Los Angeles Travel Guide

Bus Travel in Los Angeles

Cristina — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:05 +0000

Los Angeles is a huge city with quite a lot of districts. The largest city in California is famous for its nightlife, restaurants, shopping and being home to Hollywood. Whatever you do , at some point or another you’ll be using the public transportation. And although it’s not organized as well as it is in other Western cities , buses are cheap and you can get to the major tourist attractions pretty easily.

Public buses

The bus system in Los Angeles is operated by Metro (MTA) . The website is definitely the best way to figure it out as it offers timetables , maps and information about fares. The base fare is $1.50 (without connections) and the day pass is $5.00.

The buses are excellent if you travel within the central area of Los Angeles, as there are frequent connections.

If you need to get to the LAX airport, there are direct buses from various areas in the Los Angeles. A list can be found here (pdf).

Also, buses run during the night but many routes change, so make sure to check the timetable if you need to travel within the city by night. The Rapid buses have fewer stops and are efficient in the traffic.

Aside from the Metro buses, there are other companies which run buses within the city or connect to the neighboring cities (which have their own bus system). However, most of their routes are included in the MTA’s trip planner.

Private tours

Aside from the public buses available in Los Angeles, tourists can also choose the sightseeing private buses (such as those run by Starline Tours ) which go by the tourist highlights. There are Hollywood tours, Los Angeles tours and many more.

And yes, there’s also the possibility to choose Hop-On-Hop-Off ticket which has 50 stops and covers as many attractions.

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Why You Should Add Los Angeles to Your RTW Trip

aseper — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:28:42 +0000

All of the Why Go sites around the web are part of the BootsnAll network. Over the past several months, we have been working hard over at BootsnAll adding content to a section devoted to round the world trip planning.

If long-term, RTW travel is something you’re interested in, hopping over to our sister site and checking out the resources is something that will prove very beneficial. Another part of the RTW section over at BootsnAll is the destination guides on offer. If you are looking to travel to Los Angeles, this site you’re on now is fantastic and has all the resources necessary. The destination guides at BootsnAll have a different slant to them and offer tips and advice for adding Los Angeles to your round the world trip itinerary.

There are tons of reasons why anyone would want to travel to Los Angeles, whether it be for a weekend, a week, or an extended period of time. If you can get over the crowds, traffic, and smog, you can visit some of the most popular sites in the United States. Rubbing elbows with some of Hollywood’s elite on Mulholland Drive, partying at some of the country’s best clubs on the Sunset Strip, visiting Chinatown, and shopping in Beverly Hills are just a few of the activities tourists can take part in in the city of angels.

RTW travelers tend to be a little different, and you may be looking for activities that aren’t quite as touristy. There are plenty that can get you away from the crowds and the high prices, and adding LA to your RTW trip will be beneficial in other ways as well. LAX is a major international hub, and flights from Los Angeles can take you all over the world. It’s much shorter, easier, and often cheaper to get to places like Hawaii, Australia, or New Zealand from LA, and the RTW traveler is always thinking about that next destination.

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Los Angeles in April

Cristina — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:31 +0000

By now the winter rains have ended but El Nino can bring showers until the middle of the month. Still, it’s warm and nice to explore the city and the surrounding areas. Many festivals take place in April and of course, there are plenty of things to do in Los Angeles anytime of the year.

Weather

The average high temperature in April in LA is 71F/22C and the average low is 54F/12C. Short sleeve shirts and long pants are a good option for April. Sometimes it’s warm enough to wear shorts. If you’ll stay right by the ocean, pack a light jacket for the evenings.

>>read more about Weather in Los Angeles

Flights and accommodation in April

April still falls during the shoulder season but the weather gets warmer and many tourists choose this month to travel to LA. So don’t expect to find bargains for flights or accommodation , but the prices are typically lower than during the high season. You can always choose to stay in a hostel or a vacation rental , especially if you travel with a group of friends.

What to do

Doo Dah Parade takes place each April in Pasadena. What started as a parody of the Rose Garden Parade is now a quite exotic and unique parade and became a tourist attraction.

If quirky parades aren’t your thing, maybe the Toyoda Grand Prix is. The weekend long car race through the streets of Long Beach is an excellent option for those passionate about the cars and everything related to them.

If you are passionate about reading, come to LA during the Festival of Books. The festival started in 1996 and now brings together adults, children, writers, readers and a lot of books.

Fiesta Broadway takes place on the last weekend of April and is the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the entire world. Try the foods and watch the performances.

