Los Angeles

[fikel]

Here such conflicting opinions, people that have been either love it or hate it! Planning 5 days out there!!!

5 days too short imho esp with the time difference

There are some grotty areas such as the stars in the pavement streets! We found Judy Garland’s outside a Macdonalds with gum all over it. So avoid the tacky areas and find the best of LA. There are though some amazing places to see.

The Getty Centre is wonderful. It cost squillions and it shows. It’s a superb building with great views. Also drive the full length of Mulholland Drive and end up with a view of the Hollywood sign. Drive around Bel Air and go to Paramount Studios.

Go out to Pasadena and the Huntington Gallery and Gardens. The cactus garden is fantastic. Nothing like it in the uk.

LA also has The Hollywood Museum in the former Max Factor building. The make up booths are exquisite and it’s Art Deco Lobby is all about the Hollywood golden age. We saw a Marilyn Monroe dress in here too.

If you have time go to Malibu and the Getty Centre. Santa Monica is a much nicer area than downtown LA if you can stay in that area. Go to Venice Beach too.

There are some other outstanding buildings to visit and I wouldn’t write LA off at all but you need a car! You also need to avoid the yukky tourist traps.

I find 5 days was about right. I stayed in Venice Beach, literally 20 metres from the beach itself. Great location, good cafes, etc I really liked Abbot Kinney and made friends with a local there who has now become a lifetime friend (and visited me in the UK etc). Santa Monica was lovely but pricey to stay in. Venice is much more edgy.

Some of the tourist sights are a bit tacky but you still have to see them so you can at least have an informed opinion. Rodeo Drive was disappointing. Great views from the Griffith Observatory. I could have easily spent a lot of money at The Grove (great food here but gets very crowded).

I arrived in LA from Hong Kong so my body clock was really messed up. It's not as bad if you're flying from the UK. Just buy some melatonin and power through the jetlag. The excitement of a new city to explore helps!

Thank you for the tips so far!! Amazing ideas 🙏

I also understand about the excitement powering you through, this is what happens to me! Plus side is you gain hours flying west

be prepared to spend a lot of time in a car but despite that i enjoyed LA we had 6 days there and it wasnt enought to see everything

I had an amazing time in LA as part of a longer trip - manhattan beach is fantastic, second the observatory for the views. Also there is a great foodie scene check out grand central market (angels flight is also right next to it - historic funicular railway)

I loved LA. Only there for 3 nights whilst driving up the west coast.
I second the Observatory and Santa Monica beach and boulevard.
I still rave about Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles. Delish! Also try to eat one evening at the rooftop restaurant of Mama Shelter.
Have a fab time

I liked it, didn't really have any expectations but would go back. Food was really good.

We went on the Warner Brothers studio tour which was fantastic!

DD also wanted to see the location of AHS Murder House so we took an Uber up into the hills to the residential area to visit the house! We also got a view of the Hollywood sign from up there

There are so many much nicer places to visit with less pollution, traffic, and general sleaze but just research the areas you go carefully and keep safe. Really beautiful places to visit in Nevada's deserts excluding Las Vegas or better beaches in Florida and the Carolinas.

You really can avoid sleaze! Doing everything I suggested totally avoids the yuk areas. It doesn’t take much imagination to do this but it does take a bit of driving. I think the museums, stunning buildings and Hollywood are in LA. It’s not all about beaches or desert scenery or sleaze.

I like LA very much.

The LaBrea tarpits museum and surrounding La Brea tarpits are well worth a visit.

Would also second the Griffith observatory museum and views from there particularly on a clear day are fabulous.

If you go to either the Paramount or Warner Brothers studios you need to book this in advance and take photo id with you (photocard driving licence) to show the checking in staff when you arrive.

I love LA and I find the grotty bits as interesting as the glamorous bits.

If you have time, I'd suggest a drive up the highway to, say, Santa Barbara. Fab.

Malibu is lovely as it's got the scenic backdrop.
Love Pasadena too - it's hotter, being inland.

But the traffic....blimey.

Love the Griffiths Observatory.

We were there in December and had a coffee on the terrace. The sun was blazing.

Thank you guys