As of 2026, the must-see places in Los Angeles include Hollywood Walk of Fame + TCL Chinese Theatre, Universal Studios Hollywood + Wizarding World, Hollywood Sign + Mt Lee Drive hike. See highlights, time needed and tips for each below.
Los Angeles blends historic landmarks, natural scenery, and local food experiences. We've organized 17 attractions across 4 categories. Each attraction card includes entry fees, opening hours, and local tips so you can plan straight from the page. Use the quick links below to jump to your favorite category.
TCL Chinese Theatre (1927) anchors the strip with 200+ celebrity handprint/footprint slabs in concrete. The Walk of Fame extends 2.4 km along Hollywood Boulevard + 0.6 km on Vine Street, with 2,700+ pink terrazzo stars (started 1958, ~24 new stars added per year). Each star pays $75,000+ to be sponsored.
Visit Info
PriceFree
HoursAlways open
Time1-2 hours
Local Tip
Combine with Hollywood & Highland mall (Dolby Theatre + Oscars venue) + photo with Hollywood Sign in distance. Avoid 22:00 onwards — homeless population significant. The TCL Theatre hosts movie screenings; tickets $25 for the iconic experience.
2
Universal Studios Hollywood + Wizarding World
Movie-themed park 30 min north of CBD. Studio Tour (45-min tram ride through working backlots of Jaws, Bates Motel, War of the Worlds, Fast & Furious) is the canonical experience. Wizarding World of Harry Potter (opened 2016) includes Hogwarts Castle, Forbidden Journey ride, interactive wands ($60). Super Mario World (opened 2023) is the newest addition.
Visit Info
Price$109 standard; $209 Front of Line Pass; $50 parking
Hours9:00-22:00 (varies seasonal)
TimeFull day
Local Tip
Buy Front of Line Pass online — saves 4-6 hours of queueing on busy days. Arrive 8:30 for 9:00 opening. Studio Tour is the most unique experience (not at any other Universal park). Wand interaction at Wizarding World needs $60 wand — magic only works with the wand.
3
Hollywood Sign + Mt Lee Drive hike
Hollywood Sign is 13.7m tall steel letters on Mt Lee (1,640 ft elevation), erected 1923 as 'HOLLYWOODLAND' for a real estate ad — shortened to 'HOLLYWOOD' in 1949. The closest legal viewpoint is at the back of the sign via Mt Lee Drive hike (6 km round trip, 2-3 hours).
Visit Info
PriceFree (parking $5-10)
HoursSunrise-sunset
Time2-3 hours hike
Local Tip
Park at Griffith Park lower lot ($5) and take Mt Lee Drive — paved road, moderate uphill. The Hollywood Sign overlook is at the trail end, you stand directly behind the letters. Sunset hike gives the best photos. Front-of-sign approach is illegal (private land). Bring water + sunscreen — exposed trail.
4
Disneyland Resort (Anaheim, 45 min south)
Walt Disney's original 1955 park + California Adventure (2001 addition) on a single 200-acre resort campus in Anaheim. Two separate parks each requiring a full day. Iconic experiences: Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, Rise of the Resistance, Cars Land at California Adventure, Sleeping Beauty Castle + Pirates of the Caribbean at original Disneyland.
Buy Genie+ ($30-35) for Lightning Lane priority — saves 3-4 hours of queueing on busy days. Visit weekday + non-holiday for shorter queues. Stay at Anaheim hotel rather than commuting from LA — 45-min drive + $50 Uber each way. Rise of the Resistance is the must-do attraction, queue 60-180 min.
Beaches & Coastal
4 spots
1
Santa Monica Pier + Pacific Park
1909-built wooden pier extending 250m into the Pacific. Pacific Park (since 1996) on the pier has solar-powered Ferris wheel + 11 amusement rides. Route 66 ends here (the iconic 'End of Trail' sign). The 5km Santa Monica Beach stretches south with bike + skate path connecting to Venice Beach.
Visit Info
PricePier free; rides $5-10 each
HoursPier always open; rides 11:00-22:00
TimeHalf day
Local Tip
Sunset is the canonical Santa Monica experience — arrive 30 min before sunset for prime pier position. Rent a bike at Perry's ($10/hour) and ride south to Venice Beach (30 min). The Pier's restaurants are tourist-priced — eat at Santa Monica Place mall instead.
