Understand that unless you're changing airlines or coming to LAX from an international location, you shouldn't have to switch terminals. LAX is set up in an efficient way that creates a user-friendly experience.
Deboard your first plane and walk into the terminal. Locate the closest monitors and find your next flight listed by the city you're headed to. If you're coming from a domestic location and have checked your luggage all the way through to your final destination, all you need to do is head toward your gate.
Get your luggage from baggage claim and check it through to your next flight, if you haven't checked it through to your final destination. There are only rare circumstances in which this should ever happen to you.
Go through customs if you're arriving from an international destination, and pick up your baggage from the baggage claim. Recheck your baggage by dropping it off at the security location. Find the monitor closest to you, locate the gate your next flight is departing from and head to that gate.
Find yourself something to eat at Wolfgang Puck's (Terminals 2 & 7), LA Roadhouse-Route 66 (Terminals 2 & 8), the California Deli Monet's in Terminal 6 or the ever-popular California Pizza Kitchen (Terminals 8 & 5).
