Must-see & hidden gems
Things To Do in LA
From the Hollywood Sign to secret sunset spots — the experiences that make a perfect LA day.
From the Hollywood Sign to secret sunset spots — the experiences that make a perfect LA day.
LandmarksPerched on the south slope of Mount Lee in Griffith Park, the Hollywood Sign is the world's most recognizable symbol of the entertainment industry. You can't walk up to the letters themselves, but several trails and viewpoints deliver unforgettable photos of the giant white letters against the hillside.
LandmarksGriffith Observatory is a free public observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood, offering telescopes, science exhibits, and some of the best views in Los Angeles. Its Art Deco architecture and sweeping vistas of the city, the Hollywood Sign, and the Pacific make it a must-see for first-time visitors.
LandmarksThe Santa Monica Pier is a historic wooden pier jutting into the Pacific, crowned by the small Pacific Park amusement park and its solar-powered Ferris wheel. It marks the symbolic western end of Route 66 and is one of LA's most festive seaside gathering spots.
BeachesThe Venice Beach Boardwalk is a vibrant, eccentric oceanfront promenade famous for street performers, artists, and the open-air Muscle Beach gym. It's a free, free-spirited slice of LA culture where the beach, the skate park, and the carnival of vendors all blend together.
MuseumsThe Getty Center is a world-class art museum set on a hilltop above the 405, famous for its Richard Meier travertine architecture and sweeping city views. Admission is free, and the galleries, gardens, and panoramas make it one of LA's most rewarding cultural destinations.
Theme ParksUniversal Studios Hollywood is a major movie-themed amusement park and working film studio, blending thrill rides with the famous behind-the-scenes Studio Tour. Immersive lands like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World make it one of LA's top family attractions.
MuseumsThe Broad is a contemporary art museum in Downtown LA known for its striking honeycomb facade and a powerhouse collection of postwar and contemporary works. General admission is free, and it's home to Yayoi Kusama's wildly popular Infinity Mirror Rooms.
LandmarksThe Hollywood Walk of Fame is a stretch of sidewalk embedded with thousands of terrazzo-and-brass stars honoring entertainment legends. Free and always open, it runs through the heart of Hollywood past landmarks like the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre.
HikingRunyon Canyon is a popular hillside park above Hollywood offering accessible trails, sweeping city views, and a famously dog-friendly, see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Its quick climbs reward hikers with panoramas stretching from Downtown to the ocean on clear days.
FoodGrand Central Market is a bustling historic food hall in Downtown LA, packed with stalls serving everything from legendary breakfast tacos to artisanal coffee and global street food. Open since 1917, it's a beloved cultural crossroads where old-school vendors mix with modern favorites.
MuseumsThe Getty Villa is a recreated ancient Roman country house overlooking the Pacific that houses the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities. Set among gardens, fountains, and a peristyle pool, it pairs world-class classical art with one of LA's most serene settings.
LandmarksThe TCL Chinese Theatre is Hollywood's most famous movie palace, instantly recognizable for its towering pagoda facade and the forecourt of cement handprints and footprints left by film legends. It remains a working theater hosting premieres and first-run films, including a giant IMAX auditorium.
LandmarksThe Hollywood Bowl is a legendary outdoor amphitheater set in a natural canyon, famous for its concentric-arched band shell and starlit summer concerts. As the summer home of the LA Philharmonic, it hosts everything from classical and jazz to pop, film scores, and fireworks nights.
LandmarksThe Venice Canals are a tranquil network of waterways lined with footbridges, gardens, and charming homes, just blocks from the boardwalk chaos. This walkable historic district offers one of the most peaceful and photogenic strolls on the Westside.
BeachesMalibu Pier is a historic wooden pier reaching into the Pacific beside the world-famous Surfrider Beach, offering ocean views, fishing, dining, and easy beach access. It is a relaxed gateway to Malibu's surf culture and coastline.
BeachesEl Matador State Beach is a dramatic, secluded Malibu cove famous for its towering sea stacks, sea caves, and arches carved into the cliffs. Reached by a steep trail and stairs, it rewards visitors with one of the most photogenic stretches of coastline in Southern California.
BeachesZuma Beach is one of Malibu's largest and most popular sandy beaches, beloved for its wide shoreline, clean water, and reliable surf. With ample parking, lifeguards, and full facilities, it is a go-to spot for swimming, sunbathing, and a classic SoCal beach day.
