What's In This Guide
Getting to Los Angeles
Los Angeles is served by three major airports and is well-connected to every major city worldwide. Plan your flights early — prices will spike significantly in the lead-up to July 14, 2028.
Los Angeles International
The primary international hub. Direct flights from virtually everywhere. Close to SoFi Stadium (Inglewood) via the new Metro K Line. Expect high crowds — plan extra transfer time during the Games.
Hollywood Burbank Airport
Smaller, less hectic option for those staying in the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, or Hollywood. Limited international routes but excellent domestic connections.
Long Beach Airport
Convenient for the South Bay area. Served by JetBlue and Southwest. A surprisingly smooth alternative to LAX for domestic travelers — well worth considering.
Ontario International
Inland Empire airport about 35 miles east of downtown LA. A strong option if staying near Pasadena (Rose Bowl) or the eastern venues. Often cheaper flights.
Transit During the Games
LA traffic during the 2028 Games will be intense. The city is investing heavily in Metro expansion ahead of the Olympics — and the best advice is to use it whenever possible.
- Metro E Line (Expo Line): Connects Santa Monica → DTLA → Exposition Park (Coliseum)
- Metro K Line (Crenshaw Line): Connects Inglewood/SoFi Stadium to the LAX transit center
- Metro B/D Lines: Hollywood to downtown LA — useful for Crypto.com Arena
- Metro A Line: Pasadena (Rose Bowl) to downtown LA — the key line for soccer fans
- Metrolink: Regional rail connecting LA to Pasadena, Long Beach, and beyond
- Ride-share (Uber/Lyft): Available but expect surge pricing during event start/end times
- Bike sharing: Metro Bike Share available across downtown and West LA
Pro tip: Buy a TAP card for the LA Metro immediately on arrival. It works across all Metro rail and bus lines and will save you significant hassle.
Best Neighborhoods for Olympic Visitors
Where you stay will dramatically affect your experience. Here's our breakdown of the top neighborhoods for 2028 Games visitors:
Santa Monica
The iconic LA beach town with world-class dining, the famous 3rd Street Promenade, and the Santa Monica Pier. Metro E Line access to venues.
~30 min to DTLA via Metro
Inglewood
Walking distance to SoFi Stadium and the new Intuit Dome. Budget-friendly with good restaurant options. The Games epicenter for football and soccer.
SoFi Stadium — 5 min walk
Pasadena
A beautiful city with an incredible dining scene on Colorado Blvd. Close to the Rose Bowl and quieter than downtown. Highly recommended for soccer fans.
Rose Bowl — 10 min drive
Downtown LA (DTLA)
Central location for Crypto.com Arena, LA Live entertainment district, and the best Metro access to all venues. Walkable and energetic during events.
Crypto.com Arena — walkable
Venice Beach
The famous Venice Boardwalk, street artists, Muscle Beach, and great people-watching. A quintessential LA experience with easy Santa Monica access.
~35 min to DTLA
West Hollywood
The Sunset Strip, incredible restaurants, clubs, and a vibrant nightlife scene. Great for visitors who want the full Hollywood experience alongside the Games.
~20 min to Crypto.com Arena
Beverly Hills
Rodeo Drive, world-class hotels, and exquisite dining. For visitors who want the ultimate LA luxury experience with easy access to multiple venues.
~25 min to DTLA
Manhattan Beach
Upscale beach town with great restaurants and easy access to SoFi Stadium via Inglewood. Perfect mix of beach relaxation and sports access.
~15 min to SoFi Stadium
Best Things to Do in LA (Beyond the Olympics)
You're traveling to one of the world's greatest cities — don't miss the sights between events. Here are the top LA experiences:
- Hollywood Walk of Fame — The iconic star-studded sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd. Easy photo stop.
- Griffith Observatory — Stunning 360° views of LA and the famous HOLLYWOOD sign. Free admission to the grounds.
- Getty Center — World-class art museum with panoramic views over the city. Free entry (parking fee).
- Venice Beach Boardwalk — Rollerbladers, street performers, Muscle Beach. A truly unique LA scene.
