Is there anyone who hasn’t dreamed at least once of going to Los Angeles? The city of desires, of cinema, of madness, of the sun and of sporty and smiling young people has always been a magnet that attracts tourists from all over the world. Yet before going to Los Angeles it is advisable to be well informed, because … it is not just another city! In fact, it is a huge city, without a real center, which still expands as far as the eye can see. Visiting all of it is almost impossible, so it’s better to learn about what is worth seeing, and when.
When to go
Los Angeles in general is perfect in any climate, all year round. Winter here (almost) never comes… in the sense that it is never really cold. There can be the annoyance of sudden rains, in that season, but nothing more than this. In summer it is a very hot city. For this reason, the best advice is to visit it in the spring season, i.e. between March and the beginning of June. In that period the temperatures are pleasant, the heat is enough to enjoy the beach but not so much to make you suffer.
How to get to Los Angeles
Served by several airports, two of which are international, Los Angeles is easily accessible from all over the world. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario Airport (ONT) and John Wayne Airport (SNA) are the most used by tourists: the first two because they operate with international flights, the latter because it is located in the famous Orange County , the area of the rich and VIPs! Minor airports serve Burbank (plus Hollywood) and Long Beach.
The city is also served by a modern subway and by the – less used – national railway. The most important station is Union Station. It goes without saying that Los Angeles is also famous for its many highways and freeways that form a tangle of junctions. They were made famous by the historic TV series “Chips”, and still today they are a real tourist attraction! There is no shortage of buses, taxis and private transport services.
Los Angeles can also be reached by sea, via cruise ships that dock at its famous port.
How to move through Los Angeles
Forget the strolls in European historic cities, forget the “long walks” that make you explore Mediterranean towns … Los Angeles is a city that can be explored only by car. Or by public transport. There are few places to walk around and “walking around” is not a good idea, here … at all!
If you want to move around this city, prefer city buses and the subway. Alternatively, taxis – public or private. Or even better, if you’re not afraid of huge American roads, rent a vehicle and drive yourself to your favorite destination in Los Angeles!
What to see
To truly and fully visit Los Angeles, one must return many times. This city is like a world apart, and to see “a world” you need a lifetime! The proposal is to create an itinerary for you with the few things you are longing to see. And to just focus on that. The rest… if possible… will be the itinerary of you next trip.
The most beautiful and interesting things to see in Los Angeles are certainly two neighborhoods that are now famous all over the world: Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The first is more of a working-class neighborhood, inhabited by those people “trying to make it”, but it stands out for the huge inscription that celebrates it on the Mulholland Hills. Beverly Hills is beautiful for its Mexican architecture, for the spectacular villas of VIPs, and for the super-luxury shops.
But you cannot visit Los Angeles without dedicating a day to Universal Studios, where the most beautiful films and special effects in cinema are created … or to Disneyland, the mega amusement park that excites children but also many adults.
If you love art and history, though very recent, in Los Angeles you can pay a visit to the City Hall, the Cathedral, the Astronomical Observatory. But if instead you are looking for the true and intense soul of the city, enjoy its dream beaches: Malibu, the beach of the rich people; Venice Beach, the sports beach; Long Beach, which is good for everyone; Santa Monica, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Palos Verdes are names of other legendary places for those who love the sea. And to have a great ending of this experience, go drive along Sunset Boulevard … happy people, palm trees and – indeed! – splendid sunsets.