Don’t Get Caught in June Gloom: Tips for Your First Trip to Los Angeles
Los Angeles Will Always Surprise You—Even if You’ve Been 100 Times. These Are Drives & Detours’ Tips To Make the Most of Your Time in the City
Los Angeles can catch first-time visitors off-guard — Gerson Repreza / Unsplash
Los Angeles is one of those cities that people imagine they know before they ever set foot there—palm trees, freeways, beaches, Hollywood.
And while that’s all part of the picture, travelers swapping stories on Reddit, TripAdvisor forums, and Quora will tell you there’s plenty about LA that catches first-timers off guard.
A little prep goes a long way in making your first visit to LA perfect, whether it’s unexpected weather quirks, confusing neighborhood choices, or just underestimating the size of the city.
Here are Drives & Detours' insider tips and practical advice for planning your trip to the City of Angels.
Bring Layers—Yes, Even to the Beach
Layering up is essential in the City of Angels, even if you’re at the beach — Guillaume Bassem / Unsplash
If you pack one thing for Los Angeles, make it layers. Reddit threads are full of first-timers who show up with only shorts and tank tops, expecting endless sunshine, only to shiver on Santa Monica Pier.
LA has microclimates, and plenty of them.
The coast can be foggy, overcast, and a good 15 degrees cooler than inland neighborhoods. The infamous June Gloom, which often stretches into July, can mean the beach is chilly until late afternoon. Meanwhile, drive 20 minutes inland and you’ll be baking in the Valley.
At night, temperatures drop fast—even after a hot day. Locals throw a hoodie in the car as standard practice. Do the same.
And don’t forget sunscreen and a hat, because the sun is intense when it comes out.
Pack like you’re heading to three different destinations—mild coastal mornings, blazing inland afternoons, and cool desert-like nights.
Where to Stay—and Where to Skip
Hollywood is less glamorous than you might expect and offers some good deals — Venti Views / Unsplash
Choosing a base in LA is tricky. The city is sprawling, traffic is legendary, and “close” on the map often doesn’t feel close in real life.
Hollywood is a common recommendation for first-timers. It’s not glamorous in the way movies make it look, but it’s central, relatively affordable, and well-connected by the Metro and bus lines. It’s the perfect area if you plan to see the Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, and Universal Studios.
Santa Monica or Venice Beach are gorgeous if you want ocean views and the classic California vibe. But they come with high hotel prices, limited parking, and longer commutes inland. They’re great for a beach-focused trip, but less ideal if you’re sightseeing all over town.
Downtown (DTLA) has cool lofts, food halls, and nightlife, but many travelers warn that it feels quiet or sketchy after dark. You might prefer a different base if nightlife isn’t your thing.
Areas to avoid: Some cheaper motels along busy freeways or far-flung suburbs will leave you spending more time in traffic than enjoying the city. Locals warn against picking an Airbnb just for price without checking safety, especially if you won’t have a car.
Stay central if you’re short on time and pay the premium for the coast if you’re beach-focused. Either way, don’t underestimate how much location affects your trip.
Tips for Families and First-Time Visitors
Everything in Los Angeles is further away than you expect, especially Disneyland — Steven Beyer / Unsplash
Traveling with kids? The biggest advice from parents online is to build in downtime. Distances are larger than they look, and back-to-back activities can be exhausting.
Theme Parks: Disneyland isn’t technically in LA—it’s in Anaheim—but many families make the trek. Mid-week visits are far less chaotic than weekends or holidays. Buy tickets online and plan to arrive early.
Food With Kids: Breakfast near your hotel saves you the stress of morning traffic. LA’s casual dining is excellent for picky eaters—think taco stands, food trucks, and farmers’ markets.
Pace Yourself: Pick one or two big activities a day instead of over-stuffing your schedule. A morning at the Getty or Griffith Park plus an afternoon beach stop works better than four attractions spread across the city.
Less is more. You’ll enjoy LA more when you’re not rushing kids through gridlocked traffic.
