Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Los Angeles General Tips
- Best Time to Visit Los Angeles
- Weather
- Don’t Underestimate Traffic
- Visiting the Beach
- Should You Rent a Car?
- SIM Cards and eSIMs
- Download a Translation Application If You Do Not Speak English
- Download a Map
- Tourist Scams/Rip-Offs
- Tourist Traps
- Money
- Water
- Taxes
- Celebrities
- Last Call
- The Homeless
- Important U.S. Laws
- Parking and Parking Validation
- Restrooms
- Language
- Conclusion
- Los Angeles Blogs
Introduction
There are so many factors that make Los Angeles what it is. With a city as big as L.A. the amount of information out there can be overwhelming. This blog post will cover vital information about traveling to Los Angeles, like SIM Cards, the best time to travel to L.A., scams, important U.S. laws, and much more.
Los Angeles General Tips
Los Angeles is a large city to try and digest. This post will help answer those unanswered questions you may have about traveling to the “Entertainment Capital of the World”. I have already discussed everything involving accommodation and transportation in other blog posts, so go there if you want to learn more about accommodation and arrival/transportation in Los Angeles. In no particular order, here are some tips when traveling to Los Angeles.
Best Time to Visit Los Angeles
Los Angeles has so much to offer tourists year-round, but as in any place on Earth, there are good and bad times to visit certain locations. Weather is the biggest restriction, but luckily Los Angeles sees some moderate and warm weather year-round. One factor I consider when trip planning is the number of people in a given location. This is referred to as “peak season.” The peak seasons for Los Angeles are varied but are from mid-May to August, the week of Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November), and mid-December to mid-January.
Mid-May to August is during summer vacation when elementary, middle school, high school, and college/university students do not have classes. This means more families are out doing things like visiting amusement parks and college students are on the beaches visiting family. The week of Thanksgiving is very popular in the United States, and many people return home or visit relatives for this holiday. The end of December and beginning of January also have the holidays of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. These also see some increased crowds as elementary, middle, and high school students are on break, and college students are between semesters.
It is also worth noting that there is a spring break where all schools get a week off and the school ranges from district, county, and state. The months for spring break are usually March and April. That being said, the best time to visit Los Angeles is the months of late August to mid-November and late January to early March. These times see decreased heat, lower crowds, and a lack of school students. As previously said, there is no horrible time, but if your goal is to relax without too many crowds or go visit theme parks, late August to mid-November and late January to early March are your best bet.
Weather
As previously mentioned, the weather in Los Angeles is very ideal. After all, that was the main reason this city was chosen to make movies. Sunny days mean more shooting and less restrictive filming schedules. Throughout the year, the weather is pretty warm, hovering around 70? to 90? / 21? to 32?. The summer months can see very hot temperatures, staying over 95? / 35? for weeks. After the sun goes down, the temperature can become colder, requiring a windbreaker or light jacket. At night, it can be below 65? / 18?. Of course, temperatures can vary yearly, but this is the average I’ve seen and experienced.
In terms of severe weather, rainstorms or any natural disasters are also very uncommon. In general, whenever you decide to come, it should be sunny and somewhat warm during the stay, but check before you pack to be as prepared as possible. I did write a blog post discussing all safety concerns you may have while visiting Los Angeles here. The Weather Channel is ranked as one of the most reliable sources for weather predictions. Just type in the city or region, and it should give, hourly weather forecasts and up to seven days out. You can either visit their site or download for both the Google Play Store and the Apple Play Store.
Don’t Underestimate Traffic
Los Angeles has some pretty bad traffic. It is not on the same level as São Paulo or Mexico City, but for the United States, it’s pretty bad. It can add anywhere from 30 minutes to over two hours of diving time. The worst time to drive is from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. / 06:00–10:30 and from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. / 15:00–18:30. These times are the busiest for traffic (rush hour), but the weekends do see less traffic as many people do not work, so the hours can narrow on the weekends. A safe piece of advice would be to start driving to your destination an hour or two before you want to arrive if you are driving within the above times. I use an app called Waze, which is a good way to check for traffic in the city. Click here to download the app on either the Apple Play Store or the Google Play Store.
