Flights to Los Angeles
 

Is that our name we see in lights? Then we must be headed for Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world; known around the world as the City of Angels. Home to movie stars, directors and plenty of other suntanned and well dressed folks, L.A. is a good looking town with its industry down pat. It's easy to see why. With a near perfect climate, L.A. is inspiring. There is almost no humidity and year-round temperatures hover in the 70s-80s°F range, which promises good filming weather almost every day of the year.

If you’ve never been to L.A. to witness the beautiful beaches, swaying palm trees and Hollywood sign up close, the silver screen just can't do them justice. It doesn't matter the time of year, so do your best to see the world through Cameron Crowe's eyes and picture yourself in Tinseltown.

 

You’ll know you’ve arrived when you touch down at LAX Airport and can spy the Hollywood sign in the hills in the distance. The Theme Building, designed in the Googie style and constructed in 1961 by the architect Paul Williams is probably the airport’s most iconic structure with its 135-foot arches. One of the busiest airports in the world, LAX has nine passenger terminals. Delta occupies Terminals 2 and 3. You’ll find chain restaurants, ethnic cuisine, cocktail lounges, duty free shops and plenty of retail shopping. If you’re traveling with pets, there’s even a small pet park outfitted with a dog house and plastic bags for your convenience.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

  • At Los Angeles International Airport itself, shuttle buses ferry passengers between terminals and above-ground walkways and underground tunnels also connect some.
  • LAX is located 18 miles from downtown L.A. 
  • The FlyAway Bus is a nonstop motorcoach that provides scheduled service between the airport and downtown. 
  • You can also have your choice of car rental companies, limo services and taxis.

BEACHES

The weather in L.A. makes it easy to take advantage of all that the city has to offer, including and especially its beaches. The Santa Monica beach and pier have provided entertainment, dining and, of course, picturesque sunsets for more than 100 years. Visit Pacific Park, a 12-ride amusement park located on the pier itself and ride the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel with views of the Pacific Ocean.

Want to watch surfers ride the swells and maybe step into some liquid yourself? At Manhattan Beach you’ll find surfers, boogie boarders and bodysurfers  and plenty of beautiful people, too.

And if you’d rather stick to the sand and do some people-watching, Venice Beach is your place. You’ll find everyone from bodybuilders to street performers and palm readers all strolling the boardwalk.

SHOPPING

You’ve probably heard that the shopping in L.A. is pretty good. And we’re here to tell you: it’s true.

For a splurge, make like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and head to Beverly Hills and walk Rodeo Drive. You’ll find that Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and Tom Ford brighten up even the sunniest of cities.

For a more eclectic array of boutique shopping mixed with brand names, try Melrose Avenue. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your home, you’ll find an array of fashion and design that runs the gamut from vintage and affordable to luxurious.

HIKING

L.A. isn’t just about the city life. The hills that surround the city also offer a natural respite from the urban setting. One of the best known places to hike is at Runyon Canyon Park. It’s still within the city limits and has trails for beginners or advanced hikers with incredible views of Los Angeles and the iconic Hollywood sign.

Or try the Corral Canyon loop located in the Santa Monica Mountains. Corral Canyon Cave, also known as Morrison’s Cave, is reputed to be an old writing haunt of Jim Morrison’s.

RESTAURANTS

Oh, by the way: L.A. likes to eat. The idea of the celebrity chef was born here, and it remains in full effect today. Wolfgang Puck's Spago was the first, and then came Tom Colicchio's Craft, Laurent Tourondel's BLT Steak and Nobu Matsuhisa's Nob. Expect to see celebrities and Hollywood power players making deals and dining at these locations.

NIGHTLIFE

You of course can’t go to L.A. without staying up past your bedtime. In the post-dinner hours, the city teems with the kind of nocturnal enthusiasm you’d expect from a celebrity haven. Besides nightclubs and bars, you’ll also find plenty of music venues, dance parties and comedy clubs. Plus, mixologists at L.A.’s top bars craft some of the best cocktails ever poured out in this country. While almost every neighborhood in the City of Angels pulses after dark, you’ll find the buzziest venues in downtown L.A. and, of course, Hollywood.

Wherever you decide to stay in L.A., chances are there’s a trendy hotel around the corner waiting to cater to your needs. 

If you prefer to stick to the downtown L.A. neighborhood, the off-beat and refreshingly unconventional Ace Hotel is your spot. Located in the historic 1927 Untied Artists building and theater, the boutique hotel offers small, medium and large rooms in addition to lofts and suites. All are furnished in its distinctive style - a mix of mid-century modern and bohemian.

Would you rather go Hollywood? The Moment Hotel took over an outdated 1950s motel on Sunset, turning it into a thoroughly modern take on retro design. It’s only a five-minute walk to the famous Sunset Strip, and you can always end the night at its buzzy, expansive roof deck.

For an unforgettable stay near the beach in Santa Monica, the Pailhouse, located in a 1927 Mediterranean revival building, offers apartment-style rooms. Each one is meticulously designed and outfitted with the kind of cool, vintage-inspired furnishings you expect to find in L.A.

If you’re planning a trip to L.A., the good news is it’s difficult to find a bad time of year to do it. Thanks to the city’s Mediterranean climate, summers are warm and winters are mild. Its dry summers average highs around 84°F in August and its mild winters see highs of 68°F and lows of 48°F with some occasional rain. On average, L.A.’s warmest month is September and its coolest is December. For precipitation, July is generally wettest while January is the driest.