Cinema, Sun and California Dream
Ranked by interestingness score, based on real experience
The art collection of billionaire J. Paul Getty. Its magnificent architecture by Richard Meier and its gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean are fascinating.
The best place to see the Hollywood sign and all of Los Angeles. There are giant telescopes and planetarium shows. Where the movie La La Land was shot.
The historic Pacific Park amusement park, the famous Ferris wheel, and the official end of Route 66. Great for beach walks.
It is both a working movie studio and a huge theme park. Harry Potter world, Simpsons world and studio tour are must-dos.
The largest art museum in the American West, known for its famous "Urban Light" installation. A great place to take photos.
The alternative face of Los Angeles. A quiet neighborhood of canals inspired by skateboarders, street artists and Venice in Italy.
Rodeo Drive shopping area, where famous palm tree-lined avenues, giant mansions and the world's most expensive brands are located.
The Hollywood Boulevard line, where more than 2,700 brass stars are emblazoned on the pavement. It's very touristy and crowded, but it should be walked once.
What will you do from hour to hour, from morning to evening?
Movie studios and sunset observatory
Walk on the stars, examine the handprints in front of the famous Chinese Theatre.
Lunch or sandwiches in a classic Hollywood atmosphere.
Capture the iconic photo in front of LACMA's "Urban Light" lamps.
Watch the city and its twinkling lights at sunset. Photograph the Hollywood sign.
Line extending from Santa Monica to Venice beach
Tour this huge mountain-top modern art complex and its gardens.
Head down to the beach and eat fresh tacos in the ocean breeze.
Start from the historic pier and walk along the waterfront to the Venice skate park and then along the peaceful canals.
Taste California's legendary burger by watching the planes at the branch near LAX airport.
Fun and the Beverly Hills dream
Ride thrilling trains and tour working studio sets in the giant theme park.
Window shop and stop in front of the Beverly Hills sign on the world's most luxurious shopping street.
Go to Downtown LA and try different flavors at the gourmet market.
From local classics to hype places
Local Classic California classic quick service burger place. Order "Double-Double Animal Style". You can watch the planes land while eating at the branch next to LAX airport.
Premium Incredibly popular French bakery and restaurant located in a historic stone building. Especially the pastries and brunch menu are legendary.
Local Classic Open since 1919, it's the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. Classic Hollywood style steakhouse that you can often see in Quentin Tarantino's movies.
Premium Modern Italian restaurant located in the Arts District. Reservations are required weeks in advance for their homemade pasta and stone oven pizzas.
Current Hype The place that became a phenomenon on social media with its gourmet egg sandwiches. If you don't go early in the morning, be prepared for long queues.
Local Classic Huge gourmet market open in Downtown LA since 1917. Tacos, ramen, desserts and the famous Eggslut are available here.
Entertainment from evening to morning
Local Classic The legendary street where Hollywood rock history was written. Live rock music bars such as Whiskey a Go Go, The Roxy and Viper Room are lined up side by side.
Local Classic Famous underground bar in Downtown, converted from an old power plant. It has the art deco and industrial atmosphere of the 1920s, and its cocktails are very successful.
Current Hype A legendary bar in Downtown with 4 floors, a huge artificial sequoia tree inside, and each floor designed with a different concept (tiki bar, retro lounge, etc.).
Gift, local, premium
A stylish shopping complex with a nostalgic open-air tram and a historical covered market place dating from 1934 right next to it.
The most famous luxury shopping street in the world. A complete Beverly Hills experience in the shadow of palm trees, famous for the boutiques of brands such as Chanel, Gucci and Prada.
Dynamic street full of vintage clothing stores, street art walls (the famous pink Paul Smith wall) and independent design boutiques.
When to go, how to get there, city transportation, accommodation, budget and practical tips.
Los Angeles (LA), also known as the "City of Angels", is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the USA after New York. Unlike classic European cities, LA does not consist of a single centre. It is a huge, horizontally spread metropolis consisting of more than 80 independent cities and neighborhoods. Downtown LA consists of many different areas that are far from each other, such as Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach. That's why it is one of the most difficult cities to travel without a car.
The city is the capital of the world entertainment industry (cinema, television, music). It is the embodiment of the term "California Dream" with its coastline exceeding 120 kilometers, year-round sunny weather, palm trees and Pacific ocean breeze.
Los Angeles is a city with a temperate Mediterranean climate, with 300 sunny days a year. Therefore, it can be visited in every season. However, some periods are more enjoyable:
Airline: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the busiest airports in the world. Turkish Airlines offers direct flights from Istanbul Airport (IST). Flight duration is approximately 13-14 hours. Connecting flights (especially via Europe or London) may be more economical. Flight ticket prices vary between 600-1200 USD depending on the period.
Airport–City center transportation:
| Option | Duration | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uber/Lyft | 30-60 min | 40-70 USD | You must board from the special "LAX-it" area at the airport. |
| FlyAway Bus | 35-50 min | ~$9.75 | Goes to Union Station (Downtown) or Van Nuys. It is very practical. |
| Metro C Line | 45-60 min | ~1.75 EUR | You can go from the airport to the metro station with the free shuttle. |
| Taxi | 30-60 min | 55-80 USD | Fixed tariffs or taximeters apply. |
There is public transportation (subway and buses) in Los Angeles, but the city is so large that it can take 2-3 hours to get from one end to the other by public transportation. That's why renting a car is almost a necessity in LA.
