Why Los Angeles? An Editor’s Note

Most cities have a centre. LA has dozens. That’s what makes it both maddening and endlessly rewarding. You can eat the best Korean BBQ outside of Seoul in Koreatown, surf at dawn in Malibu, hike to the Hollywood Sign before lunch, eat a $2.50 al pastor taco from Leo’s truck, visit two free world-class museums (the Getty Center and The Broad), catch a comedy legend at The Comedy Store, and end the night at a Michelin 3-star restaurant — all in one day, if traffic cooperates. In 2026, the city is stacking reasons to visit: the LACMA’s extraordinary new Zumthor building, the $1 billion Lucas Museum, a FIFA World Cup, and a food scene so deep that Michelin found 46 Bib Gourmand restaurants before it even awarded its first 3-stars. The 2028 Olympics are coming too, and the infrastructure push is already reshaping how the city moves.

Table of Contents

• Top Attractions in Los Angeles
• New in 2026 — LACMA, Lucas Museum & More
• LA Food — Tacos, Korean BBQ & Ethnic Eats
• Michelin Guide & Fine Dining
• LA’s Neighbourhoods
• Beaches — Santa Monica to Malibu
• Nightlife — Comedy, Live Music & Rooftop Bars
• Shopping & Markets
• Getting Around LA
• Day Trips from Los Angeles
• Best Time to Visit & Weather
• Practical Information
• Budget Tips & Money
• Safety & Awareness
• 2026 Travel Notes & Changes
• Frequently Asked Questions

Top Attractions in Los Angeles

LA’s best secret: Many of the city’s best attractions are free. The Getty Center and Getty Villa (together worth $8 billion in art), The Broad, Griffith Observatory, Walt Disney Concert Hall tours, all beaches, all hiking trails, and Venice Beach’s boardwalk cost nothing. Even the LACMA is free on the second Tuesday of each month.

1. Getty Center

One of the greatest free museums in the world. Perched on a Brentwood hilltop with panoramic views of the city, the ocean, and the mountains, the Getty houses an extraordinary collection of European paintings (Van Gogh’s Irises, Rembrandt, Monet, Cézanne), medieval manuscripts, sculpture, and photography. The Richard Meier-designed buildings and Robert Irwin’s Central Garden are artworks in themselves. Take the tram up from the parking garage — the arrival alone is cinematic.

Price: FREE admission. Parking $25/car ($15 after 3 PM). Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00 AM–5:30 PM (Sat until 8 PM). Getting there: Metro E Line to Getty Center/Sepulveda station, then walk. Tip: Visit the Getty Villa in Malibu on the same day — show your parking receipt for free parking at both locations.

2. Griffith Observatory

Free admission, free telescope viewing, and the most iconic view of LA — the city sprawling to the ocean on one side, the Hollywood Sign on the other. The Art Deco building (1935) sits at the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. The Samuel Oschin Planetarium ($10 adults, $6 children 5–12) runs multiple shows daily — tickets are on-site only, first-come first-served. The Observatory has been free since opening because its benefactor, Griffith J. Griffith, believed everyone deserved access to the stars.

Price: FREE. Planetarium $10/$6. Parking: $10/hour on Observatory roads. Better option: DASH bus ($0.50) from the Greek Theatre parking lot (free on non-event days). Hours: Tue–Fri 12:00 PM–10:00 PM, Sat–Sun 10:00 AM–10:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

3. The Broad

Eli and Edythe Broad’s contemporary art museum in DTLA, housing one of the most significant postwar collections in the world. Warhol, Basquiat, Koons, Lichtenstein, Haring, Kusama — the hits keep coming. The building itself (Diller Scofidio + Renfro) is a perforated “veil and vault” design that’s become an LA landmark. The Infinity Mirrored Room by Yayoi Kusama is the most Instagrammed artwork in the city.

Price: FREE general admission (advance reservation strongly recommended — tickets released monthly, last Wednesday at 10 AM PT). Infinity Mirrored Room: free but limited timed slots. Hours: Varies by day — check thebroad.org.

4. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Opened in 2021, this is the largest museum in the US devoted to film. The collection spans 100+ years of cinema — from the first movie cameras to contemporary blockbusters. The Spielberg Family Gallery, the Stories of Cinema permanent exhibition, and the 1,000-seat David Geffen Theater (a glass-domed sphere) are highlights. The Oscars Experience ($10 extra) lets you hold a real Oscar statuette on a replica stage. “Last Looks” after 4:30 PM: $18 adults.

