America’s second largest city and the glitzy home of Hollywood, Los Angeles is a great place to visit all year round. It has a lively nightlife, fascinating sights to see and amazing restaurants. If you are planning a trip to the City Of Angels then here is a quick guide to help things run smoothly. For more information on the city, take a look at the travel guides provided at ASDA Travel.
Getting There
A flight from Gatwick to Los Angeles International Airport, through a reputable airline such as Virgin Atlantic is going to cost around £350 depending on when you travel. It is a necessary to be flexible with the dates of travel however because the ticket prices can soar to just under £1,500 around holiday times. Take a look at Cheap Flights for comparison tables on some of the best deals.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance comes in a number of varieties depending on how often you are going to travel and what type of activities you intend to undertake. For example a company such as AA Travel provide single-trip travel insurance cover for around ten pounds, which is suitable for the majority of people.
Accommodation
Booking a hotel in LA is easy as there are literally hundreds to choose from. The high-end hotels tend to be on the west side of the city and as such command the best views. If you are looking for a top-notch hotel, and money's no object, then you might want to try the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. This hotel combines sophistication and luxury, with stylish modern décor and hi-tech fittings. Each room comes fully fitted with CD, DVD players, flat-screen TVs, WiFi and even video game consoles. Also all of the rooms have been positioned to overlook either the ocean or the pool. Prices vary but start at approximately £185 per night. At the other end of the spectrum you can try The Claremont, which is located in Westwood Village. Rooms are very basic (no TV etc) but are kept exceptional clean and tidy. What's more Westwood Village is a friendly area of LA and rooms are a bargain at around £30 per night. For something a little unusual you could try Farmer's Daughter. Each room comes fitted with high-speed Internet connections, cable TV and DVD players. It is decorated rather idiosyncratically with paintings of barnyard animals and rooms all have rocking chairs for that “down-home” feel. Rooms here are also around £185 per night. If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, however, take a look at Abercrombie and Kent for luxury hotels in LA and the surrounding area.
Thing To See and Do
If you've seen all the major attractions, been to Disneyland and the movie studios, then here are a few things that you may want to consider. The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City on Venice Boulevard is both weird and fun. Here you can find strange technologies from bygone eras and other odd exhibitions such as the statue carved in a human hair and a machine that reads fortunes. Entrance is by donation but it is recommended that you donate around £2.00 or £3.00. Another place to visit, this time in the historic Pasadena, is the Bunny Museum. This is a museum dedicated to stuffed rabbits, however, this is someone's home and you do need a reservation before arriving. In order to book you can visit their website at www.thebunnymuseum.com.
Where to Eat
There are plenty of restaurants throughout the city but for something different you might want to try the Typhoon Restaurant in Santa Monica. Typhoon is an Asian fusion restaurant that specialises in cooking insects including scorpions and ants, although they also have delicious 'normal' dishes including an excellent spicy Mongolian lamb. |
