travel guide la hotels

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Destinations A-Z

The Ultimate Los Angeles Itinerary, Mountain Hikes, Seaside Bike Rides, and Fresh Seafood Included

Discover the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Los Angeles with this highly curated guide to the city.

Best Time to Go

Things to know, how to get around, best hotels, best restaurants, things to do, best shopping, neighborhoods to know, apps to download.

stellalevi/Getty Images

Los Angeles, at around 500 square miles, is the largest city within Los Angeles County which includes more than 100 cities and communities. Known for its entertainment industry, miles of coastline, mountains, shopping, sports, ethnic diversity, and culture of creativity, L.A.'s vibe ranges from upscale to hip to surf-casual and everything between, defying a label for the city as a whole. Several areas comprise Los Angeles, mainly Downtown (DTLA), the Westside, West Hollywood, Hollywood, the Beach Cities, and the Valley, with other communities within those districts.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), served by all major airlines, is about 16 miles from Downtown. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), also known as Bob Hope Airport, is located about 20 minutes north of downtown. Union Station is the main railway station in Los Angeles, and it's the largest railroad passenger terminal in the western United States.

Visitors seeking outdoor activities can choose mountain hikes, seaside bike rides, golf, boating, surfing, or just enjoying the sunshine. Spectator sports abound, and depending on the season, there's basketball, football, baseball, and soccer. Live theater, film complexes, museums, and art galleries provide opportunities for cultural activities.

The Los Angeles dining scene boasts elegant restaurants, casual outdoor cafes, and ethnic foods that include Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Ethiopian, Korean, Italian, Israeli, and many more. Fresh seafood from local waters and produce from California's farms are always available.

Pacific Standard Time. (Daylight Savings Time is observed seasonally)

Year-round moderate temperatures, low humidity, and cool evenings make any month a good time to visit Los Angeles. Summers are warmer, especially in the Valley, while coastal areas see cooler temperatures and often begin with morning clouds that burn off to sunny afternoons. Rainfall is generally less than 20 inches annually, with December through March considered the wetter months.

Summer is popular with vacationers, and with miles of beaches, there's always room for your blanket and umbrella. The 26-mile bike path along the coast from Torrance Beach to Pacific Palisades gets a bit more traffic in summer, but bikers, joggers, walkers, and skateboarders happily share the scenery and ocean breezes year round. In winter, Los Angeles is the perfect escape from colder climates when visitors can trade their down jacks for sweaters or windbreakers.

Los Angeles is known for its car culture, although public transportation is available in most areas. The city is infamous for its freeway traffic, and visitors are advised to keep this in mind when planning outings around the city.

There's a lot of ground to cover and so much to see. If time allows, book a hotel in the area you want to explore. You'll get to experience different neighborhoods, and you'll save time getting around. Get familiar with the "big picture" of Los Angeles while you make plans to get a better idea of where your destinations are located.

The weather varies from the coastal towns to the inland valley, and the temperature difference can be 20 degrees or more. Check the weather and keep a light jacket handy.

Metro Rail Lines: Six light rail and subway lines connect various locations within Los Angeles. Check the online map , website , or use the GoMetro mobile app for planning.

Metro Bus System: Local, Rapid, Express services are available throughout the Los Angeles area, with nearly 200 different lines. Many connect to Metro Rail stations. Visit the Metro website for details .

DASH Bus Service: Los Angeles Department of Transportation operates frequent bus service in DTLA and in 27 neighborhoods. Visit the DASH website for details.

Driving: Hundreds of miles of freeways connect various sections of Los Angeles and can be efficient for traveling. Plan your route, avoid commuter rush hours, and expect some traffic to get the most out of driving in Los Angeles. GPS apps will be helpful.

Uber, Lyft, taxis: You can let someone else worry about directions, parking, and traffic by using your preferred app.

Union Station: (800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012) is a major transportation hub for Amtrak, Greyhound Bus, auto rentals, taxis, Metro bus, light rail and subway, Metrolink heavy rail service, Megabus, and Zipcar.

Transportation from Los Angeles International Airport

LAX FlyAway Bus Service provides regularly scheduled non-stop service to several locations. Check the website for current schedules.

Taxi Service : Taxis may drop passengers off at their terminals on the Upper/Departures level. Arriving passengers may get taxis at three locations: next to Terminal 1 (either by walking or taking the free shuttle to LAX-it. ), inside Parking Structure 3 (between Terminals B and 3), or at the far end of Terminal 7, outside of baggage claim.

Ride-sharing Apps : Lyft, Opoli, and Uber are the authorized providers for LAX. They can drop off passengers at terminals on the Upper/Departures level. Arriving passengers may be picked up at the LAX-it lot next to terminal 1. Walk or take the free LAX-it shuttle.

Rental Cars : Offices are located off airport. Shuttles meet arriving passengers under the purple "Rental Car shuttles" sign on the Lower/Arrivals level islands.

Public Transportation: Several public transit providers serve LAX, including L.A. Metro , Santa Monica Big Blue Bus , Torrance Transit , and Beach Cities Transit .

Hotel Shuttles : Many major airport area hotels provide courtesy transportation from LAX terminals. Shuttle stops are located on the Upper/Departures level by Red curbside pylons.

Metro C Line at Aviation Station: Wait at the Pink Shuttle sign on the Lower/Arrivals level and board "Metro C Line (formerly Green Line) Shuttle."

Downtown DTLA

Intercontinental los angeles downtown.

Address: 900 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (800) 424-6835 Book Now

In the center of downtown, this 73-story hotel boasts spectacular views and a convenient location. Its Spire 73 rooftop lounge is the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere, and a sushi bar, steakhouse, and buffet restaurant offer quality dining and service.

Hotel Figueroa

Address: 939 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: (213) 627-8971 Book Now

This historic hotel opened in 1926 as lodging for professional women and has since seen major renovations that maintained its original Spanish Colonial style. Comfortable rooms, art-filled lobby and corridors, a coffin-shaped outdoor pool, restaurants, and cocktail lounges welcome visitors to its 268 rooms and suites.

The Wayfarer Downtown LA

Address: 813 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (213) 285-4400 Book Now

Convenient, comfortable, and budget-friendly, The Wayfarer features private rooms, shared rooms, a rooftop bar, cocktail lounge, and an entertainment venue. It's a new way to stay in Los Angeles, perfect for solo travelers.

Address: 819 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (213) 623-9904 Book Now

Located in the Financial District, this hotel includes a spa, fitness center, restaurant, and bar. Complimentary breakfast, a business center, and free Wi-Fi are among the hotel's amenities. The hotel is conveniently located near the 7th Street Metro Center.

Beverly Hills/Century City

Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel

Address: 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90212 Phone: (310) 275-5200 Book Now

Overlooking Rodeo Drive, this elegant hotel is a Los Angeles classic. Accommodations include plush guestrooms, specialty suites, and even a rooftop veranda. Guests dine at Wolfgang Puck's Cut steakhouse, the poolside cafe and bar, or The Blvd, an all-day restaurant and lounge.

Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City at Beverly Hills

Address: 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067 Phone: (310) 284-6500

Views of downtown, the Pacific, and Beverly Hills from private balconies create a luxurious L.A. experience. Convenient to shopping, entertainment, and business centers, the hotel offers a spa, fitness center, pool, California cuisine at Mari, and Copper Lounge for cocktails.

Fairmont Century Plaza

Address: 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067 Phone: (310) 246-4770 Book Now

This completely reimagined mid-century modern hotel is located in the heart of Century City, offering 351 guest rooms and 49 suites, all with private balconies. A guest-only private rooftop pool and bar as well as four dining options make the hotel an ideal destination just blocks from Beverly Hills and Westfield Century City shopping center.

West Hollywood WEHO

West hollywood edition.

Address: 9040 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Phone: (310) 953-9899 Book Now

This stunning, modern hotel by Ian Schrager features 190 guest rooms, 48 suites, two penthouses, and 20 luxury residences. Expansive outdoor terraces offer views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills. Amenities include a luxurious spa, fitness center, and a variety of dining spots including the popular Ardor and The Roof, for tropical-inspired cocktails and panoramic vistas.

Pendry West Hollywood

Address: 8430 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Phone: (310) 928-9000 Book Now

In the heart of the iconic Sunset Strip, the Pendry features 149 luxury guest rooms, 40 Pendry Residences, rooftop pool and bar, fitness center, and multiple food and beverage concepts helmed by famed Chef Wolfgang Puck. Spa Pendry offers signature treatments and customized services in a comfortable, healing environment.

Kimpton La Peer Hotel

Address: 627 N. La Peer Drive, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Phone: (213) 296-3038 Website

Set in the walkable Design District neighborhood steps from the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, this hotel is stylish, comfortable, and tasteful. A secluded pool, 105 luxury guest rooms and suites, restaurants, and courtyard cocktail lounge make it a local favorite.

Hollywood Area

Dream hollywood hotel.

Address: 6417 Selma Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028 Phone: (323) 844-6417 Website

The hotel's stylish mid-century modern guestrooms and suites are conveniently set near Hollywood's attractions, with panoramic views from its rooftop pool, restaurant, and cabanas. Dine at the rooftop Highlight Room, Tao Asian Bistro, or Beauty & Essex.

Kimpton Everly Hotel

Address: 1800 Argyle Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028 Phone: (213) 279-3532 Website

This hip boutique hotel boasts a ground-floor coffee bar, outdoor pool, hosted evening social hour and morning coffee, yoga mats, and in-room Chromecast streaming devices. Pet-friendly accommodations, room service, and dining at Jane Q complete the picture.

Hollywood Historic Hotel

Address: 5162 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038 Phone: (323) 378-6312 Website

Dating to 1927, this newly reopened Hollywood landmark is on the National Register of Historic Places. Located near Paramount Pictures and Raleigh Studios, many of the hotel's rooms offer views of the Hollywood sign. Its walkable neighborhood boasts cafes, restaurants, and shops.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Address: 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Phone: (323) 856-1970 Website

Located on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this hotel offers luxury and style along with a stunning David Hockney outdoor pool and cafe. Guests enjoy cocktails at the Spare Room, the hotel's prohibition era-style lounge with vintage bowling alley, and dinner at Nancy Silverton's The Barish, an Italian steakhouse.

Address: 1730 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Phone: (323) 672-8990 Website

A serene oasis off a busy intersection in trendy Los Feliz, Cara Hotel's local craftsmanship and food sourced from nearby farms make it a true California experience. Its 60 rooms, dressed in white with wooden accents, come with balconies overlooking the courtyard tranquility pool lined with palm trees. Under 10 minutes from iconic LA sights such as the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Greek Theater, Cara is an ideal base for first-time LA visitors but will likely be a spot you'll want to return to.

Beach Cities

Shutters on the Beach

Address: 1 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405 Phone: (310) 458-0030 Website

Understated luxury in New England style beachfront rooms and suites defines the hotel, just steps from the sand. Spa, pool deck with cabanas, and excellent dining options make a stay at Shutters memorable. Choose from Coast, 1 Pico, or the Living Room for food and drinks with a Pacific view.

Beach House, Hermosa Beach

Address: 1300 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Phone: (310) 374-3001 Website

As close to the beach as a hotel can get, this oceanfront boutique offers 96 studio suites, most with views of the Pacific. Patios, balconies, fireplaces, fitness center, refrigerators, and outdoor hot tub are among the amenities. Complimentary Wi-Fi and continental breakfast are included.

