Los Angeles

Neighbourhoods, beaches and wide distances

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: March to May and September to November
Airports: LAX

Los Angeles at a glance

Los Angeles is a spread-out city of distinct neighbourhoods, beaches and long journeys. Hollywood Boulevard, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, the Getty Center, Downtown LA, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Universal Studios and Malibu are linked by Metro, buses and roads rather than one compact centre. Malibu, Disneyland, Joshua Tree and Santa Barbara each require a separate outing. The airport is Los Angeles International (LAX). Plan one area at a time, allow generous travel time and check Metro, FlyAway and road conditions.

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitMarch to May and September to November

AirportsLAX

Budget travelAccommodation and any theme-park, Getty, Malibu or Joshua Tree day drive costs most strongly. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Spring and autumn suit Griffith, Santa Monica and Getty terraces without peak summer heat. Summer is busy at the beaches; keep indoor hours for museums. Recheck official air-quality and park advice before any desert day.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

LAX FlyAway bus

Direct buses between the terminals and Union Station or Van Nuys

FlyAway fareTransport

Must-see sights

Hollywood Boulevard

Griffith Observatory

Santa Monica

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Walk a manageable stretch of Hollywood Boulevard, including the Chinese Theatre exterior and the Walk of Fame.
Lunch: Have lunch in Hollywood, then travel towards Griffith Park with traffic time allowed.
Afternoon: Visit the Griffith Observatory area for city views and exhibitions if open; plan transport back before setting out.
Evening: Have dinner in Los Feliz after coming down from the park; keep longer hikes for a separate, daylight plan.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Hollywood
The boulevard area is walkable. Santa Monica and Downtown require separate journeys.
Best for
Boulevard walks, Metro links and a first visit
Santa Monica
The Santa Monica pier, beach and a grid of streets that are easy to walk. Hollywood and Griffith need a planned ride.
Best for
A beach stay and family evenings
Downtown LA
Useful after the LAX rail or FlyAway. Beaches need a separate journey.
Best for
Concert Hall, museums and Metro connections
Beverly Hills edge
Beverly Hills
Hollywood Boulevard and the beaches still need a separate journey.
Best for
A calmer hotel stay and Rodeo Drive

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple rooms, casual meals and selected Metro journeys; excludes travel to Los Angeles.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, mixed dining, rides and selected museums or beaches.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Central or beach stays, frequent dining, private transfers and a reserved park or desert day.

Airports

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

LAX
Los Angeles International Airport
25 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

LAX

LAX FlyAway busLAXBoard at the blue FlyAway columns on the Lower/Arrivals Level in front of each terminal. The buses serve Los Angeles Union Station and Van Nuys. Check the current schedule and how to pay on the FlyAway website.
Direct buses between the terminals and Union Station or Van Nuys
FlyAway fare
Details
Board at the blue FlyAway columns on the Lower/Arrivals Level in front of each terminal. The buses serve Los Angeles Union Station and Van Nuys. Check the current schedule and how to pay on the FlyAway website.
Metro C or K Line to LAX/Metro Transit Center, then free shuttleLAXThe LAX/Metro Transit Center is served by Metro's C and K lines, and a free shuttle runs from Bus Bays 1 and 2 to all terminals. Check flylax.com for the current connection between the station and the terminals.
Rail to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, then a shuttle from Bus Bays 1 and 2 to the terminals
Metro fare; the shuttle is free
Details
The LAX/Metro Transit Center is served by Metro's C and K lines, and a free shuttle runs from Bus Bays 1 and 2 to all terminals. Check flylax.com for the current connection between the station and the terminals.
Taxi or rideshareLAXFollow the airport signs to the taxi stands and rideshare pick-up areas. Use licensed taxis or a ride-hailing app rather than offers inside the terminal.
A road journey to the city; the time depends on traffic
Metered or app-quoted fare
Details
Follow the airport signs to the taxi stands and rideshare pick-up areas. Use licensed taxis or a ride-hailing app rather than offers inside the terminal.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

Metro, buses and walking inside one neighbourhoodLos Angeles is not a city to cross entirely on foot. Travel between areas, then explore locally. Check the last trains before you leave. A car can help with Malibu, Griffith at busy times or Joshua Tree, while Metro remains useful in central districts.
Best once you are in Hollywood, Downtown, Santa Monica or one beach area
Metro fare rules
Details
Los Angeles is not a city to cross entirely on foot. Travel between areas, then explore locally. Check the last trains before you leave. A car can help with Malibu, Griffith at busy times or Joshua Tree, while Metro remains useful in central districts.
Car, taxi and licensed rideshareParking and freeway conditions change. Leave extra time rather than guessing journey times between Hollywood and Santa Monica. Check ride-hailing and rental rules.
Useful for beaches, the Getty, Universal-area journeys and late returns
Official, in-app or rental terms
Details
Parking and freeway conditions change. Leave extra time rather than guessing journey times between Hollywood and Santa Monica. Check ride-hailing and rental rules.

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Los Angeles at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Hollywood

Santa Monica

Downtown LA

Beverly Hills edge

Approximate budget