In the western United States, on the Pacific coast, in Southern California, there is a city that millions of tourists seek to visit. Dreams of a happy life, fame and wealth attract many people from different countries of the world there.And even though we cannot and do not want to conquer this city, we would at least like to visit it. This is Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States and the largest city on the West Coast. It has a warm climate and good beaches for summer holidays. Several world-famous museums are located here. Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood are located near the city. Hollywood is probably the main reason why this city is so famous all over the world.
Everyone may have their own reason for visiting Los Angeles: beach vacation, surfing, partying, visiting Disneyland or Hollywood. Let's start planning the trip.
Distance from Los Angeles to some US cities and airports. (Air distance.)
- Las Vegas, NV (LAS) - 220 miles (360 kilometers).
- San Francisco, CA (SFO) - 310 miles (500 kilometers).
- Chicago, IL (ORD) - 1,730 miles (2,790 kilometers).
- Atlanta, GA (ATL) - 1,940 miles (3,130 kilometers).
- Washington, DC (IAD) - 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers).
- Miami, FL (MIA) - 2,360 miles (3,790 kilometers).
- New York, NY (JFK) - 2,450 miles (3,940 kilometers).
- Honolulu, HI (HNL) - 2,570 miles (4,130 kilometers).
See also: The cheapest flights from Los Angeles airport found by travelers.
The city occupies a large area. The length from north to south is about 43 miles (70 kilometers), from east to west - 28 miles (45 kilometers). Los Angeles is the center of a large urban agglomeration. Greater Los Angeles stretches for almost 200 kilometers along the ocean coast. About 18 million people live here. Tourists coming to Los Angeles often continue their journey to Hawaii, Mexico (via San Diego) and Las Vegas.
The most famous тeighborhoods
The city is divided into more than 80 districts and neighborhoods, each of which has its own character. Tourists can be confused about what to visit and how to get there. Here you will find information about the most popular areas and suburbs.
Downtown.
Downtown is the business district of the city. Most of the skyscrapers are located here. Despite the fact that most tourists flock to other areas of Los Angeles, there are also many interesting places in downtown too. For example: Walt Disney Concert Hall, Museum of Modern Art, Little Tokyo district. Union Station is located in the northeast of the area.
Beverly Hills.
Beverly Hills is one of the most famous areas of Los Angeles. This is a prestigious area where many celebrities, famous musicians and Hollywood actors live. The most luxurious mansions are usually located higher on the hills and hidden from prying eyes. You should know that the chance of meeting your favorite actor here is close to zero.
Most of the area's high-end stores are located near Rodeo Drive. It is believed that it has the highest concentration of 5-star hotels in the United States.
There are no subway station in Beverly Hills. Purple Line subway stations Wilshire/La Cienega and Wilshire/Rodeo will be opened in Beverly Hills soon (2025).
Directions: From Union Station, take the PURPLE Line to Wilshire/Western Station. Take the 720 bus from Wilshire Boulevard to Beverly Hills.
The best way to get to Beverly Hills from the airport is by taxi or rented car.
Hollywood.
Hollywood is a neighborhood that most tourists visiting the city want to visit. Tourists want to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame and take photos. The Walk of Fame is a section of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. More than 2,700 coral-pink five-pointed stars with celebrity names are embedded in the sidewalk.
Hollywood Boulevard is also home to the famous Dolby Theatre, which hosts the Academy Awards.
Where you can see and photograph the Hollywood Sign:
You cannot drive your car directly to the Hollywood sign.
- Ovation Hollywood shopping center. There is a good view of the Hollywood Sign from the mall. The Hollywood Sign is 2.4 miles away.
- Griffith Observatory. Stunning panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign open from this place. The Hollywood Sign is approximately 1.6 miles away.
- Lake Hollywood Park. This quiet public park is a great place for a stroll. You will also find a direct view of the Hollywood Sign. The Hollywood Sign is less than one mile away.
- Mulholland Drive. There are places along this road that offer great views of the Hollywood Sign.
Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine (Red Line) metro stations are located within walking distance of many important landmarks, including The Hollywood Walk of Fame. Most Los Angeles guided tours include a visit to Hollywood.
West Hollywood is located between Beverly Hills and Hollywood. There are many restaurants, shops and art galleries. The most popular place for walking is the Sunset Boulevard part, which has the name Sunset Strip.
Griffith Park.
Griffith Park is located north of Hollywood, in the eastern part of the Santa Monica Mountains. This is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Griffith Park is home to famous attractions such as the Griffith Observatory and the Los Angeles Zoo.
One of the city's most famous landmarks, the Hollywood Sign, is located in the northwestern part of the park, on the southern slope of Mount Lee.
