Los Angeles tours & holidays

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Los Angeles is in Southern California on the West Coast of the United States. It's the second-largest city in the USA after New York. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is well-connected with over 180 domestic and international destinations.

If you're travelling domestically from or via Chicago, New Orleans or Seattle, you could also take an Amtrak train. Once in LA, you can take a Metro train or bus to get around the city.

Moving around Los Angeles is relatively easy, but it does take a bit of planning. Driving is generally the most convenient way to get around. That said, LA is renowned for heavy traffic during peak periods, so be sure to plan ahead.

Walking or cycling is a good option in popular areas like Venice, Santa Monica, Hollywood and the Sunset Strip. However, many of the city's iconic attractions aren't within walking distance of each other so you may want to hire a car or use ride-share for ease.

Public transport is another (affordable) option with LA's extensive Metro bus network. You can download the Metro app to see routes and timetables.

Located on the USA's west coast and flanked by the Pacific Ocean, Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate with mostly pleasant, sunny weather throughout the year.

Winters and short and mild with average temperatures of 9°C to 20°C, while summers are hot, dry and sunny with average temperatures of 18°C to 29°C. The city also boasts an average of 263 sunny days per year.

Los Angeles is a relatively dry city with a distinct rainy season in the winter. That said, even in February (the wettest month) it only rains for five days on average.

There are a whopping 38 theme parks in California spread across cities such as San Diego and Anaheim so you'd need heaps of time in California if you wanted to see them all! Luckily most of them are easily accessible from Los Angeles so if you wish to visit the best and most popular ones, we've listed them below:

• Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California
• Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California
• Legoland in Carlsbad, California
• SeaWorld in San Diego, California
• Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California
• Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California

If you need some sustenance while giving your credit card a major workout, stop at one of the many restaurants located on or around Rodeo Drive.

Whether you're just after a quick bite to eat at one of the many cafes and bakeries or after something a little more fulfilling, there are many different options offering a range of cuisines from Italian to seafood and Japanese to Mexican.

There are roughly 2,600 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the first one gifted to Joanne Woodward in 1960.

Created as a way to eternalise the fame and glamour of the Los Angeles community for people all over the world, the Hollywood Walk of Fame spans a massive 15 blocks along Hollywood Boulevard. It remains one of LA's iconic attractions.

Perched on Mount Lee, the Hollywood sign is arguably LA's most iconic landmark. It was built in 1923 as part of an advertisement for a real estate development titled 'Hollywoodland'. The sign soon became a representation of the city's esteemed entertainment industry and continues to represent the glitz and glamour associated with the LA lifestyle.

There are several ways to get to the Griffith Park Observatory. Walking, cycling and ride sharing are all options, but the easiest way to get there is via public transport.