Discover the 15 best things to do in Los Angeles

For a vacation that perfectly combines beach life with city life, nature, and hikes with glamorous evenings and superstar homes, there’s nowhere quite like Los Angeles. With over 500 square miles and hundreds of neighborhoods, each area has its charm. These places will help you to truly understand what to see in Los Angeles and appreciate its distinctive character.

Discover where to go in LA to sample the city’s brilliant food scene, check out the top museums, and unwind at the beach. These 15 awesome experiences highlight the best things to do in Los Angeles.

1. Marvel at impressive murals in LA’s trendy Arts District

One of LA’s coolest neighborhoods, the Arts District started in the 1970s when once abandoned warehouses were taken over by artists attracted by the low rent and potential for large studio spaces. Since then, the artists have moved on (and the rent has gone up). Still, the beautiful murals that adorn nearly every public wall are a testament to the neighborhood’s history and ongoing artistic rivalries.

Insider tip:

A bike tour will give you the neighborhood’s history and ensure you see the colorful highlights from influential working artists like WRDSMITH and Colette Miller.

2. Go back to the 1970s at the Richard Nixon Library

President Richard Nixon’s term in the Executive Office (and his infamous Watergate downfall) looms large over America’s collective memory of the 1970s. What’s less remembered is that he had a brief career as an actor, so it’s fitting that Richard Nixon Library and Museum is just a stone’s throw from Los Angeles in Yorba Linda, where he was born. While presidential libraries are active archives for researchers, their adjoining museums are time capsules of presidential terms and so tempting to explore.

Insider tip:

Visitors can see the Oval Office as it looked in the 1970s, tour exhibits of world events during Nixon’s presidency, and step inside Army One, the helicopter that President and Mrs. Nixon left the White House in for the last time.

3. Be surprised by LA’s amazing art galleries and museums

Whether you like contemporary art, Old World masters, or any of the movements in between, there’s a show and many museums worth visiting in LA. The Getty Center, representing art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, has a beautiful view of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean and its incredible collection. The Broad, the Californian African American Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) are also worth visiting.

Insider tip:

Visit LACMA late in the afternoon to see “Urban Light” lit up when you leave. The public art installation, 202 antique street lamps arranged in a closely knit near-grid, has become an icon of the city.

4. Peek inside the homes of Hollywood legends

Los Angeles is often seen as the playground of the rich and famous, with stunning mansions in Beverly Hills fueling countless legends. It's hard not to crane your neck for a peek at these iconic homes while exploring what to see in Los Angeles.

Insider tip:

A tour that winds through Hollywood and Beverly Hills will point out exactly where stars like Tom Cruise and Jennifer Lopez live and give you a glimpse of the interior so you can imagine setting up home in the “The Hills” yourself.

5. Be transported to the Golden Age of Hollywood

Ever wondered about the studio lots where your favorite movies are made? The biggest ones are often cities, with restaurants, apartments, and their own fire stations. Set foot on a working one with a guided tour of the famous Warner Bros lot. You will see the famous orange sofa from “Friends” and drive through recognizable neighborhoods from your favorite films and shows. You’ll also see original costumes from iconic 20th-century movie moments.

Insider tip:

Book in advance to guarantee your spot, and keep your eyes peeled to spot actors wandering around between takes.

6. Visit a working movie studio and explore the world of Harry Potter

LA is famous as the home of movie-making, but it is also home to several thrilling theme parks. While there are many to choose from, Universal City is the only one that can do both. With rides based around “Jurassic Park,” “The Simpsons,” and an entire section dedicated to the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” visitors can easily immerse themselves in their favorite fictional worlds.

Insider tip:

Book the VIP experience at Universal City and go behind the scenes of this working film studio, interacting with several movie sets. As well as accessing areas off-limits to most visitors, you can skip the lines at the busiest rides.

7. See LA’s most famous symbol up close

Built in the 1920s as an advertisement for a local real estate development, Hollywoodland, the Hollywood Sign remains Los Angeles’ most iconic symbol and one of the best things to do in the city. Today, hikers can take one of a few trails up to the sign for panoramic views of LA — some are more challenging and less shaded than others.

Insider tip:

A guided hike will save you from map plotting and fill you in on Hollywood history. You’ll spot filming locations for famous movies like “Batman,” “La La Land,” “Back to the Future,” and “Terminator.”

8. Get dazzling views inside and outside the Griffith Observatory

Who doesn’t love seeing the stars? But this time, we’re talking about celestial bodies. Opened in 1935, the Griffith Observatory is not only the most-visited public observatory in the world, but its white dome in the hills above LA is an exemplary symbol of the plucky innovation that characterizes the city.

Insider tip:

Drive or hike to the Griffith Observatory to take in the sweeping panoramic view of the LA Basin — you can see all the way to the ocean on clear days. The observatory is open late most days, so visit in the late afternoon to see the sunset and the city twinkle beneath you, then go inside to see the night sky through the Zeiss telescopes.

