As the frontier of the American Dream, laid-back Los Angeles allows you to be a pampered star, an earnest culture vulture, a die-hard foodie, and anything else your heart desires. Plan your perfect L.A. vacation with our exclusive recommendations and tips.
For celebrity sightings, super shopping, and the chance to mix with the beautiful people.
$186+: LA fares from NY, Chicago & more (round-trip) Expedia
$180+: Last-minute domestic fares (round-trip) Major Airlines
$118+: Save 15% or more on low US fares (round-trip) Delta
$81+: Save on everyday low US fares (round-trip) Major Airlines
$85+: Low domestic fares to US cities (round-trip) Major Provider
$122+: Memorial wknd US & Mexico fares (round-trip) Major Airlines
$105+: Colorful Los Angeles Hacienda Hotel near LAX Hacienda Hotel
$229/nt+: San Diego Paradise Point with private marina & golf Hotels.com
$86/nt+: San Francisco 4-star hotels at 2-star prices Hotwire
$149/nt+: LA Hilton Checkers with free shuttle to attractions Hotels.com
$153/nt+: Boutique Aliso Creek hotel in Laguna Beach Priceline.com
$239/nt+: Iconic Hollywood hotel w/upgrade, free night Perfect Escapes
$132/nt+: Trendy San Francisco Hotel Diva in Union Sq. Priceline.com
$429+: 3-day San Diego trip at luxe Coronado Bay Orbitz
20% off: Flight & 3-nt LA fling at chic from $424 Hotel Angeleno
$356+: 3-nt Santa Monica trip with flight & Art Deco boutique Orbitz
$310+: Napa, Sonoma & Wine Country vacations w/flight Travelocity
$490+: 3-nt California golf and spa trips with airfare Travelocity
$270+: 3-nt last-minute city trips to NY, SF & more Delta
$284+: 4-day bargain Anaheim stay at mission-style boutique Orbitz
$370+: Last-minute California weekends with flight & hotel Travelocity
Los Angeles boasts a full spectrum of lodging options to suit almost any budget, from boutique bungalows to grand beachside hotels to refurbished '60s motels. Like most cities of this ilk, you're toughest choice will involve deciding which neighborhood you want to stay in – if you want the beach, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or downtown. We've outlined our favorites in luxury, moderate, and budget categories.
Foodies love Los Angeles; after all, this is where Wolfgang Puck and an entire generation of chefs perfected the art of California cuisine, a cooking style marked by an interest in "fusion" (mixing disparate styles and ingredients to create exciting new dishes). But before "California cuisine" there was the humble French Dip Sandwich (yes, also invented here). We picked our favorites at both extremes and in between, from expensive to budget.