Los Angeles, California
Seventy-two suburbs in search of a city
Los Angeles is not a city with a centre but a region with a climate. Learn to think in neighbourhoods and freeway exits, accept the car, and it becomes one of the great places to live in the world.
It was a Spanish pueblo of forty-four settlers in 1781, a Mexican ranch town, and a small American city until three things arrived in a row: the railroad in 1876, the aqueduct that stole the Owens Valley's water in 1913, and the film industry, which came for the light and the cheap land in the 1910s. Oil, aerospace and the port did the rest. The city grew outward rather than up, along streetcar lines and then freeways, into a basin that runs sixty miles from the mountains to the sea, and the result is a metropolis of thirteen million with no single downtown that everyone uses.
The map is the thing to learn. Downtown, long neglected, has revived — Grand Central Market, the Broad, the Arts District's lofts. Hollywood is a neighbourhood, not the industry, which mostly works in Burbank and Culver City. The Westside — Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Westwood — is the beach and the money. The Eastside — Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, Highland Park — is where the creative class moved when the Westside got expensive. The Valley is north over the hills and is a city in itself. Koreatown, Boyle Heights, Leimert Park, Little Tokyo: the city's real cultures live in its neighbourhoods.
Yes, you need a car, and the traffic is what everyone says. But the Metro has grown — rail now reaches Santa Monica, Long Beach, Pasadena and the airport is being connected — and the neighbourhoods themselves are walkable once you arrive. Angelenos plan their lives around distance and time of day; a meeting across town at five is not a meeting. The reward is the climate: dry, mild, sunny most of the year, with the ocean on one side and mountains you can hike before work on the other.
Food may be the best in the country, and the cheapest of it the best of all: tacos from trucks, Korean barbecue, Thai Town, Little Ethiopia, the strip-mall sushi that critics fly in for. Housing is the great problem — prices and homelessness are both severe — and the wildfires and earthquakes are real. People come for the industry or the weather and stay because the place, for all its sprawl, has more life in it than its critics allow.
Where People Live
Downtown (DTLA)
Revived: the Broad and Disney Hall on Grand Avenue, Grand Central Market, Little Tokyo, the Arts District's restaurants and breweries, and the historic core's theatres. Still rough at the edges.
Hollywood & Los Feliz
The Walk of Fame and the Bowl, then the hills — Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood sign trail — and Los Feliz's village of cafés and old-Hollywood houses below.
Silver Lake & Echo Park
The reservoir, the lake, the hillside stairways and the Eastside's bars, coffee and record shops. The creative neighbourhood of the last twenty years.
Santa Monica & Venice
The pier and the promenade; Venice's canals, boardwalk and Abbot Kinney's shops; and the beach path running between them. The coast Angelenos actually use.
Beverly Hills & West Hollywood
Rodeo Drive, the studios' executives, the Sunset Strip's clubs, and WeHo's gay village and design district. Glossy, walkable in parts.
Koreatown
The densest neighbourhood in the city: 24-hour Korean restaurants, spas and karaoke, and a real urban street life. The best late-night eating in LA.
Pasadena
A separate old city to the north-east — Craftsman houses, the Huntington's gardens, Old Town, and the Rose Bowl. Calm, green and its own place.