ArchitectureThe Walt Disney Concert Hall is Frank Gehry's gleaming stainless-steel masterpiece in Downtown LA and the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Its billowing metal curves and acclaimed acoustics make it both a global architectural icon and a premier concert venue.
LandmarksOlvera Street is a vibrant Mexican marketplace in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, often called the birthplace of the city. This narrow, brick-paved alley is lined with craft stalls, taquerias, and historic adobe buildings.
ShoppingThe Last Bookstore is California's largest used and new bookstore, set inside a grand former bank building in Downtown LA. Its labyrinth of shelves, book tunnels, and art installations has made it one of the city's most photographed indie shops.
MuseumsThe Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection spanning thousands of years and cultures. Its Miracle Mile campus is anchored by the famous Urban Light lamppost installation.
MuseumsThe Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the nation's premier museum devoted to the art, science, and history of moviemaking. Run by the organization behind the Oscars, it sits on the Miracle Mile next to LACMA.
MuseumsThe Petersen Automotive Museum is one of the world's largest museums dedicated to the automobile, wrapped in an unmistakable red-and-steel building. Its galleries showcase rare cars, movie vehicles, and the culture of the road.
MuseumsThe Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the largest natural and cultural history museum in the western United States. Its halls range from towering dinosaur skeletons to a living butterfly pavilion and an outdoor Nature Gardens.
MuseumsThe California Science Center is a hands-on science museum in Exposition Park and the longtime home of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Its interactive exhibits and free general admission make it one of LA's best family attractions.
ParksExposition Park is a historic green space and museum district just south of Downtown LA, anchored by the iconic Rose Garden. It brings together top museums, the LA Memorial Coliseum, and BMO Stadium in one walkable hub.
MuseumsThe La Brea Tar Pits are one of the world's most famous Ice Age fossil sites, where natural asphalt seeps have trapped and preserved animals for tens of thousands of years. Right in the middle of Los Angeles, the active dig sites and on-site museum let you watch paleontology unfold in real time.
ParksEcho Park Lake is a scenic urban lake ringed by a walking path, lotus beds, and palm trees, with downtown skyline views and pedal boats on the water. It is a beloved neighborhood gathering spot just minutes from downtown Los Angeles.
ParksThe Silver Lake Reservoir is a pair of scenic urban reservoirs ringed by a popular walking and jogging loop in one of LA's most creative neighborhoods. It offers open water, hillside views, and a relaxed, local vibe away from the tourist crowds.
SportsDodger Stadium is the historic home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and one of the oldest and most beloved ballparks in Major League Baseball. Perched above downtown in Chavez Ravine, it pairs classic baseball tradition with sweeping views of the city and the San Gabriel Mountains.
SportsCrypto.com Arena is the premier indoor sports and entertainment venue in downtown Los Angeles, home to the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, and Sparks. It also hosts marquee concerts and award shows in the heart of the L.A. Live entertainment district.
SportsSoFi Stadium is a state-of-the-art indoor-outdoor stadium in Inglewood, home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. Crowned by a vast translucent canopy and a dual-sided wraparound video board, it is one of the most advanced sports and entertainment venues in the world.
LandmarksThe Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood takes you behind the scenes of a working film and television studio in Burbank. Guided and self-guided experiences reveal real sound stages, backlot sets, props, and costumes from beloved movies and shows.
ShoppingRodeo Drive is the world-famous luxury shopping street in the heart of Beverly Hills, lined with flagship boutiques of the planet's most prestigious fashion houses. Even window-shopping here is an iconic Los Angeles experience.
GardensGreystone Mansion & Gardens is a 1928 Tudor Revival estate set in a public park high above Beverly Hills. Its manicured grounds, fountains, and city views make it one of LA's most cinematic free attractions.
GardensThe Huntington is a sprawling cultural complex pairing rare books and fine art with more than a dozen themed botanical gardens. It is one of Southern California's most beloved spots for art, history, and horticulture in a single visit.
GardensDescanso Gardens is a 150-acre botanical garden famous for its vast camellia collection and a historic California oak forest. Seasonal displays of tulips, roses, and lilacs make it a year-round favorite in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
LandmarksThe Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner permanently docked in Long Beach, now serving as a hotel, museum, and event venue. Its Art Deco interiors and storied past make it one of Southern California's most distinctive landmarks.
