Smart Travel Tips & Information

As the official destination marketing organization for the City of Los Angeles, our primary goal is to ensure that our visitors have a safe, memorable and welcoming experience while visiting Los Angeles. We encourage travelers to stay informed, plan ahead and follow common-sense health and safety practices during their visit.

Guide to Healthy Travel Practices:

Travelers are encouraged to take simple precautions to support their health and well-being while visiting Los Angeles or any destination:

• Wash or sanitize hands often
• Cover coughs and sneezes appropriately
• Stay current on recommended vaccinations and routine healthcare guidance
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are feeling unwell
• Be mindful of local public health guidance and travel advisories when applicable
• Consider carrying any medications or personal health items you may need during your trip
• If you are feeling ill, prioritize rest and seek medical advice when needed
   

For the latest travel health information, visitors are encouraged to review guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. State Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Smart Safety Tips:
Like any major global city, Los Angeles is best enjoyed when visitors stay aware of their surroundings and follow general safety precautions:

• Always pay attention, stay alert, and be aware of your surroundings
• Keep personal belongings close to you at all times
• When sitting, keep bags and purses in front of you or on your lap, not over the back of the chair
• Avoid displaying valuables such as cash, jewelry or expensive electronics 
• Upon leaving a meeting or convention, remove and store your convention badge
• Walk in well-traveled and well-lit places, especially at night
• Park your vehicle in secure, well-lit, and busy areas
• Jaywalking is a fineable offense, so only cross the street at designated crosswalks
• Always lock your car and store all items securely out of sight, including spare change, checkbooks, maps and cell phones
• Use licensed transportation providers and verify rideshare information before entering a vehicle
• In case of an emergency, dial 911

Angelenos are friendly and eager to help. Visitors are encouraged to ask hotel staff, restaurant employees, ambassadors, traffic officers or police for assistance if needed.

Suspicious activity can be reported to local safety patrols or the Los Angeles Police Department at 877-275-5273.

Downtown Safety Officers:

Downtown LA is home to several Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), which are funded by property owners within each district. Common services include street and sidewalk maintenance and public safety. Visitors of the Los Angeles Convention Center will mostly spend their time within the South Park and Downtown Center BIDs.

While in DTLA, you may come across various BID Safety Officers. These officers have training that ranges from enhanced customer service to assisting those in need and much more. They serve as additional eyes and ears for all local law enforcement and city entities. When called upon, they also provide safety services during major events throughout Downtown. If you see these officers, say hello or feel free to ask for assistance. The “Purple Patrols” in Downtown’s Center BID are easily identified by their bright purple shirts. The patrols in Downtown’s South Park BID wear green shirts and often ride bicycles.

NotifyLA is the City of Los Angeles’ official emergency notification system, providing alerts and updates during emergencies, severe weather events and other public safety situations.
Text the zip code of your stay to 888777 to opt-in to receive alerts and advisories from local law enforcement in the event of an emergency.

Los Angeles is prepared for a variety of natural hazards, including earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat, and flooding. Visitors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with local emergency resources and preparedness information before and during their stay.

• Ready LA 
• City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department 
• FEMA Mobile App 
• Earthquake Country Alliance

International visitors are also encouraged to stay connected with their embassy or consulate during their visit. View the Los Angeles Consular Corps directory here.

Los Angeles enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate year-round, with warm days, low humidity and abundant sunshine.

Average daytime temperatures range from the low 70s°F (20s°C) during cooler months to the low 80s°F (upper 20s°C) during summer. Coastal areas are often cooled by ocean breezes, while evenings can be cooler throughout the region.

Visitors are encouraged to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and check weather conditions when planning outdoor activities.

During periods of extreme heat, visitors can locate nearby Cooling Centers throughout Los Angeles County here.

Average Temperatures
January:  19ºC / 9ºC | 66ºF / 48ºF


February: 19ºC / 10ºC | 67ºF / 50ºF

March: 21ºC / 11ºC | 69ºF / 51ºF


April: 22ºC / 12ºC | 71ºF / 54ºF


May: 23ºC / 13ºC | 73ºF / 56ºF


June: 25ºC / 16ºC | 77ºF / 60ºF


July: 28ºC / 17ºC | 82ºF / 63ºF


August: 28ºC / 18ºC | 83ºF / 64ºF


September: 28ºC / 17ºC | 82ºF / 63ºF


October: 26ºC / 15ºC | 78ºF / 59ºF


November: 23ºC / 12ºC | 73ºF / 53ºF


December: 20ºC / 9ºC | 68ºF / 49ºF

The minimum driving age in California is 16, and drivers must possess a valid U.S. or international driver’s license.

Speed limits and traffic rules are strictly enforced. If there are no posted signs, the maximum speed is 25 miles per hour on city streets and 65 miles per hour on freeways.

