Los Angeles

The city of stars, beaches and dreams

Los Angeles stands out as a major city on the west coast of the United States. It covers a large area with varied neighborhoods, each showing different sides of urban life. The city is known for its entertainment industry and wide streets lined with shops and restaurants. Public parks provide open space in the middle of busy areas. Beaches run along parts of the coastline, offering places to relax or enjoy outdoor activities. Historic sites share space with modern buildings that shape the skyline.

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City in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.7

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is the main language, and you’ll have no trouble communicating. Many locals also speak Spanish, and certain areas have strong Chinese, Korean, and Armenian communities with multilingual signage.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Los Angeles Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Famous for entertainment and beaches. Visit film studios, relax on Pacific beaches, hike scenic hills and explore diverse food and arts districts.

Place score

8.8

Best at:

Large cities

Theme parks

Nightlife

Beaches

Luxury

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🌈 9

LGBTQ+

🥗 9

Vegetarian

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Los Angeles, United States

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - May, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	10 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rain falls mostly November to March, the rest of the year is almost entirely dry

Wildfire risk highest September to December with Santa Ana winds, smoke can affect air quality

Beach and swimming season June to September, ocean stays cool even in summer

Don't miss

🎬 Walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and find your favorite stars
🥾 Hike to the Hollywood Sign for sweeping city views
🎡 Spend a sunny afternoon at Santa Monica Pier and beach
🖼️ Explore art masterpieces at The Getty Center
🎨 Stroll through Venice Beach Boardwalk and watch street performers
🌅 Drive down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway at sunset

You've been here?

Why travel to Los Angeles?

LA is a dream destination for film buffs, beach lovers and urban explorers alike. From iconic movie studios to trendy neighborhoods, it’s a place where creativity and entertainment thrive. The food scene is diverse, the shopping is world-class and the sunsets over the Pacific are unforgettable. However, it’s also a city of contrasts – stunning luxury coexists with visible homelessness and traffic can be a nightmare. But with the right plan, you’ll find LA’s magic in its beaches, culture and endless entertainment options.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Santa Monica
This iconic beach town features golden sands, dramatic cliffs and a vibrant pier. Surrounded by palm-lined avenues and celebrity homes, it offers stunning ocean views, world-class dining and endless outdoor activities perfect for any season.
2 Long Beach
This vibrant coastal city offers sunny beaches, historic ports and diverse neighborhoods. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, it features iconic murals, waterfront parks and easy access to nearby attractions like Santa Ana and Huntington Beach.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Hollywood Walk of Fame
This star-studded boulevard honors legendary actors and filmmakers, stretching across several city blocks of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame features thousands of terrazzo stars embedded in sidewalks near major attractions like Hollywood Boulevard and the iconic Chinese Theatre.
2 Getty Center
The Getty Center sits atop a hill in Los Angeles, offering expansive gardens, modern architecture and an extensive art collection that spans from medieval to contemporary works for visitors seeking culture.
3 Griffith Observatory
Perched on Hollywood Hills, this iconic observatory offers breathtaking city views and planetarium shows. Its historic dome houses a telescope while surrounding gardens provide a peaceful retreat for visitors exploring Los Angeles' cultural landmarks.
4 Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The museum holds one of the largest art collections in the United States, covering ancient to contemporary works across diverse media and cultures, with rotating exhibitions that showcase global artistic traditions.
5 Universal Studios Hollywood
A film‑centric theme park built on a historic studio lot, offering rides based on blockbuster movies, live shows and behind‑the‑scenes tours that showcase the art of filmmaking for visitors worldwide.
6 Santa Monica Pier
Iconic beachfront attraction featuring a historic wooden pier, amusement rides and an aquarium. Visitors enjoy panoramic ocean views, street performers and family‑friendly entertainment amid the vibrant coastal atmosphere of Los Angeles.
7 La Brea Tar Pits
This ancient asphalt pool, located in Los Angeles, offers a unique glimpse into geological history. Visitors can walk on tar pits that once trapped dinosaurs and early humans, making it a fascinating stop for science enthusiasts and tourists exploring California's natural wonders.
8 Walt Disney Concert Hall
9 The Broad Museum
10 Venice Beach Canals Mural

