7 Ways to Prepare for a Los Angeles Vacation

We've been to Los Angeles a few times and it's already time to go again. It seems like every January or so, we find ourselves pining for the sunny city packed with palm trees and amusement parks located so close to plenty of beaches and lots of iconic views. Many Mid-Westerners and vacationers feel like Los Angeles is too far away, too hard to navigate and too risky to choose as a vacation spot. It's easier to hit up friendly and familiar places that you visit over and over again. Or even more compact places like New York City where public transportation is easier to navigate.

After having to travel to Los Angeles for journalistic reasons I can tell you that it's just like everywhere else. As long as you're prepared, there's no reason to be intimidated. As far as travel goes, Los Angeles has so many unique destinations that there's really no replacement for visiting the city of angels if that's what you really want to do. So here's what you need to know if you want to plan a trip to Los Angeles.

1. Choose Your Airport. Unlike many other major cities, Los Angeles has a handful of airports each with its own set of benefits and pitfalls. The one you've most likely heard of, LAX, is the one people usually choose without thinking. For some it's part of the whole L.A. experience they're longing to have. They hope to spot a celebrity and want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city's largest and busiest airport. But SNA, otherwise known as John Wayne airport, is closest to Disneyland and is quicker to get in and out of. A simple Google search will fill you in on what tourist attractions each airport is close to. Just know that when it comes to Los Angeles airports, you have choices.

2. Narrow Down a List of "Must-Sees". Los Angeles has a lot to offer in the way of tourist attractions, or if you prefer, off-the-beaten path restaurants and nightclubs that locals prefer. But whatever you do, it's important to prioritize before you go. There's a lot to do in L.A. and unless you have some sort of plan of attack, it will be hard to do everything you want to do. Remember, L.A. is more spread out than other locations like New York City or even Miami.

Planning ahead will allow you to factor in the costs of transportation to and from your many must-sees. Los Angeles has tourist attractions, photo opportunities, famous film locations, amusement parks, movie studios, sports teams, and so much more to visit. Each trip should be personalized. For example, my husband and I have a small list of movie locations we want to see that most people wouldn't bat an eye at, but for us they're important. Make your list, narrow it down, make sure every family member has something they're able to look forward to, and squeeze as much in as possible during your trip.

3. Research the Weather and Pack Accordingly. Most people picture sunny Los Angeles as a land of perpetual summer. But it gets cold in L.A. too, especially at night during the winter. So researching the weather first, using sites like www.weather.com will help you know what clothes to pack ahead of time to make sure you're nice and comfortable. The last thing you want to worry about on vacation is being too hot or too cold and having to run around looking for new clothes during what should be vacation time.

4. Learn the Price Differences. If you're coming from somewhere more rural, you should remember that most major metropolitan areas charge more for almost everything. Especially tourist areas. Do a little research ahead of time and adjust your vacation budget accordingly. Maybe in your town, a decent dinner for two costs fifty dollars. Wander into a trendy L.A. eatery and have a nice meal and the check could be an unpleasant surprise. This also goes for gas prices and basic necessities.

The best resource for something like this is to get a hold of someone you know who lives in or near the Los Angeles area. Ask them what it costs to have a pint at the local pub, a nice meal, or even movie tickets. (This is where Facebook comes in handy, by the way.) It may seem silly, but consider the way that the little things can add up over the course of a vacation and it's worth asking around to make sure you don't end up stressing about financial trouble when you should be having fun.

5. Hold Off on a Hotel Reservation. This sounds completely counter-intuitive to all vacation-planning advice you've probably ever heard. But consider booking a stay at an airport hotel for just your first night, just to have a place to rest where you can make a game plan. Then consider exploring the city as an adventure. If you don't have reservations, you can change your mind or enjoy the impulsive thrill of choosing a hotel at the last minute. If you're feeling romantic, maybe you'll want to treat your spouse to a romantic suite. If you spent too much on souvenirs, maybe you'll want to go for a discount chain. Maybe you spend a day in L.A. and discover that your family really wants to do a couple of days at Disneyland in Anaheim instead.

If you don't have to worry about reservations, you have the freedom to change your mind. Los Angeles is an exciting city to visit and you may find that your attention is captured in surprising or unexpected ways. Allow yourself to just go with it. Also, it's becoming common knowledge that even though reservation services like Hotwire, Expedia, and Priceline can still get you great deals, you can also get yourself a great deal just by getting on the phone with a hotel clerk and asking for special last minute deals. Remember, they want to sell out their rooms and they are more than willing to bargain with you to make that happen. (I know for a fact that this works, we've done it on several occasions in many locations. We usually just drive around until something strikes our fancy, go in, and talk to the clerk. We've noticed that they are far more willing to negotiate after 10:00 at night. Not sure why exactly, but trust me, it works.)

6. Do Your Homework on TV Show Tappings. Chances are, if you're going to Los Angeles, you have an interest in film and television. Many TV shows tape in Los Angeles and a lot of them are free to attend. Come up with a list of shows you want to see (Conan is our number one pick.) and visit their websites before your trip. It's as easy as following their instructions for how to get tickets. But give it a few weeks, many shows have you write-in for tickets and get them in the mail.

7. Know When To Ignore Advice. Los Angeles is one of those cities where everyone has an opinion about what you should and shouldn't want to do. Some people will tell you not to visit Grauman's Chinese Theater or the Walk of Fame because they aren't as glamorous as they used to be or because they are overrun with tourists. There's always a cynic when it comes to travel and tourism and for whatever reason, especially when it comes to L.A. The only time you should take this advice is when safety is concerned. If someone from L.A. tells you to stay out of a certain part of town for safety reasons, take their advice and don't feel bad about it. But if you have a dozen people trying to tell you that you should go to a swanky hundred-dollar a plate restaurant when you are really just desperate to visit an In-n-Out Burger, feel free to disregard their ideas.

Remember, it's your vacation and the last thing you should be worrying about are other people's opinions. Vacation is no time to worry about being "cool" or trendy or hip. Let's face it, those of us who are regular tourists know that there's pretty much no hope of trying to blend in or be cool anyway, so I figure, why even try?