Why visit
LA is Venice Beach and Santa Monica, Hollywood and Griffith Observatory, LACMA and the Getty, Little Tokyo and K-Town, plus mountain hikes in minutes from the coast.
How to use this result
Use it as a travel-city prompt
Los Angeles is included because it has traveler appeal beyond being a dot on the map. Use the themes, neighborhoods, notes, and season guidance to decide whether it fits a weekend, longer route, or writing prompt.
Build a realistic route
For a real trip, check how Los Angeles connects with nearby cities, airports, rail or bus routes, local costs, weather, and entry rules for United States.
Los Angeles at a glance
City population
3.8 million
Metro: 13.2 million
Elevation
93 m
305 ft
Time zone
UTC-8 (UTC-7 DST)
America/Los_Angeles
Airport
LAX
Los Angeles International
Founded
1781 (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles)
Getting around
Metro (7 lines, growing), buses; car-dominant
Signature dish
Tacos al pastor, Korean BBQ, In-N-Out, cronut, boba tea
Neighborhoods for travelers
HollywoodSanta MonicaVeniceDowntown (DTLA)Silver Lake
United States at a glance
Country center
38.0°, -97.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
9,372,610 km²
3,618,783 mi²
Country population
334.9 million
36/km²
Subregion
North America
Currency
United States dollar ($)
USD
Dial
+1201
Language
English
Demonym
American
Internet
.us
UN
Member state
ISO code
US / USA
Where in the world
38.0° - -97.0°
United States
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- LA County has over 10 million people and 88 incorporated cities inside it.
- The Hollywood sign originally read "HOLLYWOODLAND": an advertisement for a real estate development.
- LA has more museums than any other US city.
- The US has no official national language: English is de facto but not de jure.
- Alaska was bought from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million (~2 cents per acre at the time).
Bordering United States
Traveler notes
- Rent a car. LA is not transit-friendly
- Griffith Observatory sunset
- K-Town Korean BBQ or Little Ethiopia
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Los Angeles
What currency is used in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles uses the United States dollar ($), ISO code USD.
What languages are spoken in United States?
The primary language is English.
What is the international calling code for United States?
The calling code is +1201.
What airport serves Los Angeles?
Los Angeles International (IATA: LAX).
Other North America destinations
New Orleans
New Orleans is jazz, Cajun and Creole food, French Quarter courtyards, the Garden District's mansions, and second-lines still happening most weekends.
Miami
Miami is South Beach Art Deco, Little Havana, Wynwood Walls, and Everglades airboats 45 minutes out.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the Strip's theme-park casinos, Red Rock Canyon climbing nearby, and access to Grand Canyon, Zion, and Death Valley on short flights or drives.
Seattle
Seattle is Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Chihuly glass garden, ferry rides, and Mount Rainier + Olympic National Park 2 hours out.
Honolulu
Honolulu (Oahu) is Waikiki beach, Diamond Head crater, Pearl Harbor, North Shore surf, and a food culture that invented poke.
Vancouver
Vancouver is Stanley Park's seawall, Granville Island's market, Gastown's restored old streets, and the North Shore mountains + Whistler 2 hours away.