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Los Angeles Travel Tips
 | Since Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is extremely busy, consider other airports located in Long Beach, Orange County or Burbank to fly into Los Angeles. |
| At any Los Angeles beaches the daytime temperatures will be 2 to 7 degrees Celsius lower than the prevailing temperatures in the rest of the city. This is especially true for the summer months. The highest temperatures that you would encounter in LA would be approximately 28-29 degrees Celsius in the months of July to September. The coldest would be 9 to 12 degrees Celsius between November and February. |
| November to February are the rainy months as well so do pack umbrellas apart from warm clothes if you are visiting LA at that time. May, June, September and October are the best months to visit LA. |
| Generally, the beach waters in LA are a bit too cold. Prepare accordingly. You could visit Venice Beach, which is slightly unusual and Orange county's Newport beach or even the Huntington if you are interested in surfing. |
| Avail CityPass, a discount ticket if you intend to visit several chargeable attractions in LA. |
| LA metropolitan is huge and comprises five counties. Traveling North to South may take a whole day. Pick an area such as beaches or Hollywood to reside and visit the nearby tourist attractions. |
| In Hollywood and Beverly Hills area avoid the film stars home tours, they are overpriced. Also do not buy maps sold on the streets. Do not expect to see movie stars in Beverly Hills, very few stay there. In Hollywood you will mainly find museums, Walk of Fame and Mann's Chinese theater. |
| Avoid the freeway 405 as it is perpetually jam, especially between Long Beach and US 101. In all likelihood you will get stuck in it, so see the map and take an alternative route. Also in LA, it is better to use the metros rather than taking or renting a car. |
| In LA, it is possible to strike an excellent deal with the hotels during weekends. This is especially true for hotels located to the south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the El Segundo. You should get a better price if you book directly online through the hotel's website. |
| It is perfectly safe to drink tap water in LA. |
| If you intend to visit the hip and elite places, restaurants etc. in LA, make sure you carry trendy clothes. LA people are quiet image conscious. |
| Unless it is an extremely casual joint, do not choose the table for yourself. Let the host make your seating arrangements. Usual dinner time in LA is 8:00 P.M. |
| Restaurants here generally refill sodas for free. You can therefore drink as much soda and pay just for one. You need to be at least 21 years old to buy alcohol in LA. |
| Lunch is usually cheaper than dinner especially in Thai and Chinese restaurants that offer set lunches for $7 or less. Alcoholic drinks in fancy restaurants have a high mark up on them. Be careful of your bill as a 8 percent sales tax and 15 percent tip is levied at the end of the meal. Also valet parking would be payable. |
| A 15 to 20 percent tip is applicable not only for restaurants, but also taxis and hairdressers. Porters expect $1 to 2 per luggage. |
| Smoking inside bars and restaurants is restricted prohibited by state law. Outdoor areas are usually exempt from this prohibition. |
| For people from U.K/ Europe or Asia, getting used to American traffic system may be slightly difficult. To them everything will appear opposite, but that is normal in United States. Be careful while driving or even crossing roads. LA can be an extremely difficult city to navigate through especially during rush hours. |
| Read the parking rules and signs carefully. Rules enforcement is extremely strict in Hollywood, Santa Monica and West Hollywood. Mostly in these areas you require a city issued Resident Permit. If you park incorrectly, you will receive a parking ticket so keep driving around till you are sure of the area. In certain areas laws clearly state that parking is allowed for two hours only- follow the rule religiously. |
| Once in LA you must visit the Catalina Island, which is only an hour's ferry ride from the Long Beach. You can avail the ferry from San Pedro, Newport Beach and Dana Point. Avalon is the only city on the Island and is extremely beautiful. For a trip to the Catalina Island, you may take a discounted package that would include the ferry fare, hotel accommodation and tours of the place. |
| LA is not the safest of cities in US. This is not to discourage you from going out at night, it merely means that you ought to avoid certain areas. Desist from walking in downtown or east LA at night. Also preferably avoid Compton, Inglewood, Lynwood, North Long Beach, South LA, Watts and South Central at all times. Do not leave any expensive goods in your car or leave it unlocked at any time. |
| Try and avoid red or blue colors in LA if you are Asian, Latino or Black and also do not wear bandannas here. Red and Blue are generally associated with gangs. Major gang activity areas are Culver City, Mar Vista, Watts, Compton, Inglewood, downtown, East LA, Van Nuvs, Venice, Santa Monica, Eagle Rock, Long Beach and Hollywood. |
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