City break Los Angeles, the city of dreams
Los Angeles is America's city of dreams: from Hollywood and Beverly Hills to Venice Beach and world-class museums. KLM flies nonstop from Amsterdam (AMS) to LAX. Important for Dutch visitors: prices in the US are listed before 9.5% tax, and restaurants add a mandatory 18-20% tip. Return from approx. €800 per person.
✈️ Plan your trip to Los Angeles, USA →Updated on 7 September 2026
Book your trip to Los Angeles, USA
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When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
March to May and September to November are the best months: comfortable temperatures of 18-25 degrees, no summer heat (LA can reach over 38 degrees in August-September) and lower prices than peak summer.
June sees "June Gloom": a natural marine layer of clouds that covers the coast each morning but usually burns off by early afternoon. December to February are mild (16-21 degrees) and uncrowded, ideal for combining with a road trip to Death Valley or Joshua Tree. Avoid the peak of summer (July-August) unless you enjoy the heat.
Best neighbourhoods in Los Angeles
- Hollywood The most famous name in the world, though visitors often overestimate it. The Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard is free, but surrounded by souvenir shops and lively tourist chaos. Griffith Observatory is 15 minutes away; the TCL Chinese Theatre hosts film premieres. Hotels here are mid-range (€120-200/night). Ideal as a first base.
- Venice Beach The boardwalk with street performers and Muscle Beach is the most freely energetic spot in LA: entirely free. Two blocks from the boardwalk lie the Venice Canals, a forgotten network of Amsterdam-style waterways with rowing boats and almost no tourists. Restaurants and bars are 30% cheaper than in Santa Monica. Reachable by Metro E Line (Expo) or bus 733.
- Santa Monica The sign at the end of Route 66 and the Third Street Promenade are free to walk. The Santa Monica Pier is free to visit; attractions from $5. The most expensive area for hotels (€180-300/night), but the Beach Cities Bus (BBB 7) costs $1 and connects everything from LAX to Malibu.
- Griffith Park and Los Feliz The largest municipal park in the US (over 17 km²): free hiking, cycling and picnicking. Griffith Observatory sits at the top. Los Feliz at the base has the best cafes and book markets in LA. No tourist prices, authentic neighbourhood feel. DASH Observatory bus from Los Feliz: free for park visitors.
- Downtown LA (DTLA) The fastest-changing neighbourhood in the city: Grand Central Market (Mexican and Korean street food from $4), The Broad museum (free, reservation required), Walt Disney Concert Hall (free outdoor terrace). Metro Purple and Red Lines stop centrally. Hotels are 20-40% cheaper than in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica.
Top 5 sights in Los Angeles
- Griffith Observatory (free) The most iconic viewpoint in LA: free entry, spectacular panoramic view over Hollywood, Downtown and the Hollywood Sign, plus a first-class space and astronomy exhibition. Parking limited; take a Lyft or hike up from the Vermont Canyon parking area. Closes on Mondays.
- Getty Center (free entry) World-class art museum with works from Rembrandt to Van Gogh, all against a backdrop of architecture by Richard Meier and sweeping views of the Pacific. Entry free; parking $20 (or take the free tram from Santa Monica Blvd). Book a timed entry in advance in peak season.
- Venice Beach and the Canals The eccentric heart of LA: Muscle Beach outdoor gym, skate park, street performers, countless tattoo studios and an ice cream shop on every corner. Five minutes' walk inland: the Venice Canals, a residential neighbourhood with footbridges over actual canals, birds and no tourists. Free, open daily.
- LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) The largest art museum on the west coast, with a collection spanning 6,000 years. Admission: $28 adults, $17 students. Iconic Urban Light installation at the entrance (free, open around the clock). Free for under-17s and LACMA members.
- Universal Studios Hollywood Theme park with rides based on films and series, including Jurassic World, Transformers and Harry Potter's Wizarding World. General admission: $109+ (cheaper online, 1-2 weeks ahead). The behind-the-scenes Studio Tour (included with admission) is unique and takes you onto real active film sets.
