Things to do in Los Angeles

There are so many things to do in Los Angeles, which is an important city in California and known for the movies made there. When I came to the United States, I really wanted to visit LA. So, I quickly flew to the West Coast to see this incredible city.

In LA, there are beaches that you might have seen in your favorite TV shows and movies, interesting museums, fancy restaurants, trendy shops with the latest fashion, and lots of fun things to do in Los Angeles. That’s what Los Angeles is like.

Also, many famous people live in LA, like Jennifer Aniston, David Beckham, Jim Carrey, and Cameron Diaz. So, you might see them around. One of the most popular things to do in Los Angeles is to go on a tour to see the luxurious villas and mansions of the biggest Hollywood stars. This tour and other attractions in LA are part of the Go Los Angeles Card, a special card for tourists that saves you a lot of money if you want to visit different paid attractions. It’s worth it!

But it’s not only about the celebrities. In this article, you’ll find a list of the best places to visit in Los Angeles so you can explore the city even if you don’t have much time.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD, THE BEST THEME PARK TO VISIT IN LA

Universal Studios Hollywood is a big and old movie studio. It’s also the best amusement park in Los Angeles. It’s been around for a long time and it’s the oldest theme park owned by the company.

The park has different areas based on movies, like Harry Potter and Jurassic World. It also has areas based on TV shows, like The Walking Dead. Besides the fun rides and activities, there are also exhibitions and shows happening all day. If you want to really explore and enjoy the park, I suggest you plan to spend a whole day there.

Going to Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the most exciting things to do in Los Angeles with kids. To make sure you don’t have to wait in long lines and get your ticket at the best price, it’s a good idea to buy it online.

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME, ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES

The Walk of Fame is a special place to go in Los Angeles. It’s a special sidewalk on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street where Hollywood remembers and celebrates over 2,000 famous people from different countries who are or were part of movies, TV shows, music, theater, or radio. Each of these famous people has their own star on the ground to show how much they’re respected and admired.

Here’s a cool fact: Mickey Mouse got his own star on the Walk of Fame when they were celebrating the 50th anniversary of his character. He was the very first made-up character to receive this honor. After that, other characters like Bugs Bunny, Snow White, and many more also got their own stars on the Walk of Fame.

Every year, they add around 20 to 30 new stars to the Walk of Fame. This special sidewalk was given the title of Historical and Cultural Monument back in 1978.

A lot of people love walking along the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles and taking pictures of their feet on the stars of people they look up to or characters they really like. It’s a popular thing to do there!

HOLLYWOOD SIGN, THE MOST POPULAR ATTRACTION IN LA

If you go to Griffith Park, up on Mount Lee, you’ll see one of the most important things to see in Los Angeles: the Hollywood Sign. It’s the most famous sign in LA and a big deal!

Back in 1923, they put up the first sign that said “Hollywood land” as a temporary advertisement for a new housing development. But then, because the movie industry became popular, the place became famous. So, they changed the sign and decided to keep it up there forever.

If you want to go to Griffith Park, I suggest taking a taxi to Beachwood Drive. That’s where you’ll find the entrance to the park for people who are walking. From there, you can walk to the lookout point where you can see the Hollywood sign, and you can even go behind it. Don’t worry about getting lost because there are clear signs to guide you along the way.

GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY, ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN LOS ANGELES

f you are looking to do fun things to do in Los Angeles at night, I suggest going to the Griffith Observatory, which is in Griffith Park. It’s a great place to visit!

This park and its observatory were built because Colonel Griffith J. Griffith wanted everyone to have the chance to learn about astronomy. In 1896, he gave 1,200 hectares of land and money to build an observatory, a planetarium, and exhibition areas. Going to the Griffith Observatory is one of the coolest free things to do in Los Angeles. You can find the schedule and timings here.

Griffith Park has some cool trails that give you amazing views of the city. There are lots of hiking tours available, but I suggest taking the same tour we did. It was worth it!

DISNEYLAND, THE BEST THING TO DO IN LOS ANGELES WITH KIDS

In California, there are two parks related to Disney: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. They’re both in Anaheim, which is not too far from Los Angeles. Even though these parks are owned by Disney and are right next to each other, a ticket is only good for one park, unless you have a special ticket. Disneyland is the most famous park, and they’ve recently added a section based on Star Wars.

This park has a similar look to other Disney parks, and it’s centered around the Sleeping Beauty castle. There are different areas with their own themes. In Adventureland, you can experience attractions related to Indiana Jones adventures, or you can check out the Enchanted Tiki Room where they have shown with animated figures. Other areas in the park include Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, and Mickey’s Toontown.

If you’re traveling with your family and looking for fun, the amusement parks in Los Angeles are a great choice. Because there are two parks and they’re quite big, I suggest planning for at least two days at Disneyland if you enjoy amusement parks and Disney world.