Hotel Erwin

Address: 1697 Pacific Avenue, Venice, CA 90291 Phone: (310) 452-1111 Website

Overlooking the Pacific and the lively Venice boardwalk, the Hotel Erwin's rooms, suites, and balconies provide comfort and a front-row view of the action. The High Rooftop Lounge is the place to be for sunset, with creative cocktails and delicious menu offerings. Erwin's Kitchen + Cocktails serves breakfast and dinner.

Address: 8639 Lincoln Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (888) 435-5070 Website

Hotel June is set in a prime location minutes from LAX, Playa Del Rey Beach, Playa Vista, Venice Beach, and Marina Del Rey as well as restaurants, shops, and parks. An expansive pool surrounded by lounges and the Caravan Swim Club offering Baja-inspired dishes and creative cocktails make Hotel June a destination as well as a convenient airport hotel.

Malibu Beach Inn

Address: 22878 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 Phone: (310) 651-7777 Website

Set along Malibu's coastline with views of the Pacific, this boutique hotel offers 47 guest rooms, a restaurant, and an on-site spa suite. Hike Malibu's nearby trails, spend time at the exclusive beach, or just enjoy watching the waves and relaxing to the sounds of the surf.

Hilton Los Angeles Universal City

Address: 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608 Phone: (818) 506-2500 Website

A block from the entrance to Universal Studios, this hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to make it even more convenient. Outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool, and fitness center are among the amenities included. Poolside dining, Coffee Corner, and Cafe Sierra are dining options, and at the Atrium Lounge, beverages and snacks are served each evening along with live piano music.

The Garland

Address: 4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91602 Phone: (818) 980-8000 Website

This boutique hotel, created by actress Beverly Garland in 1970, is set on seven acres in the heart of Los Angeles. Now updated, its guestrooms, suites, and kids rooms boast modern decor, and its restaurants offer new menus. Free trolley rides to Universal Studios, CityWalk, and Universal City Metro Station are a favorite amenity.

Downtown L.A.

Address: 521 West Seventh Street, Los Angeles, CA Phone: (213) 225-6285 Website

Q Sushi offers traditional omakase served in a serene atmosphere by talented chef Hiroyuki Naruke. Fresh fish flown in from Japan and presented simply creates a memorable dining experience at his small downtown sushi bar.

Address: 2121 East Seventh Place, Los Angeles, CA 90021 Phone: (213) 514-5724 Website

Delicious and creative Italian dishes served in a lively warehouse-style atmosphere make Bestia a top spot. From pizza to pasta with a tasty selection of antipasti, Bestia's food is memorable and the experience is fun.

Address: 500 Mateo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Phone: (213) 232-4966 Website

Fresh ingredients and a variety of cooking techniques showcase Middle Eastern foods that include flatbreads, spreads, hot and cold small plates, salads, and more. Cuisines of Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt are represented with style and attention to detail.

Howlin' Rays

Address: 727 North Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: (213) 935-8399 Website

From a successful food truck to a Chinatown location, Howlin' Rays has been serving Nashville hot chicken to his fans in Los Angeles since 2016. Diners choose their favorite level of heat from Country (no heat) to Howlin' (HOT), and side dishes include fries, slaw, pickles, and collard greens.

Beverly Hills/Century City/West Hollywood

Jean-georges beverly hills.

Address: Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, 9850 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Phone: (310) 860-6666 Website

This elegant spot is known for exquisite service and cuisine helmed by chef Jean-Georges. His eight-course tasting menu is lovely, and with wine pairings, the experience is sublime. Reservations required.

Address: 176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Phone: (310) 385-0880 Website

Excellent service, inventive seasonal dishes, and sleek atmosphere define this Wolfgang Puck restaurant. The cuisine and style have consistently earned awards, including two Michelin stars.

Address: 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90067l Phone: (213) 310-8000

In addition to an array of wines, cheeses, meats, seafood, baked goods, and more, Eataly offers several dining spots. Il Pesce Cucina presents fresh seafood by acclaimed team from Michelin-starred Providence, chef Michael Cimarusti and Donato Poto. Terra , on the third floor rooftop, features seasonal ingredients prepared on a wood-burning Italian grill. La Pizza & La Pasta serve the best of those Italian favorites. Reservations suggested.

Address: 3850 Main Street, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232 Phone: (424) 298-8540 Website

This ultra-creative restaurant successfully combines Cali-Asian flavors with influences of the Lowcountry of the Southeast. Delicious and artistically plated dishes, modern atmosphere, full bar, and outdoor patio make this a popular spot.

E.P. and L.P.

Address: 603 N. La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Phone: (310) 855-9955 Website

This restaurant features an Asian-fushion menu, rooftop bar with views of the Hollywood Hills, and Las Palmas rooftop with Tulum-inspired dishes and cocktails.

Address: 9010 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Phone: (310) 307-3932 Website

This stylish restaurant on West Hollywood's restaurant row offers coastal European cuisine for fine dining and late-night cocktails. Chef Michael Fiorelli draws inspiration from the classics of Italy, Greece, France, and Spain capturing the spirit of dining on a Mediterranean vacation.

Strings of Life (S.O.L)

Address: 8535 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Phone: (310) 734-7190

This all-day Australia-inspired casual spot serves specialty coffees, fresh baked goods, sandwiches, breakfast dishes, salads, burgers, and more under the direction of Culinary Director Monty Koludrovic with Pastry Chef Jaci Koludrovic.

Address: 9040 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Phone: (424) 310-1572 Website

Showcasing vegetable-forward dishes in a beautiful setting, Ardor's menu includes a balance of meat and plant-based dishes. Award-winning Chef John Fraser combines fresh local organic ingredients with international techniques in such dishes as crudo, ceviche, and as an example, Harrison Ranch Chicken with vegetables a la Grecque. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

Address: 904 North Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038 Website

This chic restaurant set in Hollywood's Media District serves California-inspired French bistro cuisine along with an extensive bar program for dinner and late-night dining. The menu includes roast chicken, seafood, steak tartare, and a 32-ounce dry-aged rib-eye steak.

Address: 5955 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038 Phone: (323) 460-4170 Website

Seafood in creative presentations that are both gorgeous and delicious is the focus of this prix-fixe dining experience. Led by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Cimarusti, this Michelin-starred restaurant is the place for special dinners and superb service.

L' Antiqua Pizzeria da Michele

Address: 1534 North McCadden Place, Los Angeles, Ca 90028 Phone: (323) 366-2408 Website

Pizza, pasta, salads, and a wide variety of appetizers make this more than a pizzeria, although the pizza has a great following. Breakfast and brunch specialties are favorites too, as are the cheese and charcuterie boards.

Beach Cities/West Side

Address: 101 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Phone: (310) 319-3111 Website

This lively bistro at the Fairmont Miramar serves fresh, local ingredients in Mediterranean-style preparations. Open all day, they offer happy hour specials and an exceptional selection of international and domestic cheeses.

The Rose Venice

Address: 220 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA 90291 Phone: (310) 399-0711 Website

Modern California cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Great baked goods, indoor/outdoor dining; extensive takeout selection.

Little Sister, Redondo Beach

Address: 247 Avenida del Norte, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 Phone: (424) 398-0237 Website

South Bay locations in Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach (also DTLA ) serve Southeast Asian cuisine in a seasonally evolving menu. Favorite dishes include green papaya salad, a variety of spring rolls, Vietnamese crepe, and shaky shaky beef.

Address: 13301 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 Phone: (818) 788-4868 Website

Operating in the San Fernando Valley for more than 62 years, Casa Vega began on Olvera Street downtown. An extensive menu of Mexican favorites, cocktails, beers, and wines served in a friendly, festive atmosphere.

Address: 11941 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604 Phone: (818) 760-3348

One of L.A.'s top Japanese restaurants, Asanebo has been recognized with Michelin stars. Traditional sushi and sashimi in addition to their signature dishes like halibut truffle, toro tartare, ceviche, and more are served along with a selection of sake, beers, and champagnes.

Address: 800 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Website

This entertainment complex features movie theaters, a concert hall, restaurants, convention center, and special events. The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles, JW Marriott, and Staples Center are adjacent to the complex.

Crypto.com Arena

Address: 1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90001 Website

This multi-purpose arena hosts concerts and sports events for the Kings (NHL hockey), Lakers, Clippers (NBA basketball), and Sparks (WNBA basketball).

Music Center

Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure

Address: 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Website

This performing arts center includes the Los Angeles Opera, Ahmanson Theater, Mark Taper Forum, L. A. Master Chorale, L. A. Philharmonic Orchestra, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Dining venues include Abernethy's, Cocina Roja, cocktail lounges, and casual cafes.

Address: 221 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Website

A contemporary art museum with more than 2,000 works, The Broad includes a permanent collection and special exhibits. General admission is free, but reservations are recommended and can be booked online. A standby line is available, and waiting time varies.

Downtown LA Walking Tours

Address: 600 West 9th Street, #603, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Website

Offering both public and private tours, the knowledgeable and engaging guides take visitors through L.A.'s highlights including filming locations, historic sites, and landmarks. Stories and background details on the locales make the tours entertaining and educational.

Grand Central Market

Address: 317 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Website

More than a hundred years old, the market offers a variety of vendors for produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, coffee, ice cream, prepared foods, and more. It's a popular spot for takeout or for a quick bite at the adjacent outdoor tables.

Beverly Hills/Culver City

The original farmers market.

Address: 6333 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Website

A historic landmark and home to specialty markets, restaurants, prepared foods, produce, and more, the Original Farmers Market is a favorite for both locals and visitors. Baked goods, ice cream, coffee, and ethnic dishes keep the market hopping from breakfast through dinner.

Sony Pictures Studio

Address: 10201 West Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232 Website

Their two-hour guided walking tour takes guests through a working studio where movies and TV shows are filmed. There's also a three-hour VIP Lunch Tour. Tours are presented on weekdays only, and reservations are required.

Getty Center

Address: 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049 Website

This striking hilltop white travertine building houses permanent collections, special exhibits, and a magnificent garden as well as an excellent restaurant and casual cafe. Admission is free and there is a charge for parking. Check the website for visiting information.

Melting Pot Food Tours

Address: 8484 Wilshire Boulevard, #515, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Website

Sampling and tasting along the way, guests learn about the various ethnic foods of Los Angeles neighborhoods including East L.A. Latin Flavors, Thai Town, and Little India. Visit the highlights of Old Pasadena or enjoy tapas and paella on La Espanola VIP Tour.

Griffith Park

Tobiah Lui/Travel + Leisure

Address : 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Website

Set in the Santa Monica Mountains on more than 4,210 acres, Griffith Park is one of the country's largest municipal parks. Activities include hiking, bicycling, camping, horseback riding, swimming, golf, picnicking, and tennis. The Greek Theater outdoor concert venue, Travel Town Museum, Griffith Observatory, and Los Angeles Zoo are part of Griffith Park.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608 Website

This theme park and studio includes rides, shows, attractions, and tours of sound stages and movie sets. Adjacent CityWalk offers shopping, restaurants, entertainment, theaters, and iFly, a vertical wind tunnel.

Ovation Hollywood

Address: 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028 Website

The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Dolby Theater (home of the Academy Awards), restaurants, shops, entertainment, and views of the Hollywood Sign attract visitors to this famous corner. You'll probably encounter costumed characters from favorite films for Instagrammable selfies.

South Bay Beaches

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach Website

White sand shores, cool breezes, and ocean waves welcome swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers to the beaches of the South Bay. Restaurants, outdoor cafes, shops, and fishing piers in each city attract visitors to the beaches during the day and, after sunset, to the nightlife in town.

Santa Monica Pier

Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website

A classic arcade, amusement park rides, shops, and dining venues line the pier, the official beginning of Route 66. Watch the sunset, visit the aquarium, fly on a trapeze, or just enjoy people watching on the always lively pier at the end of Colorado Boulevard.

