Things to do in

Los Angeles

Take a journey of discovery at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Discover sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific, and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. Come face-to-face with the ocean’s ultimate predators in Shark Lagoon, hand-feed colorful lorikeet birds, and watch the Magellanic penguins. Discover Pacific Visions where you explore underwater realms and future possibilities. The centerpiece, Honda Pacific Visions Theater, features an 8-minute film with multisensory effects. The massive 180-degree curved screen and floor projection disc encompass the viewers’ full range of vision, creating a uniquely immersive experience. The theater experience is included in admission.

Enjoy world-class entertainment all in one place at Universal Studios Hollywood™. With the regular general admission tickets, you will receive full access to the park to enjoy either 1 or 2 days (depending on the option selected) of rides, shows and attractions. For those wishing to spend less time in lines, the Universal Express Ticket is also available to book. This ticket includes the 1-day general admission ticket, one-time skip-the-line park entry, one-time express access to each ride and attraction plus priority seating at select shows.* This ticket is very popular with guests, so purchase this ticket in advance here to guarantee Universal Express™ privileges! Some of the popular rides, shows and attractions you will enjoy at Universal Studios Hollywood include: The World Famous Studio Tour Go behind-the-scenes on the world-famous Studio Tour to explore Hollywood's most famous backlot in the world's largest working movie studio. • Tour the world-famous Backlot with comedian/video host Jimmy Fallon and learn the secrets of Hollywood moviemaking.  • Visitors can experience the largest street movie set in Hollywood history built with creative consultation from Steven Spielberg himself.  • Guests can see the sets from hit series and witness special effects used in blockbusters like The War of the Worlds. • Plus, you'll ride through the world's largest 3-D experience on King Kong 360 3-D created by Peter Jackson. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ™ From magical spells to magical creatures, from dark villains to daring heroes, it's all here at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. Explore the mysteries of Hogwarts™ castle, visit the shops of Hogsmeade™, and sample fare from the wizarding world's best-known establishments. The Walking Dead Prepare to fight for survival in a fully immersive journey as they navigate through a world overrun by hungry walkers. Guests follow in the footsteps of the human survivors as they battle their way through nightmarish iconic landscapes that bring the most popular TV show in history to life! Despicable Me Minion Mayhem  Join Gru, his daughters, and the rebellious Minions on a heartwarming and thrilling 3-D ride.The journey starts in Gru’s home, where guests are recruited for his latest scheme – one where they’ll become an actual Minion! *Does not apply to food and retail locations or non-seated shows. HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s18). Jurassic Park TM & © 2018 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. The Walking Dead © 2018 AMC Film Holdings LLC. All Rights Reserved. ©2018 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. *Park, rides/shows/attractions, entertainment, experience details and/or access to event may be restricted or unavailable due to capacity/closures/other factors and benefits/restrictions are subject to change without notice. *Ticket is not valid at Universal Orlando Resort. Ticket is valid at Universal Studios Hollywood, located in Los Angeles, California.

Get ready to touch, tour, and explore the 110-acre backlot that brought “Argo” and “Batman” to the big screen. From “Gravity” to “Friends,” the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood takes you behind the camera for a revealing look at your favorite TV shows and movies. Explore “Stage 48: Script to Screen,” an interactive soundstage that explores phases of the film and television production process. Re-enact a scene from “Friends” on the iconic “Central Perk” set, or climb aboard Harry Potter’s broomstick for a photo opportunity. Explore the Studio Store with exclusive merch from your favorite films and TV shows. Dine at the Central Perk Cafe and enjoy your meal amongst recreated sets like Monica's apartment, and Joey and Chandler's pad. Then, shop for exclusive Friends merch in the Friends Boutique. The Grand Finale lets you step into recreated sets from the DC Universe where you can explore superheroes and supervillains. Then swish and flick your way through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and even have your own Hogwarts house sorting ceremony.

