LOS ANGELES - Que voir et faire dans la Cité des Anges, future Ville Olympique ?

LOS ANGELES - What to see and do in the City of Angels, future Olympic host city?

January 21, 2026

Are you planning a trip to Los Angeles? That’s great timing! 10 years after our first organized NBA trip to California's largest city, we have a few tips to share!

Where to stay?

If you've already looked at a map of the city, you might have felt a bit dizzy, and for good reason: Los Angeles is sprawling. You may be wondering which part of the city to stay in. In our opinion, there are 2 areas to prioritize (+ one bonus):

Downtown LA: The central district of the city, making it easy to travel to all of the city's points of interest. Crypto.com Arena (home of the Lakers) is located in Downtown, and you will find plenty of hotels there.
Santa Monica / Venice Beach: If you want to be located near the legendary basketball courts, the Venice skate park, and the Santa Monica Pier, and experience a "chill" stay like a true Californian, this area is for you.
BONUS - At Gate One, we found "The Best" spot to fully experience LA, very close to downtown. If you want to know more about this area, which we have tested and approved many times over, contact us ;)

Roberto Nickson - Unsplash

How to get around?

A common misconception is that you absolutely must rent a car in LA to get around; well, in our opinion, not necessarily, and for several reasons.

Metro: Over the last few years, the metro lines have expanded (thanks to LA 2028), providing a real alternative to the car. From downtown, you can reach Hollywood Boulevard, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros by metro, and there is a free bus that goes to the Griffith Observatory.
The metro lines are still being developed, at least until Los Angeles 2028. Inglewood (home of the Clippers' arena, among others) and the airport will soon be accessible by metro. The only thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn't be in a rush, as distances and travel times can be long.
Another advantage, and not a minor one, is that the transport card (known as the TAP card) is inexpensive and easy to use.
A car? You've surely heard of the traffic jams in LA? Well, we invite you to watch or re-watch the movie "Falling Down" if you're a cinephile, which should cure you of any desire to spend hours stuck in a car (barely an exaggeration).
That said, of course, there's nothing better than driving a Ford Mustang along the coast or in the hills of Los Angeles, and having the freedom to leave the city a little.

Olenka Kotyk - Unsplash

What to see?

Whether with family, friends, solo, or as a couple, there is something for everyone. You likely already know many of these spots; here are the classics and our recommendations:

Hollywood Boulevard: One of the first places that comes to mind, with the legendary "Walk of Fame" and its stars. Most of the famous stars are around the Hollywood & Highland metro station.
Tip: Wait until late afternoon to see the theaters light up, but don't stay late at night; the neighborhood becomes less well-frequented once darkness falls, if you catch my drift.
Venice Beach / Santa Monica: The seaside area is ideal for a pleasant and quiet day. First, Venice Beach, with its basketball playgrounds where you might run into streetballers, Muscle Beach, and its skate park. Don't hesitate to see what's behind the scenes; just a few streets back are the canals that gave Venice its name. From Venice Beach, a 45-minute walk along the ocean brings you to Santa Monica and its famous pier, its rides, and especially the sign indicating the end of the famous "Route 66".
Griffith Observatory: Don't miss the view from the heights of LA. You will see Downtown LA, the famous "Hollywood Sign," Beverly Hills, and even the Pacific Ocean in the distance toward Santa Monica.
Tip: If you like walking or hiking and want to see Los Angeles from a slightly more "natural" angle, don't hesitate to walk back down—it's 30 minutes down the Hollywood hill to Hollywood Boulevard, though there are loop trails and hikes that can last up to 2 or 3 hours.
Movie Studios: Naturally, when you think of Los Angeles, you think of Hollywood and the movies. We recommend visiting Warner Bros. Studios, which offers tours in French of the studios and backstage areas, and Universal Studios, which also features a large amusement park section.

Leonardo Malè - Unsplash

What about sports?

MLB (Baseball): The California Duel
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Based in the historic Dodger Stadium, one of the oldest and most picturesque in the MLB. The Dodgers are a flagship team of Southern California and hold multiple World Series titles.
- Los Angeles Angels: Although their official name includes "Los Angeles," they actually play in Anaheim, in the neighboring Orange County. This is the other major franchise in the region, a rival to the Dodgers in the Freeway Series.
NBA (Basketball)
- Los Angeles Lakers: One of the most iconic and decorated franchises in NBA history. They play at Crypto.com Arena. Their purple and gold jerseys are recognized worldwide.
- Los Angeles Clippers: Long the "underestimated" team of LA, the Clippers have become a major contender. They recently moved into their brand new stadium, the Intuit Dome, located in Inglewood.
NFL (American Football):
- Los Angeles Rams: Returning to LA after a stint in St. Louis, the Rams won a Super Bowl in their spectacular stadium: SoFi Stadium. It is a world-class entertainment complex located in Inglewood, but also one of the most expensive stadiums ever built. Seating 70,000 on 5 levels, it is almost always sold out.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Having also returned to the region after leaving San Diego, the Chargers share the Rams' stadium.
NHL (Hockey):
- Los Angeles Kings: The ice hockey team that has won the Stanley Cup twice (2012, 2014) also plays at Crypto.com Arena. Their rivalry with the Ducks is known as the Freeway Face-Off.
MLS (Soccer):
- LA Galaxy: A historic MLS franchise that has hosted stars like David Beckham. They play at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.
- Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC): A more recent, very popular franchise that plays at BMO Stadium near downtown, known for its fervent atmosphere.
University Level: It’s the campus infrastructure that is truly impressive. Open to everyone, you can wander through the UCLA campus, whose Bruins (basketball) have produced players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Love, as well as the USC campus, which saw the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Nick Young, and Bronny James. USC is more famous in the U.S. for its football team, the Trojans, who play in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a stadium that has already hosted the Olympics twice, in 1932 and 1984.
LA 2028: The city will host the Olympic Games for the third time in 2028, aiming to make maximum use of existing facilities for a more sustainable and cost-controlled event.
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies: They will be split between two iconic sites: the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (main site of the 1932 and 1984 Games) and SoFi Stadium (the new gem).
- Key Reused Sites:

- - SoFi Stadium will be the main venue for American football and certain ceremonies.
  - The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) stadium is expected to be the main Olympic Village.
  - Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson) will host rugby and some para-athletics events.
  - Crypto.com Arena and the Forum in Inglewood are probable venues for basketball or gymnastics.
  - "Sports Parks" Concept: The Olympic sites will be grouped into several "Sports Parks" (Valley, Downtown, Long Beach, South Bay) to minimize travel and create themed entertainment zones.

After all that sightseeing, where do we go out, what do we eat?

To eat:

Grand Central Market in LA, right in downtown, with several stalls.
Mercado La Paloma, near the USC campus, with Mexican influences; a bit off the beaten path.
The Coupé: Koreantown, specializing in American-style fried chicken.
Chris N Eddy’s: Hollywood Boulevard, SmashBurger.
The Win-Dow: Santa Monica, typical burger