Forex Articles

Los Angeles has a long history as one of America's top playgrounds for the rich and famous. However, you do not need to be wealthy to enjoy an exciting, fun-filled Los Angeles vacation. Even if you are on a budget, you can fly to Los Angeles, spend a week there having the time of your life, and then fly home, all without breaking your budget. The key is to conduct research ahead of time to get the best flight and hotel deals, and load up your itinerary with free or inexpensive ways to enjoy the city.

When traveling to Los Angeles, you have multitudinous flight options. The city's biggest airport by far is Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX. It is the world's sixth-busiest airport, so the number of flights into LAX each day is huge. More flights means more opportunities for a great deal, particularly if you are flexible with dates and times. Check third-party travel sites, such as Priceline.com, for an easy comparison of fares from the major airlines. Do not forget about value airlines, such as Southwest, Allegiant, Spirit and JetBlue, all of which service LAX. These airlines often beat the big airlines on price, but their fares do not show up on Priceline.com or other third-party sites. Check their websites individually.

Another option is John Wayne Airport, located south of Los Angeles in Orange County. Though much smaller than LAX, John Wayne could be a convenient alternative depending on where in the metro area you plan to stay. Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, located in the San Fernando Valley, though tiny, offers Southwest flights to and from several cities, including Phoenix, Denver and Las Vegas.

Los Angeles is home to hundreds of hotels. Prices run a huge gamut. At one end of the gamut, prices are out of reach for practically anyone not named Donald Trump, At the other end, you find low prices but accommodations less comfortable than a tent pitched under a highway bridge.

As with flights, research is key when booking a hotel. Los Angeles is a massive, sprawling metro with arguably the nation's worst traffic. The fastest way to ruin your trip is to book a hotel too far from where you plan to spend your time. TV and movies make LA life look glamorous and easy, but what they do not show are the hundreds of hours locals spend tied up in traffic. Vacation is meant to get you away from that. Therefore, build your itinerary first, figure out where you are going to be, and then narrow your hotel search to a small radius around that area.

Los Angeles has near-perfect weather year-round and some of the most breathtaking scenery in America. You do not have to spend money to enjoy either. Most public beaches in and around Los Angeles are free. After catching some rays at the beach, visit the Griffith Observatory and take in a breathtaking view of the entire Los Angeles Basin, including downtown Los Angeles, the fabled Hollywood sign and the Pacific Ocean. Head to Hollywood Boulevard and find your favorite actor or actress's name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If you are bringing kids along, make the trip educational with a visit to the California Science Center. Apart from potential parking fees, none of this costs a dime.

You can enjoy great meals in Los Angeles without running up a huge tab. Even the fast food places are considered cultural icons. If you are not from the West Coast, make sure to try In-N-Out Burger or Fatburger, both popular Southern California staples that you cannot find in most places in America.