Things to NOT Do in LA
As a concierge, I am always telling people what they should do. My spin is always positive, because that is what people want to hear. Plus I want to highlight all the best things Los Angeles has to offer.
Well, today I am going to do something different and share with you all the things you should NOT do in LA. Feel free to check out the video above. In the meantime, here are my top 10 LA travel mistakes NOT do in LA:
10. Don’t drive along the PCH in the back of a taxi or Uber.
Rent a car! Malibu is best enjoyed driving… when you are driving! Because of that, you won’t enjoy it if you are sitting in the back of a taxi or an uber. So rent a car and cruise the Pacific Coast Highway.
9. Don’t jump into the ocean without dipping your toes in first. It’s deceptively cold.
People get excited when they see the beach and a ocean, but the Pacific Ocean is fair chillier than you would expect. So before diving in, test the waters—literally. You might find you need a wetsuit to brave the water, depending on the time of year.
8. Don’t try to get across town in Friday afternoon traffic.
Let’s face it. Friday afternoon traffic is bad everywhere, but in LA it is especially crazy. Of course LA is already known for having lots of traffic, so if you can, try to avoid being out and about in it on a Friday afternoon. You can easily make your trip a smoother one by planning around rush hour.
7. Don’t buy a map of the stars homes.
You are better off going on an actual celebrity homes tour than buying a Map of the Celebrity Homes. Their accuracy is questionable, but more so, so many homes have large gates in front of them. So enjoy a fun tour, and let the experts show you the interesting sights.
6. Don’t expect a TV Taping to be short.
Many people think that if a TV show is an hour when they watch it at home, it takes an hour to film. That couldn’t be further from the truth. So if you decide to attend a TV show taping be prepared to be there anywhere from four to six hours. It is fun though!
5. Don’t come to LA for a short trip and then try to make a day trip to San Diego.
I am a fan of road trips, but when I see a guest is in LA only for three days and they want to visit San Diego too, it’s rather disheartening. I love San Diego, and I think people should visit it. But if you try to cram in so much in a short amount of time, it ends up being a trip that is mainly driving without a lot of substance. Ideally, plan more time and explore both cities more in depth.
4. Don’t underestimate the distance and drive to Disneyland.
Disneyland is not in Los Angeles. It is in Anaheim, and Anaheim is a solid hour to an hour and a half out of LA. So be prepared to make a very full day of it. Or, if you can, stay overnight in Anaheim!
3. Don’t try to do the Outlet mall thing.
I love shopping just like most ladies, but outlets are not our best feature. Some places are really known for amazing outlets, like Las Vegas and parts of Florida. But LA is a different story. They are a significant drive, and the shopping we have in town is so much better! We have boutiques and cool brands. So save your outlet shopping excursions for other cities, and explore our awesome local stores!
2. Don’t try to be sly and take a sneaky picture of a celebrity. Either walk up and ask for a picture, or just enjoy the moment.
While in Los Angeles, you are bound to bump in to a celebrity. But play it cool. Remember celebrities are people too. So if you really want to get a photo with them walk up and ask nicely. But whatever you do, don’t take a sneaky photo. They will see it and it will feel like such a violation. Plus a proper photo will always turn out better!
1. Don’t try to visit the Grand Canyon or Mt Rushmore from here. They aren’t close.
The final thing NOT Do in LA may sound like a joke, but it is not. I have been asked on more than several occasions to plan a day trip to either the Grand Canyon or Mt. Rushmore. Both are incredible destinations within the United States, just not ideal for “day trips” from Los Angeles.
Well, those are my few tips on what to NOT do while visiting LA. Some of these might be a surprise, but I created this list as a result of commonly asked questions. Be sure to watch the video posted here as well!
Sarah Dandashy, Ask a Concierge | April 3, 2018
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