Price: $25 adults / $19 seniors / $15 students / under 17 FREE / Oscars Experience +$10. Hours: Sun–Thu 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Fri–Sat 10:00 AM–8:00 PM.

New in 2026 — LACMA, Lucas Museum & More

LACMA David Geffen Galleries

The most anticipated museum opening in America in 2026. After demolishing four buildings and a decade of construction, Swiss architect Peter Zumthor’s new LACMA building opens April 19, 2026 (public access from May 4). The structure is extraordinary: a 900-foot-long, single-storey building that stretches across Wilshire Boulevard like a bridge, with 110,000 sq ft of gallery space and nearly doubling LACMA’s total to 220,000 sq ft. The collection spans 6,000 years of art from every continent. Admission: $28 adults / $24 seniors and students / $13 children 3–17 / free 2nd Tuesday of every month. LA County residents free after 3 PM weekdays.

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

George Lucas and Mellody Hobson’s $1 billion+ museum opens September 22, 2026 in Exposition Park (next to the Natural History Museum). Designed by MAD Architects, the futuristic building will house 40,000+ works across 35 galleries: paintings, illustrations, comic art, photography, film, and digital art — everything from Norman Rockwell to Star Wars concept art to Hayao Miyazaki’s original storyboards. It’s the most significant new art museum to open in LA in decades.

Dataland — Museum of AI Arts

Opening spring 2026 in Frank Gehry’s The Grand LA building, Dataland is billed as the world’s first Museum of AI Arts. Five galleries across 25,000 sq ft exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and creative expression.

La Brea Tar Pits

Warning: The La Brea Tar Pits museum closes July 6, 2026 for a 2-year, $131M+ renovation ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The outdoor park and active excavation sites remain open during the closure. If you want to see the museum, visit before July 6.

LA Food — Tacos, Korean BBQ & Ethnic Eats

Los Angeles has the most diverse food scene in America, and it’s not close. The city’s immigrant communities have created neighbourhood-scale culinary ecosystems: the largest Koreatown outside Seoul, the oldest Chinatown in Southern California, a Thai Town that rivals Bangkok’s backstreet noodle shops, a Little Ethiopia that Matador Network named one of its “25 Unforgettable Places” for 2026, and an East LA taco culture that is, without exaggeration, the best in the world. The magic of LA food is its accessibility: the most life-changing meal you eat might cost $2.50 from a truck on the side of the road.

Taco Culture — The Soul of LA

Taco rules: The best tacos come from trucks and street stands, not restaurants. Al pastor (marinated pork from a vertical spit, inspired by Lebanese shawarma immigrants brought to Mexico) is the king of LA tacos. Birria tacos (slow-braised beef or goat, dipped in consommé) had their moment in 2020–2022 but remain excellent. Eat late — many trucks peak between 8 PM and 2 AM.

Korean BBQ — Koreatown Deep-Dive

LA’s Koreatown is the largest Korean community outside Korea, and the Korean BBQ here is extraordinary. The basic format: you grill marinated and unmarinated meats at your table over charcoal or gas, wrap them in lettuce with ssamjang (soybean-chilli paste) and garlic, and eat them with an endless parade of banchan (side dishes). All-you-can-eat (AYCE) is the norm, with tiers based on meat quality.

In-N-Out Burger

A California institution since 1948. The menu has four items (hamburger, cheeseburger, Double-Double, fries) plus a “secret menu” that everyone knows: Animal Style (grilled mustard patty, extra pickles, grilled onions, special sauce), Protein Style (lettuce wrap instead of bun), and the 3×3 or 4×4 (extra patties). A Double-Double combo is ~$10.15. The Sepulveda Boulevard location near LAX is the most visited fast-food restaurant in America. It is not gourmet. It is not trying to be. It is perfect.

Ethnic Food Neighbourhoods

• Thai Town (East Hollywood) — The largest Thai community outside Thailand. Night + Market, Jitlada, Sapp Coffee Shop (boat noodles ~$12–15). Bangkok-level authenticity.
• Little Tokyo (DTLA) — Daikokuya (ramen, expect lines), Marugame Monzo (handmade udon), Sushi Kaneyoshi (1 Michelin star).
• Little Ethiopia (Fairfax) — Named one of “25 Unforgettable Places to Go in 2026” by Matador Network. Injera platters $15–25. Meals by Genet, Rosalind’s, Lalibela.
• Boyle Heights / East LA (Mexican) — Birrieria Chalio (goat birria since the 1980s), Burritos La Palma, Carnitas El Momo. The real deal.