See Hollywood’s highlights for yourself on a guided sightseeing tour from the comfort of an open-top bus. Marvel at iconic locations such as the Hollywood Sign, where you can stop for a photo and admire the views of downtown LA. Make your way to the local partner’s office to begin your activity. Board the sightseeing bus, and away you’ll go on your tour of Hollywood.  Pass the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theatre, the Art Deco entertainment complex of the Dolby Theater, and the circular Capitol Records Building and other historic sights you’ve seen 1000 times on TV.  Next, head to the Hollywood and Vine district at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.  Cruise down Sunset Boulevard, passing famous bars and nightclubs like Whiskey A-Go-Go and the Viper Room. Admire the Chateau Marmont Hotel, where Tim Burton, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and other legends have stayed. Then, drive past the upscale stores on Rodeo Drive as you head towards Beverly Hills. Take a photo of the Beverly Hills Sign and the Beverly Hills Hotel, plus see the homes of Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elvis Presley, and many more. Be dropped off at your Hollywood, West Hollywood, or Beverly Hills hotel at the end of your activity. If you’re staying outside of these areas, you’ll be dropped back at the local partner’s office. 

Explore Los Angeles’ famous landmarks while you sit back and cruise through the city on an open-top bus and learn about Los Angeles’ unique history. You have the choice of personal recorded commentary, available in 9 languages, or an entertaining live commentary. This is the best way to discover all that Los Angeles has to offer. Our unique city tour and beach loop have a combined 22 stops for guests to hop-on or hop-off the bus to visit attractions and points of interest. Included in your ticket are two exciting loops. The Hollywood loop features views of the world-famous Hollywood sign, Walk of Fame, and Chinese Theatre. Explore Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive shopping area. See prehistoric fossils at the LaBrea Tar Pits and cruise the Sunset Strip. Discover a whole different side to LA by taking our Beach loop. Discover the sandy beaches and sun-soaked shoreline of Santa Monica and Venice Beach.  The Hollywood Loop (Red Route): 1) Big Bus Visitor Center Hollywood 2) TCL Chinese Theatre 3) Guitar Center “Rock Walk” 4) The Comedy Store 5) Whiskey A Go Go 6) Beverly Gardens Park 7) Beverly Hills / Rodeo Drive 8) Beverly Center 9) LACMA / La Brea Tarpits 10) Farmers Market / The Grove 11) Melrose Shopping 12) Paramount Studios  The Beach Loop (Blue Route): 1) Beverly Gardens Park 2) Beverly Hills / Rodeo Drive 3) Hammer Museum 4) Westwood Village / UCLA 5) 3rd Street Promenade / Santa Monica 6) Santa Monica Pier  7) Ocean Park Beach 8) Venice Boardwalk / Muscle Beach 9) Venice Beach / Marina Del Rey 10) Sony Studios Choose the 48-hour deluxe ticket option to add a guided Chinese Theatre walking tour and a Celebrity Homes and Lifestyles Tour to your hop-on, hop-off experience.

On these year-round cruises off Newport Beach, many whale varieties are regularly seen including the giant blue whale (summer and fall), finback whale, grey whale (winter and spring), minke whale, and humpback whale. Several types of dolphin, seals, and all sorts of other marine life are typically spotted on the excursions as well. The cruises depart from Newport Harbor, located in the heart of Orange County, which is just a short drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego. Each cruise is a unique experience as you may never know what you might encounter. A recent cruise encountered a pod of more than 30 killer whales, including adults and their young, making for a whale watching adventure of a lifetime. The cruises enjoy a 96 percent success rate viewing whales and/or dolphin.

Learn about the Battleship of Presidents and see how sailors lived during your visit to the Battleship IOWA Museum. As you walk onboard you'll be greeted on the quarter deck and be given a safety briefing. Appreciate Iowa’s graceful, narrow lifted bow as you look forward up the sloped deck. Stand in front of turret one to get an up-close and personal look at the barrel of a 16-inch 50 caliber Mark 7. Continue a level above the main deck and see inside the captain’s cabin. Learn about president Franklin D. Roosevelt's custom-built bathtub, the first aboard a USN vessel. It was built for his stay on board because of his inability to take showers due to polio. Next, you'll see The 03 level flag bridge. Hear about the history of the ship and how only IOWA’s 03 level conning tower was armored among the four ships of her class. As you move toward the stern on the 05 level you'll get a closer look at the replicas of the 20mm Phalanx CIWS guns. Continue along the tour route, which will lead you down to a narrow deck behind one of the 5-inch gun mounts. Take a moment to walk around the large fantail when you reach the main deck. The self-guided tour includes free use of the award-winning mobile app and the Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt. This application contains a great deal of information that will enhance your experience.

