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Los Angeles is one of North America’s most famous cities and one of the top tourist destinations on the US West Coast. There’s no shortage of fun things to do here, and the stunning coastal landscape makes it a beautiful area to explore.
In this travel guide, we’ve compiled a list of LA’s best and most popular must-see attractions. Be sure to add some of these sights to your itinerary on your upcoming trip to Los Angeles.
1. The Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign is Los Angeles’ most famous landmark, so you must take a hike up the Hollywood Hills to see it. There are several routes, but the most direct is via Burbank Peak Trail. It’s a challenging but scenic three-mile hike, and you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views over the city once you arrive.
2. Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is one of the most luxurious and exclusive neighborhoods in LA. It’s a fantastic spot for shopping, with the glamorous Rodeo Drive being home to the flagship stores of several luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton and Cartier. Be sure to head up to Beverly Hills on a Sunday morning to catch the Farmer’s Market where you’ll find delicious fresh produce, baked goods, and freshly pressed juices.
3. Santa Monica Beach and Pier
Santa Monica is a cool, relaxed neighborhood famed for its wide, sandy beach. Stroll along Santa Monica Pier to grab snacks and souvenirs and ride the Ferris wheel. You could also rent a bike and cycle to nearby Venice Beach to enjoy the lively atmosphere.
4. Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon Park is the best place to find hiking trails within walking distance of Hollywood Boulevard. The 160-acre park is dotted with trails that range from easy to challenging. Inspiration Point and Clouds Rest are popular viewing points to get fantastic views of Hollywood. Try the East Ridge Trail for an exceptional view of Griffith Park.
5. Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is one of LA’s best-loved tourist attractions. It offers excellent views of Downtown LA, particularly at sunset. Its biggest draw is its planetarium and telescopes, which let you peer up at the starry night sky and learn about astrology. As a free attraction, Griffith Observatory gets very bus, so be prepared to have to park halfway down the hill and walk the rest of the way.
6. Greek Theatre
The Greek Theatre, situated in the leafy Griffith Park, is an award-winning open-air theater that has hosted legendary shows over the years. Tina Turner, Elton John, Alicia Keys, The Who, and the Russian National Ballet are just a few examples of talented performers who have appeared here. The theater is modeled after an ancient Greek amphitheater and it offers awesome acoustics and fabulous views of the Santa Monica Mountains.
7. Venice Beach
Venice Beach is one of the most Instagrammable spots in LA, thanks to its iconic lifeguard huts, vibrant shopfronts, and cool street art. Walk along Venice Beach Boardwalk to take in the laid-back, boho vibe of this area. Don’t forget to check out Muscle Beach and its outdoor gym to work up a sweat. For a slower pace, stroll along the idyllic Venice Canals, which lay a few blocks inland from the beach.
8. Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market in Downtown LA is home to 40 food vendors offering a wide variety of delicious cuisines. Some of LA’s greatest chefs operate here, serving both local and international dishes. You’ll also find bakers, candy-makers, baristas, and brewers for the full foodie experience. The market is open daily between 9 am and 8 pm. Just be sure to bring a big appetite.
9. LA’s Theme Parks and Studio Tours
Los Angeles is renowned for its movie and television industries, and a vacation here wouldn’t be complete without a visit to at least one of the city’s beloved theme parks or studio tours.
Disneyland Park is a great choice for families because kids and adults alike can be swept up by the magic here. Universal Studios Hollywood is a fun day out for movie lovers, with rides and attractions centered around several film favorites such as Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, and Harry Potter. For behind-the-scenes insights into the making of movies and TV shows, take the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, which includes visits to popular sets.
10. Walt Disney Concert Hall
Home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is the place to go to witness impeccable live music. It’s also worth a visit to take in its impressive architecture. The unique, metallic building was designed by award-winning architect Frank Gehry. You can take a self-guided tour of the hall’s exterior and interior with an audio guide to learn more about its construction.
11. La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits are a fascinating, naturally occurring oil tar reservoir. Many remains of extinct animals have been discovered here over the years. Check out the museum to see displays of the ice-age animals retrieved from the pits, and learn more about the likes of saber-toothed cats, Harlan’s ground sloths, and dire wolves, which once roamed across what we now call California.
12. Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetary is the final resting place of many renowned movie, music, and entertainment stars, including Judy Garland, Chris Cornell, and Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone.
Spread across 62 acres, the cemetery has beautiful sprawling lawns and is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. It also hosts a range of entertainment events, such as concerts and film screenings.
13. The Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a world-famous amphitheater that is carved into the Bolton Canyon hillside above Hollywood Heights. It’s one of the best venues in the world to hear live music, and a range of other entertainment events also take place here. The venue has multiple viewing screens to give every seat in the house an excellent experience. Plus, there’s a variety of restaurants and food vendors available to grab a bite to eat before the show.
14. Malibu
Malibu is a popular beach town that stretches along 30 miles of beautiful coastline. It’s a 40-minute drive out of LA itself, but the scenic journey along the Pacific Coast Highway makes a day trip well worth it. Malibu is a fantastic area for surfing and other watersports or for simply lounging on the beach. Be sure to check out the Getty Villa, which was the original home of the Getty Museum before it moved into LA.
15. Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard is the cultural center of LA and home to some of the city’s best sights and movie theaters. This is the place to go to learn more about Hollywood’s past and walk in the footprints of Hollywood’s brightest stars on the Walk of Fame. Consider booking a walking tour with a local guide for fascinating insights into the area’s history.
Here are some of Hollywood Boulevard’s must-see attractions:
- TCL Chinese Theatre
- Dolby Theatre
- El Capitan Theatre
- Hollywood Guinness World Records Museum
- Ovation Hollywood
- Hollywood Museum
- Hollywood Wax Museum
- Madame Tussauds Hollywood
- Icons of Darkness
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- World of Illusions
- Medieval Torture Museum
- Escape Hotel Hollywood
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not
16. Abbot Kinney
Abbot Kinney Boulevard sits on the west side of Venice Beach, containing some of LA’s trendiest bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. It’s home to the upmarket grocery store Erewhon which is renowned for its healthy dishes that come with hefty price tags. Abbot Kinney is akin to Rodeo Drive, only with a hipper atmosphere. Check it out on the first Friday of each month to catch food truck night.
17. California’s Best Art Galleries
Along with New York City and Chicago, Los Angeles is one of America’s art capitals. Galleries and art museums are dotted all over the city, and Downtown Los Angeles is one of the best places to find incredible street art. If you’re an art lover, be sure to check out these spots when you visit LA:
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- The Museum of Contemporary Art
- The Broad
- Honor Fraser Gallery
- Kohn Gallery
- M+B
- LA Louver
- The Getty Center
18. Catalina Island
Catalina Island lies 22 miles off the Southern California coast, and a day trip here is a fantastic way to escape the busy streets of LA. It takes about an hour to reach the island via ferry, and it’s easy to while away a full day here, taking in the white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and beautiful blue waters.
19. San Diego
San Diego is another great day trip destination. It takes around two hours to get here by car, so be sure to head out early to give yourself time to see the best sights. The highlights include San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway, and Bazaar Del Mundo. Don’t forget to check out the amusement park on the city’s seafront, particularly if you’re visiting with kids.
20. Long Beach
Long Beach is about half an hour from LA along the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s home to the Aquarium of the Pacific, where you can see glimpses of sea otters, penguins, turtles, and sharks. Other popular attractions include the Museum of Latin American Art, Shoreline Village, and the Marina Pacific Mall.
21. Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard is a 22-mile-long road that cuts right through the heart of Greater Los Angeles. You can spend hours or even days exploring Sunset Boulevard, but the Sunset Strip is a short stretch in West Hollywood that you must check out if you’re looking for world-class nightlife. The strip is packed full of lively bars and clubs, including Whisky a Go Go, the Roxy, the Rainbow, and the Comedy Store.
22. The California Science Center
The California Science Center is located in Exposition Park just south of Downtown LA. It’s packed with fun, interactive exhibits on various topics, including the ocean, space exploration, natural ecosystems, engineering, and the human body. General admission is free, but there are fees to access the Space Shuttle, the IMAX, and the temporary special exhibits that regularly take place.
Many people follow up their visit to the Science Center with a tour of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, right next door.
23. World-Famous Sports Stadiums
Los Angeles is home to three of the world’s most famous sports stadiums. First up is the Dodger Stadium, which is the third oldest Major League Baseball park, having opened in 1962. It overlooks Downtown LA towards the south and the San Gabriel mountains to the north.
Second, the Crypto.com Arena is home to the LA Lakers, and it’s a renowned basketball venue, although you can also watch the LA Kings play hockey here. Finally, Dignity Health Sports Park is home to the LA Galaxy soccer team and hosts various track and field events.
24. Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue stretches from Santa Monica Boulevard to Lucille Avenue in Silver Lake. This diverse neighborhood blends grungy and glamorous vibes and is a can’t miss tourist opportunity. It’s a hotspot for boutique stores and eateries, and the eastern end is perfect for secondhand and vintage shopping sprees. The western end is home to more upscale stores like Fred Segal and Agent Provocateur.
25. Los Angeles’ Gardens
The hot climate and bright sunshine of California make it a botanical haven, so be sure to visit some of LA’s botanical gardens. The Japanese Gardens in Van Nuys feature waterfalls, lakes, streams, stone lanterns, and an authentic tea house and tea garden. Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino have a variety of themed gardens, including Lily Ponds, a Desert Garden, and a Jungle Garden.
Descanso Gardens in La Cañada span 150 acres, including a miniature railroad and an Ancient Garden filled with prehistoric cycad plants. South Coast Botanical Gardens in Palos Verdes Peninsula has a selection of over 2,500 plants and a Children’s Garden with an enchanted dollhouse. Finally, Los Angeles County Arboretum is a tranquil haven set in the stunning rolling landscape of Arcadia.
Plan Your LA Sightseeing Itinerary
Now that you know the best things to see in Los Angeles, you can start planning your itinerary for your next getaway to the City of Angels.