California state law requires the use of seat belts in all private vehicles. Drivers are prohibited from holding or operating a mobile phone while driving unless using a hands-free system or properly mounted device. A right turn on a red light after stopping is permitted unless otherwise indicated. Pedestrians have the right of way. Strict drunken driving laws are enforced in California. Anyone found driving under the influence of alcohol will be arrested.

Vehicles parked in violation of posted regulations are ticketed and towed very quickly. Before you park, be sure to carefully read all signs that state the days and times when parking restrictions are in effect. A red curb means no parking, a green curb indicates parking for a limited time only, and a white or yellow curb indicates passenger loading and unloading. Parking is often available in garages or parking lots for a fee. Many restaurants offer valet parking for a fee as well.

Visitors driving electric vehicles are encouraged to familiarize themselves with their vehicle’s charging requirements and consider downloading charging network apps to easily locate nearby stations during their stay.

Rideshare services such as Uber, Lyft, and Waymo are widely available throughout Los Angeles. At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), rideshare pick-ups are located at the designated LAX-it area. 

Coming soon: LAX travelers can also take advantage of the airport’s free SkyLink, which provides connections to terminals, parking facilities and transit options as it continues to expand. 

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) rail and bus services provide convenient access to many popular destinations across the region. Visitors are encouraged to review station maps, schedules, and service alerts by using the Metro app. Metro ambassadors, station staff, and local safety personnel are available throughout many transit hubs to assist riders with directions.

Major credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment platforms are widely accepted throughout Los Angeles, including hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and public transportation systems. Contactless “tap-to-pay” methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and other digital wallets are commonly used and accepted at most businesses. 

International travelers should also notify their bank or credit card provider before traveling to avoid disruptions when using cards abroad.

A gratuity charge is not automatically included in the bill at restaurants and other establishments unless it is noted on the check. Tipping is voluntary, but adding 15 to 20% for restaurant and taxi service is customary. Luggage handlers are usually tipped $1 to $2 per bag. A $1 to $2 tip is customary for parking lot attendants and valets. When tipping for maid service, $1 to $2 per day or $5 to $10 per week is a good guideline.

International travelers come to the U.S. for a wide variety of reasons, including tourism, business, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work. The type of visa needed is defined by immigration law, and relates to the principal purpose of your travel. While in the U.S., temporary visitors are restricted to the activity or reason for which their nonimmigrant visa was issued, with few exceptions. For an overview of the types of nonimmigrant visas available under immigration law, please see Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications on the USCIS Web site. The Consular Officer at your embassy or consulate will decide what kind of visa you need, when you apply. Learn more.

You must complete customs and immigrations formalities at the first point of arrival in the U.S., whether or not it's your final destination. There is no compulsory or government plan in the U.S. You are advised to purchase travel and health insurance in case of an emergency. 

A Los Angeles County sales tax of 9.75% is charged on all purchased items. There is no sales tax on hotel or motel rooms, but room rates in the City of Los Angeles are subject to a 14% hotel transient occupancy tax.

Angelenos know and understand that homelessness will not be solved overnight — but the City and County of L.A. are working more closely together than ever to bring unsheltered Angelenos inside with homes, healing and hope.

If you’re interested in giving back to , please consider donating to The Midnight Mission, a local organization who has been helping people experiencing homelessness transform their lives since 1914.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) offers accessibility services including wheelchair assistance, accessible transportation and visual and hearing support resources. Travelers needing accommodations are encouraged to contact their airline in advance.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) operates a fleet of buses equipped with driver-controlled, automatic wheelchair lifts that give individuals in wheelchairs access to Metro’s network of bus lines.

For Metro’s schedule information, call 213.626.4455. Hearing-impaired persons with a TDD/TTY machine may call 800.252.9040.

The Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities provides telephone referrals and information about accessibility and services for people with disabilities. Call 213.974.1053. TDD/TTY users may call 213.974.1707. For information on Los Angeles County human services agencies, transportation resources and disabled services, call the nonprofit Info Line at 800.339.6993.

View LA Tourism’s Guide to Accessibility in Los Angeles here

Smoking is prohibited in most buildings in Los Angeles. In restaurants within Los Angeles County, smoking is allowed in outdoor dining sections only. The minimum age for purchasing alcohol and tobacco is 21. Proof of age and identification may be required. Liquor may not be served, purchased or consumed in public establishments from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Time: Pacific Daylight Time


Highway Conditions: For real-time highway conditions, travelers can call 800.427.7623 or 916.445.7623, or use Caltrans QuickMap mobile app.

When calling from one area code to another, dial 1, followed by the area code and the seven-digit telephone number. 

The electrical current in the United States is 110 volts AC. It is recommended that you buy a converter before entering the country.