9. Go whale spotting off the California coast

The waters off the coast of Southern California are filled with nature’s largest creatures. No matter when you visit, spotting the magnificent mammals swimming along the coast is one of the most breathtaking activities. In late winter and spring, gray and humpback whales rule the waves. Late spring and summer are best for spotting the majestic blue whales.

Insider tip:

Whale-watching tours run year-round and leave from Newport Beach, around 45 miles southeast of LAX. With a 96 percent whale-spotting success rate, you’re almost guaranteed to see these amazing animals in their natural habitat.

10. Flex some muscle on Venice Beach and Boardwalk

Although its network of canals is comparatively tiny, Venice is named after the Italian city, but the similarities end there. The Venice Beach Boardwalk was once part of a private resort, but since it was opened to the public, artists, skateboarders, musicians, and athletes have staked their claims on it. In addition to unrivaled ocean views, walking along the two-mile stretch takes you past the iconic Venice Beach Skate Park, a fishing pier, and Venice Public Art Walls.

Insider tip:

Muscle Beach is a must-see — the famous outdoor gym is also known as the “Home of Bodybuilding” and has been a favorite of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, and other famous bodies.

11. Take a thrilling ride on Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier is a 114-year-old pier that reaches out into the Pacific Ocean, a couple of miles north of the Venice Boardwalk. Follow the footsteps of well-heeled 20th-century Angelenos who escaped the hot city with a fun day by the water.

Insider tip:

The amusement park on Santa Monica Pier is a forever festival with tons of retro appeal for adults and kids alike — think vintage soda counters, a Ferris wheel, a 55-foot-tall roller coaster, and delightfully colorful snack and souvenir stands.

12. See the Pacific Ocean’s marine life up close

As you look out at the stunning sunsets and daredevil surfers off the California coast, it’s easy to forget about the incredibly complex ecosystem beneath the waves. It would be even harder to explore, as the Pacific Ocean covers 64 million square miles, a third of Earth’s surface.

Insider tip:

You don’t even have to leave LA to see around 12,000 sea creatures representing the ocean’s major regions at the Aquarium of the Pacific. An immersive theater experience and rotating exhibitions are included in the entry price, like its adorable “Babies!” exhibit, featuring baby otters, young tortoises, and tiny clown fish (aka Nemo).

13. Discover vintage treasures on Melrose

Crowded up and down Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood are brightly painted murals, carnivalesque window displays, restaurants spilling onto sidewalks, and several brilliant vintage stores beloved by well-dressed Angelenos and costume designers from the Hollywood film studios.

Insider tip:

Inspired by Seventies style? Looking for the perfect vintage jeans? Or hoping to find a dress fit for the Oscars? Designer treasures and iconic styles from music and movie history hang side-by-side on the bulging racks at stores like Melrose Trading Post, Wasteland, and Decades.

14. Experience SoCal’s “green” side

Cannabis culture grows strong in California. Dispensaries have opened across Southern California, with dozens in LA alone. You’re bound to catch a whiff of the distinct scent during your trip and can visit one of the stores (if you are at least 21 and have ID) to try some for yourself. Far from its shady, back-alley past, buying weed now has a helpful assistant to guide you on what to buy.

Insider tip:

For an immersive experience, take a tour to visit one of the only licensed cannabis greenhouses in Los Angeles, have the chance to shop and smoke, and see a glassblower make beautifully covetable pipes.

15. Snack on the best food in Downtown Los Angeles

LA’s diverse and inventive food scene is world-class, shaped by the city’s long immigrant history and international appeal, and nowhere in the city has more exciting flavors than Downtown LA. From California-style tacos to an LA take on German sausage, incredible croissants, and unique falafel, the city is all about fusion. Downtown LA is also where you can find Little Tokyo, home to the largest Japanese-American community in North America and some of the best Japanese restaurants in the state.

Insider tip:

Instead of planning it yourself, book a walking and tasting tour that lets you sample it all, with no reservations or required waiting in line.

FAQs

What are the best things to do in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles offers various activities, from exploring iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Walk of Fame to relaxing on famous beaches like Santa Monica and Venice. You can also visit top museums, enjoy hikes with stunning city views, or experience the city's vibrant food scene.

What are the must-see places in Los Angeles?

Some must-see places in Los Angeles include the iconic Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory, the Santa Monica Pier, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

What are the best neighborhoods to explore in Los Angeles?

Popular neighborhoods to explore include Hollywood for its star-studded history, Beverly Hills for luxury and glamour, Downtown LA for its growing arts scene, and Silver Lake for a trendy, laid-back vibe. Each area offers a unique take on where to go in Los Angeles.

What is the best time of year to visit Los Angeles?

The best time to visit Los Angeles is in the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) when the weather is mild, and there are fewer tourists. These seasons also make it easier to enjoy the top things to do in Los Angeles without the crowds.