2
Venice Beach + Boardwalk + Muscle Beach
3 km boardwalk extending south from Santa Monica. Muscle Beach is the open-air weightlifting gym made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1970s — still operational, $10 day pass. Venice Skatepark is one of the world's most-photographed skate venues. Bohemian + street performer culture along the boardwalk.
Visit Info
PriceFree; Muscle Beach gym $10
HoursAlways open
TimeHalf day
Local Tip
Best 10-13:00 for street performers + skate park action. Abbot Kinney Boulevard (5-min walk inland) is the upscale boutique alternative for shopping. Watch for petty theft and panhandlers — keep valuables hidden. Venice Canals (5-min walk south) are the hidden alternative — 1905-built canal district with rowboats.
3
Malibu + Surfrider Beach + Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu stretches 43 km along PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) north of Santa Monica. Surfrider Beach (Malibu Pier) is the canonical Southern California surf break — birthplace of Beach Boys + Endless Summer surf culture. Celebrity mansion drive along PCH is the LA road-trip classic.
Visit Info
PriceBeaches free; surf lesson $80-120
HoursAlways open
TimeHalf to full day
Local Tip
Rent a convertible for the PCH drive — quintessential LA experience. Stop at Reel Inn (Topanga) for fresh seafood, Neptune's Net (further north) for biker-bar atmosphere. Surfrider has gentle waves — beginner-friendly. Carbon Beach (the 'Billionaire's Beach') is technically public despite gated mansions.
4
Manhattan Beach + Hermosa Beach + South Bay
South Bay beaches (Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo) are quieter family-beach alternatives to Santa Monica/Venice. Manhattan Beach Pier (1920) anchors the South Bay's most-affluent town. The Strand is a 35 km continuous bike/skate path from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance.
Visit Info
PriceFree
HoursAlways open
TimeHalf day
Local Tip
Calmer + cleaner than Santa Monica/Venice. Manhattan Beach Boulevard has the upscale dining + Strand restaurants. Hermosa Beach has the volleyball + bar scene. Closer to LAX (15-min drive) — great for layover or arrival-day relaxing. Free parking limited; meters $2-5/hour.
Museums & Culture
5 spots
1
Getty Center
Richard Meier-designed white travertine mountaintop museum in Brentwood (opened 1997, 24-acre campus). Free entry + free admission to 6 pavilions of European Renaissance, Impressionist, photography, and decorative arts. Tram from parking up to the main complex is part of the experience. Garden by Robert Irwin is the canonical photo angle.
Visit Info
PriceFree entry; $20 parking before 15:00, $15 after
HoursTue-Sun 10:00-17:30 (Sat to 21:00); closed Monday
Time4-5 hours minimum
Local Tip
Park before 11:00 — fills by noon weekends. Book free timed entry online during peak season. Van Gogh's Irises is the most-famous piece. The Getty Villa (Malibu, separate location) is the Greek/Roman antiquities campus — also free, requires separate timed reservation.
2
The Broad
Eli + Edythe Broad's contemporary art museum in Downtown LA (opened 2015, Diller Scofidio + Renfro architecture). 'Veil' facade of 2,500 fiberglass panels. Free entry. Permanent collection includes Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Room is the most-photographed experience.
Infinity Room reservations open 30 days ahead at 10:00 PT — book immediately as they fill in 30 minutes. Same-day standby line possible but 2-3 hour wait. Disney Concert Hall (Frank Gehry, free outside) is right next door — combine in one Downtown half-day.
3
Griffith Observatory + Griffith Park
Free public observatory (1935) on the south slope of Mt Hollywood (Griffith Park, 4,310 acres — 5x larger than NYC's Central Park). Tesla Coil, Foucault Pendulum, planetarium shows ($10). The art deco building is iconic from La La Land (2016) opening sequence. Best free Hollywood Sign view + Downtown LA panorama.
Park on Vermont Avenue + hike up (1.5 km) to avoid the full parking lot. Sunset is the canonical visit time — arrive 90 min before for parking. Planetarium shows fill 30 min ahead. The La La Land bench (Mt Hollywood Drive) is at the lower trail.
4
LACMA + La Brea Tar Pits
Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the western US (135,000 objects spanning 6,000 years). Iconic 'Urban Light' street-lamp installation (Chris Burden 2008) at the entrance is one of LA's most-Instagrammed photo spots — free, 24/7 outdoors. Adjacent La Brea Tar Pits is the world's only active urban paleontological dig — Ice Age fossils still being excavated.