Should you visit LA on a rainy day, head the art galleries within the Huntington Gardens. Or visit the museums, spend the evening at the cinema and enjoy a hot tea (or coffee) is a cozy café.

You can also rent a car and drive on the Malibu Coast. Another romantic thing to do is spending half a day on Catalina Island. Walk hand in hand, plan a picnic on the beach and just relax.

Don’t forget about Disneyland, especially if you travel with the kids. Try to avoid the weekends though and also remember that there are plenty of theme parks in the area.

You should definitely head to Hollywood and take a walk along the Walk of Fame . Or you can shop ‘til you drop on Sunset Boulevard or Rodeo Drive.

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Los Angeles in March

Cristina — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:58 +0000

March might just be one of the best months to visit Los Angeles. Sure, this means you don’t exactly get a tan while here, but no one stops you from taking a romantic walk on Catalina Island. It’s usually affordable to visit LA in March but book in advance.

Weather

The average high temperature in March in LA is 69F/21C and the average low is 51F/11C. Pack a jacket for the evenings and nights. A combination of shirts and sweaters is an excellent option for this month in LA. During the night it might be warm enough for t-shirts.

>>read more about Weather in Los Angeles

Flights and accommodation in March

March falls during the shoulder season, when it’s typically cheaper to travel anywhere. That’s the case of LA as well, so although it’s a good idea to book the flights in advance, you’ll be able to find good deals, especially if you avoid flying during important events (such as the LA Marathon).

Since more and more travelers choose to travel during the shoulder season, make sure to book the accommodation . Still, you’ll be able to find good deals but you can also consider a hostel or a vacation rental , especially if you travel with a group of friends.

What to do

LA Marathon takes place in March, so expect crowds to flock here for the event. You can cheer along the route, from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica Pier.

March is the month when the nature comes back to life so the Huntington Gardens offer an amazing display of colors. If you happen to get to LA on a rainy day, visit the art galleries within the gardens. Or visit the museums, go to the cinema and enjoy a hot tea (or coffee) is a cozy café.

March 14 marks St. Patrick’s Day and there are plenty of events taking place in LA. Plus, it’s a good excuse to try the local clubs, right?

For a super display of colors, rent a car and head out of the town to see the poppies bloom. Or watch the swallows come back to town on March 19.

Especially if you travel with the kids, plan a visit to Disneyland. Or you can head to other theme parks in the area. Try to avoid the weekends, when it’s busiest.

If you travel with your significant other, you can head to Catalina Island and walk hand in hand.

You should definitely head to Hollywood and enjoy the Walk of Fame . Don’t forget to take a photo of your favorite celebrity’s star. During the day, shop on Sunset Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, while at night go club hopping.

>>read more about Things to do in Los Angeles

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Los Angeles in December

Cristina — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:50:52 +0000

The less fun part about Christmas in Los Angeles is that you won’t find snow here…unless you head to the mountains. Usually winter brings the most visitors to LA, as they want to escape the cold weather where they live.

Weather

Los Angeles weather varies so much that you might just end up here during a bright sunny day during December and you haven’t packed the shorts. However, it’s almost always cool in the evening and during the night, especially on the coast. If you want to blend in at the trendiest restaurants, do pack the trendiest clothes you have. While if you plan to attend a theatre show, bring dress clothes.

The average high temperature is 68F/20C and the average low is 50F/10C. December is one of the wettest months , so don’t forget the umbrella and the rain jacket. Generally, it’s ok to pack long sleeve shirts and some sweaters.

>>read more about Weather in Los Angeles

Flights and accommodation in December

Everything is busy during this time of the year, particularly close to Christmas. Parents often taken kids to Disneyland during the Christmas holiday and travelers generally flock to warmer places. So, expect flights to book up quickly and to be more expensive than during other times of the year. Book ahead, use the saved miles and look for low cost flights.

As for accommodation , you can consider staying in a hostel http://www.losangeleslogue.com/hostels or choosing a vacation rental , especially if you travel with a group of friends. Book in advance.

What to do

The two highlights of December are Christmas and The New Year’s Eve. Plenty of Christmas parades take place in the city and the Christmas lights are also fun to watch. As for the party between the years , you can choose among public and private celebrations.

If you love photography, go out and play after a rainy day when the skies are clear. And if you happen to be in LA during a rainy day, don’t worry as there are plenty of things to do. Visit the museums, go to the cinema, enjoy a hot tea (or coffee) is a cozy café, try your skills in a flight simulator at Air Combat USA or explore the art galleries within the Huntington Gardens.

