things to do in Los angeles

What To Do In Los Angeles

Top Activities & Attractions

Los Angeles is the entertainment center of the world. You could spend a lifetime seeing the sights and there’d still be so many things to do in LA. With famous attractions and landmarks it may be difficult to decide on the places you want to see. But have no fear we have put together a list of the best things to do in Los Angeles below.

Hollywood
Where Dreams Come True

Free

Hollywood is hard to miss, what with its name plastered famously across the hillside, and it should not be missed. Hollywood Boulevard is one of the most well-known streets in the world, home to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Huge Hollywood theaters host high profile movie premieres along this stretch, and the history of movie making is referenced at every turn. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrity sightings!

Address: 6541 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028

Griffith Park Observatory 
Views of Hollywood

Free

One of the largest urban parks in America, Griffith Park is home to the LA Zoo and the Griffith Observatory. With epic views of the Hollywood sign from atop the hill of the same name, this observatory has welcomed millions of visitors over the years. Also offering scientific exhibitions and unique planetarium shows, a stop in Griffith Park is both varied and fun.

Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Petersen Automotive Museum 
WORLD'S Best Automotive Museum

Museum $$

The Petersen Automotive Museum is located on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles. One of the world's largest automotive museums, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a nonprofit organization specializing in automobile history and related educational programs. 

Address: 6060 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

Venice
Muscle Beach

Free

The 2.5-mile Venice Beach Boardwalk is still prowled by outlandish characters, and teems with tattoo parlours, cannabis shops, international cuisine, countless street vendors and a big cast of street performers. The boardwalk is the second most-visited place in Southern California, but will never feel oppressive thanks to the wide-open expanse of sandy beach and the grassy foreshore tufted with palms.

Address: 1800 Ocean Front Walk. Venice, CA 90291

The Museum of Death
If You dare!

Museum $17

Are you a bold, fearless adventurer willing to face your fears head-on? If so, the Museum of Death is the perfect place for you! This unique museum is dedicated to all things death, and it is most certainly not for the faint of heart. From gruesome crime scene photos to ancient Egyptian artifacts, the Museum of Death has something to shock and dismay everyone who steps through its doors. Within its doors, you will find crime scene photos, letters from infamous serial killers, and even skeletal remains! Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Address: 6031 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Explore where Hollywood is made

Studio tour $69

The Warner Bros Studio Tour is one of the coolest things to do in Hollywood, CA. On the tour, you’ll get to see where some of your favorite movies and TV shows were filmed. Plus, you’ll learn a lot about the movie-making process and how Warner Brothers Studios operate. The tour is led by a knowledgeable guide who will take you behind the scenes of some of the most iconic movies and TV shows ever made, including Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Batman. If you’re a movie buff or a TV fan, then the Warner Bros Studio Tour is a must-do while you’re in Hollywood. You’ll get to see where some of your favorite movies and TV shows were filmed, plus learn a lot about the movie-making process.

Address: 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

Universal Studios Hollywood
Movie-making Madness

Ticket prices vary by day

The greatest behind-the-scenes-look-at-Hollywood is found at Universal Studios, a theme park dedicated to movie-making magic. Besides boasting awesome thrill rides and over the top parades, the park offers views into the actual back-lots where sets are built. The Studio Tour puts visitors right in the middle of recreated movie sets from famous films like King Kong and Jaws.

Address: 100 Universal City Plaza. Universal City, CA 91608

Beverly Hills
90210

Free

Beverly Hills is a neighborhood whose reputation precedes itself. Rodeo Drive is its famous thoroughfare, known for upscale shopping and celebrity sightings. The nearby Beverly Gardens Park offers gorgeous rose gardens and recreation. For dedicated fans, the more residential streets of Beverly Hills are host to self-guided celebrity residence tours.

Address: 9390 N Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90210

The Original Farmers Market
LA's most beloved landmarks

Free

The Original Farmers Market. Founded in 1934, this cream-colored facility reels in both residents and tourists with the promise of fresh produce and the aroma of ready-to-eat snacks. With more than 100 vendors, including ready-to-eat foods, grocers, and over 45 restaurants to choose from, everyone from the pickiest of eaters to the most adventurous are sure to find the ideal meal. 

Address: 6333 W. Third Street. Los Angeles, CA 90036

La Brea Tar Pits
Hancock Park by LACMA 

Museum $$

If your kids go crazy for dinosaurs – and really, what kid doesn't? - then a visit to La Brea Tar Pits is sure to be the highlight of their trip. Over tens of thousands of years until Los Angeles was developed, animals would be trapped and preserved in the tar at what is now Hancock Park by LACMA. Here you can see some of the remarkable specimens given up by the pits and get to know the science behind the process, while in the grounds are life-sized models of the animals claimed by the tar.

Address: 5801 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

The LA Zoo
Explore The Wildlife 

From $17-$22

If you’ve never been to a zoo, then you’re in for a treat! The LA Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the country and is home to over 1,400 animals from all over the world. Visitors can see everything from tigers and lions to elephants and gorillas, making it the perfect place to learn about and see exotic animals up close. In addition to its many animal attractions, the zoo also features a botanical garden, a children’s petting zoo, and a playground – making it the perfect place to spend a day with family or friends.