Must-see attractions
Universal City Overlook
7701 Mulholland Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Venice Beach
Venice, California
Wilshire Country Club
301 N. Rossmore AveNUE, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Where to stay
Hilton Checkers Los Angeles
535 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Eat & drink
Warwick LA
Restaurant — 6507 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California
Jumbo's Clown Room
Restaurant — 5153 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90027
Keys Los Angeles
Bar — 9039 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
House of Cocotte
Bar
The Viper Room
Bar — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KQs6PfC5X0
Restaurants & places to go
Catch LA
Catch steakhouses, Catch restaurants, Catch steak restaurants · . CATCH + CATCH STEAK NEW YORK | LOS ANGELES | LAS VEGAS | PLAYA Catch NYC + LA | Delivery +… · catchrestaurants.com
O'Gara Coach Beverly Hills
exotic cars · . Join the Award Winning #OGaraCoach Club | #MastersOfLuxury 🆠· 8833 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, USA · ogaracoach.com
Felix Trattoria
Crostone di Fichi, restaurants, Felix Al Fresco · . Reservations now available on our website. · 1023 Abbott Kinnney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 · felixla.com
BOA Steakhouse, West Hollywood
steakhouses, steak restaurants, hamburgers, seafood restaurants · . Dry aged, medium rare and sexy on the Sunset Strip. #BOASteakhouse | @idgrestaurants Now… · boasteak.com
Spearmint Rhino Los Angeles
strip clubs, stripclubs, gentlemens clubs, strippers, exotic dancers · . Los Angeles #1 "Sports Bar" & Grill Home of $3 Steak Tuesdays & CALIENTE CAGE RAGE… · spearmintrhino.com
the 101 Coffee Shop
coffee shops, comedy museums · <p class="ProfileHeaderCard-bio u-dir" dir="ltr">Retro diner fare with a SoCal twist from the guys behind <a href="/littledoms"… · 101coffeeshop.com
The Hummingbird Nest
weddings, private events · . Private event venue in the Santa Susana Mountains. Our property offers multiple breathtaking locations for all types of events!… · hummingbirdnestranch.com
Pacifique Restaurant
seafood restaurants · pacifiquela.com
Crazy Girls Los Angeles
stripclubs, strip clubs, gentlemens clubs · https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqkEC3VOZR4 · crazygirlshw.com
Canter's on Fairfax
Jewish delicatessens, Jewish delis, bakery, Kibitz rooms · 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California · cantersdeli.com
Craig's
fine dining restaurants, pork chops · 8826 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069 · craigs.la
Dan Tana's
Italian restaurants, Italian cuisines · 9071 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 · dantanasrestaurant.com
The Donut Man
peach donuts, peach doughnuts, strawberry donuts, strawberry doughnuts · thedonutmanca.com
Fixins Los Angeles
African restaurants, African American restaurants, soul food restaurants, soul restaurants · 800 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite A150, Los Angeles, CA 90015 · fixinssoulkitchen.com
Joe's Pizza
pizza restaurants, pizzas · 8539 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 · joespizza.it
Mastro's Ocean Club, Downtown LA
Italian restaurants · 1200 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 · mastrosrestaurants.com
Sespe Creek
cannabis retailers, cannabis dispensary, cannabis delivery services · 408 Bryant Circle, Unit C, Ojai, CA 93023 · sespe.org
Takami Sushi + Robata
Elevate Lounge LA, Elevate LA, luxury sushi restaurants, luxury sushi bars, luxury restaurants · 811 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, CA 90017 · takamisushi.com
Academy LA (Create Nightclub)
los angeles Create Nightclub, nightclubs · academy.la
Avalon Hollywood & Bardot
cocktail lounges, cocktails, nightclubs, party rooms · avalonhollywood.com
Aztec Hotel, Route 66
unique hotels, heritage hotels · nps.gov
Beverly Hills Rent-A-Car
exotic cars · bhrentacar.com
Bootsy Bellows
cocktail lounges, cocktails, nightclubs, party rooms · hwoodgroup.com
Catch Steak LA
Catch steakhouses, Catch restaurants, Catch steak restaurants · catchrestaurants.com
Cecconi’s West Hollywood