Markets & Food Halls

• Grand Central Market (DTLA, since 1917) — 40+ vendors. Eggslut (egg sandwiches), Tacos Tumbras a Tomas (tacos), Villa Moreliana (carnitas), Sticky Rice (Thai). Mon–Sun 8 AM–9 PM.
• Smorgasburg LA — Every Sunday at ROW DTLA. Relaunched January 2026 with 13 new vendors including Mamani Pizza (Neapolitan-Persian fusion).
• Hollywood Farmers Market — Every Sunday 8 AM–1 PM, Ivar & Selma. 160+ vendors, live music, the largest farmers market in LA.
• Original Farmers Market (3rd & Fairfax, since 1934) — Du-par’s pancakes (since 1938), Magee’s Kitchen. Adjacent to The Grove.

Michelin Guide & Fine Dining

LA made Michelin history in 2025 when the guide awarded its first-ever 3-star restaurants in the city: Providence (seafood, Chef Michael Cimarusti, also a Green Star for sustainability) and Somni (Spanish, Chef Aitor Zabala, opened November 2024). The guide now lists 2 three-stars, 3 two-stars, 22 one-stars, and 46 Bib Gourmand restaurants in the greater LA area.

Also 1-star: 715 Sushi, Citrin, Gucci Osteria (Beverly Hills), Gwen, Holbox, Sushi Kaneyoshi, Restaurant Ki (Korean, new 2025), Mori Nozomi (new 2025, female-led omakase), Morihiro, Nozawa Bar, Orsa & Winston, Pasta|Bar, Shin Sushi, Uka at Japan House, and more. 46 Bib Gourmand restaurants offer exceptional value — including Komal, Rasarumah, and Vin Folk (all new 2025).

LA’s Neighbourhoods

Hollywood & West Hollywood

Hollywood Boulevard: Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre (hand/footprints), Dolby Theatre (Oscars venue). Touristy but iconic. West Hollywood (WeHo): The Sunset Strip (Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy, Comedy Store, Chateau Marmont), LGBTQ+ epicentre, boutique shopping on Melrose, nightlife concentrated on Santa Monica Boulevard. Runyon Canyon hike starts here — free, 3.5 miles, stunning city views.

Downtown LA (DTLA)

The most transformed neighbourhood in LA. Arts District: Galleries (Hauser & Wirth, free), street art, breweries (Angel City Brewing), four Michelin-starred restaurants. Grand Central Market, The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA. Little Tokyo: Historic Japanese-American district. Historic Core: Bradbury Building, Last Bookstore (iconic Instagram spot), Broadway Theatre District. DTLA has rough edges — see the Safety section — but the culture and food density is unmatched.

Santa Monica

Beach city with a village feel. Third Street Promenade (pedestrian shopping), Montana Avenue boutiques, the Santa Monica Pier (Pacific Park rides, aquarium). Wide, clean, lifeguarded beaches. Melisse (2 Michelin stars), Citrin (1 star). The Metro E Line connects Santa Monica to DTLA — one of the few car-free corridors in LA.

Venice Beach

Ocean Front Walk: street performers, Muscle Beach gym, the world-class skate park, murals, and a cast of characters you won’t find anywhere else. Abbot Kinney Boulevard (a block inland) is the gentrified-cool strip: boutiques, specialty coffee, restaurants. The Venice Canals (15 minutes’ walk inland) are a quiet, beautiful residential area modelled on the Italian original. Free to explore.

Silver Lake, Los Feliz & Echo Park

LA’s hipster triangle. Independent coffee shops, vintage stores, record shops, live music venues. Silver Lake Reservoir walking path, Echo Park Lake (paddleboats). Los Feliz is the gateway to Griffith Park, with a charming village feel along Vermont and Hillhurst avenues. Morihiro (1 Michelin star) is in Echo Park.

Beverly Hills

Rodeo Drive: Luxury shopping (window-shopping is free and excellent people-watching). Beverly Gardens Park (the Beverly Hills sign, cacti garden). Gucci Osteria (1 Michelin star), Nozawa Bar (1 star). Beautiful residential streets for driving or walking.

Koreatown

The largest Koreatown outside Seoul. Korean BBQ at every price point, noraebang (karaoke rooms), 24-hour spas (Wi Spa), nightlife that runs until dawn. Dense, walkable, and Metro-accessible (D Line). The only neighbourhood in LA with a genuine 24/7 culture — you can eat Korean fried chicken at 3 AM and no one blinks.