Venice.
The Venice neighborhood is located in West Los Angeles, on the oceanfront, approximately 5 miles northwest of Los Angeles Airport. At the beginning of the 20th century, an attempt was made to create a place similar to Italian Venice. It was not possible to create a copy of Venice, but despite this, Venice is a popular tourist destination. This is a popular destination with a great beach and plenty of activities. In the summer, street performers show off their talents to the public on the embankment.
Venice Beach receives millions of visitors every year. It has been labeled as "a cultural hub" as well as a "global tourist destination". (Americans sometimes slightly exaggerate the importance of everything American.)
Santa Monica.
Santa Monica is a popular resort town, located in the west of Los Angeles County, on the ocean coast, west of the Venice area. The beach is the main tourist attraction of the city. The Santa Monica Pier is is one of the city's attractions. Pacific Park is located on the Santa Monica Pier. There are several museums in Santa Monica too.
Best ways to get from LAX to Santa Monica: take a taxi; take the free shuttle bus from the LAX terminals to Parking Lot C and board Bus Route 3. Light rail Line E connects Santa Monica and East Los Angeles. The Downtown Santa Monica, 17th Street/SMC and 26th Street/Bergamot light rail stations are located in Santa Monica.
Malibu.
Malibu is a small resort town in the west of Los Angeles County, west of St. Monica. It occupies a narrow strip about 30 kilometers long along the ocean coast. The main attraction of the city is sandy beaches.
Located in Malibu, Zuma Beach is considered one of the best in California.
Surfrider Beach (Malibu Lagoon State Beach) is known as the world's first World Surfing Reserve.
Long Beach
Long Beach is a city in the southern part of Los Angeles County, on the Pacific coast, 18 miles from downtown Los Angeles. One of the largest in the United States container ports is located here. In Long Beach there is the only beach in the Los Angeles, where dogs are allowed. There are reviews that the water here is not very clean.
Holidays in Los Angeles include a visit to Disneyland for almost all tourists. Disneyland is not located in Los Angeles, but in the city of Anaheim, at a distance of 21 miles from Los Angeles. You can go to Disneyland on your own or buy a tour at a travel company.
Airport
There are several airports near Los Angeles.
Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX) is the city's main airport. It is the fifth busiest airport in the world. The airport is located 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Instead of the full name of the airport, the international code LAX is often used.
Passengers can get to Los Angeles Airport by various means of transport:
🚌 By bus from the LAX City Bus Center, which is located about a half mile from the central terminal.
By FlyAway bus, which has stops at each terminal.
🚇 LAX Bus Route G provides service between Central Terminal and the Aviation/LAX Metro Station.
By taxi (🚕 can be ordered in advance).
Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT) is located approximately 37 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (Bob Hope Airport, IATA: BUR) is located approximately 15 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.
Long Beach Airport (IATA: LGB) is located south of downtown Los Angeles, near the city of Long Beach.
How to buy tickets to Los Angeles at the best price? The most effective method is to start looking for flights in advance. We recommend starting to compare prices from different airlines as soon as you know your travel dates. You will find flights and a calendar of the best prices here.
You can see the lowest prices for flights to Los Angeles here.
Train Station
Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS) is the main train station in Los Angeles. It is a major transportation hub for Southern California, serving nearly 110,000 passengers per day.
The routes of four Amtrak long-distance trains begin and end here. The station also serves many regional trains. By rail you can get, for example, to the cities: Seattle, Chicago, New Orleans, San Diego, Santa Barbara.
Union Station is located in the northeastern part of downtown Los Angeles, on the territory bounded by Alameda Street, Cesar Chavez Avenue, Vignes Street and El Monte Busway. Station location: 15 miles east of the Santa Monica and Venice areas, 12 miles northeast of the airport and 30 kilometers north of Long Beach.
There are stations of several metro lines at the station.
Bus station Patsaouras Transit Plaza is located on the east side of Union Station. The bus station serves many bus lines operated by different carrier companies. You can take a bus to destinations: Los Angeles International Airport, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and other places.
Cruise port
Cruise liners can depart from cruise terminals in the port of Los Angeles and the port of Long Beach. Los Angeles and Long Beach are two different ports located fairly close to each other.
The port of Los Angeles operates the World Cruise Center in San Pedro (in the south of Los Angeles.)
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is located in the nearby town of Long Beach. International port code: Los Angeles (US LAX), Long Beach (US LGB).
Los Angeles World Cruise Center is located in San Pedro, about 18 miles (29 kilometers) south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 40 miles (40 kilometers) south of downtown Los Angeles and 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Long Beach.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is operated by Carnival Corporation. It is located 23 miles from Los Angeles International Airport.