5 Tips for Stress-Free Group Travel in Los Angeles

With its car-friendly culture and vibrant nightlife, Los Angeles has long been heralded as a top tourist destination for solo travelers. When traveling with a group, though, you might face a few challenges—especially since it can be difficult to navigate the busy streets in multiple cars. Here are 5 expert tips on how to group travel in Los Angeles for a fun, stress-free time.

1. Create an itinerary ahead of time with all group members in mind.

There’s nothing worse than being dragged into something you don’t want to do. Appoint someone in your group to survey all group member’s interests - and draft an itinerary everyone can agree with. Keep the itinerary in an editable document online where everyone can pitch in and share their thoughts.

2. Rent a minibus rather than rely on on-demand car services such as Uber or Lyft.

It’s not guaranteed you will all fit in one car - and even if you do, you won’t want to be piled on top of each other in the LA heat. Rent an 18-passenger minibus to tour the city; it’ll not only give you ample space, but will allow you to bring your stuff wherever you go without worrying about getting it stolen or worse.

3. Share your location with each other through your phone.

Planning to go separate ways for one day? Turn on location-sharing to keep track of each other’s paths without having to text, call, or email each other all the time.

4. Agree on meeting points and times - and do practice runs beforehand.

Los Angeles is a big city; getting lost would be easy. Prevent mishaps by agreeing on predetermined meeting points and meeting times if your group decides to pursue different itineraries.

5. Skip the hotel.

Hotel rooms are expensive and each accommodates only four people at a time. Skip it and go for an Airbnb or a private place - that way you’ll not only get your own space, but live like true Angelenos for the duration of your trip.

Group traveling in Los Angeles may be difficult, but you can make it easy and stress-free by planning beforehand, renting your own minibus, and keeping track of each other at all times. Forego the hotel and enjoy the city like a local for an unforgettable experience.

Ivelisse Rodriguez lives and works in the East Coast.