Venice Beach

Venice Boulevard and Ocean Front Walk Website

Browse the kitschy shops or street vendors, watch skateboarders at Venice Skatepark or workouts at Muscle Beach Gym, stop for a bite to eat, or just stroll along the Strand to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Venice. A few blocks inland, take a walk along the canals, crossing quaint bridges, and ogling homes that range from tiny cottages to contemporary mansions.

Warner Bros. Studios

Address: 3400 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91505 Website

Visitors can explore a working studio, backlots, and sound stages on guided tours, including a special Classics Tour that focuses on the Golden Age of film and TV. Casual dining and souvenir shopping are available. Purchase tickets in advance of your visit on the studio website.

Descanso Gardens

Address: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 Website

Gardens include the Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Camellia Collection, Oak Forest, Ancient Forest, and displays of native and edible plants. Ride the Enchanted Railroad through the gardens, stop at the gift shop, or enjoy a casual meal at Cafe Descanso.

NoHo Arts District

Address: Magnolia Boulevard at Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601

This small but thriving arts community boasts theaters, cafes, shops, live music, art galleries, dance studios, acting workshops, and a Saturday farmers' market. The Valley location is convenient to a Metro Red Line station, making it easy to visit and probably contributing to the ongoing development of the area.

Address: 7th Street and Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA Phone: (213) 955-7170 Website

Shops include Nordstrom Rack, H & M, Zara, Pink, Sunglass Hut, and MAC Cosmetics. Concerts, kids' activities, films, and special events add entertainment. A variety of casual eateries and free Wi-Fi are available.

Address: 700 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (213) 454-4926 Website

Spanning a downtown city block, this center includes Macy's, Nordstrom Local, a 24-hour Fitness Center, and a variety of eateries. The Sheraton Grand Hotel is in the center, and the 7th Street Metro station is conveniently nearby.

DTLA Fashion District

Amanda Blackard/Travel + Leisure

This favorite area for bargain hunters and shopping fans includes the Flower Market, the largest in the United States, the Fabric District, Gallery Row, and Santee Alley's open air shops. The district is open to the public as well as the trade.

DTLA Jewelry District

Nearly 5,000 retail jewelry businesses feature diamonds, gold, silver, beads, watches, pearls, gemstones, and custom jewelry designers. Buyers paying wholesale prices can save about 50% compared to retail.

Citadel Outlets

Address: 100 Citadel Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90040 Phone: (323) 888-1724 Website

Everyone loves a bargain, and there are many to be found among the more than 130 designer and brand name stores at the outlet mall in the City of Commerce. Stores include Armani, Hugo Boss, Carters for Kids, Coach, Disney, Kate Spade, Oakley, and Vans.

Beverly Center

Address: 8500 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Phone: (310) 854-0070 Website

This pet-friendly center offers valet and self-parking in a newly renovated eight-story building. Designer shops, restaurants, specialty boutiques, and entertainment are featured in this popular shopping destination.

Westfield, Century City

Address: 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90067 Phone: (310) 277-3898 Website

Nordstrom, Macys, Bloomingdales, and a variety of specialty and designer stores along with Eataly, Din Tai Fung, and other eateries attract shoppers to this newly renovated mall. The walkways, furnishings, and inviting plazas make browsing a favorite activity.

Address: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Phone: (323) 900-8080 Website

This stylish shopping center is renowned for its retailers that include Barneys New York, Apple, Crate & Barrel, Shinola, and more, along with dining and a 14-screen art deco movie theater. Fountains, an exclusive concierge service, and concerts attract visitors as well as shoppers.

Address: 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028 Phone: (323) 817-0200 Website

Restaurants, shops, entertainment in the midst of Hollywood glamour describe Ovation Hollywood. Stores include Skechers, Forever 21, Victoria's Secret, Hot Topic, and more. A variety of restaurants, cafes, and dessert spots are available.

Universal City, CA 91608

Address: (818) 622-9841 Website

Adjoining Universal Studios theme park, this two block stretch of shops, restaurants, souvenirs, and entertainment is a popular date-night and family-friendly destination. Live music, dancing, and movie theaters are part of the fun.

Del Amo Fashion Center

Address: 3525 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90503 Phone: (310) 542-8525 Website

This three-level luxury mall in Torrance includes a new Nordstrom, Macys, Anthropologie, AMC movie theater, and dining at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, P.F. Changs, Lemonade, Pink's Hot Dogs, and many more. Natural lighting and open areas make shopping there a pleasure.

Santa Monica Place

Christian Hundley/Travel + Leisure

Address: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Phone: (310) 260-8333 Website

Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Disney Store, Coach, Free People, and a host of popular retailers attract shoppers to Santa Monica Place. There's dining, concierge service, and a children's museum.

Westfield Topanga & The Village

Address: 6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91303 Phone: (818) 594-8732 Website

Located in the Canoga Park area of the San Fernando Valley, the indoor Westfield mall and outdoor Village include luxury stores, boutiques, spa, salons, and a Costco warehouse. Visitors can dine at The Cheesecake Factory, Il Fornaio, Larsen's Steakhouse, and more.

Sherman Oaks Galleria

Address: 15301 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91430 Phone: (818) 382-4100 Website

This open-air business and lifestyle center includes office space as well as retail and entertainment space. The mall has been a shooting location for several films including "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Valley Girl."

Within each major section of Los Angeles are neighborhoods with their own character, style, and dynamics. We describe several here, and with the ever changing nature of the city, you're likely to discover other interesting communities as you explore Los Angeles.

• The Arts District, formerly an industrial area, is becoming home to galleries, studios, media companies, and hip dining spots.
• Chinatown is the place for a variety of restaurants, shops, herbal stores, antiques, and bustling alleys.
• The Fashion District is the center of the apparel industry, with wholesalers, designers, retailers, and bargain shopping.
• Olvera Street at Historic El Pueblo is the birthplace of Los Angeles where visitors finde Mexican food, crafts, music, and cultural events.
• Brentwood/Bel Air - upscale homes, UCLA, shops, restaurants, and Getty Center on a hilltop overlooking the area.
• Beverly Hills is the place for designer shops on Rodeo Drive, top restaurants, and elegant homes.
• Century City's high-rise buildings and Westfield Mall define the neighborhood once dominated by 20th Century Fox Studios.
• Culver City's restaurants, galleries, and Sony Picture Studios make this eclectic neighborhood worth a visit.

Hollywood/West Hollywood

• Hollywood & Vine, the Hollywood Walk of Fame sidewalk stars, Hollywood & Highland complex, Hollywood Bowl, and Chinese Theater define its role in show business.
• West Hollywood's Design District, Pacific Design Center, restaurants, walkable streets, and Sunset Strip nightlife make it a must-visit neighborhood.
• Los Feliz is a blend of hip and historic, with Frank Lloyd Wright homes and eclectic eateries.
• Silver Lake's trendy cafes, street art, music venues, architecture, and walking trails add to the appeal of this residential neighborhood.
• The South Bay area includes Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, all with white sand beaches, shops, restaurants, nightlife, and a relaxed vibe.
• Santa Monica's amusement park on the pier, its walkable streets, stores, restaurants, and hotels make it a popular destination.
• Malibu is known for its exclusive beaches, opulent homes, celebrity sightings, and ocean views as well as its hiking trails and canyons.
• San Pedro offers an aquarium, fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants, the Battleship USS Iowa, and Ports o' Call Village for shopping and browsing.
• North Hollywood (NoHo) is not in Hollywood, but the north end of the Valley, with entertainment, restaurants, and the Great Wall of Los Angeles art mural.
• Studio City is known for movie studios, including CBS Studios, NBC, and Warner Brothers.
• Ventura Boulevard boasts trendy restaurants, boutiques, and vintage shops.
• For hiking and outdoor activities, there's Wilacre Park and Fryman Canyon Park.

Los Angeles weather — temperature, cloud cover, humidity — varies significantly over the large area of the city. Coastal areas are generally cooler, and mornings are often cloudy with clearing by early afternoon, mainly a feature of early summer weather. The valley and inland areas are warm and dry, often as much as twenty degrees warmer than the coast. Most of the annual rainfall occurs in winter.

The following are average Fahrenheit lows and highs by month.

January 46 - 67 February 48 - 69 March 49 - 69 April 51 - 72 May 55 - 74 June 59 - 78 July 62 - 84 August 64 - 85 September 62 - 83 October 57 - 79 November 51 - 72 December 46 - 68

Discover Los Angeles app : Provides information on daily events, accommodations by neighborhood, film locations, and free Wi-Fi locations.

Google Maps : Useful for navigating, directions, and trip planning.

Uber & Lyft : Let someone else do the driving.

Open Table and Resy : Provide restaurant reviews, locations, cuisine, and reservations.

Transit : The official Metro Los Angeles app helps plan your trip with options that include public transportation, bikeshare, scooter, and rideshare.

Universal Studios Hollywood Mobile app : Navigate the park and CityWalk with interactive maps, wait times, show times, and more.

2024 Best Hotels in Los Angeles, CA

Hotels ranked on industry awards, guest reviews and hotel class ratings

Unbiased content created by U.S. News editors

Photo tours of select hotels by local expert  Caitlin White

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Los Angeles

Discover the best hotel for you:

Free Breakfast

Pet-Friendly

Airport Shuttle Service

Near BUR airport

Near LAX airport

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Conrad Los Angeles

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Business Center

Fitness Center

Pets Allowed

Hotel Bel-Air

L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

The Beverly Hills Hotel

Downtown Los Angeles Proper

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

Fairmont Century Plaza

Hotel Per La

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles

Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

The Garland

Terranea Resort

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

Short Stories Hotel

InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown

Cameo Beverly Hills

Hotel Figueroa

Kimpton Everly Hotel

SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills

Travel Guide

• # 4 in Best Food Cities in the U.S.

Los Angeles both confirms and dismantles all of its stereotypes. Sure, it's a sprawling metropolis with eternally congested freeways, but it also contains one of the most diverse and unique sets of  neighborhoods  in the United States. La-La Land is filled to the brim with the glamour of chic Hollywood name brands and movie set backdrops, yet it's also home to renowned art galleries like the  Los Angeles County Museum of Art  and architectural masterpieces like the Getty Center . The world's visual entertainment empire, LA offers tourists  behind-the-scenes looks  into the world of filmmaking and television broadcasting at studios like  Paramount Pictures Studios  and Warner Bros. Studio . What's more, the City of Angels features some of the country's most eclectic cuisine and dozens of highly acclaimed restaurants. Away from the revitalized downtown area, the Malibu and  Santa Monica  beaches provide sun, sand and surfing , while  Venice Beach  offers close-ups of the city's most unique residents. Additional outdoor pursuits like hiking can be found at Griffith Park and Angeles National Forest .

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

The 20 All-Time Best Hotels in Los Angeles

In Tinseltown, the hotels are tourist attractions unto themselves.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

The classic hotels have, of course, all been updated over the years to offer state-of-the-art amenities and get a fresh coat of paint—but if they’re still not your bag, Los Angeles has plenty more contemporary lodgings, typically with cutting-edge food and cocktail programs and regular cultural events. And there’s many outside the Hollywood Hills or Beverly Hills, with new hotels routinely popping up in downtown L.A. near the arts district, or along the shores of Malibu. Do you want to relax on the sand, spot celebrities eating salad, hold meetings in a sexy bar over experimental cocktails, or party at a rooftop pool? There’s a Tinseltown hotel for every mood.

