Los Angeles, a sprawling metropolis affectionately known as the "City of Angels," beckons travelers with the promise of embodying the quintessential California dream. From the glamorous streets of Beverly Hills, where luxury and celebrity intertwine, to the sun-kissed, surf-laden shores of Malibu, Los Angeles County presents an unparalleled array of experiences to enrich any vacation. This vibrant region offers a diverse tapestry of attractions, from iconic theme parks that recapture childhood wonder to bohemian boardwalks teeming with eccentric characters. Beyond the mainland, a short ferry ride transports you to Catalina Island, where the ambiance shifts to a serene Mediterranean setting, complete with the unexpected charm of wild buffalo roaming free. And, of course, no visit is complete without a scenic drive along the breathtaking Malibu Coast. The sheer volume of beaches, boardwalks, scenic drives, amusement parks, and upscale shopping destinations means that experiencing everything Los Angeles has to offer in a single trip is a near impossibility. However, this guide highlights the must-see locales, providing an insider’s perspective to help you navigate the city’s many treasures.
Unveiling the Treasures of the City of Angels: 25 Unforgettable Experiences in Los Angeles
Here is a curated list of 25 exceptional activities to make the most of your journey to Los Angeles, ensuring an unforgettable experience in this dynamic urban landscape.
1. Embrace the Beach Life
Los Angeles County boasts an impressive stretch of coastline, offering a multitude of beaches, each with its distinct character and charm. The remarkable aspect is that every beach is accessible to the public, inviting visitors to relax, read, surf, or practice yoga against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Some beaches are buzzing with activity, featuring volleyball nets and lively crowds, while others offer tranquility and seclusion. Several spots also provide beachfront dining, allowing you to savor a meal or drink with your toes buried in the sand. Every few miles, a pier extends into the ocean, providing a vantage point to observe surfers or simply enjoy panoramic coastal views. Balboa Beach’s pier, stretching 920 feet, has been recognized as Orange County’s finest.
Locals and tourists alike relish the simple pleasure of strolling or jogging along the Los Angeles beaches, particularly in the vibrant South Bay beach towns of Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan Beach. Zuma Beach stands out as a quintessential coastal expanse, boasting 1.8 miles of sand ideal for surfing, bodyboarding, and diving. Here, you can immerse yourself in the authentic Los Angeles lifestyle, mingling with active locals and admiring their enviable beachfront properties.
Considerations: Be prepared for the possibility of fog, especially in June, as inland temperatures rise and draw cool air from the ocean. Parking can be challenging during sunny summer weekends near popular beaches, so plan accordingly.
2. Rediscover Your Inner Child at Disneyland
Located in Anaheim, Disneyland holds a special place in the hearts of many, particularly baby boomers who grew up visiting this iconic theme park. It’s a place where you can wear a whimsical hat all day without feeling out of place. Disneyland exudes a joyful atmosphere that appeals to all ages, thanks to its friendly staff and overall sense of fun. Unlike other theme parks in the area, Disneyland does not impose additional fees for special attractions, making it a more affordable option. Walt Disney envisioned Disneyland as a place where parents and children could share experiences together. Most rides are family-friendly, complemented by shows, parades, and nightly fireworks during the summer.
Adjacent to Disneyland is Disney’s California Adventure Park, a separate park that features an ever-expanding collection of rides based on animated films. Nearby, Downtown Disney provides shopping, dining, and entertainment options, allowing you to extend your visit and purchase souvenirs.
Considerations: Expect long lines and pricey tickets. Disneyland rides are generally tame compared to those found in other amusement parks.
3. Embark on a Scenic Drive Along the Malibu Coast
West of Santa Monica, the beaches face south, creating ideal conditions for surfing when the swell is up. Malibu, immortalized in classic beach movies and Beach Boys songs, embodies the essence of Southern California beach culture. For visitors, the Malibu coastline offers unparalleled scenic beauty. A drive north along Malibu Coast Drive reveals the region’s allure. Along California Route 1 from Santa Monica to Oxnard, you’ll discover numerous trailheads and the Getty Villa Museum, housing a remarkable collection of Greek and Roman antiquities.
Considerations: Allow ample time for frequent stops along this scenic highway. The speed limits, if adhered to, provide opportunities for spontaneous detours.
4. Find Serenity on Catalina Island
For a taste of the Mediterranean in Southern California, a short ferry ride will take you to Catalina Island. While still technically part of Los Angeles County, the island offers a distinct atmosphere reminiscent of the Greek coast. Catalina, particularly the town of Avalon, exudes a laid-back charm with its fishing boats and golf cart transportation. The island’s unpretentious ambiance encourages relaxation. While a week-long vacation is ideal, a weekend trip provides ample time to disconnect.
