Los Angeles flights and travel guide

Los Angeles is shamelessly pretentious, loud and glitzy. Yet those who explore beyond the city's veneer will discover a fascinating cosmopolitan metropolis.

Sprawling LA has minimal public transport;  therefore hiring a car is the most practical way to get around. Once arriving from flights to LA, start your adventure by exploring the city's famous neighbourhoods.  Hollywood and West Hollywood - home of the iconic Hollywood mega-sign - ooze that old Hollywood glamour, with Frank Gehry-designed houses overlooking the city and 1960s convertibles parked in the driveways. Down the road in Beverly Hills, you’ll find the famous Rodeo Drive, where tourists, celebrities, and the ready-to-pounce paparazzi hang around the exclusive designer boutiques and cafes.

LA's laid-back coastal towns attract thousands of visitors each year. The landmark Santa Monica Pier, a veritable shopping and amusement park with its historic 1920s carousel, is worth a visit, while Santa Monica's Downtown and Third Street Promenade is a shopper's paradise. Venice Beach is a prime people-watching location.

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Los Angeles climate

LA has a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild weather year round. Summers average 24-29 degrees Celsius and winters about 16 degrees (with some rain). The closer you get to the coast, the cooler the temperature, as the Pacific Ocean makes temperatures 10 degrees lower than areas further inland. "June Gloom" or “May Grey” is a weather phenomenon in late spring, which makes it overcast for much of the day.

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When to fly to Los Angeles

Peak season:

LA is always busy from April through October. To avoid the highest prices on flights to Los Angeles, accommodation and entertainment, avoid big events such as the annual Academy Awards in February.

Off season:

Since there isn’t really an off season in LA you’ll only find slightly lower airfares or hotel rates during the rainy season, typically January.

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Getting around Los Angeles

Although LA's complex network of freeways can be intimidating, hiring a car is the only way to see LA. All you need is a GPS, a good map and/or good directions. LA was designed for the car, so it is more driver-friendly than most big cities, with wide streets and plenty of parking, but try to avoid the rush-hour crush. Luckily, LA is also one of the cheapest places in the US to rent a car.

Getting around by bus is not a particularly practical option, as multiple transfers and large distances can make them slow and frustrating, and buses are not recommended late at night. The MetroRail's three lines only service a small part of LA, though trains are regular and reliable. Taxis are expensive, due to the long distances.

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Los Angeles insider information

• For a classic LA beach experience, head to Manhattan Beach. The scenic 283m pier is popular fishing spot and the beach has an aquarium, nine-hole golf course,  beach volleyball and Sunday afternoon concerts. This is where people come to be seen, to swim, surf, laze on the beach, roller blade, and have some fun people watching.
• The Getty is the biggest and best museum in LA, with a notable collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present. Admission is free but parking costs $7 for the day. Metro bus 761 drops you off outside the main entrance.
• If you yearn to dine with the stars, the historic Formosa Café, adjacent to The Lot (formerly Warner Hollywood Studios) will be a highlight of your LA experience. Featured in the film LA Confidential, the café has been going since 1925 and its walls are adorned with signed photos of all its famous patrons, including Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, James Dean and Elvis. The diner is still popular with today’s A-list celebrities such as Bono, Nicholas Cage, Jodie Foster and Michael Douglas.
• A unique LA event is the annual spring Blessing of the Animals, a colourful parade of pets and motley creatures along downtown Olvera St, from pampered pooches and pusses to sheep, horses, snakes and other beloved pets. It's been going since 1930.
• No chance of getting lost in LA. Look out for the Purple People Greeters, who answer questions, give directions, make recommendations and even call the police if you get into trouble. You'll spot them travelling in pairs wearing matching purple "Downtown Guide" or "District Safety" t-shirts (or you can call in to their Service Centre at 801 S Hill St).

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