Pasadena

Old Town Pasadena: historic architecture, shopping, dining. Huntington Library & Gardens ($25–$34, closed Tue, free 1st Thursday). Norton Simon Museum ($15). Rose Bowl (flea market 2nd Sunday, $12). Caltech campus. Quieter, more residential, excellent as a half-day trip.

Malibu

27 miles of coastline. Zuma Beach (parking $8–$15, wide and family-friendly), El Matador State Beach ($8 parking, dramatic sea stacks, tiny lot fills early). Getty Villa (free admission, $25 parking). Surfrider Beach (legendary surf). Note: The January 2025 Palisades Fire impacted areas between Pacific Palisades and Malibu — some beach parking lots may still be used as staging areas. Check current conditions before visiting.

Beaches — Santa Monica to Malibu

Santa Monica State Beach

Wide, sandy, lifeguarded. Adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier. The bike path (The Strand) connects south to Venice and beyond — 22 miles of beachfront cycling. Volleyball courts, chess players at the pier, spectacular sunsets. Parking: $8–$15 in structures/lots, metered street parking available but competitive.

Venice Beach

The most famous boardwalk in the world. Street performers, Muscle Beach outdoor gym, the Venice Skatepark (one of the world’s best, free to use or watch), artists selling paintings, and an energy that’s pure LA. Parking: $5–$15 in lots. The beach itself is wide and swimmable.

Malibu — El Matador & Zuma

El Matador State Beach: The most photogenic beach in LA — dramatic sandstone sea stacks and caves. Tiny parking lot ($8) fills fast; arrive before 9 AM on weekends. Steep stairs down. Not ideal for swimming (rocky bottom) but incredible for photos and exploring. Zuma Beach: Wide, sandy, family-friendly. Large parking lots ($8–$15). Lifeguarded. Good waves. Point Dume: Nature preserve with whale watching (December–April) and a dramatic clifftop trail.

Manhattan & Hermosa Beach

South Bay beach towns with a local, upscale feel. Manhattan Beach Pier + Roundhouse Aquarium (free). The Strand continues through both — 22 miles of paved beachfront path. Hermosa Beach has a lively pier area and bar scene. International Surf Festival: July 27–August 2, 2026. Free concerts at Polliwog Park on summer Sundays.

Nightlife — Comedy, Live Music & Rooftop Bars

Comedy

LA is the comedy capital of America, and the clubs on the Sunset Strip are legendary.

• The Comedy Store (WeHo) — Three rooms (Main Room, Original Room, Belly Room). Where Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, and Dave Chappelle built their acts. Tickets from $26, averaging $95–$118 for headliners. Netflix Is A Joke Fest shows: May 2026.
• Laugh Factory (Hollywood) — Sunset Strip landmark. Tickets from $20, averaging $60–$80.
• The Groundlings — Improv/sketch comedy. Alumni: Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph. Tickets ~$15–$25.
• UCB Theatre — Upright Citizens Brigade. Improv from $5–$12.

Live Music

• Hollywood Bowl — 17,500-seat amphitheatre nestled in the hills. LA Phil summer season (May–Oct). $1 bench-section tickets available for select concerts. Regular tickets from $15–18. Individual tickets on sale May 5, 2026. Bring a picnic — it’s a tradition.
• The Troubadour — 400-capacity club on Santa Monica Blvd that launched Elton John, James Taylor, and the Eagles.
• Whisky a Go Go — Since 1964. Launched The Doors, Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crüe.
• The Roxy Theatre — 500-capacity Sunset Strip institution.
• The Wiltern — Art Deco gem in Koreatown, 1,850 seats.
• SoFi Stadium — 70,000+ capacity for mega shows. 2026: Ed Sheeran (Aug 8), BTS (Sep 1–6), Bruno Mars (Oct 2–7).

Rooftop Bars

• DTLA: Perch (French bistro + skyline views), Golden Hour (carousel bar, pool deck).
• Hollywood: The Highlight Room (Dream Hollywood, 11,000 sq ft, pool), Bar Lis (Thompson Hollywood).
• West Hollywood: E.P. & L.P. (Asian rooftop), SkyBar at Mondrian.

Cocktail prices: $16–$22 typical. Some venues charge cover on weekend nights.

