Los Angeles has too much to see and experience for one-size-fits-all travel itineraries. LA is a massive area with a wide range of attractions depending on what you are interested in. Creating an itinerary that fits your mood is the best way to travel. Then you can plan to explore surrounding areas to your mood rather than criss-crossing the entire LA county.
Inevitably when people refer to Los Angeles, they are referring to much more than just the city itself. Los Angeles County is home to 88 cities. These include Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Los Angeles. A wider trip to Southern California may include the neighboring counties of Orange with Disneyland and Riverside which is home to outlet shopping and desert. This is a place you need to measure in neighborhoods rather than within a compact downtown walking distance.
If your trip to Los Angeles is focused on the arts you will be pleased with what they have to offer. The Getty Center should be your first stop. While it is home to a stunning collection of European paintings, the museum's location is just as memorable. From the museum you can enjoy tram rides and unique architectural structures that will create a complete California experience instead of just another stop on your trip.
Downtown Los Angeles is a great place to spend a second day for travelers who enjoy modern culture and more of an independent vibe. \ The Broad is one of the most popular museums in Los Angeles (along with the rest of the Downtown museums) because they have an amazing contemporary art collection, and Yayoi Kusama's immersive mirrored installation. The Last Bookstore is a contrast to the polished galleries and is a huge independent bookstore, especially for used and new books. The Last Bookstore has a lot of vintage decor, creative tunnels of books, and lots of picture taking spots. Even though it is a bit touristy, it has the personality that a lot of Los Angeles attractions do not have.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is indispensable to people who want to know the cultural depth of the city. Their collection spans thousands of years and many regions, including ancient art, European painting, Asian art, art from the Americas, Islamic art, and modern art. Outside of the museum, the famous Urban Light installation has become a defining landmark for the city. You can combine a museum day with Beverly Hills and Melrose for a more casual experience of the city’s design, fashion, and street-art culture.
Although it is best to approach it with realistic expectations, Hollywood can complete an arts and culture itinerary. The Walk of Fame is a famous symbol, and Madame Tussauds Hollywood goes well with the entertainment district. Griffith Observatory has the best view of Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign, and it also has astronomy exhibits and a planetarium.
If you're interested in seeing a more fast-paced and loud version of Southern California, the best attractions to visit are the theme parks and studio experiences. For film enthusiasts, the best option is Universal Studios Hollywood. This theme park includes rides, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and a studio tour that showcases real filmmaking. Because of its working studio, it is more than just a theme park with movie posters, it has a genuine Hollywood feel.
For the most extreme roller coasters in Southern California, the winner is Six Flags Magic Mountain located in Valencia. This amusement park has the most amount of roller coasters and high speed rides which is why it is perfect for anyone who prioritizes speed and wants to experience drops rather than storytelling and themed detail. This amusement park is a full-day experience and should not be paired with another major attraction.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a more authentic behind-the-scenes experience. Visitors can see how television and film are made when they are given a guided tour through the real sets, props, and soundstages of shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Batman, and Harry Potter. The appeal to this attraction is that it is a working entertainment campus, not a replica.
Depending on your preferences, the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim can fit into either a romantic or thrill oriented itinerary. Disneyland Park is also the most historically significant because it was the first Disney park created with the vision of Walt Disney. Disneyland is not a place for extreme rides, but for those who love a great escape from reality, nostalgia, and immersive details that make time feel suspended, this is the perfect park for you. Disneyland is perfect for couples and families who enjoy storytelling and fantasy over adrenaline sporting activities.
There are several romantic activities that can be done in Los Angeles. You can let the views do all the work for you. The Griffith Observatory is a perfect location for an evening sunset watching the city and Santa Monica is an ideal choice for a casual day at the coast. The Santa Monica beach provides an open horizon perfect for California pictures. The Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park add an old school seaside amusement vibe to the location and the area is known for the western most end of the historic Route 66.
While whale and dolphin watching from a cruise as you leave from Newport Beach is something that can add a unique value to the itinerary, the sightings are determined by the season and waters of Southern California. This is one of the only activities that combines the tranquility of open water with the chaos of traffic and time schedules, making it perfect for couples looking for a more relaxed Southern California experience.
An old itinerary might have the OUE Skyspace observation deck as a stop. It was once a popular attraction due to the tall buildings and the exterior glass slide that you could go down. While some may include it on their itinerary, it is not fully operational and travelers should do some research before planning around an old listing. It is essential to have current details for the rapidly changing location of Los Angeles.
Transportation is an essential part of the entire planning process. For those who plan to visit Disneyland, Six Flags, and go on studio tours or visit any other attractions that are located in different parts of Los Angeles County, renting a car will likely be the best option. Compared to many other large cities in the United States, parking is quite a bit easier to find, however there are some areas where the price and availability can be quite different from other areas. For those who plan to stay in a particular area, ride sharing services can be a good option.
One option for public transport in Los Angeles is the metro, which has both bus and rail services. They can be helpful for particular routes, especially when traveling to major stations and central districts, but the challenge of Los Angeles' vastness is still there. Just because you have the option of public transport doesn't mean you should use it as the backbone of your entire sightseeing plan.
Choosing where to stay in Los Angeles reflects the kind of experience you want to have. If you want a more relaxed experience that includes beach walks and ocean air then Santa Monica is the best area for you to stay at. For more shopping and dining opportunities with a good central location to attractions, Beverly Hills is a good spot, as it offers more luxurious options. If you want a more central location with lively food and dining options that also provides good car access then Koreatown is a good option.
A good Los Angeles trip is not about visiting every tourist spot. If you want more time to appreciate the area, then pick an option with art and architecture. If you want the trip to be more focused on activities then pick options with studios and theme parks. For more romantic options pick beaches and ocean activities. When you visit Los Angeles, it gets more enjoyable when you plan out exactly what you want to do.
