Flights to Los Angeles

Need to know

The iconic home of Hollywood, Los Angeles is something of a cosmopolitan playground for the rich and famous. Stroll along the star-studded streets and discover beauty in the bright lights of the City of Angels.

Many dream of making it big in Hollywood and the area attracts large numbers of tourists all year round. Hike up Mount Hollywood and discover a breathtaking view of the city from next to the legendary Hollywood sign. The surrounding Hollywood Hills area is home to plethora of stars, as well as gorgeous Griffith Park. The Griffith Park Observatory is a beautiful place to study the night sky above the country’s second largest metropolis.

At the bottom of the Hollywood Hills lies Warner Bros. Studios and the Universal Studios theme park, which contains the extremely popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Full of film memorabilia and thrilling rides, these theme parks are a must-see for any film fanatic. Just outside of Universal Studios Hollywood is Universal CityWalk,an entertainment hub with lots of shops, eateries, clubs and a cinema. Head to West Hollywood to shop ‘til you drop on the streets of Sunset Boulevard, Melrose Avenue and Rodeo Drive. After some retail therapy, spend some time picking out the names of stars who have graced the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The nearby Dodger Stadium is one of baseball’s oldest homes and the perfect place to spend an all-American afternoon cheering on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Los Angeles is home to numerous museums, including the California Science Center and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The city is also buzzing with artists, with lots of galleries dotted around the city. Check out the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for historic art pieces, or The Broad for contemporary exhibitions. The Getty Center also houses a wide range of American and European pieces, as well as a several gardens and fountains.

Stunning beaches and boardwalks hug the coast of Los Angeles. Follow Santa Monica Boulevard west to spend the day frolicking on the beach at Santa Monica Bay, or watch the sun go down with a cocktail from the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Downtown is the place to be at night with its pulsing stream of bars, clubs and restaurants.

Getting around

 It’s easy to walk around the downtown area, Central Hollywood, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, however, you’ll need a car to travel between different areas. Public transport is great in some parts of Los Angeles and almost non-existent in others. If you’re travelling to the major tourist attractions, such as Hollywood, the Sunset Strip and Universal Studios, then a Metro bus, Dash bus or Metro rail train will get you there. It’s best to get acquainted with these services early on and check your route online before you travel. Buses cover all areas but can be significantly slower. For those with lots to check off their sight-seeing lists, the best way to see all of this huge city is to hire a car. It can be difficult to flag down a taxi in Los Angeles, so it’s generally best to order one ahead of time when necessary.

Los Angeles summers are essentially how they appear in Hollywood movies: filled with tourists, hot weather, and crowded beaches. Visiting Los Angeles in the springtime (March to May) will allow you to explore the city with smaller crowds and pleasantly mild weather. If you’re looking for more beach days, plan your trip for the autumn (September, October and November) to catch the end of the summer heat. December to March is the wettest time of year, but temperatures remain quite comfortable, so a winter trip shouldn’t be ruled out.

Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is the largest international airport on the West Coast of the United States. Known colloquially as LAX, the airport is located around 27 km southwest of the city centre. Flights travel to Los Angeles International Airport from a number of destinations, including Barcelona, Stockholm, London and Mexico City. There are direct flights available from Australia, with services departing from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.