MuseumsThe Aquarium of the Pacific is Long Beach's premier marine attraction, home to thousands of animals representing the diverse habitats of the Pacific Ocean. Interactive touch pools, a shark lagoon, and conservation-focused exhibits make it a top family destination.
BeachesThe Manhattan Beach Pier is a picturesque concrete pier topped by a small octagonal aquarium and framed by wide golden sand. Its clean lines and ocean sunsets make it one of the South Bay's most iconic beach landmarks.
BeachesThe Hermosa Beach Pier anchors a lively beach town where a pedestrian plaza spills straight onto the sand. It is a laid-back South Bay spot known for volleyball, sunsets, and an energetic dining and nightlife scene.
BeachesThe Redondo Beach Pier is a horseshoe-shaped landmark packed with seafood eateries, shops, and harbor views. Its mix of waterfront dining, fishing, and family activities makes it the most bustling of the South Bay piers.
ParksA bluff-top park at the southern tip of San Pedro with sweeping Pacific views and a historic Victorian lighthouse. It is one of LA's most underrated coastal greens, with grassy lawns, palm-lined paths, and ocean breezes.
ParksA hilltop San Pedro park best known for the ornate Korean Bell of Friendship and panoramic harbor and ocean views. It blends open green space, military-era history, and a striking monument into one breezy coastal stop.
LandmarksA soaring set of hand-built sculptural spires created from steel, mortar, and found objects over decades by one self-taught artist. The Watts Towers are a National Historic Landmark and one of LA's most extraordinary works of folk art.
ArchitectureLos Angeles's grand 1939 rail terminal, a soaring blend of Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission, and Art Deco design. Often called the last of America's great train stations, it remains a working transit hub and a cinematic architectural icon.
ArchitectureAn 1893 downtown landmark with a breathtaking sunlit atrium of ornate ironwork, marble stairs, and open-cage elevators. Its luminous interior is famous from films like Blade Runner and ranks among LA's architectural treasures.
LandmarksA beloved orange funicular dubbed 'the shortest railway in the world,' climbing Bunker Hill in downtown LA. Two vintage cars, Sinai and Olivet, carry riders up and down a steep incline for a quick, nostalgic trip.
ParksOne of North America's largest urban parks, sprawling across more than 4,000 acres of rugged hills above Los Angeles. It is home to the Griffith Observatory, the LA Zoo, miles of trails, and iconic views of the Hollywood Sign.
ParksOnce the ranch home of cowboy humorist Will Rogers, this hillside park pairs a preserved 1920s ranch house with open lawns, a polo field, and trailheads into the Santa Monica Mountains. It is a rare combination of California history and accessible hiking just minutes from the coast.
HikingTemescal Gateway Park is a shaded canyon trailhead in Pacific Palisades that leads hikers up to a seasonal waterfall and ridgeline ocean views. It is one of the Westside's most approachable real hikes, doubling as a leafy spot for a picnic at the canyon mouth.
ParksPalisades Park is a slender ribbon of green running along the bluff tops above the Santa Monica coast, famous for its palm-lined paths and sweeping ocean sunsets. It is a free, walkable stretch that links the Santa Monica Pier to quiet overlooks high above the beach.
BeachesSanta Monica State Beach is the wide, golden flagship beach of LA's Westside, anchored by the famous Santa Monica Pier and its amusement park. With miles of sand, a paved bike path, and easy transit access, it is the city's most iconic and visitor-friendly stretch of coast.
ShoppingAbbot Kinney Boulevard is Venice's stylish shopping and dining street, lined with independent boutiques, design shops, coffee bars, and acclaimed restaurants. Once dubbed one of the coolest streets in America, it is the go-to spot for a walkable Westside afternoon away from the boardwalk crowds.
BeachesPoint Dume is a dramatic Malibu headland where bluff-top trails overlook a wide sandy cove and the open Pacific. It is a prime spot for whale watching, tide pooling, and one of the most cinematic coastal views in Southern California.
BeachesLeo Carrillo State Park is a rugged stretch of northern Malibu coastline known for its sea caves, tide pools, and dramatic rock formations. With a sandy beach, bluff trails, and a popular campground, it is a favorite for tide pooling, beachcombing, and overnight coastal stays.
