10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Los Angeles

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, you, unfortunately, 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. Other hassle-free options include Long Beach Airport (LGB), John Wayne Airport (SNA), and Ontario International Airport (ONT).

Booking a hotel in Hollywood? Famous for movie sets, celebrities, and some of Los Angeles' most iconic sights, it may be tempting to. But there's more to see and do in LA besides walking down Hollywood Boulevard, snapping photos of your favourite actors' stars, and pushing through crowds of tourists. Not to mention the annoying people trying to sell you something.

Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Downtown LA are fantastic alternatives to stay in. In these neighbourhoods, you can still feel the glitz and high life of La La Land minus the never-ending sea of starstruck sightseers.

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 2 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. The quaint towns of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach offer a local vibe and a quintessential California beach experience.

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 2 of these neighbourhoods. 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, step into Seoul and belt out your favourite songs at an authentic karaoke bar in Koreatown. Other intriguing areas include Little Ethiopia, Little Tokyo, Little Armenia, and Thai Town.

When you visit Los Angeles, don't expect to see multiple tourist spots in 1 or 2 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 around in a rental car, taking the bus, or ordering an Uber, you must plan your trip carefully. Give yourself at least 30 to 45 minutes to arrive at your destination. A smart plan is to find accommodation close to most attractions you want to visit. You can use map apps that can analyse traffic and offer alternative routes.

Exploring Los Angeles on foot is a fantastic way to discover the city one district at a time. But don’t just stick to the sidewalks. Make time to visit some of LA’s gems dotted in the surrounding hills. Griffith Park is a lovely place to walk. Take a short hike to Bronson Caves (better 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 in the hills west of Griffith Park is a walker’s paradise, offering a flat, paved 3-mile path around a picturesque lake. Runyon Canyon in Hollywood Hills offers spectacular views of the city spread out below. The trails can get crowded, so go on a weekday if you’re looking for solitude.

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 do a couple of things. Either register to be a studio audience when a show is being filmed or apply for Academy Awards bleacher seats.

You can also research online to find out when the next Walk of Fame or Hand and Footprint Ceremony will take place. And remember, celebs are regular people like you and me. You’ll more likely find them shopping, dining at popular restaurants, and enjoying the sights around the city.

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 Night + Market in Silver Lake for some tasty Thai food or head to Sushi Gen in Little Tokyo. At the Original Farmers Market, there are dozens of sit-down restaurants and food stalls to choose from.

From modern art and science to ancient artefacts, Los Angeles is home to some prestigious museums. Many of the 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. Griffith Observatory and Getty Villa both offer superb city views and exhibits.

The Go Los Angeles Pass is a great buy if you’re keen on visiting major theme parks and taking film-related tours but don’t want to blow your entire budget on entrance tickets. There are 3 pass types to suit most budget levels. 

The all-inclusive pass gets you into over 40 of the best attractions in the city for one heavily discounted price. You can also pick a few attractions and build a custom pass. Buying the Go Los Angeles Pass not only saves you money at some attractions but also helps you to skip the line.