Photo: izayah ramos / Unsplash
About Los Angeles
Los Angeles is not really one city — it is a loose federation of neighbourhoods, each with its own character, connected by freeways and mythology. Hollywood is smaller and seedier than the dream suggests; Venice Beach is a performance art piece; Silver Lake is where musicians move when Brooklyn gets too expensive; Koreatown has the best Korean food outside Seoul; Los Feliz has the independent bookshops and the Griffith Observatory. The food scene is extraordinary in its diversity: Oaxacan tlayudas in Boyle Heights, Japanese breakfast in Little Tokyo, Persian stew in Westwood, Armenian pizza in Glendale. The weather is almost offensively good — 72°F and sunny for most of the year. You need a car, or at least a willingness to use Uber constantly. October and November are perfect: post-tourist season, warm and completely clear.
Highlights
Griffith Observatory at sunset — the city spread out below, Venus above Grand Central Market downtown — breakfast at Eggslut, coffee at G&B Getty Center for art and the best garden in the city; admission is free with a timed-entry reservation Santa Monica Pier then walk north to Venice Beach skatepark Koreatown late night: KBBQ, norebang, soju — the city's secret best neighbourhood Pacific Coast Highway drive north to Malibu — windows down, obvious soundtrack
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Practical Info
Entry rules depend on your nationality. Check before you travel: U.S. Department of State
US Dollar (USD). Cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for small vendors and tips.
Tipping is expected in restaurants and bars, and for hotel staff and rideshare drivers.
Generally safe, but watch for petty theft in tourist areas and avoid walking alone at night in less populated neighborhoods.
Prepaid SIMs from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon are sold in their stores; eSIMs are also available.
English is the official language; Spanish is widely spoken, and English is universally understood.
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