Considerations: Ferry travel requires advance planning. If you prefer bustling cityscapes to the sight of wild buffalo, Catalina may not be your ideal destination.
5. Indulge in Retail Therapy at The Grove
The vibrant atmosphere of The Grove, an open-air mall in Los Angeles, makes it a popular destination. The Grove is most enjoyable in the evening, when tour buses depart and locals emerge. Here, you can browse designer chain stores, catch a movie at the art-deco-inspired Pacific Theaters, and dine al fresco at various restaurants. The Grove also features a dancing water fountain, live entertainment, and a double-decker trolley ride.
Considerations: Parking can be challenging on weekends due to the adjacent LA Farmer’s Market. Validate your parking by making a purchase.
6. Experience Thrills at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain is the ultimate destination for roller coaster enthusiasts. "Goliath" features a 255-foot drop into a dark tunnel at 85 miles per hour. Tatsu is one of the tallest, fastest, and longest flying coasters in the world. Riddler’s Revenge is one of the world’s tallest and fastest stand-up coasters, turning riders upside down six times. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, Magic Mountain offers some of the most extreme coasters ever built.
Considerations: Be prepared for long wait times. Activities beyond roller coasters are limited, particularly for young children. A Flash Pass is available for an additional fee to shorten wait times.
7. Experience Family Fun at Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm originated as a way to entertain guests waiting for Cordelia Knott’s fried chicken dinners. Today, it’s a full-fledged theme park featuring thrill rides and old-fashioned attractions like the Bottle House. The park also offers live shows at the Camp Snoopy Theatre, Soak City Waterpark, and Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. An on-site hotel is also available.
Considerations: Mrs. Knott’s chicken dinners have received mixed reviews.
8. Explore the Iconic Hollywood
Hollywood is more of a state of mind than a physical location. In Los Angeles, the heart of Hollywood centers around Hollywood Boulevard and its intersection with Highland Avenue. Since Sid Grauman built his first movie houses and invited celebrities to leave their handprints and footprints in cement, the area has been a magnet for film fans. The Walk of Fame features stars embedded in the sidewalk, honoring achievements in film, television, and music. Celebrity impersonators pose for photos with tourists for a fee. If you’re lucky, you might witness a footprint ceremony, star ceremony, or movie premiere.
Beyond the boulevard, Hollywood offers the Hollywood Bowl, Paramount Studios, and the Hollywood Heritage Museum.
Considerations: Hollywood is crowded and sometimes tacky.
9. Immerse Yourself in Movie Magic at Universal Studios
Universal Studios enjoys a well-deserved reputation, offering a fun experience for movie lovers. The park’s Studio Tour, originally designed to provide a glimpse behind the scenes, has evolved into a full-fledged park with themed rides, an actual studio tour, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Considerations: Universal Studios is located in the San Fernando Valley, a short drive from Hollywood.
10. Experience the Sunset Strip
Sunset Boulevard stretches from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean, passing through affluent neighborhoods. Its most famous section, the Sunset Strip, is a visual icon with its nightclubs and billboards. The Sunset Strip runs through West Hollywood, between Crescent Heights and Doheny Drive. During the day, the area is relatively quiet. At night, the Strip comes alive with neon lights, making it a popular destination for club-hopping.
Considerations: Free parking is scarce. Most clubs and restaurants offer valet parking.
11. Immerse Yourself in the Eccentricity of Venice Beach
Venice Beach is a truly unique and quintessential Los Angeles destination. The boardwalk teems with fortunetellers, artists, hawkers, and street performers, alongside rollerbladers in thong bikinis.
Beyond the boardwalk, Venice Beach offers the pier, the Graffiti Walls, and the remnants of the old waterways designed by Abbot Kinney. Abbot Kinney Boulevard features boutique shopping and artisan restaurants.
Considerations: Some visitors may find the grunge and the characters alarming. The beach scene is primarily a daytime phenomenon. Parking can be difficult to find.
12. Window-Shop on Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills offers a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous. Here, you’ll find luxury cars and celebrities visiting designer stores. This upscale shopping area is located between Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards.
Visitors enjoy window-shopping at stores like Bijan, Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. Beverly Hills trolley tours provide a peek at nearby neighborhoods, celebrity homes, and landmarks.
