Ask the crew: flight attendant William Tsai’s guide to Los Angeles

Los Angeles: Cathay Pacific flight attendant William Tsai knows this city better than most, from its iconic landmarks to its under-the-radar eateries.

“I went to Los Angeles in pursuit of my dream. During two years of flight training, I got to know this incredible city both on the ground and from the sky. It’s a sprawling, diverse place filled with attractions.”

Must-do

For an amazing aerial experience, I highly recommend taking a Discovery Flight; it’s an introductory flying experience with an instructor. You’ll fly over downtown LA, taking in Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Beach and the Queen Mary ocean liner. The views are hard to beat.

It’s also worth visiting Griffith Observatory in person. I love it not only because it’s home to the Hollywood Sign, but because it’s the setting of my favourite scene in the film La La Land. Arrive at about 5pm to get both day and nighttime views, and allow plenty of travel time – the traffic in LA is notorious.

Must-eat

As an aviation nerd, I love Waypoint Café at Camarillo Airport. It serves classic American burgers and salads, and outside, there’s both a miniature runway and tower that broadcasts real aircraft communications.

Of course, you can’t visit LA without trying tacos. You can find them everywhere, but my go-to spot is Avenue 26 Tacos , a humble food truck in downtown LA. Be sure to order a horchata, a drink made with rice, milk and cinnamon that’s utterly delicious.

Must-pack

Convenience is a big thing for me when travelling, so I like having a travel kit that I can throw into my suitcase. One that includes a skin moisturiser is a plus when going to Los Angeles, as it’s a lot drier than Hong Kong.