- Santa Monica Pier — The famous Pacific Park amusement pier with the solar-powered Ferris wheel.
- Universal Studios Hollywood — Behind-the-scenes studio tour and world-class theme park rides.
- The Broad Museum — Contemporary art in a stunning building at Grand Avenue in DTLA. Book timed entry early.
- Runyon Canyon — Popular hiking trail with panoramic city views. Great morning activity before events.
- Malibu — Drive the Pacific Coast Highway north for stunning ocean views and celebrity beach towns.
- Grand Central Market — Historic DTLA food hall with dozens of diverse vendors. A must for food lovers.
- LACMA — Los Angeles County Museum of Art — the largest art museum in the western US.
- Disneyland — Yes, it's 35 miles south in Anaheim — perfect for a family day between events.
What to Expect: LA in July
The 2028 Games open July 14 and run through July 30. July in LA is hot, sunny, and essentially perfect for outdoor athletics — but visitors need to prepare.
Rain is virtually non-existent in July — this is the heart of the California dry season. Inland venues (Rose Bowl, Coliseum) can reach 90–95°F during afternoon events. Coastal areas like Santa Monica and Venice Beach stay cooler thanks to ocean breezes, often 10–15°F cooler than inland. Evenings cool down quickly — bring a light layer for night events.
What to Pack for LA 2028
For the Heat
- SPF 50+ sunscreen (apply every 2 hrs)
- Wide-brim hat or cap
- UV-blocking sunglasses
- Lightweight moisture-wicking shirts
- Reusable water bottle (large)
- Portable hand fan
For Venue Days
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Compact daypack or tote
- Phone battery pack / power bank
- Printed or offline ticket backup
- Earplugs (large crowd noise)
- Light jacket for evening events
Tech & Docs
- TAP card for LA Metro
- Universal power adapter
- Offline maps downloaded (Google Maps)
- Copies of passport / ID
- Travel insurance documents
- Translation app (for international fans)
Evening & Extras
- Light cardigan / zip hoodie
- Comfortable dress shoes (restaurants)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Electrolyte packets
- Small first aid kit
- Cash (some vendors are cash-only)
Book Tours & Experiences in LA
Make the most of your time between Olympic events with guided tours, day trips, and unique LA experiences. Book in advance — spots fill up fast during major events.
Viator — The World's Largest Tour Platform
Hundreds of LA tours and experiences: Hollywood studio tours, Griffith Observatory night tours, whale-watching from Santa Monica, Malibu winery tours, city food tours, and much more. All with verified reviews and easy cancellation policies.
Browse Viator LA Tours →GetYourGuide — Local Experiences & Activities
Discover the best things to do in Los Angeles — from skip-the-line Getty Museum tours to sunset catamaran cruises off Marina del Rey. GetYourGuide specializes in hand-picked, locally-operated experiences with instant booking.
Explore GetYourGuide →Tour links above are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book — at no extra cost to you.
Where to Eat & Drink in LA
Los Angeles is one of the world's great food cities — a melting pot of cuisines reflecting its extraordinarily diverse population. Here are the essentials:
- Grand Central Market (DTLA): Historic 1917 food hall with 30+ vendors — tacos, Thai, burgers, pastrami, ramen. Perfect for lunch between events.
- Koreatown: Incredible Korean BBQ scene. Spots like Quarters Korean BBQ and Honey Pig stay open late. A must-visit for meat lovers.
- Sawtelle Japantown (West LA): Excellent Japanese ramen, sushi, and matcha cafes. Casual, affordable, and authentic.
- Smorgasburg LA (DTLA): Open-air food market every Sunday at Alameda. Over 80 vendors showcasing LA's food scene.
- In-N-Out Burger: The California institution. Fresh, cheap, and genuinely delicious. Non-negotiable stop for first-timers.
- Nobu Malibu: For a splurge dinner with Pacific Ocean views. World-renowned Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. Book months ahead.
- Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles: A legendary LA soul food institution that's been feeding celebrities and locals since 1975.
- Langer's Delicatessen (DTLA): James Beard Award-winning pastrami on rye. One of the greatest deli sandwiches in America.
