Los Angeles

2026/9/18

LAX to Honolulu on American Airlines: Flight Review & Waikiki Transfer

After checking out of Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, we headed to LAX for the next part of our trip: Hawaii! This time, we flew from Los Angeles to Honolulu on an American Airlines domestic flight. From finding an Uber at 4:30 a.m. and exploring LAX before departure to discovering that our flight did not include a complimentary meal, this article shares our entire travel experience. We also cover what we ate onboard, how we used Wi-Fi during the flight, and how we traveled from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Waikiki after landing. If you are planning to fly from Los Angeles to Honolulu, especially as part of a longer international trip, we hope our experience helps you prepare. Read our Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE hotel review Getting an Uber at 4:30 a.m. from Downtown Los Angeles to LAX We left the hotel at around 4:30 a.m. We were slightly worried about whether we would be able to find an Uber so early, but during our trip, a driver was available almost immediately. We requested a ride through the app, met the driver at the hotel entrance, and headed straight to LAX. With almost no traffic at that hour, the journey from Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE to the airport took only about 20 minutes. The fare was a little higher than we expected for such an early journey, but the ride itself was very smooth. Our experience reminded us that travel conditions can vary greatly depending on the day and time, so ...

Los Angeles

2026/9/10

Hollywood Without a Car: Half-Day Itinerary by Metro, Walk of Fame & More

Hollywood is one of those places you do not want to miss on a trip to Los Angeles. But you may be wondering, “Can I visit Hollywood without renting a car?” We decided to find out for ourselves. Our group of three travelers in their 60s, 70s, and 30s explored Hollywood entirely by public transportation. We visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, In-N-Out Burger, which is especially popular with Japanese fans of Shohei Ohtani, and even the GRAMMY Museum. Here is our firsthand half-day Hollywood itinerary without a rental car. Getting to Hollywood by Metro from 7th St/Metro Center Los Angeles is often thought of as a city where you need a car, but Hollywood is actually easy to reach by LA Metro. We used 7th St/Metro Center Station. We were staying at Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, and the station was about a 10-minute walk from our hotel. The route was simple. We took the B Line toward North Hollywood and got off at Hollywood/Highland Station. The journey took approximately 20 to 25 minutes. At the time of our trip, the fare was $1.75 per person. LA Metro uses a TAP card system. If you use an iPhone, you can add a TAP card to Apple Wallet and simply tap your phone at the gate. As soon as we exited the station, we were right in the middle of Hollywood. We were able to enjoy sightseeing comfortably without renting a car. Hollywood Walk of Fame: Search for Your Favorite ...

Los Angeles

2026/9/10

Dodger Stadium Early Entry Review: Waymo, Yamamoto Bobblehead & Ohtani Two-Way Game

Day two of our Dodgers experience was one of the highlights of our Los Angeles trip! This time, we traveled to Dodger Stadium in a Waymo self-driving car and tried Early Entry, which allowed us to enter the stadium about 90 minutes earlier than general admission. We also received a Yoshinobu Yamamoto bobblehead and had the incredible experience of seeing Shohei Ohtani as both a pitcher and hitter — plus a home run! It turned into an unforgettable day. Here is our firsthand Dodgers game-day experience from the perspective of a traveler in her 60s. Taking a Waymo Self-Driving Car to Dodger Stadium One of the most interesting transportation experiences in Los Angeles is Waymo, a fully autonomous ride service. Since we were already in LA, we thought, “We have to try it at least once!” So we decided to use Waymo on our way to Dodger Stadium. How Waymo Works and What It Was Like Using Waymo was very easy. Like Uber, you request a ride through an app. Our vehicle was a Jaguar, and the seats were comfortable. Relaxing background music was playing inside, which made the driverless experience feel even more unusual. One thing we learned was that the pickup point may not be directly in front of where you are standing. After requesting the ride, the app told us to board within two minutes, so we hurried toward the designated pickup point. It is a good idea to request your ride with enough time to reach the pickup location comfortably. Starting ...