BeachesMalibu Lagoon State Beach combines a tranquil coastal wetland, a world-famous surf break, and a sandy beach at the heart of Malibu. It is a rare place to watch shorebirds, surfers, and the Pacific all at once, alongside the historic Adamson House and Surfrider Beach.
ParksTucked into the rugged Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park spans thousands of acres of oak savanna, volcanic cliffs, and a glassy creek-fed pool. It is one of LA's most cinematic hiking destinations, famous as the longtime filming home of the TV series M*A*S*H.
ArchitecturePerched above Surfrider Beach beside the Malibu Lagoon, the Adamson House is a 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival estate famous for its dazzling decorative tilework. The home and its gardens offer a window into Malibu's history and the legendary Malibu Potteries that once operated nearby.
ParksLake Hollywood Park is a small, grassy hillside park celebrated for offering one of the closest unobstructed views of the Hollywood Sign. It is a relaxed, dog-friendly spot popular with locals for picnics, photos, and golden-hour walks.
ArchitectureHollyhock House is Frank Lloyd Wright's first Los Angeles commission and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crowning Barnsdall Art Park in East Hollywood. Its bold, Mayan-influenced design and stylized hollyhock motif mark a pivotal moment in American architecture.
ParksBarnsdall Art Park is a hilltop cultural green space in East Hollywood that combines public art programs, galleries, and panoramic city views. It is home to Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House and a beloved spot for picnics, sunsets, and seasonal wine tastings.
LandmarksHollywood Forever is a historic cemetery and active cultural venue where many of early Hollywood's legends are laid to rest. Beyond its memorials and gardens, it is famous for summer movie screenings, concerts, and the city's largest Day of the Dead celebration.
ArchitectureThe Capitol Records Building is one of Hollywood's most recognizable landmarks, a circular 1956 tower designed to resemble a stack of records on a turntable. Topped by a blinking spire that spells 'Hollywood' in Morse code, it remains a working hub of the music industry.
ShoppingAmoeba Music is one of the world's largest independent record stores, a Hollywood institution packed with vinyl, CDs, movies, and music memorabilia. Beyond shopping, it is known for free in-store concerts and a deep, knowledgeable staff.
ShoppingMelrose Avenue is one of LA's most iconic shopping streets, blending vintage boutiques, streetwear, and bold graffiti-art walls. The stretch is as much a free outdoor gallery and people-watching scene as it is a place to shop.
FoodThe Original Farmers Market is a historic open-air gathering of food stalls, grocers, and restaurants that has anchored the Fairfax District since 1934. It is a beloved spot to graze, people-watch, and soak up old LA atmosphere next to the modern Grove.
ShoppingThe Grove is an upscale open-air shopping and entertainment center known for its landscaped plaza, dancing fountain, and vintage-style trolley. Adjacent to the historic Farmers Market, it offers retail, dining, and a movie theater in a polished, walkable setting.
ArchitectureLos Angeles City Hall is the seat of city government and a 1928 architectural landmark crowned by a distinctive tower. Its public observation deck offers some of the best free panoramic views of Downtown LA.
ArchitectureThe Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is a striking contemporary cathedral and the mother church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Its bold modern design, luminous alabaster windows, and serene plaza make it a notable architectural destination Downtown.
MuseumsMOCA Grand Avenue is the flagship location of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, housed in a distinctive Arata Isozaki-designed building. It showcases a renowned collection of postwar and contemporary art in the heart of Downtown's cultural corridor.
MuseumsThe Japanese American National Museum is the leading museum dedicated to the history and experiences of Japanese Americans. Located in the heart of Little Tokyo, it offers powerful exhibitions on immigration, World War II incarceration, and community resilience.
MuseumsThe Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is a cavernous Little Tokyo warehouse converted into one of LA's most flexible contemporary art spaces. Its raw, expansive interior is ideal for large-scale installations and ambitious exhibitions.
ParksGrand Park is a 12-acre civic green space that rolls downhill from the Music Center to City Hall in the heart of Downtown LA. Its pink chairs, splash-friendly fountain, and skyline views make it a relaxed urban escape and a hub for free community events.
