Best Los Angeles California Travel Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 11, 2023

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Los Angeles, California is a sprawling metropolis that can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Luckily, there are a plethora of travel books available that cater to all interests and budgets. From comprehensive guides that cover everything from the city's history to its nightlife, to specialized books that focus on specific neighborhoods or activities such as hiking or food tours, there is a travel book for every type of traveler. These books offer insider tips and recommendations, as well as maps and practical information such as transportation options and hotel suggestions. Whether you're planning a short weekend trip or an extended stay, Los Angeles travel books are an essential resource for any visitor to the City of Angels.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places: Santa Monica to Chicago Eastbound Edition bucket list with RV Passport Logbook America Road Trip (Route 66 Travel Guides) Cover #TOP 1
Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places: Santa Monica to Chicago Eastbound Edition bucket list with RV Passport Logbook America Road Trip (Route 66 Travel Guides)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
California Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal: Explore 50 Natural Wonders You Must See & Log Your Experience! Cover #TOP 2
California Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal: Explore 50 Natural Wonders You Must See & Log Your Experience!
ftb score rating icon 9.7
The Ultimate Los Angeles Kings Trivia Book: A Collection of Amazing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts for Die-Hard Kings Fans! Cover #TOP 3
The Ultimate Los Angeles Kings Trivia Book: A Collection of Amazing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts for Die-Hard Kings Fans!
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Los Angeles California Travel Books

Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places: Santa Monica to Chicago Eastbound Edition bucket list with RV Passport Logbook America Road Trip (Route 66 Travel Guides)

Watson, Mark
Jul 23, 2021
Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places: Santa Monica to Chicago Eastbound Edition bucket list with RV Passport Logbook America Road Trip (Route 66 Travel Guides) Cover
Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places: Santa Monica to Chicago Eastbound Edition bucket list with RV Passport Logbook America Road Trip (Route 66 Travel Guides)

The Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places is a must-have for all Route 66 travelers. This guide takes you on a journey from Santa Monica to Chicago, visiting 202 places in the order they appear on the route. With QR codes, GPS coordinates, and addresses, you'll never get lost. The guide also includes lists of recommended overnight stays and RV parks, speed limits for each state, a road trip soundtrack, and a logbook to fill out each day with your personal experiences. Authored by Mark Watson, a California-based traveler who has traveled the entire U.S. Route 66 seven times on his Harley-Davidson. This guide is unique with its "Scan QR and go" feature for easy navigation. Highly recommended!

California Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal: Explore 50 Natural Wonders You Must See & Log Your Experience!

Bridge Press
May 15, 2021
California Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal: Explore 50 Natural Wonders You Must See & Log Your Experience! Cover
California Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal: Explore 50 Natural Wonders You Must See & Log Your Experience!

The California Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal is a comprehensive travel guide that features over 50 must-see destinations in California. The guide provides detailed information about each location, including how to get there, what to look for, and what to bring along. It also includes GPS coordinates, maps, and information about the best time to visit and average expenses. This guide is perfect for anyone looking to explore California's natural wonders and immerse themselves in its beauty. The book is well-written and informative, making it an essential guide for anyone planning a trip to California.

#TOP 3

The Ultimate Los Angeles Kings Trivia Book: A Collection of Amazing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts for Die-Hard Kings Fans!

Walker, Ray
Nov 22, 2020
The Ultimate Los Angeles Kings Trivia Book: A Collection of Amazing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts for Die-Hard Kings Fans! Cover
The Ultimate Los Angeles Kings Trivia Book: A Collection of Amazing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts for Die-Hard Kings Fans!

The Ultimate Los Angeles Kings Trivia Book is the perfect read for any die-hard Kings fan. The book contains 15 challenging quizzes with 300 questions and 150 interesting historical facts that cover everything from the club's humble beginnings to the end of the 2019-20 NHL regular season. Readers will learn fascinating tidbits such as how much it cost to bring the Kings to Los Angeles and who wore number 17 from 1992 to 96. This book is a must-have for any Kings fan looking to become the ultimate team trivia and facts expert.

#TOP 4

StreetSmart Los Angeles Map by VanDam — Laminated pocket size City Street & Freeway Map to Los Angeles, CA complete with all attractions, sights, museums, hotels, beaches, themeparks and shopping

Stephan Van Dam
Stephan Van Dam
Stephan Van Dam
VanDam, Inc.
Dec 31, 2012
StreetSmart Los Angeles Map by VanDam — Laminated pocket size City Street & Freeway Map to Los Angeles, CA complete with all attractions, sights, museums, hotels, beaches, themeparks and shopping Cover
StreetSmart Los Angeles Map by VanDam — Laminated pocket size City Street & Freeway Map to Los Angeles, CA complete with all attractions, sights, museums, hotels, beaches, themeparks and shopping

The StreetSmart Los Angeles Map by VanDam is a comprehensive guide to the city's top attractions, museums, hotels, beaches, and shopping destinations. The map is incredibly legible, with a scale of 1:21,000 and 3-D building illustrations. It covers the entire Southland and LA Metro Area, including Downtown LA, Bel Air, Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and East LA. The edition even includes a map of the Greater LA Area and Pasadena. The typography is easy to follow, and the cover maps turn the city's icons into collectible graphic art. Overall, this laminated pocket-sized map is an excellent resource for anyone traveling to Los Angeles.