Visit Info
PriceLACMA $25 (free 3-7pm Sun-Fri for LA County residents); La Brea $15
'Urban Light' is free outdoor at the entrance — visit any time for the canonical LA photo (night-lit is most-photographed). LACMA undergoing major renovation through 2028 — partial gallery closures, check website. The Tar Pits' Page Museum has 1M+ Ice Age fossils + active dig you can watch.
5
Disney Concert Hall (Frank Gehry)
Frank Gehry's stainless-steel-clad concert hall in Downtown LA (opened 2003, home of LA Philharmonic). The curvilinear silver exterior is one of LA's iconic architectural photos — free to walk around the outside. Free self-guided audio tour of the interior available most days.
Sunday afternoon free organ recitals (1 hour) are the canonical free Downtown LA experience. The Broad museum is 1-block walk. Best photo angle: 1st & Grand Ave corner with the curves catching afternoon sun.
Iconic Neighborhoods
4 spots
1
Beverly Hills + Rodeo Drive + Greystone Mansion
Beverly Hills is LA's luxury enclave — 90210 zip code immortalized by the 1990s TV show. Rodeo Drive (3 blocks of Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton) is the canonical luxury shopping street. The Beverly Hills Hotel (1912) and The Beverly Wilshire (Pretty Woman filming location) anchor the neighborhood's hotel scene.
Visit Info
PriceFree walking; shopping varies
HoursStores typically 10:00-19:00
Time2-3 hours
Local Tip
Free street parking on residential streets (avoid main shopping streets — $2-5/hour). Two Rodeo Drive (south end) has the iconic European-cobblestone shopping plaza photo. Greystone Mansion + Park (free entry, 1928 Tudor estate) is the upscale photo-op alternative to the touristy Rodeo strip.
2
Downtown LA (DTLA) + Grand Central Market + Arts District
DTLA is LA's renaissance neighborhood — once industrial, now Disney Concert Hall + The Broad + Grand Central Market (1917) + Arts District (renovated warehouses + breweries + galleries). Grand Central Market has 40+ food vendors — Eggslut (the canonical breakfast sandwich) is the institution.
Visit Info
PriceFree walking; food $15-50
HoursGrand Central Market 8:00-22:00; Arts District varies
TimeHalf day
Local Tip
Park at Grand Central Market lot ($3 with validated purchase). Eggslut queue 30-45 min on weekend mornings — visit Tuesday or after 14:00. Arts District has Bestia restaurant (LA's #1 modern Italian, reservation 1 month ahead) and Hauser & Wirth gallery (free, world-class contemporary art). Skid Row (south + east of Arts District) is dangerous — don't wander.
3
West Hollywood + Sunset Strip + Chateau Marmont
West Hollywood (WeHo) is LA's nightlife + LGBTQ+ central — Sunset Strip (1.5 mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard) has legendary venues: Whisky a Go Go (1964, where The Doors played), The Roxy, Viper Room, Comedy Store. Chateau Marmont (1929) is the iconic celebrity-incognito hotel. Santa Monica Boulevard is the LGBTQ+ strip with Pride parade each June.
Visit Info
PriceFree walking; club covers $20-50
HoursNightlife 22:00-02:00; Pride June
TimeEvening
Local Tip
Sunset Strip best at 22:00+ — arrive earlier for dinner at Pump (Lisa Vanderpump) or Catch LA. WeHo has the highest restaurant + bar density in LA. The Comedy Store + Laugh Factory are the canonical stand-up venues. Walk of Stars on Sunset is less crowded than Hollywood Boulevard's.
4
Koreatown (K-Town) — largest in America
K-Town is the largest Korean-American district in the US — concentrated in 5 sq km west of Downtown LA. 24-hour Korean BBQ + karaoke + spa culture defines the neighborhood. Quarters Korean BBQ, Park's BBQ, Soowon Galbi are the top-tier picks. Wi Spa (24-hour Korean spa, $25 entry) is the canonical experience.
Visit Info
PriceKorean BBQ $40-80/person; spa $25
Hours24/7 culture
TimeHalf to full day
Local Tip
Korean BBQ at lunch (11:00-15:00) is 30-40% cheaper than dinner same menu. Wi Spa is open 24 hours — sleeping room rental $25 for 12 hours is the canonical LA backpacker hack. Best food deals in LA — $15-25 lunch buys what costs $40-60 in West Hollywood.
