Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, the traffic can be jarring and the people can be shallow, but the city is easy to love once you forgive its lesser qualities. Wade into its urban sprawl and discover its world-class restaurants, channel Gwyneth Paltrow with its unorthodox wellness activities and fresh-pressed juices, or make a pilgrimage to its sunny beaches and flea markets right outside the city limits.

When to go:
There’s a reason why California’s so crowded: the weather is generally favourable all year round. However, if you’re headed for the beach, time your visit during the balmy months between May and October.

How to get around:
Unfortunately, there’s no real way to dodge traffic in LA. Plus, public transportation isn’t widely used. Most people rent a car or rely on rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. If you’re in Santa Monica, try the new scooter-sharing app, Bird.