Address: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Black Rabbit Rose Magic Show
WELCOME TO MYSTERY AND MADNESS!

General Admission $55

The Black Rabbit Rose Magic Show is a 21+ bar and restaurant located in the heart of Hollywood that offers guests a truly unique experience. This is not your typical magic show – at the Black Rabbit Rose, all of the magic happens right in front of you as you enjoy a delicious meal! Featuring magic and burlesque shows on the weekends and a unique assortment of captivating cocktails, the Black Rabbit Rose is the perfect place to add a little magic to your trip.

Address: 1719 N Hudson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Getty Center
The Gem of SoCal

Free

Overlooking LA is the world renowned Getty Center, a beautiful complex for art, research and conservation. The buildings and gardens themselves are a sight to behold, with elegant architecture, water elements and landscaping. Inside the museum, there is even more to see - most notably "The Royal End" by Paul Gauguin and "Irises" by Vincent Van Gogh.

Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90049

Santa Monica Beach + Pier
Ride the famous ferris wheel

Free

Located on the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, Featuring 12 thrilling rides, including the West Coaster and Pacific Wheel, the first solar-powered Ferris wheel. Millions of visitors each year enjoy all the rides, games and fun you’d expect from one of Southern California’s leading entertainment destinations. Pacific Park has it all… a dozen rides, midway games, ocean-front specialty food outlets, and seaside shopping.

Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica, CA 90401

Universal CityWalk
LA's favorite place to play

Free

A separate attraction at Universal Studios, CityWalk is a neon-lit, high-energy promenade for shopping, entertainment and dining. An outdoor concert venue, with regular live music, while street performers are out in force most nights. CityWalk is often thronged on weekends for its AMC Universal Cineplex, and the wide fast food and casual dining

Address: 100 Universal City Plaza. Universal City, CA 91608

Access Hollywood Tours
Your Guide Through Hollywood!

From $29

Experience Hollywood's most popular sightseeing tour! Once you've seen where the stars shop, where they eat, and where they party, you'll want to see where they live. You probably won't see the celebrities themselves, but you can snap pics of the homes affiliated with A-listers like Tom Cruise, Bruno Mars, Halle Berry and much more. Celebrity Home Tours are fully narrated by a fun and entertaining tour guide. See the top sites like the Hollywood Sign, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Movie Stars' Celebrity Homes and much more. 

Address: 6541 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Hollywood Sign
The one and Only

Free

Visiting the Hollywood Sign is easily one of the most popular things to do in Hollywood. This world-famous sign is located on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills, and it offers stunning views of the city that you simply won’t get anywhere else (unless, of course, you took our advice earlier and booked a helicopter tour!). There are numerous hiking trails leading up to the sign, so you can choose your own adventure. The Hollywood Sign is located on North Beachwood Drive, just a short drive from the Hollywood & Highland Center. The best time to visit is early in the morning or late at night, as the crowds can get pretty crazy during the day.

Address: North Beachwood Drive. Los Angeles, CA 90068

The Sunset Strip
Where The Stars' Come out

Free

The Sunset Strip is one of the most iconic streets in all of Hollywood. This street is home to some of the most popular nightclubs, restaurants, and hotels in the city. Walking down the Sunset Strip is a great way to see some of the most famous landmarks in Hollywood.

Address: West Hollywood. Los Angeles, CA 90069

Top 6 Reasons To Visit Los Angeles

Hollywood

Across the world, Los Angeles is most famous for its movie industry. Check out the stars on Hollywood Boulevard, take snaps of the Hollywood Sign, watch a movie at the Chinese Theater or dive into the mall at Hollywood and Highland. You can also take a tour of the stars homes and the studios which launched their careers.

Art and Culture

It’s not all about blockbuster movies and Disney in LA. The city also has some excellent galleries. You can see Impressionist masterpieces at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, see Asian artworks at the Chinese American Museum as well.

Family Attractions

LA isn’t always thought of as a family destination, but it should be. Kids will love getting to know the characters and experiencing the rides at Disneyland, while Universal Studios features attractions based on popular kids’ movies like Despicable Me and Shrek.

Food

LA is the place to go for America’s best Mexican food. There’s plenty of  Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian, Jewish, Greek, American, and even British-style pubs to discover.

The Climate 

Only Phoenix and Las Vegas can boast more sunny days a year than Los Angeles and the average temperature in the city is a comfortable 71 degrees. Rainfall is rare, storms aren’t a factor outside of the middle of winter, and the beaches of Santa Monica or Venice are almost always packed.

Taco TRUCKs  

In a city nearly 50% Latino and Hispanic, it’s a given that Los Angeles should have a spectrum of cuisines from across the Americas. Naturally, Mexican food stands out in particular, and most agree that Los Angeles puts other American cities in the shade for tacos.

Testimonials

What Travelers Are Saying