Los Angeles: A Traveller's Guide to the City's Best Sights, Bites, and Views
Los Angeles is one of the cities that needs some planning in order to be fully enjoyed. It stretches out into numerous neighborhoods connected by freeways, and it may seem confusing and sprawling at first glance. But after you get to know it better, there are plenty of landmarks, good eats and places for pictures waiting to be discovered.
Start With the Views
Griffith Observatory is an essential place on any LA trip. It is free to visit, located on a hill in Griffith Park, and it provides one of the best sunsets of the Hollywood Sign in LA. You can come to watch the sunset at dusk, and then stay for a night to see the view through the public telescopes. If you need some unique views, try Getty Center – a museum at the top of the hill accessible via a tram and offering amazing views just because of its location and architecture.
A City Built Around Sport and Spectacle
The essence of LA can never be separated from the city’s sports and entertainment scene, and there is always a specific atmosphere surrounding the games in this region – especially in places such as BMO Stadium and Dignity Health Sports Park where fan zones get packed before the match, with tailgating, scarves sellers, and lots of pregame discussions going on. This fall, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are playing an away match, so these places will be full of people from Canada catching up on game updates through apps like Parimatch Canada.
Where to Eat and Wander
One of the best spots for a delicious lunch is Grand Central Market located right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a historic food hall with many stalls providing everything from tacos to ramen and even oysters. Within a couple of blocks from the latter there is also the Broad museum and other galleries, where you can spend a nice afternoon without having to use a car. If you prefer a chill experience, Venice Beach Boardwalk won't disappoint you either.
A Few Essential Stops
If it's your first time in the city, a handful of sights are worth building your itinerary around:
Hollywood Walk of Fame – touristy, but still an essential stroll for first-timers
The Getty Center – architecture, gardens, and one of the best free museum experiences in the city
Griffith Observatory – the classic Hollywood Sign photo spot
Grand Central Market – a downtown food hall with something for everyone
Venice Beach Boardwalk – murals, performers, and beachfront energy
Getting Around the City
Public transportation isn't particularly convenient in Los Angeles, but one may cope with this issue with proper planning. The Metro E Line unites a number of important places, and ride-share services are the easiest way to get to more distant destinations such as Santa Monica or East Los Angeles via Downtown LA. One should expect traffic jams in the city at pretty much any time of day; hence, building in additional time between stops would be a wise decision.
Making the Most of Your Trip
Los Angeles is a city where you need to go slowly and concentrate on visiting a couple of neighborhoods to truly appreciate the city, rather than trying to do everything at once. Whether it’s watching the sunset at the Griffith Observatory, taking a walk along Venice Beach, or having lunch at Grand Central Market, Los Angeles has plenty to offer.
