Heading to Los Angeles? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
TL;DR
- Perfect for: 3–4 days
- Best for: Urban explorers, creative types, sun seekers, movie buffs, food lovers
- Why visit: Never boring, always buzzing—solo-friendly, walkable pockets, endless inspiration
LOS ANGELES AT A GLANCE
- Population: 3.9 million (metro: 18 million), America’s entertainment powerhouse
- History: Once a Mexican pueblo, now the “Creative Capital of the World”
- Famous for: Hollywood, beaches, wild street art, mega-museums, sunshine
- Nicknames: L.A., City of Angels, Tinseltown, La-La Land, The Big Orange
- Solo vibe: Effortlessly cool; easy to blend in, but watch your stuff
ESSENTIAL INFO
- 💰 Currency: US Dollar (USD)
- 🗣 Language: English (Spanish widely spoken)
- 🌦 Best time to visit: Spring/Fall for less crowds, mild temps; summer is hot & smoggy
- ✈️ From airport:
- Cheapest: Metro bus from LAX, under $10 to downtown (buy TAP card)
- Alternative: FlyAway Bus to Union Station ($9.75), taxis (~$51 downtown), Uber/Lyft ($50–$65)
- 🧳 Safety: Most of the city is fine; avoid certain neighborhoods at night and keep an eye on your bag in touristy zones
- 🎭 Cultural calendar tip: Jazz at LACMA (Fridays, Apr–Nov); outdoor summer concerts at The Greek
- 🎦 What to watch on the plane: La La Land (obviously!) Other great picks: To Live and Die in L.A., Mulholland Drive, L.A. Confidential, Nightcrawler, Drive, Chinatown, Speed, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
WHERE TO STAY (FOR SOLO TRAVELERS)
- 🛏️Best hostel: Banana Bungalow Hollywood. Right on Hollywood Blvd with a retro vibe, free breakfast, and the city’s only dorm kitchens. Social courtyard, daily events, and super chill staff make it the perfect spot for solo travelers wanting to soak up LA. 🌴Books up quickly – book ahead!
- 🏘️ Best neighborhood for hotels/Airbnb: Downtown (DTLA) – Urban buzz, walkable to bars, galleries, top eats, close to public transport
- 🧭 Alt neighborhood: Silverlake – Indie cool, coffee shops, nightlife, less touristy, great for creatives
- Tip: L.A. is HUGE—choose a base near where you’ll hang out most; traffic is real.
TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION
- 🚶♂️ Walkability: Pockets are walkable (DTLA, Santa Monica, Venice, Silverlake), but between neighborhoods…not so much
- 🚌 Buses: Metro, Big Blue Bus; $1.75/ride, TAP card recommended; covers much of the city
- 🚋 Metro Rail: Expanding, with key stops (Union Station, Hollywood, KTown, Santa Monica); clean and cheap
- 🚖 Taxi: Tricky to hail, pricey (start at $2.85 + surcharges); best to use Uber/Lyft apps
- 🚲 Bikes: Breeze Bike Share (Santa Monica/Westside); Venice & Santa Monica beach paths are perfect for rides
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ALONE
- 🏛️ Griffith Observatory & Park: Iconic, free, epic city/sky views, stargazing, hiking, people-watching; bring a book or join a free sky talk
- 🌿 Venice Beach Boardwalk & Santa Monica Pier: Classic L.A., safe and lively, top-tier people watching, street performers, murals
- 🧠 The Getty Center: World-class art, hilltop gardens, views; free admission, contemplative spaces for solo reflection
- 🧭 Walk Downtown: Start at The Last Bookstore, wander to the Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Arts District for hidden murals and indie cafes
- 🎨 Elysian Park: Jog, chill, or sketch city and mountain views in one of L.A.’s oldest green spaces (near Dodger Stadium)
- 🔀 Wildcard: Amoeba Music on Sunset – Browse for hours, catch an in-store show, soak up indie L.A.
WHAT TO SKIP
- ❌ Hollywood Walk of Fame: Overhyped, crowded, a bit grimy – snap a photo and move on
- ❌ Universal Studios (unless you’re a theme park junkie): Expensive, long lines, better ways to “do” Hollywood
- ❌ Rodeo Drive: Designer window-shopping is fun for five minutes, but not a must unless you’re loaded
EATING & DRINKING
- 🧍♂️ Solo-friendly spot: Grand Central Market – Communal tables, global street foods, bustling but casual
- 🥃 Quiet pub/bar: The Wolves (DTLA) – Vintage vibes, creative drinks, solo bar seating, chatty bartenders
- 🍽️ Try these local foods: Tacos from Leo’s Tacos Truck; Korean BBQ in KTown (Gen, Quarters)
- 💸 Best cheap eats: Howlin’ Ray’s – Hot chicken sandwiches ($); or Sapp Coffee Shop for Thai noodles
- 🥦 Veg/Vegan: Café Gratitude (Larchmont) – Plant-based and sunlight-filled
- 🍸 Cocktails or nightcap: Perch LA – Rooftop French bistro with views, solo-friendly bar rail
BEST OF LOS ANGELES IN 1 DAY – SOLO ITINERARY
- Sunrise: Early walk or hike to Griffith Observatory for unforgettable city-and-sign sunrise
- Morning: Explore Graffiti walls and Venice Beach Boardwalk, coffee at Menotti’s
- Lunch: Grand Central Market – linger over tacos or egg sandwiches
- Afternoon: The Broad or The Getty Center (book free tickets in advance!)
- Evening: Stroll downtown, check out Walt Disney Concert Hall, people-watch at Pershing Square
- Dinner: KTown BBQ (join a communal table or sit at the bar)
- Night: Jazz at LACMA or rooftop cocktail at Perch/Freehand rooftop
LOCAL TIPS & INSIDER WISDOM
- 🎉 Festival: Coachella (April)—electric, colorful, crowded; or CicLAvia—car-free street festival (several times a year)
- 📍 Hidden gem: Japanese Garden behind Sepulveda Dam – peaceful, pretty, off the tourist track
- 📷 Photo spots: Griffith Observatory’s terrace; “Love Wall” in Culver City; Santa Monica Pier at sunset
- 🧠 Etiquette tip: Be chill—Angelenos value low-key friendliness, but respect personal space (and don’t cut in line)
- 🚩 Safety reminder: Stick to central/well-lit areas at night; watch for pickpockets in touristy spots
- 👀 One last thing: Say yes to sunsets in the hills—nobody leaves L.A. regretting a golden hour moment!