🎡Places for activities

1 Venice Beach
A vibrant beachfront community known for its iconic pier, eclectic boardwalk and diverse cultural scene. Visitors enjoy surfing, art galleries and a mix of historic architecture alongside modern eateries and in California.
2 The Comedy Store
3 Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Funeral Home
4 Silver Lake
5 West Sunset Boulevard
6 Dodger Stadium
7 Six Flags Magic Mountain

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Los Angeles County Arboretum
2 Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
3 Santa Monica State Beach
4 Griffith Park
5 Topanga State Park
6 Angeles National Forest
7 Runyon Canyon Park
8 El Matador Beach Access Trail
9 Point Dume

🛍️Shopping

1 Citadel Outlets
2 The Americana at Brand
3 Westfield Century City
4 The Grove
5 Third Street Promenade
6 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
7 Grand Central Market
8 Rodeo Drive
9 Melrose Avenue
10 Little Tokyo

🎈Events

Academy Awards (Oscars)
LA Pride Parade
Coachella (nearby in Indio)
Golden Dragon Parade (Chinatown)
Los Angeles Film Festival
Day of the Dead Festival (Hollywood Forever Cemetery)
LA Auto Show
626 Night Market
HollyShorts Film Festival
LA County Fair

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Distances are huge; plan by neighborhood instead of criss-crossing city daily.
Public transport exists but is limited; many visitors rely on rideshares, especially between Hollywood, downtown and the beach areas.
Factor in heavy traffic for airport transfers and sunset plans; a 20-minute distance on maps can easily double at rush hour.
Cluster days: one for Hollywood and Griffith Observatory, another for Santa Monica and Venice, plus one exploring revitalized downtown and Arts District on foot.

How to travel to Los Angeles

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main gateway, with additional airports like Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB). Amtrak and Greyhound connect LA to other cities and driving via the I-5 or US-101 is common.

Access summary

From LAX: Taxi, rideshare or shuttle to central LA, about 30–60 minutes.
From San Francisco: Frequent direct flights to LAX, usually about 1–1.5 hours.
From Las Vegas: Many daily flights to LAX, typically around 1–1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Los Angeles

LA has options for every budget – from luxury hotels in Beverly Hills to boutique stays in Venice Beach. Downtown is good for nightlife, while Hollywood is tourist-central. Santa Monica and Malibu are great for beach lovers.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The Biltmore Los Angeles

8.3

Hilton Los Angeles Airport

8.2

InterContinental - Los Angeles Downtown By IHG

8.8

Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX

8.1

USC Hotel

8.8

Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel

Redac Gateway Hotel in Torrance

8.5

Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport

8.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Los Angeles

Public transport exists but is limited – most people drive. Metro rail and buses cover major areas and rideshares are popular. Walking is great in some neighborhoods but impractical elsewhere. Traffic is notorious, so plan trips wisely.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+21 %

Daily expenses in Los Angeles are around 21% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£96	£201	£505
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£53	£105	£210
🍝 Food per day	£37	£89	£266
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£7	£29

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£34
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£16
🍟 Fast food combo	£10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£13
☕ Cappuccino	£4.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£7

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.95

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£14
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£105
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£25

Safety information overview

General safety

LA is generally safe in tourist areas, but some neighborhoods have high crime rates. Petty theft and car break-ins are common – stay alert and avoid poorly lit areas at night.

Health & Medical

High-quality hospitals and urgent care facilities are widely available, but healthcare is expensive for uninsured visitors. Air pollution can be an issue, especially for those with respiratory conditions.

Accessibility

Many attractions and public areas are wheelchair accessible, but public transport isn’t the most convenient for disabled travelers. Rideshare and taxis are better options for accessibility.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink, but some visitors prefer bottled water due to taste. Public water fountains are available but not always common in tourist areas.