Chateau Marmont

If your interest in Hollywood resides solely within the realm of sordid gossip (no judgment here!), you might fancy a stay at Chateau Marmont , which has been a headquarters for bad behavior since opening in 1927. Reclusive celebrities like Howard Hughes and Greta Garbo relied on the hotel’s bungalows and cottages to escape for and short- and long-term stints, the rockers of Led Zeppelin once rode their motorcycles through the lobby, and John Belushi and Helmut Newton met untimely ends here.

The hotel, which was built to resemble a gothic French chateau, closed in the first wave of the pandemic and was hit with multiple lawsuit alleging anti-union tactics, claims of sexual misconduct, and racist behavior toward guests, and is reportedly considering a members-only model going forward. 8221 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 323-656-1010

Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel

You’d be forgiven if your strongest recollection of this hotel came from Pretty Woman , as basically the entire film plays out amid its rooms (though in reality, the interiors were shot at a since-closed hotel nearby). Located the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, across from a Tiffany’s and next to Chanel, the hotel still evokes an undeniable glamour that may have you feeling as starry-eyed as a young Julia Roberts was. And the hotel leans into the movie moment, offering a “Pretty Woman for a Day” package around Beverly Hills.

Luxury is found at every corner: The penthouse is, at 5,000 square feet, the largest hotel suite in Los Angeles, and the driveway is lined with cobblestones formed by Italian artisans, and lit by lanterns taken from a castle in Scotland. 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310-275-5200

Sunset Tower Hotel

The dramatic angles, zig-zagged stripes, and bas-relief designs of flora, fauna, and airplanes on its exterior make the Sunset Tower one of the most striking Art Deco buildings in the city. The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, following decades of providing long stays to A-list residents like Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne (whose apartment is now a 7,000 square foot gym for guests).

Its heyday is far from over, though—the hotel’s super popular, walnut-paneled Tower Bar, created from Bugsy Siegel's former apartment, opened in 2005, and the hotel’s distinct pink interiors (with brown and cream accents) were touched up in 2018. 8358 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, 323-654-7100

Beverly Hills Hotel

The jazzy logo of this hotel , swirly white on a forest green background, may be pressed into your mind as a shortcut for the concept of Beverly Hills—opened in 1912, the hotel is older than the city of Los Angeles itself. Which decade was the hotel’s greatest? Perhaps the 1940s, when the Rat Pack hung out at the hotel’s Polo Lounge, or when Elizabeth Taylor was spending six of her honeymoons there at mid-century? Or perhaps it was 1971 alone, when the Eagles immortalized the hotel in their classic “Hotel California,” and Faye Dunaway was photographed after the Oscars, lounging by the pool with her award?

The “pink palace,” with its dramatic striped entrance, is a step back in time, and a perfect stay for anyone who’s ever found themselves daydreaming about the quintessential California experience. Lie back in a cotton-candy lounger and you can basically hear the Beach Boys. 9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310-276-2251

Hotel Bel-Air

Designed to resemble an oasis, this hotel is surrounded by lush gardens and comprised of grounds overflowing with huge leafy trees and flowers that bloom throughout the year. The pool is ringed by fluttering palms, and guests cross a lake populated by swans to reach their rooms. Audrey Hepburn and Judy Garland loved to escape here, and Grace Kelly was such a frequent inhabitant that a suite is still named in her honor.

That Grace Kelly suite boasts creamy yellow interiors and a private spa pool on a secluded patio, while the Swan Lake suite was a popular choice for Gene Kelly and Cary Grant, perhaps because its location allows guests to discreetly hit the restaurant and pool without passing through the more open areas. 701 Stone Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, 310-472-1211

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

This hotel opened in 1991, making it the youngest of Tinseltown’s grand dame hotels by far, but it has taken great strides in opulence in these three decades—guests staying in suites are lent a complimentary BMW for the length of their stay. Meanwhile, the freestanding villa suites includes fireplaces and private patio hot tubs, creating a romantic spot for a couple looking to get away.

For a west coast hotel, Peninsula’s style is surprisingly elegant and even Old World, with pineapple-printed drapery, gilt frames, Oriental rugs, and stately furniture. Afternoon tea is offered in the communal living room. 9882 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310-551-2888

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

This hotel is instantly recognizable for the private balconies extending from French doors off every single room. The outdoor areas allow for incredible views of the property’s gardens and across Beverly Hills, while the interiors are classic and cool, clad minimally in white and gray. Located near Santa Monica Boulevard, the hotel also allows close access to the Beverly Center and LACMA.

The fourth story has been transformed into a “wellness floor,” with private fitness suites, meeting spaces with hypoallergenic wood floors, and guest rooms stocked with Peloton equipment, Deepak Chopra-guided meditations, Alo yoga products, sulfate-free bath products, a sound machine, and much more. 300 Doheny Dr, Los Angeles, 310-273-2222

The Hollywood Roosevelt

Okay, you know by now that loads of Los Angeles hotels boast a storied past with old Hollywood. But did they host the first-ever Academy Awards? That honor goes to the Hollywood Roosevelt , which held the event in its ballroom in in 1929, having opened in 1927. Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Charlie Chaplin were early guests, and the three-level penthouse is now named the Gable-Lombard suite after its famous former residents.

The hotel provides eight bars, restaurants, and a lounge, and is located steps away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre. Guests simply must take a dip in the famous pool, the floor of which features a swirling blue mural painted by David Hockney himself in the 1980s. 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, 323-856-1970

W Hollywood

Located atop the Walk of Fame and at the iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine—famous due to the confluence of radio, movie, and music companies that made their offices there starting in the 1920s— this hotel is significantly flashier and more modern than the other spots on this list, with a palette of purples, black, and cherry red.

The popular rooftop pools and their private cabanas are a major party spot, with views into the Hollywood Hills, while the Sound Suite includes a private recording studio and mixing room—if you’re inspired to lay down a track. 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, 323-798-1300

Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

Before it was a hipster paradise, the Ace Hotel ’s building housed offices for Texaco, the California Petroleum Corporation, the United Artists movie studio, and a church for televangelists. Today, the Ace still boasts the United Artists Theatre, an ornately decorated space that’s been carefully restored to host concerts and other shows.

The hotel’s rooms have exposed gray cement walls, color-blocked blankets, and midcentury-style light fixtures, and in keeping with the brand’s other locations, a guitar is placed in each guest space for impromptu jams. 929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, 213- 623-3233

Kaitlin Menza is a freelance features writer. She lives in New York. You can see more of her writing at kaitlinmenza.com . 

@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1jdielu:before{margin:0.625rem 0.625rem 0;width:3.5rem;-webkit-filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);height:1.5rem;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-transform:scale(-1, 1);-moz-transform:scale(-1, 1);-ms-transform:scale(-1, 1);transform:scale(-1, 1);background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-1jdielu:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/townandcountrymag/static/images/diamond-header-design-element.80fb60e.svg);}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1jdielu:before{margin:0 0.625rem 0.25rem;}} Where to Go Next @media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-128xfoy:before{margin:0.625rem 0.625rem 0;width:3.5rem;-webkit-filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);height:1.5rem;content:'';display:inline-block;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-128xfoy:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/townandcountrymag/static/images/diamond-header-design-element.80fb60e.svg);}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-128xfoy:before{margin:0 0.625rem 0.25rem;}}

The Best Golf Course in Ireland Is at Adare Manor

Best Room At... Hotel La Compañia

How to Tour a Special Room at Buckingham Palace

The Hottest Date Spot for Celeb Couples in L.A.

Is This NYC's Best Restaurant Table?

Forget Aspen. Let's All Go Skiing in Courchevel.

The Best-Looking New Hotels on the Planet

The Best-Looking New Hotels in the Countryside

The Best-Looking New Hotels on the Beach

The Best-Looking New Lodges in the Wild

The Best-Looking New Minimalist Hotels

Forbes Travel Guide Stories

9 L.A. Hotels To Visit This Summer By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

April 12, 2021

Things are looking brighter in Los Angeles after a year of pandemic restrictions. On the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidance that fully vaccinated people can freely travel within the U.S. without any testing or quarantines, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared that California will reopen June 15 and curtail most COVID-19 rules. Then today, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board announced the city’s intention to become the first Sharecare VERIFIED destination in the country, as more than 175 hotels in the city are on track to earn the digital health company’s health security designation.

All hotels with 50 or more rooms in the City of Los Angeles will become VERIFIED, a designation for those who have achieved and continue to maintain more than 360 standards across health and hygiene protocols, cleaning products and procedures, ventilation, physical distancing, the guest experience, and health safety communication with guests and employees. The hotels are expected to be VERIFIED by the end of April, the tourism board said.

The badge is a seal of approval from an independent party that signals to guests and employees that the facility complies with public health protocols and best practices. It’s the latest step the city is taking to lure back travelers, as it reopens museums, indoor dining, theme parks and live outdoor events. (Full disclosure: Forbes Travel Guide helped create the VERIFIED platform.)

In anticipation of Los Angeles’ reopening, we highlight nine hotels you should visit this summer.

InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown

Housed in a soaring 73-story glass tower — the tallest building on the West Coast — this hotel literally stands above the rest. Captivating L.A. vistas appear almost everywhere you turn, from the soothing, neutral rooms with walls of windows to the seventh-floor outdoor pool. But don’t miss the newly reopened Spire 73, the highest alfresco bar in the Western Hemisphere.

Huddle around the 73rd-floor rooftop bar’s fire pits, nosh on filet mignon with chardonnay-herb butter and fries, sip a City View cocktail (vodka, lemon, cassis, raspberry and sparkling wine) and gaze at the best views in town.

Fairmont Century Plaza

The soon-to-debut Fairmont Century Plaza (which made our list of most anticipated hotel openings for 2021 ) impresses with its design. After a $2.5 billion refresh, architect Minoru Yamasaki’s 1966 midcentury-modern icon remains intact, but it’s been given new life through modern touches, like sophisticated Yabu Pushelberg-designed interiors; an inviting 17th-floor rooftop pool; a 14,000-square-foot spa (one of L.A.’s largest) with a Himalayan salt room, an aromatherapy steam room and a hammam; American brasserie Lumière and Laura , a 23-foot-tall sculpture of a floating head by Jaume Plensa that greets you outside the building. 

Hotel Figueroa

This historic hotel is a longtime champion of women. Beginning as a ladies’ hostel in 1926, it was the largest project of its kind in the U.S. to be financed, owned and operated by females at the time. The property also made history by employing America’s first female hotel manager, Maude Bouldin.

Today, Hotel Figueroa honors this legacy by featuring female artists’ work, including a 12-story façade mural of vintage florals from Bella Gomez and an ongoing exhibit spotlighting local women artists. The overall hotel design also radiates a feminine feel, like the vivid blue fig leaf bathroom wallpaper and the curvy furniture.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

The Five-Star hotel provides a stable of Wellness Rooms and Suites that pair luxurious, bright accommodations with health-centric amenities like air and water purification systems, guided meditation narrated by Deepak Chopra, a soundscape machine, Alo yoga products and the latest workout equipment.

During the pandemic, it expanded its wellness offerings with the Private Fitness Suite, a dedicated mini gym that comes with a treadmill, a Hydrow rowing machine, a Peloton bike, a medicine ball and weights and a SoulCycle bicycle. Reserve a two-hour slot for up to three people in the wood-floored suite, which has its own bathroom and shower.

JW Marriott Los Angeles, LA LIVE

The hotel unveiled a new look in March, with sunny guest rooms swathed in gray and artwork that depicts the themes of light and energy. After checking in, enjoy a meal at the recently opened Savoca. The trattoria added heated outdoor dining cottages, a cozy, socially distant setting for cacio e pepe (bucatini coated in toasted black pepper, Parmigiano Reggiano and pecorino).

Time your visit to coincide with the Poolside Dinner & A Movie series, which allows you to sit on the fourth-floor rooftop; nibble on hot dogs, burgers and unlimited popcorn; and watch flicks like Goodfellas and Pulp Fiction on a big screen.

Mr. C Beverly Hills

If you can’t travel to Italy just yet, this hotel might provide the next best thing. Owned by Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani (whose grandfather opened Venice’s famed Harry’s Bar, which created the Bellini), the hotel furnishes its room with Italian pieces from Tedeschi, Italian linens from Casarovea and black-and-white photos that capture la dolce vita.

There’s also The Restaurant at Mr. C. The Ciprianis are known for their Italian eateries, and this one turns out dishes like baked tagliolini, grilled branzino and artisan pizzas. Bonus: it serves Bellinis, using the original white-peaches-and-prosecco recipe from Harry’s Bar.

SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, A Luxury Collection Hotel

You will want to linger in Philippe Starck’s stylish rooms with quirky accents, but carve out time for the hot spot Vista Rooftop. During the day, you can unwind on teak loungers and splash among the two pools. The deck also flaunts Starck’s eclectic taste, like a black pig sculpture standing in the water and assorted oversized empty frames showcasing excellent city views.

At night, Vista Rooftop transforms into an alfresco dining destination. Dig into seared salmon with roasted cauliflower and cauliflower puree or short ribs with cheddar grits.

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

The Ritz-Carlton shares the same building as JW Marriott, providing yet another venue with knockout vistas in L.A. Live, an entertainment hub that includes Staples Center and the Grammy Museum. But it boasts its own unique amenities, including an expansive 23rd-floor Club Lounge, a heated rooftop pool and bar on the 26th floor and an 8,000-square-foot spa, the largest in downtown Los Angeles. Visit the ethereal haven for the popular CBD Massage, which incorporates up to five activated hemp-based products to leave your body feeling blissfully relaxed.

Hotel Bel-Air

You will forget you’re in one of the world’s most renowned urban centers at this leafy retreat, which is all about the outdoors. Meander through the 12 garden-filled acres, which have 483 different trees, more than 4,000 plants and four resident swans.

Most accommodations in the pink stucco buildings open directly onto the gardens. Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air embraces the outdoors with its chic terrace, and the Five-Star spa offers The Enclave, a 570-square-foot treatment suite with its own tropical patio and trickling waterfall.

Dreaming of your next trip?

I agree to the Forbes Travel Guide Privacy Policy and Terms . I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time.

Sign up for our newsletter

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Los Angeles Travel Guide

Last Updated: March 12, 2024

Los Angeles takes some getting used to. It’s a love/hate city for most people. When I first visited Los Angeles, I hated it . The city was too big, too vapid, and too expensive.

But, the more I came here, I the more I saw that this isn’t a city for tourists — it’s a city for residents. With only a few tourist attractions, this is a city where you enjoy life: eat, drink, go to the beach, go for a run, and see a concert. It’s a city for living .

Once you take the pressure of trying to fit Los Angeles into the tourist box, you see the magic of the city. Come here, relax, eat, listen to music, go for a hike, and just enjoy the little area you find yourself in.

This travel guide to Los Angeles will help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this iconic destination.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Los Angeles

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Los Angeles

1. Take a day trip to Disneyland

Visit the “Happiest Place on Earth” in nearby Anaheim. I love the rides — like Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain — and just feeling like a kid. Don’t miss the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with its popular Rise of the Resistance ride (it’s worth the price). Other popular rides include the Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and Indiana Jone’s Adventure. A one-day/one-park ticket starts $104 USD.

2. See Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood Boulevard has recently gone through some urban renewal and renovation. See the sidewalk street performers and enjoy the Walk of Fame (with over 2,700 celebrities’ handprints and footprints), Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (now known as TCL Chinese Theatre, which features one of the largest movie screens in the country), and much more. You can also hop on a tourist bus to see where the rich and famous live and work.

3. Tour the Getty Museum

The Getty Museum is amazing for four reasons: its impressive art collection, its dramatic Richard Meier architecture, its ever-changing gardens, and the sweeping views of the city. Opened in 1997, the museum focuses on pre-20th-century European art as well as and 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographs. It features work by Van Gogh, Gauguin, and other masters. Visiting here was a highlight of my time in LA. It’s free to enter, however, you have to pay to park ($20 USD). It’s closed on Mondays.

4. Explore Griffith Park

This place is great for hiking, picnics, and hanging around with friends. The hiking trails lead up to Mulholland Drive and provide great views of the city. Griffith Park has many activities, including the LA Zoo, the Autry Western Museum, pony rides, a golf course, a driving range, and an observatory. Think of it like Central Park in New York City but much larger (it spans 4,310 acres versus Central Park’s 843 acres) and much more rugged. There’s also plenty of wildlife here, including mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and coyotes. Guided hikes are available too if you prefer to go with a group.

5. Relax at Venice Beach

Besides the sand and waves, Venice Beach has street performers, surfers, skaters, and intense basketball games (some of the best streetball players in the world can be found here). Wander around, take in the street art, and eat and drink at many of the restaurants that line the beach. Avoid the weekends if you’re heading to the beach as it gets crowded. It’s just one of the best places to hang out in the city.

Other Things to See and Do in Los Angeles

1. tour universal studios hollywood.

Universal Studios Hollywood is the only working movie studio and theme park in the world. Their Studio Tour lasts one hour and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood, including a visit to the plane crash scene from War of the Worlds, Peter Jackson’s King Kong, the Bates Hotel from Psycho, and cars from Fast & Furious (the tour is hosted by Jimmy Fallon on video). The theme park is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, The Simpsons ride, special effects shows, and more. A one-day ticket costs $109 USD while a two-day pass starts at $149 USD. Get your tickets in advance here. )

2. Party on Sunset Boulevard

Perhaps one of the world’s most famous streets in the world, Sunset Blvd began as a route between the stars’ posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the “Sunset Strip” with its beaches and movie studios on its way. Spend some time cruising the street and see if you can spot any celebs!

3. Explore Old Town Pasadena

Historic downtown Pasadena is located just ten minutes from Los Angeles. Its pedestrian-friendly zone is designated as a National Register Historic District and stretches for twenty-two blocks. It’s filled with boutique shops and restaurants and is also a popular nightspot for all of you party animals out there. It’s an eclectic area where people of all ages come to hang out.

4. Shop at the Farmers Market & The Grove

There’s a great farmer’s market here with loads of fresh bread, fruit, veggies, and a delicious food court. Nearby is an outdoor shopping area featuring all the major brands as well as a movie theater. It’s a nice place to spend an afternoon. You can also learn the history of the farmers market while sampling some of its food with Melting Pot Tours (tours are $85 USD).

5. Take a walk on the beach

Los Angeles beaches are a great place to go for a walk, people-watch, or just lounge in the sun. Venice Beach and Santa Monica are two of the most famous beaches. The Santa Monica Pier, built in 1909, is also a fun way to spend an afternoon thanks to its carnival-like atmosphere right on the beach (it has several rides, greasy food stalls, and carnival games). Huntington Beach, Redondo Beach, and Playa del Rey are some of the other popular beaches around the city as well.

6. Visit the Huntington Library

This beautifully-designed library in nearby Pasadena includes a Chinese and Japanese garden. Additionally, the library has some incredibly rare and valuable books, including a copy of The Canterbury Tales from the 15th century and a 14th-century Gutenberg Bible (which you can see on display in the Main Exhibition Hall). It’s open 10am-5pm Wednesday-Monday (closed Tuesdays) and tickets are $25 USD during the week and $29 USD on weekends.

7. Explore the California Science Center

This kid-friendly attraction has a variety of educational exhibits on topics ranging from ecosystems (complete with forest, river, and island habitats) to space and aviation. The biggest highlight is the American space shuttle, Endeavor, which ran 25 space missions between 1992-2011 for NASA. It’s free to visit but parking costs $15-18 USD and you have to pay extra for special exhibits and IMAX movies (usually $10-20 USD).

8. Go for a hike

Los Angeles has a lot of wonderful hiking and running trails, the most famous being Runyon Canyon. There are some well-marked routes, including a 1.9-mile (3-kilometer) loop and a 2.6-mile (4-kilometer) loop (with higher elevation gain). There’s also a more strenuous 3.3-mile (5-kilometer) hike to the top of the park too. Caballero Canyon (3.4 miles), Fryman Canyon Park (2.5 miles), and Los Liones Trail (3.5 miles) are three other easy trails around the city you can hike too.

9. See the iconic Hollywood Sign

You can hike up to the famous Hollywood sign using trails that are open from sunrise until sunset in Griffith Park. From the sign, you get a sweeping view of Hollywood (which is especially beautiful at sunset with the city lights spread out in front of you). The three trails to get here (from easiest to hardest) are the Mt Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours hiking. If you’d rather go with a group, guided hikes from Get Your Guide last 2.5 hours and cost $25 USD.

10. Visit the Grammy Museum

With exhibits, interactive experiences, artifacts and costumes, and numerous films, this museum walks you through the entire music industry and its history as well as the careers of previous Grammy winners. It’s not a highlight of the city, but if you’re a music aficionado, it’s one of the best things to do. Admission is $18 USD.

11. Browse The Last Bookstore

This is one of my favorite bookstores in the country (and one of the few remaining big independent ones). They sell books and music records, have art displays, and there’s a cool upstairs area too with books for as little as $1 USD. Located downtown, this space is huge, and you can get lost browsing the shelves for hours. Come here, get a coffee, and buy some books! It’s a must see.

12. Visit LACMA

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest museum in the western United States. It boasts a massive collection of artwork including works by Rembrandt, Cézanne, Ansel Adams, and Magritte. There’s also ancient artwork from around the world, including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sculptures. There’s modern art here too, including Michael Heizer’s 340-ton boulder which is wedged over a narrow walkway. Tickets are $25 USD.

13. See La Brea Tar Pits

These natural tar pits are in Hancock Park, where the tar has been trapping and fossilizing animals since the Ice Age. More than 3.5 million fossils have been found here, ranging from small honeybees to giant mammoths. This includes thousands of dire wolves! And scientists are still uncovering fossils here nearly every day of the year. It’s right next to LACMA too so you can do both together. Admission is $15 USD (closed Tuesdays).

14. Explore downtown

Downtown has experienced a complete revitalization in recent years, including a brand-new pedestrian center with museums, concert halls, theaters, and dining options. If you do just one thing here, visit the Grand Central Market. It’s home to 40+ of downtown’s best food vendors, including the original Eggslut. You can find literally any type of food here. I love it.

15. Walk Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Near Venice Beach, this boulevard is chock full of diverse shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars. There are all kinds of quirky businesses to pop into and on First Friday (the first Friday of each month), the street gets taken over by live music and food trucks. This is one of the hippest spots in the city. There’s a ton of things going on here and it’s filled with locals at all hours of the day.

16. Visit the Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center

This center is one of the most successful literary arts incubators in the country, with alumni like Tom Waits and Wanda Coleman. There’s regular programming here like readings, workshops, and musical performances, as well as a bookstore and archive with over 40,000 books. If you’re a book nerd like me, you’ll love this place!

17. Hang out in Palisades Park

Palisades Park in Santa Monica is a eucalyptus-filled park between the beach area and Ocean Avenue, where you get scenic views over the ocean and of the Santa Monica Mountains. It’s a chill spot to relax and explore. Make sure you stop by the Camera Obscura, an antiquated camera that offers a unique view of the world outside. It’s free to visit and closed on Sundays. (Camera currently closed for COVID).

18. Admire Greystone Mansion

Located in Beverly Hills, this is a Tudor Revival surrounded by landscaped English gardens. Also known as Doheny Mansion, the mansion was built in the 1900s as a gift from oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny to his son (the film There Will Be Blood is loosely based on Doheny). It eventually became a public park in the 1970s and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The mansion has a whopping 55 rooms and cost around 70 million dollars (adjusted for inflation), making it the most expensive home in California at the time. The mansion is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month but the grounds are free to visit anytime. It’s a beautiful, relaxing place to go for a stroll or sit with a book when the sun is shining.

19. Enjoy Koreatown

This is one of the most fun spots to enjoy the city’s nightlife. There are tons of tasty BBQ restaurants, lively bars and clubs, and fun karaoke places. It’s a must for foodies though, with over 500 restaurants in the area. The neighborhood was established in the early 1900s by Korean immigrants and has grown into a vibrant part of town that spans over 150 blocks. Don’t miss Dawooljung, the first traditional Korean monument built in the city, and be sure to feast on mouth-watering Korean BBQ while you’re here.

20. Explore Silver Lake

This hip neighborhood is home to cool cafes, trendy shops, vegan restaurants, and boutique galleries. It’s essentially the Brooklyn of LA, named after the Silver Lake Reservoir, which offers a nice 2.25-mile loop where locals walk and jog. It’s a laid-back spot that most tourists skip so you won’t be surrounded by tourists!

21. Do a Studio Tour

Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, and Paramount all offer studio tours where you can see famous sound stages like the one used in The Wizard of Oz , props from hit movies (like the bench from Forrest Gump ), and so much more. Most tours last 1-2 hours and either involve walking or riding a tram/bus. Prices vary but start around $70 USD per person. Tickets sell out fast so be sure to book in advance. You can get tickets for Warner Bros. here and tickets for Universal here .

  For more information on other cities in the United States, check out these guides:

• Austin Travel Guide
• Boston Travel Guide
• Chicago Travel Guide
• Hawaii Travel Guide
• Las Vegas Travel Guide
• Miami Travel Guide
• New York Travel Guide
• Philadelphia Travel Guide
• San Francisco Travel Guide
• Seattle Travel Guide
• Washington D.C. Travel Guide

Los Angeles Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Prices here vary widely depending on where you stay in the city, though the prices are fairly consistent year-round. Unfortunately, prices aren’t cheap. Dorm rooms start around $30-50 USD per night and go as high as $80 USD. A basic private room with an ensuite bathroom costs around $80-100 USD per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities. Only a couple of hostels offer free breakfast.

Budget hotel prices Budget two-star hotels cost around $100 USD per night, though most are closer to $125-150 USD. Expect basic amenities like Wi-Fi, AC, TV, and a tea/coffee maker. Three-star hotels start around $130 USD but most cost between $160-200 USD per night. These generally include free breakfast too.

There are also lots of Airbnb options in Los Angeles. A private room starts around $85 USD per night (but averages double that) while entire homes/apartments start around $150 USD per night (if you don’t book early you should expect to pay double or even triple that price).

Food – Los Angeles has lots of food trucks and fast food options for under $10-15 USD. It’s the city of food trucks and anything and everything can be found here. You can get a hearty crepe or sandwich for around $10-12 USD while tacos go for about $3-5 USD each.

At casual restaurants, most main dishes cost around $15-18 USD. If you want to splash out on a three-course meal, expect to pay at least $50-60 USD.

For fast food (think McDonald’s), a combo meal is around $9 USD. A large pizza is $10-15 USD while Chinese food is $11-13 USD.

Beer is around $8 USD while a latte/cappuccino costs around $4.75 USD. Bottled water is $2 USD.

Some of my favorite places to eat are Jitlada, Cafe Los Feliz, The Butcher’s Daughter, Uzumaki Sushi, Frank & Musso’s, Dan Tana’s, Bay Cities Italian Deli, and Meals by Genet. For drinks, check out No Vacancy, Hotel Cafe, Roosterfish, Firestone Water Brewery, and Good Times at Davey Wayne’s.

If you cook your own food, expect to pay $50-75 USD per week for groceries. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, vegetables, and some meat.

Backpacking Los Angeles Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Los Angeles, expect to spend around $75 USD per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, using public transportation, cooking your own meals, and free attractions like the beaches and hiking. If you plan on drinking, add $10-20 USD more per day.

On a mid-range budget of $190 USD per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out for most of your meals, enjoy a couple drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting some museums or going to Disneyland for a day.

On a “luxury” budget of $390 USD or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink as much as you’d like, rent a car to get around or take more taxis, and do as many tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you spend more, some days you spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Los Angeles Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Los Angeles can be super expensive. After all, some of the country’s wealthiest people live here! But, thanks to all the food trucks and starving artists, you don’t have to be rich to visit. Here are some ways to save money in Los Angeles:

• Purchase a Go Los Angeles Card – If you are going to do lots of sightseeing, this card provides discounts to 40 museums, tours, and attractions. It’s priced to save you money when compared to buying separate tickets. A one-day unlimited pass is $99 USD while the two-day unlimited pass is $149 USD. You can also build your own pass, with one-day/two-attraction passes starting at $83 USD.
• Avoid celebrity hangouts – Hollywood and Beverly Hills are the two areas you can see the most celebrities but also the two areas where you can spend the most money. While they’re fun to explore, avoid shopping and eating there!
• Redeem hotel points – Be sure to sign up for hotel credit cards before you go and use those points when you travel. This is especially helpful in big cities like LA, where accommodation is expensive. If you have lots of points, use them here and get free rooms! Be aware that most hotels charge parking fees if you have a car. This post has more information on how to get started with points and miles .
• Stay with a local – There are plenty of Couchsurfing hosts throughout the city who can show you around and let you stay for free. In an expensive and ever-changing city like LA, having a local guide can be extremely helpful! Just make sure to send your requests early since it’s a popular destination.
• Take a free walking tour – This is a great way to learn the history behind the places you are seeing and to avoid missing any must-see stops. Free Tours By Foot has a few interesting walking tours that can show you what the city has to offer. Just make sure to tip your guide!
• Save money on rideshares – Uber and Lyft are cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi. The shared/pool option (where you share a ride with other people) offers the best savings.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your single-use plastic consumption. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter that ensures your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

Accommodation is expensive in Los Angeles. Since the city is so spread out, before you book, make sure you have a spot in the location where you want to spend most of your time. Otherwise, you’ll be driving a lot. Here are some recommended places to stay in Los Angeles:

• Freehand Los Angeles
• HI Los Angeles Santa Monica
• Banana Bungalow Hollywood
• Samesun Venice Beach

For more hostel suggestions, check out my complete list of the best hostels in Los Angeles.

How to Get Around Los Angeles

Public Transportation – The Los Angeles Metro involves both rail and bus service. It’s the most accessible and affordable way to get around the city, with tickets costing just $1.75 USD each way.

Get a TAP Card (you can find them at TAP machines within bus or train stations) so you can load a preset cash value onto the card to be used on all buses and trains. You can get a day pass for $7 USD or a seven-day pass for $25 USD. The subway is kind of sketchy though but super convenient if you are staying downtown or in Hollywood. The line from downtown to Santa Monica takes as long as driving because of all the stops.

Flyaway buses go from LAX to downtown and Hollywood for $9.75 USD one-way.

Taxis – Taxis can be hard to flag down, but you can download the Curb app to request one in advance. Everything is meter-based, starting at $4 USD and then $2.70 USD per mile.

Ridesharing – Uber and Lyft are way cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi.

Bike rental – While I wouldn’t recommend renting a bike if you’re in the middle of the city (traffic is terrible), once you get out to the coast then renting a bike might be a fun way to explore. Expect to pay around $30 USD per day for a rental. There is also a bike share program called Metro Bike Share that offers $5 USD daily rentals as long as each ride is less than 30 minutes.

When to Go to Los Angeles

Summer is the peak season for tourism in LA, with temperatures soaring to 85°F (30°C). This drives everybody to the beaches. Attractions get crowded during the summer and accommodation prices increase so be sure to book early. On the plus side, it hardly ever rains during the summer.

March-May and September-November (the shoulder seasons) are my favorite times to visit Los Angeles. It’s warm, but there’s no sticky heat and the crowds are less oppressive. Temperatures during these months are between 69-80°F (21-27°C), with very little rain.

December is the coldest month overall, but it’s much cheaper for accommodation if you want to save some cash. Just pack some rain gear if you’re coming in the winter. Expect daily highs around 68°F (21°C).

How to Stay Safe in Los Angeles

Overall, Los Angeles is a safe place to visit. If you stick to touristy areas like Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills, you’ll be fine. There are some questionable areas downtown (like Skid Row) as well as nearby South Central, which should be avoided. Avoid Compton too.

You’re biggest issue is going to petty crime, like theft and bag snatching. Petty crime has been on the rise over the last couple of years and it’s something you definitely want to watch out for. As a general rule, don’t wear flashy jewelry, wave around cash, and just keep your valuables secure and hidden when you are eating outside. Don’t bring anything valuable to the beach just in case as theft can occur.

If you have a vehicle, keep it locked at all times and don’t leave any valuables in it overnight.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (don’t leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk around at night intoxicated, etc.).

Los Angeles also has some pretty unique scams. For example, if you’re approached by someone who says they’re a Hollywood producer, director, or casting agent, they could be legit. However, chances are they’re just trying to scam you into paying fees upfront. Ask for a business card and do your due diligence.

Additionally, be wary of people offering Hollywood tours or discounts on open-air bus tours. Do your research and stick to well-known providers to avoid getting ripped off.

To avoid getting ripped off, read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Los Angeles Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Los Angeles Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on United States travel and continue planning your trip:

How to Experience Milwaukee Like a Local

The 7 Best Hotels in New York City

The 7 Best Hotels in Miami

Where to Stay in Miami: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

How to Spend 24 Hours in Raleigh, North Carolina

The 6 Best Hotels in Austin

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Los Angeles

Swallow your preconceived notions with a shot of wheatgrass: Los Angeles is a cocktail of culture. Sure, there are the over-the-top poolside parties, but the real L.A. is a diverse blend of characters that drive pop culture, inspire counterculture, and embrace all ethnicities. Nestled between the mountains, the desert, and the sea, L.A. beckons locals and travelers alike to engage in an active and healthy lifestyle. Avocado is always on the menu, a yoga class is always about to start, and a celebrity sighting is just around the corner. But truly the best way to learn is to listen: Getting to know L.A. can take years, so insider knowledge is invaluable.

• Copy Link copied

Courtesy of Shutterstock.com

When’s the best time to go to Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a moderate temperature year-round, so any time is a good time to visit. If you’re looking for warm nights, wait until August or September, because “June Gloom” delays the start of summer with overcast skies. L.A. may not experience much seasonal change, but the temperatures can fluctuate over the course of each day—so be prepared to bring some light layers just in case things do cool down.

How to get around Los Angeles

If a road trip is possible, drive into Los Angeles. That way, you’ll have transportation while visiting and can easily go on excursions. If that’s not an option, then you’ll probably fly into LAX, the main international airport. Rent a car at the airport, as a cab will cost at least $46.50, and fares will add up fast unless you have a friend to play chauffeur.

With a city as large as Los Angeles, a car is essential, which means that shortcuts, side streets, and parking secrets are common topics of conversation. Traffic is notoriously heavy and unpredictable, so download the mobile app Waze to find the fastest route. GPS may direct you onto Santa Monica Boulevard, but cut through on side streets instead to circumvent a perennial traffic jam. To avoid credit card machine malfunctions or cabbies with attitude—both of which seem to crop up rather often—download and use the Uber or Lyft ridesharing apps. L.A. is a car city at its core, but walking and biking are possible in some of the neighborhoods and almost always more relaxing than sitting behind the wheel. Public transportation is improving, but make sure to look up the route ahead of time, as even locals might not know which bus goes to your destination.

Can’t miss things to do in Los Angeles

If there’s one thing you should do in L.A., it’s get up above the city. The easy hike to Griffith Observatory ends in panoramic views of the L.A. skyline, landscape, and landmarks, which helps to put the sprawling city in perspective. Snap a photo of the Hollywood sign from there or do the famous Hollywood sign hike. (If you want a photo of the front of the sign, though, your best choice is the former; the Hollywood sign hike takes you up and behind the letters.) Finish your Griffith hike with a picnic, or head to neighboring Los Feliz or Silver Lake for coffee, juice, and a bite to eat.

Food and drink to try in Los Angeles

The best way to experience the diversity of Los Angeles is to through your taste buds. You can eat curry that will make you sweat in Thai Town (try Jitlada), flavorful Korean BBQ in Koreatown (try Palsaik BBQ), and mouth-watering dumplings in Little Osaka (try ROC Kitchen). Find flavorful tacos in food trucks throughout the city, or opt for one of the many Italian delis that dot the city. The locavore movement is strong here in L.A., and eco-conscious foodies will find no shortage of farm-to-table restaurants and fresh-made cocktails. For a quintessential L.A. experience, nothing beats brunch by the beach or a drink overlooking the ocean. If you’re traveling with a group, the multiple restaurant options to Grand Central Market or one of the farmers’ markets can satisfy a bunch of different desires.

Culture in Los Angeles

Major museums include the Getty Center , which is just as much about art as about architecture; LACMA , which takes you through the history of art; MOCA , which curates an eclectic selection of modern art; and the Broad, which specializes in contemporary art. The Broad , the Hammer Museum, Skirball Center, and Annenberg Space for Photography also offer striking installations and great events. For a look at local art, check out gallery openings and art walks in Downtown and Culver City, or simply pay attention to your surroundings to discover some of the best street art in the world.

Every day is a festival on the Venice Boardwalk and Sunset Strip, but summertime is especially lively. Free concerts are a tradition on Thursday nights at the Santa Monica Pier, and nostalgic movie screenings commandeer the Hollywood Cemetery on Saturdays. The Coachella Music Festival in nearby Palm Springs is an L.A. rite of passage, and the L.A.-based FYF Fest has recently gained enough popularity to earn the title of the former’s urban counterpart. Farmers markets and food truck meetups rotate among neighborhoods each day of the week, and in August the Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival gives attendees the chance to sample delicacies from all over the city. Flea markets, art walks, and group bike rides are also regular rituals among the communities in the city.

Local travel tips for Los Angeles

Avoid the crowded center. The best and freshest parts of L.A. are on the fringes: Venice, Santa Monica, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Echo Park. Exceptions may be made for unique spots in other neighborhoods like West Hollywood, Downtown, and Culver City, but for those who like to wander and discover, the border neighborhoods are your best bets. Start the week off right with free concerts on Mondays at Hollywood’s Bardot. Or, head to popular east side music venues like the Satellite, which hosts monthly residency nights for the indie elite.

Local Resources

• Oh My Rockness
• L.A. Weekly

Guide Editor

Susan Mason

Members save 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide when you're signed in

Los angeles hotels.

Most hotels are fully refundable. Because flexibility matters.

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards

Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide

Pet friendly

Fully refundable

Reserve now, pay later

Apart-hotel

Bed & breakfast

Breakfast included

Lunch included

Dinner included

All inclusive

Airport shuttle included

Golf course

Outdoor space

WiFi included

Washer and dryer

Electric car charging station

Air conditioned

Service animals allowed

Sign language-capable staff

Wheelchair-accessible parking

Stair-free path to entrance

Accessible bathroom

Roll-in shower

In-room accessibility

LGBTQ welcoming

See properties that pledge to make all guests feel safe, welcome, and respected.

Business friendly

See properties with amenities to help you work comfortably, like WiFi and breakfast.

Family friendly

See properties that include family essentials like in-room conveniences and activities for the kids.

Top 10 trending Los Angeles hotels

Where to stay in los angeles.

Hollywood is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood Boulevard. See more of Los Angeles by jumping on the metro at Hollywood - Vine Station or Hollywood - Highland Station.

• Downtown Los Angeles

Enjoy the great live music in Downtown Los Angeles. Crypto.com Arena is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Pershing Square Station or Little Tokyo/Arts District Station to see more of Los Angeles.

• Hollywood Hills

You'll enjoy the mountain views and live music in Hollywood Hills. You might want to make time for a stop at Hollywood Boulevard or Runyon Canyon Park.

Museums, bars, and art galleries highlight some of the noteworthy features of Westwood. Make a stop by UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame or Westwood Village while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Travelers choose Koreatown for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Wilshire - Western Station or Wilshire - Normandie Station and check out top sights like Wiltern Theatre.

Near an Attraction

• Universal Studios Hollywood

3-in-1 fun is to be had by all at this part TV studio, part entertainment complex and part amusement park.

Long Beach Cruise Terminal

Explore the waterfront in Long Beach with a trip to Long Beach Cruise Terminal. Experience the acclaimed art scene or attend a sporting event in this walkable area.

• Crypto.com Arena

This multipurpose sports arena has hosted some of the world’s biggest musical acts and is home to two National Basketball Association teams.

• University of Southern California

Walk around the campus of University of Southern California, a top college in Los Angeles. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

• Six Flags Magic Mountain

Have a fun-filled day at Six Flags Magic Mountain and see why people love this theme park in Stevenson Ranch. Attend a sporting event or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

• Los Angeles Convention Center

During your trip, find out what's happening at Los Angeles Convention Center, a top convention center in Los Angeles. Experience the acclaimed theater scene and fascinating museums in this vibrant area.

Los Angeles hotels information

Frequently asked questions.

Yes, the majority of hotel room reservations are fully refundable if you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of your check-in date. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, it might still be possible to cancel it and receive a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Filter your search by fully refundable to find flexible hotel deals in Los Angeles.

For more information about picking new dates or cancelling your trip to Los Angeles, go to https://www.expedia.com/service/ .

Based on reviews, Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel is a popular hotel for our travelers who want a more economical choice, and features free WiFi and a health club. Other good choices for your budget-friendly stay include Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX and La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham LAX . View all budget hotels in Los Angeles .

With 421 hotels and other accommodations to choose from in this neighborhood, you should find the perfect place for your trip. Based on Expedia customer reviews, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is the highest ranked property in Downtown Los Angeles. This 5-star hotel offers a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. It's located steps from Microsoft Theater. Other top choices in the neighborhood include Residence Inn Los Angeles L.A. LIVE and Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown .

In this neighborhood, there are 388 lodging options for your stay, so you should find just want you want for your visit. Kimpton Everly Hotel is a favorite with our customers staying in Hollywood. This 4-star hotel offers 2 bars and a restaurant. It's located steps from Capitol Records Tower. Travelers also recommend Mama Shelter Los Angeles and Melrose Hostel as top options in the area.

Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport is a hotel with an outdoor pool and laundry facilities, and it's a top choice on Expedia for families. Other good options for your kid-friendly vacation include Freehand Los Angeles and Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel . Attractions like Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios Hollywood are also fun for kids of all ages. Find more child-friendly accommodations in Los Angeles .

Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel is a favorite hotel for couples, and features an alfresco restaurant and wedding services. Other good choices for a stay with your sweetheart include Loews Hollywood Hotel and Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX . See all romantic hotels in Los Angeles .

Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport is a top LGBTQ-friendly hotel that features free WiFi and a 24-hour fitness center. Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel and Loews Hollywood Hotel are other good choices for your vacation. See all available hotels listed as LGBTQ-friendly in Los Angeles .

Freehand Los Angeles is a top dog-friendly hotel, and offers 3 restaurants along with free WiFi for its human guests. Other good choices to stay with your pet include Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport and Loews Hollywood Hotel . See more pet-friendly hotel accommodations in Los Angeles .

Adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood, Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveler data, and this 4-star hotel offers a restaurant and an outdoor pool. Other good choices close by include Sheraton Universal Hotel and BLVD Hotel & Spa - Walking Distance to Universal Studios Hollywood .

One of the top choices for your stay is Best Western Valencia/Six Flags Inn & Suites , located a short 0.7 mi (1.2 km) from Six Flags Magic Mountain, and this hotel offers an outdoor pool and free parking. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Valencia and Hilton Garden Inn Valencia Six Flags are two other good choices in the immediate area.

Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel is a top beach hotel with a snack bar and a health club, and it's located close to Dockweiler State Beach. Other good options for your stay near the beach include Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX and La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham LAX . See more stays near the beach in Los Angeles .

Recent Reviews in Los Angeles Expedia verified reviews

Loews Hollywood Hotel

• Hilton Los Angeles Airport

E-Central Downtown Los Angeles Hotel

Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel

Hotel Burbank

• Motel 6 Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles - LAX

Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport

Freehand Los Angeles

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown

• Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Areas of Los Angeles

• Westchester
• West Los Angeles
• Beverly Grove
• Silver Lake
• West Hollywood
• Century City
• Fairfax District
• Downtown Long Beach
• Downtown Santa Monica
• Venice Beach
• Dodger Stadium
• Santa Monica Beach
• World Cruise Center
• Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Santa Monica Pier
• SoFi Stadium
• Hollywood Boulevard
• Rodeo Drive
• Universal CityWalk
• Hollywood Bowl
• Sunset Strip
• Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center

Hotel Theme

• Beach Hotels (589)
• Boutique Hotels (163)
• Budget Hotels (676)
• Casino Hotels (231)
• Family friendly Hotels (931)
• Hotels near Shopping Areas (937)
• Hotels with Balcony (403)
• Hotels with Bars / Lounges (548)
• Hotels with Early Check In (125)
• Hotels with Entertainment (535)
• Hotels with Internet (1,068)
• Hotels with Spa (415)
• Hotels with Swimming Pool (699)
• Hotels with free airport shuttle (89)
• Hotels with free breakfast (515)
• Hotels with free parking (790)
• Hotels with shuttle (307)
• Hotels with smoking rooms (180)
• Luxury Hotels (560)
• Pet friendly Hotels (328)
• Romantic Hotels (459)

More accommodations in Los Angeles

• Motels (273)
• Vacation Homes (197)
• Cottages (80)
• Hostels (40)
• Guest Houses (30)
• B&B (15)
• Condo Rentals (12)
• RV Parks (2)
• Cabin Rentals (1)
• Resorts (1)
• Houseboats (1)

Near an Airport

• Los Angeles Intl. Airport
• Van Nuys Airport
• John Wayne Airport
• Los Angeles - Ontario Intl. Airport
• Santa Monica Municipal Airport
• El Monte Airport

Hotel Brand

• Aimbridge Hospitality (2)
• Best Western (17)
• Coast Hotels (2)
• Fairmont (4)
• Highgate Independent (3)
• Kimpton Hotels (4)
• La Quinta Inn & Suites (7)
• Marriott Hotels & Resorts (8)
• Motel 6 (27)
• Pacifica Hotels (5)
• Sonesta Hotel (2)
• Vagabond Inn (6)

Hotels Near Los Angeles, California

• Anaheim Hotels
• Santa Monica Hotels
• Long Beach Hotels
• Newport Beach Hotels
• Huntington Beach Hotels
• Beverly Hills Hotels
• Malibu Hotels
• West Hollywood Hotels
• Pasadena Hotels
• Irvine Hotels
• Ontario Hotels
• Burbank Hotels
• Ventura Hotels
• Glendale Hotels
• Garden Grove Hotels
• Inglewood Hotels
• Santa Ana Hotels
• Buena Park Hotels
• Venice Hotels
• Costa Mesa Hotels

Most Popular Hotels in Los Angeles

• Sheraton Universal Hotel
• The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood
• Hyatt Place LAX/Century Blvd
• The Pierside Santa Monica
• Ramada by Wyndham Burbank Airport
• STILE Downtown Los Angeles by Kasa
• Holiday Inn Los Angeles - LAX Airport, an IHG Hotel
• Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
• Hyatt House LAX/Century Blvd
• Glendale Express Hotel Los Angeles

Expedia's Latest Trends

Additional information about expedia group.

