The insider's guide to the greatest city on Earth โ written by Angelenos who live here. Discover neighborhoods, Olympic venues, hidden restaurants, smart transport routes, and unforgettable experiences for the 2028 Summer Games.
We've done the research so you don't have to. From Olympic schedules to the best taco spots โ it's all here.
Detailed guides for all 19 LA28 venues โ how to get there, where to eat nearby, and tips to maximize your experience.
Tell us your interests and we'll build a perfect LA schedule combining Olympic events with the city's best experiences.
LA has the most diverse food scene on the planet. We break it down neighborhood by neighborhood, with price and vibe filters.
Navigate LA without a car during the Olympics. Metro, rideshare, bike, and walking routes explained simply.
Guides in 8 languages, visa info, currency, tipping culture, emergency contacts, and cultural tips for first-time US visitors.
Day trips to San Diego, Santa Barbara, Joshua Tree, and more โ because LA is just the start of your California adventure.
Hotels and neighborhoods ranked by proximity to venues, price, vibe, and transport access. Don't get stuck in traffic.
Real costs for food, transport, and accommodation during the Games. We don't sugarcoat it โ but we show you how to save.
Every neighborhood in LA is its own world. Here's your insider breakdown โ from hidden gems to must-visit icons.
Venice is LA's most iconic stretch of coast. Bodybuilders at Muscle Beach, street performers on the boardwalk, world-class skate park, and some of LA's most creative street art. Grab breakfast at Gjusta bakery, rent bikes, and hit Abbot Kinney Blvd for boutiques and galleries before the evening crowd hits.
K-Town never sleeps. The densest concentration of Korean BBQ restaurants in the US, plus Japanese ramen, Filipino breakfast spots, and some of LA's best cocktail bars. Stay at The Line or Normandie for a true local experience. The Metro Purple Line runs right through here โ no car needed.
Downtown LA's hippest enclave transformed from warehouses to one of the country's best art destinations. Spend a morning on a mural hunt โ Google Maps won't help, you have to wander. Eat at Bestia (book weeks ahead) or grab tacos from Guisados. The Row DTLA shopping complex is steps away.
The cultural and artistic heart of Black Los Angeles. World Stage Gallery hosts jazz jams; the Vision Theatre puts on world-class performances. Grab breakfast at Harold & Belle's โ a neighborhood institution since 1969. Leimert Park Village on a weekend afternoon is one of LA's most authentic neighborhood scenes.
The epicenter of LA's indie music and creative scene. Echo Park Lake (recently restored) is perfect for morning runs. Sunset Blvd is lined with vintage shops, record stores, and some of LA's best breakfast spots. Try Pine & Crane for Taiwanese food, or Sqirl for the famous ricotta toast before the lines form.
The heart of Mexican-American Los Angeles. This is where you go for real tacos โ Guisados on Cesar Chavez, the Mariscos tacos at El Mercado, and birria at Birrieria Guadalajara. Mariachi Plaza is a cultural landmark. Come hungry, stay humble. Gentrification hasn't touched the soul here.
Hollywood gets a bad rap from locals, but it's genuinely fascinating. The Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and Dolby Theatre are tourist-worthy. But venture to Franklin Village for local bars, hike to the Hollywood Sign at dawn, and catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl. The Dream Hotel rooftop has city views worth the splurge.
Santa Monica marks the end of Route 66 โ take a photo at the pier sign. The Third Street Promenade is great for people-watching and shopping. Palisades Park along the bluffs has the best sunset views in the city. Metro Expo Line connects downtown to Santa Monica without any traffic. Weekday mornings here are magical.
The Miracle Mile section of Wilshire Blvd houses LACMA (free on certain days), the Natural History Museum, and the La Brea Tar Pits โ where actual mammoths were discovered. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened in 2021 and is a must. Eat at Republique for a French-Californian breakfast that will change your life.
Yes, Rodeo Drive is real, and it's worth a walk even if you're not buying. WeHo's Santa Monica Blvd is the city's LGBTQ+ hub with legendary clubs and great brunch spots. Craig's is where you'll spot celebrities. The Sunset Strip's history (Whisky a Go Go, the Roxy) lives on through the rock memorabilia on every corner.
Sony Pictures Studios offers guided tours. The Culver City Arts District along La Cienega has some of LA's best contemporary galleries. For dinner, the Main Street strip serves everything from Vietnamese to Spanish. The Platform complex is perfectly curated โ Destroyer restaurant is a destination in itself for design and food lovers.
