As an introvert, the idea of taking a solo trip amused me more than terrified me. I admire any kind of alone time that I can get these days. So when the opportunity to take a three-day trip to LA fell at my feet, I snatched it up. If you’re ever afraid to travel alone, don’t be! There’s so much to see and do on your own without the distraction of someone else pulling you around.

For my first time in LA, a solo trip was the perfect call. I fit a lot of activity into my limited time. Here are my tips for making the best of your solo trip.

Find the Right Place to Stay

Location is important. You want to be close to the activities that interest you, but maybe not in the center of the chaos either. The Garland hotel was the perfect spot. The iconic boutique hotel was right by one of the tourist attractions I couldn’t wait to see—Universal Studios. Not to mention that this hotel is super-chic all on its own. The attached restaurant, The Front Yard, is a celebrity favorite. During my visit, Selena Gomez stopped by, which turned me into a giddy school girl.

For a solo trip like this, you want to stay in a place that’s comfortable, but that’s also full of ongoing activities since you’re on your own and you may want some ideas for what to do. Forget a concierge, The Garland’s staff often plans activities for its guests from a trip to nearby local gems to a walk around the glorious neighborhood. You might have arrived on your own, but you’re definitely not alone. It even has an adorable, free trolley that drops you off at the Universal City metro station.

Make Food a Priority

If you’re not traveling and exploring different eateries, then what are you even doing? Whenever I’m stepping into a new area, I like to try local favorites. I’ve definitely watched too many episodes of “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” to pass up a good meal. Luckily, The Front Yard at The Garland meant I didn’t have to go too far at all for a delicious meal and a cocktail or two. The restaurant is a Universal City staple. It definitely helps to be close to good food while traveling on your own.

I don’t know about you, but I definitely get very hangry, and the last thing I want to do is trek a new place on an empty stomach. I like to research the area around me ahead of time in case I find a late-night spot to feed my evening cravings. I also make sure to keep snacks in my hotel room, that way I don’t end up making a $50 room service purchase for a single meal. Trust me, you always regret that kind of purchase.

Plan Ahead

I have to admit if I didn’t have a jam-packed itinerary set for my solo trip to LA, I probably would have hidden out in my hotel room the entire time. Not only because I have terrible social anxiety, but also because I have trouble acclimating myself to new areas.

Having a plan set out for me ahead of time made my limited stay in LA worth every minute. It ensured that I always had something to look forward to. Even if you don’t follow through with half of your plan, at least you have a tentative outline of all of the things you can do.

Don’t Be Solo

Yes, you’re traveling alone, but that doesn’t mean you need to be on your own the entire time. Unless, of course, you prefer it that way. But you’ll be surprised how you can meet other adventurers whether they’re at the table next to you in a restaurant or you run into them in the lobby looking to do something. You can also you apps like Meetup to connect with other travelers nearby.

However, I’d definitely check with your hotel first as it probably has a lot of activities. The Garland has seasonal daily activities that all of its guests can join in for free. This is great for solo travelers who don’t know anyone nearby, or maybe made lackluster plans that you’re reconsidering.

Be Prepared

Possibly the most redundant travel advice you will receive is to be prepared, but honestly, I couldn’t stress this enough. I was lucky enough to have a room with Wi-Fi access, and a ton of outlets to charge every piece of tech that I brought. But depending on what you plan on doing while traveling, you need to prepare for worst-case scenarios. I brought my favorite long-lasting battery pack and my Skyroam Solis X so I could get work done in my hotel and during my seven-hour continuous flight delay, which was definitely unexpected. I was deliriously happy with my pre-packing self for deciding to bring it!