The Best Travel Tips to Know Before Visiting Los Angeles

Sun and stars – two things the City of Angels is well-known for. Whether dining alongside A-listers, relaxing on world-famous beaches or exploring the hottest neighbourhoods, there are plenty of cool things to do in Los Angeles. Plus, it’s just a short trip from here to The Happiest Place On Earth – Disneyland. Here are our top travel tips to know before visiting LA.

Entering the US

Australia is a participant in the USA’s Visa Waiver Program, meaning Australians don’t need a visa for visits of 90 days or less. We must, however, obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) through the Department of Homeland Security site. Authorisation is usually granted on the spot but it’s advisable to apply at least 72 hours before you travel in case there’s an issue. ESTA-approved travellers also need a (machine-readable) ePassport. If you overstay, the US Government could arrest, deport or even bar you from returning to the States.

As of January 2017, the US State Department suspended visa issuance to nationals of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Australians who hold dual passports of any of these countries, or those who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since 1 March 2011, with limited exceptions, are no longer eligible to apply for an ESTA to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Australians affected by these changes are advised to apply for a non-immigrant visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. Go to Smart Traveller for more information.

Flight time

Qantas flies direct to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from the east coast of Australia. The flight time from Sydney is 13 hours and 45 minutes.

Flying in to LAX

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the busiest and largest airport on the US west coast. Located 33 kilometres from the city centre and 55 kilometres from Disneyland, it is infamous for its vast, inconvenient terminals and chaotic queues. Security lines can be long, as can check-in and taxi queues. Early flights generally have fewer people but it’s still wise to arrive well ahead of your flight.

If you’re transiting through LAX, make sure you know where your connecting gate is located – it could be at the other end of the airport. There are free shuttles between terminals but note that if you leave a terminal, you’ll need to go through security again at the next one.

If you can’t face the taxi queue, the LAX FlyAway is a shuttle-bus service between the airport and various Los Angeles areas, including Downtown and Hollywood. Prefer to catch the train? The G shuttle bus takes passengers from LAX to Aviation/LAX Station, the nearest metro station to the airport.

Taxis, Uber and other ride-sharing services such as Lyft are required to pick up passengers from LAX-it, a pick-up lot east of Terminal 1. Regular shuttles run from level one outside baggage claim, and you can easily walk from Terminals 1, 2, 7, and 8. Curbside pick-up is still available for those who pay for the premium Uber Black.

Vaccine advice

While there aren’t any specific vaccines recommended for travel to the US, it’s worth checking the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for updates on infectious-disease outbreaks. It’s also wise to ensure all your vaccinations are up to date.

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Transport tips

Public transport was once so sporadic and unreliable that it wasn’t really a viable option for getting around, making LA a city of drivers. It is slowly improving, with a light rail and subway system connecting some of the city’s star attractions. Still, public transport is in its infancy and the bus network can be confusing (and confronting), so plan ahead. If you want to get around on public transport, Metro can help you plan your trip. Download a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft so there’s always a plan B.

Money matters

At the time of writing, the Australian dollar was buying around 68 US cents – check a reliable currency conversion service for up-to-date foreign-exchange rates.

Check with your bank that you won’t be hit with extra fees when using your credit card in Los Angeles. Your Australian bank and American ATMs may each charge you for withdrawing money from your debit card, too, so it might be worth organising a travel card (most banks have one) with low or no fees to use while you’re away.

In any case, inform your bank of your travel plans, lest overseas purchases are misconstrued as fraud and your card is cancelled.

Finally, tipping in the US is such a complex ritual that we have addressed the etiquette here.

Weather wise

The movies have it right: it’s almost always sunny in Los Angeles (well, about 300 days of the year) but it’s not always hot. It’s a city of microclimates and the temperature can vary depending on where you are. July is the hottest month; January is the coldest and wettest. Air pollution sometimes causes serious smog in LA.

When to go

Late spring and early summer can be stifling and Angelenos know the beaches aren’t at their best: the marine layer, an air mass that develops over the water, lingers until the sun is hot enough to evaporate it. They call it the June Gloom and it often shrouds much of Los Angeles long into the afternoon from May to July. Late summer and early autumn are best for LA jaunts.

