11 Los Angeles Travel Tips: Local’s Guide for First-Timers

Los Angeles is undeniably overwhelming! It’s massive, there’s so much to do, and understanding the ins and outs of the city can be confusing…especially if it’s your first time visiting.

I’m a California native and a Los Angeles local who has lived in the city for nearly a decade. If you’re planning a first-time trip, I’m sharing all of my top Los Angeles travel tips, as well as helpful local insights and recommendations. 

From navigating traffic to understanding local driving quirks to choosing exactly where to stay, this LA travel guide will help you feel calm, confident, and ready to plan your perfect vacation!

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1. LA is Sprawling (and There Isn’t Really a Center) 

Los Angeles is a lot bigger than many people realize. It’s also quite different from a lot of major US cities, as there isn’t one main center. Rather, LA is composed of multiple cities and neighborhoods, each with their own unique flair. 

If this is your first time in Los Angeles, you’ll most likely be spending the majority (if not all) of your time in and between Los Feliz/Silver Lake to the east and Santa Monica to the west. This is where the majority of the main sights in LA are located! 

Here’s a quick intro to the main neighborhoods and cities within these boundaries: 

• West Hollywood (WeHo) – centrally located neighborhood with excellent eateries and nightlife
• Beverly Hills – centrally located city with luxury shopping (hello, Rodeo Drive!) and bougie stays
• Hollywood – centrally located tourist hub (and a place you don’t need to spend too much time in…more on that later!)
• Los Feliz, Silver Lake, & Echo Park – trendy neighborhoods east of Hollywood with hip eateries and coffee shops (these have a much more local feel!)
• Santa Monica – main beach city on the Westside of LA (and popular hub for tourists spending more time at the beach)
• Venice – beach town just south of Santa Monica with excellent shops and restaurants (along Abbot Kinney) and a high-energy, funky, and eclectic boardwalk

Santa Monica Beach | Venice Canals in Venice | Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills

2. Plan Your Itinerary with Traffic and City Size in Mind 

If you want to see a lot of the main attractions and cool gems in Los Angeles, you need to be super mindful when planning your itinerary. 

Traffic is no joke, and as we’ve already established, LA is big. A haphazardly planned itinerary can lead to a lot of time wasted driving more than needed and getting stuck in traffic!

With that in mind, get clear on exactly what attractions and neighborhoods you want to explore. Map out which spots are near each other, and dedicate each day to one region of the city. 

For example, plan to see the top attractions in Santa Monica and Venice in one day. Another day can be dedicated to attractions in and around Hollywood, such as Warner Brothers, the Hollywood Sign, and Griffith Observatory. 

A third day can be spent exploring Beverly Hills, the Original Farmers Market at The Grove, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) or the Academy Museum. 

Doing this allows you to put together a Los Angeles itinerary that covers all you want to see…without having to drive across the county multiple times throughout your trip! 

3. Avoid Cross-City Drives During Rush Hour

On a similar note, one of my biggest tips for visiting Los Angeles is to avoid big drives around rush hour. In LA, that is roughly from 7:00am to 9:30/10:00am and 4:00pm to 7:00pm on weekdays. 

Of course, you can still drive during these times. I’d just try your best to avoid major highways (the 405, 5, 10, and 101) and driving long distances. Please…don’t drive from Venice to Los Feliz at 5:00pm on a Friday! 

4. Get to the Most Popular Attractions Early or Late in the Day

As you put together your itinerary, I also recommend prioritizing visiting the most popular attractions first thing in the morning, or much later in the day (a bit before sunset). This is especially true if you’re visiting during peak travel season in Los Angeles!

Spots like Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Lake Hollywood Park, and the Santa Monica Pier can get jam-packed in the middle of the day on weekends and during busy periods. 

For the observatory specifically, if you plan on driving (rather than hiking up), it can be a nightmare finding parking. The one-lane street leading up to the observatory also gets very trafficky! 

By going to any of these spots early in the morning or much later in the day, you can enjoy the space without having to battle the worst of the crowds. 

6. You’ll (Most Likely) Want to Rent a Car 

Public transportation is okay (but not amazing) in LA, and isn’t super efficient if you’re going to be exploring a lot of different areas of the city. Lyfts and Ubers are readily available, but those prices will add up quickly! 

With that all said, for ease and efficiency, I highly recommend renting a car for your trip. This is especially necessary if you’re trying to explore greater LA County (like if you want to do a day in Malibu!), or if you plan on doing some day trips from Los Angeles. 

The only situation in which you may not need a car is if you’ll be hyperfocused on one area of LA, and don’t plan on exploring beyond it.

7. You Can Skip DTLA…and Maybe Even Hollywood 

Many people assume that Downtown Los Angeles is the hub of LA…but that couldn’t be further from the truth! 

While there are some cool attractions (like The Broad Museum and Grand Central Market), it’s not one of the main tourist areas. In my opinion, there are so many other spots around LA that are worth seeing first. 

Unfortunately, in my years of living in LA, I have also seen a decline in safety and the quality of life around downtown. 

With that in mind, if you’re visiting Los Angeles for the first time, I recommend skipping Downtown Los Angeles, unless there is something there that you really want to see. 

My second hot take: you don’t necessarily have to visit Hollywood (specifically the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theater). Hollywood isn’t nearly as glamorous as many people assume it is. In fact, it’s very touristy, grungy, and very busy. 

I fully understand that many people want to at least quickly take a look at the Hollywood stars and the handprints in front of the Chinese Theater. If you still want to see these spots, plan for a quick stop. You can see the highlights without spending more than an hour there! 

That said, if you’re on the fence about adding Hollywood to your itinerary, this might be your sign to skip it! 

Hollywood Walk of Fame | TCL Chinese Theatre | The Broad in DTLA

8. Make Restaurant Reservations in Advance 

This is particularly important if you want to visit some of the more popular or upscale restaurants in Los Angeles. LA has a great dining scene, and restaurants can fill up quickly! Be sure to make reservations in advance to avoid long waits, especially if you’ll be visiting over a weekend.  

If you’re vegan or vegetarian (or are just looking for some fun restaurant recommendations!), take a look at my guide on the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Los Angeles. 

9. Be Prepared for Weather Changes Throughout the Day 

Even in the summer, you’ll want a light jacket for the evenings (especially if you’ll be by the coast!). Temperatures can drop drastically at night, which means it’s important to include layers on your Los Angeles packing list. 

If you’re visiting Los Angeles in the fall, you should also keep in mind that it will probably still be hot! The summer heat often continues into September and October. Leave the heavier jackets at home and prepare for sunny days and high temperatures (often in the high 70s to mid 80s!). 

10. Pay Close Attention to Street Parking Signs

Some LA street parking signs read like a riddle. To avoid getting a dreaded parking ticket, pay close attention to street signs and read them carefully to ensure you’re allowed to park there! 

11. Look for Flights Going to Burbank 

If you’re flying in, don’t forget about Hollywood Burbank Airport! This airport is much smaller than LAX, way easier to navigate, less crowded, and simpler to get in and out of. It’s also closer to West Hollywood (and all LA neighborhoods north and east of it).  

Of course, since it’s smaller, there are fewer flight options compared to LAX. That said, it’s still worth looking into to see if it’s an option for you!