Visiting the Beach
The beaches are part of the reason why many people come to Los Angeles. It is a fun place to go walk around, lay on the sand while taking in the sun, eat some good food, and just people watch. Notice how I didn’t say swim? That is because the water off the coast of Los Angeles (all of California, really) is cold. The temperature in the water is around 53? / 12? but can go up to ~ 60? / 15? from summer to early fall. It is worth mentioning that the water is safe to swim in, and many people do, but it is cold. I would make sure you don’t swim near the drain as the water tends to be less clean in those areas.
If you go to the beach from May to August, I would highly advise you to get there early. The beach is a very popular location for both tourists and locals to escape the sun and cool off with the cool ocean breeze. Spots can fill up quickly, and it can get a bit competitive to find a place to lay out your beach towel. Although there are not too many thieves on the beaches, you should have someone from your party stay with your belongings to ensure they are not taken. If you want to learn more about some of the marine wildlife and other dangers to be aware of, click here to go to the “Safety in Los Angeles: Complete Guide” blog post.
Should You Rent a Car?
Los Angeles, like much of the United States, was built with a personal car in mind. Renting a car is the most effective method of getting around Los Angeles, as the city hasn’t invested enough in public transportation. The L.A. metro is nice but very limited. Buses can be sketchy, and ride-share app costs add up quickly.
Many companies rent out cars, but I recommend Enterprise. They are the most reliable company for renting cars that I have witnessed, and the most recommended by my friends and fellow travelers. If you are flying in, there is an Enterprise in LAX, but only LAX. If you are flying into Burbank or Long Beach Airports, there is not one located in or next to the airport, but there is one in their respective cities. A car rental will set you back $60.00 – $500.00 / €55.62–€463.53 per day, depending on the car you want to rent. This price also does not include any insurance or other fees added on. I’d recommend you pre-book your car to ensure you get the car you want. If you are going off-roading or to national parks that require or recommend a 4×4, make sure you get that. Almost all cars offered here are automatic.
Things you will need to rent a car in California are a photo ID or passport, a valid driver’s license, and at least 25 years of age. If you are under the age of 25, you may be charged a “young driver’s fee” and that can shoot up the cost of your car rental even more. An international driver’s license is not required, only an ID or passport and a driver’s license from your home country. If you want more information about Enterprise, click here to go to their official website. Renting a car is the most effective way to get around Los Angeles.
SIM Cards and eSIMs
What is a SIM Card? A SIM Card is a device that goes inside your phone and allows you to use data, text, and make phone calls without being on Wi-Fi. Each country has its own unique SIM Cards and normally one SIM Card from one country does not work in another. Exceptions are made like in some European countries, but that is generally not the case. There are two types of SIM Cards, physical and digital (called an eSIM). A physical SIM Card is one in which you trade your home SIM Card for the one you bought abroad. An eSIM can be found on apps that you can download and toggle between your home and other SIM Cards.
You can find physical SIM Cards almost everywhere in Los Angeles. You can go into many popular stores in Los Angeles like Walmart, Target, and CVS to find pre-paid SIM Cards. They have pre-paid SIM Cards at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as well, but they are much more expensive. I recommend you use the free Wi-Fi in the airport and get a SIM Card in the city as it is more affordable. There are different packages and ranges in prices. MintMobile or Straightalk are popular pre-paid SIM Cards at Walmart and Target.
eSIMs are a little different. You download an application, and you can search by country to find an eSIM that best suits you. Another feature offered by eSIMs is the ability to get regional eSIMs that work in a certain area. This is perfect for those who are going to be backpacking or traveling for an extended period. There are a couple of apps on the market that do this, however, I recommend Airalo. I love using this application, and it has a large amount of countries. Click here to go to their official website and download the app for the Apple Play Store and the Google Play Store.
