THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES, CA
Griffith Observatory
Perched on the slopes of Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory pairs sweeping views of the Los Angeles Basin with hands-on exhibits and telescopes. Come for a planetarium show, then step outside at dusk to watch the city lights flicker on beneath the iconic domes in Los Angeles.
Phone: (213) 473-0800
Griffith Park
One of the largest urban parks in the country, Griffith Park offers miles of hiking trails, panoramic overlooks, and shaded picnic areas in the hills above Los Angeles. Whether you’re trekking to a Hollywood Sign viewpoint or riding the historic carousel, it’s an easy way to trade traffic for trees.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame lines Hollywood Boulevard with more than 2,000 brass stars honoring actors, musicians, and other entertainment icons. Stroll the sidewalks, duck into souvenir shops, and see street performers bring movie magic to life in front of historic theaters.
TCL Chinese Theatre
Outside TCL Chinese Theatre, the forecourt is filled with celebrity handprints, footprints, and signatures pressed into concrete. Inside, the lavish 1920s movie palace hosts premieres and big-screen showings that feel like a step back into Hollywood’s golden age.
Hollywood Sign View at Lake Hollywood Park
Lake Hollywood Park offers one of the most relaxed up-close viewpoints of the Hollywood Sign, with a grassy lawn framed by hillside homes. Bring a picnic, snap photos with the famous letters in the background, and enjoy a quieter side of the Hollywood Hills.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood combines a working film studio with a theme park full of rides, shows, and immersive lands based on blockbuster movies. Take the famous Studio Tour, then dive into attractions that put you inside wizarding worlds, animated films, and action franchises.
Phone: (800) 864-8377
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
On the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, trams wind past soundstages, backlot streets, and prop warehouses where famous shows and films were made. Guided stops let you step onto recreated sets, view costumes, and learn how Hollywood productions come together behind the scenes.
The Getty Center
High above the 405 freeway, the Getty Center blends hilltop gardens, travertine-clad pavilions, and galleries filled with European and American art. Ride the tram up the hillside, then enjoy city and ocean views alongside the museum’s paintings, sculpture, and photography.
Phone: (310) 440-7300
The Getty Villa
Modeled on an ancient Roman seaside residence, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades surrounds visitors with colonnaded courtyards, reflecting pools, and antiquities. It’s a scenic setting to explore Greek and Roman art just above the Pacific Coast Highway.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
LACMA anchors Museum Row with a sprawling campus of galleries and outdoor installations that span thousands of years of global art. Don’t miss “Urban Light,” the forest of restored street lamps that glows each evening and has become a favorite photo backdrop.
Phone: (323) 857-6000
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
At the La Brea Tar Pits, bubbling asphalt pits sit beside a museum filled with fossils of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and other Ice Age creatures. Outside, you can watch scientists clean and catalog new finds in real time in the excavation lab.
The Broad
The Broad brings contemporary art to downtown Los Angeles in a honeycomb-clad building that’s as striking as the works inside. Reserve timed tickets to wander galleries of bold installations and popular pieces by artists like Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Designed by Frank Gehry, Walt Disney Concert Hall’s swooping stainless-steel curves house the acclaimed Los Angeles Philharmonic. Take an architectural tour or attend a performance to experience both the building’s striking exterior and its warm, acoustically rich interior.
Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market has been feeding downtown since 1917, now hosting a mix of classic vendors and trendy food stalls under one lofty roof. Grab tacos, noodles, coffee, and dessert in a single stop, then take your meal to nearby Angels Flight or Bunker Hill.
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
El Pueblo preserves the city’s birthplace around the old plaza, with restored adobe buildings, museums, and colorful Olvera Street stalls. Wander the narrow pedestrian lanes for folk art, street food, and live mariachi music under the shade of brick arcades.
The Original Farmers Market
Since the 1930s, The Original Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax has mixed produce stands with casual eateries and specialty shops. Sample global foods, sip fresh coffee, and people-watch under the market’s open-air rafters before heading to neighboring The Grove.
The Grove
The Grove is an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex with a fountain-lined main street, trolley, and mix of big-name retailers and restaurants. In the evenings, twinkling lights and frequent events give it a festive, movie-set atmosphere.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier stretches out over the Pacific with a vintage amusement park, arcade, and casual eateries above the surf. Ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel, try your hand at carnival games, and watch street performers entertain as the sun sets over the ocean.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a freewheeling strip where skaters, street artists, musicians, and vendors fill the oceanfront walkway. Grab a smoothie, browse quirky shops, and watch cyclists and rollerbladers fly past murals and Muscle Beach’s outdoor gym.
Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon’s steep trails draw locals and visitors looking for a workout with a skyline payoff. On clear days, you can see from downtown to the Pacific, all while passing dogs, joggers, and the occasional celebrity out for a hike.
Hollywood Bowl
Set in a natural amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood Bowl hosts summer concerts under the stars, from symphonies to pop acts. Arrive early to picnic at your seats or on the hillside before the shell lights up for the evening’s performance.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Natural History Museum in Exposition Park features towering dinosaur skeletons, gemstone halls, and exhibits on California’s ecosystems. Kids and adults alike enjoy peering into dioramas, exploring the Nature Gardens, and learning how the region has changed over time.
California Science Center
At the California Science Center, hands-on exhibits cover space, ecosystems, and engineering, highlighted by the space shuttle Endeavour displayed in its own pavilion. Interactive labs and giant-screen films make it an engaging stop for families and curious visitors of any age.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a storied sports venue that has hosted Olympics, championship games, and massive concerts. Tour the stadium or attend an event to experience its sheer scale and views across Exposition Park.
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium sits on a hillside above downtown, offering classic views of the diamond framed by mountain backdrops. Catch a game, sample ballpark favorites, and join locals in cheering on the home team at one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic parks.
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Set within Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens houses animals from around the world amid lush, themed landscapes. Wander from rainforests to savannas, take in keeper talks, and enjoy plant collections woven throughout the exhibits.
Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge features oak woodlands, a Japanese garden, and seasonal displays of camellias and roses. Meandering paths, ponds, and shaded benches create a calm, botanical escape from the city’s bustle.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
In San Marino, The Huntington combines a rare book library, art galleries, and expansive themed gardens, from a desert landscape to a tranquil Japanese garden. Plan several hours to stroll the grounds, tour historic mansions, and pause for tea among the roses.
Echo Park Lake
Echo Park Lake offers skyline views, lotus beds, and pedal boat rentals in a compact urban park just northwest of downtown. Circle the water on the walking path, grab a coffee from nearby cafés, and watch the reflections of palm trees ripple across the lake.
Aquarium of the Pacific
In nearby Long Beach, the Aquarium of the Pacific showcases marine life from the Pacific Ocean, from playful sea otters to swirling schools of fish. Touch tanks, outdoor exhibits, and harbor views make it a full-day outing for families and ocean fans.
Phone: (562) 590-3100
The Queen Mary
Moored in Long Beach Harbor, the historic ocean liner Queen Mary now serves as a floating attraction with tours that explore its art deco interiors and maritime history. Walk her decks, visit exhibits on ocean travel, and take in harbor views from the promenade.
Battleship USS Iowa Museum
Docked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, the Battleship USS Iowa Museum lets visitors roam the decks of a World War II–era battleship. Self-guided tours, interactive exhibits, and harbor views give a tangible sense of naval history.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro focuses on Southern California’s coastal ecosystems with touch tanks, tide pool exhibits, and an outdoor native plant garden. It’s a low-key, educational stop steps from Cabrillo Beach and the breakwater.
Manhattan Beach Pier
Manhattan Beach Pier extends into the Pacific with a small aquarium at its end and volleyball courts lining the sand below. Walk out over the water for breezy views back toward the coastal bluffs and the tidy streets of this surf-loving town.
Malibu Pier
Malibu Pier offers a laid-back promenade above the waves with casual dining, fishing spots, and views of Surfrider Beach’s famous surf breaks. It’s a classic photo stop along Pacific Coast Highway with mountains and coastline stretching in both directions.
El Matador State Beach
El Matador State Beach is a dramatic stretch of Malibu coastline with sea stacks, arches, and caves carved by the waves. A steep staircase leads down to the sand, where tide pools and rock formations make for atmospheric sunset photos.
Rodeo Drive
In Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive is lined with luxury storefronts, palm trees, and polished façades that feel straight out of a movie. Window-shop, people-watch, and detour through side streets where designer boutiques and classic hotels show off Hollywood glamour.
Koreatown
Koreatown buzzes late into the night with barbecue restaurants, karaoke rooms, and cafés packed into a dense urban grid. Explore its plazas and side streets for sizzling tabletop grills, neon signs, and a blend of historic Art Deco buildings and modern towers.
Angeles National Forest Scenic Areas
Just beyond the city limits, Angeles National Forest offers mountain drives, hiking trails, and viewpoints where the urban sprawl falls away. Head up into the San Gabriels for cooler air, pines, and overlooks that remind you how close true wilderness is to Los Angeles.
Exposition Park Rose Garden
Next to the museums of Exposition Park, the historic Rose Garden blooms with thousands of roses arranged in formal beds around fountains and walkways. It’s a fragrant spot for photos, picnics, and a quiet moment between visits to nearby attractions.
