Learn how to plan a trip to Los Angeles in this post. Tips on when to go, where to stay, what to do, whether you need a car and much more…
After writing so much about Los Angeles on the blog, it's no surprise that this is one of my favorite destinations. The combination of a big city and proximity to the beach is one of my favorites, and it's easy to understand why so many people dream of visiting the city of stars.
It's also no secret that my first visit to the region was without no type of planning. I booked a hotel close to the Walk of Fame, as it was practically the only tourist spot I knew, and I thought it was enough. I assumed that public transportation was good, that the attractions were close to each other, that it would be hot because it was in California, and so I took the plane with some friends.
It didn't take long to discover that I was wrong about practically all. Ok, I admit that my accommodation wasn't in one place bad, but it could also have been better.
So that you don't make the same mistakes, I decided to write this post about how to plan a trip to Los Angeles. In it I will talk about everything you need to know, from the best time to visit the city, documentation, where to stay, transport and the best tours.
How to plan a trip to Los Angeles
How long to stay
The minimum time to visit the city's main attractions is four days. Two of them to visit the beaches, such as Santa Monica, Venice and the sequence between Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach. In Los Angeles itself, it is possible to visit the Walk of Fame and surrounding areas, the Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills and Downtown in two other days.
If your intention is to go shopping, the ideal is to add another day to go to one of the outlets. Theme parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios also need at least one day each.
Currency
The currency used in Los Angeles is the American dollar, and the ideal is to exchange the real at exchange offices in Brazil.. As the dollar is a strong currency, the price will be more advantageous here.
You can also take a credit card, which will be subject to the IOF fee and exchange rate variations until the day the invoice is paid, or a prepaid debit card. I talked about how to take money when traveling, and all the advantages and disadvantages of each method in this post.
When to go
As expected from a California city, Los Angeles temperatures are warm year-round.. In summer, it is easy for thermometers to reach more than 30ºC, while in winter the daytime temperature is around 20ºC.
Although it is not very cold or snowy, it is important to note that the nights during the period from November to March tend to be milder, with the minimum temperature being around 8ºC. If you are visiting during this time of year, it is best to wear layers to keep warm at the end of the day.
It is worth remembering that summer is the high season, when prices are more expensive and the city is busier.. Some famous events, such as the Oscars, can also influence this aspect.
Documentation
The first step in planning a trip to Los Angeles is to take care of the documentation. You will need a valid passport for the duration of your stay and an American visa.
To obtain a passport, you must fill out the application on the federal police website. After entering your details and paying the fee, just schedule a time to hand over your documents and take your photo and fingerprints. The cost is R$257,25 and delivery time is six business days.
As Brazil is part of the six month club, an agreement between the United States and some countries, Your passport does not need to be valid for another six months after boarding, as with other destinations. The important thing is that it is valid during your stay in the USA.
The visa must be applied for at the American embassy.. The category for tourism is B2, and is usually the main option for those visiting the country for tourists. To begin the process, you must complete form DS-160 and pay a fee of US$160. Next, you need to schedule a visit to the CASV (Visa Applicant Service Center), where they will take your photo and fingerprints, and then an interview at the consulate. All information about the visa is available in Portuguese on the embassy's website.
Currently, the United States does not require any vaccinations from Brazilian visitors in addition to COVID-19. If you are stopping in countries like Panama or Colombia, however, I recommend getting the yellow fever vaccine. Although she is not needed For those who are just making a connection, there may be an emergency such as a delay or cancellation of the flight, which means you can go through immigration and go to rest in a hotel.
Airline tickets
The region's main airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and currently only American Airlines flies directly from Brazil, leaving from Guarulhos (GRU).
Flying to nearby cities to save money, such as San Diego or San Francisco, is not usually an alternative, as there are no direct flights to these places. If you want to spend less on tickets, you can opt for routes that stop in Panama or Colombia, respectively with Copa Airlines and Avianca.
To find the best ticket prices, I like to use the Passagens Promo website. In addition to offering discounts of up to 25% at the main companies, the company also pays up to 10 installments on the card and has Whatsapp support that works every day.
Guest Experience
One of the hardest parts of planning a trip to Los Angeles is choosing where to stay. The main tip is to know or that you expect from your time in the city.
If you're going to enjoy vibe Californian, the best option is to stay in Santa Monica or Venice Beach, just a few minutes from the beach. Both places have shops, restaurants and outdoor walks, perfect for those who want to escape the metropolis atmosphere for a bit. For those on a budget, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel is the clear choice.
