Los Angeles Travel guide Los Angeles

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Aerial view of Los Angeles, USA.

Los Angeles

City of Angels and Cinema

In short

Los Angeles in short

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How to get there?
Where to stay?
Practical information

As well as being the world's largest urban area, Los Angeles offers a multitude of facets: the legend of the cinema in Hollywood, the opulence of the jet-set in Beverly Hills or Bel Air, seaside idleness in Santa Monica, Venice Beach or Malibu, not forgetting a myriad of 'ethnic' districts, such as Koreatown or the Mexican sector of downtown. It's a destination in its own right.

Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles.

Los Angeles leaves no traveller indifferent. While some simply land here before escaping to the great American parks, others never tire of visiting and discovering this metropolis where excess is the watchword. There's so much to see and do, it's impossible to get bored. The possibilities are so vast that it's impossible to get bored. But here are a few tips, tricks and ideas for activities that are sure to make your stay in the City of Angels a success.

Los Angeles: cinema or nothing!

The history of Los Angeles is intimately linked to the cinema and vice versa. The City of Angels led to the rise of the 7th art (which until then had been produced in New York), which has elevated Los Angeles to the rank of the most famous cities in the world. Los Angeles is a must if you want to succeed or start a career on the big or small screen. One of the most apt nicknames is "The City of Stars", heard in Thomas Chazel's Oscar-winning film La La Land, where Emma Stone's character tries to break into the film industry.

The Hollywood Sign, L.A.

Reasons to visit Los Angeles

It would be impossible to list them all, there are so many to choose from.

A street in Los Angeles, lined with the palm trees that are so typical of the city.

Without giving it too much thought, the Californian art of living is undoubtedly one of the Top 3 reasons to visit Los Angeles. A chic, bohemian atmosphere pervades the city and its immense avenues. And then there are all the possible and unimaginable activities: the beach, shopping, theme parks. There's never a dull moment in Los Angeles. Not to mention the possibility of bumping into a celebrity around every corner! Los Angeles has so much to offer that one stay in the city is not enough to experience it all. That's why we're coming back to the City of Angels.

Los Angeles

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Not to be missed in Los Angeles

The giant letters of Hollywood: the Hollywood Sign

Visible from several points in Los Angeles, these emblematic letters are a reminder of the important role played by cinema in the city. You can climb to the top of the city to admire them up close. However, although some people venture there, it is forbidden to climb on them.

The famous Hollywood letters on the hill of the same name in Los Angeles.

The Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard

This is the place to be for all film fans or those who just want to see as many celebrities as possible. Also known as The Walk of Fame, the pavement of celebrities is covered with stars named after actors and actresses, singers and even famous people. So it's possible to pass or walk over Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck. The Beatles and Queen also have their star on the boulevard. This mark left on the ground is the indisputable seal of success of Hollywood artists.

The stars of Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is one of the city's most emblematic concert halls, and many artists dream of performing there - it's synonymous with success. The Hollywood Bowl amphitheatre has a capacity of over 17,000, making it the largest theatre in the United States. Its shape makes it recognisable from all other theatres. With its incredible acoustics, the Hollywood Bowl hosts classical music concerts, as it is the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra during the summer season, as well as more contemporary events, with performances by groups and artists such as Colplay and the Doors in the past, and Louis Tomlinson, former member of One Direction.

A concert at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheatre in Los Angeles.

How to get there?

You can book a low-cost Los Angeles flight from London to Los Angeles International Airport. Direct flights start at £394.

From September to November, a London-Los Angeles flight is cheaper than the rest of the year. July is the best time to avoid travelling if you don't want to pay too much for your ticket.

Where to stay?

Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Malibu and Bel Air are just some of the famous names associated with the gigantic city of Los Angeles. Shopping, beaches, idleness but also culture, the city is home to the largest number of museums in the United States. The City of Angels perfectly embodies the ideal of the American dream. Finding a hotel in Los Angeles is not difficult, as the city is extremely dense in terms of accommodation.

From sumptuous palaces to modest motels, it all depends on your budget and the atmosphere you're looking for. No surprise though, Los Angeles' seafront is home to the city's most luxurious hotels. Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Long Beach and, of course, Malibu all live up to the title as the most beautiful beaches in Los Angeles. It's hard to choose between them, as these seaside resorts are so radiant and inviting!

Practical information

When should you visit Los Angeles?

With its Mediterranean climate, Los Angeles is a great place to visit in spring or autumn, when temperatures are particularly mild. In May and June, for example, temperatures range from 15°C in the morning to 20°C in the afternoon. Beware, however, of the nights, which can turn out to be very chilly, with temperatures approaching 5 or 0°C.

Getting around Los Angeles

Getting around Los Angeles by car is essential, as the distances to be covered to get to the city's various attractions are considerable and it is often necessary to use the city's motorway. So it's best to have a car. The best solution is to hire a car so that you have complete freedom of movement and don't have to pay for expensive taxi fares.

Expenses in Los Angeles

As in the rest of the USA, prices in Los Angeles are quoted exclusive of VAT. So it's a good idea to anticipate the final cost of your purchase before you go to the checkout. A little peculiarity that may seem surprising the first time you do a bit of shopping.

When it comes to eating out, you'll have to pay more than the price of the dish or menu you eat, as service is not included in the price. In the USA, there's a culture of "Tips" that's frowned upon. So don't forget to add 10% to the final bill when you pay the bill, to pay the restaurant staff for their work. More than a simple commercial gesture, this practice is simple politeness in the eyes of the Americans. You know what you have to do to avoid looking like a cad!

Formalities and visas

Since January 2009, nationals of visa-exempt countries, including the UK, have had to apply online for ESTA travel authorisation at least 72 hours before departure. This authorisation is valid for two years or until your passport expires.

If you have an old-style passport, you will need a visa, as this type of passport is not machine-readable and therefore not secure under US regulations. However, you can use it until its expiry date. The United States requires an individual passport, whatever the age of the traveller. Babies (even a few months old) and children must therefore have the same passport as adults (or an individual visa if the child is included in the passport of one of the parents who has a visa).

Security checks can be lengthy for travellers to the United States. Don't forget to allow a little extra time at the airport. Many airlines fly to San Francisco, and most flights are direct from Paris, generally taking 11 hours.

Currency

The currency is the US dollar (USD), the rate of which can fluctuate quite widely. It is divided into 100 cents. It is best to carry small denominations. There are plenty of exchange offices, but rates are higher at airports than in town. All the major cities have plenty of ATMs and 24-hour banking machines, which allow you to withdraw cash anywhere with any international credit card. Banks are generally open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. It is important to bring cash with you, especially for tips and at the markets.

lightbulb_outline Editor's tip

Over the course of its history, the Los Angeles underworld has been replaced on the streets by gangs fighting over 'territories'. Don't go wandering around these gang-ridden areas, which are anything but touristy.

But don't worry, it's a minority of the city's surface area. In the tourist, seaside or cultural districts, you risk nothing more than elsewhere.

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Los Angeles: City of Angels and Cinema