8764 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 90069 · cecconiswesthollywood.com
Club Ed Movie Set
42848 150th St E, Lancaster, CA 93535, USA · avlocations.com
Dames n' Games LA
los angeles topless sportsbars, stripclubs · damesngames.net
Dames n' Games Van Nuys
los angeles topless sportsbars, stripclubs · damesngames.net
DASH West Hollywood
shopping boutiques · 8420 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069 · shopdashonline.com
Doheny Room
cocktail lounges, cocktails, nightclubs, party rooms · sbe.com
El Cid, Los Angeles
restaurants, comedy clubs, Flamenco Clubs, event venues, Alexis Fawx · elcidsunset.com
Elevate Lounge
cocktail lounges, cocktails, nightclubs, party rooms · elevatelounge.com
Exchange LA
cocktail lounges, cocktails, nightclubs, party rooms · exchangela.com
The Fonda Theatre
theatres, theaters · fondatheatre.com
Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi
Italian restaurants · giorgio-baldi.com
Gracias Madre
vegan · graciasmadreweho.com
Hyde Sunset Kitchen + Cocktails
cocktail lounges, cocktails, nightclubs, party rooms · sbe.com
Largo at the Coronet
comedy clubs · largo-la.com
Locanda Veneta
Italian restaurants · locandaveneta.net
Nightingale Plaza, LA
Nightingale Plaza LA, cocktail lounges, cocktails, nightclubs, party rooms · sbe.com
Peppone
Italian restaurants · peppone.com
Red Tie Gentlemen's Club
15832 Stagg St, Van Nuys, CA, 91406 · redtiegentlemensclub.com
Salt & Straw
ice cream parlors, ice cream shops, ice cream parlours · 8949 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 · saltandstraw.com
Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Van Nuys
trampolines, trampoline parks · skyzone.com
Spearmint Rhino Van Nuys
strip clubs, stripclubs, gentlemens clubs, strippers, exotic dancers · spearmintrhino.com
The Body Shop
stripclubs, strip clubs, strippers, exotic dancers · thesunsetstrip.com
The Broad
art gallery, art galleries, art museums, Eli Broad, Edythe Broad · thebroad.org
Alma
fine dining restaurants
Bestia
fine dining restaurants
Lucques
fine dining restaurants
M Bar Los Angeles
bars, restaurants · 1846 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Mayan Bar & Grill, Aztec Hotel
bars, restaurants, pubs, Aztec Hotel Route 66 · 315 W Foothill Blvd, Monrovia, CA 91016
Republique
fine dining restaurants
Rustic Canyon
fine dining restaurants
Sweatheory
yoga studios
Airports
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 9.6 mi to the centre
Los Angeles, CA, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 62 airlines (United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, US Airways…) · direct flights to 149 destinations incl. London, Atlanta, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Tokyo… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 62 airlines, 149 direct destinations
- United Airlines UA (CRJ-700, 737-800, A320, A319, 737-900, 757-200…) · 72 routes: Albuquerque*, Aspen*, Auckland*, Austin*, Bakersfield*, Baltimore, Beijing*, Boise*, Boston, Cancun, Carlsbad*, Chicago, Cleveland, Colorado Springs*, Dallas-Fort Worth*, Del Bajio, Denver, Durango*, Frankfurt*, Fresno*, Guadalajara, Hilo, Honolulu, Houston, IGM*, Kahului, Kelowna*, Kona, Las Vegas, Lihue, London, Mexico City, Minneapolis*, Monterey*, Montreal*, Munich*, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Oklahoma City* … +32 more
- American Airlines AA (737-800, CRJ, 737, 757, CRJ-700, 777…) · 69 routes: Albuquerque*, Anchorage*, Austin, Bentonville*, Boston, Brisbane*, Calgary, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver*, Duesseldorf*, Edmonton, El Paso*, Eugene*, Fresno*, Guadalajara*, Hong Kong*, Honolulu, Houston*, Indianapolis, Kahului, Kona, Las Vegas, Lihue, Lima*, London, Madrid*, Mammoth Lakes*, Medford*, Melbourne*, Mexico City*, Miami, Monterey*, Nandi*, Nashville, New York, Oklahoma City*, Orlando … +29 more
- Delta Air Lines DL (757, 737-800, A320, 737-800, CRJ-900, CRJ-700…) · 59 routes: Amsterdam*, Atlanta, Belize City, Boston, Brisbane*, Calgary*, Cancun, Cincinnati, Columbus, Del Bajio*, Detroit, Edmonton*, Guadalajara, Guangzhou*, Guatemala City, Hermosillo, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Kahului, Kansas City*, Kona, Las Vegas, Liberia, Lihue, London*, Melbourne*, Memphis, Mexico City, Miami, Minneapolis, Moscow, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Oakland*, Orlando, Papeete*, Paris*, Phoenix*, Portland* … +19 more
