Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles has been a quick hit for us a couple of times — a few nights near the Hollywood Walk of Fame in early 2022 and a stay out by LAX in 2023 as we connected onward.
Our experience
It's the sprawling, sun-soaked entertainment capital, and we dip in for the icons: the Hollywood Sign, the museums, the beaches, and the endless neighborhoods each with their own personality.
The food scene is one of the most diverse anywhere, the weather is reliably gorgeous, and there's always a new corner to discover.
We treat L.A. as a city to sample in pieces rather than conquer — pick a neighborhood, dig in, and leave the freeways for someone else.
The Hollywood Sign originally read "HOLLYWOODLAND" when it went up in 1923 as a real-estate advertisement — it was only meant to last about a year and a half, but the city's film fame kept it standing, with the last four letters later removed.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Griffith Observatory — the best free views of the city and the Hollywood Sign.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame — the star-studded sidewalk near where we stayed.
- The Getty Center — art, architecture and gardens above the 405.
- Santa Monica & Venice Beach — the classic beach boardwalks and pier.
- Downtown & The Broad — contemporary art and revitalized historic blocks.
- Koreatown food scene — Korean BBQ, late-night dining and one of L.A.'s most vibrant food neighborhoods.
Our pro tip
Our hard-won L.A. tip: pick one or two areas per visit and don't fight the traffic. Stay near what you most want to see — Hollywood for the sights, the Westside for beaches.
Build days around avoiding rush hour, and consider a rideshare over parking hassles in the densest neighborhoods.
For an easy way to combine Hollywood with one of the city's best viewpoints, a night tour with Griffith Observatory can stitch it together. If you're planning several attractions, an all-inclusive city pass can help.
Book a Hollywood Night Tour with Griffith Observatory on Klook.
If you're planning several attractions, check the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass on Klook.