Both SIM Cards and eSIMs require your cell phone to be unlocked. You can purchase brand new unlocked phones, but if you purchase one that is not unlocked, you have to completely pay it off and wait up to 48 hours before it becomes unlocked. It is worth mentioning that you can get around Los Angeles without a SIM Card or eSIM. Every location from restaurants, bars, amusement parks, cafés, and fast food places has free Wi-Fi. If you are on a budget, you can save yourself some money by using the free Wi-Fi around the city.
Download a Translation Application If You Do Not Speak English
Although Los Angeles is a very diverse area, not everyone is bilingual or multilingual. English is the most common spoken language in the United States with Spanish being in second place. I would not assume anyone can speak any other language other than English in Los Angeles. So if you do not speak English, you can download translation applications to make it much easier to communicate with Americans. Google Translate is the most popular app because it is easy and efficient. Click here to go to their official website and download the app for the Apple Play Store and the Google Play Store.
Download a Map
Downloading a map has a plethora of benefits. Not only are you less reliant on Wi-Fi or cellular data to navigate the city, but you can save important areas you want to visit in L.A. Much of the city has access to free Wi-Fi but its adventagous to have a map downloaded. My recommendation is Google Maps. Although it is standard for the app to be installed on many cell phones, if you do not have an application already downloaded, you can find the app for Google Maps for the Google Play Store here. And Google Maps for the Apple App Store here. With Google Maps, you can download all of Los Angeles to use offline and save important areas that you want to visit, and it’s all for free! I know there are other map applications out there, but I love and recommend Google Maps.
Tourist Scams/Rip-Offs
Like many cities, Los Angeles is not immune to scams. Some are more common than others but a lot of them are mostly found on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so if you go there, read these sections carefully. Organized from most to least common, here are the most popular scams and rip-offs in Los Angeles.
– Card Skimmers
This method is pretty invasive and can be hard to detect. A card scanner is a device put over a chip reader that looks identical to the actual device. The idea is that when you use your chip, you pay for whatever it is you are paying for, but the information is either retained on the scanner or used to take out money from your account. These card skimmers are not only in Los Angeles but in other parts of the country as well.
Unfortunately, if you do not know what you are looking for, you won’t see it. My advice is to always tap. Tapping is a contactless way to pay for your products, and luckily, L.A. is full of tap-capable machines. It is worth mentioning that trusted establishments like museums, banks, and amusement parks will probably not have one, but I still tap. It is locations like gas stations and some independent businesses that you need to be careful around.
– Characters
Characters sound so ambiguous right? Well, let me explain. Around the Hollywood Walk of Fame and other parts of Hollywood, you will see individuals dressed up as popular characters or celebrities. They will approach you and tell you very kindly and enthusiastically to take a picture with them as a memento. What they won’t tell you, is you have to pay them. And if you do not pay them, they will yell at you and make a big scene so you cough up cash. I’ve seen some people demand more than $40.00 / €37.08 for a couple of pictures!
If you want to take a picture with a discount Mickey Mouse or Captain Jack Sparrow, discuss a price before the picture so they do not demand an insane amount of cash for the picture. These characters are also found in New York City and Las Vegas, but I feel as if they run a little more freely in Los Angeles.
– CD Guys
Again found on the Hollywood Walk of Fame but also the beaches, the CD Guys are not people looking for their big break, usually. They are individuals looking to again, scam you. The idea is that as you are walking, groups usually comprised of men, will approach you with a CD so you can listen to their good music. They will ask “Do you like rap or rock music?” or “Do you support local artists?” and give you a CD making you assume it’s free. Well, it’s not. They then start shouting and demanding you pay for their CD. They will try to raise the price of the CD, but if you find yourself in this scenario you can leave the CD either with the person harassing you or on the floor and walk away. They probably won’t follow you for long. DO NOT take the CD. You will be wasting your money as in some scenarios the CDs are blank or contain badly recorded songs on them.
– Discount Tickets
This scam is not restricted to the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the other two, but can also be found alongside the beaches and coast. Groups of men will approach you saying they have “discounted tickets” for everything. Disneyland, The L.A. Zoo, Aquarium of the Pacific, and sporting games, you name it, they claim to have it. Please do not buy these tickets as they will be fake, and you will not be granted entry to your desired destination. Only get tickets on the official website or at the box office.
