United States Travel Notes
My Los Angeles, Pasadena, Long Beach stops, real opinions and places to explore.
- Languages
- English · Many Local Languages
- Currency
- US Dollar · USD
- Cash
- Useful For Tips And Cash Only Stops.
- Cards
- Yes. Widely Accepted.
- Tap To Pay
- Common. Bring A Physical Card.
- WiFi
- Available. Quality Varies.
- Mobile Data
- SIM Or eSIM · Check Coverage
- Small Shops
- Varies. Keep Cash Handy.
- Tipping
- Usually 18% To 20%
What To Wear
What To Pack
Pack for the actual state and season: Detroit winter, Miami humidity, and Los Angeles evenings need different layers. Theme park days need comfortable shoes and sun protection, not just a city outfit.
Money And Payments
Cash And Cards
Cards work at most hotels, shops, and restaurants. Keep dollars for tips, parking, and occasional cash only businesses. Contactless is common, but some venues still need the physical card.
Travel Cards
Check US dollar conversion fees and keep the physical card for hotel or rental deposits. Confirm deposit requirements with the provider before relying on a prepaid card.
Tipping Culture
Someone carried your luggage? Around $2 to $5 per bag is a useful guide. Lower end for a light bag and a short walk; higher end for a bulky bag, stairs, or extra effort. A waiter served your meal? Around 18% to 20% before tax is customary. On a $50 meal, that is $9 to $10. Check for an included gratuity first. A tip screen at a takeaway counter does not make tipping compulsory. Keep small cash for hotel help.
Getting Around
Getting Around Locally
New York style transit assumptions do not fit every US city. Los Angeles trips can need long rides; a walkable Key West stay is different. Compare the routes near your actual accommodation.
Traveling Between Stops
Domestic flights save time on long distances. For a road trip, compare driving hours, tolls, parking, and one way rental charges. Check local access separately for places such as Mackinac Island.
Staying Connected
Using T Mobile In United States
The United States uses T Mobile’s domestic network. Check local coverage and the benefits on your own plan.
Mobile Data For This Trip
US coverage and allowances can differ from your home plan’s international roaming. Download maps before a road trip and check the route’s rural coverage. Keep tickets available offline at theme park entrances.
Where To Stay
Choosing Your Area
Choose around your actual stop: a beach, theme park, city centre, or road trip overnight. In Los Angeles, the neighborhood matters because distances are large. In Florida, compare parking and any resort charges.
Before You Arrive
Before You Fly
International visitors should use official US visa or ESTA guidance for their passport. ESTA is not permission for every nationality or trip purpose. Check the address and stay details needed for your arrival.
Sources And My Visit
Practical information was researched and checked on 22 October 2026. My reviews describe my own visits. Area comparisons are planning advice, not hotels I claim to have inspected. Entry advice must match your passport, residency, route, and travel date.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Convention Center
I reviewed this place on Google Maps. Open the listing to see the location and my rating.
Peacock Theater
Concessions are the same on all floors. Not many food options. Small and intimate setting.
Morales Tacos
So good! They give you a lot of protein! All orders are made in front of you. They do accept tap to pay 3 carne asade tacos were $9.50 Taco Tuesday is $1.50 each. Lots of seating there too
Rosemary Grill DTLA
Perfectly located and easy to valet since it’s next to H&H and it’s only $17!! For DTLA that’s crazy. Food was pretty good for them being Hispanic behind the counter. Garlic dip is a must though, take some to go! They have another location in West LA 🫶🏼
Chick Fil A
I saw my bag sitting there ready to go but no one brought it to pick up area for a good 5 minutes
In N Out Burger
Fast, accurate and delicious. Just like In N Out always is.
Planet Fitness
This is one of the newer locations. Meaning the equipment is newer. One of my favorite things that they have here that they don’t have at some other locations are the hip thrust machines.
Sandbox VR
Squid games is the BEST GAME TO PLAY! But here’s everything you need to know: You will get 3 FREE videos that are edited to show you playing and what you were seeing in the game. This made the whole experience so much more amazing for me.