Practical Tips
Local know-how that saves you time and money on the ground.
1
CAR ESSENTIAL — rental $40-80/day + parking $20-40. Public transit useless.
2
Avoid traffic 7-10am + 4-7pm — adds 1-2h per trip.
3
Universal Front of Line Pass +$100 saves 4-6h queueing.
4
Skip Hollywood Boulevard at night (sketchy + homeless).
5
In-N-Out Burger Animal Style — California ritual every visitor must try.
Getting Around
Car ESSENTIAL — public transit poor. Rental $40-80/day + $20-40 daily parking. Uber/Lyft works but expensive ($20-50 per trip in traffic).
Book Tours & Activities in Los Angeles
Booking online is typically cheaper than walk-up rates and reserves your spot.
Common questions about attractions and activities in Los Angeles.
Top 5 must-visit spots in LA?
First, Hollywood Sign + Mt Lee Drive hike (free, 6km RT, 2-3h) — 13.7m steel letters 1923 + Mt Lee Drive hike + sunset photo #1. Second, Griffith Observatory (free, planetarium $10) — 1935 Art Deco + La La Land filming + Hollywood Sign + Downtown LA 360° + 1h before sunset. Third, Santa Monica Pier + Venice Beach (pier free, rides $5-10) — 1909 wooden pier + Route 66 end + sunset + Venice boardwalk + Muscle Beach 30 min walk. Fourth, Disneyland or Universal Studios (Disney $109-194 / Universal $109-209) — Disneyland (Anaheim, 1955 original, Star Wars Galaxy + Rise of Resistance) or Universal (Wizarding World Harry Potter + Super Mario World 2023). Fifth, Getty Center (free, parking $25) — Richard Meier 1997 + 24-acre + Van Gogh's Irises + Garden by Robert Irwin. 3 days = ①②③④⑤ core, 5 days add The Broad (free, Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror) + LACMA + Urban Light (free, 24/7 outdoor) + Beverly Hills + Rodeo Drive + Downtown LA + Grand Central Market, 7 days add Malibu + PCH (1h drive) + Manhattan Beach + Hermosa (South Bay) + Disney Concert Hall (Frank Gehry) + Koreatown 24-hour Korean.
Free or cheap things to do in LA?
Hollywood Walk of Fame + TCL Chinese Theatre (2,700+ stars, free, 24/7). Hollywood Sign + Mt Lee hike (free, 6km, 2-3h). Santa Monica Beach + Pier (pier free, rides only $5-10). Venice Beach + Boardwalk + Muscle Beach (free, gym $10 separate). The Broad free entry (Infinity Mirror Room separate timed entry). Getty Center free entry (parking only $25). Griffith Observatory free (planetarium only $10). LACMA Urban Light outdoor free (24/7, photo #1). LACMA free Sundays for LA County residents (foreigners not). Disney Concert Hall exterior + self-guided audio tour (free). Manhattan + Hermosa + Redondo Beach (free, South Bay, LAX 15 min). Venice Canals 1905 canal district (free, walking). Beverly Hills + Rodeo Drive exterior walk (free). The Grove + Original Farmers Market (1934, trolley free, food separate). Griffith Park 4,310 acres (5x NYC Central Park, free, 24/7). El Pueblo + Olvera Street (LA founding 1781, free). June 'LA Pride' (West Hollywood, free) + March 24 'Oscars' (Dolby Theatre, exterior viewing free) + April 'Coachella' (Indio nearby, tickets $500+) + Oct 31 'Halloween Carnival' (WeHo, free) + summer 'Hollywood Bowl' free concerts (some free).
Best time to visit LA?
