Los Angeles by camper – Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica, Venice and a hotel made of graffiti

Our Los Angeles road trip lasted a week, with a camper, a rental car and the realisation that nothing works here without a car.

Before Florida we spent a week in Los Angeles in June 2026. The most important lesson: without a car nothing works here, and with a car everything works – just slowly. Between 3 and 7 p.m. the city stands still.

Accommodation: a camper by the beach, a hotel full of art

We spent two nights in a rented motorhome on a pitch near Venice – palm trees, the beach within walking distance, neighbours from Texas who invited us to a barbecue. After that a hotel in Downtown whose rooms are painted entirely by street artists, zebra mural included. One via Airbnb, the other via Booking, both under $200 a night.

The list

• Griffith Observatory at sunset: free, parking $10, a view of the Hollywood Sign and the whole city. Come early, otherwise you will park a kilometre away.
• Santa Monica Pier and Beach: a wide beach, a cold Pacific, Muscle Beach towards Venice.
• Venice Beach Walls: the graffiti walls are official and new every weekend.
• Hollywood Walk of Fame: 20 minutes are enough – we found Celine Dion and Pedro.
• Crypto.com Arena / Downtown: in the evening, when it is cooler.

Rental car and camper

Rental car via Discover Cars (SUV, about $60 a day including full cover), camper directly from the rental company. Petrol in California is the most expensive in the USA (about $5 a gallon). There are hardly any toll roads, but parking fees everywhere.

Costs for one week

Accommodation about $1,200, car + fuel $550, food $600, admission $100. On top of that: tips – and taxes are added at the till, so the price on the menu is never the final price.

Planning a Los Angeles road trip: when to go, entry and getting around

The most pleasant months for a Los Angeles road trip are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). In May and June the coast is often covered by the so-called “June Gloom” – low cloud in the morning that usually burns off around midday. In high summer it gets very hot inland, while Santa Monica and Venice stay comfortable.

To enter the USA, EU citizens need an electronic passport and an approved ESTA travel authorisation. The fee has been 40 US dollars since 30.09.2025. Only apply on the official website esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally at least 72 hours before your flight – agency websites charge several times as much.

Distances and driving times (approx., without traffic)

In rush hour these times easily double. Without a car: Metro line E runs from Downtown to Santa Monica, and a ride costs $1.75 with a TAP card. The DASH “Observatory” bus goes to Griffith Observatory from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station.

Griffith Observatory: opening hours and admission

Admission to Griffith Observatory, its exhibits and terraces is free. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 12 noon to 10 pm and at weekends from 10 am to 10 pm, and closed on Mondays. Only the planetarium show costs extra ($12 for adults). Parking at the observatory is limited and paid – for sunset, arrive early or take the bus.

Los Angeles road trip: frequently asked questions

Facts as of 25.10.2026 – prices and rules can change, so check the official sources named above before you travel.

Our photos

Los Angeles road trip: our conclusion

Our conclusion on the Los Angeles road trip: plan your routes around rush hour and treat yourself to evenings on the coast in Santa Monica. It also pays to choose accommodation close to the beach, because that saves you many hours in traffic. How things continued in Florida is told in Florida with kids; background on the city is on Wikipedia.