Especially if you travel with the kids, plan a visit to Disneyland. Try to avoid doing that right before Christmas though. There are other theme parks in the area, of course, so choose the right one for you.

Catalina Island is an excellent choice if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of LA. Or you can rent a car and drive the Malibu Coast.

Don’t leave LA without taking a photo of your favorite celebrity’s star on the Walk of Fame . During the day, shop and explore Sunset Boulevard, while at night you can check out the clubs. If your budget allows it, shop on Rodeo Drive.

Read more about:
>> Hollywood
>> Things to do in Los Angeles

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Getting from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (and return)

Cristina — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:27 +0000

San Francisco is an important city in California, famous for architecture, scenic beauty and the cultural and ethnic diversity. The Golden Gate is a landmark recognized all over the world.

Santa Barbara is perfect for a day trip from Los Angeles , but is also an excellent side trip for those visiting the entire state of California. It is well known for its beaches, shopping options and wineries.

Quick summary

The cheapest option for traveling between San Francisco and Santa Barbara is by bus. Single fares start at $57.15* and the journey takes about 9 h.

There isn’t a direct rail link between the two cities, so you need to go via Oakland (for the shortest route) and travel by bus and then by train. The fare is almost double than the bus fare.

Flights are excluded as option as there is only one carrier operating on the route and the fares are very high.

Flights from San Francisco (airport code: SFO) to Santa Barbara

San Francisco International (SFO) is one of the largest airports in the world and handles both international and domestic travel.

Santa Barbara is served by Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), which handles about 30 daily flights to/from US cities. Flights from San Francisco are operated only by United Express. The flight time is 1h 20 min.

Direct single fares start at $400 one way in late December 2011 and mid-March 2012. Indirect flights start at $120 one way.

Trains and buses from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Amtrack offers connections for only part of the route between the two cities, as San Francisco is not served by a train station. So you need to take the bus and the train to travel from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.

There are two possible routes to choose from:

Route 1:

Step 1: San Francisco Caltrain Station to Oakland Jack London Square by bus

The bus leaves San Francisco at 7 a.m. The layover time is 25 min

Step 2: Oakland to Santa Barbara by train

The train leaves Oakland at 8:50 a.m.

The total travel time (excluding the layover) is 10 h 52 min. The single adult fare is $96.

Route 2:

Step 1 : San Francisco Caltrain Station to Emeryville, CA by bus

The bus leaves San Francisco at 8:45 a.m. The layover time in Emeryville is 10 min.

Step 2 : Emeryville, CA to Bakersfield, CA by train

The train leaves Emeryville at 10:15 a.m. The layover time in Bakersfield is 9 min.

Step 3 : Bakersfield, CA to Santa Barbara by bus

The bus leaves Bakersfield at 4:20 p.m.

The total travel time (excluding layovers) is 10 h 29 min. The single adult fare is $96.

Buses from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Greyhound operates three direct buses per day between San Francisco and Santa Barbara. The travel time is between 8 h 40 min and 9 h 5 min. The web only single adult fare is $57.15.

The buses leave San Francisco at: 5:20 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. The only direct bus leaves Santa Barbara at 8:55 a.m. and takes 9 h 20 min to get to San Francisco. Three other indirect buses (via Oakland and San Jose, respectively) leave during the day. Regardless of the route chose, the same fares as above apply.

Driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

You can rent a car and drive the 337 miles between San Francisco and Santa Barbara on US-101 S. You should be able to cover the distance in 5 h 45 min but do make sure to plan some stops along the way.

View Larger Map

Note: *at the time the article was written

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Getting from San Diego to Palm Springs (and return)

Cristina — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:28 +0000

San Diego is the second largest city in California and is well known for the excellent weather, beaches, the famous Zoo and quick access to the Mexican border and Tijuana. San Diego offers a lovely escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angles .

Palm Springs is a resort city in California and offers a lot of indoor and outdoor activities. You can spend the day hiking or trying other outdoor activities and relax in the evening.

Quick summary

There isn’t any direct route to travel between San Diego and Palm Springs, unless you plan to drive. The cheapest option for traveling between San Diego and Palm Springs is the bus. Single tickets cost $31.50* and the travel time is up to 5h. Train tickets are more expensive and the connection is via Los Angeles. Flights aren’t even an option due to the very expensive fares for the Los Angles to Palm Springs leg of the trip.

