Los Angeles Vacation Tips

UPDATED JULY 2024

Whether you are heading out west for the sunny weather, the beautiful beach or to try and catch a glimpse of a star or two, there are certainly a number of things to know which will make your time in Los Angeles a little bit more fun. With a couple helpful Los Angeles Vacation Tips and a Go Los Angeles Card Attractions Pass tucked into your pocket, there’s simply no way that your time in the Golden State won’t be great! The first tip is a relatively new one. Use your Go Los Angeles Card to visit Universal Studios Hollywood and take a trip on the park’s newest ride - “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.” A motion simulator ride based off of the rib-splitting flick Despicable Me, the ride has been a hit since it opened up in LA after first having success in Orlando. A special feature of the Go Los Angeles Card that is unique to Universal Studios allows pass-holders to enter the park three separate times, good for $84 worth of fun. You may be wondering what you’ll be getting yourself into when you get to LA, so here’s a brief overview of what to expect: The City of Los Angeles is 472 square miles of entertainment and culture, with more than 300 museums, the largest government center outside of Washington, D.C., the nation’s largest historical theater district and of course, the one and only place to see the infamous stars on the Walk of Fame. Los Angeles County is obviously far larger at 4,084 square miles and it contains 88 incorporated cities with L.A. being the largest with a population of 3.8 million people. During your visit to all the 37 sites that are available with the all-inclusive Go Los Angeles Card for one low price, keep your eyes peeled for birds of paradise (the official city bird) and coral trees (the official city tree). You also may want stop by the port in Lalaland if you want to see a city in action as the waterfront in the City of Angels is the busiest in the U.S. and one of the busiest in the world. You certainly won’t be the only person looking for Los Angeles Vacation tips as Los AngelesCounty generally has 40.3 million visitors each year. The Go Los Angeles Card has been ranked by reviewers at 4.5 out of five stars and has gotten positive reviews from around the world, including this one from a German tourist in 2012. “I bought the 5-day Go LA Card and it was well worth it! At this time of writing I have only used it 4 days out of 5 and it is already well worth it, I saved more than if I didn't get the card!” Need things to do in Los Angeles? Consider options like the Hollywood Museum, Malibu Movie Star Homes Tour or Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Go City Expert
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Adventurous Things to do in Los Angeles

Looking for unexpected and unique experiences in Los Angeles - it shouldn’t be this difficult, right? Home to some of the West Coast’s most wonderful seascapes, scenic nature trails and iconic amusement parks, The City of Angels is a thriving and dynamic city bursting with great options to choose from. Really, the hardest part is narrowing things down. But don’t worry if you’re having trouble choosing, because we’ve rounded up our top points of interest and fun excursions in Los Angeles and are sharing them right below. So, note down your favorites and experience a different side to the city to make your trip an unforgettable one. However you choose to enjoy L.A., we’re sure you’ll have a blast! Explore Nature Los Angeles’ coastal seat makes an ideal destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. Set along the magnificent jagged sea cliffs of San Pedro, White Point/Royal Palms Beach offers postcard-worthy scenery and spectacular ocean views. There are a lot of great things to do here, but our favorites has got to be inspecting the tide pools dotted along the coastline. Get up close here, and you’ll be able to see all sorts of wonderful marine creatures, from small fish and hermit crabs to sea stars and anemones. These wonderful sea basins are best explored at low tide, so that you can get a better look and stay dry at the same time. Still, if you thought that was all that there is to see here, you couldn’t be more wrong! Other popular activities at White Point/Royal Palms include hiking, surfing, scuba diving and much more. This spot is less touristy than other beaches in Los Angeles, so if you want to make it a day trip we suggest bringing food along with you - there’s a fantastic picnic area right near the bluff where you can take a break and soak up those panoramic ocean views. Offering a chance to see wildlife in its natural habitat and serene, picture-perfect views, this spot is hands down one of the best beaches that the city has to offer. Where New York has Central Park, L.A. has Griffith Park. Don’t get it twisted though - unlike Central Park, this vast greenspace is all-natural and well-recognized for its sweeping hilltops and unique gardens. Covering over 4,000 acres around the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, this large municipal park gives walkers a chance to explore the Californian landscape in all its glory. Meander along scenic nature trails and explore Southern California’s most wonderful natural attributes. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you go - visitors can expect to see lizards, hawks, deer and more. This spot is especially popular around dusk since it is home to the Griffith Observatory, which provides fantastic views of the Los Angeles Basin. Aside from its delightful splendor, Griffith Park is also home to some of the city’s top attractions. Catch a play or concert at the brilliant Greek Theatre, check out the animals at Los Angeles Zoo, or learn something new at the Autry Museum of the American West. Or, for something a little different, head over to the Old Los Angeles Zoo. Situated near the east side of the park, this historic abandoned attraction complete with old animal enclosures and ruins makes the perfect picnic spot. Home to some of the best scenery in Los Angeles, this place is well worth the visit. Take a Trip If you’re looking for a fun and spontaneous day trip in L.A., the Catalina Express Ferry should do just the trick. Set sail from Long Beach, San Pedro and admire the crystalline waters of the Pacific Ocean as you head over the beautiful island which lies just southwest of the city. Billed as ‘’a Hidden Paradise in Southern California’’, this rocky island is great place for relaxation and play. The city’s charming cultural hub, Avalon, is packed with engaging and interesting things to do, including the Catalina Island Museum, Catalina Casino, and Lover’s Cove. But if you’re hankering to get in touch with nature, the island presents more than its fair share of exciting activities. Explore Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden, try your hand at fly fishing, or whiz through the air over Descanso Beach - the choice is yours! A thoroughly unique excursion, this place should rank way high up on any visitor’s itinerary. Have a Blast! Visiting a theme park is a great way to spend time with friends and family on vacation, And of course, there’s no better place to test your sense of bravery than at Six Flags Magic Mountain. As one of the most popular amusement parks in the United States, this spot draws in around 3 million visitors each year - and it’s easy to see why! With 19 rides and attractions to choose from, this spot holds the record for the largest number of rollercoasters in an amusement park. Perhaps not one for the faint-hearted, the attraction is well-recognized for its corkscrewing roller coasters and dizzying thrill rides. Fan favorites include X2, Goliath and Tatsu. In addition, Six Flags’ neighboring water park, Hurricane Harbor is a fantastic place to make a splash and cool off from the California heat in the summertime. A total crowdpleaser and quintessential L.A. attraction, this place is perfect for any visitor looking for an exciting day out. With a vibrant mix of cosmopolitan and nature attractions, Los Angeles has a little something to offer everybody. The perfect destination for the voracious traveller, the city offers everything from fun day trips to only-in-L.A.-experiences. Explore the area to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
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Win a 2 Night Stay at the Sheraton Universal this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. Make yourself at home in the Hollywood Hills in the AAA 4-diamond Sheraton Universal Hotel. The Sheraton’s ideal location puts you moments away from Universal Studios (with their free shuttle) and with the Metro Red Line a short walk away you’ll be easily in reach of top central LA attractions like the Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Rather unwind? They’ve got that covered too. Relax by the pool, grab a drink in the glamorous hotel bar, or just chill out in your room looking out of floor-to-ceiling windows over stunning views of the San Fernando Valley. For an even more magical view, head up to the roof top Starview Room for 270° panoramas of Hollywood. You’ll also get a delicious breakfast at The California’s Restaurant. Enjoy regional American fare and a full menu of breakfast options in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, all with friendly and accommodating service. Park hopping or putting your feet up, you’re in for a getaway made for the movies! How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our Los Angeles passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions
Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield

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