– Monks
There will be individuals dressed up as monks handing out what appears to be hand-woven bracelets. They are normally found on the Hollywood Walk of Fame but sometimes on the beaches. They will kindly wrap a bracelet around your wrist, saying it resembles love, fertility, luck, etc. As you walk away, they will ask for some money for a fake temple. They can be a bit pushy, but I think they rely on their monk robes for sympathy. If a “monk” (not a monk) starts putting anything on you, kindly say no and walk away.
As intimidating as these scams may be, they are all avoidable if you pay attention and use your judgment. Tap your card if you can (should be possible in almost all scenarios) and do not assume anything is free. Hopefully, these tips decrease your chances of getting ripped off or scammed while in Los Angeles. Be aware and if anything seems a little off, just say no and walk away.
Tourist Traps
Didn’t we just cover this? Well, not really. A scam is something that leaves the buyer with nothing. A tourist trap is an establishment that is intended to attract tourists normally with overpriced and/or misleading services. Almost every tourist destination on Earth has tourist traps and in L.A. some are worth going to. Most people would consider Chinatown, the Santa Monica Pier, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Venice Beach Boardwalk tourist scams, but I still think they can be fun and worth going to. In no particular order, here is a list of tourist traps you should avoid.
– Map of Stars
You will see these maps sold around Hollywood, but most commonly on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. These maps claim they will give you “inside info” about where certain celebrities live. They will advertise fun titles like “Learn Where Taylor Swift Lives,” and they are only $10.00 / €9.27. There are a few problems with these maps. What they won’t tell you is that many celebrities have more than one house, decreasing the probability that they will be in their Beverly Hills or Bel Air house. Another factor is that many homes have 7ft / 2 m tall hedges so you can’t even see the house itself. The last point is that the maps are very outdated with whatever celebrity listed there no longer living there. Many of the homes are also very spread out so you will be ripped off if you buy one of these maps. Do not buy these maps.
– Any Tour with Celebrities / Celebrity Homes
There are many tours on the Hollywood Walk of Fame highlighting celebrity house tours or even popular filming locations. Please, avoid these tours. Many celebrities are people living life and don’t need hoards of tourists pointing a camera or phone in their faces. As stated above, many celebrity homes have 7ft / 2 m tall hedges, so you’d be lucky to see their full house, let alone the actual person. Also, many celebrities have more than one house what are the chances they will be in their L.A. house when you’re there? Save your money, and do many of the other things to do in Los Angeles.
– Most Restaurants in Touristy Locations
There are thousands of restaurants in Los Angeles. It is the second-biggest city in the United States, and trust me when I say there is every type of cuisine in the city. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is eating in very popular and overrated locations around the city. Many of the restaurants in the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach Boardwalk, or the Hollywood Walk of Fame are overpriced and tend to be common chains. Food trucks, awesome Chinese food, and the best Mexican food north of the border can be found here. Another plus is that most restaurants have free parking if you are eating there. Venture away from those popular locations and discover some of the best places to eat in Los Angeles.
– Museums on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
There are several museums on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and most are not worth it. In particular, Madam Tussaud’s Hollywood, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Guinness World Record Museums are very overpriced and not worth it. You’d be paying more than $40.00 / €37.08 for a general admission ticket just to see a copy-paste museum that’s around many other places in the U.S. L.A. has DOZENS of museums that contain more memorable and important information and for a more affordable price. Unless you have money burning a hole through your pockets, skip these museums.
As previously mentioned, there are other tourist traps that people will highlight, but most of the other ones can be worth visiting and seeing the cool sights. You can walk around Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, and Rodeo Drive just admiring the experience without spending anything.