Your 2-hour tour of the celebrity homes of Hollywood and Beverly Hills from Hollywood Walk of Fame or with a prompt pick up from your select Los Angeles-area hotel, depending on which option you select. After meeting your local guide and group, you’ll climb aboard your customized, open-top passenger bus, specifically designed to give you the best view of Hollywood. Each passenger will receive a personal headset to enjoy your entertaining guide at your own volume and comfort level.  From Hollywood Walk of Fame, you’ll head into the hills along Mulholland Drive, a road frequented by some of Hollywood’s richest and most famous personalities. Your guide will point out the more notable villas, from homes owned by the likes of Katy Perry and Michael Jackson to Nicolas Cage and Orlando Bloom. From the top of the hill, you’ll have breathtaking photo stops looking down into Los Angeles and across to the Hollywood sign before making your way down Laurel Canyon Drive, former home to music greats like Joni Mitchell, The Eagles, and Jim Morrison.  As the tour continues through the hyper-affluent streets of Beverly Hills and exclusive Bel-Air, you’ll pass by the infamous rental home trashed by Justin Bieber and Meek Mill in 2015, and the police station famously favored by rapper Chris Brown. After that, it's back to Hollywood via the Sunset Strip and the myriad of restaurants, bars, and comedy clubs that call the place home.

Explore one of the largest vintage car collections in the world. See a vast array of over 100 classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles displayed over three floors and 25 galleries. Admire the artistry and extravagance of iconic vehicles while learning about the engineering behind them. Marvel at Italian Maseratis and Japanese “supercars.” Discover interactive exhibits which will entertain the whole family. Visit the Cars Mechanical Institute inspired by the animated film. Watch as your favorite cars characters explain how the mechanical systems that make cars work. Paint and personalize virtual cars. Race and color your own Cars character to take home. Kids can zoom toy cars around a racetrack. Get behind the wheel of a virtual race car with the Forza Motorsports Experience. Choose one of 8 curated experiences and feel what it’s like to burn rubber on the racetrack.

Go behind the scenes at a real working movie studio with a 1-day entrance ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood. Enjoy VIP treatment as you explore by special trolley and disembark at areas not open to the general public. Visit real sound stages where blockbuster movies and TV shows are filmed, and get a sneak peek at the enormous props warehouse. Avail of unlimited skip-the-line access to all the rides and attractions and get access to the VIP lounge to enjoy a light breakfast or gourmet lunch. Rides and Attractions: Fast & Furious - Supercharged: Hold on tight for the all-new Fast & Furious – Supercharged ride that exceeds speeds of 120 miles per hour and catapults you into a high-stakes underworld of fast cars and international crime cartels. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Get the chance to become one of the mischievous Minions on a hilarious 3D ride. Transformers: The Ride Brave an epic ride that fuses HD 3D media and flight simulation technology to put you in the middle of the ultimate war zone. Studio Tour Go behind the scenes and explore Hollywood’s most famous back lot at the world’s largest working movie studio. King Kong 360 3D Test your survival instincts and prepare to be caught in the middle of a terrifying struggle between a 35-foot T-Rex and King Kong. Springfield Grab a Homer-sized helping of donuts at Lard Lad, imbibe at Moe’s Tavern or the first Duff Brewery Beer Garden and crash through Krustyland on The Simpsons Ride. Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride Face the heart-pounding special effects and unexpected twists as you escape the Mummy’s revenge in life-like horror at speeds up to 45 mph in virtual darkness. Shrek 4D Take adventure to the next dimension in Shrek 4D, with hair-raising and eye-popping effects so real all your senses will be on ogre-time! WaterWorld Experience a tidal wave of explosive action at WaterWorld. Join an adventure that surges to life with jumping jet-skiers, perilous plunges, firefights, massive explosions and an in-your-face plane crash. Special Effects Show Learn the secrets behind the making of your favorite blockbuster movies, and become an expert in Hollywood movie effects magic. Universal’s Animal Actors Witness Tinseltown-trained critters putting pet tricks to shame with their animal antics as the animals take control. Universal CityWalk Kick back with all the great food and live music entertainment of Universal CityWalk. Get some retail therapy with over 30 shops to browse.