MuseumsThe Norton Simon Museum holds one of the finest private art collections ever assembled, spanning seven centuries of European painting and a deep South and Southeast Asian sculpture gallery. Its intimate scale and Pasadena sculpture garden make it a rewarding alternative to LA's larger institutions.
ShoppingOld Pasadena is a walkable historic shopping and dining district set in beautifully restored late-19th and early-20th-century buildings. Its mix of boutiques, restaurants, hidden alleys, and street life makes it one of the most charming places to wander in the LA area.
ArchitecturePasadena City Hall is a magnificent 1927 Mediterranean and Spanish Renaissance landmark crowned by a grand domed tower. Its arcaded courtyard, fountain, and gardens make it one of the most photographed civic buildings in Southern California.
SportsThe Rose Bowl is a National Historic Landmark stadium famous for the annual Rose Bowl Game and major concerts and soccer matches. On select days it also hosts the sprawling Rose Bowl Flea Market, one of the largest in the country.
HikingEaton Canyon is a popular natural area at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, best known for a family-friendly trail leading to a seasonal waterfall. Its nature center, wildlife, and accessible terrain make it a favorite quick escape from the city.
ArchitectureThe Gamble House is a 1908 masterpiece of American Arts and Crafts architecture by Greene & Greene, renowned for its handcrafted woodwork and integrated design. Guided tours reveal one of the finest surviving examples of the Craftsman style in the country.
ArchitectureThe Colorado Street Bridge is a graceful 1913 Beaux-Arts arched span crossing the Arroyo Seco, famous for its elegant curves and lamp-lit walkways. Nicknamed 'Suicide Bridge,' it pairs striking architecture with sweeping views of the canyon and San Gabriel Mountains.
LandmarksPerched at roughly 5,700 feet in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, Mount Wilson Observatory is a historic astronomical site where some of the 20th century's most important discoveries were made. Visitors come for the telescope domes, sweeping views over the Los Angeles Basin, and a cool pine-scented escape from the city.
GardensArlington Garden is Pasadena's free, public Mediterranean-climate garden, a tranquil three-acre oasis of olive trees, native plants, and winding gravel paths. It's a beloved spot for quiet strolls, picnics, and birdwatching just off busy Arlington Drive.
MuseumsCabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro is a family-friendly aquarium focused on the marine life of Southern California, set steps from the beach. With touch tanks, exhibits, and tide-pool programs, it's an accessible, hands-on introduction to the local ocean.
LandmarksThe Korean Bell of Friendship is a massive ornate bronze bell housed in a colorful stone pavilion at Angels Gate Park in San Pedro. Set on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, it's a striking landmark with sweeping ocean views and a peaceful, open setting.
LandmarksPoint Vicente Lighthouse is a gleaming white 1926 lighthouse perched on the dramatic cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The surrounding bluff is one of the region's premier whale-watching and sunset spots, with sweeping Pacific views.
BeachesTorrance Beach is a wide, sandy stretch at the southern end of the South Bay, popular for swimming, sunbathing, and strolling. It marks the southern terminus of the beachfront bike path and offers a more relaxed, less crowded vibe than its busier neighbors.
ShoppingShoreline Village is a waterfront shopping and dining destination on the Long Beach harbor, with colorful boardwalk-style storefronts, restaurants, and harbor views. It's a relaxed spot for browsing shops, grabbing a bite, and watching boats along the marina.
GardensThe Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a serene traditional Japanese garden on the campus of CSU Long Beach. With koi ponds, a moon bridge, and carefully composed plantings, it offers a tranquil retreat for quiet walks and reflection.
ParksThe Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens sits in the hills of Griffith Park and is home to a wide range of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians alongside thousands of plants. It is one of the city's most popular family outings, blending wildlife exhibits with shaded garden paths.
MuseumsTravel Town is a free, open-air railroad museum on the northern edge of Griffith Park, packed with vintage locomotives, rail cars, and railroad artifacts. It is a beloved, low-key destination for train-loving kids and families.
MuseumsThe Autry Museum of the American West explores the history, art, and cultures of the American West through wide-ranging collections and exhibitions. Set in Griffith Park, it spans Native American art, frontier history, and the myth of the West in popular culture.
GardensThe Japanese Garden, known as SuihoEn, is a serene traditional garden in the San Fernando Valley built beside a water reclamation facility. It offers ponds, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse setting, typically visited by reservation.