SANTA MONICA, THE MOST FAMOUS BEACH IN LOS ANGELES

Santa Monica is a famous neighborhood where you can have a great time at some of the best beaches in Los Angeles. There are lots of things to do there, but the most popular attractions are Pacific Park and the pier, which are perfect for taking evening walks and watching the sunset. If you’re visiting with kids, Santa Monica is one of the top places to go in Los Angeles.

I suggest exploring Ocean Drive, which runs alongside the coast, by walking, rollerblading, or biking. It’s a really nice way to see the area. Also, don’t miss the chance to swim at Santa Monica Beach. Where they filmed TV shows like Baywatch and Pacific Blue. It’s a fantastic activity to do in Los Angeles.

CHINATOWN, A PLACE TO GO IN LA

The Chinatown of Los Angeles is in the downtown area and is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in LA.

Go for a stroll on Chung King Street, which used to be a busy place for businesses but now has many art galleries. Also, I suggest you check out Central Square, where there’s always a lot going on and they have fun summer festivals.

MALIBU, THE BEST BEACH IN LOS ANGELES

The beaches in Malibu are known as the best ones in Los Angeles, and they also have the nicest weather. Because of these two things, lots of famous people have decided to live in Malibu.

If you want to have a great time at the beach, which is one of the fun things to do in Los Angeles, you can pick from Zuma Beach, Surfrider Beach, Topanga State Beach, and Malibu State Beach. Close to Malibu, there are cool places to visit like Malibu Creek State Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Paradise Cove, where they filmed many movies.

ZUMA BEACH, A POPULAR BEACH IN MALIBU

Zuma Beach is well-known because it was in the last part of Planet of the Apes and in some episodes of Baywatch. People think it’s one of the top beaches in Los Angeles because it has soft sand and clear water.

I suggest this beach to travelers who like to surf, but it’s also a great place to unwind and get away from the city.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, also known as LACMA, is the biggest museum in the western part of the United States. It displays over 142,000 artworks that come from all around the world and cover a span of 6,000 years.

Among the amazing things you can see at the museum, the Islamic art, colonial art, and Japanese art collections are particularly outstanding. They are some of the most remarkable parts of the museum’s collection.

More than one million people visit this museum every year. So, I suggest you add it to your list of places to visit in Los Angeles. It’s a popular spot that many people enjoy going to.

URBAN LIGHT, A PLACE TO VISIT IN LOS ANGELES AT NIGHT

Outside of LACMA, there’s something cool called Urban Light. It’s an artwork by Chris Burden made up of old streetlamps from the 1920s and 1930s that were used to light up the city streets. It’s a neat thing to check out.

There are a total of 202 iron lampposts that light up every evening since they were installed in 2008. They automatically turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn using a special timer. Taking a walk to see this special artwork is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles at night.

RUNYON CANYON PARK, THE BEST HIKES IN LOS ANGELES

If you enjoy hiking like me, I suggest you go to Runyon Canyon Park. They have different trails with varying levels of difficulty. It’s a great place to go for a hike.

The Hero Trail is the most challenging trail, the Star Trail is of medium difficulty, and the Fuller Gate-Runyon Canyon Road is considered an easier trail to hike.

If you want to experience nature and see beautiful views in the City of Stars. Runyon Canyon Park is the place to visit in Los Angeles. It’s a great spot to enjoy the outdoors and admire the scenic sights.

SANTEE ALLEY, THE BEST PLACE FOR CHEAP SHOPPING IN LOS ANGELES

If you’re seeking affordable shopping options amidst Los Angeles’ predominantly upscale stores, Santee Alley is your destination. This bustling district offers a wide range of discounted clothing, accessories, and shoes, allowing you to indulge in budget-friendly purchases.

Santee Alley is in the Fashion District of Los Angeles, where you can find many clothing factories. It’s a great place to go shopping during the day if you enjoy that sort of thing. It’s one of the best things to do in Los Angeles if you’re looking for a fun shopping experience.

MULHOLLAND DRIVE, ONE OF THE BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN LOS ANGELES

Mulholland Drive is considered one of the most stunning drives in the whole United States. It was constructed in the 1920s to be a very busy road. This road stretches for about 20 miles and has lots of twists and turns. It’s a road where cars can go in both directions, and along the way, you’ll see many enormous and luxurious mansions.

I suggest you take a break and visit the lookout points along the way. You’ll get to see some special and beautiful views. It’s one of the top things to do when you’re near Los Angeles.

LA BREA TAR PITS AND MUSEUM

If you’re curious about what California was like a long time ago, you should visit Rancho La Brea. It’s a place where they discovered several tar pits that trapped animals and plants during the Ice Age. It’s interesting to see and learn about.

The sticky tar at Rancho La Brea did a great job of keeping the remains of those animals and plants in good condition. Scientists were able to study them closely because of that. It was like clear proof of the different kinds of animals and plants that lived there a long time ago.