The least touristy part of LA that Olympic visitors will pass through. The USS Iowa battleship is a moving museum. The Korean Friendship Bell has incredible harbor views. AltaSea is an ocean innovation hub. Eat at Ports O' Call for seafood right on the harbor. Nearby Cabrillo Beach is uncrowded and beautiful.
Navigate every LA28 venue like a local. Transport, dining, and insider tips for each competition site.
Home of the Rams and Chargers, SoFi is the jewel of the LA28 stadium lineup. The translucent roof is an architectural marvel. Book the Kia Forum nearby for pre-game concerts.
The Staples Center rebranded. Home of the Lakers and Clippers. The most centrally located major venue โ perfect access from any neighborhood. Surrounded by restaurants and bars.
Beach volleyball on the sand at Long Beach is the most iconic Olympic setting you'll see. The waterfront Shoreline Village is steps away for food and drinks.
On the beautiful UCLA campus, this venue combines world-class tennis with one of America's most impressive university settings. Walk through campus before your match.
UCLA's legendary arena has hosted more championships than most venues twice its size. Walk across campus from the Tennis Center โ both venues share one of America's most photogenic settings.
A purpose-built outdoor aquatics venue adjacent to SoFi Stadium, designed to create the best conditions for elite swimming and water polo in the Southern California sunshine.
One of America's most historic stadiums, the Rose Bowl is surrounded by Pasadena's beautiful tree-lined streets and Old Town district. The nearby Arroyo Seco park is stunning.
A stunning natural lake venue in the Inland Empire. The surrounding parkland makes this one of the most scenic Olympic venues. Pack snacks and a blanket for the full outdoor experience.
The cycling road races will weave through LA's downtown streets and out to the iconic Mulholland Drive. Free to watch from the roadside โ one of the best free Olympic experiences.
Tell us about your trip and we'll create a custom day-by-day schedule combining Olympic events with LA's best experiences.
Los Angeles has the most diverse dining scene in North America. Here are the spots that Angelenos actually go to.
Braised taco fillings in handmade tortillas. The best taco spot in LA that isn't a truck. The tasting plate of six mini tacos is the move โ try the tinga and the lamb barbacoa. Multiple locations but the Boyle Heights original has soul.
Book 6-8 weeks in advance. Chef Ori Menashe's restaurant is the best Italian food outside of Italy. The hand-rolled pastas and the roasted lamb are extraordinary. The bar program is exceptional. Worth every dollar and minute of planning.
The gold standard for Korean BBQ in Los Angeles. The galbi (short rib) is perfectly marinated, the banchan (side dishes) just keep coming, and the atmosphere is electric on weekends. Waits can be long โ go on a Tuesday.
A stunning 1920s Spanish Colonial building houses LA's best French-California restaurant. The croissants and pastries at breakfast are legendary. Reserve a table or arrive at 8am sharp for walk-in brunch before the line forms.
The San Gabriel Valley has the best Vietnamese food outside of Vietnam. Drive 20 minutes east of downtown and you'll find over 50 pho spots. This original is the template. Order the beef combination bowl and the Vietnamese iced coffee.
Nobu Malibu is more iconic, but the WeHo location is more accessible. The black cod miso is non-negotiable. Book ahead โ this is a destination restaurant for a reason. Sit at the sushi bar if you can for the best experience.
LA's Little Ethiopia on Fairfax Ave has some of the best East African food in the US. Meals by Genet is the consensus favorite โ the injera is made fresh daily and the doro wat is exceptional. A communal dining experience unlike anywhere else.
Nancy Silverton's pizzeria changed pizza culture in LA. The thin-crust pies with crispy, blistered edges and creative toppings are a genuine pilgrimage. The burrata with prosciutto starter is required. The lunchtime counter is more relaxed.
Thai drinking food at its most authentic and creative. Chef Kris Yenbamroong's restaurant is genuinely spicy (ask for mild if needed), deeply flavorful, and unlike any Thai food you'll find outside Bangkok. The khao man gai and the naam prik ong are outstanding.
LA has a reputation for traffic. Beat it with these smart transport strategies used by actual Angelenos during big events.
LA Metro is massively expanding for 2028. The system covers Inglewood/SoFi (C Line), Santa Monica (E Line), Hollywood (B/D Line), DTLA (all lines), and Long Beach (A Line).
LA Metro Bike Share has stations near most Olympic venues. Electric and regular bikes available. Great for short hops between events or neighborhoods without traffic hassle.
LA28 will operate dedicated shuttle services connecting hotels, transit hubs, and venues. Credential holders and ticket purchasers get access to specific shuttle routes between competition sites.
