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Los Angeles is such a vast, sprawling metropolis that it’s important to plan your stay carefully and book your accommodation based on what you’re planning to see and do. To make the most of your visit, we have put together a great starting point for planning your stay.
If you want to channel your inner Pretty Woman on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills is the place to be, but there’s also great shopping to be had in The Grove (an upmarket shopping and dining destination) and Melrose Avenue (especially the section between Fairfax and La Brea).
Hollywood is a great area to base yourself if you want to the quintessential movie experience. There are plenty of hotels to choose from that will provide easy access to Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame, Universal Studios and iconic landmarks like the Carter Observatory and the Hollywood Bowl, or you can join a tour that takes you around into neighbouring Beverly Hills, Bel-Air and the Hollywood Hills in search of your favourite stars’ homes.
Santa Monica and its neighbouring beach suburbs are a great base for families, especially if you want to be able to escape the city and factor in some downtime. There’s great shopping on pedestrian-friendly 3rd Street Promenade, plus plenty of excellent restaurants with waterfront views and a pier which is filled with rides and games. Make sure you share a funnel cake while you’re there.
For the best people-watching, stroll or bike the boardwalk and check out the artsy scene around Venice Beach. Foodies will love the amazing vegan food at Cafe Gratitude on Rose Ave, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard is renowned for its street festival of live music and the best food trucks in town, held on the first Friday of each month.
Anaheim is the only place to be if you’re a Disney lover. How much time you spend here depends on how much you love the “Happiest Place on Earth”, but most people aim to spend one day each in Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, plus an extra day revisiting your favourite attractions in both parks. If you can stretch the budget a little further, it’s well worth staying in one of the three on-site Disneyland Resort hotels, which give you special direct access to the parks. You may prefer to stay in one of the many hotels nearby though, and save the extra cash for the fabulous outlet shopping that’s nearby.
For a different perspective on the City of Angels, lace on your trainers and head for one of the canyon trails: Runyon and Temescal Canyons are popular options that offer stunning views of the city and the coast. If you want a slower pace again, the Self Realisation Park at Pacific Palisades is a lush ten-acre garden where visitors are encouraged to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the setting.
For more inspiration on Los Angeles, contact your local, personal travel manager.
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