffic is always pretty bad and you will more than likely end up in gridlock traffic with thousands of others, especially during rush hour. It’s best to avoid the roads between 7:00 – 9:30 am, as well as 4:00 – 7:00 pm if possible. If you can’t avoid being on the road during those times, have an awesome playlist or some podcasts prepared to keep you occupied.
Climate
The climate of Los Angeles is categorized as “Mediterranean,” being mild and warm with minimal temperature differences between seasons. Generally, any time is good for visiting LA with most of the year being sunny and small amounts of rain occurring during the winter months. June is usually gloomy and overcast, but July through October have clear sunshine-filled days with high temperatures—perfect beach weather. As the city is located on the Pacific Coast, the California Current keeps the coastal areas relatively cool throughout the year. However, there are different microclimates since the city is spread across varying topographic areas. At night, the city cools down significantly; in winter, nighttime temperatures can drop as low as 0 degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit).