Is LA worth visiting? - tips for first time travellers who are visiting LA

When we were planning our trip to LA we came across a lot of conflicting information. Some people loved visiting Los Angles but others people hated it. And so we were left with the question ‘Is LA worth visiting?’. In the end we decided to go and you know what, we are glad we did. But at the same time we also made a lot of mistakes when visiting LA. In this article we have addressed some common misconceptions about visiting, as well as some tips for visiting Los Angeles for the first time.

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Is LA worth visiting? An honest guide to the city #LA #USA #wanderlustandlife

Common misconceptions when visiting Los Angeles for the first time

When visiting Los Angeles for the first time it can be a little daunting. For starters, the city is HUGE and it can be overwhelming figuring how to fit everything in, or where to stay etc. On top of that we had heard so much conflicting information that we kept asking ourselves is LA worth visiting? Here are some of the misconceptions about LA and what we learnt when we visited.

And if you are tossing up between Los Angeles and San Francisco for your next trip you should read this post.

There is no public transport

One thing I had heard was before visiting LA was that there was no public transport. Everyone drives and if you even think about getting on a bus you will be robbed. I mean is LA worth visiting if you are terrified of getting on a bus and worried about being stuck in traffic all day long?

The public transport thing is definitely a misconception. Ok so it has nothing on New York in terms of transport, but it still has a working transport system. You can either get the bus or the underground metro, and the good thing is that it is super cheap. It does take a while to get places I have to admit and you will often need to change from metro to bus to get to a lot of the main tourist attractions. But public transport is available.

In terms of safety, I would be alert but there are so many other people travelling with you that it is quite safe. The first time I stepped on the metro I was apprehensive to say the least. But it was fine. And due to the huge traffic problem in LA anyway it turned out to be a lot quicker travelling by metro at peak hour. It is a good way to avoid all the stopping and starting, and honking, and shouting. So that is a plus.

Also, you can get a little creative with your transport options too. For instance, we ended up booking a couple of different tours when we were visiting LA, and a hop on hop off bus is a great way to get yourself around LA instead of using public transport.

Alternatively get yourself on a bike tour of the different bits of LA like this Downtown LA bike tour.

Downtown LA is not worth visiting

Wrong again. If you look at our previous post about our 2 days in Los Angeles you will know that we didn’t really have the best first impressions of downtown LA. The thing is though we didn’t actually have all that much time to explore it either. If you do have the time check it out, because there is a lot to do.

For starters, there are some incredible buildings. Even our hotel, the Millennium Biltmore was so grand when you walked in the doors. Union Station and City Hall are also worth a visit if you can. There are also some awesome museums like the Broad, a free, contemporary art museum.

There are some areas in downtown LA that made us feel a bit nervous and there appears to be a lot of homelessness. We were fine, but even if we went back I would feel a bit uncomfortable. Our advice would be to be conscious of where you are going and have a plan. It also isn’t ideal wandering around downtown LA at night so get a taxi instead of walking.

We ended up staying in Downtown LA which in hindsight was a bit of a mistake. One of our big tips for visiting LA is to stay somewhere else, like Venice or Hollywood. There is way more of a nightlife and it is a lot more enjoyable. But that is not to say that Downtown LA is not worth visiting. There are tons of tours you can do that show you just how awesome Downtown LA can be.

For instance food lovers can do a food tour of the Downtown area, with a local guide who will take you to some of the best places to eat. This also includes the incredible Grand Central Market.

Or if you just want to get to grips with the history of the Downtown area, and see the awesome architecture, then a group walking tour is another must when visiting LA.

Celebrities are everywhere

So before visiting LA I had this idea that we would run into at least one celebrity – because it is LA right? Wrong. Despite popular belief the Kardashians are not wandering around ready to rub shoulders with their adoring fans, and movie stars are not standing in their front yards watering their roses ready to wave as another tour bus drives past.

Most celebrities live in gated communities where the general public cannot access, so you definitely will not see them as you drive through the streets of Beverly Hills. Even Rodeo Drive is out, as most tend to shop elsewhere or like we do, do it online. One of the reasons I questioned if LA was worth visiting was because of the celebrity thing. I thought it was going to be fake and pretentious and not somewhere I could really relate to. Turns out I was wrong. There are fake bits but LA is so much more.

Also if you want to do one of those celebrity homes tours, your best bet is to do this from Hollywood. There are several tours you can choose from, but one thing that we will say is that you probably won’t see any celebrities. As mentioned above they are pretty good at shying away from the public. But we still did the tour because it was sort of cool seeing this humongous houses.

It is not worth spending a long time here

This was a mistake that we made. LA is huge and so spread out, so if you really want to explore you need a good few days. Heading out to Venice or Santa Monica needs at least a day, and then you will want to see Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory. There are also a lot of great hiking trails and let’s not forget the theme parks. Seriously you need at least 5 days to even scratch the surface. Is LA worth visiting? Yes! Just make sure you have enough time to enjoy it!

It has no culture

Wrong again. I know there are parts of LA that can seem really pretentious and all about the shopping or splashing the cash, but head to the Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach, or even downtown LA and you will see that there is actually a lot of culture there. I mean don’t get me wrong it may not be able to match Paris or London in terms of culture, but there is a lot of history ready for you to soak in. There are some world class museums in the city and even better is that you can often visit for free depending on which day of the week it is. Is LA worth visiting for culture alone? Probably not, but does LA have any culture then yes absolutely.

It is superficial

This was my biggest worry about LA. I thought it was going to be superficial and if you don’t fit the tanned, pretty, mould there is no room for you. I didn’t feel like that when we visited but that was probably because it was only 2 days. I can’t imagine what the pressure would be like if you lived here.

It can be quite superficial from our observations. I mean you only have to walk along Rodeo Drive, or drive through Beverly Hills to see that a lot of people really like to splash the cash. And don’t even get me started on those fad diets and restaurants. But go a little deeper and you will see it is a city, with a fascinating history, and a real story to tell.

I think the thing that struck us the most was the real gap between rich and poor. I mean in downtown LA (and other parts) you have people living on the streets, but then in the likes of Hollywood you have people living in homes that could fit hundreds of people in them, when in reality it is probably just a couple and their cat living there.

It’s seedy and dirty

Another one of those things that made me question ‘is LA worth visiting’ was the thought that it was all seedy and dirty. I will admit there are places that are very much so. I mean I still feel slightly traumatised from that time I tried to use a public toilet at Venice Beach. I think the real key to LA is finding the hidden beauty. Don’t forget it is located along the California coast, with golden sand and near perfect weather. Visit the tourist spots but do your research and venture out to where the locals go and you will find that it really is beautiful- especially when it comes to beaches.

There is nothing to do in LA

Again this is another misconception there is honestly so much to do in LA and it is one of those places that has a little something for everyone. Here is a very rough guide to some of the awesome things to do in LA.

If you like culture

Visit one of the many museums in the city like the Getty Museum or the Natural History Museum of LA

Do a food tour

If you like history

See the Hollywood sign

Do a haunted walking tour

If you like celebrity

Explore Hollywood including the Walk of Fame

Do a celebrity homes tour
Visit Warner Brothers Studio and do a studio tour

If you like nature

If you like the beach

Visit Venice Beach and do a surf lesson
Visit Santa Monica and do a bike tour

If you like family fun

Visit Universal Studios
Visit Disneyland

If you like shopping

Explore Beverly Hills

If you like romance

Do a sunset tour of Venice Beach

Do a helicopter tour over the city

So is LA worth visiting for attractions alone – well you can see that there is a lot to do when visiting LA, and you absolutely will not be bored.

Tips for visiting LA

So hopefully I have cleared up some questions and your answer to the question ‘is LA worth visiting?’ is a resounding yes!

Here are some of my tips for visiting LA, particularly if it is your first time.

If you decide to drive in LA get a SatNav. The roads are crazy busy and having to get used to driving on the other side of the road can be really stressful in peak hour traffic. We rented our car from the main train station in downtown which meant as soon as we left we were thrown into the chaos of LA. If you can, rent it somewhere a little quieter.
If you really want to see LA and understanding why it is worth visiting, renting a car is a really good idea.

Don’t do one of those celebrity houses tours and expect to see celebrities. Honestly it was an afternoon looking at massive houses that some celebrity somewhere used to live in at one time or another. Save your money – or at least go with very low expectations.
Don’t forget to tip at restaurants and factor tax into the price of everything. It really makes you appreciate not having to constantly do maths in your head back in the UK.
Really think when booking a hotel. We decided to stay in downtown LA because it was cheaper but then there was not a lot going on in terms of restaurants and nightlife. In hindsight we should have stayed in either Hollywood, or even Venice. Think about what you want to see. If nightlife is important go to Hollywood. If you want to be at the beach and experience a more chilled vibe go to Venice or Santa Monica.

Where to stay when visiting LA

Here is a breakdown of the different areas that you can stay in when visiting LA. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but designed to help first time visitors book their accommodation.

I’ll be honest, we were overwhelmed when it came time to book our accommodation in LA. I mean the city is massive, and so spread out, we didn’t even know where to start. Here is a guide to some of the areas we recommend.

Downtown LA

We read a lot of articles that said to avoid staying in downtown LA. And yet for some reason we booked a hotel smack bang in the middle. Go figure.

But seriously, accommodation is plentiful in Downtown LA. It also tends to be a bit cheaper as well. Yes there are some sketchy parts, but it isn’t as bad as it once was. The Metro runs through the downtown area, so it is easy to get from Downtown to Hollywood for example. There are also a lot of restaurants and bars in the area too, which is handy in the evening.

Our hotel was really nice, and very grand old school LA. Staff were great and the rooms were really big. The only downside was the Downtown LA area itself. As someone who doesn’t live in a city the scale of LA, I actually did feel a bit nervous walking around here. Homelessness is a major issue, and at times it felt intimidating when you could see many of them drinking or taking drugs. I want to clarify that I am in no way judging, it just wasn’t something I was used to.

Truth be told we would probably not stay in Downtown LA again, but that is more because we now know there are cooler areas that we would prefer. That being said it is cheap, so don’t completely rule it out.

Hollywood

You might think of Hollywood as being the epitome of celebrity culture and luxury living, but the area is somewhere celebrities tend to avoid. In fact back in the day it was full of low income housing which is a direct contrast to this idea of glamorous Hollywood.

Hollywood is very touristy, which is either a plus or a minus depending on how you look at it. We found it a positive because we were only in LA for a short time, but I know others think of it as tacky.

Al in all it’s a good neighbourhood to stay in if you are visiting LA for the first time. There are so many different bars and restaurants, in the area making it perfect for a night out.

Santa Monica/Venice

The next time we go to LA we want to stay in either Santa Monica or Venice. They are fantastic neighbourhoods if you are visiting LA and want to checkout the beaches. Of the two Santa Monica is a bit more upper class and more expensive. It’s close to the beach, with many restaurants and bars in the area.

Venice is a little edgier, with graffiti clad walls, and a grungier feel. If you like dive bars, and street food this is the place for you.

The downside with Venice or Santa Monica is that they are quite far from Downtown LA, and Hollywood. If you want to avoid the tourist traps that is a good thing, but if you want to see the sights in these areas it is a bit of a pain trying to visit.

Like we said choosing accommodation when visiting LA can be daunting. Our advice would be to decide what your must see attractions are first. Then book your accommodation based on that. Here are our tips for things to do in Venice as well as where to stay.

If your heart is set on enjoying the beaches in LA then stay in Venice or Santa Monica. If you want to indulge in celebrity culture, stay in Hollywood. And if you want cheaper accommodation go for Downtown LA. It will save you so much time!

Is visiting LA expensive?

We have all seen how crazy expensive houses are in LA, but is visiting LA expensive? In our experience visiting LA can be done on a budget, but you can easily spend a lot of money too. For example theme parks in the city are pretty pricey, and whack food and drink on top of it and you have yourself a pretty expensive day. And if you hang around places like Beverly Hills then yes things are expensive.

On the flip side though public transport is cheap, and if you avoid the tourist traps and stick to street food which is good quality and low cost you can save a bit.

We averaged at about $200 each per day not including accommodation costs. Food isn’t massively expensive in LA, and neither is public transport, but tours and attractions do cost a bit more and honestly that is probably where the bulk of our budget went.

Do I need cash when visiting LA?

If you are visiting LA you can get by using your credit card no problem. Some smaller stores may only accept cash though, and sometimes having dollars can be handy for tipping so it worth having a small amount on you.

Is LA easy to get to?

LAX is a huge airport with a ton of national and international connections, so getting into LA is easy. Once you arrive at the airport to get to your hotel you are either going to want to get a taxi or a shuttle bus. There isn’t a lot of public transport to get you from the airport.

Uber and Lyft, operate at LAX, and these are your more convenient options for getting to your hotel. Be prepared to pay around $70- $80 though, depending on where you are staying.

You can also hop on the LAX FlyAway bus, which will get you between LAX and either Van Nuys or LA Union station for under $10.

Is visiting LA safe?

Tourists don’t usually encounter a lot of issues, but we would recommend taking precautions when visiting LA. There is a lot of homelessness and it can feel daunting especially around Downtown LA. Have your wits about you and don’t look like a tourist. Walk with purpose and mind your own business and you should be ok. And obviously avoid the dicer areas like Skid Row.

In the more touristy spots around Hollywood there are less issues, but we would still recommend avoiding walking around at night, especially alone.

There were times in LA when we felt a bit anxious but in all honestly we were fine. Just take precautions, and you should be ok.

Is LA worth visiting compared to other US cities?

The cool thing about travelling in the US is that every city has such a different feel to it. For that reason LA is worth visiting compared to other US cities especially if you are fan of movies, sunshine, and beaches. Admittedly it isn’t for everyone though. LA is very spread out so you definitely need a plan of attack when visiting.

Is LA worth visiting for solo travellers?

A question we get asked a lot is – is LA worth visiting for solo travellers? A few years ago I ended up visiting LA as a solo female traveller. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and admittedly I did feel a bit nervous. I did avoid Downtown LA and mostly spent time in Hollywood which I felt safe in. I also ended up booking onto group tours to places like Universal Studios and Venice Beach, and this meant that I was surrounded by people and felt safe. You can do LA as a solo traveller, as long as you plan where you are going and what you want to do.

Is LA worth visiting for couples?

I wouldn’t say LA is a particularly romantic couples destination, but it is a good place to traveller with a companion. Dave and I visited together, and there are some romantic places for instance Venice Beach, at sunset. There are a lot of fun bars and restaurants in Hollywood and beyond so you have a lot of date night ideas if you do end up visiting LA.

Is LA worth visiting for families?

Ok, so I think I have actually visited LA as every kind of traveller. My first ever visit was as a kid with my parents. For that reason I would say LA is definitely worth visiting for families. As a kid I loved the glitz and glamour. Hollywood is such a fun area and there is lots of movie memorabilia around the place which is awesome for kids. There are also a lot of theme parks in LA like Universal Studios and of course Disneyland. It’s certainly somewhere you can go to make a lot of family memories.

So is LA worth visiting?

We actually really think so. Hopefully now when you ask yourself the question is LA worth visiting you can say ABSOLUTELY. Before you go though, have a plan of what you want to do because it is a big city. For us we are more into culture and definitely not the whole celebrity thing. In hindsight we should have spent more time in Venice and places like that and less time in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The good news is, there is something in LA for everyone. Hopefully our tips for visiting LA will help you on your own trip! Enjoy.