Next to the tar pits, there’s a museum called the George C. Page Museum. Inside, you can see the fossils of those animals and plants that don’t exist anymore. It’s interesting and worth a visit if you have the time. It’s one of those curious things you can see in Los Angeles.

GETTY CENTER, THE BEST PLACE FOR ART LOVERS IN LOS ANGELES

One of the best things to do in Los Angeles is to visit the Getty Center. It’s a place that houses many different parts, like the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Foundation, the Getty Research Institute, and the Getty Conservation Institute. Inside, you can see artworks by famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Goya, and Rembrandt. If you’re a fan of art, I highly recommend visiting this place. Plus, it’s also a great option if it’s raining and you’re looking for something interesting things to do in Los Angeles.

If the weather is nice, you can explore the gardens around the Getty Center. They are beautiful and have a wide range of plants. You’ll also come across many fountains and streams. It’s a place where you can experience art, architecture, and nature all at once.

LOS ANGELES CITY HALL, ANOTHER PLACE YOU MUST SEE IN LOS ANGELES

When you see the front of the City Hall of Los Angeles for the first time, it might feel like you’ve seen it before. That’s because this building, which was built in 1928, was used as the main place for the Daily Planet in the Superman movies. This interesting fact alone makes it worth visiting in Los Angeles.

Visiting the City Hall is one of the top free things to do in Los Angeles.

GRAND CENTRAL MARKET, THE OLDEST OUTDOOR MARKET IN LOS ANGELES

The Grand Central Market, located in the Homer Laughlin building, is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the culture of Los Angeles. It’s one of the interesting spots in the city that you should check out.

At this market, which started in 1917, you can discover a big range of different types of food. It’s not only the oldest market in the city but also the biggest one.

OUE SKYSPACE AND SKYSLIDE, THE MOST SPECTACULAR ATTRACTION IN LA

Inside the US Bank Tower building, there’s a special place called OUE Skyspace. It’s a terrace where you can go up 1,000 feet and see amazing views all around you. You’ll get a complete 360-degree view of everything. I highly recommend going there during sunset because it’s one of the best things to do in Los Angeles.

You’ll also find something called the SkySlide there. It’s a slide made of glass that’s fully enclosed and 45 feet long. Are you brave enough to slide down it? It’s not something everyone will enjoy, but the views you get from there are breathtaking.

TOUR PALM SPRINGS FROM LOS ANGELES

I suggest visiting Palm Springs as one of the places to see in Los Angeles and nearby areas. This spot is famous for its golf courses and natural hot springs. Many famous people like Barbra Streisand, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley have lived there at some point.

If you go on a trip to Palm Springs from Los Angeles, you’ll get to ride a cable car that takes you up high, about 6,800 feet, to the cliffs of Chino Canyon. During the tour, you’ll also learn about the desert environment and see the houses of famous and wealthy celebrities. And to top it off, you’ll have the chance to do some shopping at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, which has over 130 stores to choose from.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

If you want to find more things to do in Los Angeles, I suggest visiting the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. It’s the biggest museum in the western part of the United States.

At the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, you can explore a history that goes back 4,500 years. They have collections with a whopping 35 million artifacts and specimens. One of the most amazing displays there is the Dinosaur Hall, where you can see 20 complete dinosaur subjects and over 300 fossils. The museum also offers interactive exhibitions and presentations shown on big screens, which are super fun to watch.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HIGHWAYS OF CALIFORNIA

The Pacific Coast Highway, also called Highway 1, is a very pretty road in California. One of the best parts of this road is called Big Sur. Driving along this section is an incredibly amazing experience and one of the top things to do in Los Angeles.

While you’re on your road trip, you should visit Santa Barbara and explore its vineyards. It’s a lovely place. I also suggest making a stop in Monterrey to discover more about the Mexican and Spanish history of the area.

On this road, you’ll also come across some stunning state parks, like Point Lobos, which has amazing trails to walk on. And don’t forget to admire the famous Bixby Creek Bridge, which stands tall at 260 feet high. It’s a sight you won’t want to miss.

ARTS DISTRICT, THE PLACE IN LOS ANGELES WITH THE MOST ART AND STYLE

Another great spot to check out in Los Angeles is the arts District, which is loved by people who enjoy art. This place is filled with lots of art galleries, theaters, bookstores, craft breweries, and restaurants. It’s a perfect destination for art enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates creativity.

Moreover, you’ll find urban art displayed on the walls of old factories, which have been transformed into lofts, art galleries, and the windows of renowned fashion designers’ shops. The arts District is where you can see the latest trends and where the world of fashion sets the stage.

Here are the top-rated attractions in Los Angeles that I highly recommend visiting. I hope this information helps you plan your trip. Now you have an idea of what things to do in Los Angeles!