Myth #1 – You absolutely need a car to get around LA
For the people in the back, and for the peanut gallery, shouting it again to the rooftops. You do not- I repeat- you DO NOT – need a car to get around LA!
One more time- YOU DO NOT NEED A CAR TO GET AROUND LA!
YES, Los Angeles is spread out. (We’ll show you on our Los Angeles Tours- just you wait!)
YES, there is traffic, and frequently, it’s pretty annoying/maddening. YES, having a car makes things like going to the grocery store, the beach, running quick errands, and looking cool as heck driving down PCH with the wind whipping through your hair- a lot cooler. K. Now that we’ve got that out of the way- it is absolutely doable to live and exist in LA without a car, and frankly, sometimes much easier than having to deal with car maintenance. Having a car means that you need to find an apartment building with a parking spot. It means having to spend an arm and a leg on gas, parking fees, insurance, gas, smog checks, car payments, and have we mentioned gas? Have you SEEN prices lately? Additionally, for a city like LA that heralds itself as a champion for the environment and all things green, we burn that away daily whenever we get behind the wheel. If EVERYONE in LA took public transit JUST FOR A DAY, as a city, we would cut back on carbon emissions by nearly triple the normal amount.
The BEST way to see LA is by bike- we have the best weather in the country all year round (see below,) and by biking around, you’ll save on gas, get great exercise, and experience our fair city in an up-close and personal way. Our tip for the best way to experience LA? Any one of our Los Angeles Tours by bike. We recommend you book a Los Angeles Tour and bike through LA in a Day on our most popular LA tour. We also recommend our Hollywood Bike Tour if you’re craving a slice of the film industry, or for a little getaway, our Westlake Mountain Bike Tour for a true escape to natural paradise. No car? No problem.
Myth #2- It’s Burning Hot ALLLLLL the Time in LA
Obviously, LA is sunny and pretty close to perfection most of the year, save for the few days it rains (and we’re talking like, approximately a week or so a year that it rains in LA, it is so rare,) almost to a point where you’re like – wait- can’t we have ONE gross day where I can lay in bed and watch Netflix and not feel badly about how gorgeous it is outside? No? Okay. Believe the hype- it’s beautiful out here pretty much year round. HOWEVER- here’s a little insider tip from this East Coast transplant to you. Moving to California, one assumes that it’s going to be nice and warm all the time. Guess what? It’s actually a little colder than you think in LA! Thanks to the cool air from the Pacific Ocean, (ever heard of it?) LA mornings tend to start off a little chilly (think 50-60 degrees Farenheight/10-20 degrees Celsius,) and cloudy! Once it gets to be about noon, the sun comes out, the day warms up, and life is just peachy. Most days, it’s about 70 F/30 C, sunny, easy, and breezy in LA (perfect weather for an LA tour!) Once the sun sets, it drops down about ten degrees- in sum, most of the year in LA is, to quote “Miss Congeniality,” not too hot, not too cold, and all you need is a light jacket. The best way to experience these incredible Pacific temperatures? On our Venice and Santa Monica Bike Tour. You’ll get up close and personal with the best beaches in LA, pedal through trendy beach side neighborhoods, and see LA the best possible way- on an outdoor Los Angeles tour.
Myth #3- You Can’t Walk Anywhere in LA
There’s a song about nobody walking in LA that I won’t link here; it’s not only not my fave, but it is PATENTLY untrue! Yes, LA is a constellation of freeways and traffic jams and cars, etc., etc. At Bikes and Hikes LA Tours, we don’t believe in being stuck in traffic- we believe that you ARE traffic (if you’re sitting in a car.) LA is actually incredibly walkable, and the scenery, topography, and people watching changes neighborhood to neighborhood- you just need to know where to walk. We love strolling around West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Hancock Park, Los Feliz, Koreatown, and more. You’ll see gorgeous movie star homes, beautiful landscapes, and possibly see a celebrity or two! If you REALLY want to know our favorite places to walk in LA, check out our stellar lineup of LA walking tours. This summer, we’re hyping our Hollywood Walk of Fame Walking Tour and our Walking Tour of Beverly Hills– two incredible Los Angeles Tours in the best neighborhoods in LA. Check out those LA team building tours and other walking tours here!
