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Los Angeles, United States

Destination Guide

Los Angeles

United States

Best things to do in Los Angeles

42 curated attractions in Los Angeles, United States. Handpicked for every kind of traveler.

Best time

April - June, September - November

Average temp

17°C/63°F

Budget

Expensive

Safety

Take care

About Los Angeles

Los Angeles, a city built on the entertainment industry, sprawls across a landscape of diverse neighborhoods. The Hollywood Sign towers over the area, a constant reminder of the film and music industries that attract countless dreamers and tourists. The city’s patchwork of districts offers everything from the glitzy Rodeo Drive to the cultural depths of the Getty and LACMA. The Griffith Observatory provides a view of the stars both in the sky and on the Walk of Fame below. It is a place where the population is as varied as the attractions, with a mix of locals and transplants drawn by the allure of fame and fortune. People come primarily for the entertainment and culture, whether it’s to see a film premiere or admire art in world-class museums.

Who it's for

Ideal for those who enjoy exploring diverse cultural offerings and soaking up entertainment history. Visitors looking for compact walkability or a traditional city vibe might find it disappointing, as the vast distances require a car or public transport to navigate.

Getting around

Public transport: Good

  • The metro can take you between major attractions but is limited in coverage
  • A drive from downtown to the beach can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic
  • The Griffith Observatory is a 30-minute hike from the nearest parking
  • Many visitors assume they can walk everywhere, but that isn't realistic in a city this size
Angels Flight Railway

Angels Flight Railway

Entertainment
Urban Light

Urban Light

Cultural
The Last Bookstore

The Last Bookstore

Cultural
Venice Canal Historic District

Venice Canal Historic District

Cultural
Malibu Beach

Malibu Beach

Beaches
Staples Center

Staples Center

Stadiums & sports venues
Greystone Mansion & Gardens: The Doheny Estate

Greystone Mansion & Gardens: The Doheny Estate

Historic houses & mansions
Lake Hollywood Park

Lake Hollywood Park

Nature
Blue Ribbon Garden

Blue Ribbon Garden

Urban Attractions
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Sports and Recreation Venues
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Science & natural history museums
Petersen Automotive Museum

Petersen Automotive Museum

Specialty & quirky museums
The Getty

The Getty

Art museums & galleries
Runyon Canyon Park

Runyon Canyon Park

City parks
Walt Disney Concert Hall

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Concert halls
Largo

Largo

Urban Attractions
La Brea Tar Pits

La Brea Tar Pits

Science & natural history museums
Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory

Science & natural history museums
Skirball Cultural Center

Skirball Cultural Center

Specialty & quirky museums
The Broad Museum

The Broad Museum

Art museums & galleries
Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood Bowl

Concert halls
Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive

Shopping streets & districts
El Capitan Theatre

El Capitan Theatre

Film studios & cinemas
Griffith Park

Griffith Park

City parks
Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood

Theme parks
Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier

Family & kids' attractions
Olvera Street

Olvera Street

Streets & neighbourhoods
The Grove

The Grove

Malls & department stores
Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Cemeteries & tombs
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Art museums & galleries
The Original Farmers Market

The Original Farmers Market

Food markets & food halls
Hollywood Sign

Hollywood Sign

Monuments & memorials
Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Specialty & quirky museums
Hollyhock House

Hollyhock House

Architecture
Watts Towers

Watts Towers

Fountains, statues & public art
Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard

Streets & neighbourhoods
Academy Museum

Academy Museum

Arts and Entertainment Venues
Brentwood Country Mart

Brentwood Country Mart

Shopping and Markets
The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary

Historic houses & mansions
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Zoos
The Pink Wall

The Pink Wall

Urban Attractions
Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Streets & neighbourhoods

Where to eat in Los Angeles

The places worth planning a meal around.

Urth Caffé

Urth Caffé

Health-conscious American · $10–$30

★ 4.5 · 5,829 reviews

Bestia

Bestia

Italian · $$

★ 4.5 · 4,074 reviews

Noe Restaurant

Noe Restaurant

Japanese

★ 4.2 · 295 reviews

Söbuneh

Söbuneh

Korean Fusion · $20–$40

★ 3.9 · 193 reviews

Things to do in Los Angeles

Tours, cruises and experiences, rather than places to visit.

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