Los Angeles business travel guide

To know what a city has to offer, local insider knowledge is key. From the best area to stay, safety tips and LA’s must-do “bleisure” experiences, Corporate Travel Management’s (CTM’s) Vice President, Global Customer Solutions, Eve White has all the tips and tricks in this Los Angeles business travel guide.

Why do you love living and working in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles (LA) like any big city is a conglomeration of so many great things. In LA we have the ocean, but also the mountains and the desert within driving distance, so whichever one you enjoy, you’re not far away from it. There are also all the wonderful offerings that you can find in an urban environment, with different cultural neighborhoods, and particularly because this has always been an entertainment capital, there’s every kind of art that you can find, from small theaters to major art museums, and small galleries to street artists. You can explore every type of cultural area that you could desire: Little Ethiopia, China Town, Ukrainian neighborhoods, and more. It makes for a fun day to go to any of those spots and explore.

What should travelers be aware of when departing or arriving at Los Angeles (LAX) Airport?

Right now LAX is under major construction and they’re getting ready to put in a new people mover. Sometimes the traffic is so bad on a busy day, it can take an hour just to get around the airport loop! The best thing to do is to go to the shared ride area near Terminal 1, if you’re able, which you can reach on foot or via the free shuttle.

Another tip is there are several great airports in the Los Angeles area and depending on what part of LA you’re going to you may be better served by flying in or out of Burbank, Long Beach, Orange County, or Ontario. If you fly in and out of Long Beach airport, you can sit outside with sand under your feet and chill like you’re sitting on a beach.

Traffic getting in and out of LAX may add some time to your transportation so have a look at other regional airports and see if one might be closer to your destination or where you’re departing from.

Top tips for navigating LAX immigration, and transferring between flights/terminals at LAX Airport?

The signage at LAX is fairly clear. They now have a set of terminals for international travel at the Tom Bradley terminal in addition to a mid-field terminal. The new international terminal is large, so be ready to do a lot of walking.

What’s the best way to get from LAX airport to the city?

If you’re planning to drive, I would recommend checking the LAX airport website for any updates and look under the construction and traffic alerts sections to be prepared for your trip. Using mobile traffic apps such as Waze can assist with navigating around heavily congested areas. There are also traffic notices called “Sig Alerts” that you should be aware of.

For those looking to use public transport, there is a shuttle that takes approximately 45 minutes which may not suit your schedule. The easiest way is to simply take a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft.

Which is the best area of the city to stay in for business travelers, and why?

I recommend staying nearest to where you’ll be spending most of your business trip. Several areas are great for business travelers, like Downtown, Century City, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Pasadena. There are also some impressive newer properties Downtown as well as quiet classic hotels in Pasadena near Old Town, trendy hot spots in West Hollywood, and luxury hotels in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica along the coast.

 

What is the best way to get around the city?

A lot of people would be surprised to hear that LA does have public transportation and you can get around without a car! The Metro is relatively new and comprises only about five or six lines, so it doesn’t cover the entire city. Still, you can easily get around using a combination of the Metro lines and shared-use services (Lyft and Uber).

Best places to conduct a working lunch/dinner in the city?

Make sure to take advantage of all the diversity that LA has to offer. While you can find your corporate staples, there are countless cultural fares to explore and many celebrity chef restaurants to enjoy. Depending on the neighborhood, there are plenty that can cater to business meetings and lunches. It is hard to go wrong using a service like Open Table, Yelp, and local contact tips.

Any traveler safety tips while visiting Los Angeles?

Experienced travelers should treat Los Angeles like any other urban center. When in crowded areas, keep track of your personal belongings. If you want to drive, avoid “rush hour” – which is unfortunately not an hour at all and can occur at any hour of the day, depending on local event traffic, construction, and other contributing factors.

What should every business traveler experience while in Los Angeles, and why?

Don’t leave without experiencing some unique local culture. Los Angeles is more like a collection of many small towns, each with their style and flavor. A day in Montrose is very different from a day in Venice Beach, which is very different from a day in Pasadena or Koreatown. Everywhere you go, Los Angeles has great local artists, chefs, and architects who are setting new standards of excellence in their respective fields. One tip to keep in mind – tourist attractions are generally less crowded first thing in the morning and on weekdays. 

What’s the best and worst time of year to travel to Los Angeles, and why?

It’s always a great time to visit LA, but don’t forget to pack a sweater for the cooler evenings. Los Angeles has pretty mild weather year-round, but we do have something called June Gloom with low cloud cover that usually lasts until 11 am, burning off and giving way to sunny skies. There can be some hot days in the summer months, but it is usually dry heat. It is rare for any extreme weather to last more than a few days.

What is the most common mistake business travelers make when visiting LA?

When visiting LA for business travel, it’s important to avoid the mistake of solely focusing on work. Take advantage of the beautiful city by visiting the beach, exploring art museums, or catching a professional sports game. While LA is known for its warmth, don’t forget to pack a light jacket or sweater as the evenings can get chilly, with temperatures dropping to 60° even when the daytime is a comfortable 75°. If you plan on driving, be aware that our freeways have eight lanes in each direction which may be daunting for those unfamiliar with the area, so prepare accordingly.

 

Must do "bleisure" experiences?

There’s no shortage of unique experiences to enjoy. While you can attend a concert or show anywhere, you can’t alway go to the beach so make the most of that in Los Angeles. In addition to soaking up the sun and surf, consider exploring Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade for shopping, taking a walking tour of Downtown, or visiting the renowned LACMA museum. Sports fans will find plenty to cheer for with LA’s many professional sports teams, while boat excursions like mystery rides, dinner cruises, jazz tours, and whale watching are great ways to experience the city from the water. For those seeking more cultural experiences, attending a concert at the Hollywood Bowl or Disney Hall, taking a hike in Griffith Park, touring the Warner Bros Studios, or shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills are all excellent options to consider.

Any little known facts about the city?

• The iconic Hollywood sign didn’t always say Hollywood. When it was erected in 1923, it originally read HOLLYWOODLAND.
• There are over 10 miles of tunnels beneath the streets of LA that during prohibition became passageways to the basement speakeasies.
• Santa Monica’s Pacific Wheel, the world-famous attraction that sees millions of visitors every year, is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris Wheel!

Any apps to use while staying in the city?

Discover Los Angeles, Los Angeles Pocket Guide, Event Brite, Waze, Uber, Lyft, LA Metro, and Bus.

All opinions and recommendations are the interviewee’s own. CTM recommends all travelers conduct their own thorough, independent research into their travel destination(s) before making any travel decisions, and take out adequate travel insurance before travel.