Money
Speaking of money burning a hole through your pocket, what’s the money in the United States? I’d bet you heard of it, after all, the U.S. dollar (USD) is the most used currency in the world and the $1 U.S. banknote is the most used internationally. The U.S. currency comes in $1.00, $2.00, $5.00, $10.00, $20.00, $50.00, and $100.00 banknotes. All are pretty common and a cool thing to note is that all banknotes are taken even if they are damaged, cut, burned, or whatever. The only rule is that 75 percent of the bill is legible. Alongside these banknotes, there are also the 0.01¢, 0.05¢, 0.10¢, and 0.25¢ pieces. To be honest, many people don’t use the coins, and use them as quick tips since they aren’t worth much and take up a lot of space and weight in your pocket/wallet.
How ironic that a currency as popular as the U.S. dollar is not used in Los Angeles. L.A. is very much card-based. You can use credit and debit everywhere you go. And the few places that don’t accept cards, take mobile payments like Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal. Even people selling street food and fruit take mobile payments. A good tip is to call and let your debit and credit card company know you are traveling. If you don’t, they may flag the card as fraud and block it.
Since much of the United States is a card-based society, exchange shops are uncommon, so I do not recommend you bring foreign physical money in hopes of converting it to USD. Bring a debit card and withdraw cash from an ATM if you think you need it. Cash is usually taken, but only the U.S. dollar. When you withdraw money from a bank, many ATMs will ask if you want to do the conversion there to make it “more convenient”. DO NOT use this option, the conversion rate is always better at your home bank, just keep it in US dollars, and your home bank will convert it at a much better rate.
Water
The water in Los Angeles, as in most of the U.S., is safe to drink. If you need a drink at your accommodation, it is safe to drink tap water. In restaurants, they will rarely give you tap water, but if they do, it is safe to drink. In addition, it is very easy to get free water in Los Angeles. Go into any fast-food restaurants, gas stations, cafés, and some other food vendors, and ask for a “water cup” and they will give you free water. Perfect on a hot summer day. One thing to note is that Americans, particularly in Los Angeles, love iced water. It’s uncommon to be given room-temperature water by default, so if you prefer room-temperature water, ask for it.
Taxes
The United States does not add sales tax to the listed price of most of their items. Sales Tax is something that varies by each state and is a tax added on at the register when you checkout. This means that if you go into a grocery store or souvenir shop, the price underneath the item will not be the final price at the register. If something costs $36.98 then the final price may be up to $40.38. This confuses many tourists but it’s the way the U.S. has decided to go.
Celebrities
Every time someone hears I live near Los Angeles, they ask, “How many celebrities have you met?” Let me be the bearer of bad news, on your vacation to Los Angeles, you will not meet any celebrities, and I’ve met four. People get this conception that when celebrities have days off, they go to Rodeo Drive or Hollywood and shop around. They just want to be out of the public eye unless they have to. You are more likely to see a celebrity hiking than shopping. But trust me, they know how to hide themselves. Just don’t travel to Los Angeles with the hopes of meeting celebrities, because you will be let down.
Last Call
You may be wondering what “last call” is. In the United States, each state has separate laws regarding when alcohol can be purchased. This includes bars, clubs, convenience stores, and gas stations. In California, the last call is 2 a.m. / 02:00. That means that if you are partying in a club or hanging out at a bar, you will not be able to purchase alcohol after 2 a.m. / 02:00. Keep in mind that some locations may stop serving alcohol as early as midnight. This is one thing that surprises my international visitors.
The Homeless
California, in particular, Los Angeles is going through a homeless crisis at the current moment. I’m not going to discuss why, but I mention it because you will see it on your trip to Los Angeles. Popular areas like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach see many makeshift shelters and tents where the homeless sleep. These shelters are found throughout the city and seem to set up camp wherever they please. They also panhandle a lot, and it is not uncommon for many homeless people to have dogs. I always advise if you want to give them something, give them something that is not straight money. Food, water, or even dog food are good options since you don’t know what that money will be used for.
Some people who live on the streets are addicts and/or mentally unstable individuals, and although they keep to themselves on most occasions, they can cause some trouble. It is not uncommon to hear them yell into the sky, or move erratically, so just ignore their shouts and if they make you uncomfortable, walk to the other side of the street. It is worth noting that not all homeless are bad people. I have noticed an improvement in homelessness in the city, particularly around major tourist destinations. However, I think it is just preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games that will take place in Los Angeles. So hopefully, the improvement stays.