Trendy Nails Salon Woodland Hills CA
Very bad experience, felt very uncomfortable mentioning my thought while there. My toes were so bad I had them redo the whole paint job. And it came out good.
Cozy Massage Therapy
Amazing! I got the Groupon for $40 and got an amazing deep tissue! Make sure to tip cuz they are GOOD!
The Sidewalk Cafe
Basic
Venice Skatepark
All types of skate parks!
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Vibes on a Sunday!
El Pollo Loco
THE BEST! Period
Airplane Landing View Point
Best spot to watch planes land. Easy parking. Grab a bite at in n out too! 😮💨
AHF Healthcare Center Valley
Only a pharmacy. Don’t waste your time
Trading Post Liquor
Regular spot
Joey’s Tacos
Solid tacos with salsa bar. $1.25 on taco Tuesday’s!
Luminarias Restaurant & Special Events
Amazing! Everything was up to par! 😮💨
STK Topanga
Best Happy Hour in the world! $3 $6 $9 options!! If you’re in the Valley and not taking advantage of this… I don’t know what to tell you 😭 STK is inside Westfield Topanga, above the empty food court.
Tacos La Lumbre
This is a taco stand on the side of the road. Carne Asade tacos are 2.75 They don’t do taco Tuesdays here they do taco Wednesdays. They are $1.50 on Wednesdays. They accept Ca$h and Zelle and have a full salsa bar. They also have outdoor seating.
Carl's Jr.
HORRRIBLLEEEEEEE!!!!! Slowest FAST food spot in town. There is always a long ass line and they have no care in the world.
Tony Nails & Spa
Now that Cindy is gone, this place is TRASH! Tony gave me an attitude for no reason, telling me That he trained Cindy, but letting him do my nails, seems like the student out mastered the teacher because he could never match her abilities.
STK Steakhouse
I LOVE coming here for happy hour! $3, $6, & $9 options for bites is CRAZY for STK! Also all of the $21 cocktail drinks are only $9?!?
Zaatar Factory And Bakery
I drove 45 minutes to come here and get knafa for a get together! And everyone was impressed, including myself. It was so addicting! All I had to do was put it in the oven for 10 15 min. And it was great!
Equinox Sports Club Los Angeles
So as far as Equinox goes, I pay about $330 a month for all locations except Hudson Yards. This is one of the best locations in socal, as it has a ton of amenities, but
Classy Nails & Beauty Supply
I came here to get a fill and a pedi. For the fill, I had my own acrylic since I'm a traveller and just prefer the simple acrylic color that becomes hard to match when you bounce around. This caused a bit of an issue in the beginning, as I
MOI Nails Studio
$70 for a full set, I'd rather go to a private nail tech where the work will be to perfection. Don't get me wrong, my nails were nice, shape was okay but the cost took me out. Maybe it's just me.
Key West
NYAH Key West
For the price, location, amount of pools & amenities, you can’t really complain
Sunset Watersports Key West
I reviewed this place on Google Maps. Open the listing to see the location and my rating.
Miami
South Beach Open Bar Party Crawl
I reviewed this place on Google Maps. Open the listing to see the location and my rating.
B Bistro + Bakery
DELICIOUS!!
Anaheim
Story Anaheim
ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR AT THE BAR!?!? Okay!!
Detroit
Babo
Hidden little Gem in Downtown Detroit. Everything I’ve tried here was so good! But the crème brûle French toast is the real treat! Don’t miss out on that!
Fort Myers
Key West Express
I reviewed this place on Google Maps. Open the listing to see the location and my rating.
Hinesville
Peace Luxe Beauty
Hidden gem in the middle of Hinesville! She did my lashes just how I like, short and natural yet full. If you’ve been going all the way to Savannah to do your lashes, you no longer need to do that! She’s also very experienced and knows what she’s doing!
Long Beach
Laugh Factory
Went for the Wednesday night bilingual special! So much fun! 2 drink minimum, none alcoholic counts as a drink. No real food. Just chips, salsa, guacamole and quesadilla.
Pasadena
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
Came here and enjoyed a wedding!
Round Rock
Kalahari Indoor Water Park
Best indoor water park!
Mackinac Island
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