It might not sound real, but living the dream in Los Angeles on a low budget is possible. You just need some determination with keeping an eye out for offers. It’s not easy and you need to consider that travelling to the States, from Europe, even if it’s London your departure location, it’s still not for everyone’s pocket. For a week expect to pay little under £1,000 for flights & hotel, and if you’re thinking upgrades, or staying in better rated locations, expect to pay more. Although, I can assure you that you can easily find flight tickets and accommodation in a decent hotel, in a good location with under £1,000. For my first trip to LA I rushed a bit with buying the flights from British Airways almost five months ahead, thinking they will only go up and paid return £700. I was wrong, but it was my first transatlantic adventure and didn’t know what to expect. Two weeks to departure they were £500. Nowadays the prices can go down as much as £300 with airlines like Norwegian. By the way, I heard that the latter is a pleasure to fly with, so there you go, keep an eye out. The downside to hunting for offers is that it might not match with your yearly schedule.
Accommodation
Booking the hotel is another story, as these prices can actually go only up as you get closer to the date, unless you’re lucky to catch a last minute flash sale. I found a hotel in Inglewood, Value Inn Worldwide LAX, which is ten minutes to LAX airport by car, on W Century Blvd. It’s not such a nice area, but I found it really convenient. If you’re worried about your safety just don’t go around during the night. There’s not much to see in that area anyway. I had no issues while being there and even the bums were quite polite when asking for money. If you didn’t grow up in rough neighbourhoods and have no idea about how to speak with possible gang members or homeless people, just be polite and mind your way. You’ll be amazed how fast you can befriend a stranger that might see you as easy pray. Just remember that gangs have issues with rival gangs and not with tourists. And most of them are good people. Don’t be put off by the 3.5* rating of the hotel, you have free parking behind, continental breakfast with the usual and a quiet room, if you’re not facing the boulevard. The rooms have decent bathrooms, space, and mirrors that will fascinate you and your partner when you’re, well, you know, fornicating. The beds have proper American mattresses which you have to climb and they are very comfortable for a hotel like that. It is budget accommodation that was more than enough for me, as I did not spend too much time inside.
Weather
We all heard about the Californian weather and how they don’t have a proper winter. I travelled there mid May and I got fried on my left hand while driving during the huge queues on their freeways. On the beach, because of the breeze, I could feel the temperature being in the 20ºC in the shade, but in direct sunlight I could feel the mid 30ºC. During that time of year I was appreciating the lower Pacific breeze. I can say that during the summer, its hard to stay outside without cover. In conclusion, Los Angeles has an almost perfect climate.
Transport
You probably read articles about Elon Musk wanting to build a subway straight to LAX to make it easier to reach the airport. Being stuck on the freeway during the critical hours is a nightmare, trust me. LA has its own transport system, but waiting for buses in 30ºC is not desirable as I was seeing people suffering in the bust stops. I am still to find out if the city has a subway network. The best way to move into the widespread city is by car. Booking it in advance can save you nice bucks and the process of picking it up is seamless. When I went there I was supposed to pick up a certain car, the lowest and cheapest version, which cost about $120 for 7 days, and a polite Mexican dude took me to their parking lot and left me choose whatever vehicle I wanted. I didn’t know what to do after telling me I’ll find the keys in the car. I could’ve taken one of their Mustangs, but went for the closest version to what i had booked. Lame! All in all, book yourself a car before going there. That city is so vast you can not believe it. If you don’t drive you’ll face your fate and you won’t like it. Plus, in Santa Monica and Venice Beach the parking is not expensive, I paid about $1 per hour. In many places though the parking is free if you know where to look.
Culture
Los Angeles is a multicultural city. Enjoy mingling with nationalities you rarely find in Europe, like the south Americans and enjoy their ways of life and different personalities. I found everyone in LA highly friendly, probably because I’m European. The fact that I’m Dacian (Romanian) was even more interesting for all the people I met, to the point they were invading my private space while having lunch on the Santa Monica pier. They were even ordering the same food just because I ordered it. Probably British people would’ve found that irritating and weird, but it made me feel welcomed. Although not all people are living a decent life there, when meeting foreigners they will go beyond to make you feel welcomed. If you also speak other languages, like Spanish, you’ll make a lot of friends really fast, and not just Americans.