Important U.S. Laws
The laws in California are very different from those in other countries and sometimes, states. You’d be surprised just how different laws can be from state to state. I have organized a list of the laws that are most vital to tourists. In no particular order, here are some laws that you should be aware of.
– Drinking
With the number of bars and clubs that Los Angeles has, drinking is intertwined in the fabric of the city. So why is this on the list? Well, the drinking age in the United States is 21 years old. NO exceptions will be made. I do understand that much of the world has a drinking age of 19 years old or younger (if drinking is legal), but the United States has stood strong at keeping it at 21. If you’re under this age and look under the age of ~45, you will be asked to show your ID. It is U.S. law and heavily enforced in California. You also cannot walk around in public with alcohol, which can result in a ticket or worse.
DO NOT drive under the influence of anything (alcohol, marijuana, etc.). This is called a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and it is a big deal in the United States. You can get a fine of up to $1,000.00 / €927.07, suspension of your license, and possibly jail time. If you are drinking, use a ride-share app or have a designated driver (dd) ready to take you home. Lastly, you cannot walk around the city or drive with open bottles of alcohol. If you are drinking, keep it in the building or at the bar.
– Marijuana
Marijuana, weed, ganja, pot, Mary Jane, there are so many names to describe this drug. It is legal for individuals to smoke marijuana in California and you will smell it. You will see many dispensaries around the city, with a cannabis leaf proudly displayed. You do need to be 21 to purchase, carry, and use marijuana. All dispensaries will ask for your ID before they give you your desired products. Some people will sell you marijuana on the street regardless of your age. Please, DO NOT take any drugs from the streets. The U.S. is facing an ever-increasing fentanyl problem. Fentanyl is a drug made from opioids that is easily lethal to people. For whatever reason, people are lacing other drugs including marijuana with this substance. You do not know what you are smoking or what it could be laced with. If you want to smoke, and you are not 21, then play it safe and don’t smoke. Is your life worth cheap street marijuana?
– Driving
If you are visiting Los Angeles for an extended period, you probably will be driving at some point since the city is so car-centered. Besides the obvious traffic rules (i.e. driving at or under the speed limit, stopping at stop signs, not parking in handicapped parking spots, etc.) there is an underlying driving culture in Los Angeles. Everyone is always in a rush to get somewhere. If you are driving on the freeway at a speed limit or a little under, I’d recommend you drive on the very right lane, as the left lanes are for faster traffic. Also, if you are at a stop light, and it turns green, and you are still there two seconds later, you will be honked at. It’s not an aggressive honk (in my opinion), it’s just to let you know to go.
Another major law is that you cannot use your phone while you drive. No talking, texting, or taking pictures while you are on the road. If you need to do that, I recommend you pull over because you can and will get a ticket. And I know that I’ve said it before in this blog post, but DO NOT drive under the influence of anything (alcohol, marijuana, etc.).
– Smoking Cigarettes
I understand how smoking cigarettes is very popular and part of the culture in many places in Europe and Asia. The unfortunate reality is that it is very difficult to smoke in California. For starters, there is no smoking in public parks and areas, places with children, and most private property. You also cannot smoke in a car with anyone under the age of 18. Speaking of 18, you cannot possess, purchase, or smoke cigarettes under the age of 18. Some theme parks like Six Flags: Magic Mountain will have designated smoking areas, but they are very small (sometimes with only one bench). If you are a heavy smoker, you may find this city difficult for that activity.
– Gambling
Gambling is illegal in the state of California, well kind of. The state does officially say it’s illegal to gamble, but there are exceptions. Horse and Greyhound racing allow virtual poker machines and some slots to operate, as well as Native American Reservations (officially called Indian Reservations). What is a Native American Reservation? A Native American Reservation is federal land that is owned and operated by certain native tribes. These areas act almost like an annexed country within the U.S. but, of course, are not. These reservations are the best place for people in California to gamble, but not all reservations have casinos, so double-check if that’s what you want to do. There is also none near Los Angeles so don’t expect any gambling in L.A. Las Vegas is a short five-hour drive if needed.
