Los Angeles travel guide
United States
A sprawl of beach towns, hillside canyons and dozens of distinct neighbourhoods tied together by freeways. Los Angeles makes sense once you pick a few areas and stop trying to see it all.
Essentials
- Language
- English; Spanish is very widely spoken
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Plugs
- Type A and B, 120 V
- Emergency number
- 911
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: around 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and a similar share for taxis and rideshares.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $80-130, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $220-350, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Los Angeles
- Silver Lake: hilly streets, coffee shops, vintage stores and a reservoir walking loop.
- Venice: the boardwalk, the canals and an easy beach ride to Santa Monica.
- Downtown: the Arts District, Grand Central Market and restored old theatres on Broadway.
Getting around Los Angeles
Metro trains and buses take a reusable TAP card, and the B Line and E Line cover Hollywood, Downtown and Santa Monica. Distances are large, so most visitors mix Metro with rideshares or a hire car.
Best time to visit Los Angeles
March to April and September to November, avoiding the grey skies of May and June and the hottest weeks of summer.
Top things to do in Los Angeles
- Visit the Getty Center for its art collection, gardens and views, with free entry and paid parking
- Walk or cycle the beach path from Venice to the Santa Monica Pier
- Hike up to a viewpoint near the Hollywood sign from the trails in Griffith Park
- Eat your way through Grand Central Market, then cross the road to ride the Angels Flight funicular
- Spend an afternoon in the gardens and library collections of the Huntington in San Marino
What to eat in Los Angeles
- Street tacos: small corn tortillas with al pastor, carne asada or carnitas, sold from late-night stands and trucks
- Korean barbecue: meat grilled at your table in Koreatown, with a spread of side dishes
- French dip: a roast beef sandwich on a soft roll, dipped in its own juices
- Breakfast burrito: eggs, potato, cheese and salsa wrapped in a large flour tortilla
Day trips from Los Angeles
- Joshua Tree National Park: desert boulders and spiky Joshua trees, about two and a half to three hours by car
- Santa Barbara: Spanish-style architecture, a mission and beaches, about two hours up the coast
- Catalina Island: a car-light island for snorkelling and hiking, about an hour by ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro
Local etiquette
Angelenos plan around traffic and arrive on time, so allow extra time for any journey by road. Dress is casual almost everywhere, even in fairly smart restaurants.
Staying connected
Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs from the major US carriers are easy to buy, and Wi-Fi is standard in cafés and accommodation.
Staying safe
Car break-ins are common at beaches, trailheads and city car parks, so leave nothing in view in a parked car. Earthquakes can happen without warning: if you feel one, drop, cover and hold on.
A local tip
Go up to Griffith Observatory in the late afternoon, stay for sunset over the basin, and look through the free public telescopes after dark.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Los Angeles on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Los Angeles for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Los Angeles, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Los Angeles
- What currency is used in Los Angeles?
- Los Angeles uses the US dollar (USD).
- What is the emergency number in Los Angeles?
- In Los Angeles, call 911.
- When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
- March to April and September to November, avoiding the grey skies of May and June and the hottest weeks of summer.
- How much does a day in Los Angeles cost?
- Roughly $80-130 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $220-350 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Los Angeles?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Los Angeles without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.