Los Angeles (LA), California, is a popular destination for cruise ships to embark. People love choosing this place as a port city because of all the cruise options available to them. The world is at your fingertips if you set out from Los Angeles.
Many cruise-goers choose to fly in a day early to explore the Los Angeles area. The city is an exciting place to visit because of its beautiful beaches, world-class museums, and delicious food. There are endless spots to see in the area.
However, Los Angeles can be daunting to new visitors. Here is our guide to help you navigate one day in LA.
Navigating Los Angeles
We're not going to lie. Your time will be tight in LA. You won't see everything in less than 24 hours, and you shouldn't try.
You're going to enjoy your stay much more if you choose a section to explore rather than trying to see everything.
That's because many of the landmarks aren't actually in Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA).
What most people know as "LA" is an area, not a city, and most of the main attractions fall along a 20-mile stretch.
Public transportation is not the most efficient way to get around in a day, so we recommend renting a car. However, keep in mind that the closer you get to Downtown LA, the more traffic you will encounter. Another option would be to use a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber. Still, it can be pricey depending on where you are going.
There are two ideal options for airports nearby the cruise port. You can fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Long Beach/Daugherty Field (LGB) airport. If your flying domestically, LGB is less hassle than LAX and is closer to the ports.
The cruise ports are in Long Beach or San Pedro, so you should pick accommodations in one of those cities if you don't want to drive very far the following day.
What to See
There are a few ways you can see Los Angeles in one day. First, try and get an early flight into LA the day before your cruise to maximize your time in the area. Downtown LA isn't the focal point of the Greater LA area, so don't feel too pressured to visit it if you have other priorities.
Here are a few itineraries you can choose from that are realistic to do in one day:
#1 Hollywood Highlight Tour
If the allure of Hollywood and movie stars is what excites you about Los Angeles, set out on a Hollywood tour.
Something to keep in min
d is that there is more than one Hollywood.
The Hollywood that most people think of from the movies is along Hollywood Boulevard. Here you'll find the famous Walk of Fame, Chinese Theater, and Dolby Theater (home of the Oscars).
West Hollywood has Sunset Boulevard and the Sunset Strip. There are many boutiques, upscale restaurants, bars, dance clubs, and a thriving LGBTQ+ community in those neighborhoods.
To maximize your time, take a tour to see all of the highlights.
#2 Downtown LA
You could spend an entire day just exploring Downtown LA. Before, downtown was a bit deserted and lacked life. Today, it still isn't as vibrant as other downtown areas but has many points of interest.
A few places that you'll want to check out while in DTLA include:
· Cultural districts like the Pueblo de Los Angeles, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Koreatown
· Museums including The Broad or Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
· The Walt Disney Concert Hall
· The Arts District
· The Last Bookstore
· The Fashion District (wholesale clothing district)
· Staples Center and the Grammy Museum
· Union Station
· The Bradbury Building (filming location of Blade Runner and 500 Days of Summer)
#3 Beach Areas
If you want to spend some time soaking up the SoCal sunshine, spend your day at the beach.
LA has numerous beach areas you can enjoy.
We would recommend choosing just one or two of these areas for a one-day stay.
One of the most spectacular beaches is Malibu. You can hike, enjoy the water, and visit the Getty Villa while there.
Santa Monica has one of the top piers in the LA area because it has a mini theme park. Just a few blocks away is the Third Street Promenade, an expansive shopping and dining district.
Venice Beach is another iconic spot that is famous for skateboarding and quirky shops.
Finally, you could spend the day in Long Beach visiting the aquarium, kayaking, and strolling around the shops at Belmont Shore.
What to Eat
LA is a foodie city, and there isn't just one thing to eat. The beauty of LA is that there are endless places to explore and sample.
Los Angeles has a rich immigrant culture, and the local cuisine is reflective of that. The city has particularly robust Chinese, Korean, Mexican, Vietnamese, Armenian, Japanese, and fusion food options at every price point. It is challenging to pinpoint a few places that embody everything the city's culinary scene represents.
A few culinary adventures that we would recommend include:
Exploring LA's Taco Scene $:
LA doesn't just have one type of taco. It has taquerías representing every corner of Mexico. There are so many great choices in almost every area of LA.
Here is a broad list of all the best taco spots.
Trying Some of the LA institutions $-$$$:
Los Angeles has more than a handful of restaurants that have been around forever. These eateries include classic diners, Jewish delis, steakhouses, burger joints, French dipped sandwiches, dim sum spots, and taco shops.
Here are some of the classic spots you should try.
A few classic places not on that list are Pink's Hotdogs and Lawry's The Prime Rib.
Scenic LA $$-$$$:
There are many picturesque spots to eat in LA. From the rooftop bar and restaurant Perch in DTLA to the Mama Shelter Rooftop Bar in Hollywood, you'll find plenty of eateries with amazing views.
Taste the World $-$$$:
In LA, the whole world is at your fingertips.
A few neighborhoods you can find delicious foods include:
· Koreatown – Korean and Mexican food
· Little Tokyo and Sawtelle Street – Japanese food
· East LA, Downtown, and almost everywhere else – Mexican food
· Chinatown and the San Gabriel Valley – Chinese food
· Long Beach – Cambodian food
· Glendale – Armenian food
· Little Saigon – Vietnamese food
Conclusion
As you can see, LA has plenty of places you can visit before your cruise. There are countless activities and ways you can plan your trip. It is important not to overextend yourself and overdo it.
The best way to see LA in such a short period is to pick an area and spend the day there. Each part of LA mentioned on this list could be a trip of its own.
If you try to see everything in one day, you will spend most of your time in the infamous LA traffic.
Hopefully, this guide will inspire you to book a cruise out of LA and have an unforgettable experience.
Are you interested in booking a cruise? Let us know how we can help!