Flights from San Diego (airport code: SAN) to Palm Springs

There aren’t any direct flights from San Diego to Palm Springs, but you can fly via Los Angles, which makes it a very expensive journey.

For the first leg of the trip, book a flight between San Diego and LAX. San Diego International Airport (SAN) is located 3 miles from the central business district of San Diego and is the second busiest single runway airport in the world (after London Gatwick). It is a focus city for Southwest Airlines. Flights to LAX are operated by: American Eagle, Delta Connections and United Express. The flight time is 40 minutes. In late December 2011 and mid-March 2011, expect to pay from $119 one way on United.

For the second leg of the trip, book a flight from LAX to Palm Springs, which is served by Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). Flights between LAX and Palm Springs are operated only by United Express. In late December 2011 and mid-March 2012, expect to pay from $511 for the 51 minutes flight. Indirect flights start at $211 one way.

>>read more about Flights to Los Angeles

Trains from San Diego to Palm Springs

Amtrak offers train connections between San Diego and Palm Springs via Los Angles. The total journey time is 6h 45 min and the single adult fare is $83.

The train leaves San Diego daily at 10:50 a.m. and arrives in Los Angeles at 1:35 p.m. Another train leaves for Palm Springs at 3 p.m.

The train leaves Palm Springs daily at 4:45 a.m. and arrives in Los Angeles at 8:30 a.m. Another train leaves for San Diego at 9:40 a.m.

Buses from San Diego to Palm Springs

Greyhound offers bus connections between San Diego and Palm Springs but this is not a direct service either. Buses go either through San Bernardino or Riverside.

The travel time is 4h 25 min (via San Bernardino) and 4 h 50 min (via Riverside) and the web only single adult ticket is $31.50 regardless of which route you choose. Buses depart San Diego at 10:45 a.m. and 4:10 p.m. Buses depart Palm Springs at 11:05 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.

Driving from San Diego to Palm Springs

When you rent a car and plan to drive from San Diego to Palm Springs , there are three possible routes to choose from. The on highlighted in the map below is via I-15 N and CA-74 E. The 133 miles can be covered in about 2h 40 min.

View Larger Map

Note: *at the time the article was written

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Getting from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara (and return)

Cristina — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:23:35 +0000

“Riviera of the West” or Santa Barbara is perfect for a day trip from Los Angeles . Located about 100 miles from the City of Angels, Santa Barbara is well known for its beaches, wineries and the many shopping options. You might know it to be the playground of the rich and famous, but don’t worry, a day or two here won’t break your budget.

Quick summary

If you choose the afternoon train between Los Angles and Santa Barbara, then that’s the cheapest option: $16* one way. Otherwise, buses remain the most affordable way to travel between the two cities ($19.35 one way).

Flights from Los Angeles (airport code: LAX) to Santa Barbara

Although LAX is the closest large airport to Santa Barbara, the city is served by its own airport Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), which handles about 30 daily flights to/from US cities, including Los Angeles. The airport is located about 7 miles from downtown.

Flights to/from Los Angeles are operated by American Eagle and United Express. The flight time is 40 minutes. In late December 2011 or late March 2012, expect to pay from $91 one way on American Eagle or United Express.

>>read more about Flights to Los Angeles

Trains from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara

Amtrack provides eight daily connections between Los Angeles Union Station and Santa Barbara. The first train leaves Los Angles at 7:35 a.m. and the last at 9:10 p.m. The first train leaves Santa Barbara at 6:46 a.m. and the last at 6:59 p.m.

The travel time is 2h 25 min. The cheapest fares are in the afternoon: just $16 for a single adult ticket. On the morning train, the fares start at $36 one way.

Buses from Los Angles to Santa Barbara

Greyhound offers four daily buses between Los Angles and Santa Barbara. The buses leave Los Angeles at : 6:10 a.m., 1:25 p.m., 6:10 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. Buses leave Santa Barbara at 6 a.m., 9:30 a.m. 2:45 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. The journey time is between 2h 10 min and 2h 40 min. The web only single adult fare is $19.35.

Driving from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara

You can rent a car and drive the 95 miles via US-101 N between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Part of the road is along the coast, so you’ll be rewarded with superb views. The travel time is 1h 45 min.

View Larger Map

Note:*at the time the article was written

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5 Most Popular Los Angeles Attractions [Sponsored Post]

Olivia — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 16:00:47 +0000

This post is brought to you by Flight Centre. For more information on sponsored posts read here.

