Summary
To make your Los Angeles trip as enjoyable as possible, you’ll need some essential apps. These tools can help you find activities, save money on attractions, make reservations at top restaurants, and discover unique experiences that will enhance your visit.
Unless otherwise noted, all apps are available on iTunes and Google Play.
Useful Apps You Probably Already Have
Many travelers may already have these apps installed. If not, consider downloading them before your trip.
- Google Maps: Essential for navigating LA’s streets and freeways. While Waze provides traffic updates, it may lead you through narrow residential roads, which could be problematic.
- Ridesharing App: Uber or Lyft can assist you in getting around the city, with data suggesting that Lyft drivers often offer a more friendly experience.
- Zillow: Even if you aren’t in the market to buy or rent, visitors often find themselves curious about the costs of luxury homes.
- If you’re doing extensive online searches while planning your trip, the Pocket app is a great tool for saving articles for later reading.
Best App to Find Things to Do: Discover L.A.
The Discover L.A. app is invaluable for both locals and visitors. Instead of sifting through endless options, it provides curated experiences categorized by interests, helping you easily discover parks, tours, and hiking locations.
Best Weather App: Dark Sky
Los Angeles often experiences significant temperature variations. For example, it can be foggy at the beach while sunny in Pasadena.
No matter your preferred weather app, Dark Sky is a must-have for precise, hyper-local forecasts with impressive accuracy, helping you stay informed about weather changes during your visit.
Apps for Museums and Attractions
Many LA attractions have their own apps that can enhance your experience. Always check the website of your planned stops for available technology.
Be aware: some apps may require location tracking even when not in use.
- Universal Studios Hollywood features a well-rated app (search for their Official App). For Disneyland, consider specific apps designed for maximizing your time.
- The Getty360 app is highly rated for museum visits, while the Broad Museum’s app offers guided tours, including a family-friendly audio tour narrated by LeVar Burton.
Food Apps
If you frequently use Yelp or OpenTable, they will serve you well in LA. Additionally, many restaurants use Resy for reservations. If you prefer dining at home, Caviar allows you to order from popular local eateries.
Apps for Getting Around and Parking
While LA traffic is notorious, finding parking is an often-overlooked challenge.
Consider using Spot Hero or Park Me to research parking options and potentially save money. Both apps also allow reserving spots in advance for busy events.
To easily track your vehicle’s location, you can use Find Your Car from Augmented Works, available for iPhone users.
Entertainment and Tickets
Goldstar offers discounted tickets for concerts and events, making it easy to save money on entertainment. Furthermore, Today Tix specializes in last-minute availability for plays and concerts, with discounts that can rival traditional movie prices.
Twitter Accounts to Follow
Regardless of your opinion on Twitter, it’s a valuable resource for discovering the best events in LA.
- Follow @thebroadstandby for updates on the Broad Museum’s standby line.
- Keep up with the food truck scene via @lafoodtruck.
- Stay informed on the broader LA food scene with @eaterla.
- If you’re concerned about earthquakes, follow @earthquakesLA for timely information.
Quake Alert
If you’re anxious about potential earthquakes in Southern California, you may wish for an app to provide timely notifications.
While still awaiting public availability, Quake Alert from Early Warning Labs shows promise in giving you advance notice once approved by the government.
Special Interest Apps
Consider these specialty apps for your Los Angeles visit:
- History enthusiasts can explore HISTORY Here from A&E’s History Channel to uncover historical landmarks throughout the city.
- If you’re interested in kitsch, the Roadside America app leads you to quirky attractions like giant donuts and concrete bedpan fountains, available on iPhones.