Conclusion: Mar-May (spring) + Sep-Nov (fall) #1. 18-25°C + barely rain + hotel value. Jun-Aug (summer) 25-32°C + heat waves + hotels 1.5-2x. Dec-Feb (winter) 14-20°C + some rain + hotels 30-40% cheaper. January 'Rose Parade' (Jan 1, Pasadena, flower parade, free street viewing). March 'Oscars' (1st Sunday March, Dolby Theatre, exterior viewing free). April 'Coachella' (1st + 2nd weekends April, Indio 2h drive, tickets $500+). June 'LA Pride' (West Hollywood, free). June 26-July 4 'Hollywood Bowl Season' (late June-Sep, live concerts). Oct 31 'WeHo Halloween Carnival' (500K, free). Nov 24 'Hollywood Christmas Parade' (late Nov, free). Sep-Nov 'Santa Ana Winds' (dry + wildfire season + hot + variable clothing). Jan-Mar 'rain season' (umbrella + raincoat). June-Oct 'earthquake risk no' (always, but rare major). Korean holidays: Korean New Year (late Jan/Feb) flights ₩1,000,000-₩1,800,000 (ICN-LAX 11.5h direct KE17/OZ202/AS217 daily). Korean Liberation Day (Aug 15) ₩1,500,000-₩2,200,000 (summer). Korean Chuseok (mid-Sept) ₩1,300,000-₩2,000,000. Year-end (Dec 25-Jan 2) ₩2,000,000-₩2,800,000. Best value 2nd week Jan-1st week Feb + 1st-2nd week Sept (₩900,000-₩1,300,000).
Best LA sunset / night-view spots?
#1 Griffith Observatory (free, 19-22, arrive 1h before sunset, parking Vermont Ave) — Hollywood Sign + Downtown LA + sunset + free #1. #2 OUE Skyspace LA (70th floor, $25, slide +$33) — Downtown LA + 305m + outdoor glass slide once in life. #3 The Broad rooftop + Disney Concert Hall (Downtown LA, free) — Frank Gehry exterior + sunset + iconic photo. #4 Mulholland Drive Overlook (1h drive, free, 24/7) — Mulholland Drive + Hollywood Sign + LA night view + life photo #1. #5 Santa Monica Pier (free, 24/7) — 1909 pier + Pacific sunset + Ferris Wheel + Route 66 end. #6 Malibu Pier + Surfrider (1h drive, free) — PCH sunset + cliffs + Pacific Ocean. #7 Beverly Hills + Greystone Mansion (free, 1928 Tudor estate) — sunset + affluent + free gardens. #8 Manhattan Beach Pier (free, LAX 15 min) — sunset + family + South Bay + free. Sunset times Dec-Jan 17:00 + Jun-Jul 20:00 + Sep 18:30. Jun-Oct 'Santa Ana Winds' (dry + wildfire) season + sunset #1 golden. May-June 'June Gloom' (morning haze + afternoon clear).
Rainy day LA indoor alternatives?
LA has Dec-March rain season + 'June Gloom' (May-June morning haze) + Sept-Nov 'Santa Ana Winds' (dry + wildfire) — indoor alternatives critical. First, museum full set — Getty Center (free, parking $25, 24-acre) + The Broad (free, Infinity Mirror Room separate) + LACMA ($25, 6,000 years + 135,000 works) + Natural History Museum ($15, dinosaurs + Apollo 11) + The Hammer Museum (free, UCLA, 1994) all-day. Second, Disney Concert Hall (Frank Gehry, free audio tour, concerts $30-200) + The Broad + Grand Central Market (1917, 40+ vendors, Eggslut signature) walking combo. Third, Universal Studios or Disneyland (semi-indoor, 1-2 day, $109-209, kid #1). Fourth, Michelin lunch — n/naka (★★, LA #1, reservations 3+ months, $250+) + Providence (★★, seafood, $200+) + Bestia (LA modern Italian, 1+ month, $80-150) + Republique (Mid-Wilshire, French, brunch, $25-40). Fifth, Universal CityWalk (shopping + dining + cinema, indoor) + Westfield Century City ($+) + The Grove (outdoor + indoor, $$). Sixth, Original Farmers Market 1934 (indoor, 30 countries, trolley free) + Grand Central Market 1917 (40+ vendors, Eggslut). Seventh, Koreatown full set — Park's BBQ + Soowon Galbi + Quarters + Wi Spa 24-hour Korean spa ($25) #1. Eighth, The Last Bookstore (Downtown, 1+ million books, indoor, Instagram, free) + Mariposa Bookstore.
LA with kids — family-friendly spots?
