Los Angeles travel guide
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Great by its size, great by its status! Los Angeles also known as LA for short is one of the most well known metropolis in the world partly due to the fact that it is a leader in producing popular entertainment like films, video games and recorded music.
The city itself is huge and there are almost 4 million people living here and if you consider the metropolitan area you'll have over 12 million. At such a number you can expect that the national diversity is great too so there are about 200 nationalities. Such an immense variety brings a positive effect and prosperity is ensured as they all learn something form one another. Harmony is the key to good living standard and LA can pride itself with reaching it to a level where everybody can feel at ease and at home.
LA is definitely a lively city, a city that doesn't sleep, one that has a lot to offer in both entertainment and relaxation.
Accommodation is at its best as it is both varied and highly appreciated. Whatever you dream of in terms of accommodation you can find it here and the hotels specialize in different needs of their customers. So you can to stay in a hotel that has something to do with the movie industry (films were shot there and you can even meet some of your favorite movie stars), you can have special wellness hotels that can offer different treatments to heal your body and soul, if you like being close to the beach choose a hotel that is right there and you'll enjoy the beautiful view of the water plus being right in the middle of all the beach activities. So first decide the types of services you want and then the place of the hotel in the city. It is better to make a list with all your needs and then start looking at the long list of hotels otherwise you might get lost in the maze!
After you have settled this you can make your list of attractions you want to visit and the activities you want to take part in, that is if you are an organized kind of person! You can find out everything you want about the events going on during your stay by picking up the Weekly newspaper or a brochure from the traveler’s information office.
A map of the city is indispensable or better a GPS, but try not to make it too obvious that you are a tourist! You will easily fall into the tourist traps and spend a lot of money visiting uninteresting and unimportant so called “attractions”. Better ask an insider about what to visit. And of course it all depends on how much time you have at your disposal.
Among the outdoor activities we can mention biking, hiking, bowling, roller-skating, golf; water based activities like boating, sailing, surfing, beach volley. And what is best about them is that you can practice them most of the year as the weather is favorable with plenty of sunshine.
Being located in a desert area LA gets little rain over the year and almost none during summer, but summer is not considered the best time to visit even if this is the period when people decide to spend their holiday. The city gets overcrowded, accommodation is hard to find, you have to wait a lot in the restaurants to get your order delivered and every touristic point is packed. So if you can avoid this season you will enjoy the city a lot better. Summer can be bearable if you stay around the beach as the breeze makes it easier.
You will be astonished how this city flourished in the middle of the desert and how much greenery there is.
Entertainment is at its best here and the city is synonymous with the word "Fun", when you think of LA this is the first word that comes to your mind. You don’t have to try hard so that your idea of what LA is supposed to offer may become real. Fun is present every step of the way no matter what part of the city you are in.
To make sure you have fun all the way pay attention to safety precautions that should be taken when you travel in such a populated and touristy place. Many places are not safe to be during the night especially parks and some neighborhoods and make sure you do not let any valuables exposed, close your hotel room carefully and do not put your money in your outside pocket.
LA has a lot to offer make sure you get the right choice and make your trip a good value for money!
Los Angeles travel deals
- San Francisco to Los Angeles flight + 2 nights hotel $299
- San Jose to Los Angeles flight + 2 nights hotel $362
- From San Jose: flight + 2 nights hotel to Los Angeles $362
- From Sacramento: flight + 2 nights hotel to Los Angeles $368
- From Las Vegas: flight + 2 nights hotel to Los Angeles $378
- Seattle to Los Angeles flight + 2 nights hotel $402
- From Seattle: flight + 2 nights hotel to Los Angeles $402
- rated for 78%
Review added on December 15, 2008 >> by MadSuh
Most people do not like LA much and that's why it's not really a tourist town. Having stayed there for some years I really learnt to appreciate LA and was able to find all the nice spots I liked. LA is a jungle, but it's also a place of much opportunity. Whether it's beaches you're looking for or mountains you'll have it near LA. My favorite of course is all the things you can do there. The food is amazing, and going for a walk by the beach is always nice.
Read our members' travel tips about Los Angeles
The Original Pantry Cafe >> added on September 22, 2009, by MadSuh
This is one of the classic places to go to for a great 'un-'healthy American breakfast. It tastes awesome, don't get me wrong, but you know how bacon and eggs are not excatly your perfect diet.
Anyhow, I love this place and usually go there when I need some big chunks of bacon, some huge over easy eggs and great sour dough toast and of course yummy pancakes to finish off.
The Original Pantry Cafe apparently has not been closed since around 1924, or since they started :)
Santa Monica 3rd Street >> added on September 7, 2009, by MadSuh
Santa Monica's 3rd Street is a great place to go shopping but also to see a movie or grab coffee. It's a nice walkway with some artists performing in the middle of the street. I like to go shopping there because it's one of the few nice shopping areas that are actually outdoors and one that's actually close to the beach.
Make sure you grab some coffee and walk down towards the Ocean, you'll have a great view over the amusement park and the beach.
Hollywood Park Casino >> added on August 11, 2009, by MadSuh
Hollywood Park Casino is located next to the race tracks at Hollywood Park. It's one of the places I like to hang out at when I am bored and want to gamble a bit and see strange characters. You'll be amazed how shady of a place this is, but it's fun. Anyhow, they god all sorts of tables, plenty of poker tournaments and a lot of cool Jackpots. Oh, and the food is rather good. There is a Pink's Hot Dog stand inside as well :)
What our community has to say about Los Angeles
Los Angeles & LA, by MadSuh
California Overview, by travelgrove-editor
PhocusWright Conference, by MadSuh
California - travel tips, by lindamura
Los Angeles - Sights, by mohds2
First stop at Los Angeles, by MadSuh
Los Angeles Again :), by MadSuh
USC Football, by MadSuh
WA! -- Great Sushi in Los Angeles, by dosi
Browse our members' Los Angeles galleries to get a better impression of the place
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