Los Angeles

2026/10/24

Our First Dodgers Game: Free Shuttle, Dodger Dog & 5 Home Runs

“How do you get to Dodger Stadium?” “Is the shuttle bus really free?” If you are wondering what a Dodgers game day is actually like, this firsthand report may help. On May 26, 2026, I attended a Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies game at Dodger Stadium. I was traveling in my 60s, and in this article I will take you through the entire day: from Little Tokyo to Union Station, how we used the free shuttle, what we ate at the stadium, and even an unexpected moment involving Shohei Ohtani. From Little Tokyo to Union Station by Metro Our day started in Little Tokyo. After spending some time sightseeing in Downtown Los Angeles, we took the Metro to Union Station. The ride only took a few minutes and did not require any transfers, so it was very easy. We also saw several Japanese travelers wearing Dodgers T-shirts and heading toward Union Station. Union Station is the main departure point for the free shuttle to Dodger Stadium, so taking the Metro is a convenient option. During our short ride from Little Tokyo to Union Station, we did not feel particularly unsafe. Free Shuttle from Union Station to Dodger Stadium Once you arrive at Union Station, head toward the west side of the station. There are signs throughout the station marked “DODGER STADIUM EXPRESS.” Simply follow the signs and they will lead you toward the shuttle pickup area. Even if you are not confident in English, the signs were easy for us to follow. This is ...

Los Angeles

2026/10/11

Little Tokyo Los Angeles Guide: Dodgers Shops, Ohtani Mural, Food & Metro Tips

Before heading to a Dodgers game, we highly recommend stopping by Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. There are several shops where you can buy Dodgers merchandise, along with Japanese restaurants and Japanese grocery stores. For travelers from Japan, the area can feel especially comforting because Japanese language, food, and culture are all around you. If you want to pick up a Dodgers jersey or souvenirs before the game, Little Tokyo is a great place to start. You may also find plenty of ideas here to make your Dodgers experience even more enjoyable. How to Get to Little Tokyo: Is the LA Metro Really Unsafe? To visit Little Tokyo during our Los Angeles trip, we traveled from Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE and used the Metro. You need a TAP card to ride public transportation in Los Angeles. It works like a reloadable transit card. You can buy one from a ticket machine, but if you use an iPhone, we found it very convenient to add TAP to Apple Wallet and load money in advance. At the station, you simply tap your phone or TAP card at the gate when entering. During our trip, we did not need to tap again when exiting. The fare was $1.75 per ride at the time, so we loaded small amounts as needed. We had often heard that “the LA Metro can feel unsafe,” but during our ride in the morning, we did not experience anything particularly frightening. We also saw a few Japanese tourists, which made us ...

Los Angeles

2026/10/11

Citadel Outlets Los Angeles Review: Shopping, Stores, Food & Shuttle Tips

During our Los Angeles trip, we visited Citadel Outlets hoping to find good deals on outlet shopping and Dodgers merchandise. A free shuttle bus to Citadel Outlets was available from a bus stop about a three-minute walk from our hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, so we thought getting there would be easy. We had no idea that it would turn into such an eventful day! Here is our firsthand experience traveling as a group of three, with travelers in their 60s, 70s, and 30s. Getting from Courtyard L.A. LIVE to Citadel Outlets by Free Shuttle A free shuttle bus operates to Citadel Outlets from several major hotels in Downtown Los Angeles. Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE was one of the hotels on the route during our visit. Before leaving, we were excited because we thought, “It’s free and easy!” Unfortunately, we waited at the wrong bus stop for an entire hour. It was also a holiday schedule, and buses were running only about once per hour. Coming from Japan, we were used to expecting buses to arrive according to the published timetable. But in this case, we later realized that we had been waiting in the wrong place. We also learned that some buses in the United States may leave before the scheduled departure time once passengers have boarded. So it is safer to arrive at the bus stop early. An Uncomfortable Experience While Waiting for the Bus While we were waiting, someone approached us while shouting loudly, which made ...

Los Angeles

2026/10/5

Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE Review: Rooms, Fees, Amenities & Location

This time, we stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. Two members of our group, in their 60s and 70s, stayed here and experienced the hotel firsthand. In this review, we share what we liked, what we found inconvenient, and what the surrounding area felt like in terms of safety. If you are considering staying in Downtown Los Angeles, we hope this guide helps you plan your trip. A Convenient Location Next to L.A. LIVE The Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE is located in Downtown Los Angeles, right next to the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex. It is about a 30-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport, and the location is convenient for visiting Dodger Stadium and Little Tokyo. When we entered the lobby, we found a spacious, open area with high ceilings. A large floral artwork immediately caught our attention. The lobby also has a convenience shop and café-bar area that is open 24 hours. There is also a television, and according to the staff, Dodgers games are sometimes shown there. Room Review: Spacious and Comfortable, But Check What Is Missing We stayed in a corner room with two queen beds. The room felt spacious, and the beds had comfortable cushioning that made it easy to sleep. The gray, artistic wallpaper also gave the room a stylish atmosphere. However, there were several differences from what we are used to at hotels in Japan, so it is worth checking the room amenities before your trip. No Electric Kettle in the ...