KLM flights from the Netherlands to Los Angeles
KLM flies nonstop from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Los Angeles LAX approximately 14 times per week. Flight time approx. 11 hours (outbound) and 10 hours 20 min (return). Return ticket from approx. €800-905 per person for early booking (6-10 weeks ahead).
From Eindhoven: train or Flixbus to Schiphol (approx. 1.5 hrs), then KLM nonstop. Book early for the best prices; March and October are among the cheapest periods to fly to LA from Europe.
Insider tip: Koreatown and Leimert Park
Most visitors to LA stick to Hollywood, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, missing the two neighbourhoods where LA is most affordable and authentic. Koreatown (K-Town) is the most densely populated neighbourhood in the city: Korean BBQ spots open until 3:00 AM for $15-20 per person, excellent budget karaoke and the best Korean spas in the US. Leimert Park, LA's historically Black cultural heart, hosts free jazz concerts on weekends, independent galleries and some of the best soul food outside Louisiana. Neither neighbourhood features in standard guidebooks, and prices are half those of Santa Monica.
What does a trip to Los Angeles cost?
Note: prices in the US are listed before sales tax (9.5% in LA), and restaurants add a mandatory 18-20% tip. Budget: a decent mid-range hotel costs approx. $130-250/night (before tax). A restaurant meal: $20-35 per person before tax and tip. Public transport: $1.75/ride or $3.50/day pass. For 7 days in LA (hotel, food, sightseeing, transport) budget realistically approx. €1,800-2,800 per person on top of the flight. Daily budget incl. hotel: approx. €100-175 per person.
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Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles
Does KLM fly nonstop from Amsterdam to Los Angeles?
Yes, KLM flies nonstop from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Los Angeles LAX approximately 14 times per week (once to twice daily). Flight time approx. 11 hours (outbound) and 10 hours 20 min (return). Return ticket from approx. €800-905 per person (early booking). From Eindhoven: train or bus to Schiphol (approx. 1.5 hrs), then KLM nonstop.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
March to May and September to November are the best months: comfortable temperatures of 18-25 degrees, no summer heat (Los Angeles can reach over 38 degrees in August-September) and lower prices than peak summer. June sees "June Gloom": a natural marine layer of clouds that covers the coast each morning. December to February are mild (16-21 degrees) and uncrowded. Avoid the peak of summer (July-August) unless you like the heat.
Is Los Angeles expensive for Dutch visitors?
Yes, Los Angeles is one of the more expensive US cities, and Dutch visitors face an extra surprise: listed prices in the US do not include 9.5% sales tax, and in restaurants a tip of 18-20% is the social norm (so already calculated into "suggested tip" on the bill). Budget realistically: basic restaurant meal approx. $20-30 before tax and tip, a decent hotel approx. $130-250/night (before tax), public transport (Metro) $1.75/ride. For 7 days: hotel + food + activities budget approx. €1,800-2,800 per person (flight excluded).
How do you get around Los Angeles without a car?
Los Angeles has a public transport network (Metro) that covers Hollywood, Downtown, Santa Monica and Long Beach well. A TAP card ($2 start) gives access to metro and buses. For a genuine LA experience: hire a car (from approx. $45/day). Uber and Lyft are widely available and often cheaper than a taxi. From LAX to downtown: FlyAway bus ($9.75) or Metro C Line ($1.75). Note: parking in Hollywood and Beverly Hills costs $4-8/hour.
What are the unmissable free sights in Los Angeles?
The best free sights in Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory (free entry, spectacular view over the city and Hollywood sign), Getty Center (free entry, world-class art collection, $20 parking), Venice Beach and Canals (free, quirky neighbourhood with street performers and skate park), the Bradbury Building from the outside (free), the LA Public Library (free), and hiking trails in Runyon Canyon (free, views over Hollywood). The Hollywood Walk of Fame is also free.
How many days do you need for Los Angeles?
For a first visit to Los Angeles you need at least 5-7 days to see the main highlights: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica-Venice, Downtown and Griffith Observatory. With 7-10 days you can also do Malibu, the Getty Villa (free, booking required), Universal Studios and a day trip to Joshua Tree or San Diego. A weekend is too short: distances are large and each neighbourhood is a destination in itself.