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Los Angeles is renowned for its endless sunshine, elegant architecture, and vibrant creative spirit, making it a popular travel destination. As the second-largest city in the United States, there’s no shortage of fascinating attractions and exciting things to do here.
The hardest part is deciding which activities to squeeze into a single trip. To help you decide, check out this list of 30 can’t-miss things to do in Los Angeles.
1. Take a Celebrity Homes Tour
LA is home to some of the world’s most famous movie, music, and TV stars, and you can get a glimpse into how they live when you take a Celebrity Homes tour. These usually take place on open-air buses that travel the grand streets of Beverly Hills while a local guide highlights mansions that belong to the likes of Beyonce, Adele, and Ellen DeGeneres.
2. Speed Though the Sights on a Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus
Hop-on-hop-off buses are an excellent way to get acquainted with a city’s key landmarks and neighborhoods. In LA, you can purchase 24, 48, or 72-hour passes for these sightseeing buses so you can easily get around the city’s must-see attractions at a pace that suits you.
The buses cover more than 50 stops across Downtown LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica, traveling along iconic streets like Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Rodeo Drive.
3. Explore LA’s Art Galleries
LA rivals New York City as one of America’s most important destinations for art, so be sure to check out some of its galleries and art museums. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the biggest art museum on the US West Coast and is home to more than 150,000 works. It’s also home to Chris Burden’s famed installation, Urban Light.
The Getty Center is also a must-see for art enthusiasts. It’s home to pre-1900s European Art. The building itself is a stunning work of modern architectur, so be sure to wander the lush green gardens that surround it to take it in. Another essential gallery is The Broad, which is home to 2,000 pieces of post-war and contemporary art. It houses several famed pop art designs, such as Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans.
4. Go Back in Time at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles is home to 35 million specimens, making it the largest museum of its kind on the West Coast. The Dinosaur Hall is the most impressive part of the museum. It houses 20 prehistoric skeletons across two floors and includes an enormous tyrannosaurus rex.
5. Roam Griffith Park to See the Hollywood Sign
Griffith Park is a 4,200-acre municipal park that’s home to hiking trails, bike tracks, horse riding routes, and incredible city views. It’s one of the best places to view the Hollywood sign. Plus, it’s home to several attractions within its boundaries, including the Travel Town Museum, the Griffith Observatory, and Los Angeles Zoo.
6. See Stars at the Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory sits at the highest point of Griffith Park, 1,134 feet above sea level. Its 290-seat planetarium is deemed one of the best in the world. Learn about astrology and the history of stargazing, and look through telescopes to see the brightest stars in our galaxy.
7. Tour La Brea Tar Pits by Segway
La Brea Tar Pits are natural oil tar reservoirs where the remains of extinct ice-age animals have been discovered. A segway tour is a fun way to explore these fascinating grounds while learning about the significance of the tar pits from a knowledgeable guide.
8. Have a Beach Day in Santa Monica
Santa Monica Beach is one of LA’s most famed destinations, so if you love lounging under the sun, spend a day in Santa Monica. Stroll along the boardwalk to watch street performers, visit the amusement park, ride the Ferris wheel on the renowned Santa Monica Pier, and grab something delicious at the Grove shopping mall.
9. Stroll along the Venice Canals
Venice Beach is another of LA’s best-known beaches, but if you’re in the area, check out the Venice Canals. Built in 1905, the canals offer a chic taste of Europe and create a peaceful atmosphere that’s at odds with the hustle and bustle of the Venice boardwalk.
10. Taste Californian Wine in Malibu
Malibu is a 40-minute drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. Although it’s not renowned for its wine in the same way that Napa Valley is, Malibu is producing some delicious bottles that are much more affordable than those produced in other parts of California.
11. Go Surfing on the Pacific Waves
You can catch some fantastic waves on the Southern California coastline. Topanga Beach in Malibu is a great place to start because it has three main sections with different types of waves.
This makes it suitable for both newbies and experienced surfers. Surfboard hire and surfing lessons are available at various beaches across LA, so it’s easy to get started no matter which part of the city you’re staying in.
12. Take a Film and TV Studio Tour
If you’re visiting LA to learn more about the film and television industry, be sure to take a studio tour. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour covers a 110-acre backlot that includes insights into the making of Batman, the Harry Potter franchise, and beloved TV shows like Friends and The Big Bang Theory.
The Sony Pictures Studio Tour shows you what it’s like on-set in a working studio and includes tours of The Wizard of Oz, Men in Black, and Jeopardy sets. The Paramount Pictures Studio Tour includes a visit to the prop warehouse where props were created for the likes of Titanic, Indiana Jones, and Psycho.
13. Check Out the Hollywood Walk of Fame
With more than 2,700 stars to step on, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is the perfect way to pay tribute to your favorite stars. It is one of Hollywood Boulevard’s best-known attractions, along with the likes of TCL Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds Hollywood.
14. Glide Across Echo Park Lake on a Swan Boat
Echo Park lies northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, and it’s a beautiful haven in the busy center of the city. The best way to enjoy it is to rent a swan pedal boat to glide across the park’s scenic lake. Go early morning or late evening to witness the impressive sunrise or sunset.
