Los Angeles
LA sprawls across mountains, valleys, and 75 miles of coastline — and that's exactly the point. Each neighborhood is its own world: Venice Beach boardwalk weirdness, Silver Lake coffee shops, Downtown's rooftop bars, Koreatown BBQ joints open past midnight. The traffic is real, but so is that feeling of driving down Sunset Boulevard with the windows down.
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Los Angeles travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Los Angeles?
4–5 days minimum. LA is huge and you'll need a car (or a lot of Uber budget). Day 1: Hollywood and Griffith Observatory. Day 2: Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Day 3: Downtown, Arts District, and a museum (The Broad or LACMA). Day 4: A theme park or Malibu coast drive. Without a car, you'll spend a lot of time on the metro — it's improving but still limited.
Do I need a car in LA?
Honestly, yes. The metro covers some areas but LA is built for driving. Rental cars are reasonable — around $40–60/day. Uber and Lyft work too but add up quickly with the distances. If you're staying in one area like Santa Monica or Hollywood, you can walk and take transit, but to really experience the city, you need wheels.
What are the best neighborhoods to explore?
Silver Lake and Los Feliz for indie shops and coffee culture. Koreatown for insanely good Korean food (arguably better than Seoul for some dishes). Venice for the boardwalk and Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Arts District downtown for galleries and craft breweries. Grand Central Market for a food tour under one roof. Little Tokyo for ramen and mochi. Each area is worth half a day minimum.