It’s generally best to stick to certain areas of L.A. during your visit, depending on what you’d like to see. Generally speaking, Los Angeles can be divided into the Valley, the Westside, and the Eastside. Figure out your must-sees and must-dos and where you’d like to spend the most time to avoid traffic, tourists, and delays. Love the beach? Stick to the Westside. Looking to wander hip neighborhood haunts—the Eastside. Looking for family-friendly fun? The Valley is for you.

There’s a great expanse of cultural diversity and unique foodways throughout the city to eat your way through. Los Angeles locals love devouring brunch (no earlier than 1 p.m., of course), Thai favorites, KBBQ, and ramen. And don’t forget to experience the delight of a late-night taco after a wild evening out. There’s everything under the sun here in the City of Angels, so make sure you treat your palate to all of the city’s flavors.

Most come to L.A. hoping to hit the beach, but not all beaches in Los Angeles are full of smooth, glistening sand and Barbie Beach Party fantasies. If you don’t know the best beach to visit, you might find yourself incredibly disappointed. Not to mention the time it takes to get to the beach if you’re staying far from the Westside. But not to worry, there’s plenty of beautiful seaside for miles in L.A. County, and even some dog-friendly beaches if you’re traveling with a pup.

You’re likely to be very underwhelmed by these tourist attractions. They’re smack dab in the middle of the most chaotic parts of the city, crowded, and did we mention expensive?! Fret not, as there’s plenty of fun to be had that still includes celeb spotting (not just at the gates outside their mansions), seeing your favorite props and costumes, and visiting the locations where iconic movie moments were filmed (for free!)–if you know where to look.

Sure, you could manage on public transportation alone, but factor in hours of added travel time to your visit. Having a car in L.A., especially if you’re visiting, is a definite necessity. And it’s a chance to live out your Hollywood convertible fantasies! But beware of confusing parking signs, street sweeping, and very lax drivers. And sometimes, it is just better to pay the hefty valet price rather than circle the block a zillion times in an unfamiliar place.