City in California, United States
Los Angeles
Beaches, mountains, tacos and a huge creative scene, spread over an enormous area. Suits remote workers who accept driving and traffic; short stays work best if you base in one neighborhood.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$4,500–6,500Comfortable, one person · $4,500–6,500Details
- Value for money3/100Better value than 2% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Sep–NovWarmest: Aug, 32°CDetails
- Air quality10.5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · ModerateDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe but hard and often chlorinated; many residents filter it.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$180–400Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and phone pay are accepted almost everywhere; keep small bills for tips, street vendors and some taco stands.Details
Where to stay in Los Angeles
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Santa Monica and Venice | Beach life, cafés, coworking and walkability |
| Hollywood and West Hollywood | Nightlife, LGBTQ+ scene, central location |
| Silver Lake and Echo Park | Creative crowd, cafés, hiking, east-side bars |
| Downtown LA | Metro hub, museums, food halls, rooftop bars |
| Koreatown | Cheaper rooms, 24-hour food, good metro access |
Apps that work in Los Angeles
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Taxis are rare outside airports and hotels; use Uber/Lyft. At LAX you board rideshares at the LAX-it lot via a shuttle.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and phone pay are accepted almost everywhere; keep small bills for tips, street vendors and some taco stands.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in United States
- New York CityCity
- Las VegasCity
- OrlandoCity
- MiamiCity
- San FranciscoCity
- HonoluluCity
- Washington, D.C.Capital city
- ChicagoCity
Going to Los Angeles solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Los Angeles meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- LA Metro (fares and maps)
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Discover Los Angeles (tourism board)
- LA Department of Water and Power
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.