- US Airways US (737-800, CRJ, 757, CRJ-700, A320, A321…) · 56 routes: Albuquerque*, Auckland*, Austin, Avarua*, Beijing*, Bentonville*, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas-Fort Worth*, Denver, El Paso*, Eugene*, Fresno*, Guatemala City, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Istanbul*, Kahului, Kona, Las Vegas, Lihue, London, Miami, Monterey*, Nashville, New York, Oklahoma City*, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-durham, Redmond-Bend*, Reno*, Sacramento*, Salt Lake City, San Diego* … +16 more
- Alaska Airlines AS (737-800, CRJ, 757, 737-800, 737-900, CRJ-700…) · 50 routes: Albuquerque*, Anchorage, Atlanta*, Austin*, Boston*, Chicago*, Columbus*, Dallas-Fort Worth*, Denver*, El Paso*, Fresno*, Guadalajara, Honolulu*, Houston*, Indianapolis*, Kahului*, Kona*, Lihue*, Loreto*, Mammoth Lakes*, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Medford*, Mexico City, Miami*, Monterey*, Nashville*, New Orleans*, New York*, Oklahoma City*, Orlando*, Phoenix*, Pittsburgh*, Portland, Puerto Vallarta, Raleigh-durham*, Reno*, Sacramento*, San Diego*, San Francisco* … +10 more
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 737-300, 73C, 737-800, 737-800) · 23 routes: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Oakland, Phoenix, Reno, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose, St. Louis, Tucson
- Virgin America VX (A320, A319) · 14 routes: Boston, Cancun, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, New York, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Washington
- Air New Zealand NZ (A319, A320, 777-300, A330-200, A340-300, 737-800…) · 10 routes: Auckland, Avarua, Del Bajio*, Guadalajara*, London, Mexico City*, Nandi*, New Orleans*, Papeete*, Sydney*
- AeroMéxico AM (737-900, 737-800, 737-800, A320, 734, 737…) · 9 routes: Cancun, Guadalajara, Hermosillo*, Manzanillo*, Mazatlan*, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta*, San Jose Del Cabo*, Zihuatanejo*
- AirTran Airways FL (737-700, 737-800, 737-700, 737-800) · 9 routes: Atlanta, Chicago*, Denver*, Houston*, Las Vegas*, Milwaukee*, Oakland, Portland*, Reno*
- Spirit Airlines NK (A319, A320) · 7 routes: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Minneapolis
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (757, A319, 747, 757-300, 74M) · 6 routes: Amsterdam, Atlanta*, Kahului*, Kona*, Minneapolis*, New Orleans*
- Qantas QF (747-400, A380, A330-200, A340-300) · 6 routes: Brisbane, Melbourne, Nandi*, New York, Papeete, Sydney
- Volaris Y4 (A320, A319) · 6 routes: Aguascalientes, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Morelia, Uruapan, Zacatecas
- Air Canada AC (A319, A320, A321, CRJ-700) · 5 routes: Calgary, Kelowna*, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver
- Air France AF (757, 777-200, A380, 767-300, 76W) · 5 routes: Atlanta*, Kahului*, Minneapolis*, Papeete, Paris
- Allegiant Air G4 (MD-80, A319, 757) · 5 routes: Bellingham, Eugene, Honolulu, Medford, Provo
- Virgin Australia VA (777-300ER, A319, 757, 767-300, 737-800, 76W) · 5 routes: Atlanta*, Brisbane, Melbourne, New Orleans*, Sydney
- China Airlines CI (757, A319, 747-400, 737-800, 76W) · 4 routes: Atlanta*, Guatemala City*, New Orleans*, Taipei
- Great Lakes Airlines ZK (BE1) · 4 routes: IGM, Merced, Prescott, Visalia
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320, A380) · 4 routes: Boston, Dubai, Fort Lauderdale, New York
- WestJet WS (737-700, 737-800, 737-800) · 4 routes: Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto*, Vancouver
- Korean Air KE (777-300ER, A380, 767-300) · 3 routes: Lima*, Sao Paulo, Seoul
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (A340-600, 777, 74H) · 3 routes: Frankfurt, London*, Munich
- Air China CA (777-300, 787-8) · 2 routes: Beijing, Shanghai*
- Air Tahiti Nui TN (A340-300) · 2 routes: Papeete, Paris
- Alitalia AZ (777-200, A380) · 2 routes: Paris*, Rome
- All Nippon Airways NH (777, 777-300ER) · 2 routes: Tokyo, Tokyo
- Asiana Airlines OZ (A319, A320, 737-800, 747-400, 777-200LR) · 2 routes: New Orleans*, Seoul
- Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia AV (A320, A319, A321) · 2 routes: Guatemala City, San Salvador
- British Airways BA (A340-300, A340-600, A380, 747-400) · 2 routes: London, Madrid*
- Finnair AY (A340-300, A340-600, A380, 747-400) · 2 routes: London, Madrid
- Frontier Airlines F9 (A319, A320, BE1) · 2 routes: Denver, IGM*
- Hawaiian Airlines HA (A330-200, 767-300) · 2 routes: Honolulu, Kahului
- Iberia Airlines IB (342, A340-600, A380, 747-400, 777-300ER) · 2 routes: London*, Madrid
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (767-300, 777-300) · 2 routes: Lima*, Tokyo
- Norwegian Air Shuttle DY (787-8) · 2 routes: Copenhagen*, Stockholm*
- Singapore Airlines Cargo SQ (A320, A380) · 2 routes: Chicago*, Tokyo
- Transaero Airlines UN (A340-600, 777) · 2 routes: London*, Moscow
- Virgin Atlantic Airways VS (A340-300, A340-600, 747-400, 757, 767-300) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, London
- Aeroflot Russian Airlines SU (A330-200) · 1 route: Moscow
- Air Berlin AB (A330-200) · 1 route: Duesseldorf
- Air India Limited AI (A380) · 1 route: Tokyo*
- Air Pacific FJ (A330-200) · 1 route: Nandi
- Boutique Air (Priv) 4B (PL2) · 1 route: Las Vegas
- Cathay Pacific CX (777-300ER) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- China Eastern Airlines MU (A340-600) · 1 route: Shanghai
- China Southern Airlines CZ (380) · 1 route: Guangzhou
- Copa Airlines CM (737-800) · 1 route: Panama City
- El Al Israel Airlines LY (777-200) · 1 route: Tel-aviv
- Emirates EK (A380) · 1 route: Dubai
- EVA Air BR (777-300ER) · 1 route: Taipei
- Hainan Airlines HU (777) · 1 route: Shanghai*
- LAN Airlines LA (767-300) · 1 route: Lima
- Malaysia Airlines MH (777-300) · 1 route: Tokyo
- Philippine Airlines PR (A340-300, 747-400) · 1 route: Manila
- Saudi Arabian Airlines SV (777) · 1 route: Jeddah
- Sun Country Airlines SY (737-800, 737-700) · 1 route: Minneapolis
- Swiss International Air Lines LX (A340-300) · 1 route: Zurich
- TAM Brazilian Airlines JJ (767-300) · 1 route: Lima*
- Thai Airways International TG (777) · 1 route: Seoul
- Turkish Airlines TK (777-300ER) · 1 route: Istanbul
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) 13 mi to the centre
2627 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 9 airlines (Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines…) · direct flights to 12 destinations incl. Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, Portland, Seattle… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves Riverside (58 mi) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 9 airlines, 12 direct destinations
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 737-800) · 6 routes: Denver, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Jose
- American Airlines AA (737, CRJ-900, CRJ, CRJ-700) · 3 routes: Phoenix*, Portland*, Seattle*
- Alaska Airlines AS (CRJ-700, 737-800, 737-700) · 2 routes: Portland*, Seattle
- United Airlines UA (CRJ, CRJ-700) · 2 routes: Denver*, San Francisco*
- AirTran Airways FL (737-700) · 1 route: Las Vegas*
- Delta Air Lines DL (CRJ) · 1 route: Salt Lake City*
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320) · 1 route: New York
- SeaPort Airlines K5 (CNC) · 1 route: Imperial
- US Airways US (CRJ-900, CRJ) · 1 route: Phoenix*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Long Beach Airport (LGB) 16 mi to the centre
4100 Donald Douglas Dr, Long Beach, CA 90808 — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 5 airlines (JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 12 destinations incl. Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Austin… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves Riverside (44 mi) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 5 airlines, 12 direct destinations
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320) · 11 routes: Austin, Boston, Las Vegas, New York, Oakland, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington
- American Airlines AA (CRJ-700, A319) · 3 routes: Phoenix, Portland*, Seattle*
- Alaska Airlines AS (CRJ-700) · 2 routes: Portland*, Seattle*
- Delta Air Lines DL (CRJ-900, CRJ-700) · 1 route: Salt Lake City*
