Car rental at Los Angeles International Airport

Touch down at Los Angeles International Airport and you’re in the world capital of stardom. There’s an oasis of possibilities in the city itself, but you’ve also got access to the rest of California, one of the most fascinating, varied and exciting states in the whole of the US.

Getting to the city itself is straightforward, taking around 30 minutes along the I-105 and I-110. It’s worth knowing that LA’s key arterial roads and interstates can become congested during peak times, so give yourself enough time for your journey.

Much of the city has a grid system and is also served by other major interstates. For Sacramento and San Francisco, head north-west on the I-5. Follow the same road to the south-east and it stays close to the coast en route to San Diego, affording sensational sea views. The iconic route 1 passes the airport and then continues along the coastline, through Santa Monica and Malibu.

Car laws will be familiar – you can’t use a phone while driving and seatbelts are compulsory. Speed limits vary by road type and area so look out for signs. On the freeways and interstates the speed limit is generally 65mph (104 km/h).

There are numerous carpool lanes in operation, which there must be at least two people in the car for you to use. They’re indicated by a diamond pattern on either the road or a sign, so you won’t miss them.

From urban edginess to sun-baked Pacific beaches, Hollywood glamour to theme park thrills, Los Angeles is packed with great things to see and do. With your car rental from Los Angeles Airport you can tick off all the must-sees and explore the majesty of California.

La la land

You’ll have seen many of Los Angeles’ landmarks in the cinema and on the small screen, and once you’re in the city you can revisit them in person at your own pace. Cruise down Melrose Avenue, Mulholland Drive, Sunset Boulevard and Rodeo Drive to follow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous stars.

Take a studio tour, find your favorite star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and then catch a show in the magnificent surrounds of Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall. Up in the hills, the mansions of the rich and famous nestle in seclusion, with the famous Hollywood sign looking down on it all.

There are plenty of places to stay in LA, plus great restaurants, museums and galleries. The contemporary art museum Broad, opened in 2015, became an instant hit, with work ranging from the pop art of Andy Warhol to the surreal and delightful creations of Jeff Koons. They’re all housed in a spectacular, modern building with an exterior that looks somewhere between a honeycomb and a cheese grater.

The California coast

Driving along the California coast is one of life’s true pleasures. Drive for a few hours north and you’ll reach San Francisco – a hub for history, culture and tech. However, chances are your journey will take you longer than expected, as you’ll likely keep stopping to enjoy the views and take sensational pictures.

Make Santa Monica your first port of call. Skirted by sandy beaches, it’s a fashionable city – and one replete with a roller coaster and Ferris wheel. One of its most famous neighbourhoods is Venice, where you’ll find the boardwalk and beach, both popular with tourists and locals alike – skaters, artists and musicians are everywhere you look.  

Take your pick of the beaches close to LA. One of the best is El Matador in Malibu. Erosion has created handsome rock stacks, caves and coves, and the neighbouring beaches provide plenty of space for relaxing.

Park and ride

California’s theme parks are superb for families. At Disneyland you can meet the much-loved characters that made the studio famous, before going on the family-oriented rides they’ve inspired. For a bigger adrenaline kick, go to Universal Studios, where the rides are somewhat faster. And if you pine to be a student of Hogwarts, then join the lines for the hugely popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter. All the parks are huge and packed with different experiences, just like the rest of Los Angeles, so make sure you allow plenty of time for them.

From the Californian coast to the glamour of Hollywood, see everything that Los Angeles with your Hertz car rental from Los Angeles Airport.