5 Unique Places to Visit in Los Angeles

 

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Hampton by Hilton. This post is also available in Spanish.

Are you a Seekender? A Seekender is a person who embraces long weekends and take advantage of them to plan their next trip. When Hampton by Hilton asked me to be part of their Seekender team, I got really excited, since I always considered myself a Seekender.

My upcoming trip to Zion National Park is sponsored by Hampton by Hilton. But before hitting the road once again, I’d like to be your guide in Los Angeles, if you are planning a trip to the City of Starts.

Here is my list presenting 5 unique places to visit in Los Angeles.

1. Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign should be in your list and it’s one of the main reasons why people visit Hollywood. If you don’t feel like going on a hike, you can take a photo of you with the Hollywood sign on the background from the Hollywood and Highland Center (there is a metro stop here with the same name). You can also visit the famous Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theater and the Dolby Theater while you are at the Hollywood and Highland Center.

If you love hiking, then you can take an Uber or a Lift to get closer to the Hollywood sign. Neighbors are not happy with the crowds trying to get to this area and they make it really difficult for you to park there. Tell your driver to drop you off at the Beachwood Drive y Franklin Drive intersection. If you don’t have a data travel plan, don’t worry, Hampton by Hilton has you covered. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi to all guests. That way, you’ll be able to get an Uber from your hotel. Once you get to that intersection, just open the brown gate and start a 45 minute hike to the sign!

2. Art District

It’s a trending area in Downtown LA. If you don’t have brunch plans, you should make a stop here. There are dozens of restaurants and food trucks. Plus, if you love beer, then you need to visit Angel City Brewery, where you can also play your favorite board games with your friends and your family.

If you are looking for the perfect background for your Instagram photos, you’ll find it here. Artists use the walls of Art District to create original graffitis, something that is extending to Melrose and Mar Vista in LA too. It’s easy to get here using public transportation. Just take the red line to Pershing Square and walk for 20 min.

Since you are already taking the public transportation, you should visit the iconic Central Station.

3. Santa Monica

You can’t go to LA and miss Santa Monica. It’s easy to find parking in the city, since there are several parking structures near the beach (plus, most of them offer 2 hour free parking). Plan your evening at the pier (tip: go under the pier to see the sunset and take incredible photos).

If you are looking forward to spending a day at the beach, then, drive for another 10 min and stay at Will Rogers Beach. It’s a clean beach, quiet and there are no crowds. If you are willing to drive a little bit more, then, you should go to one of the most beautiful beaches in Malibu.

4. Malibu

It’s going to be a long but productive day. So get your On the Run Breakfast Bag from Hampton by Hilton (available every weekday morning) and hit the road. It takes around 40 min to get to Malibu from Santa Monica.

Your first stop will be Escondido Falls. It’s an easy hike that leads you to a beautiful waterfall in the heart of Malibu. It’s less crowded in low season and you can even go for a swim. Just be careful, the rocks are slippery. This hike will take you around 2 hours to complete, back and forth, so make sure to take plenty water with you.

Once you are done, take your car and drive for a few miles (10 min.) until you get to El Matador’s beach, one of the best beaches in California. It’s easy to find parking here (if you go early) and you’ll feel like you are in a fairy tale, with white sand, and almost impossible rock formations.

A post shared by Pablo Ortega (@paullenk) on May 23, 2017 at 12:39pm PDT

5. Universal Studios vs. Disneyland. Which one should I visit?

If you have an extra day to spare, then you need to visit one of these theme parks. Sometimes you have to choose and here are the main differences between both of them:

• Universal Studios is for movie lovers. It’s easy to get there, since it’s only 10 minutes away from Hollywood. Tickets are more affordable (around $100 for an annual pass). If you are a Harry Potter fan, you’ll feel like you are at Hogwarts when you visit their new area.
• Disney is for families and Disney lovers. It’s further (the actual park is located in Anaheim, 45 min away by car from LA) and the prices are more expensive. If you don’t mind lines and would also like to visit California Adventure Park, then, you should go to Disney.

Hope you have fun in Los Angeles! Remember you can book your stay with Hampton by Hilton. Get a guaranteed discount as a Honors member when you book your next weekend and Hampton.com. There are more than 2,300 locations in the US.