The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Disneyland: With Never-Before-Published-Stories & Photos

Fox, Mr. Mike
Deschutes River Press
Aug 10, 2016
The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Disneyland: With Never-Before-Published-Stories & Photos Cover
The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Disneyland: With Never-Before-Published-Stories & Photos

The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Disneyland is a fascinating book that reveals over 250 secrets and story elements hidden throughout Disneyland, complete with more than 220 photos. Readers will discover stories behind the attractions, including how a guest recognized an error with the Disneyland telegraph and fixed it, and the story behind the "Cigar Store Indian" on Main Street, U.S.A. The book also includes the first-ever published connection between the Mutoscopes of Main Street, U.S.A. and a young 12-year-old Walt Disney. Overall, this book is a must-read for Disneyland enthusiasts and anyone who loves discovering the hidden magic in the happiest place on earth.

enCYCLEpedia Southern California - The Best Easy Scenic Bike Rides 3rd Edition

Richard Fox
May 3, 2021
enCYCLEpedia Southern California - The Best Easy Scenic Bike Rides 3rd Edition Cover
enCYCLEpedia Southern California - The Best Easy Scenic Bike Rides 3rd Edition

The enCYCLEpedia Southern California 3rd Edition is a must-have book for recreational cyclists who love scenic bike rides while avoiding car traffic and major hill climbs. This book presents over 200 options for beautiful rides ranging from beaches and mountains to wine country and historic city centers. The book includes e-bike info, more map detail, and some new rides for 2021. It also has downloadable maps that depict paved or novice mountain bike trails, or pleasant on-road routes for regular or e-bikes. The book's website contains additional ride details and updates for book owners. Overall, this book is a comprehensive guide for cyclists seeking easy and scenic bike rides in Southern California.

#TOP 7

Los Angeles on Instagram

Kurtzman, Dan
Welcome Books
Jun 30, 2020
Los Angeles on Instagram Cover
Los Angeles on Instagram

The book "Los Angeles on Instagram" showcases over 300 photos from fifty influential Instagram photographers, capturing the vibrant and creative energy of the city. It features fresh perspectives of iconic cityscapes, little-known urban oases, and the stunning beauty of the Pacific Coast, providing a celebration of the SoCal experience via the lens of an incredible community of photographers. Dan Kurtzman, a travel and landscape photographer based in California, curated this book, which is a must-read for anyone with a love of Los Angeles and Instagram. Overall, it is a glamorous and gritty portrait that highlights the best of L.A. on Instagram.

#TOP 8

Gourmet Ghosts - Los Angeles

Bartlett, James T.
City Ghost Guides
Dec 6, 2012
Gourmet Ghosts - Los Angeles Cover
Gourmet Ghosts - Los Angeles

Gourmet Ghosts - Los Angeles is a fascinating guide that explores more than 40 haunted bars and restaurants in Los Angeles. The book offers a mix of history, mystery, and eyewitness accounts, along with photographs and newspaper archives to verify the stories. From Downtown to Hollywood to West Hollywood, the book provides tips on the best food, drink, and Happy Hours while introducing you to the ghosts that haunt these places. The book is a must-read for foodies, drinkys, and anyone interested in paranormal activities. Overall, the book is a classic in its genre, and it's a perfect blend of history, mystery, and culinary experiences.

#TOP 9

The Ultimate Los Angeles Chargers Trivia Book: A Collection of Amazing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts for Die-Hard Chargers Fans!

Walker, Ray
Oct 20, 2021
The Ultimate Los Angeles Chargers Trivia Book: A Collection of Amazing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts for Die-Hard Chargers Fans! Cover
The Ultimate Los Angeles Chargers Trivia Book: A Collection of Amazing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts for Die-Hard Chargers Fans!

The Ultimate Los Angeles Chargers Trivia Book is a must-have for any die-hard Chargers fan. This book is packed with interesting facts, trivia quizzes, and fun information about the team's history, taking readers on a journey through the highs and lows of the franchise's 60-year history. From the team's secret weapons to its best seasons and players, this book has it all. Whether you're a Chargers fanatic or just an NFL superfan, you'll enjoy learning new, interesting facts about this storied franchise. Overall, this book is a great addition to any Chargers fan's collection.

#TOP 10

111 Places in Los Angeles That You Must Not Miss (111 Places in .... That You Must Not Miss)

Moglen, Laurel
Posey, Julia
Zotova, Lyudmila
Emons Publishers
May 11, 2018
111 Places in Los Angeles That You Must Not Miss (111 Places in .... That You Must Not Miss) Cover
111 Places in Los Angeles That You Must Not Miss (111 Places in .... That You Must Not Miss)

111 Places in Los Angeles That You Must Not Miss is an unusual guidebook that goes beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to discover the quirky culture of The City of Angels. This book explores 111 of the city's most interesting and unknown places and experiences, including iconic architecture, gorgeous open spaces, quirky museums, hidden vistas, and obscure stories about the starlets, moguls, personalities, and players who have made Los Angeles their playground. Written by Laurel Moglen, an experienced NPR journalist, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to fall in love with the real Los Angeles.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best time to travel through LA?

To avoid the worst traffic in LA, you should plan to drive early in the morning (before 7 AM) or later in the evenings (after 7 PM). Early afternoon traffic usually lightens up a bit after the morning rush hour has ended. The busiest highways in Los Angeles are the 5, 110, 10, and 405.

2. How many days are enough to visit Los Angeles?

How much time should I spend in LA? Let me start off by saying that LA is a HUGE city and the landmarks are spread apart from each other. Ideally, you should try to spend 5-7 days here if you don't want to be rushed and want to see everything.

Editor's Notes

During our los angeles california travel book research, we found 112 los angeles california travel book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,841 customer reviews through our big data system to write the los angeles california travel books list. We found that most customers choose los angeles california travel books with an average price of $16.11.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.