For every tourist who wants to visit USA, Los Angeles is always one of the top of the list. It is one of the most famous cities in California and also known as the entertainment capital of the world. It is a great city to visit as it is a combination of sprawling city life with nature trails and mountains on the east side as well as beaches on the west side. It is also a haven for food and iconic attractions. No wonder many tourists flock here all year round to experience what the city has to offer. During my brief stay in LA, here are some of the places I recommend to visit:
1. Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is an iconic white stone building on the south edge of the hills that provides some of the best elevated views of downtown Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. Visitors can look through telescopes, explore exhibits, and see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Entry to Griffith Park is free, as is parking, and at least one full day could be spent visiting the attractions and hiking a selection of the trails, which offer alternative views of the city and the northern suburbs.
View as we were hiking to Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory
Hollywood Sign view
Hollywood Sign view
Overlooking Los Angeles
Overlooking Los Angeles
Overlooking Downtown LA
Inside the Observatory
Inside the Observatory
Inside the Observatory
Inside the Observatory
Inside the Observatory
Watch this YouTube video for a walking tour of Griffith Observatory:
OUE Skyspace is an open-air observation deck providing 360-degree views of Los Angeles. It features a unique 45-foot fully enclosed glass slide nearly 1,000 feet above the ground called the Skyslide.
The Hollywood Boulevard is one of the most visited places in LA. It is filled with museums, theaters, souvenir shops, and it is where the famous Walk of Fame is located. The section of Hollywood Boulevard that appeals to most tourists runs between La Brea Ave. and Vine St.
4. La Brea Tar Pits & LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum Of Art)
Located in the same complex, the La Brea Tar Pits and LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum Of Art) are considered as top attractions in Los Angeles. La Brea Tar Pits are a group of tar pits formed in urban Los Angeles. This area is the only actively excavated Ice Age fossil site found in an urban location in the world. On the other hand, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States.
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits
LACMA
LACMA
LACMA - Urban Lights
LACMA - Urban Lights
LACMA - Urban Lights
LACMA - Urban Lights
LACMA - Urban Lights
LACMA - Urban Lights
LACMA
Check out this YouTube video of La Brea Tar Pits & LACMA;
Another must see attraction in Los Angeles is the Santa Monica Pier. It is well known for its amusement park, beach, aquarium, shops, cafe's and restaurants. The pier is open 24-hours a day but the establishments typically open from 11am to 8pm.
Checkout this video for a walk tour of Santa Monica Pier:
Venice beach is another well known attraction in Los Angeles. It has a world famous boardwalk full of quirky shops and food stalls. Aside from the long stretch of beach, it also has a skate park and is home to the famous muscle beach outdoor gym. There are a lot of sidewalk vendors and street performers in the area.
Probably one of the most iconic theme parks in California, the Universal Studios is a must place to visit for both the youth and the young at heart. Universal Studios Hollywood is a combination of film studios and a theme park all in one. This is the place where most blockbuster Hollywood movies are made. About 70% of the studio lies within the county island known as Universal City while the rest lies within the city limits of Los Angeles California.
World Of Harry Potter
World Of Harry Potter
World Of Harry Potter
World Of Harry Potter
World Of Harry Potter
Minions Fun Land
Minions Fun Land
Minions Fun Land
Minions Fun Land
Springfield
Springfield
Springfield
Water World
Water World
Studio Tour
Studio Tour
Studio Tour
Studio Tour
Studio Tour
Jurassic World
Revenge of the Mummy
Transformers
Transformers
Transformers
Check out this video of Universal Studios Hollywood:
Here are some travel tips when you are visiting Los Angeles California:
Los Angeles is huge and is composed of several cities within it's limits. Always plan ahead on your itinerary so you can have smooth travel flow. If you are using private transportation, expect traffic within Los Angeles and spare extra time from your schedule. Use google maps or waze to help you navigate and choose routes that have less traffic.
When starting your itinerary for the day, I always suggest to visit the Griffith Observatory early in the morning specially if you are using private transport. Parking can be difficult during peak hours. You can opt to park downhill and hike your way up to the observatory, or use the shuttle bus going to the observatory at $0.50 per person per ride.
In Los Angeles, parking almost always comes with a fee ranging from $10-$30. So, if you are travelling to multiple locations, include these parking fees on your budget. Also be aware of the parking timing duration before you park.
There are 3 modes of public transportation in Los Angeles, the subway/metro, bus, and taxi. Taxis are often expensive and there are not too many of them. The buses are not the safest and at times smell bad. So the best option is the subway/metro system which are also cheap and less hassle. Just be aware as there are reported cases of pick pockets on busy stations. Uber or Lyft is also one good option to travel around Los Angeles if you have an internet connection.
Weather in Los Angeles is usually sunny so wear comfortable clothes and apply sun screen. But during winter time, it can also be cold so have a jacket with you during these times. It is also important to note that the weather in the coastal area is colder than inland. Check the weather forecast before hand when travelling to LA.
Expect a lot of tourist in LA's famous attractions. So getting that perfect instagram shots will be challenging. The best time to travel Los Angeles if from March-May and from September-November. These times can be less crowded.
Dress code in LA is usually casual. Wearing casual clothing can almost get you anywhere in LA. Only except those that have strict dress codes which is very rare.
If you are going to shop in LA, bring your own shopping bag. Most shopping establishments charge $0.10 per plastic bag as part of a new law in California state.
Los Angeles offers a variety of food ranging from low budget food stalls to high end restaurants. So, finding a place to eat here is not a worry. It is also noted that food quality in LA is top notch. Also, it is mandatory to give a "TIP" in bars and restaurants in LA. The tip should not be less than 10% of your bill.
When purchasing tickets for attractions in LA, it is suggested that you do it online because they offer discounts. Also search for coupons that almost always have a lower price than purchasing on the spot from the attraction itself.
If you are travelling alone or as a couple, I suggest you avail of join-in tours or the hop-on hop-off bus. This will provide you less hassle on driving through traffic and save money for parking.
Los Angeles offers variety of accommodations ranging from budget hostels to luxury hotels. You will have no difficulty finding the best accommodation for you online. You just have to decide on what location you wish to stay. If you want to stay in a beach area, book somewhere in Santa Monica Pier or Venice Beach. If you want to be in the city, Downtown LA is the best place to get accommodation. If you want to stay in Hollywood area, it also offers good range of accommodations there.
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