Rookie Mistakes First-Timers Make
Much of LA is flat, but always be prepared to climb a few hills — Venti Views / Unsplash
Even seasoned travelers underestimate Los Angeles. Here are the top oversights travelers have told us:
Assuming Everything Is Close: Griffith Observatory to Santa Monica looks doable on the map. In reality, that drive in rush hour can take 90 minutes.
Ignoring the Sun: The UV is strong even if it’s 70°F. Sunburn happens fast, especially inland. Always carry water.
Forgetting About Hills: Some neighborhoods are steep, such as the Hollywood Hills, Silver Lake, and Echo Park. Check the terrain first so you’re not surprised if you plan to walk.
Overlooking Air Quality: Smog and smoke can impact visibility and breathing in late summer or wildfire season. Locals check apps like AirVisual for updates.
Plan for traffic, respect the sun, and be flexible with your schedule.
Local Etiquette and Street Smarts
Los Angeles is full of diverse neighborhoods to explore. Just be respectful as you do so — Leo Visions / Unsplash
Los Angeles is relaxed, but a few local norms are worth noting:
Tipping: This is the same as the rest of the U.S. 15–20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, and 10–15% for rideshares.
Driving: People drive fast and change lanes aggressively. Merge confidently, use your signals, and don’t assume cars will stop for pedestrians.
Neighborhood Culture: LA is diverse, with enclaves such as Koreatown, Little Armenia, or Boyle Heights. Be respectful when exploring—support local businesses, and don’t treat communities like photo props.
Safety: Tourist areas like Hollywood Blvd are fine during the day, but can feel sketchy late at night. Trust your instincts. Take a taxi instead of walking if you’re alone and unsure.
A little common sense goes a long way. Tip fairly, be alert when driving or walking, and respect the local vibe.
When to Go: Picking the Best Time to Visit the City of Angels
Is there a perfect time to visit LA? There might be a sweet spot for you — Adam Berkecz / Unsplash
Ask 10 locals when to visit LA and you’ll get 10 answers—but most agree that late spring (May–June) and early fall (September–October) are the sweet spots.
Spring or Fall: Warm days, cooler nights, fewer crowds. You’ll still have the marine layer at the beach, but it won’t be as heavy.
Summer: Hot inland, foggy on the coast, crowded everywhere. It’s fun, but be ready for higher hotel rates.
Winter: Mild, with occasional rain. Bring a warmer jacket for evenings. It’s the least crowded season, and sunsets over the Pacific can be spectacular.
Plan for spring or fall if you can swing it. If summer is your only option, manage expectations about heat, crowds, and fog.
Plan Your Trip to Los Angeles Less and Explore More
Prepare for unexpected delights on your trip to Los Angeles rather than planning everything in detail — Joel Muniz / Unsplash
Los Angeles is as sprawling and complex as the movies make it seem—only real life is a little grittier, a little friendlier, and a lot more surprising.
The best advice from people who’ve been? Plan less, explore more. Leave room for beach detours, unexpected taco trucks, and hidden staircases in Silver Lake.
You’ll avoid the rookie pitfalls and see Los Angeles for what it really is with a few smart choices—a vibrant, eclectic mix of sunshine, culture, and creativity. Pack layers, stay in the right neighborhood, and respect the city’s scale.
Experience Los Angeles With Drives & Detours’ Self-Guided Tours
Discover the history, culture and influences that shaped Los Angeles with Drives & Detours — Juan Carlos Becerra / Unsplash
These tours are built to be flexible, packed with insights, and accessible offline. They’re ideal for discovering the city’s most famous sights along with the stories that make them special, all without the limits of a group itinerary.
You can buy your tour ahead of time online or simply grab it through the app when you’re ready. Press play, and your journey through one of the country’s most dynamic cities begins instantly.
Every Drives & Detours tour reveals the culture, history, and influences that shaped Los Angeles, offering more than navigation—it brings the city’s character to life.
