There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Los Angeles each year.
The main ones are listed below.
Each New Year's Day, the attentions of many throughout the United States are focused on Pasadena, California, a suburb of Los Angeles that is home to the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game, a post-season American college football game. The Rose Parade is a festival of flowers, its majestic floats covered in roses, joined by marching bands, dancers and equestrian units and viewed by hundreds of thousands of spectators on the parade route. It is also televised live across the country.
Third Monday in January : Martin Luther King Day (national holiday)A federal holiday in the United States, celebrating the life and achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr. In recent years, it has increasingly been seen as a day of service, when Americans are encouraged to volunteer to help others less fortunate than themselves. In Los Angeles, it is also celebrated with a colourful parade, the largest on this day in the country, through the city's southern districts, with floats, marching bands, drill teams, dance groups and equestrian units, followed by a festival with music, dancing, food and performances.
January/February : Chinese New Year (celebrated nationwide in major cities)In Los Angeles, the Chinese New Year is celebrated with the Golden Dragon Parade, a huge and colourful spectacle along North Broadway in Chinatown. In addition to the giant dragon that gives the parade its name, there are numerous floats, marching bands, martial arts demonstrations, dragon and lion dancers, etc.
July 4 : Independence Day (national holiday)A federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by which the 13 American colonies officially severed their political ties with Great Britain. Under the sunny skies in Los Angeles, celebrations include parades, barbecues and picnics. At nightfall, there are fireworks displays all over the Los Angeles region, from the Long Beach waterfront to high above Hollywood.
First Monday in September : Labour Day (national holiday) Second Monday in October : Columbus Day (national holiday)Commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World (October 12, 1492). Celebrated each year with a parade through the streets of Los Angeles.
October 31 : Halloween (celebrated nationwide)Halloween is celebrated each year by Americans of all ages. In the late afternoon and early evening hours, children don costumes and go door-to-door in their neighbourhoods to ask for treats, typically candy. Adults often attend costume parties in the evening. Throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area, many residents really get into the spirit, transforming their homes with over-the-top special effects and decorations.
Fourth Thursday in November : Thanksgiving (national holiday)Originally a Christian religious observance, for many years Thanksgiving has been a secular holiday in the United States, celebrated by Americans of all faiths. Families come together to prepare and enjoy a large feast at home. The meal typically includes roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce as well as various side dishes and ends with an assortment of pies (pumpkin, pecan, apple).
December 25 : Christmas (national holiday)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10/50 | 20/68 | 79/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 11/52 | 21/70 | 96/3.8 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 12/54 | 22/72 | 62/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 13/55 | 23/73 | 23/0.9 | Good period to go
|
| May | 15/59 | 24/75 | 7/0.3 | Good period to go
|
| June | 17/63 | 26/77 | 2/0.1 | Good period to go
|
| July | 18/64 | 29/84 | 1/0.0 | Good period to go
|
| August | 19/66 | 29/84 | 1/0.0 | Good period to go
|
| September | 18/64 | 29/84 | 6/0.2 | Good period to go
|
| October | 16/61 | 26/79 | 17/0.7 | Good period to go
|
| November | 12/54 | 23/73 | 26/1.0 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 10/50 | 20/68 | 60/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
Los Angeles International Airport is located about 25 kilometres (16 miles) south-west of the city centre.
In Los Angeles, like all US cities with huge metropolitan areas, the best way to get around is by car.
Due to the city's size (1,300 square kilometres or 500 square miles), getting around by car is particularly recommended if you wish to explore the entire metropolitan area.
Be sure to take along a map (either a printed version or a mobile app with GPS) to help you get your bearings, because it is quite easy to lose your way in the labyrinth of highways and freeways connecting the communities making up Los Angeles. Parking spaces can be hard to find. Before you travel, if you are booking a hotel room, make sure that parking will be available on site.
The main highways and freeways include
The Metro Rail system consists of six lines, including two subway lines (the Red and Purple lines) and four light rail lines (the Blue, Green, Gold and Expo lines) serving 80 stations within the confines of Los Angeles County.
Fares :
Several bus companies and hundreds of bus lines serve Los Angeles. Drawbacks include the fact that the system is not very easy to use. In addition, buses are usually very slow. The fare for a single trip without transfers is USD 1.75.
Some areas of Los Angeles County (in particular Santa Monica and Venice Beach) offer excellent bike paths for the enjoyment of local and visiting cyclists year-round. Renting a bike will cost about USD 25 a day.
Upon your arrival in Los Angeles, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Los Angeles Visitor Information CentersOffer sightseeing recommendations, tourist information and brochures.
Hollywood & Highland Center
Union Station
Offers sightseeing recommendations and tourist information about Santa Monica.
The currency used in the United States of America is the dollar ($).
1 DKK = 0,16 USD
1 USD = 6,25 DKK
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
Excellent medical care is available in Los Angeles, but costs are high. As the United States has not entered into reciprocal health agreements with other countries, you should take out appropriate insurance before you leave home, covering both medical expenses and medical evacuation or repatriation.
VaccinationsThere are no vaccination requirements for visitors to the United States.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no specific food safety risks.
WaterTap water is safe to drink in Los Angeles.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens or nationals of the following countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, whether for tourism or business: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom.
For further information, see the Visitor Visa page on the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html
And what about tipping ?
In Los Angeles and throughout the United States, tipping is necessary because a service charge is usually not included in the bill. You should leave a tip of 15 to 20 percent in restaurants and bars, 15 percent for taxis, a few dollars for porters, gas station attendants, etc. Many service workers depend on this income to make ends meet, so it is considered quite rude not to leave any tip at all. However, be sure to check that the bill does not already include a service charge.
