California Dreaming: The Dos and Don’ts of visiting LA

Visiting LA? Here are some of our top tips to make sure you get the most out of your trip..

Do: Treat Yo’Self

Leave the hostels and couch surfing to other destinations. When you’re in LA, you owe it to yourself to travel in style. Why not check out one of the luxury homes in Los Angeles to spend a few nights? They may be a bit pricier than a hostel, but they’re actually surprisingly affordable when you split the cost with your mates. Plus they comes with the added benefits of roof top pools and gorgeous Pacific Ocean views.

Don’t: Stay Downtown

Most people automatically seem to think that the best place to stay in Los Angeles is Downtown – when, really, it usually makes for a more expensive and inconvenient travel experience. For a start, there aren’t actually that many must-see attractions in this part of the city. Secondly, the traffic and congestion to get in and out are horrendous. People who stay here find that they’re often stuck in traffic and end up with road-rage by proxy.

Do: Hit up the Food Trucks

Food trucks provide gourmet standard food ranging from some of the best tacos that you’ll ever try to delicious burgers and hotdogs. Absolutely loved by the locals, the food trucks are one of the cities best kept secrets from tourists. The food is much more affordable than restaurants… but expect it to still feel a little pricey.

Don’t: Blow All Your Money on the First Night

Hitting the bars is a great way to meet locals and hard to resist on your first night in any new city… but don’t forget that LA is an extremely expensive city to travel in. Drinks can be almost twice as high as other places and a few drinks and a meal can easily cost up to $100.

Also, try not to get too carried away in the Casinos, and definitely don’t bet your spends on games you haven’t played before. If you are planning on visiting the casinos, make sure you get some practice in online before you go, and try to pick a game that’s really simple to play.

Do Rent a Car

Visiting LA is a perfect opportunity to get your road trip on. You can drive to some of the national parks that are just a short distance from downtown for hiking or to watch the sunset. Or, if you’re feeling it, lash some good music on and mooch a little further afield to some of the cute little towns. Honestly, most of the sights in LA are far apart , so your own wheels will give you a little bit more freedom to check off your bucket list.

Don’t Spend All Your Time at Santa Monica

Don’t get me wrong, Santa Monica is an awesome beach that attracts thousands of locals and tourists every week. If that many people visit, it must be good, right? Well yes and no. Just imagine how crowded it will get on weekends or during the peak times. Instead, think about swerving the crowds and driving a little further along the coast to one of the more secluded beaches such as Cabrillo Beach and Carbon Beach.

Do Bring Your ID

Don’t forget, the drinking age in the United States is 21, so if you’re lucky enough to look under, well, 40 you’re going to get ID’d. This can come as quite a shock for tourists who are visiting LA from a country where drinking is more relaxed. Make sure you bring a form of ID with you if you want to avoid the cringe.

Don’t Spend All Your time in the Bars

If you’re visiting LA during the warmer months, there are lots of outdoor events and activities that allow you to bring your own drinks – which is going to mean a much cheaper night! This includes free movie screenings and outdoor concerts in some of the parks or along the beach. Check online or ask a local if there are any upcoming events when you’re in the city.

But most importantly, enjoy yourself! After all, you’re in the city of angels!