10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Los Angeles
What Not to Do in Los Angeles on Your 1st Visit
Visiting Los Angeles for the first time can be thrilling. There are so many exciting things to do and places to see in the sunny coastal city. But if you don’t organize your trip correctly, you may stumble into common tourist pitfalls that could cause disappointment and put a dampener on your dream vacation.
To ensure you get the most out of your stay, we’ve compiled a list of mistakes people make when visiting Los Angeles. Avoid these errors and you’ll not only save time and money, but also have the best possible experience in the City of Angels.
10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Los Angeles
- Thinking LAX is the only airport in town
- Booking a hotel close to Hollywood
- Only visiting famous beaches
- Forgetting the diverse cultures in Los Angeles
- Underestimating the traffic and city size
- Walking only in the city
- Expecting to spot celebrities in Hollywood
- Eating at the wrong place
- Missing out on free museum days
- Failing to buy a Go City Los Angeles pass
1. Thinking LAX is the only airport in town
It can save you a headache to check other airports nearby
Categorías: Parejas, Familias
Many first-time visitors to Los Angeles make the mistake of flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). As the city’s main airport, LAX is massive and crowded. And during peak tourist season, it can get even more hectic. If you’re flying internationally, unfortunately you can’t avoid it. But for domestic flights, there are several smaller airports in LA County that are far less congested. It can also sometimes be cheaper to fly into one of the other airports.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is only 7 miles from Hollywood Boulevard and much easier to manage than LAX. Check out other hassle-free options like Long Beach Airport (LGB), John Wayne Airport (SNA), and Ontario International Airport (ONT).
Thinking LAX is the only airport in town
2. Booking a hotel close to Hollywood
There’s more to Los Angeles than Tinseltown
Categorías: Familias, Comida, Fotos
Booking a hotel in Hollywood means celebrated movie sets, celebrities, and some of Los Angeles’ most iconic sights, so this is certainly a tempting location. But there’s more to see and do in LA besides walking down Hollywood Boulevard, snapping photos of your favorite actors’ stars, and pushing through crowds of tourists. Not to mention the annoying people trying to sell you something.
There are neighborhoods in LA where you can still feel the glitz and high life of “La La Land” minus the never-ending sea of starstruck sightseers. For a touch of nostalgia, head over to Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Downtown LA which are all fantastic alternatives to stay in.
Booking a hotel close to Hollywood
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3. Only visiting famous beaches
And then complaining about the crowds and smell
Categorías: Asequible, Parejas, Familias
When you think of beaches in Los Angeles, you might only think of Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Despite being the most famous stretches of sand in the city, they are also two of the busiest and dirtiest beaches in Los Angeles.
A good alternative is to drive south along the coast, where you’ll find clean beaches with gorgeous views. You won’t need to elbow your way through hordes of people, either. For a local vibe and a quintessential California beach experience, visit the quaint towns of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach.
Only visiting famous beaches
4. Forgetting the diverse cultures in Los Angeles
There’s more to the real City of Angels
Categorías: Aventuras, Fotos
Did you know that Los Angeles is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world? On the outskirts of Hollywood, Downtown, and Central Los Angeles, there are several vibrant communities from across the globe. So, once you’ve seen the top tourist sights, spend a couple of hours exploring one or two of these neighborhoods. You won’t be disappointed.
You can appreciate African American art in Leimert Park, discover a Mexican-style marketplace in Olvera Park, and enjoy Chinese New Year in Chinatown. Or, belt out your favorite songs at an authentic karaoke bar in Koreatown. Be sure to put the intriguing neighborhoods of Little Ethiopia, Little Tokyo, Little Armenia, and Thai Town to your itinerary, too.
Forgetting the diverse cultures in Los Angeles
5. Underestimating the traffic and size of the city
Traffic congestion isn’t a cliche; it’s really that bad
Categorías: Parejas, Familias
When you visit Los Angeles, don’t expect to see multiple tourist spots in one or two days, let alone in one trip. It’s a massive, sprawling city, and getting from point A to point B can take much longer than expected. When you hear Angelenos complain about the notorious traffic congestion, they’re not being dramatic. The roads are the worst during peak rush hours.
