Los Angeles, USA

Los Angeles is one of the great democratic cities — it belongs equally to the movie industry, to eight million recent immigrants, to surfers, to taco truck operators and to world-class museum curators. For the seasoned traveller arriving for the 2026 World Cup, it offers something that no other American city can match: the sense that the whole world has already arrived and made itself at home.

The light is extraordinary. The food — shaped by Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Armenian and Ethiopian communities — is extraordinary. The distances are considerable, but the reward for navigating them is a city that never repeats itself.

World Cup 2026: June–July. Summer in LA is warm and dry — typically 24–28°C with almost no rain. The famous June Gloom (morning coastal fog) usually lifts by midday. Crowds will be significant given the World Cup; book all accommodation and restaurants well in advance. Outside World Cup: September and October offer the best weather — warm, clear and less crowded than summer.

LA is famously car-dependent but the Metro system has improved significantly and connects Downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown, Santa Monica and Culver City. The Metro K Line reaches SoFi Stadium from Downtown in about 30 minutes. For the World Cup, the Metro will be the most reliable option — avoid driving on match days. A hire car is useful for day trips to Malibu, the Getty or the San Fernando Valley.

Stay in West Hollywood or Los Feliz for walkability and neighbourhood character — both have excellent independent restaurants and hotels at various price points. Santa Monica suits those who want ocean access. Downtown LA is convenient for the Metro and the cultural institutions but less atmospheric for evening dining. Avoid the tourist hotels immediately around Hollywood Boulevard.

The Getty Center — the architecture, the gardens and the collection (Impressionists, illuminated manuscripts, photographs) make this one of the finest museums in the United States. Free entry. LACMA (LA County Museum of Art) — the largest art museum in the western United States, with outstanding collections spanning every culture and era. Griffith Observatory — the views over the city are the reason to go; the Tesla coil and astronomy exhibits are a bonus. The Broad — contemporary art in a striking building Downtown. Venice Beach Canals — the residential waterways behind the beach boardwalk, largely unknown to tourists, are one of the most charming walks in the city.

Eat tacos at Guisados (braised meat fillings, multiple locations) and ramen at Daikokuya in Little Tokyo. The Grand Central Market in Downtown is a century-old food hall with vendors representing the city\'s full culinary range. For a proper sit-down meal, Gjusta in Venice and Bestia in the Arts District consistently deliver. The Koreatown Korean barbecue restaurants are open late and outstanding at any price point.

LA demands comfortable walking shoes for any museum visit, but the city is otherwise easily navigable at a gentle pace. The heat in July rarely exceeds 30°C and is dry. Sunscreen is essential. Many of the best experiences — the Getty, Griffith, the beach — are outdoors, so pack accordingly. The Metro is air-conditioned throughout.

LA is a safe city for tourists in the areas visitors typically frequent. Exercise normal urban awareness Downtown and in Hollywood. The emergency number is 911. Travel insurance is strongly recommended given the cost of US healthcare.

Drive Mulholland Drive at dusk — the views from the ridge above the city as the lights come on are one of the great urban panoramas in the world. The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City is one of the most unusual institutions in America — it defies easy description and rewards curiosity. Philippe The Original near Union Station has been serving French dip sandwiches since 1908 and remains largely unchanged — a genuine piece of LA history at $10 a plate.