15. Spot Wildlife at Los Angeles Zoo
Visit Los Angeles Zoo to see more than 133 animals from all over the world, including gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, hippos, tigers, and elephants. The zoo is home to 29 endangered species and conducts breeding programs to protect them.
16. Explore Art, Books & Botanical Gardens at The Huntington
The Huntington in Pasadena was once the private estate of a railroad magnate and is now a cultural hub set in 120 acres of beautiful gardens. Explore the 16 themed gardens, view masterpieces from around the world in the art gallery, and walk through the grand library that houses evidence and research dating as far back as the 11th century.
17. Visit LA’s Theme Parks
Disneyland Park in Anaheim was the first theme park to be opened by Walt Disney in 1955, and it remains one of the world’s most iconic attractions. Universal Studios Hollywood is another of LA’s renowned theme parks, and it’s particularly beloved for its Wizarding World of Harry Potte, which immerses visitors in the magical Hogwarts experience.
Six Flags Magic Mountain has the world record for most roller coasters in a single amusement park, with Apocalpyse and Full Throttle being two of the park’s most thrilling rides. If you’re traveling with children, Legoland California is a fantastic family-friendly park with plenty of rides, interactive exhibits, a water park, and an aquarium.
18. Hike at Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon Park spans 160 acres of rugged landscape at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. It’s the perfect place to get panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. There are lots of hiking trails to choose from to suit all experience levels.
19. Walk along Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Lined with eccentric boutique stores, cafes, galleries, and eateries, Abbot Kinney Boulevard is one of the coolest spots in LA to do some shopping and grab a bite to eat. If your LA getaway coincides with the first Friday of the month, visit Abbot Kinney on that day to catch the monthly food truck festival.
20. Catch a Classic Movie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetary is where many of LA’s biggest and brightest stars have been laid to rest, but its sprawling lawns also serve as a venue for outdoor cult classic movie screenings. Bring a blanket and your favorite snacks to enjoy a fabulous summer cinema experience.
21. Sample Artisan Eats at the Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market has been a popular meeting place for Los Angeles locals for over a century. More than 40 food stalls are operating here, with American, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, and European flavors to choose from.
22. See the Space Shuttle Endeavour
California Science Center has over 100 interactive exhibits to learn from, including the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which spent almost 300 days in space across 25 missions. Kids and adults of all ages love learning about air and space here. The Science Center is situated in Exposition Park, which is also home to many other popular attractions, including:
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
- Rose Garden
23. Tour Downtown to See LA’s Best Street Art
The Downtown LA Arts District is a hotspot for local artists who are drawn by the area’s tough, industrial vibe. The neighborhood is dotted with impressive murals by talented locals and big names alike. You can take a self-guided tour of the district, but to learn about the history of the artworks, your best bet is a walking or cycling street art tour with a local guide.
24. Listen to the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by award-winning architect Frank Gehry, is one of LA’s most beautiful contemporary buildings. It’s the perfect venue to take in the exquisite sound of the world-class LA Philharmonic Orchestra.
25. Watch a Concert at the Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a hillside amphitheater that first opened in 1922 and has since become one of LA’s leading music venues. Its position in the foreground of the Hollywood Hills means it offers spectacular views and incredible acoustics.
26. Wander the streets of Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo was one of the first Japanese towns to be founded in the US in the 1880s. Today, it’s home to North America’s largest grouped Japanese-American population. You’ll find some of LA’s best Japanese cuisine here and the Japanese American National Museum.
27. Take a VIP Tour of the TCL Chinese Theatre
The TCL Chinese Theatre is an ornate movie house that regularly hosts blockbuster movie premiers. Watch an IMAX movie here to get a glimpse inside, or take a VIP walking tour to learn about the theatre’s history since its opening in 1927.
28. Spend a Day in San Diego
San Diego is a 2-hour drive from LA, so set out early to spend a day here and see all the sights. Highlights include San Diego Zoo, Bazaar Del Mundo, and the USS Midway Museum. Be sure to wander around the city’s quaint and historic Old Town and stroll along the seafront to the fun amusement park.
29. Go Shopping in Pasadena
Pasadena has all the sophistication and glamour of Bel Air, with a healthy dose of small-town charm that makes it a peaceful and relaxing neighborhood to shop in. Pasadena Old Town is dotted with stores and boutiques, and there’s a monthly flea market at the vast Rose Bowl Stadium, where you can discover antique furniture, vintage clothing, arts and crafts, and specialty products.
30. Step Aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach
Long Beach is a charming coastal town lined with pretty beaches and charming boardwalks. There are lots of fun things to do her, but the Queen Mary ocean liner is a must-visit attraction. It’s a beautiful art-deco ship that now serves as a hotel. There are many reports of paranormal activity here to fascinate those with a penchant for ghost-hunting.
Plan Your Trip to the City of Angels
Now you know about the best activities in LA; you can start planning your adventure in this bustling and beautiful region of California!
