First Time in Los Angeles 🇺🇸 NOT What We Expected...

We finally visited Los Angeles for the first time in 2026… a city we’ve seen our whole lives through films, social media, and the idea of the “American Dream”. From the beaches of Venice Beach and Santa Monica, to exploring different parts of the city, we wanted to see what LA is really like today. Is Los Angeles still the city of dreams… or is the reality very different? In this video, we share our honest first impressions of LA, what surprised us, how expensive it is, and what life here actually feels like right now. If you’ve ever wondered what Los Angeles is like in 2026, or if it lives up to the hype, this is for you. Joel's Socials Instagram: @joelfriendy (www.instagram/joelfriendy) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joelandemiliatravels TikTok: @joelfriendy (www.tiktok.com/@joelfriendy?lang=en) Twitter: @joelfriendy Website: www.joelfriendy.com Emilia's Socials Instagram: @emiliabeattie (www.instagram/emiliabeattie) TikTok: @emiliabeattie (https://www.tiktok.com/@emiliabeattie) YouTube - @Emilia Beattie The links below are affiliate links and may give me a small amount of money if you decide to purchase anything after clicking these links. Our Hotel recommdations - https://www.expedia.co.uk/shop/joelandemilia Car rental savings - https://www.discovercars.com/?a_aid=joelfriendy Best Travel card - https://revolut.com/referral/joelg5nz] Travel Credit Card - https://americanexpress.com/en-gb/referral/platinum-charge?ref=jOELFWXN7&CPID=100503717 USE JOEL94MB to get $5 OFF eSIM with Nomad - https://www.getnomad.app/?adjust_referrer=adjust_reftag%3Dc9wTnt2ax3nq8&utm_campaign=joelfriend&utm_medium=online&utm_source=joelfriend SUPPORT US! 💸 Paypal - https://www.paypal.me/joelfriendy?locale.x=en_GB My Travel Insurance - https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=joel&utm_source=joel&utm_medium=Ambassador Other Travel insurance - https://www.truetraveller.com/?tag=4472 Book Transport - https://www.bookaway.com/?offer_id=34&aff_id=2318 KIT LIST Our 360 Camera - https://www.insta360.com/sal/x5?utm_term=INRZ943 Our action camera - https://www.insta360.com/sal/ace-pro-2?utm_term=INRZ943 Our other Action camera - https://amzn.to/4jmf886 Our Drone - https://amzn.to/49tPhH4 Our camera - https://amzn.to/4pte83z Our backup camera - https://amzn.to/4jv4zjq Our Wide Angle lens - https://amzn.to/4pjgli5 Our all-around lens - https://amzn.to/3AmjRQL Our Zoom lens - https://amzn.to/4js9OAc Our Small Vlogging Camera - https://amzn.to/4h9jzAY Our microphone - https://amzn.to/3tHwLHH My phone stabiliser - https://www.insta360.com/sal/flow?utm_term=INRZ943 Our waterproof bag - https://amzn.to/3tE9WVq Our headphones - https://amzn.to/3WhG6U5 Filtered Water Bottle - https://amzn.to/33XnbWX Joel's map on my wall - https://amzn.to/3uPMc3o Joel's Backpack - https://amzn.to/33BAoUV *THIS IS THE BEST Our Music - https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/b6mplx The links above are affiliate links and may give me a small amount of money if you decide to purchase anything after clicking these links.