Okay, we all know there are tons of articles and blogs out there to help with this, but every situation is unique and as a first time visitor in LA, I also tried to explore it like a local. I did this for the sole purpose of seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly before I make any long-term decisions of where I really want to stay in a few years. In this blogpost, I’m going to give some brief details about the resources I used, and some useful downtown Los Angeles travel guide for first time visitors for a smooth trip.
Stay
I’ve only recently started exploring my long-time interest in traveling but I also know how important it is to get an affordable place to stay for your trip. I decided between a hotel and an airbnb and ended up choosing a hotel. I love Airbnb’s, but I found the downtown hotels to be more convenient as a first time LA visitor wanting to explore that area as a start. Then I found CitizenM Hotel.
CitizenM Los Angeles hotel was at the heart of downtown LA and it was more affordable than the surrounding hotels in the area. I was fully checked in within a matter of seconds and enjoyed the small, yet spacious, soundproofing smart rooms they had to offer. Not only were their services great, but they also offered breakfast options which I found very helpful. I would totally recommend it to all visitors. check out their Google reviews for more inspiration.
This hotel had a breathtaking lobby area where you could relax, eat, chit chat, or even study. Being around the lobby helped me interact with workers and other LA locals which got me to see a very friendly side of LA citizens.
Transportation
Bus & Metro systems in LA – As a first time LA visitor, my folks and I decided the best way to keep things affordable is to utilize downtown LA’s bus and metro systems. Now let’s face it, the transportation system isn’t New York level, but I have nothing else but to say only great things about the frequency of these buses. 95% of the transportation we used were buses and subways. That way, we were able to save the ubers and rented cars for specific days that dealt with longer travels.
Eat
The food in LA is top tier! Let’s just say my food budget would be the highest next to my housing expenses if I lived in Los Angeles. I didn’t have to drive or walk extremely long distances to find the best food. For someone who knows what she wants when it comes to food options, food marketplaces and downtown restaurants in LA made it so easy for me to enjoy my favorite snacks and dishes. I’m a city girl that was one of the best experiences I had being in LA.
Sarita’s Pupuseria at Grand Central Market – As much as I love Pupusas, I also love me some platanos (plantains). The moment I set y eyes on them at the market, I knew I had to take a bite.
Knead Noods at Grand Central Market – I’m a creamy pasta lover and also love to eat them with either shrimp or chicken. This place wasn’t any fancy restaurant, but they had many options I could choose from. I ordered their alfredo pasta with chicken and shrimp and it was pretty good.
The Donut Man at Grand Central Market – This donut shop reminds me of areas with street food. It’s very easy to locate and has some of the best donuts i’ve ever tried. One thing I would say though is that they have a huge variety of donuts, so make sure you specify the exact one you need so you don’t get the wrong one.
Maccheroni Republic – This was by far my favorite place out of all the food restaurants I went to. I’m in love with Italian food, especially when they come with seafood. If I could remember correctly, I believe I ordered their Linguine Ai Frutti Di Mare. I devoured the whole plate within minutes and came back the next day for more. Little did I know that this was also very popular. I went back for the same meal the next day and had to be on a long waitlist I wasn’t expecting. 10/10 would recommend.
Manna Korean barbecue in Little Tokyo – I generally love Asian food but Korean barbecue has a special place in my heart. I might have fooled myself to think their spicy pork bulgogi would have as much of a mild spice in Denver. I was wrong, but I loved the flavors they had at this restaurant in Little Tokyo.
Umaya LA in Koreatown – Located at the heart of Koreatown, this fancy Japanese restaurant has some amazing dishes with many options to choose from. I ate my all time favorite Tonkatsu ramen and it was pretty delicious.
Monte Carlo Cafe – I had the best breakfast burrito at this cafe. I also tried some steak there and couldn’t resist how juicy it was. This place has a unique settings and their food was very authentic. I don’t know what it is about LA, but they definitely have some really good food.
How to pack in November
Weather Preparation in November is a bit tricky. Coming from Colorado, I thought I could handle just a good amount of chilly. Unfortunately, it rained a bit and we ended up experiencing more cold that residents usually do. So to be safe in November, definitely bring a sweater or bring some warmer clothes to handle the weather changes.
What to Do
Here are some very brief yet informative descriptions of each location I explored.
Downtown LA Walk – I just walked and enjoyed downtown Los Angeles to experience what it’s like chatting with the locals. I really like this city. It reminds me of new york in some ways. It’s always great to do this and enjoy the beautiful California weather.
Chinatown – Chinatown definitely has a rich cultural experience tied to it. I see how it could be a big tourist attractions in LA. You noticed a higher number of chinese residents which makes you feel like you’re in a different place which i love. I got myself an umbrella and a hate to decorate with. It was also a good walking distance from our hotel which was perfect to explore with the warm weather.
Koreatown – Koreatown is definitely a calmer neighborhood compared to Downtown LA. I saw different people of many different generations there, with kids returning home from school and adults leaving for work. It was diverse too. I would live there.
Other neighborhoods discovered – Culver city and Little Tokyo- We explored Little Tokyo by accident, but I was happy to come across it as it had stores that had exactly what I needed to enjoy my stay at the hotel. It felt similar to China town where you could also experience the rich culture . You’ll see lots of buildings and attractions around there.
Culver city is another nice, calm city i would like to look further into.
Venice Beach – I am in love with the beach, so I planned to enjoy the little time i had here before returning to Denver, where there’s not ocean. For my time at Venice beach, i got some ice cream and watched some youth skaters become expert at their craft. I also stood in line for a cute caricature drawing and biked my way to Santa Monica pier. Oh, and of course I collected some California sand to take with me back to Denver. Side note – beware of the CD sellers- those CD’s aren’t free.
Santa Monica Pier – A beach area full of exciting games, fresh fruits, and beautiful outdoor experiences.
Griffith Observatory – Relive your childhood curiosity and enjoy the beautiful planet and universe exhitbit at this location. This place is so excited it got me to come out of my shell. I captured some amazing photos and made sure to enjoy to hollywood sign view.
Rodeo Drive – This is definitely where the rich people live. So many luxurious cars and perfect instagrammable spots for dashing photos.
Thoughts on LA
What I learned as a tourist living like a local in Los Angeles
I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly in LA. I saw the real lives of real people, from rich to poor. The rich gave me inspiration, and the poor broke me. I found it interesting to see both extremes of the wealth spectrum within a few miles- from Beverly Hills to Downtown LA. This is worth a whole additional blog post, but overall, I think LA is definitely not a bubble of fairy tales but rather a beautiful place to live to pursue your dreams.
That’s all I have for this blogpost. I hope you enjoyed my useful downtown Los Angeles travel guide for first time visitors.
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For a comprehensive Los Angeles travel guide, you should definitely check out the “Discover Los Angeles” website. It’s packed with tons of useful information, recommendations, and reviews for first-time visitors to LA! It’s a great resource to help you plan your trip and make the most of your visit. Anyway, Last month I visited the bus tours from new york city.