Los Angeles, known for glitz, glamour, smog and traffic, has something for everyone. You can tour Hollywood, people-watch, see world-class art and learn about L.A. history, both natural and automotive. Now that the City of Angels finally has a decent subway and light rail system, getting around L.A. is easier than ever.
Getting There
Los Angeles is served by several airports: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Long Beach Airport, Bob Hope Airport (Burbank) John Wayne Airport and LA/Ontario International Airport. You can reach Union Station, where Metro light rail lines converge, by Amtrak train. Greyhound also serves Los Angeles; there are two stations, one just outside of downtown on 7th Street and one on Olympic Boulevard in East Los Angeles. (Tip: Take a taxi to Union Station from either Greyhound station; it's safer and easier.)
Where to Stay
Before you decide where to stay, spend some time deciding where in Los Angeles you'd like to go. You can take the subway and light rail to some places, including the LAX area and Hollywood, but that won't do you much good if you stay far from a Metro or Metrolink station and don't have a car. Put your itinerary together, decide how you'd like to get around (car, taxi, bus, rail) and choose a hotel that will work with your plan. Then begin looking for budget options. Remember that Los Angeles, like many big cities, has its fair share of unsafe neighborhoods. Do some address-specific research before booking your room.
If you plan to use public transportation exclusively, consider staying in the downtown area. You'll pay more for your room, but you'll be able to hop on one of the Metro lines or Metrolink trains to Wilshire Boulevard, Hollywood, Universal City or Old Town Pasadena. For funky Moroccan ambience, try Hotel Figueroa near the Staples Center. You may also want to contact some of the big-name downtown hotels to see if they offer weekend specials.
You may wish to stay near LAX if you plan to visit Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Malibu, West Los Angeles or the Getty Center and Villa. Many hotels near the airport offer great weekend rates. The Courtyard Los Angeles / LAX and Embassy Suites Los Angeles International Airport North are good weekend choices.
If you'd rather stay in Hollywood, try the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Hollywood Walk of Fame. Be ready to share the hallways with the nightclub set.
For a unique experience near the Page Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Petersen Automotive Museum (not to mention CBS Studios), stay at the Farmer's Daughter, just across the street from Farmers Market. The location is great and there's plenty of country kitsch to go around.
Tip: Staying in a suburb can save you money, but you will spend more time traveling to and from the sights and attractions you've chosen. Pasadena and Glendale are popular with visitors who choose to stay in the suburbs; they're within a half-hour drive to downtown L.A. (without traffic), a similar distance from Universal City and close to restaurants, art museums, parks and gardens.
Los Angeles Dining Options
From fast food to gourmet restaurants, you can find any type of cuisine in Los Angeles and its culturally-rich suburbs. Bring along or buy a restaurant guide and read budget restaurant reviews before you decide where to eat. Don't be afraid to ask to see a menu before you're seated.
Many tourists follow the locals' example and head to Farmers Market when they're visiting the Page Museum, Petersen Museum or L.A. County Museum of Art. At Farmers Market you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, enjoying everything from traditional diner food to deli fare to ethnic cuisine.
If you're in a hurry or stuck in traffic, you might want to try one of In-N-Out Burger's famous hamburgers. This fast food chain began in southern California (as did McDonald's), but unlike many other fast food empires, In-N-Out has stuck to what it does best – freshly-made burgers, hand-cut fries and creamy milkshakes. There's nothing fancy about In-N-Out, but you'll quickly notice that it's very popular with locals, and with good reason.
Another budget tradition, one you may have seen on television, is Pink's Hot Dogs. Pink's has been around – same hot dog stand, same place – since 1939. Prices are a bit higher now, but the most expensive dogs on the menu are less than $6.00. You'll find Pink's near Melrose and LaBrea in Hollywood. Watch carefully – Pink's is popular with L.A.'s rich and famous.
Getting Around L.A.
L.A.'s famous traffic is everything it's cracked up to be, and more. If you're planning to get around by rental car, get a map and listen to traffic reports on KFWB (AM 980) or KNX (AM 1070). Allow extra driving time if you're headed to a ticketed event. Use HOV lanes on freeways if you have enough passengers in your car.
Many popular neighborhoods and attractions can be reached by Metro (subway) or Metrolink (light rail). Los Angeles has an extensive bus network, too. If you're traveling outside the city limits, be sure you have appropriate transit maps and operating schedules, as you may need to transfer from one transit company's system to another. Metrolink's ticket machines accept credit cards, but Metro's machines do not, so be sure you have some cash on hand. Both networks offer senior discounts.
Next: Senior-Friendly Attractions, Events and Festivals in Los Angeles
