DiscoverLos Angeles

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Get ready to discover Los Angeles

Endless sunshine, a thriving foodie scene, family-friendly theme parks, some of the best shopping in the world and miles of sandy beaches: LA has it all, from the moment your flight touches down.

A trip to Los Angeles is an all-round pleaser, from contemporary museums and art galleries, to family-friendly theme parks, fabulous shopping malls and 12 kilometres of beaches, plus culinary options from small pavement cafés to fine dining.

Los Angeles is a jigsaw of diverse neighbourhoods with plenty of things to do. Wherever you base yourself – from Santa Monica with its classic palm-fringed boulevards, boardwalk and iconic Muscle Beach, to Pasadena with its celebrated fine-dining scene, famous Rose Bowl flea market and Victorian architecture – Los-Angeles will welcome you. Thanks to its sprawling size, Los-Angeles is best explored with a car.

Head to the Griffith Observatory for views of the city below, or try Venice Beach for that easy-going Californian vibe – think buzzing cafés and beachside fitness. Spend a day in upscale Brentwood, home to the Getty Center, where you’ll find ultra-modern architecture alongside Renaissance art, and visit the Brentwood Country Mart, a favourite celebrity shopping location. In Koreatown, once dubbed America’s hippest neighbourhood, you can eat out 24/7, treat yourself to a spa without breaking the bank, and visit one of the district’s shopping markets.

Take a trip to Anaheim where you’ll find the wonderful world of Disneyland, or visit the San Fernando Valley and spend the day at Universal Studios where among the spectacular amusements, you can enjoy King Kong 360 3D.

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What’s on in Los Angeles this Summer

Dive into the highs of summertime in La La Land with a hot variety of rip-roaring events. From zesty food and drink festivals, flourishing garden parties, Independence Day celebrations and a BrunchCon for the biggest brunching fans around, Los Angeles has got it all. Soak up the outdoor SoCal lifestyle with a west coast summer.

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Los Angeles holidays

We’re California dreamin’ of poolside lounging and Pacific watching at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. Are you? #travel #fridayfeeling #shuttersonthebeach #santamonica #michaelsmithinc

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LA’s iconic hotels

Like everything else in Los Angeles, the best hotels combine an immaculate appearance with a real sense of character. Here are a few of the most iconic.

Sanjiv Bhattacharya

US correspondent for Esquire UK

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Outdoors in Los Angeles

A trip to LA wouldn’t be complete without exploring some of the city’s classic outdoor activities, says local Krista Simmons.

Krista Simmons

LA-based travel writer and producer

LA hotels for every traveller

Whether you’re in Los Angeles for business or leisure, planning a stopover or holidaying with the family, Edmund Vallance, explores six hotels for every sort of traveller.

Edmund Vallance

LA-based British writer

LA’s best food trucks

In a city where people spend more time in a vehicle than their houses and there’s no such thing as foot traffic, running a food truck can be challenging. You have to have good reason to go out of your way in this sprawling city for a quick, convenient bite – which is why Los Angeles has some of the most inventive, delicious and competitively priced food trucks in the USA. Local writer Eve Barlow tracks down eight of the city’s best moving feasts.

Eve Barlow

LA-based journalist

Four epic LA road trips

From rock and roll-inspired pilgrimages to cuddly creatures, writer Mike MacEacheran rounds up a few of the best road trips from LA.

Mike MacEacheran

Travel journalist

"Keep smiling because life is a beautiful thing, and there's so much to smile about." – Marilyn Monroe. Tag a friend who was made for #Hollywood. #LA #USA Image: @gioayala_

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LA insiders: dos and don’ts

Hendo Bayer

Do

Go to In-N-Out, and try the animal-style fries. I like to think of it as a boutique fast food place, that uses really fresh ingredients. The animal fries have cheese with Thousand Island dressing, grilled onions… really good.
Feel free to ask people on the streets for directions. Everyone in LA will be happy to help you out.

Don't

Don’t call California ‘Cali’ if you want to fit in. Don’t call San Francisco ‘San Fran’ either.

Lilly Dong

Do

Use Wayze to get around as it takes you through neighbourhoods to avoid traffic. Every drive becomes fun
Always tip 20 per cent.
Try the Mexican food – it’s the best here.

Don't

Don’t be over adventurous – plan your days to do things in the same area.
Don’t travel on Friday afternoons, traffic is the worst.

Diana Gomez

Do

Be as extravagant as you like here

Don't

Don’t be afraid of some small talk with strangers

Jana Devino

Do

Wear layers – it can get pretty chilly here, especially in the evenings and nighttime.
Try catch a free concert on the beach – it’s typical LA.

48 Hours in Los Angeles

48 Hours is barely enough to scratch the surface of Los Angeles, but it’s still long enough pack in plenty of experiences you’ll never forget.

Sanjiv Bhattacharya

US correspondent for Esquire UK

A guide to healthy living in LA

Writer and editor Britt Collins shares her tips for where to seek out LA’s wellbeing vibe, from clean juice to wellness retreats.

Britt Collins

LA-based writer and editor

I love the diversity of experiences in LA, from nightclubs and dive bars, to beaches, to mountain hikes, there’s always something different to do and a lot of it, particularly the outdoorsy stuff, is free

Hendo Bayer

A guide to eating out in LA

Whether it’s cheeky art, or old-school glamour, quirky bookshops, or alternative cinema experiences, Lilly Dong gives us her LA top ten.

Lucy Sherriff

LA-based travel writer

Seven iconic LA experiences

LA’s diverse neighbourhoods offer all sorts of experiences, but only a few can be considered truly iconic.

Maxwell Williams

LA-based journalist

As a photographer, I love that you can make anything in this town – the best people in the industry are here. If you can dream it you can do it here

Lily Dong

LA insiders: seasonal tips

Spring

“Go to Venice Beach and have Sushi in Abbott Kinney, the weather is usually the perfect temperature.” – Diana Gomez

“Spring is the ideal time to see at concert at Hollywood Bowl.” – Diana Gomez

Summer

“Dress in layers as there can be a 20 to 30-degree difference in temperatures in various parts of the city and at night.” – Lilly Dong

“Always go out with water, sunscreen, and sunglasses – you’ll regret it later if not. Avoid walking round the East Side in the heat too.” – Lilly Dong

Winter

“Checkout the festive ice rink at Pershing Square Downtown. Also, a lot of people go snowboarding in Big Bear, Mammoth, or Tahoe for most of the weekends during winter. It’s such a beautiful place with clean mountain air, a few casinos, and a decent amount of nightlife.” – Hendo Bayer

“Go to Big Foot Lounge. This bar on Culver City is super-cosy, curl up on a couch in the living room-like bar and drink a warming whisky cocktail.” – Jana Devino

“Go for a sunrise hike – the light and fresh air are both wonderful.” – Jana Devino

Where to dine like a star in LA

There’s no shortage of eateries in L.A. that cater to the superstar appetite. Maxwell Williams lets us in on the star-studded spots to rub elbows with your favourite idol.

Maxwell Williams

LA-based journalist

Six budget hotels in Los Angeles

Whether it's a holiday with the family in tow, or a little slice of Hollywood magic, local writer Edmund Vallance reveals how to stay in LA without breaking the bank.