Expect surge pricing during events. Budget 2-4x normal fares near venues. Plan rideshares from 2-3 blocks away from venue drop-off zones to avoid surge hotspots.
If you must drive, reserve parking in advance via SpotHero or ParkWhiz. Venues charge $50-$100+. Neighborhood parking lots within walking distance are 40-60% cheaper.
Lime and Bird operate across LA. Good for last-mile connections from Metro stations. Avoid freeways and major streets โ stick to bike lanes and residential streets for safety.
The LAX Automated People Mover connects the terminals to the new Metro C Line station at Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility. This completely changes airport transport โ no more taxi lines.
LA is more walkable than its reputation. Venice Boardwalk, Third Street Promenade, Arts District, Old Town Pasadena, and Long Beach waterfront are all excellent for on-foot exploration.
Los Angeles is just the beginning. California is vast and extraordinary โ here's how to see more of it around your Olympic schedule.
America's Finest City has world-class beaches, the famous San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway aircraft carrier museum, and a thriving Gaslamp Quarter food and nightlife scene. Balboa Park has 17 museums in one place.
The American Riviera. Spanish colonial architecture, vineyard wine country, whale watching, and a beach town vibe that feels worlds apart from LA. State Street downtown is perfect for walking. Biking the wine country is unforgettable.
Mid-century modern architecture, celebrity history, and a desert landscape that's stunning in the golden hour. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you 8,516 feet up San Jacinto Mountain in 10 minutes for views that will stop you cold.
One of America's most otherworldly landscapes. Surreal rock formations, the distinctive Joshua trees, and possibly the best stargazing in Southern California. Sunrise here is a spiritual experience. Book camping months in advance.
Take a 75-minute ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro to this island time forgot. No chain restaurants. Golf carts instead of cars. Glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling in clear water, and zip lines over the Pacific. An LA secret that visitors often miss entirely.
Highway 1 through Big Sur is arguably the most beautiful drive in America. Bixby Bridge photos are mandatory. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming village with world-class restaurants. Add to post-Olympics trip for the full California experience.
Los Angeles is one of the most multicultural cities on Earth. You belong here. This section is for our global Olympic family.
Every continent is represented in LA's neighborhoods. There are communities here that have maintained their culture for generations โ meaning you'll find authentic food, language, and community from almost anywhere on Earth. LA is not just tourist-friendly; it's genuinely one of the most inclusive cities in the world. If you speak English as a second language, you'll find speakers of your language in virtually every major service industry. Los Angeles is your city too.
No culture shock here โ same language, driving on the right (adjust!), tip 18-20% at restaurants. Visit the Getty Villa for European art. British pub scene exists in Santa Monica.
Sawtelle Japantown (Little Osaka) has authentic Japanese restaurants, grocery stores, and cafรฉs. Little Tokyo in DTLA has been here for 140 years. Many staff speak Japanese at major hotels.
Koreatown is the largest Korean community outside of Korea. K-pop shops, Korean spa (jjimjilbang), 24/7 KBBQ, and Korean-language signage everywhere. It's a city within a city.
LA tem uma das maiores comunidades brasileiras nos EUA. Bossa Nova in Santa Monica, Casa Brasil in Westwood, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu academies throughout the city. Large community in Culver City.
East LA and Boyle Heights have been Mexican-American heartland for a century. Spanish signage, culture, and community are everywhere. East LA has better Mexican food than most of Mexico City.
San Gabriel Valley (Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel) is one of the largest concentrations of Chinese-American culture in the US. The dim sum trail here is unmissable. Mandarin widely spoken.
The Chateau Marmont has hosted French cinema royalty for decades. Petit Trois in Hollywood is a French bistro that rivals Paris. The Getty has one of the world's best collections of French Impressionism.
Little India on Pioneer Blvd in Artesia has authentic South Asian cuisine, groceries, and clothing. Bollywood at the Hollywood Bowl is a summer institution. Silicon Beach has a large Indian tech community.
Most countries qualify for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) โ a 2-year, multi-entry permit. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before travel. Cost: $21.
US Dollar only. Tip 18-22% at restaurants, $2-5 for rideshare drivers, $1-2 per bag for hotel porters. Not tipping is considered rude in service industries.
Emergency: 911. Non-emergency LAPD: (877) ASK-LAPD. Tourist police: available at all Olympic venues. US Embassy emergency hotlines posted at all LA28 info centers.
International roaming is expensive. Buy a prepaid SIM (T-Mobile, AT&T, or Mint Mobile) at LAX arrivals or CVS/Walmart stores. 30-day unlimited data from $30-50.
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