Travel to Los Angeles

Travel to Los Angeles

Los Angeles, with a population of over three million, is the second largest city in America after New York. It spreads along the southern Californian coastline for over 70 miles from Malibu to Long Beach, while inland it occupies an area of flat land flanked by the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains.

It's a diverse city, populated with people from 140 countries that speak over 90 different languages. This doesn't necessarily make it a harmonious society, with rioting having erupted on more than one occasion, the most notable being after the Rodney King incident in 1992. That said, visitors should be able to avoid any problems and enjoy a varied and interesting holiday here.

Transportation to Los Angeles

Reaching Los Angeles is straightforward as the city has excellent domestic and international transport links. There are a total of five commercial airports in the area, but most overseas visitors will arrive at the busy Los Angeles International Airport.

Most major airlines have routes to LA and there are direct flights to hundreds of destinations. Greyhound provides long distance buses to towns and cities throughout America and Amtrak also has a station with services to other Californian towns and beyond.

What to see

Los Angeles might not have the sophistication or history of some European cities but it lays claim to being one of the most entertaining and exciting places in the world. Combine that with warm and sunny weather year-round and you can see why people are attracted to the city.

The city's reputation has been founded on the movie industry and the abundance of top quality theme parks. Disneyland may be the most popular attraction but there is more to LA than Mickey Mouse and thrilling rides; the city is also home to many cultural attractions such as the Getty Museum and the Getty Villa, the Museum of Contemporary Art and a thriving performing arts scene.

Daytrips

Depending on where you are staying, many of the city's attractions turn out to be daytrips due to their spread-out locations and lengthy journey times it takes to reach them.

Make sure you have time to visit some of the beach towns such as Santa Monica, with its famous pier and boardwalk. There are some world-class resorts, spas and hotels near the beach as well as many restaurants and shopping areas. Just south of Santa Monica is Venice Beach, which everyone should visit to gaze at the street-magicians and musicians performing on the boardwalk. It's best to find a caf and relax with a drink while taking in the amusing and peculiar beach life.

Leisure and activities

The nearby mountains provide plenty of options for more active types. During the winter, there is a limited amount of skiing at the Big Bear Lake resort in the San Bernardino National Forest. Meanwhile, the summer months are great for trekking on the miles of routes throughout the parks and mountains. Surfers are spoilt for choice as California has some of the best waves in the world. There are endless well-known beaches close to the city and many more secret spots for those willing to explore.

Safety issues

Los Angeles has a higher crime rate than many other cities, so visitors should be cautious and take necessary steps to ensure their safety. Most of the city is safe during the daytime, but it's best to avoid South Central, MacArthur Park and East LA.

Take extra care at night and preferably take a taxi to your destination. We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance for you and your family when visiting Los Angeles.