Flights to Los Angeles
Trade the jet bridge for palm-lined boulevards: Griffith Observatory at dusk, tacos in Boyle Heights, the Getty's hilltop gardens and a sunset walk on Santa Monica Pier.
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (PT), UTC−8 / UTC−7 in summer
- Plug type
- Type A / B (120 V, 60 Hz)
- Main airport
- LAX – Los Angeles International
Overview
Los Angeles is less a single city than a patchwork of neighborhoods stitched together by freeways, and planning around that geography is the key to a good trip. Downtown has The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall and Grand Central Market; Hollywood has the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Bowl and trails up to Griffith Observatory; the Westside has the Getty Center on its hilltop and the beach towns of Santa Monica and Venice.
Food is one of the strongest reasons to visit. Koreatown's barbecue spots stay busy late into the night, Thai Town runs along Hollywood Boulevard in East Hollywood, and taco trucks and stands across the Eastside and South LA set the standard for the country. Studio tours in Burbank and Universal City show how the movie business still works day to day.
The climate is famously mild, with rain concentrated in winter, but distances are real: crossing town can take an hour or more at rush hour. Group your days by area, use Metro rail where it fits (the E Line reaches Santa Monica and the B Line runs to Hollywood), and choose LAX for the Westside and beaches or Hollywood Burbank for the Valley, Hollywood and Pasadena.
Highlights of Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory
Free to enter, with views over the LA Basin and straight at the Hollywood Sign; hike up from the Greek Theatre or visit after dark for the public telescopes.
The Getty Center
Richard Meier's travertine campus in Brentwood pairs European masterpieces with Robert Irwin's Central Garden; arrive by the hilltop tram from the parking and bus stop below.
Santa Monica to Venice by bike
Ride the beach path from Santa Monica Pier to the Venice boardwalk and skate park, then detour to the Venice Canals.
Downtown's arts corridor
Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad and MOCA sit together on Grand Avenue, a short walk from Grand Central Market.
A studio tour
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank and Universal Studios Hollywood offer backlot visits to working sets.
Where to stay
Santa Monica
Walkable beach town with the pier, Third Street Promenade and E Line trains downtown; suits families and first-timers who want the ocean.
Hollywood & West Hollywood
Central for nightlife, the Sunset Strip and the B Line subway; best for travelers who want to be in the middle of the action.
Downtown LA
Arts District galleries, museums and the Crypto.com Arena, with the best Metro rail connections; good for culture seekers and event-goers.
Silver Lake & Los Feliz
Coffee shops, indie boutiques and easy access to Griffith Park; suits repeat visitors and food-focused travelers.
Airports and getting into town
From LAX, ride the free Metro Connector shuttle to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, then take the K Line and connect to the E or C Line; downtown is roughly an hour away. The FlyAway bus runs from the terminals to Union Station in about 35–60 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis and rideshare pick up at the LAX-it lot next to Terminal 1, reached on foot or by the free LAX-it shuttle. From Hollywood Burbank, Metrolink or Amtrak trains reach Union Station in about 20–30 minutes on their scheduled departures.
Best time to visit
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) bring warm, dry days and fewer crowds than summer; fall is often the warmest time at the beach. Coastal areas can sit under marine-layer cloud in May and June, locally called May Gray and June Gloom. Winter is mild with most of the year's rain, and New Year's Day brings the Rose Parade in Pasadena.
Airlines flying to Los Angeles
Popular routes to Los Angeles
Flying out of Los Angeles
Travel tips from our desk
- LAX pickups for taxis and rideshare happen at the LAX-it lot beside Terminal 1, not at the terminal curb; follow the green LAX-it signs.
- LAX's Automated People Mover had not opened as of mid-2026, so use the Metro Connector shuttle for rail links and check flylax.com for updates.
- Plan each day around one area; crossing from the beach to downtown or the Valley at rush hour can take well over an hour.
- Reserve timed-entry tickets for popular spots such as The Broad and the Getty Center parking, and bring layers since coastal evenings turn cool.
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Vancouver
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Explore Vancouver →Flights to Los Angeles — frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into for Los Angeles?
LAX has the most flights and suits the Westside, beaches and downtown. Hollywood Burbank is often faster for Hollywood, the Valley and Pasadena, and Long Beach suits the South Bay and Orange County edge.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
Spring and fall offer warm, dry weather and lighter crowds. May and June can be overcast at the coast, and winter is mild but brings most of the rain.
How do I get from LAX to downtown or Hollywood?
Take the FlyAway bus to Union Station, or the free Metro Connector shuttle to the LAX/Metro Transit Center for Metro rail. Taxis and rideshare leave from the LAX-it lot.
Do I need a car in Los Angeles?
Not always. You can base yourself near Metro's E, B or A lines and use rideshare for gaps, but a car helps for beaches, canyons and day trips.
Is the Hollywood Sign accessible?
You can't reach the sign itself, but Griffith Observatory, Lake Hollywood Park and trails in Griffith Park offer good views.
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