United States

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Los Angeles

Hollywood, beaches and year-round sunshine

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Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Currency: USD
Time zone: UTC-7
Country: United States

Photo: Gnaphron, CC BY-SA 2.0

A vast, sunny city of film studios, beaches, museums and theme parks, spread between the mountains and the Pacific.

Largest cities

New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Houston
San Francisco
Miami

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: United States
Capital: Washington, D.C.
City population: 3.8M
Population of United States: 340M
Country area: 9,833,520 km²
Official language: English
Currency: US Dollar (USD) · 1 USD ≈ 1 USD
Time zone: UTC-7
Calling code: +1
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 90 m
Plugs: A / B · 120V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	20°	20°	21°	22°	23°	25°	28°	29°	28°	26°	23°	20°
Low	9°	10°	11°	13°	15°	17°	19°	19°	18°	16°	12°	9°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$135
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$280
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$635

Plan a trip to Los Angeles

Top things to do

Free
Griffith Observatory
Free exhibits, telescopes and the best view of the Hollywood Sign and the city lights at dusk; closed on Mondays.
- Half day
- Griffith Park and the Getty
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Closed: Monday
≈ $130
Universal Studios Hollywood
Film-themed rides, the studio tour through real sets and Super Nintendo World.
- Full day
- Theme parks
- Good for kids
Free
Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach
The pier with its Ferris wheel, then a bike ride along the beach path to Venice's boardwalk and canals.
- Half day
- Santa Monica and Venice
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
The Getty Center
Free art museum on a hilltop, with gardens and views; parking is paid and reservations may be needed. Closed on Mondays.
- Half day
- Griffith Park and the Getty
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
Free
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The stars on the pavement, the TCL Chinese Theatre and the handprints in its forecourt.
- Half day
- Hollywood
- Good for kids
≈ $150
Day trip: Disneyland Resort
The original Disney park and California Adventure in Anaheim, about an hour away in traffic.
- Full day
- Theme parks
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, most of the EU and Qatar, need an approved ESTA, which costs $40 since 30 September 2025; apply at least 72 hours before travel on the official CBP site. Others, including Indian, Saudi and Emirati citizens, need a visitor visa, and appointment waits can be long.

Official website

From the airport

LAX has direct flights from the Gulf, Asia and Europe; the FlyAway bus and the new Metro connection reach the city, and ride-hailing picks up at the LAX-it area.