Shopping & Markets

• Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills) — Luxury flagship stores. Window-shopping is free and excellent.
• Melrose Avenue — Vintage stores, streetwear, murals. The “Paul Smith pink wall” is a landmark.
• Abbot Kinney Boulevard (Venice) — Independent boutiques, specialty coffee, design shops.
• The Grove (Fairfax) — Outdoor shopping centre with dancing fountain. Adjacent to the Original Farmers Market.
• Rose Bowl Flea Market (Pasadena) — 2nd Sunday of every month. $12 entry. One of America’s best vintage/antique markets.

Getting Around LA

LA is a car city — that’s the honest truth. But it’s getting better, especially with the Metro expansions for the 2028 Olympics. You can now get from DTLA to Santa Monica by train (E Line), and the new D Line extension opening May 2026 will connect Koreatown to the LACMA/Museum Row area. For most visitors, the best strategy is Metro for major corridors + Uber/Lyft for everything else + walking within neighbourhoods.

From LAX

LAX Automated People Mover: NOT yet open as of April 2026 ($2.8B project, $880M over budget). When operational, it will connect terminals to the Metro C/K Line and rental car facilities. LAWA claims readiness for FIFA World Cup (June 2026) but has backup plans.

Metro

Single ride: $1.75 (bus and rail, includes 2-hour free transfers). Daily cap: $5.00 (unlimited rides). Weekly cap: $18.00. TAP card, TAP app, or Apple Wallet. Six rail lines cover major corridors.

New May 8, 2026: D Line (Purple Line) Extension Section 1 opens with 3 new stations: Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax (LACMA/Museum Row), Wilshire/La Cienega. Section 2 to Beverly Hills/Century City expected late 2026.

Driving

Rental cars from ~$40–$60/day. Gas ~$4.50–$5.50/gallon. Parking $1–$4/hour metered, $8–$30/day garages, up to $50 at popular attractions. Rush hours (6:30–9:30 AM and 3:30–7:30 PM) can double or triple travel times. Use Waze, ParkMobile for meters, SpotHero for garage deals. A car is genuinely useful in LA given the sprawl — the Metro is expanding but doesn’t cover everything.

Day Trips from Los Angeles

1. Disneyland (Anaheim)

35 miles south, 45 minutes without traffic. 1-Day 1-Park: $104 (Tier 0) to $224 (Tier 6) — seven tiers of date-based pricing, with holidays and weekends at the top. Park Hopper add-on: from $70 extra. Under 3: free. Kids Summer Ticket (May 22–Sep 7, 2026): $84/day ages 3–9. Lightning Lane Multi Pass from ~$30/day. 1-day tickets are never discounted — the only savings are multi-day passes or SoCal resident offers.

2. Joshua Tree National Park

130 miles east, 2–3 hours. A surreal desert landscape of twisted Joshua trees, giant boulders, and otherworldly rock formations. Entry: $30/vehicle (7-day pass) / $80 America the Beautiful annual pass. Highlights: Hidden Valley, Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View, Skull Rock. Best October–April — summer is 100–120°F. Bring water, sunscreen, and fuel (no gas stations in the park).

3. Palm Springs

110 miles east, 2 hours. Mid-century modern architecture, desert spas, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (~$30 adults, $20 children — 10-minute ride up to Mt. San Jacinto). Indian Canyons hiking (~$9–$15 entry). Outlet shopping at Desert Hills Premium Outlets (Cabazon). Best October–May; summer is 110–120°F+.

4. Santa Barbara & Wine Country

100 miles north, 1.5–2 hours. The “American Riviera.” Amtrak Pacific Surfliner: from ~$20–$35 one-way (scenic coastal route, one of America’s best train rides). Santa Ynez Valley wine tasting (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay — Sideways country): ~$15–$20/tasting. Funk Zone urban wine trail in Santa Barbara. Stearns Wharf, State Street, Mission Santa Barbara.

5. San Diego

120 miles south, 2–2.5 hours. Pacific Surfliner: 13 daily roundtrips (13th added January 2026). San Diego Zoo (~$72 adults), Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, La Jolla coves, USS Midway. Easily doable as a day trip by train.

6. Big Bear Lake

100 miles east, 2–2.5 hours. Mountain escape at 6,752 ft. Summer: lake activities, hiking. Winter: ski resorts (Snow Summit, Bear Mountain) with lift tickets ~$80–$120/day. Note: Highway 38 closed weekdays (Jan 2026 onward) — use Hwy 18 or Hwy 330 alternatives.

Best Time to Visit & Weather

LA has the best weather of any major city in the world — 300+ sunny days a year, mild temperatures year-round.

