LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
Staying in Los Angeles California and looking for things to do? In this travel blog we show you our room at the InterContinental (watch our review HERE) and give you our honest opinions, along with a list of things to do in & around Los Angeles California!
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InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown CA
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown CA
After reading our input (below) on the InterContinental Los Angeles (or maybe you watched it), and you are ready to book this hotel...
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InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown CA
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown CA
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown CA
- Staying At The InterContinental & What To Expect
- Top Things To Do In LA - Los Angeles California
- Los Angeles California Travel Tips & FAQ's
- More California
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California YouTube Videos
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown CA
California YouTube Videos
If you truly want to be 'apart' of our adventures and get a true, first-hand experience, definitely check out our YouTube videos in California!
STAYING AT THE intercontinental Los Angeles downtown
THE INTERCONTINENTAL LOS ANGELES IN A SNAPSHOT
As you can probably tell from our video (WATCH IT HERE) & the location of this incredible hotel, it was definitely on the 'High End' range as far as price & luxury. And we think it was worth it... BUT there were a few CONs to staying here... let us explain!
I'll just say these first... THE CONS... because we all know there will be one or two!
- No free parking - the hotel offers valet-only parking at $54 per day or you can park on the street... but that costs too & is riskier on the street.
- Daily hotel fee - $34 per day
- Influx of homeless & decline of cleanliness around the Hotel- Before Covid hit the world, Downtown Los Angeles California was a hot spot for travel & exploration, with an energizing vibe, the minute you entered the city. Unfortunately, like most big cities, that vibe quickly disappeared, and to add insult to injury, rioting took over, plus an influx of homeless people. We travel to Los Angeles often, and since our visit, everything is nearly restored and opened for business again. Unfortunately, the amount of homeless seems to still be a problem & It looked to not be addressed. If anything, it's increased, sadly, and it's put a damper on the vibe & cleanliness surrounding the Hotel.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
- The hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles California
- 15 miles from the LA International Airport (LAX)
- All rooms have incredible views
- The staff were kind & helpful, especially up in Spire 73 (tallest rooftop open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere)
- 7 dining/bar options on site (food & drinks were delicious!)
- Complimentary bottled water gave out at 3 pm in the lobby, daily
- State of the art gym
- Sauna & steam room (gender separated)
- Can see the Hollywood sign from hotel
- Free Wifi
- Pets are allowed
- Separate lounge area for Club Intercontinental guest (70th Floor)
- Outdoor Pool & Jacuzzi
- Surrounded by multiple shops & restaurants
- Can host weddings & catering within Hotel
- Built in 2017 with modern finishes
TOP THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
What To Do In Los Angeles California
⬇ FIRST CHECK THESE WEBSITES BELOW FOR DISCOUNTS ON THINGS TO DO IN LA ⬇
Below are some must-do things in Los Angeles & the surrounding area. No, we haven't had the chance to do all of these suggested items, but my real hope is to help you choose the adventures that best suit you, that are the top-ranked, and are things that we personally have on our list to do & check out!
CHECK OUT THE BEACH
Three of our favorite beach areas to check out, which have a ton of little shops, restaurants and offer a TON of people watching, & we think are a must! (#1 is the closest to the InterContinental Los Angeles, and the other 2 are just a little further).
- Santa Monica Pier - One of my personal favorites to explore! I guarantee you have seen this 100+ year old pier in MULTIPLE movies & TV shows! And while you are on the pier, make sure to ride the ferris wheel... trust us, it's worth it! A great way to see both the Santa Monica Pier & Venice Beach is THIS TOUR.
- Venice Beach - this is where you will find the iconic paved boardwalk, alongside the beach, & not to mention the other well-known hot spot called Muscle Beach. Muscle Beach is exactly what the name says... a designated beach area where people tend to work out! It's definitely a GREAT spot (one of our favorites) to do some people-watching! Santa Monic Pier & Venice Beach are about 16 miles from InterContinental Los Angeles.
- Laguna Beach - another one of our favorites, but a bit further than the above beach areas, is Laguna Beach. There is something about walking along the cliffside, overlooking the ocean & breathing in that fresh salty breeze.... it's bliss to say the least. Not to mention, one of our ALL-TIME FAVORITE restaurants is called The Cliff... trust me, this is a MUST! HERE is a Facebook post of the restaurant and what you can expect! 52 miles from InterContinental Los Angeles.
