Due to a fair bit of demand, we've put together a list of our favourite things to do and hotspots in Los Angeles that we love in hopes to make your next visit a little bit easier! We are no way near experts on the city but just from the month we spent there, we have gathered quite a bit of cheat notes. Note: We are avid food fans so much of the list is heavily centered on cafes & restaurants, but they were all so delicious we couldn't help but share. Enjoy!
ACCOMODATION:
- Los Angeles is a massive city where even local residents sometimes don't even venture out of their own "region", so realistically chances are you will never completely try everything. But if you want to do it right and thorough, I suggest booking at least a 2 weeks trip and stay in multiple areas. Alot of tourists make the mistake of being stuck in a hotel near central/mid-city LA and never truly living like a local (the only way to really like the city). It might be a hussle to pack up and move every week or so but it is worth it. Try stay at least a week in each of the following areas (we lived on Deronda Dr, in Encino and Santa Monica respectively):
1. The Hollywood Hills: perfect for central/mid-city LA, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Burbank/North Hollywood, Silverlake/Los Feliz/Echo Park, Glendale/Pasadena, Griffith Park, the Hollywood Sign.
2. San Fernando Valley: Alot of suburbs that run through Ventura Blvd (Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Toluca Lake) have amazing shops and restaurants; it's great for celebrity spotting (we sat on the next table from Nicole Richie without realising it at dinner one night in Sherman Oaks) and Topanga/Malibu regions.
3. The beachside: perfect for Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Venice, Marina Del Rey/Playa Del Rey, Manhattan Beach and even close to Beverly Hills, Brentwood, West Los Angeles.
TRAVEL:
- No-one walks or take the bus/metro. You need a car in Los Angeles. There is just no other way to do it. Period.
- Ride a bike when you visit any of the beaches - there is hardly any parking especially during weekdays and weekends. Plus, there is specific bike tracks which connects all the beaches together so you can avoid traffic and beach hop at the same time.
- Car rental: Renting a car in California when you're under 21 is a nightmare and expensive (they charge an underage fee on top of the rate) so definitely research before and find the best costs.
- License: Unless your license is not in English, you don't need an international drivers license (the purpose of that is to simply act as a translation). Any level of Australian license is fine (I rented on provisional 1).
DRIVING / PARKING:
- Los Angeles drivers are a driving supervisor's worst nightmare.
- You won't fit in on the road unless you: don't indicate, change lanes in small spaces, run red lights and speed significantly more than the limit.
- You know you're a local when you get a parking fine (we got one for $73 - rather cheap compared to Sydney's, which usually range from $100-200+)
- Driving on the opposite side of the lane and sitting on the opposite side of the car may seem daunting for a few days but it will settle in quickly before you know it.
- Parking is relatively easy to find despite how many cars are in Los Angeles! Street parking accept coins/cards only while weekend markets, grocery stores and even shops have their own car park lots, free for customers.
- Valet parking is everywhere and super cheap (usually around $3- 5 during the day and then anywhere around $10-20 at night hotspots eg. Hollywood) - just make sure to add a 15%-20% tip!
- Read signs carefully! LA is notorious for its confusing and sometimes contradicting parking signs (don't forget, street cleaning varies from Monday - Thursday meaning you can't park at all that day on the road!)
- Remember there are coloured curb sides to tell you what kind of parking you can do. The popular ones are red (means no parking, stopping and keep area completely clear) and yellow (loading zone only).
OTHER TIPS:
- Hollywood Walk of Fame/all the movie studios is fun for about 5 minutes - do not spend your time visiting locations travel brochures suggest! Instead, ask a few friends who live in the city for tips about Los Angeles (customs, lifestyle, hotspots etc). LA as a tourist is very different from LA as a local!
- Anyone who basically provides you service expects a tip: try immediately grab some spare coins cos you'll need it from the moment you land (shuttle bus drivers etc.) Car washers, horseriding guides, taking photos of cool art (Venice boardwalk, Hollywood blvd) etc.
