Flights to Los Angeles

You’ll know you’ve arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when you spy the Hollywood sign in the distant hills. The Theme Building, designed in the Googie style and constructed in 1961 by 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, with Delta occupying Nos. 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 doghouse and plastic bags for your convenience.

L.A. Beaches

The weather in L.A. makes it easy to take advantage of all the city has to offer, including and especially its beaches. The Santa Monica beach and pier have provided entertainment, dining and 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 in LA.

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 Around L.A.

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.

Los Angeles 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.

Los Angeles 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.

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.