If you’re going on a trip of a lifetime to LA next year, then it’s time you get prepared. Sure, it may be months away, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting yourself ready for a trip with more than enough advanced notice, right?
Research is key when you are travelling anywhere and in a place like LA, you want to be ready for anything and everything so that the trip is perfection personified! From understanding the best local eateries to learning where the best luggage storage Los Angeles has to offer is located, you need to make seeing LA as easy as possible. There is so much more to this sunny city, so if you’re heading to the west coast and you want to see LA in its glory, here are some of the things you need to know before you go.
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- You’ll need to hire a car. LA has a great public transport system, but a car is an absolute must if you want to make it easy on yourself. Plenty of locals will rely on cars to get around the city and some of the best scenery is only accessible by car, too. You want to go to Mulholland Drive, right? Well, drive it! You need to head to that west coast and you need to go on wheels so that you can keep your freedom as you go. You won't have to be beholden to the public transport timetables when you have a car, either. Plus, who doesn't love a good road trip?!
- The subway is worth riding! Even if you hire a car to get you wherever you want and whenever you want, LA has a subway that cannot be understated. In fact, the system that transports thousands of people every single day has its own famous attractions en route. The subway system can take you to Universal Studios, Little Tokyo, Chinatown and Downtown LA, which allows you to see everything without having to go too far out if you don't want to.
- Pick up a travel pass. Before you go to LA, make your itinerary and ensure that you include an LA travel pass. There are so many attractions in LA, from the Hollywood sign to Six Flags and Madame Tussauds. If you want to see it all, you’ll need the pass to get you in and out of the best places. They’re your ticket in and out of some of the best attractions in the city and you’ll need these to avoid the ticket office crowds. Buying in advance is just smart!
- It’s more than just a city. Did you know that LA is also a county? The City itself is part of the wider county and it’s so expansive that it’s split right from the Valley on the North and the Basin on the South. The most famous neighborhoods should be on your LA bucket list, too. Don't forget to visit Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and West Hollywood, too.
- There really is no center. Most cities have a definable centre where people go to get their photo ops but LA isn’t the same. Many cities have attractions, restaurants and bars that are relatively close together so it’s all walkable. London, for example, has Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus right next to one another. LA is a little different. The top attractions are spread out so you won’t be able to flit from place to place on foot. You can taxi, Uber, bus, Subway or drive, though!
- There’s so much more than just the Hollywood sign. It’s nice to get that photo op, right? Well, you need to head to both North and West Hollywood, too to get the best possible photos. There is no shortage of entertainment here and you’ll find so many amazing places to visit. Remember that West Hollywood is not part of the city of LA! It’s where you’ll find the celebrity mansions and Sunset Strip, however, and it’s the nightlife capital of the whole area.
- Leave your luggage safely. It’s important to research where you can drop your luggage before you go sightseeing. You might not be able to check into the hotel straight away, so you need to research where you can drop your luggage off and go and see the city without it lagging behind you. There are luggage storage options we mentioned earlier and they're perfect if you’re not planning to hire a car or you want to be able to see some things before hotel check in!
