The Magazine
LA Travel Guides
Editorial, genuinely useful guides to help you experience the very best of Los Angeles.
Editorial, genuinely useful guides to help you experience the very best of Los Angeles.
BeachesFrom the family-friendly South Bay piers to Malibu's cliff-backed coves, here is how to pick the right stretch of LA sand for your day.
PhotographyWhere to be when the LA sky turns gold and pink, from the Griffith Observatory terraces to Malibu's sea-cave coves.
FreeLA can be expensive, but some of its greatest experiences, from the Getty to the beaches, cost nothing at all.
MuseumsLA's museums span Old Master paintings, dinosaurs, movie history, and contemporary art, and several of the best are free to enter.
HikingFrom the Hollywood Sign climb to chaparral canyons and ocean-view ridgelines, here are LA's hikes worth lacing up for.
FamilyTheme parks, hands-on museums, easy beaches, and free outdoor days the whole crew will actually enjoy.
RomanticSunset overlooks, candlelit dinners by the water, garden strolls, and the quiet corners that make LA surprisingly romantic.
NightlifeRooftop views, live music, late-night eats, and the after-dark experiences that show LA at its most electric.
PhotographyIconic skylines, architectural icons, sea caves, and color-soaked streets, plus when to shoot them for the best light.
Hidden GemsThe quieter corners, folk-art landmarks, and local-favorite spots that most visitors drive right past.
ItinerariesA single day, done right: a sunrise-to-sunset route that strings together LA's biggest icons without leaving you stuck in traffic.
ItinerariesThree days, three neighborhoods, and a route that finally lets you slow down: Hollywood and the hills, Downtown and the arts, then the beach towns.
PlanningYes, you can do LA car-free. Here's how to use the Metro rail, the beach, and a little planning to see the city without ever touching a steering wheel.
PlanningEverything a first-timer needs to know before landing in LA: how the city is laid out, when to go, how to get around, and how to avoid rookie mistakes.
Where to StayLA has no single tourist center, so where you sleep shapes your whole trip. Here's an honest breakdown of the best neighborhoods and who each one suits.
Day TripsThe original Disney park sits about 30 miles southeast of downtown LA, making it one of the easiest big-ticket day trips in Southern California.
Day TripsCalifornia's original theme park mixes serious roller coasters with an Old West theme and famous fried chicken, all about 25 miles from downtown LA.
Day TripsSelf-styled as the thrill capital of the world, this Valencia park packs in one of the largest roller coaster collections anywhere, about 35 miles north of LA.
Day TripsA short ferry ride off the coast delivers a car-light Mediterranean-style island of clear coves, hillside streets, and harbor-town charm.
Day TripsRed-tile roofs, a Spanish mission, palm-lined beaches, and walkable wine tasting make this coastal town one of LA's most rewarding day trips.
Day TripsA slow-living mountain valley of citrus groves, art galleries, and famous pink sunsets, just up the coast from Los Angeles.
Day TripsA historic mission town between LA and San Diego where Spanish-era ruins, swallows, and a charming old downtown make an easy half-day escape.
Day TripsA desert resort city of midcentury architecture, palm-lined pools, and dramatic mountain views, an easy two-hour drive east of Los Angeles.
Day TripsBeaches, a world-class zoo, a historic Spanish quarter, and easygoing coastal charm make San Diego a rewarding full-day escape south of LA.
Day TripsSurreal boulder piles, twisting Joshua trees, and vast desert silence make this national park a striking day trip east of Los Angeles.
Travel TipsLos Angeles is a year-round destination, but the right month depends on whether you want beaches, smaller crowds, or the best hotel deals.
FamilyFrom hands-on science museums to easy beaches, Los Angeles is one of the most kid-friendly big cities in the country if you plan around the driving.
Travel TipsRain is rare in Los Angeles, but when it comes the city's world-class museums, markets, and indoor landmarks turn a gray day into a great one.
ItinerariesFive days is enough to see the beaches, Hollywood, downtown, and a slice of culture without spending your whole trip stuck in traffic.
BudgetSome of the best things to do in Los Angeles, from beaches to world-class museums and epic hikes, are completely free if you know where to look.
Travel TipsThe planning, driving, and timing slip-ups that trip up first-timers in Los Angeles, and how to sidestep them.
ItinerariesA relaxed, romantic three-day plan pairing ocean sunsets, hilltop views, and intimate neighborhoods.
ItinerariesA balanced two- to three-day plan covering the beach, the hills, and Downtown without burning out.
Day TripsTheme parks, islands, deserts, and coastal towns all within easy reach for a day away from the city.
Travel TipsWhere to go, how to get around, and how to stay comfortable exploring LA on your own.
Getting AroundHow to ride Metro rail, buses, bikes, and rideshare around LA — and when each option makes the most sense for visitors.
PlanningA practical look at convenient, walkable, well-trafficked neighborhoods for visitors — and how to choose the right home base for your trip.
Travel TipsGot a layover or an early flight? Here's how to spend a few hours near the airport, from South Bay beaches to walkable downtowns.
BudgetLA is packed with always-free museums and rotating free-admission days — here's how to plan a culture-filled trip on a budget.
Travel TipsThe essential LA experiences — from the Hollywood Sign to the Pacific — gathered into one classic, do-it-all list.
FoodA neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at where Los Angeles eats best, from Koreatown to the San Gabriel Valley.
FoodA guide to the LA neighborhoods, street stands, and styles that make the city a taco capital.
FoodHow to eat your way through Koreatown and beyond, from barbecue to late-night stews.
FoodFrom historic Little Tokyo to the Sawtelle strip, a guide to where LA does Japanese food best.
FoodA guide to LA's Persian, Armenian, Lebanese, and broader Middle Eastern food neighborhoods.
FoodA neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at where to find plant-based food across LA, from Silver Lake cafes to Venice's beachside spots.
FoodWhere to find LA's best brunch scenes, from West Hollywood patios to Larchmont sidewalks and Santa Monica's ocean breeze.
FoodA guide to LA's best coffee neighborhoods, from Highland Park roasters to Silver Lake cafes and the Arts District.
FoodA guide to eating in Downtown LA, from the historic Grand Central Market to the Arts District, Little Tokyo, and Chinatown.
FoodA guide to eating in LA's Koreatown, from Korean BBQ and soondubu to late-night dining and the area's dense restaurant scene.
FoodA neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at where to eat in Santa Monica, from Main Street to the pier.
FoodFrom Abbot Kinney to the boardwalk, a grounded guide to where to eat in Venice Beach.
FoodSkip the terminal food court: where to eat in the neighborhoods surrounding LAX.
FoodFood halls, historic markets and weekend farmers markets worth building a day around in LA.
FoodWhere to plan a romantic dinner in LA, from West Hollywood and Beverly Hills to Malibu seafood.