Disneyland Resort (Anaheim, $109-194 / Park Hopper $169-249, kids free under 3) #1 — 1955 Walt Disney original + Star Wars + Sleeping Beauty Castle. Second, Universal Studios Hollywood ($109, kids $103, Studio Tour 45-min tram + Wizarding World + Super Mario World 2023) — family #1 + movies. Third, LEGOLAND California Resort (Carlsbad, 2h drive, $110, kids $99, indoor + outdoor) — family #1 + LEGO. Fourth, LA Zoo + Botanical Gardens (Griffith Park, $22, kids $17, koalas + elephants + gorillas) — family #1 + free parking. Fifth, California Science Center (Expo Park, free entry + IMAX $9, Endeavour Space Shuttle + Apollo + indoor) — free + family #1. Sixth, Natural History Museum (Expo Park, $15, kids $7, dinosaurs + human evolution) — family #1 + educational. Seventh, Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, 30-min drive, $45, kids $35) — penguins + crocs + sharks + indoor. Eighth, Santa Monica Pier + Pacific Park (rides $5-10) + Venice Beach boardwalk (free + bike rental $10/h). Ninth, Knott's Berry Farm (Buena Park, 30-min drive, $85, kids $50) — value Disney alternative + family #1. Hotels: Disneyland Hotel (Anaheim, $500-1,000, family #1) / Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach (1h drive, pool, $300-600) / Beverly Wilshire (family + luxury, $600-1,500). Stroller — LA 99% flat + Metro + Uber #1. Car seat mandatory (under 8, legal obligation). Disneyland + Universal stroller rental $15-30/day.
LA 1-2 day short itinerary core route?
1 day = Hollywood + Downtown LA combo. 9 AM Griffith Observatory (free, 1h) + Hollywood Sign view. 10:30 AM Hollywood Walk of Fame + TCL Chinese Theatre (free, 1h). 12 PM lunch In-N-Out Burger ($8-12, LA signature) or Pink's Hot Dog ($6-10, 1939). 1:30 PM Getty Center (free, parking $25, 3-4h) or LACMA + Urban Light (free, $25, 2-3h). 4 PM Santa Monica Pier (free, 1.5h) + sunset. 6 PM Venice Beach + Boardwalk (free, 1h) + Muscle Beach. 7:30 PM dinner Mr. Chow ($60-120) or value In-N-Out or Koreatown Park's BBQ ($40-80). 9 PM hotel. Day 2 add: 9:30 AM Disneyland (Anaheim, 45-min drive, $109-194, 1 day) or Universal Studios Hollywood ($109, 1 day) or The Broad + Disney Concert Hall + Grand Central Market (free combo, half day) + Malibu + PCH drive (1h drive, half day). 10 PM hotel. Key: Uber/Lyft #1 (LA is car society + Uber 30 min anywhere). Rental car recommended ($60-120/day + parking $20-40 + right-side driving). LA Metro NOT used (small coverage + 24-hour safety X). Stay = Hollywood (Roosevelt + Loews) or Santa Monica (Fairmont Miramar + Casa del Mar + beach).
Common Korean traveler mistakes in LA?
First, ESTA visa — Korean passport ESTA (eVisa, online $21, 2-year multi-entry visa-free 90 days). Apply ESTA + approval (72 hours) before booking flight. Second, tipping required — US tipping culture #1 + restaurants 15-20% + hotel room service $2-5 + Uber X (in-app). Third, driving + cars — LA is car society (Metro coverage small) + Uber/Lyft #1 + rental car $60-120/day + right-side driving + car seat mandatory under 8. Fourth, mostly cashless — Visa + Mastercard + Apple Pay + Google Pay everywhere. Travel Wallet / Travel Log + DON'T withdraw USD. Fifth, UV + sunlight — LA UV 8-10 + 30 min burn possible. SPF 30+ sunscreen + hat + sunglasses. Jun-Aug heat + Sep-Oct wildfire season. Sixth, drugs + homeless — Hollywood Boulevard 22:00+ + Venice Beach night + Skid Row (Downtown east) avoid + 22:00+ alone X + bag front X. Seventh, earthquake + wildfire — Sep-Nov 'Santa Ana Winds' (dry + wildfire possible) + LA earthquake 0.1% daily possibility + major quake rare. Avoid August 'Hot' + wildfire + check news. Eighth, NO Korean — English city 80% + tourist sites 99% + local restaurants 60% + Koreatown 100% Korean. 'Thank you' + 'Excuse me' + 'Sorry' + 'Please' four words. Ninth, California tax — LA Sales Tax 9.5% auto-added (price separate) + hotel Bed Tax 15% auto + clothing + food also taxed + restaurant receipt separate. Tenth, US #1 safety etiquette — 22:00+ alone X + LA Metro avoid at night + hotel room + car locked + phone X on café table + always bag in front + coins/dollars separate (small + large bills separated).
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Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified
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