Guide to Los Angeles | USIT work and travel

2 girls overlook Los Angeles on fine evening

Guy cycling towards palms at Venice Beach

Young person sits on the front of a white jeep with palm tree boulevard in the back

Surfer stood on wooden stairs with the beach and sunset in the background

Loving Angeles instead

Your guide to Los Angeles

292 days of sunshine, boulevards of palm trees, hikes through the hills... ‘The City of Angels’ is like a never-ending summer for students and grads.

Sure, the traffic can be hideous, the health fads can be confusing and the search for perfection can be exhausting – but beneath the Hollywood sheen, walled mansions and vast LA sprawl is a beautiful city bursting with hard-work, creativity and a ton of opportunities. Plus, the work/life/beach balance is unbeatable.

Live and work the Californian dream

Creative crowd of artists, actors and musicians

Explore Hollywood, Venice Beach and Santa Monica

Endless sunshine and beach days

Road trips to San Fran, Palm Springs and Malibu

World-class media internship opportunities

Girls walking on Golden Mile in Hollywood

Why Los Angeles?

A summer job or one-year Grad USA visa in LA is a sure-fire route into a star-studded CV. Famously home to the leading players in the creative industries, film, TV, publishing, fashion and music – Los Angeles is also a hub for medical centres, universities and research institutes. When the working day is done, LA is hard to beat.

From the graffitied coffee shops of Downtown’s Art District, to the farmers’ markets of Santa Monica and canyon trails of Malibu – LA is a nature-loving, food-eating, people-watching paradise. Nearby, head to golden stretches of sand and hang ten with surfers, hike up Runyon Canyon, or get yourself a pair of wheels and make your way to one of the incredible national parks nearby, all within a day’s drive. Of course, you could just follow in the footsteps of your favourite stars – this is Hollywood after all.

Where to live in LA

Los Angeles is home to nearly 4 million people – and that number is tripled when you take into account Greater Los Angeles. Pre-Uber, having a car was pretty much a necessity to get around this sprawling city. Still, in Downtown LA, you can make use of public transportation or get around on foot. You’ll have heard of areas like Hollywood and Beverly Hills, but many will gravitate towards Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, West Hollywood and Highland Park for lower rent and access to restaurants, bars and clubs.

Santa Monica is famous for its healthy living and yoga-on-the-beach vibes, while Venice is home to the weird and wonderful. Also consider low-key Del Rey or the beach scene in Redondo Beach.

Where to work or intern

LA is famous for its struggling actors and servers-come-models, but this entrepreneurial city is also an exciting place to get valuable USA career training in communications, engineering, fashion, sports rehabilitation and clean technology. Its concentration of world-renowned teaching hospitals, aerospace facilities and research institutes also make it a great place to gain experience in biotechnology and the health sciences.

The average wage here per hour is give or take USD $15-20, and there’s also often perks such as complimentary housing, tips, staff meals and end of bonus contracts up to $500 here too.

Each year, we have 1,000+ J1 jobs with our tried-and-trusted US employers across America. Book onto J1 early and select ‘USIT Job’ for access to our online Job Hub where you can search, apply and get hired.

What about the climate?

There’s a reason that Cali is known as ‘The Golden State’, and LA is arguably it’s hub. The city's near-perfect weather is one its main selling points, with year-round sunshine and only occasional smog and pollution spoiling the view. Ditch your raincoats for high factor sun cream and enjoy the city's miles of sandy shores and canyon circuits throughout much of the year.

Temperatures reach highs of around 30 degrees Celsius in July and August, but they never really dip below 10 degrees – even in January and February. Average rainfall floats around 14.5 inches for the year, so you don’t really need to worry too much about packing that rain jacket.

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There's nothing our US team don't know about working and playing in the States. Whether it's the best place for a celebrity sighting or where to find fellow J1-ers, our pointing and directing skills are world-famous. We will also help with all the nerdy stuff – visas, accommodation, tax – so you can bed in with the post-work crowd quicker than a struggling actor to a superhero costume.

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Best things to do in LA

Griffith Observatory

This popular Art Deco spot is one of LA’s true icons, and it commands incredible panoramic views over the city and the legendary Hollywood Sign too. Don’t miss the chance to catch a spellbinding space show at the Planetarium or go hiking in the 4,310 acres of Griffith Park.

Venice

Known for its namesake beach and bohemian boardwalk – which is littered with independent stores and colourful murals – Venice is an area that really needs exploring. Add in scenic canals, tattoo shops galore and some pretty hot people and you can see why we love it here.

Santa Monica Farmers Market

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If you’re tired of shopping in supermarkets and are wanting to live the real LA life (AKA healthy), then you really shouldn’t miss paying a visit to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. Held three times a week, it rustles up organic produce from over 75 farmers, and you’ll also be able to get your mitts on local restaurants here too. Post-shop, why not take a ride on the rides of Pacific Park, just a stone’s throw away.

Three young girls laugh together standing in an LA street with the Hollywood sign in the background

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Ok, so this is a bit of an off-kilter one, but this is one of Hollywood’s oldest cemeteries and is the final resting place of glitzy A-listers including Judy Garland, Fay Wray and Cecil B. DeMille. Even better is that spot doubles as a cultural arts centre, which holds events in honour of the celebrities which are laid to rest there. Don’t miss the annual Dia de la Muertos festival - which showcases five stages’ worth of dance, music and arts and crafts.

It's in the name

Ways to work in America

Whether you want to fund your summer on a J1, make a difference working at camp, or get ahead with a professional internship, trainee or grad visa – USIT is the home of working in the US.

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