Los Angeles City Guide

America's second largest city after New York, the City of Angels has a reputation as the place where stars bask in fame and the eternal summer of southern California.

The famous Hollywood sign presides over a sprawling metropolis made up of numerous towns that have merged into Lala land - a vast conurbation where the car is king despite the surprisingly efficient Metro (yes, a subway, though much of it is above ground) and bus system. Once at your destination you'll find little on-street parking so you'll need to be prepared for hefty valet bills and tips.

The good news is that recent years have seen an explosion of great cocktail bars and the emergence of a walkable downtown scene. Plan your bar crawl: Hollywood one night, Downtown the next.
LA licensing laws dictate that bars stop serving alcohol at 2am. As in other states, the minimum drinking age is 21 and regardless of your age you should carry photo ID at all times. Smoking is not permitted inside any public place, although many have outside areas to light up.