To stay close to the main tourist attractions, the ideal is to stay in Hollywood, close to the Walk of Fame. Most hotels are just a few minutes' walk from the street with stars, Chinese theater, wax museum and other attractions in the region. From there you can take a bus to Beverly Hills and the subway to downtown, Universal Studios or even Santa Monica. One of the best-known accommodations in the region is The Hollywood Roosevelt.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is an essential service on any trip, but especially those to the United States. The truth is that, in the country, health services are So expensive, whatever you need pay between US$400 and US$600 just for an ambulance!
With travel insurance, however, your medical expenses are covered by the insurance company, and you do not need to pay anything extra in the event of an emergency or unforeseen event. Furthermore, insurance also has other advantages such as assistance in the event of flight delays or cancellations, so you don't have to worry about depending on the (often precarious) service of airlines.
Read this page and answer all your questions about travel insurance, and find out where you can buy reliable insurance for Los Angeles without spending a lot! With this service, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars!
If you want to see more values, In this post I showed the prices of other healthcare services in the USA.
Transport
The best way to get around Los Angeles is to rent a car. As the city is very large horizontally, the tourist attractions are far from each other, and having your own vehicle will save you precious minutes not to wait for the bus or subway.
Choosing to drive is also the best option if you plan to go shopping, as outlets The nearest ones are not in the city and are difficult to access using public transport (in fact I couldn't even find out , the get to them without a car).
I like renting with Rentcars, which offers discounts of up to 60% at the main rental companies around the world. For Los Angeles, I was able to find economical cars for less than R$180 per day. The site also allows you to pay in reais, without charging IOF and in installments.
Another tip (and one that will save you several dollars) is buy a travel chip instead of renting GPS. This way, you can use apps like Waze or Google Maps to drive, and you can even use social media and browse as you please! Great, right? Here on this page you learn about the travel chip, how it will help you save and which is the best on the market!
If a car is out of your budget, or you don't want to drive or don't have a license, that's okay. Although it takes longer, it is completely possible to know the city of stars using public transport or apps like Uber and Lyft. I gave all the tips in this post about Los Angeles without a car.
You can also choose to get to know the city using hop-on hop-off buses, those that stop at all the tourist spots and you can pick up several times throughout the day. It's super practical for those who don't want to deal with apps, figure out where to go, and just want to enjoy it without worrying.
Main attractions
By mixing city with beach, Los Angeles has tours for all types of travelers, from those who like nature to those who prefer the big city.
Some of the most famous tourist attractions are:
- Hall of Fame
- Griffith Observatory
- Santa monica pier
- Third Street Promenade
- Beverly Hills
- Venice Boardwalk
- Venice Canals
- LACMA
- Warner Bro's Hollywood Studio Tour
The cool thing is that, despite being an expensive trip, the main attractions are free or very cheap. I wrote about my favorites in this post about 10 Free Tours to do in Los Angeles.
Other cool trips are visiting the beaches of Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach; spend the day in Long Beach; Malibu and visit Newport and Laguna Beach. There is also a post with a complete itinerary for up to 7 days in the city.
Purchases
The United States is a shopping paradise, and it's easy to find great prices on electronics, clothing, and other items. Here on the blog there is a post with the best products to buy in the country, including clothes, electronics, beauty items and more!
Unfortunately, unlike Orlando and Miami, Los Angeles doesn't have as many discount malls or crazy promotions for tourists. The best outlets in the region are far from the center, and are difficult to reach without a car. Are they:
- Citadel Outlets;
- Camarillo Premium Outlets;
The second is from the same company as the well-known ones in Florida, while the first offers some different stores.
Traditional stores can be found in shopping malls such as The Grove (which has a farmers market with a delicious Brazilian restaurant), Beverly Center and the Westfield Century City, or the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
For luxury shopping, the best area is Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills, with stores like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior.
FAQs about planning a trip to Los Angeles
Do you need a visa to visit Los Angeles?
Yes, Brazilians need a valid tourist visa to visit Los Angeles. To apply for a visa, you must fill out the DS-160 and attend the CASV and an interview at the American consulate. The price is US$160.
When is the best time to travel to Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is a destination that can be visited all year round. In summer, temperatures exceed 30ºC and in winter they can reach 8ºC or even lower. If you don't want to worry about the weather, we suggest visiting out of season, in April, May or September.
Where to stay in Los Angeles?
The best area to stay in Los Angeles is near the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. If you prefer to enjoy the beaches, stay in Santa Monica.
Do you need to rent a car to visit Los Angeles?
No. Although it is more practical to drive, as the attractions are far from each other, it is possible to see the main tourist attractions and wander around at your leisure using public transport.
And that's it, now you can start planning a trip to Los Angeles! Don't forget to look up in advance where your favorite artists' stars are on the Walk of Fame!
Do you have any questions? Leave a comment or read the other posts about the city here on the blog!
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