You can call it the City of Angels, Southland and even lala-land. But no matter what you nickname Los Angeles, it really is one of the biggest and most fascinating cities in the United States, and one that is worth visiting. With year-round sunshine and sandy beaches, Los Angeles holidays provide many tourist attractions that can keep anyone entertained for days.

Universal Studios

Not only does Universal Studios make movies, it also has guided tours where visitors take a look at how movies are created, and entertaining rides with movie themes.

During the guided tours, you will learn the ins and outs of special effects, be a part of the movie-making experience, and perhaps even meet a few stars. Afterwards, enjoy many of the studio’s eateries and gift shops and hop onto a few rides for an adventurous time.

Hollywood

Whether you go by foot or take a narrated tour bus, Hollywood is one of Los Angeles’s most famous attractions. After all, people from all over the world go there to become stars.

In Hollywood, you will find many famous landmarks such as the notable Hollywood sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood & Highland Center, The Hollywood History Museum, The Kodak Theatre, the Madame Tussaud’s and the star-studded Walk of Fame.

Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive

As one of the most affluent areas in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills is certainly worth a visit. If you take a drive around the neighborhood, you can get a taste of the lifestyle of the rich and famous by peeking at their mansions and beautifully groomed yards.

Beverly Hills also has Rodeo Drive, which is a world-renowned shopping street known for its high-end designer shops such as Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. For anyone who loves high fashion and luxury goods, Rodeo Drive is the perfect place to browse around.

Santa Monica

If you want to spend a day on the beach, do some shopping, and then enjoy the nightlife, then head to Santa Monica. This area has a beach you can surf, run and tan at, a pier that offers a ferries wheel, fishing and classic arcade games, and a shopping street that turns into lively nightlife when it gets dark. You will find many people cruising on third street promenade at night, hanging out or enjoying street entertainment.

Venice Beach

Want to visit a quirky, beach-y place that represents L.A’s relaxed and artsy lifestyle? You should spend a day on Venice Beach. This vibrant place has a stretch of sand perfect for sunbathing, surfing, rollerblading and strolling, and is a great place to spend a lazy, relaxing day at. It is also home to many of Hollywood’s favorite stars like Julia Roberts, Kate Beckinsale and Nicolas Cage.

What’s your favorite thing to do in LA?

Photo by: donielle

Seeking Out Celebrity in Italy

Jessica — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:34:37 +0000

When we are surrounded by something all the time, it loses its allure – even if it’s something that’s supposed to be enticing. The rest of the world might shriek when they see celebrities walking down the street, but in LA? That would be a lot of shrieking. Angelenos are famously unflappable when it comes to celebrity, and with good reason. But what about when LA residents go on vacation?

Popular wisdom holds that we become different people when we travel – we lose inhibitions, we try things we would ordinarily shun, and we indulge in things we might call guilty pleasures back home. In other words, when LA residents go on holiday to Italy, there’s no reason not to get a bit giddy should you come upon any of the places where movies were shot.

Who among us, no matter how jaded, can avoid the comparison with “La Dolce Vita” upon seeing the Trevi Fountain? Or think of “Roman Holiday” when sticking our own hand into the Mouth of Truth? It should be no different, then, seeing any of the movie hotels in Italy, getting a peek at rooms or grand hotel lobbies where famous scenes were filmed.

Some of the more famous movie hotels may be out of reach of the average traveler, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look at them from the outside and recall what parts of the movie were filmed there. For instance, there really is a gorgeous room in Venice’s Hotel Danieli where Angelina Jolie left Johnny Depp sleeping on the sofa in “The Tourist.” The stunning Positano hotel in the film “Only You” starring Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. is Le Sirenuse, and it remains a boutique budget-buster to this day.

One movie hotel you might actually be able to afford is the Hotel degli Orafi in Florence, made famous by the 1985 movie “A Room With a View.” As you might imagine, some of the rooms in the hotel overlook the Arno River – but (and this won’t surprise you if you’ve seen the movie) some of the rooms don’t have river views. In other words, if re-living the movie is your top priority, book room 414 or another of the rooms on the river-side of the building.

Above all, it’s okay to fawn over the places in Italy that have served as the backdrop for films over the years. The truth is there are plenty of reasons to fawn over them anyway.

Tempted? Book cheap tickets to Florence and find out what your itinerary could look like if you were spending 4 days in Florence.

photo of Hotel Danieli lobby by quatre mains