A city trip to Los Angeles is one of the most exciting cities on the west coast of America that you can visit. The city is known for its glitz and glamour, but there is, of course, much more to experience.
Besides spotting famous people like movie stars in the wild, it is also a fantastic city to stay active. There are many beautiful hiking and biking routes. Strolling along the Walk of Fame remains endlessly popular.
Prefer a day at the beach?
Then head to Venice Beach. Shopping is also perfect here. Santa Monica Boulevard and Rodeo Drive are perfect for this.
Are you a true movie fan?
Then you cannot miss Universal Studios in Hollywood.
Best place to see the Hollywood Sign
You’ve probably seen it before. In the media, on TV, or in a magazine. The well-known ‘Hollywood letters’. You can see these from many points in the city towering above the city. And let’s be honest, we all want to score a nice selfie with ‘The Hollywood Sign’. Fortunately, it is possible to take this selfie in many different places in the city. There are various viewpoints where you can see the letters well.
One of the places where you can see the Hollywood Sign well is from Mount Lee Drive. However, you cannot park here, so it is convenient to walk there.
Another good viewpoint is from Dante’s view. This viewpoint is located in Griffith Park. You can park your car at the Griffith Observatory parking lot. Here you not only have a beautiful view of the Hollywood Sign but also over the entire city.
In addition, you also get your exercise for the day. With a walk of about an hour there and an hour back, you also stay active. You can do this walking tour with a guide, but it is not mandatory. You can also do the walk perfectly alone.
Fun fact: In 2023, the Hollywood sign is exactly 100 years old.
City trip Los Angeles: Affordable or too expensive?
From the Netherlands, there are several flights to Los Angeles every day. The cheapest providers from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport are Delta, KLM, and Lufthansa. All three airlines offer direct flights.
If you want to save some money, book a flight with a layover for your city trip to Los Angeles. This can often save you a few hundred euros.
A return flight to Los Angeles with a layover can currently be booked from €472,-.
A direct flight currently costs €692,-
Once you arrive in Los Angeles, you will see that the destination itself can be quite affordable. However, accommodation is somewhat on the expensive side.
If you want to stay a bit in the center, you will certainly pay between €120,- and €200,- per night. This applies to both hotels and AirBnBs. These are really the starting prices.
An average 3-star hotel is quickly €400,- per night. If you want to do it on a budget, go for a hostel. You will then spend between €50,- and €80,- per night.
Transportation is not expensive. Public transport is mainly the bus. For a small dollar, you can make a long journey.
In addition, various taxi services such as Uber and Lyft are reasonably cheap. For a half-hour ride, you currently pay under €10,-. Of course, you can also choose to take the bike.
Eating and drinking can be very affordable. There are many food trucks and local eateries where you can eat very cheaply. Los Angeles is certainly not a cheap destination, but by applying the right tips and tricks, it can still be very affordable.
Discover Los Angeles by bike
Los Angeles is a pleasant and safe city to cycle in. Although Los Angeles is a very large city, it has many small neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are perfect for a bike ride to discover the city. There are also special bike and skate paths on the beach. In Venice Beach and Santa Monica, you can endlessly cycle along the boulevard while enjoying a breathtaking view.
Los Angeles can be a very impressive city where a lot happens. If you are not yet familiar with it and want to explore the city first with a tour guide?
You can!
Then first book a guided bike tour via Baja Bikes. With the ‘LA in a Day’ tour, you will see a lot in a short time. The tour lasts about 5 to 6 hours, and you visit different neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
You cycle through Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bell-Air, and Santa Monica, among others. The bike tour in Los Angeles is offered by a local English-speaking guide, so be sure to keep this in mind.
Some of the sights you will see include West Hollywood, Route 66, 30+ celebrity homes, the Sunset Strip, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Skateboard Park.
The tour can be booked daily and starts at 10 am. A relaxed pace is maintained, and there are several stops. The tour is suitable for all ages.
Los Angeles attractions:
1. Rodeo Drive
2. The Hollywood Sign
3. Getty Center
4. Universal Studios Hollywood
5. Staples Center
6. Santa Monica Beach and Pier
7. Venice Beach
8. Griffith Observatory
9. Walk of Fame
10. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
11. Shopping center The Grove
Los Angeles tips and tricks
1. Plane ticket
Book your plane ticket well in advance, at least 3 months ahead. This ensures you book your ticket at the best price. If you have the option to fly from Dusseldorf, this is often cheaper. Direct flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport are usually at least €200,- higher than a flight with a layover.
2. Download the Uber and Lyft app
Los Angeles is a city where almost everything is done by car. If you do not plan to rent a car yourself, be sure to download the Uber and Lyft app. This way, you always have access to an affordable taxi that takes you from point A to point B.
3. Bring good walking shoes
Los Angeles is really known for its many beautiful hiking trails. These routes can be found online, and each route indicates what you will see and how long the route will take. There are many unique viewpoints you will reach. These viewpoints offer you a fantastic view over the city.
4. Book a bike tour
Baja Bikes organizes daily bike tours. This way, you see a lot of the city in a time span of 5-6 hours. A nice first introduction to this dynamic environment.
5. Shopping tips
Rodeo Drive and The Grove are great shopping destinations. Rodeo Drive mainly has expensive boutiques, but it is also fun to see. The Grove is a shopping mall where you can also find regular retail chains.
Read more: what else to do in Los Angeles