Allie + Sam’s City Guide to Los Angeles

This article was written by guest authors, Allie and Sam. 

If there was any place, I could spend my days it would be LA. There’s just nothing quite like hopping off the plane at LAX. The magic, the busy vibe, and the endless options of things to do – I can’t think of a better place to vacation and can’t wait to do so once possible again!

We’re excited to partner with Expedia to share our ultimate guide to Los Angeles, so you can book the perfect adventure for the future – without having to do all the research on where to stay, eat, and play.

Expedia is the ideal travel companion for all your travel needs – both trip planning and trip taking! Expedia helps travellers take control of every aspect of their trip, with everything in one place so booking is an absolute breeze.

Okay, now, let’s get to LA!

WHERE TO STAY

Having a relaxing place to call home during your vacations is key – it’s where you’ll rest up for long days of adventures, or, if you’re like us, sneak back to during the day for a happy hour drink and little re-charge. We like to pick a couple hotels in different areas of the city, so we can be within walking distance of different places we want to see and eat at and explore.

Here’s our two favourites in LA:

Kimpton Everly

If you like to be in the centre of the action, this is the place to stay. It’s steps away from Hollywood – and we all know the Walk of Fame is a must for any LA first timer. The Everly also has a rooftop pool – the perfect place to sip a cocktail after a long day of exploring, if you ask us. We love staying at any of the Kimpton hotels, because they offer a complimentary social hour from 5-6 every evening!

Hotel Figeuroa

Downtown LA, Hotel Figueroa is not only absolutely stunning in and of itself, but it’s within walking distance to so many shops and restaurants, that you won’t have to walk very far!

It also has a stunning pool – the only ground level pool in DTLA, a gym, and an in-house Tesla available for guests shuttling.

WHERE TO EAT

Food is probably our favourite word when we’re travelling. With all the walking and exploring, we always work up such an appetite. Not to mention, trying new restaurants is pretty much our biggest hobby!

 We discovered these two during our last trip to LA:

 E.P & L.P Rooftop & Restaurant

 Yummy food, a fun atmosphere, and great cocktails? Sign us up. We absolutely loved going for dinner at E.P Restaurant and a drink up on the L.P Rooftop. You won’t be disappointed!

Gracias Madre

If you like Mexican food, you’re in for a real treat here. Gracias Madre is a completely plant-based restaurant in West Hollywood. You will not leave hungry, let me tell you that!

WHERE TO SIGHTSEE (and take fantastic pictures)

Hike up to Hollywood Sign

Get your walking shoes on for this one! Hiking around this iconic spot is a must-do while you’re in LA. Not only is it a beautiful and peaceful area to hike, it’s also a great workout! There’s easier paths, and paths for the more adventurous – something for every age and ability. We’ve taken several of the trails, and I have to say, the adventurous one is not for the faint of heart!

There’s a tree at the top of Mount Lee – the mountain the iconic sign is situated on – called the Wisdom Tree, a lone tree overlooking the beauty of Los Angeles. There’s a trunk beneath the tree, full of papers with wishes written by hikers – Sam and I both left one there when we went!

Griffith Observatory at sunrise or sunset

Make sure your cameras are charged for this one, folks. We absolutely loved taking in the sweeping views of Los Angeles here.

West Hollywood

This neighbourhood is perfect for walking around and exploring on a nice day. It’s full of IG-worth spots to take photos, shops, restaurants, and – a must for us – it’s super LGBTQ+ friendly!

A Studio Tour or Bus Tour

When in LA, right? This is a must. Seeing where the filming action takes place or driving by celeb’s homes is just an iconic thing to do when you’re in a place known for its stars and filming!

TRAVEL TIPS (for LA and everywhere)

Rent a car – but only for a couple days.

LA itself has great transit options – we usually opt to Uber or walk. However, it’s worth booking a car rental while you’re here, so you can take little day trips to the fantastic spots just outside of the city – Venice, Malibu, and the OC can all be done in a day trip – and we’d suggest doing all three!

Book a refundable or flexible hotel.

We like flexibility when we travel, and we almost always end up extending our trips a bit! So, we like to have flexible hotel booking that can accommodate our change of plans with no hassle. You can do this easily on Expedia by using the “free cancellation” search filter or selecting “book now, pay later” rates.

Check on safety.

Be sure to take note of the health and hygiene measures hotels are providing. You can find these on the hotel info pages on Expedia, so you can rest assured knowing you’ll be in a safe environment.

Also, take note of the hotel location and what’s nearby, so you can feel safe where you’re staying!

Remember: be sure to check out travel restrictions and COVID-19 guidelines before travelling right now. You can check out Expedia’s COVID-19 travel guide here as well.

Okay, this should be a great start for getting you through a few days in Los Angeles – and you will no doubt have no problem finding a hundred other things to do and see, just by walking out your hotel door!