Tourists book flights to Los Angeles with one goal: to see and be seen. The very thought of Los Angeles conjures thoughts of expensive cars, bikini-clad beaches, the best in fashion and the iconic Hollywood sign. Hopeful artists hop cheap plane tickets to Los Angeles or hitch a ride to the coast in hopes of making it big. It's no wonder star-searching is the top tourist attraction in the City of Angels. Los Angeles flights give way to everything from top universities to top models and every person, place and thing in between. Whether your flight to Los Angeles is for an audition or an education, there's something for everyone in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles flights offer more than Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard. Sports fans book Los Angeles flights to see the Los Angeles Lakers shoot hoops and cheer on the MLB Los Angeles Dodgers. Of course, Los Angeles is the world leader in producing major motion pictures, beloved television shows and hit music. While you're here, dine on unique cuisine created by world-renowned chefs or spend like a celebrity on Rodeo Drive. The budget-minded will enjoy free attractions like the Getty Museum, a hike up the Hollywood sign, or a visit to the famous La Brea Tar Pits. But don't forget that the City of Angels is also dubbed "the city of dreams" -- make a wish on your flight to Los Angeles and it just might come true.
Find flights to Los Angeles
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Los Angeles sees hot summers and cooler winters. Thanks to its position along the Pacific Ocean, tourists booking flights to Los Angeles can be certain that good weather will follow year-round. Temperatures in the summer can reach well over 90 degrees (F), but this is also high-tourist season so travelers booking flights to Los Angeles during the summer should pack plenty of loose and comfortable clothing. Winter sees highs around 65 degrees (F) rain is common during the winter months.
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Unless you're planning on walking the red carpet at a Hollywood award show, finding a flight to Los Angeles shouldn't be too complicated. (If you are going to hang in the stands at one of Hollywood's famous award shows, plan your Los Angeles flights and accommodations far in advance).
Peak season:
With mild weather year round and abundant sunshine from April through October, L.A. is always busy. But to avoid the highest prices on airfare, hotels, and entertainment, plan your trip around major events, like the Academy Awards, which will be presented in Hollywood this March.
Off season:
There really isn’t an off season in Los Angeles. However, you might find cheap hotels or airfare deals during the rainy season (usually the winter months).
Who's flying to Los Angeles?
The glitz and glamour of Los Angeles is the city's main attraction any time of year. Star-seekers book Los Angeles flights during winter's awards season to catch a glimpse of the Oscars, Grammys and other shows. Thrifty fashionistas book Los Angeles airfare with one thing in mind: scoring season-end deals at the boutiques on Robertson Boulevard and Rodeo Drive. Additionally, taking advantage of the city's perfect weather, hikers and nature-lovers find airline tickets year-round and use the city as a base to trek to the nearby mountains and beaches.
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Tourists booking flights to Los Angeles have a few airport choices, but getting downtown is fairly easy.
Los Angeles International (LAX)
Distance: 17 miles southwest of downtown LA
Drive time: 30 mins
Buses and taxis are available to downtown. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes and costs around $1.50 by one of the bus or coach services and $25 by taxi.
Bob Hope Airport (BUR)
Distance: 12 miles north of LA
Drive time: 20 mins
Bob Hope is the closest airport to downtown LA. Metrolink and Amtrak rail services connect Bob Hope airport to LA. The station is walking distance from the main airport (free shuttles are also provided). Taxis and buses are also available.
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The city of L.A. sprawls over such a large area that getting around without a car can be frustrating and time consuming. The complex network of freeways connecting the sprawl can be intimidating, especially if not used to driving in big cities, but with a map or good directions hiring a car is the best and most popular way to see L.A. The city was designed with the automobile in mind and is more driver-friendly than most big cities with wide streets and plenty of parking. If possible, visitors should avoid rush hour traffic, which is heaviest from 7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm. LA is one of the cheapest places in the country to rent a car. It is also possible to get around by bus, but frequent transfers and long distances can make this slow and impractical, and they are not recommended for late night travel. The MetroRail system has three lines that cover only a small area of L.A, but are frequent and efficient. Taxis are also available, but can be expensive due to the long distances.
Where to stay:
If you’re looking for a hotel in Los Angeles that's close enough to the festivities, but far enough away so you can sleep through the night, book a Los Angeles hotel in Santa Monica or Pasadena. For the see-and-be-seen crowd, check out Los Angeles hotels in Hollywood, Universal City, and Beverly Hills. Budget-minded travelers who don’t mind staying off the beaten path can find cheap Los Angeles hotels in Downtown.
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- For an archetypal L.A. beach experience, you’ve got to visit Manhattan Beach at the south end of Santa Monica Bay. The beach has a 928-ft pier from which to fish, an aquarium, nine-hole golf course, surfing, volleyball and Sunday afternoon concerts. But, most importantly, it’s the place to swim, bronze, in-line skate, see and be seen.
- The biggest and best museum in L.A. is the Getty, which houses an impressive collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present day. But though entrance is free, be aware that parking costs $7 for the day. To avoid the costs, take the Metro bus 761, which stops right outside the main gate.
- TheLot (formally the Formosa Cafe), next door to the Warner Hollywood Studio is a must-visit if you want to dine with the stars. Once frequented by all the biggest names – Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, James Dean and Elvis – the diner still visits from today’s stars such as Bono, Nic Cage, Jodie Foster and Michael Douglas. The café even has a part in the film L.A.Confidential… The café walls are adorned with signed photographs of all the celebrities who have since eaten at the café.
- For something a little more unusual, take your pet along to Olvera Street in downtown LA in the springtime for the blessing of the animals. The event is held every Easter Saturday and has been running for hundreds of years. All kinds of animals are blessed, from dogs and cats to horses and snakes. Needs more inspiration? Check out Discover Los Angeles' 100 Free Things to Do in LA. Check out more Los Angeles happenings at www.discoverlosangeles.com
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