- US Airways US (A319) · 1 route: Phoenix
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR) 8 mi to the centre
Hawthorne, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) 10 mi to the centre
Santa Monica, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) 17 mi to the centre
Van Nuys, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Regional airports
Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.
John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA) 34 mi to the centre
Santa Ana, CA, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 13 airlines (Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines…) · direct flights to 21 destinations incl. Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 34 mi from Los Angeles · Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, American Airlines · Getting around Orange County ("The OC"), California →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 13 airlines, 21 direct destinations
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 737-800) · 8 routes: Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose
- AirTran Airways FL (737-700, 737-700) · 7 routes: Denver*, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Oakland*, Phoenix*, San Francisco*, San Jose Del Cabo
- American Airlines AA (737, 737-800, A319, A320, A321) · 5 routes: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, Portland*, Seattle*
- United Airlines UA (737-700, A320, 737-800, A319, 757-200) · 5 routes: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Newark, San Francisco
- Delta Air Lines DL (A319, 757, 737-700) · 4 routes: Atlanta, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Vancouver*
- Alaska Airlines AS (737-700, 737-800, 737-800) · 3 routes: Dallas-Fort Worth*, Portland, Seattle
- US Airways US (737-800, A319, A320, A321) · 3 routes: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix
- Interjet (ABC Aerolineas) 4O (A320) · 2 routes: Guadalajara, Mexico City
- Air France AF (757) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Alitalia AZ (757) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Frontier Airlines F9 (A319) · 1 route: Denver
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (757) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- WestJet WS (737-700) · 1 route: Vancouver
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Ontario International Airport (ONT) 39 mi to the centre
Ontario, CA, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 9 airlines (Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, AirTran Airways…) · direct flights to 14 destinations incl. Denver, Guadalajara, Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 39 mi from Los Angeles · Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines · Getting around Ontario, California →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 9 airlines, 14 direct destinations
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 73C, 737-800, 737-300, 737-800) · 7 routes: Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Jose
- American Airlines AA (A319, A320, 737, MD-80, M83, CRJ-700) · 4 routes: Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, Portland*, Seattle*
- United Airlines UA (CRJ, CRJ-700) · 3 routes: Denver*, Houston*, San Francisco*
- AirTran Airways FL (73C, 737-800, 737-700) · 2 routes: Denver*, Las Vegas*
- Alaska Airlines AS (734, CRJ-700, 737-800) · 2 routes: Portland*, Seattle
- Delta Air Lines DL (A319, 737-800) · 2 routes: Guadalajara*, Salt Lake City
- US Airways US (A319, A320, MD-80, M83) · 2 routes: Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix
- AeroMéxico AM (737-800) · 1 route: Guadalajara
- Volaris Y4 (A319) · 1 route: Guadalajara
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Burton Chace Park
Ferry terminal · 10 mi from the centre · Hornblower Cruises and Events
Dolphin Marina
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre · Hornblower Cruises and Events
Fisherman's Village
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre · Hornblower Cruises and Events
Esprit
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre · Hornblower Cruises and Events
Del Rey Landing
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre · Hornblower Cruises and Events