Attractions
During my seven nights there I was aiming for the usual attractions I heard about and seen on TV. To actually enjoy the city you need at least two weeks. You should definitely visit Universal Studios and book the tour. I think the coolest attraction I’ve ever experienced was the “Transformers”. You sit in a coal mine type train carriage rolling on the tracks, you put the 3D glasses on and then you fall off skyscrapers, you’re being caught by Optimus Prime before hitting the tarmac, while the robots fight for the planet. You’re experiencing the main characters’ life in the movie and it felt so real my hands were shaking at the end. other than that, just enjoy the amazing park. You should visit Santa Monica. If you’ve ever played Need For Speed or GTA, you will enjoy the familiarity with places that are so far away. Have lunch on the pier and speak with the seals looking at you to throw them some food. Just let them know when the shark is coming from underneath. Deep your toes in the sea but don’t go too far, even if the locals tell you there are no sharks. Venice Beach is also a magical place to visit. If you know how to surf that’s a good beach to do it, after enjoying the views with a burrito and Pacifico. Also you can pump yourself up by using the open air gym. You might be put off by the giants training there, but it’s all in the name of good fun. Go to the Hollywood hills, the famous sign and look over the entire city from the Griffith Observatory. Be careful if going there alone as the fauna might not be so tamed like the one you’re used to. Ill only say this: rattler snakes and large mountain cats! Sunset Beach is really something from the movies. You’ll see there a different type of living on the actual beach. I mean, really walking on the sand as you go out of the house. If you’re wiling to stay there for longer you can join the beach volleyball teams and make new friends, or just enjoy one of the most famous and beautiful sunsets. If you want to find silence and peace, go there. Don’t miss eating something fresh from the sea at Fish Camp on the Pacific Coast Highway and chilling afterwards by having a walk through the Marina in Huntington Beach. For a connection with nature go to Palos Verde Lighthouse. You’ll admire for sure the villas on the edge of the Pacific, befriend some curious hummingbirds and join the crowds for whale spotting. The coastguard will make sure you spot them by communicating with one of their offshore boats. The lighthouse is amazing too and having a picnic there is a bliss. Wonder on the coastline towards the evening and achieve a higher state. For a good portion of commercial tourism, visit the walk of fame and the Chinese Theatre. A beautiful gem is also the Tattoo parlour of Kat Von D. Get your first tattoo there or just go in to say hi and get a souvenir. They are lovely people and their skills are priceless.
Listening to this in Sunset Beach at sunset is bliss:
Nightlife
When you land in LA you find out that it is not the city you were imagining and that it is what you were thinking as you start discovering it, both in the same time. As nightlife, it is not that alive, like other Metropolitan cities around the world. You’ll find that many locations close by 23:00 or 00:00 and that the open ones have no crowds. A great rooftop bar I’ve been to is SIXTY Beverly Hills Hotel. The view during the night is calming and uplifting. The city has a multitude of rooftop bars, just go explore. One of the most amazing locations I could find is The Bungalow Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica. It is a very stylish, Baja-style, lodge inspired bar and restaurant where you can relax on the leather couches, or drink at the bar and the terrace heading the Pacific, while making new friends or building your way to scoring. It is a place you should not miss! I had no time to visit any clubs. Next time I’ll be there I’m going to stay for longer, it is actually too much to enjoy.
Food & Shopping
When it comes to food and you’re not a vegetarian or vegan (not sure what the difference is because I don’t really care), just visit different restaurants, as they have influences from all over the world. Go out there and enjoy! When I was there I ate a lot from Panda Express, an oriental freshly cooked chain. They are not seen as a good food chain, they’re not even that healthy, but the food tastes good for a low budget, they’re something like Wok to Walk in Amsterdam. I really enjoyed their caramelised shrimps (prawns) with walnuts and vegetables noodles; the portions are large too. I’m not a shopping fan, but a very juicy area is Rodeo Drive. You’ll need a full bank account if you’re planning to actually buy something. If in other shopping areas, I would stay away from Nordstrom, there was something wrong with their prices considering a scarf cost as much as my return flight tickets London-LA! Wow! I promise I’ll write more about this section after spending more time there.
Visiting USA is amazing! I’m not saying this because I’m European, but because of the vastness of the country and civilisation. Do not miss the chance to go there!
Travel yourself to life!
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