Whether you’re driving a rental car, taking the bus, or ordering an Uber, plan your trip carefully. Give yourself at least 30 to 45 minutes to arrive at your destination. Find accommodation close to attractions you want to visit and use map apps that analyze traffic and offer alternate routes.
Underestimating the traffic and size of the city
6. Walking only in the city
The hills offer impressive views
Categorías: Aventuras, Asequible, Fotos
Exploring Los Angeles on foot is a fantastic way to discover the city, so don’t forget to make time to visit some of the surrounding hills. Griffith Park is a lovely place to walk. Take a short hike to Bronson Caves (known as the Bat Cave) in the southwest corner of the Park. Walk through the caves to enjoy glorious views and snap photos of the famous Hollywood Sign.
Hollywood Reservoir west of Griffith Park is a walker’s paradise, offering a flat, paved three-mile path around a picturesque lake. Runyon Canyon in Hollywood Hills offers spectacular views of the city below. The trails can get crowded, so go on a weekday if you’re after solitude.
Walking only in the city
7. Expecting to spot celebrities in Hollywood
The rich and famous don’t hang out in tourist hot spots
Categorías: Parejas, Familias, Fotos
Despite what your hotel brochure says, it’s improbable that you’ll bump into a celebrity on Hollywood Boulevard. There’s even less of a chance of seeing an A-lister on a celebrity homes tour. To catch a glimpse of a movie star in Hollywood, you can either register to be in a studio audience when a show is being filmed or apply for Academy Awards bleacher seats.
You can also find out when the next Walk of Fame or Hand and Footprint Ceremony will take place. If you spot someone famous, treat them like any other person who’s out enjoying their day. Don’t follow them, interrupt them while they’re eating, or take photos from close range without permission.
Expecting to spot celebrities in Hollywood
8. Eating at the wrong place
And then whining about the price
Categorías: Parejas, Familias, Comida
Los Angeles is an exciting place to eat, thanks to its rich cultural diversity and expertise in blending culinary techniques. The city boasts a staggering number of restaurants, serving a wide variety of cuisines from around the world. But don’t think that an expensive menu means authentic dishes. Some of Los Angeles’ best eateries are holes-in-the-wall in Koreatown, French-bistro gems in strip malls, and affordable farmer’s markets.
Check out the Silver Lake neighborhood for some tasty Thai food or head to Little Tokyo for great sushi. Don’t miss the Original Farmers Market, where you’ll find dozens of sit-down restaurants and food stalls to choose from.
Eating at the wrong place
9. Missing out on free museum days
World-class exhibitions you can enjoy for less
Categorías: Asequible, Historia, Fotos
From modern art and science to ancient artifacts, Los Angeles is home to some prestigious museums. Many of these cultural attractions offer free entrance year-round or on select days of the week. If you plan your trip well, you can visit a different museum every day of the week without paying a dime.
The Broad, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the California Science Center are worth visiting. For superb city views and fascinating exhibits, head over to While Griffith Observatory or Getty Villa.
Missing out on free museum days
10. Failing to buy a Go City Los Angeles pass
Sightseeing on a budget
Categorías: Aventuras, Asequible, Fotos
The Go City Los Angeles pass is a great buy if you’re keen on visiting major theme parks and taking film-related tours without blowing your entire budget on entrance tickets. There are three pass types to suit most budget levels.
The all-inclusive pass gets you into over 30 of the best attractions in the city for one heavily discounted price. You can also pick a few attractions and build a custom pass. If you’re traveling on a tight timeline, consider buying the Go City Los Angeles pass to not only to save money at some attractions but to skip the long lines, too.
Failing to buy a Go City Los Angeles pass
En este artículo se incluyen las opiniones del equipo editorial de Go Guides. Los autores de este tipo de artículos reciben una compensación por parte de Hoteles.com, que puede abarcar desde viajes hasta cualquier otro tipo de costes.