Los Angeles - Things to do & Attractions

Things to do in Los Angeles

Movie-Star Spotting

People-watching is fun, but famous-people-watching is even better! See how the A-list live on a tour of some of our biggest movie stars’ homes, or just hang around celebrity haunts like Sunset Boulevard or Rodeo drive and let the stars come to you!

Theme Parks

California is home to some of the USA’s biggest theme parks, making it a great destination for kids, teens and young families. Movie fans can discover the best-kept secrets of their favourite films at Universal Studios Hollywood, and kids (and big kids!) can meet Mickey and friends at Disneyland!

Better still, book the Southern California Citypass and get admission to both these fab Los Angeles attractions and lots more besides!

Hollywood

Where do we start? Birthplace of a legendary movie industry, Hollywood is home to many filming locations for the blockbusters. Visit Tinseltown and see the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the famous “Hollywood” sign, Sunset Strip, Paramount Studios, Beverly Hills…. the list is endless!

Shopping

No trip to LA is complete without a stroll down the famous Rodeo Drive – shopping mecca and a haven for celebrity-spotting! Expect designer stores aplenty and lots of beautiful people. This is the place to see and be seen!

Beaches

The fabulous weather in LA mean you’ll probably want to spend some time at the beach – whether it’s building sandcastles or topping up your tan!

Beautiful Santa Monica Beach is one of the most famous in the area, and don’t miss the colourful characters to be found on Venice Beach – including bodybuilders, chainsaw jugglers, folk artists and more!

If you just can’t decide – don’t! You can sample all of LA’s best beaches on a California Beaches Day Trip.

Los Angeles – Quick Facts

Language:

English

Flight Time from UK:

Approx. 10 hours

Currency:

US Dollars

Airports:

Los Angeles International – also known as LAX

State:

California

Opening Times:

• Shops are generally open Monday to Saturday from 10/11 am to 5/6 pm, with shorter opening hours on a Sunday.
• Shopping malls tend to open for longer hours.

Temperatures:

• Temperatures in Los Angeles range from an average of 14°C in January and February to an average of 23°C in July and August.
• The sea is at its warmest from July to October, reaching an average of 19-20°C.

Telephone:

• Country code: +1
• Emergency Services Number: 911

Electricity

120 volt

Getting Around in Los Angeles

By Car

• Los Angeles is a city designed for cars so getting around without one can be slow, but parking is expensive.
• The traffic in LA can be pretty horrendous, so it’s advised to try and avoid rush hour (7am - 9am and 3:30pm - 6pm) as much as possible.

Public Transport

• The Metro System is handy for getting to and from Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Long Beach and is very good value for money.
• The Downtown Area Short Hop (DASH) bus shuttle system runs roughly every 5 to 20 minutes and operates throughout Downtown LA, Hollywood and the west side of the city.
• The Santa Monica-based Big Blue Bus also serves much of western LA, including Santa Monica, Venice, Westwood and LAX Airport.

By Taxi

• You’ll find taxis lined up outside airports, train stations, bus stations and major hotels.
• Taxis in LA do not usually stop when flagged down in the street. It’s recommended to phone for one.
• Check that your cab has the official City of Los Angeles Taxicab Seal, which ensures that it is insured, inspected and driven by a trained driver.