5 Tips for Planning Your Visit to LA

Planning a big vacation can be mind boggling. With all of the decisions that need to be made – where to stay, where to eat, what to do – the plans to make the most out of your trip can be daunting at best. So, if you are planning a trip to Los Angeles sometime soon, we thought we would share some of our vast Los Angeles knowledge with you to help make planning your trip a lot easier on you and your time.

Hotels

First things first – you need a place to stay while you are here. There are many hotels in the area that offer great accommodations for all sorts of budgets. You just need to decide which part of the city you want to stay in. If you want to be a part of the action, then Hollywood is a fun place to stay. From some great restaurants to nightclubs and tons of activities that you can do during the day, Hollywood has it all.

If you want to be close to the beach, then Santa Monica is the perfect location for you. There is a ton of stuff to do there during the day and some fantastic beach side locations that you can dine or get a few drinks at. Beverly Hills is a wonderful location because it is between the beach and Hollywood so you can get to both areas relatively quickly and being in Beverly Hills means that your accommodations will be luxe. Downtown LA is also a good option. A short drive to most areas, Downtown is a fun place to stay and with its rejuvenation in recent years, you will find awesome hotel accommodations. For recommendations on places to stay, check out our recent blog posts with hotels in every price range from budget to mid-price to luxury.

Restaurants

Once you have your accommodations squared away, you should make a list of some of the restaurants that you would like to try out. From fast food to high end meals, LA has a variety of restaurants to choose from. Of course, most people who come to LA want to find an In N Out Burger , which is a great lunch stop. Their famous burgers and milkshakes are high on the wish lists of people who take our tours. The good news about In N Out is it is fast and fresh and no reservations are required. Another famous fast food stand in LA is Pinks hot dogs. A local celebrity and fixture in LA, these hot dogs are not to be missed. Pinks usually has a line out the door and down the street, but the wait is well worth it. If you are looking for a bit more ambiance and real napkins, then you should check out Spago, Mozza and Nobu. If you are looking for some celebrity sightings then make a reservation at The Ivy and sit back and enjoy the show. If you want to try a little bit of everything that LA has to offer, then you should check out our food tour that goes to some of the best places in LA.

Museums & Beaches

Next, it is time to plan some fun excursions. LA has a ton of museums that you should check out if you have the time. If you have the kids with you (or even if you don’t, because it is pretty darn cool), check out the California Science Center. Kids (and parents) also love the La Brea Tar Pits and the Zimmer Children’s Museum. The Getty Center is not to be missed with its sweeping views of Los Angeles and the beaches and LA County Museum of Art is an incredible stop to make if you have the time.

Now, let’s talk about our beaches. From Santa Monica and Venice to Malibu, LA has some incredible beaches. Besides frolicking on the beach in Santa Monica, you should check out the pier or take one of the bikerides along the strand. While in Venice, you can surf or check out Muscle Beach and the boardwalk is a feast for the eyes and shows you the quirkier side of LA. If you want a relaxing day at the beach, then Malibu is a fantastic place to set your umbrella. Not only are the beaches beautiful, but Malibu just has a fantastic vibe that relaxes you and makes you feel welcome.

Shopping

Now, if you are in LA, then you need plan some time to shop. We have it all. From the shops along the famous Rodeo Drive to quirky stores along Melrose, LA offers shoppers a little bit of everything.  On one of our many tours, you will get the chance to visit some awesome shopping areas in and around Los Angeles.  And if you love TV and movies, well then look no further than Whimsic Alley and It’s A Wrap, which are two of the coolest shops for your favorite Hollywood memorabilia. The Grove is a fantastic place to shop as well. this huge outdoor mall has all of your favorite stores, but it is also an unexpected shopping experience within this little city nestled in Los Angeles.

If you love outdoor shopping, then you should also check out 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Within walking distance to the beach and Santa Monica Pier, Third Street offers a great variety of stores and wonderful restaurants. One of the perks of this fantastic outdoor arena is the variety of musicians and performers that you will find along its path. You can stop and watch a mime perform or listen to the songs from a one man band or enjoy the dancers along this cobble stone route.

Tour with us!

Finally, with all of your plans in place, don’t forget to check out the sites of Los Angeles with us. Since everyone at LA Insider Tours loves to travel, we know how difficult it can be navigating a new city. Additionally, we understand that our clients want to get the most out of their dollar while here and they don’t want to waste any time seeing places and things that hold no interest to them. That is why we made our tours a fully customizable experience. We will show you all of LA – from Hollywood to Downtown to the Beaches and beyond and the best part is LA Insider Tours truly treats everyone like a part of the family. You can check out all of our tour offerings at www.lainsidertours.com