Dreaming of your next trip?

I agree to the Forbes Travel Guide Privacy Policy , Terms , and Cookie Policy . I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time.

Sign up for our newsletter

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

A Brief History Of Gay Travel Guides — And What They Say About Life In Southern California

About the Damron Address Books

A national project to map the gay guides, where to see an exhibit on these guides, the importance of mapping one’s history.

T oday, a simple internet search lets those in the LGBTQ+ communities find each other and welcoming establishments. But it wasn't always so easy.

Even as gay culture was beginning to gain wider visibility in the 1960s and '70s, especially in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, knowing who would be friendly was hard. That’s where gay travel guides came in.

They worked like the Green Book guides designed to make travel safer for Black people or the vacation guides to steer Jewish people to friendly locations. For gay people navigating potentially fraught encounters, these pocket-sized guidebooks listed bars, hotels, restaurants, and even churches across the United States that were either frequented by the gay community or accepting towards gay patrons.

The most well-known guidebook of the time was the Bob Damron Address Books . These yearly guides were published by its eponymous author, a Los Angeles native who penned the first issue in 1964.

There were several different types of gay travel guides throughout the 1960s. By far the most popular, and the one to set the standard for the genre, was the Damron Address Book .

Bob Damron was born in Los Angeles in 1928 and later moved to San Francisco where he opened several gay bars, becoming a prominent businessman in the community.

The guides he would later become known for, which started as a side project, were of a collection of gay bars he would visit on his trips across and outside of San Francisco. The first Damron Address Book was published in 1964, and Damron would add new listings of LGBTQ friendly spaces every year.

Damron's guides were distinguished from his contemporaries, especially in the early years by one key difference: He made a point to visit every location he included.

Eric Gonzaba, assistant professor of American Studies at Cal State Fullerton, said that gave Damron a connection with owners and patrons and made it possible for him to keep the new editions of the book as up to date as possible.

Another unique feature of Damron’s guides was his letter coding system.

If a bar listed in the guide had a “B” next to it, readers would flip to the front of the guide and see that “B” indicated that that particular bar was “frequented by Blacks” or gay African American men. Other letters would notify if a place was more popular with lesbians (what was originally signified with a “G” for “girls”, but has been updated to an “L”) or if customers were both gay and straight with the signifier “M” for “mixed clientele,” said Gonzaba.

“His letters didn't always have to do with clientele,” said Gonzaba. “Sometimes it was very practical information. If you were a gay person and you wanted to go to a bar and play pool, he included the letters “PT” for there being a pool table there.”

And it's that level of detail that's now the basis for a new digital history project called Mapping the Gay Guides . The joint project between Cal State Fullerton and Clemson University is using every business and place mentioned in the Bob Damron Address Books from 1965 to 2005.

“We're building these online maps to see if we can learn something about the gay community and the history of the LGBT community in the United States,” said Gonzaba.

Gonzaba said Damron's guides provide great context, giving those studying the history a better understanding of both these gay spaces and the cities they were in.

Along with Amanda Regan, his project co-director and a Clemson University assistant history professor, Gonzaba has already mapped Damron’s books through to the 1980s, publishing the results online for public viewing.

Mapping the Gay Guides is also the focus of a new exhibit at the Muzeo in the city of Anaheim. The exhibit, now open through June 23, specifically showcases LGBTQ+ friendly spaces cited by Damron that are located in Southern California, including Orange County, Long Beach, and San Diego.

“I think a lot of people maybe know, or expect, a lot of gay history from Los Angeles,” said Clark Silva, co-curator for the exhibit. “But I think it was good for us to show kind of the gay history of the communities that we're in and around” outside of Los Angeles.

The exhibit starts with a prehistory of gay culture before the guides were in print. This includes information about police raids and the difficulty of navigating through life while in the closet, said Silva.

After the Supreme Court ruling of One, Inc. vs. Olesen in 1958 that gave free speech protections to the gay press and gay publications, travel guides and other LGBTQ+ print material exploded, including the Damron Address Books .

However, Gonzaba said that what visitors of the exhibit will notice is that these gay guides have very little indication that they are for the gay community.

Another thing Gonzaba wants people to notice is their size.

“They're meant to be tiny so they can fit in your pocket, and that tells you, one, that they were meant to be traveled with,” said Gonzaba. “But another thing that it tells us is that they were meant to be hidden, right? Because it was quite dangerous to be openly gay in the 1960s and even into the 1970s.”

The exhibit also displays the rich gay history of Southern California. Separated into specific cities, visitors can learn about the gay bars in L.A., the gay friendly hotels in Palm Springs, the bathhouses in Long Beach, the cruising culture in San Diego, and the gay churches in Orange County.

“I think people who come to the exhibit are surprised that it's not just a list of gay bars,” said Gonzaba. “That the gay travel guides talk about all sorts of businesses, all sorts of places of gathering that a lot of people just are unaware of.”

Both Gonzaba and Silva note that most of the Damron Address Books come primarily from the point of view of a gay, white, cis-male perspective.

"Bob Damron didn't make racial designations for places until later, so very early places aren't going to make the distinction between who comes to them," said Silva.

How to see the exhibit

When: The Mapping the Gay Guides exhibit is open now through June 23

Location: Muzeo, 241 S. Anaheim Blvd. Anaheim

Phone: 714-765-6450

Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: General admission $10 | Anaheim residents $8 | Seniors and children 4-15 $7 | 3 and under are free

The advent of the internet and other cultural shifts have made the Damron Address Book , and gay travel guides on the whole, somewhat obsolete. Silva says those changes have fundamentally changed gay life.

“One of the issues that we talk about is the disappearance of places, and it's mostly through a mainstreaming of gay and lesbian and queer culture,” said Silva. “You don't have to have the gay bar anymore. Lots of bars, especially out here in Southern California, kind of move in between, straight bars having gay clientele, gay bars having lots of straight people come to them.”

Gonzaba said that by looking back at these guides, people can learn a lot about the different trends and historical geography of the gay community in the United States, something he says too few people know.

Gonzaba said when he travels, he finds a lack of historical knowledge about gay people in cities across the U.S. and abroad.

When he asks tour guides if they know about any of the local gay history there, most of the time people respond by saying there just isn’t any. Which Gonzaba, and most people in LGBTQ+ communities know isn’t necessarily true. People just haven’t been looking for it.

“These gay travel guides, they really show us that, at least for a lot of gay men and women, visibility was something that they wanted,” said Gonzaba. “They wanted to find one another for camaraderie, for friendship, and sometimes for sex. And that's a really important lesson that these gay guides tell us, is that people were constantly yearning to find one another.”

Where To Stay In Costa Rica: A Guide to Areas and Hotels

Heading to Costa Rica for the first time or simply heading back to enjoy a new adventure? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Nestled in the heart of Central America, Costa Rica is a country that boasts natural life and a commitment to sustainable living. With its diverse landscapes from cloud forests to pristine beaches (located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea), Costa Rica offers an unparalleled richness of adventure for islanders and travelers alike. As one of the many nations to value environmental conservation, Costa Rica’s beauty is evident through its numerous national parks and wildlife.

Upon visiting Costa Rica , adventure seekers can embark on adrenaline-pumping activities such as zip-lining through rainforests, exploring white-water rapids, and hiking up volcanoes for seasoned hikers. Furthermore, Costa Rica also caters to those seeking tranquility with many luxurious wellness retreats and secluded beachfront hideaways.

As a global leader in sustainable ecotourism, Costa Rica is a nation where humanity and nature effortlessly coexist, making it a captivating destination for anyone yearning to explore the outdoor world or seek refuge from the demands of daily life.

Whether you’re diving into the rich indigenous cultures of the Caribbean coast , seeking the perfect wave on the Pacific beaches of Tamarindo, or immersing yourself in the pristine Osa Peninsula’s unspoiled rainforests, Costa Rica is beckoning with biodiversity, adventure, and cultural charm that will leave a lasting impact for a lifetime. Ahead, are all the places to stay in Costa Rica for travelers near and far.

@costarica.explores/ Instagram

San José is a great start if you want to explore the central region and enjoy cultural attractions, museums, and an urban atmosphere.

Hotel Grano de Oro: Hotel Grano de Oro has elegant rooms, a lush tropical garden, and a renowned restaurant serving a mix of Costa Rican and European cuisine. It is located around a variety of city museums, markets, and cultural attractions.

La Fortuna/Arenal

@dreamslasmareas/Instagram

This area is known for its stunning volcanoes and the nearby hot springs. It’s a prime spot for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and travelers looking for relaxation.

Dreams Las Mareas Resort: From intimate couples’ escapes to family-friendly accommodations, Dreams Las Mareas provides guests with a stunning beachfront location along the Pacific Ocean, offering guests the chance to soak in breathtaking sunsets and enjoy the warm sands.

Manuel Antonio

@manuel_antonio_national_park/Instagram

Home to a stunning national park, Manuel Antonio is a prime spot to enjoy wildlife and beautiful beaches.

Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort: This resort is nestled between the rainforest and the beach , making it a one-of-a-kind nature-inducing experience. The eco-resort offers spacious suites and bungalows with stunning ocean views and offers direct access to both the beach and the national park.

@guanacaste_traveler/ Instagram

If you’re looking for beautiful beaches and breathtaking parks, Guanacaste on the Pacific coast is a popular choice for nature exploring and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Secrets Papagayo Resort & Spa: This adults-only, all-inclusive resort offers a romantic and intimate atmosphere for couples all over. Featuring well-appointed suites, multiple dining options, and access to a beautiful beach, the resort is a great option for a honeymoon or for couples simply looking to rekindle their romance.

@selina/ Instagram

This cloud forest region is known for its biodiversity and unique ecosystem. It’s the perfect option for eco-tourism, birdwatching, and hiking.

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens: Monteverde Lodge & Gardens is located within a beautiful nature reserve . This lodge provides comfortable accommodations and a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal base for exploring the outdoors.

Tamarindo is a great destination known for surfing, offering a laid-back atmosphere, breathtaking waves, and vibrant nightlife.

Perla Negra Beachfront Rustic Lodge: With a focus on sustainability, the Perla Negra Lodge offers rustic-style cabins and direct beach access. This area is a cozy and authentic option for enjoying the Caribbean coast.

Osa Peninsula

@karinaks/Instagram

For an immersive rainforest experience, opt for Osa Peninsula. This remote and pristine destination is perfect for nature enthusiasts and provides you with your very own rainforest getaway.

Aguila de Osa Inn: Overlooking Drake Bay, the Aguila Inn offers ocean-view rooms and easy access to Corcovado National Park and Caño Island for fun wildlife and marine life adventures.