Since the city is very large, staying in the area that best suits your travel plan will reduce traffic torture:
| Category | Backpacker | Medium | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (2 nights) | 120-180 (Hostel) | 350-600 (3-4★ Hotel) | 1200+ (5★ Oceanside) |
| Car Rental + Gasoline / Uber | 90 (Public Transport) | 180 (Rental Car + Parking) | 400 (Private Chauffeur / Premium Uber) |
| Food | 60-90 (Street food) | 150-250 | 600+ (Fine Dining) |
| Entrance Tickets (Universal etc.) | 50 (Free places) | 160 (Universal + LACMA) | 400 (VIP Universal + Guided Tours) |
| Entertainment / Shopping | 40 | 100 | 500+ |
| Total (3 days) | 360-410 | 940-1290 | **3100++ |
Los Angeles is a city that offers endless options for families with children. Theme parks, beaches, interactive museums and Hollywood magic come together. But LA is a sprawling city — you'll be driving everywhere, so plan for it.
0-3 years: Santa Monica beach is shallow and safe. The outdoor dining area at The Original Farmers Market is stroller-friendly. The large grass areas at Griffith Park are ideal for running around.
4-7 years old: Disneyland (Anaheim) is magical for this age group. The little amusement park and aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier is fun. The Natural History Museum dinosaur galleries attract children.
8-12 years: Universal Studios Hollywood studio tour and the world of Harry Potter drive this age group crazy. The space shuttle Endeavor at the California Science Center is impressive. The night view from Griffith Observatory is unforgettable.
Ages 13+: Hollywood Boulevard, Venice Beach's street performers, surfing lessons in Santa Monica and shopping at The Grove are young people's favorites.
Disneyland Resort — Classic Disneyland + Disney California Adventure. Allocate a full day (ideally 2 days). Buy tickets online, schedule FastPass.
Universal Studios Hollywood — Studio tour, Harry Potter world, Jurassic World ride. Perfect for ages 8+, little ones can also have fun in the Minion area.
Santa Monica Pier + Beach — Amusement park, aquarium, bike rentals and expansive beach. Half a day is enough, you can continue walking to Venice Beach.
Griffith Observatory — Free admission, telescope viewing, planetarium show (fee), and Hollywood sign view. Go at sunset.
California Science Center — Free admission. Space shuttle Endeavor, ecosystems, physics experiments. IMAX cinema costs extra.
Baby stroller: Rental is available in theme parks. But in LA you will be driving everywhere, a child seat is a must in the car (legal requirement). Public transport is limited and impractical with a child.
Kids menu: Every restaurant in America has a kids menu. Mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese are classics. Portion sizes are already huge, you can share.
Children's ticket discounts: In most museums, children are free or discounted. In theme parks, children under the age of 3 are usually free. The Go Los Angeles card saves money for the family.
Toilet: Available and clean everywhere. Standard in theme parks, shopping malls and beaches. Baby changing station is common.
California people are generally extremely friendly, relaxed and fond of sports. You can see thousands of people running, surfing or doing yoga on Venice beach early in the morning. The clothing style is extremely casual; You can enter everywhere with shorts, t-shirts and slippers, except the most luxurious restaurants.
It is common for strangers to start a conversation with you and compliment your outfit on the streets, in cafes or in the supermarket queue. Respond with a smile.
How many days to visit Los Angeles? Considering the size of the city and traffic, at least 3-4 days are required to visit the main lines (Hollywood, Santa Monica, Universal). If Disneyland is to be included, 5-6 days is ideal.
Is it possible to visit Los Angeles without renting a car? It is possible, although difficult, but most of your time will be spent on buses. If you're only staying around Santa Monica and Venice, you can get around by bike or scooter, but you'll need to take a long Uber ride to get to Hollywood.
Can you walk to the bottom of the Hollywood sign? Physically approaching the sign is prohibited due to fences and security. However, there are hiking trails leading to the hill behind it; From here you can see the entire LA landscape from behind the sign.
Disneyland or Universal Studios? Universal Studios has more movie-themed adventure rides and appeals to teens/adults, plus it's close to the city center. Disneyland, on the other hand, offers a more fairy-tale atmosphere, is perfect for families with children, but is 45-60 minutes away from the city.
Festivals, concerts and public holidays — 2026 calendar
March End of March (Varies every year)
Dolby Theatre, Hollywood
The biggest night in the cinema world. Hollywood Boulevard and its surroundings are closed to traffic for days, and hotels are booked months in advance.
Official source →Jun 12, 2026 – Jun 14, 2026
West Hollywood
One of the largest LGBTQ+ pride parades and outdoor music events in the United States. Wild parties happen throughout West Hollywood.
Official source →Current according to passport type
US B1/B2 tourist visa required. Application fee is 185 USD. Interview appointments can be made 6-12 months later, early application is required.
Official application →There is no visa exemption for the green passport for the USA, normal visa procedure applies.
Official application →Travel with a visa is also required for officials.
Official application →For application links and other countries, check the Turkish Passport Visa Guide.
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