• Summer is when LA’s vibrant alfresco scene hits first gear. From movies to open-air concerts, a wealth of entertainment options awaits in the open air – or simply head to a beach such as Venice or Santa Monica to see for yourself why they’re world famous.

• Heading to LA in autumn (sorry, fall)? Take a hike in one the city’s surrounding canyons for the most dazzling display of foliage in its blaze of yellow, orange and gold glory – or simply pay a visit to the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden.

• New York might get all the press about its winter activities but there’s plenty of celebrating the cold(ish) weather on the west coast. From seasonal ice-skating rinks to holiday festivals and Christmas light shows, the festive season is all around greater LA.

• Spring is a time when LA is not only at its most photogenic, it’s at its most festive. With the annual celebration of Mexican culture and heritage Cinco de Mayo (5 May), the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival (held on the Memorial Day weekend in late May) plus the opening of the baseball season, it’s full of fun activities.

Dress code

Pack swimmers and sunscreen for sunny days at Santa Monica Beach. But it can get cooler by the water in the evenings, which means you’ll need some layers. In winter, Los Angeles can get chilly, so pack a warm jacket. There’s a definite uniform in LA; it’s a studied casual look that says, “I just finished my hot yoga class and barely broke a sweat.” Think inventive athleisure wear that goes from the SoulCycle studio to Starbucks to the lunch spot du jour via a change of shoes. The actual exercising part is completely optional.

Tap water

The tap water is drinkable in LA and meets all US standards, despite the ubiquitous bottles of Evian.

Driving

According to the Australian Government’s Smart Traveller website, thieves often target rental cars in the US. If you’re planning to hit the road in a rental, don’t leave any valuables behind when you park.

According to research cited by Smart Traveller, drivers are almost twice as likely to be killed in a road accident in the US than at home. Remember, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road.

Insurance policy

Without comprehensive travel insurance, travellers will pay through the nose for medical treatment in the US. Smart Traveller advises that a visit to the GP for a sore throat, say, will run up a bill in the hundreds of dollars – and this is before any extras such as blood tests or medication.

LA says no to plastic

In 2014, Los Angeles passed a law banning plastic bags at supermarkets. Bring your own reusable bag for lugging around supplies or spend 10 cents on a paper bag in store.

Stay central

Los Angeles is so large and spread out that it’s difficult to traverse its attractions from the beach to Downtown. Position yourself somewhere central, such as the West Hollywood neighbourhood, to ensure you get the best of both worlds.

Phone calls and mobile data

Before you land, disable data roaming and don’t answer incoming calls on your mobile phone if you want to keep your monthly bill in check. Invest in a prepaid travel SIM card if keeping in touch with home is important – it’s a great travel hack to buy one before you leave home, sparing the hassle at the other end.

If you need to make calls in LA, buy a US SIM card for local calls and mobile data. Remember, this will only work if your phone is not locked to your Australian carrier. Also note that Australian mobile phones operate on a GSM network. In America, both GSM and CDMA networks are in operation. This means that your Australian handset won’t work on a CDMA network such as Verizon. See WhistleOut for more in-depth information on using your mobile phone overseas.

Consider buying a cheap handset from one of the US’s many big-box stores, such as Walmart. It will come with credit preloaded but keep in mind that in America you’re charged not just for making calls and sending texts but also for receiving them.

Phone home

To call Australia, dial +61 followed by the phone number – including the area code minus the zero. So, to call a Sydney landline telephone, you would dial +61 2 then the phone number. To call a mobile phone, use the same country code and dial the mobile number minus the first zero.

Gadgets

Power sockets in the US (120V) have a lower voltage than those in Australia (230V) and a higher frequency (60Hz compared with Australia’s 50Hz). Most gadgets are designed to work on a range of frequencies and voltages but double-check if you’re in doubt. Power plugs and sockets also have a different configuration, so an adaptor will come in handy.

Handy apps and websites

Metro for planning your route on public transport.
Lyft or Uber for when public transport fails.
Smart Traveller for safety information.
XE for currency conversion.
Los Angeles World Airports for information on flights, weather, traffic, parking, terminal locations and airport shuttles.
QuickMap for accurate information about routes and traffic conditions if you’re driving in LA.
CA Notify for checking into venues such as restaurants and bars.