As the unofficial capital of America’s West Coast, LA is the headquarters of everything that’s cool. From Hollywood stars to original theme parks, you’ll feel the special glamour of the city, whether you’re here on business or starting a big holiday. If you hire a car at Los Angeles International Airport, you’ll be able to take in LA itself, as well as easily head into wider California. Road connections from the airport are excellent and you’ll find the 405 and 105 Interstates are very close by.

The heart of downtown LA is about a 30 minute drive to the north-east on the I-110 – be aware, however, that this route may become congested at peak times, so it may take a little longer to get where you want to be. The city is designed for cars, so you’ll find there’s a comprehensive road system with a well-signed grid pattern of multi-lane highways.

You'll find Disneyland is around a 45-minute drive via the I-105 to the south-east of the airport, and head north for just under an hour on the I-405 for Universal Studios. Californian driving laws state that everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt and you can’t use a phone while driving. Speed limits are usually 35mph but can be 25mph near schools and residential areas. On two-lane highways, the limit is 55mph and 65mph on multi-lane freeways.

Look out for a diamond shape pattern on the road signifying a carpool lane. You need at least two people in your car at the designated times of day, usually rush hour, and misusing these may lead to a fine.

Los Angeles is one of the great cities of the world. It’s famous for Hollywood and the film industry, of course, but it’s also a global centre for many things, like music, IT, science and arts.

This sunny urban sprawl is an immense melting pot of cultures and creativity, stretching from the sandy Pacific coast beaches to the hazy mountains in the distance. LA is one of the most enormous metropolitan areas in the world, which is why having a hire car is such a help.

California cool and the Coast

From LAX, you’ll be starting your explorations in the west of Los Angeles. This is where many of the best-known sights are. Drive up the coast via the bohemian centre of alternative culture at Venice Beach and carry on to see the fabulous beach-houses of the stars along Malibu Beach. In the hills behind you can find a billionaire’s extraordinary personal art collection at the Getty Villa.

If you head south you can drive to the more rugged Rancho Palos Verdes headland, a popular spot for Angelinos to spot whales and dolphins. Further south is the seaside fun of Long Beach.

You can’t help feeling a little like a movie star yourself as you cruise the wide straight sunny boulevards lined with palm trees. Names like Sunset Boulevard, Rodeo Drive and Hollywood Boulevard ring out memories from scores of films and TV shows.

Head inland

For a taste of the glitz and glamour of the film industry, you'll find Hollywood just to the north of downtown LA. Cruise around here to find the celebrity bars and trendy restaurants of Sunset Boulevard, the classy boutiques on Rodeo Drive and the quirky independent shops of Melrose Avenue. It’s hard to resist a drive into the hills to find the world-famous Hollywood sign to take a selfie with and not far away is Hollywood Bowl, one of the iconic open-air performance venues.

In the far east

You’ll start to realise just how big LA is when you drive to the Disneyland Resort in the east of the city. The wonderful family-friendly theme park was the original and is still of world-class attractions. You’ll see, however, that it is a 35-miles drive from LAX, so sit back and enjoy the drive.

And when you’re out east you find plenty of other sights too, like the Chino Hills State Park, a glorious patch of open countryside giving you a rare chance to escape the city and go hiking and picnicking. Nearby, Castle Park is a traditional amusement park with an old-fashioned carnival atmosphere and games. It’s a great place to take the kids and enjoy a classic American hot dog.