25 Tips for Planning Your Los Angeles Vacation

On my first trip to L.A. in 1978 B.C. (before Conan), a highlight was spotting Johnny Carson's sports car parked in the NBC Studio parking lot where The Tonight Show was taped. In contrast, my sister-in-law had a more disappointing L.A. tourist experience. She ran into Roseanne Barr on Beverly's Hill fashionable Rodeo Drive and called out, "Hey, Roseanne," as if the two were old friends. Years later, she still remembers Roseanne glaring at her as if she were a pesky fly who had just splattered against her windshield.

It turns out the key to planning a Los Angeles vacation is to keep your expectations reasonable. Whether your goal is to soak up the sun, gaze at the stars or visit the Los Angeles area's top tourist attractions, here are 25 great tips for planning your next L.A. vacation.

It does rain in Southern California

Forget that old song. It really does rain in Los Angeles, especially November through March. Avoid those months if you don't want to feel like you're still back in Cincinnati.

You don't have to fly into LAX

Los Angeles has as many airports as your city has Applebee's. Check airfares for all L.A. airports, including Burbank's Bob Hope airport (BUR), Long Beach (LGB) and even John Wayne (SNA), which is technically in Orange County.

Get your TV show taping tickets in advance

You wouldn't go to Toys 'R Us on Christmas Eve expecting to get the hottest new toy. Check out websites like this, this or even this one to get tickets to Jimmie Kimmel, Jeopardy or your favorite sitcom before you land in Los Angeles.

Some of the best Los Angeles attractions are free

Leave your wallet back at the Motel 6 and check out some of L.A.'s best freebies. Match your footprints against the stars at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, see real stars at Griffith Observatory or take a cheesy picture with your family in front of the Hollywood Sign.

People watching

You'll quickly realize celebrities are just ordinary people with good make up artists and personal trainers. For much better people watching, go to the Venice Beach Boardwalk where you'll find hard bodies, street musicians and other strange (er, interesting) characters.

Don't measure driving time on a map

If you can picture the worst traffic jam in your city, triple or quadruple that and you'll have a good idea of what L.A. traffic is like. Sure you can convert inches on a map to miles, but unless you know if you'll be crawling at 20 mph or cruising at 65, leave yourself plenty of extra driving time.

Betty White is not the oldest living creature in L.A.

The La Brea tar pits in Hancock Park has animal bones from mammoths to saber-toothed cats, some of which are tens of thousands of years old.

Get a Hollywood CityPass

For just one price, you'll get a deep discount on tickets to four top celebrity attractions including Starline Tours Hollywood (movie star home tour) and Madame Tussauds Hollywood wax museum.

Free yourself from chains

You're in L.A. for Pete's sake. Head over to one of the city's trendy independent dining spots such as Mooi on W. Sunset for raw or vegan food (try the chocolate chili taco with marinated greens), or sink your knife into a Wagyu rib-eye at CUT in Beverly Hills. Check Yelp for current local favorites.

Laugh off the check

After calling your bank to get a second mortgage to pay your dinner tab, get some laugh therapy at one of L.A.'s comedy clubs, such as the Improv or Ha Ha Café.

Go to the thea-ta

When you think L.A. you probably think movies and TV, but some of your favorite actors star in local theatrical productions in between films.

Hit the beach

Slather on some sun screen and hit one of Los Angeles' best beaches, including Manhattan Beach for beach volleyball, Zuma Beach for surfing or Dockweiler Beach for a romantic evening bonfire.

Where to stay in L.A.

Check out the pool scene at the Beverly Hills Hotel, but if you can't fork over the dough for goose down pillows and Egyptian cotton sheets, sleep somewhere cheaper. Staying at an out-of-the way hotel or motel will save you a lot of money. Use Priceline or other online travel site to snag the best deal.

Pedal power

You can avoid L.A. traffic on a two-wheeler. Check out Bikecology and Spokes N Stuff for good deals on wheels.

Universal Studios

See how movies are made (sort of). New to the Studio Tour this year is King Kong 360.

Talk like a local

Elsewhere in California, freeways are known as Highway so-and-so, such as Highway 5. In L.A., for some weird reason, it's called "The 5." Also, NoHo means North Hollywood, not hooker-free zone.

Even movie stars sing the blues

Don't miss the House of Blues in West Hollywood. Indulge your misery at night with top blues acts and Cajun fare; on alternating Sunday mornings there's a Gospel brunch, which features a Gospel choir and sumptuous breakfast buffet.

Sail away to Catalina

When you need to get away from the city, take a boat to Catalina island, where you can hike, snorkel or just walk around the kitschy town of Avalon. You'll feel like you traveled back through time.

Animal House

Otherwise known as the Los Angeles Zoo, this collection of animals is often overshadowed by L.A.'s more celebrated species, humans. The Los Angeles Zoo has some unique animals you won't find elsewhere, including the Sumatran tiger and Visayan warty pig, not to mention a super-sized flock of flashy flamingos.

Skip Skid Row

Every city has one-in L.A. it's between 3rd and 7th Streets from Main to Alameda. You'll miss some classic architecture and cheaper hotel rooms, but you won't have to worry about missing your wallet.

More fun dining

Talk about fusion cuisine, you haven't lived until you've eaten a Korean barbecue taco. Find out where the Kogi Truck is going to be at the Kogi website, or indulge in a cupcake at one of the country's first cupcakeries, Sprinkles in Beverly Hills, a bakery that uses only the finest ingredients, such as bittersweet Belgian chocolate and pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla.

From the farmer to you

You'll know you're not in Kansas any more when you see the Farmers Market on W. Third Street. With enough fresh produce and eateries to feed a small town, the Original Farmers Market also has free summer concerts on Thursday and Friday nights.

Fast food history

Talk about value meals, the first McDonalds sold its hamburgers for a mere 15 cents (French fries were 12 cents). See the site of the original McDonalds in Downey with the neon sign of "Speedee" the chef who symbolized fast and efficient service (he was replaced by that clown in 1963). Spend your leftover change at the museum gift shop located on site.

Walk it off

Stay as celebrity slim as the locals by walking through Runyon Canyon. You'll enjoy the natural beauty of this "Urban Wilderness" and may even spot some locals doing Yoga.

Buy a map, but bring your GPS

Los Angeles is large and complicated. Before heading to L.A. buy a good map, but bring your GPS. You'll still get lost, but you can always say you took the scenic route.