FOR YOU OUTDOORSY PEEPS... GO ON A HIKE
- You know us, we are all about the outdoors, & if you are like us, consider this guided hike up near the Griffith Observatory & the Hollywood sign. Yes, you can go at this hike alone, but the guides are full of information, make sure you are on the right path & are happy to snap those Facebook and Instagram-worthy pics! Plus you get a 'skip the line' pass to gain entry into the Griffith Observatory.
- At the bottom of the hill (before you drive up to the Griffith Observatory), check out the hike called Fern Dell Nature Trail & the park area. Also check out the little cafe called The Trails! Great little place to grab a quick bite to eat & drink along your hike.
Both of these areas are only about 7-8 miles away from the InterContinental Los Angeles
FOR THE SHOPPERS
Let me reassure you... Los Angeles has no shortage of shopping! Here are a couple hot spots for you shopaholics in the heart of the city.
- Fig At 7Th (less than 1 mile from InterContinental Los Angeles)
- The Blok (less than 1 mile from InterContinental)
- Beverly Center (about 8 miles from InterContinental)
- Westfield Shopping Center (about 10 miles from InterContinental)
GO FOR A DRIVE & ENJOY THE VIEWS
BEST FREE THINGS TO DO IN LA! Obviously, you will need a car for this... but these few drives are well worth it! For a rental car, we always use Orbitz (click here) and always find the best rate too (FYI).
- Drive-thru Beverly Hills - It honestly doesn't matter where at in Beverly Hills that you drive, it's just beautiful! But, if you notice a road or two that takes you up hill...TAKE IT!! The views and the homes are STUNNING!
- Mulholland Drive & Scenic Overlook
- Drive up to Griffith Observatory
- Universal City Overlook
lOs ANGELES CALIFORNIA TRAVEL TIPS & FAQS
MUST KNOW TIPS WHEN TRAVELING TO LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis with something to offer everyone. From the iconic Hollywood sign to the world-famous beaches, there's no shortage of things to see and do in LA. But before you start planning your trip, there are a few things we think you need to know.
1. IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO LOS ANGELES? YES, it is safe. We travel to LA weekly and have never had any issues. But I also know if we travel to an area we have never been to, we always proceed with some 'caution' (if you will). Honestly, the worst thing we have dealt with is the homeless & panhandling. Unfortunately, ever since Covid hit & the shutdowns occurred back in 2020, downtown Los Angeles has gotten pretty overrun by people experiencing homelessness & that does put a damper on visiting.
2. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN LOS ANGELES? On average, you can expect a sunny day when you visit Los Angeles. Much of California has a Mediterranean-like climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. I would be sure to pack a light sweater or jacket, even in the summer months! Nights can cool down pretty quickly & be a bit chilly. On the coast, the average daily high temperature hovers around 70°F and up but can occasionally spike to 80°F or more on the hottest summer days; freezing temperatures are rare, even in winter. But that does not guarantee you will get a day without the smog cover, especially over downtown Los Angeles! As I mentioned before, we frequent LA regularly, & we have only experienced two times when Los Angeles did not have a smog cover or 'thick fog' hanging over the city. You truly only notice this when you are up hiking near the Hollywood sign or when you can see LA from a distance.
3. TRAFFIC CAN BE A NIGHTMARE! Los Angeles has some of the worst traffic in the country. So, if you plan on driving, be prepared to sit in traffic. If you want to try and avoid traffic, I suggest taking public transportation, rent a bike, or an electric scooter with Lime or Bird. These options tend to be the quickest way to get around Los Angeles.
4. AVOID LAX (LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) IF YOU CAN - If you can avoid flying into the Los Angeles International Airport, DO IT! LAX is not only one of the busiest airports in the USA, but it is also incredibly confusing & widely spread out! We have flown to LAX a handful of times & now try to avoid it like the plague! We suggest flying into one of the smaller airports on LA's outskirts. One of our favorite & relatively small airports is Ontario International Airport (ONT), & we still fly into regularly. Another option is the Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR).
5. HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BUDGET FOR A TRIP TO LOS ANGELES? The amount of money you budget for a trip to Los Angeles will depend on your travel style and budget. However, you can expect to spend around $200 to $300 per day on average, including accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. One of our favorite ways to save some money, especially on things to do & food, we suggest you check Groupon before you pay for ANYTHING!
Ashley sitting at the rooftop bar
iNTERCONTINENTAL LOS ANGELES Photo Gallery