• Best months: March–May and September–November. Comfortable temperatures (65–80°F / 18–27°C), fewer crowds than summer, better hotel prices.
• Summer (June–August): Hot inland (85–95°F), cooler at the beach (70–80°F). Peak tourist season, higher prices. “June Gloom” — marine layer (fog/overcast) often blankets the coast until early afternoon in June.
• Winter (December–February): Mild (55–70°F). Occasional rain. Excellent for avoiding crowds. “Fire season” technically peaks in fall but can extend through winter with Santa Ana winds.

Practical Information

Visa & Entry

Most visitors need either an ESTA ($21, 90-day visa-free for Visa Waiver Program countries including EU, UK, Australia, Japan) or a B-1/B-2 visa. Apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before travel at esta.cbp.dhs.gov (the only official site — beware of third-party fee-charging sites).

Tipping

Tipping is not optional in the US. Restaurants: 18–20% (standard; 15% is considered low). Bars: $1–2 per drink. Uber/Lyft: optional but appreciated (15–20%). Hotels: $2–5/night housekeeping, $1–2/bag bellhop. Tax is added to all prices at checkout (not included in listed prices). LA County sales tax: ~10.25%.

Cannabis

Legal for 21+ with government-issued ID (foreign passports accepted). Purchase limit: 28.5g flower or 8g concentrate per day. Licensed dispensaries only — look for the state licence displayed. Most dispensaries are cash-only (federal banking restrictions). Consumption: private spaces or approved lounges only. No public consumption — fines up to $250. West Hollywood has the most consumption lounges.

Budget Tips & Money

Safety & Awareness

LA is a safe city for tourists in the areas where tourists go. That said, it’s a large, complicated city and awareness matters.

• Homelessness: The unsheltered population is ~27,000 (down 17.5% from ~33,000 via the Inside Safe programme). Most visible on Skid Row (DTLA east of Main Street), under Hollywood Blvd underpasses, and parts of Venice Beach. Exercise normal urban awareness; avoid Skid Row.
• Driving: LA drivers are aggressive but generally predictable. Always lock your car and hide valuables. Catalytic converter theft is common — park in lit areas or garages.
• Beaches: Lifeguarded beaches are safe. Swim between the flags. Rip currents can be strong — if caught, swim parallel to shore.
• Wildfires: The January 2025 Palisades Fire (23,448 acres, 6,837 structures destroyed) impacted Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu. Most tourist areas were unaffected. Check air quality (AirNow.gov) during fire season (typically fall). If air quality drops, limit outdoor activities.
• Earthquakes: LA is earthquake country. Small tremors are common and rarely dangerous. Familiarise yourself with “drop, cover, hold on.”

2026 Travel Notes & Changes

• LACMA David Geffen Galleries — Peter Zumthor building opens April 19, 2026 (public from May 4). 900-foot-long, 110,000 sq ft. $28 admission.
• Lucas Museum of Narrative Art — $1B+ George Lucas museum opens September 22, 2026 in Exposition Park. MAD Architects design, 40,000+ works.
• Dataland — World’s first Museum of AI Arts, opening spring 2026 in Frank Gehry’s The Grand LA.
• La Brea Tar Pits museum closes July 6, 2026 for 2-year, $131M renovation. Outdoor park stays open.
• D Line (Purple Line) Extension — Section 1 opens May 8, 2026 (3 new stations to LACMA/Museum Row). Section 2 to Beverly Hills late 2026.
• FIFA World Cup 2026 — 8 matches at SoFi Stadium including USA vs Paraguay (June 12), quarterfinal (July 10). Tickets via FIFA.com.
• LAX People Mover — NOT yet open ($2.8B, $880M over budget). Claimed readiness for FIFA but uncertain.
• West Harbor complex — Phased opening 2026 at Port of LA. 350,000 sq ft retail/dining + 6,200-seat amphitheatre.
• Michelin 2025 — First-ever 3-star restaurants in LA: Providence + Somni. 22 one-stars, 46 Bib Gourmands.
• January 2025 wildfires — Palisades Fire destroyed 6,837 structures. Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu still recovering. Most tourist areas unaffected.
• 2028 Olympics preparation — No new permanent venues being built (all existing). Metro “Twenty-Eight by ’28” transit initiative underway. Congress approved $94.3M in mobility funding (February 2026).
• Smorgasburg LA relaunched January 11, 2026 with 13 new vendors.
• International Surf Festival: July 27–August 2, 2026 (Hermosa/Manhattan Beach).

Frequently Asked Questions

See also: Manila City Guide | Singapore City Guide | Bangkok City Guide