Los Angeles

2026/10/11

American Airlines Premium Economy Review: Haneda to LAX, Seats, Meals & Arrival Tips

This time, three of us traveled to Los Angeles to see the Dodgers: Mamarin in her 60s, MASAHIRO in his 70s, and Megumi in her 30s. We flew American Airlines from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Los Angeles. If you are wondering, “What is American Airlines really like?”, this article shares our honest experience from the perspective of older travelers. We cover the Premium Economy seats, inflight meals and onboard service, as well as immigration tips at LAX and how we took an Uber from the airport to our hotel. Departing from Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Our journey began at Haneda Airport Terminal 2. Boarding for our American Airlines flight began about 45 minutes before departure. Through the large windows near the gate, we could see the American Airlines aircraft waiting outside. It was the moment when the excitement really began to build. Mamarin was full of energy and ready to go. Our flight departed at 11:55 a.m. The flight was American Airlines Flight 170, and the scheduled flight time was approximately 10 hours and 5 minutes. American Airlines Premium Economy Seats For this trip, we decided to spend a little extra and upgrade to Premium Economy. We originally booked Economy through Expedia, then later changed our seats to Premium Economy through the American Airlines seat-selection page. The additional cost was ¥19,510 per seat, approximately US$125–130 at the exchange rate at the time. My conclusion: the extra legroom was absolutely worth it. Because the seat was more comfortable, the 10-hour flight felt surprisingly manageable. MASAHIRO, ...

Los Angeles

2026/9/9

How to Buy Dodgers Tickets: Best Seats, Prices & My Experience at Dodger Stadium

The official Dodgers website is entirely in English. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars, taxes are added later, and tickets generally cannot be canceled after purchase. “Am I really choosing the right ticket?” “Once I click this button, is that it?” My hands were shaking before I finally completed the purchase. In this article, based on my actual experience purchasing tickets through the official Los Angeles Dodgers website, I will explain the entire process in detail, including how to navigate the ticket pages, recommended seating areas, actual ticket prices, and tips for avoiding mistakes. If you are planning to see Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers in person, especially if you are an older traveler or purchasing MLB tickets for the first time, I recommend reading this guide before you begin. You can also read about the mistakes I made when buying Dodgers tickets here. ▼If you plan to buy Dodgers tickets yourself, you can also compare flights and hotels to Los Angeles on Expedia. Our editor has used Expedia as well. How to Buy Dodgers Tickets on the Official Website Here is how to purchase tickets through the official Los Angeles Dodgers website. For older travelers, or anyone who finds small smartphone screens difficult to navigate, I recommend using a computer because the seating chart and ticket information are much easier to see. It is also a good idea to create your free account before tickets go on sale. First, go to the Single Game Tickets page from the menu. When you reach the ...

Los Angeles Overseas Travel

2026/9/9

How I Bought Dodgers Tickets: Mistakes, Bobblehead Night & Tips for First-Time Visitors

This year, I finally decided to travel to Los Angeles to watch a Dodgers game in person! Now that I am in my 60s, I do not want to keep putting off the things I truly want to do. I thought, “If I am ever going to see Shohei Ohtani play at Dodger Stadium, now is the time!” and decided to make the trip happen. Although the actual trip was still several months away, I purchased tickets for two Dodgers games on the first day tickets went on sale. I bought both tickets through the official Dodgers website, but purchasing tickets on an English-language website was definitely nerve-racking. In this article, I will share what I learned from actually buying the tickets, including the mistakes I made and some useful tips that may help you avoid the same problems. If you are planning to watch a Dodgers game in Los Angeles, this article includes several important things I wish I had known beforehand, so I hope you will read through to the end. I Panicked When Dodgers Tickets Suddenly Went on Sale I purchased my tickets through the official Los Angeles Dodgers website. The whole experience was much more rushed than I expected, so I want to share what happened to help other travelers avoid the same situation. The Actual Ticket Sale Schedule Was Earlier Than I Expected Beforehand, I had found information suggesting that Dodgers tickets would usually go on sale around two to three months before the game. Because of that, ...