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If you’re visiting Los Angeles, be sure to come prepared. In the land of year round sun and beautiful celebrities, there are a number of things you’ll want to make sure you have on hand.

Sun Protection

This one is easy to guess. It’s a cliché for a reason – no matter what time of year you visit, the sun will be shining in Los Angeles. When the sun is out, even in the winter, you need to be prepared to protect your skin. The first item on your list? Sunscreen. Try to find one with an SPF of at least 30 if you will be spending an extended amount of time outdoors. In addition to sunscreen, come prepared with hats and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes. Luckily, floppy hats and oversized sunglasses are all the rage in Los Angeles.

Sun protection

Beach Supplies

One of the most popular reasons to visit Southern California is to check out the gorgeous beaches. If lounging on the beach is in your vacation plans, be sure to pack the necessary beaching supplies. This should definitely include a swimsuit and a towel, and perhaps a beach umbrella. If you’re into watersports or beachside games, bring your surfboard or a frisbee. If you need suggestions for the best beaches to visit in Los Angeles, our favorites are Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, and El Matador State Beach in Malibu.

Venice Beach

Trendy Outfits

Los Angeles girls are known for sporting a look that is trendy and polished yet casual and, most importantly, effortless. Even if you don’t live in the land of ripped jeans, floppy hats, and slouchy sweaters, attaining the look is well within your reach. Check out our list of the best places to shop for California girl clothing, including Brandy Melville, Urban Outfitters, Free People, American Eagle, Nasty Gal, and Victoria’s Secret, and you will look like a true Angeleno in no time.

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A Car

Compared to most major cities, Los Angeles is incredibly spread out. This wide space makes it difficult to walk to any destination, and the city is lacking any particularly helpful system of public transportation, so it is crucial to have access to a car when you visit. If you live close enough, try driving to the city, or you can rent a car when you arrive. Alternately, take advantage of the taxi services that have become popular throughout the city, like Uber and Lyft.

LA freeways

A Camera

Los Angeles is one of those cities that you really won’t want to visit without a camera. For starters, if you go celebrity hunting, you know your friends will say ‘Pics or it didn’t happen!’ unless you capture any sightings with a photo. Plus, you’ll be wearing your trendy outfits already, and probably developing a gorgeous tan, so selfies are certainly not out of the question. If foodie culture is more up your alley, Los Angeles is filled with beautiful brunch foods for you to document on your Instagram.

Camera

About the author

Editor of The Culture Trip's San Francisco section, Courtney is a writer, manager, yoga instructor, feminist, and arts enthusiast. Attempting to fill her days with as much creativity and humanity as possible, she loves to explore the unique spaces and cultural happenings taking place around her, taking inspiration from them to fill these pages with topics like travel, art, literature, music, wellness, and nature along the way.

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