Visiting Los Angeles - The Shadrian Chronicles

Los Angeles is home to the glitter and glitz of California. From Hollywood to Venice Beach, the city is brimming with activities, sights, and celebrity sightings. Check out our guide below to activities in and around La La Land.

When should you go to Los Angeles?

Like pretty much the rest of California, there is not a bad time to visit Los Angeles. Summer will bring more tourists and can be hot at times, so to beat the crowds check out the spring and fall when temperatures are ideal.

To drive or not to drive?

Similar to other massive metropolitan cities, there is a metro available in LA. The metro however is not as functional as other cities such as NYC or even San Francisco. A portion of LA is not accessible by train, but a large majority of the city is. When not using the metro, Lyft and Uber are widely available and your best bet when without a vehicle.

You can rent a car in LA, and driving is an option. The main drawback is the lack of parking and consistent traffic. However, if you are planning to travel outside of LA, it is likely best to get a rental.

Hotel or Airbnb?

LA is like most other major cities, so you have hundreds of Airbnb options. Airbnb is nearly always going to be cheaper than a hotel, especially in places like Hollywood or downtown LA. If you are new to Airbnb, sign up here.

Every major hotel chain exists in LA. When visiting we prefer to stay in or around the Hollywood area or in the downtown LA area. Either location gives you walking distance to a number of attractions and easy access to the metro. When staying in LA, our favorite hotel is the Hotel Indigo Downtown.

Top things to do in Los Angeles

Below is a list of the top attractions in LA. There are still a large number of other attractions to check out.

Hollywood Walk of Fame and Footprints – The Walk of Fame is home to the hundreds of actors, singers, and other celebrities stars. Along the walk you should stop by and check out the Hollywood Footprints in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre. Famous footprints such as Johnny Depp and Cher fill the area.
Hollywood Sign – The famous Hollywood Sign cannot be visited anymore, however you can hike pretty dang close to it. You can access the trails from Mulholland Highway. We found a number of great selfie taking spots along the trail.
Venice Beach – Lined with shops and restaurants and filled with street entertainers, Venice Beach is a lively area. Watch for skaters and people rollerblading.
Santa Monica Pier – Located at the end of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, the pier is home to food, fun, and shopping. There are roller coasters, carnival games, and food for the whole family.
Griffith Observatory – The observatory boasts numerous telescopes to check out the stars and planets. Some of the best views though may be of the city below. The night lights view of LA is stunning.
Rodeo Drive – If shopping is at the top of your list, then this is your dream. Rodeo Drive is home to the best and often most expensive brands in the world.
Paramount Studio Tour – The Paramount Studios is one of the only remaining active movie and tv studios left in LA that you can tour. Tours are about two hours long and you get to see some of the sets and areas used for shooting. You may even get lucky and see a celebrity.
Disneyland or Universal Studios – You can probably spend a whole week exploring either Disneyland or Universal Studios. The parks are great for families and offer something for every age.
Sports – There is a nearly unlimited number of sports in LA or surrounding. From the Dodgers or Angels for baseball, Rams or Chargers for football, and the Lakers or Clippers for basketball, your choices for professional sports teams is unlimited. There are also a number of college teams as well.

Day Trips from Los Angeles

The following list of day trips from LA can be turned into an overnight stay or even a trip on their own.

Palm Springs – Just a few hours east of LA is the resort town of Palm Springs. The town has a number of resort style hotels and has a quiet low key atmosphere.
Joshua Tree National Park – Located a few hours directly east of LA, the national park offers some very unique landscapes only found here. There is no lodging within the park, but there is camping. You can visit the park in a day from LA, but for the best experience, it is best to spend the night in or around the park.
Death Valley National Park – The national park is about four and a half hours northeast of LA. To visit the park properly, plan to spend the night in or around the park. Check out our guide for visiting Death Valley National Park here.
Channel Islands National Park – The island chain is only accessible via boat or plane, but worth the trip. Each island has something to explore and you can camp on the islands, but there are no lodges. It is advised to book your tour well in advance.
Sequoia National Park – Located just over three and a half hours to the north of LA, the national park has some of the largest trees in America. You can camp in the park or stay near the park if you plan to spend more than a day exploring the park.
San Diego – Two hours south along the coast lies San Diego. The city has a number of attractions, but the biggest attraction is the San Diego Zoo which offers some impressive animal enclosures. You can easily spend a few days exploring the city, but you can easily visit the zoo as a day trip from LA.