5 Tips and Tricks for Visiting Los Angeles

Okay, so you've dreamed of the day you'll hop off a plane at LAX with a dream and your cardigan, and you've already booked your flight. I can tell you from experience that you are going to have the time of your life. As a former Angelo, allow me to give you some tips and tricks to optimize your visit to the City of Angels.

1. Make a schedule.

While living in the moment can be absolutely exhilarating, it's best you make a schedule to plan out each day of your visit. There is a lot of land to cover in Los Angeles, and you're going to want to see it all. Do a quick search to find out where all of the top spots you'd like to visit are on the map, and plan your days to be spent in that specific area of town. You'll be able to make the most of your time, and hopefully get all of your sight-seeing in!

2. Give yourself extra time for traffic.

I know everyone else in the country rolls their eyes anytime someone from Los Angeles mentions how bad the traffic is, but we aren't being dramatic. It really is that bad. The most common misconception made when visiting Los Angeles is that everything is close together, and if something is 10 miles away, it's not that far. If you have had that thought for even a moment, I'm sorry to say you are so, very wrong. Depending on the exact location, time of day, and even the weather, it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours to drive 10 miles in Los Angeles. If you're renting a car, or taking an Uber from place to place, you'll want to factor in traffic. As a rule of thumb, try to avoid traveling by car from 7 AM–10 AM and 4 PM–7 PM on weekdays. Weekends are usually a little better, but all it takes is one small delay to cause a back-up from hell on the 405.

3. Take advantage of public transportation.

Los Angeles has an incredibly underrated transit system. There is a line that runs from North Hollywood to Downtown Los Angeles with stops at Universal Studios, Hollywood & Highland, Hollywood & Vine, and other hot tourist locations. There is even a stop that lets you off within walking distance of the Staples Center. If you are traveling in a direction that the trains run in, they are my most recommended way of transportation. You skip the stress of traffic, and the fare is under $2 each way per person. Most trains run every 9 minutes or so, but you can find an exact train schedule and route map online through the Los Angeles Metro.

4. Check peak dates for amusement park visits.

Some of the most fun in Los Angeles can happen at Six Flags: Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm, or my personal favorite, Disneyland. When planning your day trip to an amusement park, take a minute to see if you can avoid visiting on a “Peak Day.” Peak Days are the days that their attendance records are typically the highest. While you will still have a magical time at any of these parks, it's obviously a better experience the less time you need to wait in lines. Buy your tickets online to save you some time at the gate, and take full advantage of Fast Pass usage if allotted. Disneyland's Fast Pass system is completely free to use which is a huge bonus seeing both Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm, and Universal Studios all charge an extra fee to jump the line at their parks.

5. Indulge in the diverse food culture.

There are so many great spots to eat in Los Angeles. You can find any type of food at any price range if you do your homework. You won't find many chain sit-down restaurants, which I believe is a good thing, so take advantage of that and try something new. Make sure you take a stroll down Olvera Street if you love tacos, churros, and margaritas the size of your head. The great thing about eating in Los Angeles, is that there is always food for everybody. You can find unique specialty food items, and even vegetarian and vegan-friendly food options just about everywhere you go in the city. Always check Yelp reviews, or some other kind of review before you try a new spot, and make sure the restaurant has an A sign hanging in their window!