Car or no car

Question

Hi, we have 3 full days in LA in late August before we leave to start a roadtrip to San Francisco via Yosemite park. Is it worth collecting a car on arrival or leaving and collecting it after our LA stay? Looking to stay north of the city around the Hollywood/Korea/observatory area for the main tourist attractions and maybe a trip out to one of the benches. Would public transport from LAX to these areas be relatively easy? Thanks.

Answer

For a 3-day stay in Los Angeles focused on Hollywood, Koreatown, and nearby tourist attractions, deciding whether to rent a car immediately or wait until after your city stay depends on convenience, cost, and how comfortable you are with LA traffic and public transit.

Option 1: Rent a car immediately at LAX

Pros:
- Full flexibility to move between Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Hills, and other attractions without relying on rideshare or transit.
- Easy if you plan a day trip to the beaches (Santa Monica or Venice) or other farther-out attractions like the Getty Center.
- Less hassle carrying luggage and stopping at multiple hotels or viewpoints.
Cons:
- Traffic in LA can be heavy, especially in late August afternoons. Parking in Hollywood and near popular tourist areas can be expensive or limited.
- Cost of parking plus rental for a few days may be higher than using rideshare or public transit for the city portion.

Option 2: Use public transport / rideshare for LA, rent car after city stay

Pros:
- No need to navigate LA traffic or pay for parking for a few days.
- LAX has Metro connections: you can take the FlyAway bus to Union Station, then Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Koreatown. This is reasonably easy and cost-effective.
- Good option if your sightseeing is mostly within the central tourist areas and short excursions.
Cons:
- Public transit is limited compared to other cities; some attractions may require transfers or long walks.
- Rideshare may still be needed for hills, Griffith Observatory, or night outings, which can add cost and travel time.
- Less flexibility if you want to explore areas outside central LA on your own schedule.

Practical Recommendations

If your 3 days are mainly Hollywood, Koreatown, Griffith Observatory, maybe a bench or two along Mulholland, and central attractions, it is perfectly reasonable to skip a car initially. Metro Red Line and rideshare can handle most sightseeing efficiently.
Reserve a car for the day you depart for your road trip to San Francisco via Yosemite. This will save you the cost and hassle of city parking but still give you full mobility for the long drive.
If you want to include beach visits or Getty Center in those 3 days, renting a car from day 1 may be worth it despite parking costs.
Rideshare is convenient for night outings in Hollywood or Koreatown—safer and easier than searching for street parking.

In summary, for a tourist-focused stay in Hollywood/Koreatown with mostly city sightseeing, public transport plus occasional rideshare is manageable and cost-effective. Rent the car when you leave LA for the longer road trip, unless you specifically want the freedom to visit outlying attractions in the city.

Car or no car

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