What to pack for Los Angeles

Despite the fact that LA is known for its sunshine and golden sand beaches, it can get chilly here, particularly during the winter months and in the evenings. Then there’s the fact that the city is home to multiple microclimates – the temperature can drop as much as ten degrees when you’re by the ocean, and rise by that much when you’re in the valley. That’s why it’s important to bring multiple layers with you, which you can take on and off according to the weather. A jacket for the evenings is also a must.

Angelenos are known for their laidback look – the LA uniform generally consists of a pair of yoga pants or jeans paired with a t-shirt and sneakers. If you want to fit in, follow suit. A hat and sunglasses are also essential; locals tend to favor baseball caps, but any headgear that will keep the sun off your face goes.

Even though daytimes are all about keeping things casual, there is a place for glitz and glamour here too, especially if you’re heading out in Beverly Hills or to one of the city’s cool rooftop bars. LA women pride themselves on being some of the most fashionable in the country and tend to dress to the nines for nights out; this is doubly true if there’s any sort of red carpet involved. Make sure you include a couple of smarter outfits for going out and bear in mind that certain bars and clubs won’t let you in if you’re wearing ripped jeans or sports attire.

Even though LA has a reputation for not being the most walkable of cities, you’ll still spend plenty of time on your feet while you’re exploring the sights, so it’s important to bring some comfortable flat shoes with you. Flip flops and sandals are also essential for when you’re heading to the beach or hanging out by the pool.

A couple of pairs of smart shoes like high heels or desert boots are also a good idea for evenings out, where some establishments won’t let you in if you’re wearing sneakers. If you’re planning on doing lots of hikes it might also be worth packing a pair of hiking boots or walking shoes.

LA is known for its famously outdoorsy lifestyle, where you can swim, surf, hike, and even ski within a two-hour radius, so make sure you figure out which activities you’ll be taking part in before you pack, as these can vary depending on the time of year.

If you’re planning to hit the beach, you’ll need to pack a swimming costume and a beach towel – while most hotels will provide you with a towel by the pool you won’t be able to take that off-site, so you’ll need something to dry off with and lie on when you’re sunbathing.

Those planning on doing plenty of hiking should make sure they pack appropriate clothing and footwear, as well as a reusable water bottle. The trails can get hot and dusty, so staying well hydrated is very important.

As a general rule, it’s best to only bring the medicines that you will need on that specific trip. If you need some over-the-counter medication while you’re in LA, these can easily be purchased in one of the city’s many pharmacies.

If you’re traveling to LA you will definitely want to pack plenty of sunscreen, to protect you from the sun as you enjoy the city’s many sights. If you’ll only be bringing hand luggage it’s worth investing in some TSA-approved bottles and containers for your toiletries (though it’s also worth bearing in mind that most hotels provide miniature versions of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel).

Make sure you have a valid form of ID on you at all times, as you never know when you’ll need it, and if you’re going to be hiring a car, you’ll also need to bring your driver’s license.

Surfing is one of the great LA pastimes, but if you’re planning on hitting the waves don’t bother bringing your own wetsuit and surfboard – the main surfing beaches are full of places where you can hire the equipment rather than lug it around with you. The same goes for skiing equipment if you happen to be planning a trip to Big Bear or elsewhere in Southern California.

It’s also not worth bringing a heavy winter coat with you, even if you come to LA in the dead of winter. It never gets that cold in the city, so as long as you layer up and add a jacket on top you should be fine.