A British tourist’s guide to traveling in Los Angeles

Photo by William Norwood

A display of the iconic 1920s style architecture of the Apple Tower Theatre Store.

California, with roughly 40 million people, is more than just the country’s most populous state. It is home to two of the world’s most famous cities: the startup neighborhoods of San Francisco and Silicon Valley and the endless freeways of Los Angeles. 

LA is a common vacation spot for northern California residents, but do you really know how to spend your time in the city? Probably not. 

The city is more than just a traffic hotspot, but as a semi-frequent visitor, I can see why it feels that way. Whenever I travel to LA, I’ve learned to try to avoid the busiest times of day, which tend to be the mornings and late afternoons. When you go at the right time to explore, the city’s sights finally open up. 

Before traveling to LA, you should always consider how you are going to get there: I recommend driving. When you fly to LA, the public transportation is lacking, meaning you have to rent a car, which gets expensive fast.

When choosing a place to stay, pick somewhere away from downtown L.A. Choose neighborhoods such as Beverly Hills, Huntington Beach or Newport Beach.

Once you’re settled, one place you must visit is the Getty Villa and Getty Center in the northern part of the city. The Getty is the pinnacle of architecture and art in LA, and is stunning to visit. The g gardens and glistening fountains of the villa leave lasting impressions. 

Best of all, entry to the Getty is free for both the Villa Museum and Center! Do note that the Villa and Center are about a 25-minute drive apart, but you can take a longer route through the neighborhoods of northern LA to enjoy the views.

Another spot to visit is the Griffith observatory in the Hollywood Hills. This site is one of the best public observatories in the world. Not only does it provide an excellent place to view the sky, but it also has some of the best views of the iconic Hollywood Sign and the beautiful city.

The first time I visited LA, I visited Griffith observatory and I realized what drew people to Los Angeles. Ever since I was a child in the U.K., I was always drawn to cities and metropolitan lifestyles — that’s what made London so special to me. When I moved to the Bay Area, I missed the city life, but I found something similar in LA. 

If you have time, I also recommend exploring the city’s hidden gems, such as The Last Bookstore — California’s largest used bookstore — in downtown LA. This bookstore has beautifully made book arches and small rooms, which are adorned with books of less common genres that most never search for. Here, the feeling you have when opening an old book to see the worn pages and the old musty smell is unmatched, and the books are all affordable and environmentally friendly because they’re used.

Another gem in downtown is the Apple Tower Theatre Store. I know what you may be thinking: an Apple Store? Yes, but this is far more than a normal Apple Store — it’s a cultural icon of the city. 

The Tower Theatre, built in 1927, was one of the first movie theatres in LA, but in 1988 it closed its doors and was abandoned as a forgotten landmark. The site was then renovated by Apple and turned into an Apple Store, while still maintaining its beautiful history. 

The architecture consists of bright white colors and Roman style arches and columns. The ceiling and walls are filled with carvings, adding a textural touch to the surroundings. The ceiling also consists of painted clouds that are beautifully lit by the hundreds of lights. 

While you’re visiting the Getty and uncovering LA’s gems, you’ll also want to stop by the city’s bakeries, which are some of the most famous and aesthetic in the world. 

One place I would recommend is The Butcher, The Baker & The Cappuccino Maker, located in West Hollywood. This breakfast spot is a great spot to stop before you start your morning shopping spree. Another bakery to visit is Porto’s Bakery. Porto’s is a Bakery that was started by first generation Cuban immigrants, and it has some of the best pastries and cakes in LA. 

As you’re traveling, make sure to plan carefully, as it is easy to lose track of time in between eating and touring. And most importantly, skip Disneyland and Universal Studios and look beyond tourist traps like overrated Venice Beach, and truly see LA for the city itself the next time you visit.