Los Angeles
United States of America
- Griffith Observatory
- Getty Center
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Santa Monica Pier
- Universal Studios Hollywood
About Los Angeles
Los Angeles, in Southern California, is the second-largest city in the United States and the centre of the American film and television industry. Founded as a Spanish settlement in 1781, it spreads across a vast basin between the Pacific and the mountains.
Hollywood, the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, major museums such as the Getty Center and the views from Griffith Observatory make up its many-sided character.
How many days do you need?
Allow four days, as distances are large: one for Hollywood and Griffith Observatory, one for the Getty Center and Santa Monica, one for Downtown and its museums, and one for a theme park such as Universal Studios Hollywood.
Where to stay
- Santa Monica — By the beach and walkable, with a Metro E Line link to Downtown.
- Hollywood — Central for sightseeing, on the Metro B Line.
- Downtown — Museums, concert halls and the best transit connections.
From the airport to the city
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 16 miles southwest of Downtown. Free shuttle buses link the terminals with the LAX/Metro Transit Center station on the K and C lines, and taxis and ride-hailing pick up at the LAX-it lot next to Terminal 1. FlyAway buses run to Union Station.
Getting around
Most visitors rent a car, but Metro rail and buses reach Downtown, Hollywood, Santa Monica and Long Beach; fares are paid with a TAP card or a phone. Rush-hour freeway traffic can be very heavy.
Good to know
- The Getty Center and the Griffith Observatory building are closed on Mondays.
- Wildfire season and occasional earthquakes are part of life here; follow local alerts if conditions change.
- Tipping is customary in restaurants and taxis. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries need an ESTA. The currency is the US dollar.
Useful links
- Discover Los Angeles discoverlosangeles.com
- LA Metro metro.net
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) flylax.com
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: October–June. The warmest month is August (average high 88 °F); the wettest is January (3.2 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64.6 | 3.24 | Ideal |
| February | 64.8 | 2.96 | Ideal |
| March | 66.9 | 2.09 | Ideal |
| April | 70.9 | 0.65 | Ideal |
| May | 74.5 | 0.32 | Ideal |
| June | 80.6 | 0.03 | Ideal |
| July | 86.4 | 0.08 | Good |
| August | 87.6 | 0.17 | Good |
| September | 85.6 | 0.16 | Good |
| October | 79.9 | 0.44 | Ideal |
| November | 72.3 | 0.91 | Ideal |
| December | 64.6 | 2.85 | Ideal |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 18
- Washington's BirthdayFebruary 15
- Memorial DayMay 31
- JuneteenthJune 19
- Independence DayJuly 4
- Labour DaySeptember 6
- Columbus DayOctober 11
- Veterans DayNovember 11
- Thanksgiving DayNovember 25
- Christmas DayDecember 25
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
- Dialling code+1
- Plugs & voltageType A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz
- Emergency911
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.