– Adult Companionship
What do I mean by adult companionship? To put it bluntly, prostitution. Prostitution in all varieties is illegal across California. If you get caught engaging in this act it can carry a fine of up to $1000.00 / €927.13 and a few months in jail. These punishments can also be applied for solicitation, which is the offer to engage in prostitution. If you go to poorer parts of Los Angeles, you will see sex workers, but I don’t recommend you participate in that. You don’t know all the risks, it’s not worth it.
Of course, there are many more laws, but I feel as if the ones covered are the most important for a tourist to know. Follow these tips, and you should not get in trouble with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Parking and Parking Validation
Parking is an important topic in Los Angeles solely for the reason that it can be very difficult to find parking, sometimes paid parking. Many parking spots near restaurants, museums, and retail and department stores will have signs displaying “Parking only for (insert name here) customers. Violators will be towed.” Do not park in these spots unless you are one of their designated customers. It is very possible that you can be towed, which is not something you want on your vacation.
If you are parking on the street, please read all signs on your side of the street to make sure you aren’t breaking any rules. They can be kind of confusing but try to dissect the pole and read sign by sign. Again, you can and will be towed. I have heard many people park where they see cars, and that can be dangerous. Many residents receive permits to surpass some of these rules since parking is so scarce. They could be able to park there and not you, so don’t rely on the crowd. Also, please be confident or know how to parallel park, sometimes it is the only parking spot left.
Parking validation is another thing to discuss in Los Angeles. Throughout many parts of the city, you will see parking rates, and below those rates are a lower price with the sign (with validation). What is parking validation? Parking validation is the process of getting your parking receipt stamped or marked, indicating you did something within that facility that made your parking valid. This can be visiting a museum, watching a movie, eating at an establishment, or purchasing something from a shop. If you need to double-check, just ask a worker if they validate parking. They will either say yes they will validate it once the requirement has been met. If they say no, they can direct you to the nearest location that validates.
Restrooms
Aren’t restrooms everywhere? So why are they in this? Well, the toilets in the U.S. have a couple of different things going on. Firstly, you can flush toilet paper down the toilet and in fact, many public stalls don’t have trash cans for that reason. Restrooms are also very abundant across Los Angeles. You can find one in almost any department store, restaurant, bar, or fast-food location, and they’re all free! So when nature calls, you shouldn’t be too far from a restroom.
One weird thing I hate about the U.S. is the restroom stalls. There are these gaps above and below the stalls and slits around the door, privacy is just a concept. I think the rationale is for safety if someone falls or is injured, but it’s weird being able to see through the cracks. Also, per the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), every commercial bathroom needs to have a handicap-accessible restroom stall. If you have any disabilities, all commercial locations have to legally accommodate you. On that note, if you are not disabled, please do not use the handicap stall.
Language
Although the United States does not have an official language, English is the most common language. It is on the menus, street signs, directions, and spoken by most of the people in the United States. When we start talking about Los Angeles in particular, things get a little more interesting. Alongside English, Spanish is the second most common language. You will hear Spanish all over L.A. and many of the theme parks and museums have maps and information in Spanish. Besides those two languages, virtually every other language is spoken here. Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures and languages, but other languages are practical to traverse the city. If you don’t speak English, you can use translators to help you get around, but it would benefit you to learn a few phrases in English.
Hopefully, these tips will help you understand and travel to Los Angeles more easily. As you can gather, L.A. is a large, metropolitan city full of many different communities.
Conclusion
This blog was just a broad guide to explain important Los Angeles tips. This blog post covered SIM Cards, the best time to travel to L.A., scams, important U.S. laws, restrooms, among more. Is there something you felt I missed? If you visited Los Angeles, How did your trip go? If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, feel free to post them below. Also, please check out blog posts related to Los Angeles below, or go back to the Los Angeles page to learn more about traveling to Los Angeles.
Leave a Reply