When your AC repeatedly trips the breaker, it is drawing more current than the circuit allows, and that is a warning, not a nuisance. The most common causes are a dirty or blocked condenser coil making the system overheat, a failing capacitor forcing the motor to pull excess amps, a compressor that is struggling or seizing (a hard-start condition), low refrigerant causing the unit to run hot, or a grounded/shorted wire in the unit. Sometimes the breaker itself is weak and worn from years of cycling. The one thing not to do is keep flipping the breaker back on, repeatedly resetting a tripping AC can damage the compressor and, in a true short, is a fire risk. Note whether it trips the instant it starts (often electrical, like a short) or after running a while (often heat or amp-draw related), that helps with diagnosis. Then leave it off and call a pro. Reach LA Heating & Air at (818) 660-1062.
