A guide to Los Angeles, the cinematic Californian city with Latin American roots

One of the best flight deals between the US and the South Pacific has just restarted for the first time since before the pandemic.

Set in the northern Baja peninsula, Valle de Guadalupe is tucked in from the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortéz, and hemmed by mountains on three sides. The valley cups the cool, ocean air drifting inland to form a Mediterranean microclimate—dry hot days, a firm afternoon breeze, cool nights—that makes Valle de Guadalupe a very good place to make wine. Indeed, this is Mexico’s wine country, home to over 150 wineries, and that same temperate microclimate that makes Valle de Guadalupe a very good place to make wine means it’s also a great place to visit year-round.

Recently, I visited Los Angeles with my semiretired mom.

Los Angeles’ city council appeared this week to have reached a political compromise with the local hotel workers’s union about a controversial plan to mandate that hotels temporarily house the homeless.

The birthplace of tequila and mariachi music, Guadalajara plays a big part in Mexico’s cultural identity. Yet while Mexico City and Cancun pulse with visitors year-round, the capital of the west-coast state of Jalisco has retained a laid-back charm. Its streets are a mixture of grand colonial cathedrals, vendors slathering chilli sauce onto tortas ahogadas (‘drowned sandwiches’) and a sprinkling of galleries and brunch spots. And with the 11th Gay Games — an international sporting competition for LGBTQ+ athletes — being co-hosted here (along with Hong Kong) in November, there’s a fresh global focus on Guadalajara.

While Southern California cities like Santa Monica and Malibu earn abundant acclaim for their scenic beaches, they’re far from the only destinations worth visiting across Los Angeles County. Long renowned for its close ties to the film industry, Culver City has developed into one of the region’s most charming municipalities, loaded with high-end restaurants and hotels for newcomers to explore. As you plan your next visit to the Golden State, be sure to save some room on the itinerary to explore Culver City, a historic settlement that improves with each passing year.

If you’re wondering whether Los Angeles should be on your list of places for family travel with kids, the answer is: yes! The City of Angels may be known for its glitz and glamour, but it's also the home to many attractions and activities that cater to all ages and interests. 

A new study commissioned by hotel chain Premier Inn has revealed the “most beautiful” cities to visit in the fall. The study used eye-tracking technology to record the average length of time the participants spent looking at the image of each destination to find which cities around the world were considered the most eye-catching during the autumn months.

Like some, I initially balked at paying a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) for The Platinum Card® from American Express, but with its vast array of benefits and rewards, this card drew me in — and I don't regret it.

Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the US, and its sprawling landscape is sometimes overwhelming and unfamiliar to visitors.

What makes a good city is subjective, but a good indication that a place might be worth visiting is when it's voted for by thousands of people. Time Out and Condé Nast Traveler recently asked their readers about the coolest neighborhoods and best cities in the world right now, respectively.

ALG Vacations is putting the spotlight on Cancun with a 72-hour flash sale.