Event Planning Guide
Los Angeles

Flying: The majority of travelers visiting L.A. will arrive at LAX, although the Los Angeles area does include five commercial airports in total. LAX is a major entrypoint for international flights to the U.S., making it one of the busiest airports in the world.

Train: Union Station, located in downtown Los Angeles, serves as the city’s main Amtrak station; several Amtrak routes include L.A. as a stop. Here, you can also board regional buses, the light rail, and subway, as well as Metrolink, which is the rail service between five Southern California counties.

Car: Several major highways run through L.A. including Interstate 5 and U.S. Route 101 from the north; Interstates 10 and 15 from the east; and Interstates 5 and 405 (a.k.a. the San Diego Freeway) from the south. The 405 is one of the busiest freeways in the country and is the route that most drivers take to get to LAX.

Although it might seem like anytime would be a good time to visit L.A., the spring and fall seasons are considered to be the best. This is when you’ll experience fewer crowds, more comfortable temps, and better air quality. The summer months bring the heat, heavy smog levels, and more tourists, plus higher hotel rates. But this is also when you’ll be able to attend annual outdoor festivals like the Cinespia film series at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, LA Pride, and the concert series at the Santa Monica Pier. Other notable events include the Emmy Awards in September, the Golden Globes in January, and the Academy Awards in February.

Walking: Since you can’t flag down a taxi on the street like you can in cities such as New York, you’ll need to call a local taxi company to send a cab to pick you up. This is why most Angelenos and visitors rely on rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft to get around.Since you can’t flag down a taxi on the street like you can in cities such as New York, you’ll need to call a local taxi company to send a cab to pick you up. This is why most Angelenos and visitors rely on rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft to get around.

Transit: Los Angeles’ Metro system operates six subway and light rail lines in the area, and can be used to reach many destinations including downtown, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Long Beach. The Metro bus system covers almost all of central and southern Los Angeles County.

Taxi: Since you can’t flag down a taxi on the street like you can in cities such as New York, you’ll need to call a local taxi company to send a cab to pick you up. This is why most Angelenos and visitors rely on rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft to get around.Since you can’t flag down a taxi on the street like you can in cities such as New York, you’ll need to call a local taxi company to send a cab to pick you up. This is why most Angelenos and visitors rely on rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft to get around.