Marina "Mother's" Beach
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre · Hornblower Cruises and Events
Local transit
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Aut
Bus, Metro · Los Angeles, California · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT, D
Bus, Rail · Los Angeles, California · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Big Blue Bus
Bus · Santa Monica, California · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Long Beach Transit (LBT)
Bus · Long Beach, California · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Torrance Transit
Bus · Torrance, California · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Trains & rail
Coaches & shuttles
FlixBus → Las Vegas, Nevada
Five to six hours across the desert, several departures a day. · Las Vegas, Nevada guide →
FlixBus ← San Francisco, California
Seven to eight hours down I-5; the overnight is popular. · San Francisco, California guide →
Greyhound
Intercity coach
Jefferson Lines
Intercity coach
MegaBus
Intercity coach
Trailways
Intercity coach
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Aero
Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135 (16 seats) · First-class-only scheduled flights from Van Nuys to Aspen, Sun Valley, Cabo and Europe in summer.
Clay Lacy Aviation
Charter, management, FBO · Managed fleet, light to ultra-long-range · Charter, management and FBOs at Van Nuys and Orange County; the original Hollywood jet operator.
Surf Air
Semi-private scheduled · Pilatus PC-12, King Air · Subscription and per-seat regional flights in California, Texas and Hawaii.
Airshare
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Phenom 300, Challenger 350 · Fractional and jet card programme centred on the US Midwest and East.
XO
Charter, shared flights · Light to large-cabin via partner fleet · Vista Global's on-demand charter and by-the-seat shared flights, app-based.
Living Here
Getting about
- You will want a car; distances are large and the neighbourhoods are islands. But Metro rail (the E line to Santa Monica, the A to Long Beach and Pasadena, the B under Hollywood) and the buses are real and improving, and a TAP card works on all of it.
- Rideshare is the default for nights out. Traffic peaks 7–10 and 3–7; plan around it. The 405 and the 10 are the freeways you will learn to dread.
- LAX is the international gateway, 30–90 minutes from most of the city depending on traffic; Burbank is the easy small airport for the Valley. Union Station downtown has Amtrak to San Diego, Santa Barbara and the Coast Starlight north.
- The beach bike path runs 22 miles from Pacific Palisades to Torrance and is the best free thing in the city.
Health
- Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health and Keck (USC) are among the country's best hospitals; LAC+USC is the great public hospital and trauma centre.
- Dial 911. Pharmacies and urgent-care clinics are everywhere. Air quality alerts and wildfire smoke are seasonal realities; the mountains and the sea keep most days clear.
- Insurance is essential. Sun protection is not optional — the UV index is high year-round.
Work & study
- UCLA and USC are the flagship universities; Caltech in Pasadena is one of the world's leading science schools; the Cal State campuses and the community colleges educate most of the region.
- Entertainment — film, television, music, games — is the identity and a huge employer, with the studios in Burbank, Culver City and Hollywood. Aerospace, the twin ports of LA and Long Beach (the busiest in the Americas), fashion, tech on the Westside's 'Silicon Beach' and a vast healthcare sector round it out.
- The industry runs on freelancers and contracts; the city's economy is enormous and its inequality visible.
Money & manners
- US dollars; cards everywhere, cash for the taco truck. Tip 20% in restaurants, a couple of dollars at valet — and valet parking is a genuine LA institution.
- Casual is the dress code, even at expensive restaurants. Reservations matter; so does not being late, which the traffic makes a constant struggle.
- The beach is free, the hiking is free and the sunset is reliable. Earthquakes are rare and mostly small; know where the doorframe is.