Considerations: Crowds can make parking difficult. Rodeo Drive is quiet after dark.
13. Discover the Charm of Santa Monica
Santa Monica, recognized as one of National Geographic’s "Top 10 Beach Cities," offers a walkable environment perfect for immersing yourself in beach culture. The Santa Monica Pier features the iconic solar-powered Ferris wheel. The Pier also offers fishing, shops, and restaurants. Downtown Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade is a car-free shopping district with designer retailers, a farmer’s market, restaurants, and bars.
Considerations: On weekends, enjoy the free historical walking tour. During the summer, attend the Twilight Concerts at the beach on Thursdays.
14. Explore Hiking Trails
Los Angeles County offers hiking trails that provide an escape into nature. The Runyon Canyon Loop offers an urban hiking experience with celebrity sightings and views of the Hollywood sign. Temescal Gateway Park features trails through oak and sycamore forests. The Baldwin Hills Trail leads to a scenic overlook. The Corral Canyon Loop offers panoramic coastal views.
Considerations: Expect to encounter other hikers and bikers on most trails. Parking lots can be full.
15. Visit Iconic Museums
Los Angeles boasts numerous museums and cultural exhibits. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art features a vast collection spanning 6,000 years of global artistic expression. The Broad contemporary art museum features innovative architecture. The Natural History Museum offers exhibits on spiders, dinosaurs, and nature gardens. The California Science Center offers IMAX movies, an ecosystems experience, and an exhibit on telescopes.
Considerations: Purchase tickets in advance and consider special exhibits and tours.
16. Stargaze at Griffith Park and Observatory
Griffith Park, home to the Griffith Observatory, is the largest municipal park in Los Angeles. The park offers 50 miles of trails, including one leading to the Hollywood sign, and landscaped gardens. The observatory features the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, solar telescopes, and guided talks. At night, visitors can observe the night sky through public telescopes.
Considerations: Griffith Park is a wilderness area with wildlife. Bicycles are not permitted on trails. Dogs must be on a leash.
17. Enjoy Live Music
Los Angeles offers a vibrant music scene. The Hollywood Bowl hosts touring acts. The Walt Disney Concert Hall features symphony performances. The Greek Theater hosts national acts and cover bands. The Hotel Cafe showcases acoustic performers.
18. Explore Historic Mansions and Homes
Los Angeles is home to numerous historical mansions. The Greystone Mansion has served as a backdrop for movies. The Hollyhock House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gamble House features American Craftsman design.
Considerations: Most historical mansions offer exterior tours only.
19. Relax in L.A.’s Parks
Los Angeles offers city parks for relaxation. Echo Park Lake offers fishing, boating, and picnic areas. Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area features hiking trails, playgrounds, and sports facilities. The Japanese Garden offers a serene setting for meditation and strolls.
Considerations: Echo Park Lake is known for its homeless population.
20. Discover Downtown LA
Explore downtown Los Angeles, including the Historic Core, Broadway Theater District, Clifton’s Cafeteria, and The Last Bookstore. Visit Little Tokyo, one of only three official "Japantowns" in the U.S. The Bradbury Building features a skylit atrium. L.A. Live is an entertainment complex offering live shows, movies, and dining.
Considerations: Downtown Los Angeles offers a dynamic experience.
21. Go to the Movies
Los Angeles is a major hub for moviegoers. The DTLA Film Festival showcases independent films. LA Film Festivals feature a variety of genres.
22. See Famous (or Soon-to-Be Famous) Comedians
Los Angeles offers numerous comedy clubs. The Laugh Factory hosts celebrity comedians. The Comedy Store is a favorite tourist destination. The Groundlings offers improv performances.
23. Take a Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Tour Warner Bros. Studios and explore over 100 years of film history. See the sets from "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory."
Considerations: An additional parking fee will be added to your tour price, and you cannot take photos of the sets or the sights while on the tour.
24. Eat Specialty Food at The Original Farmers Market
The Original Farmers Market is a great place to people-watch and indulge in a taste of LA’s history.
Considerations: If you’re looking for a traditional farmer’s market experience, filled with produce stalls from local farmers, visit one of Los Angeles’ many other farmer’s markets instead.
25. Take Your Dog for a Walk at Rosie’s Beach
Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach is a 4-acre stretch of coastline where dogs can roam off-leash.
Considerations: Rosie’s Dog Beach can get crowded with dogs of all types. If your dog is aggressive or very timid, it’s best to avoid this spot altogether.
Los Angeles, with its diverse attractions and vibrant culture, promises an unforgettable travel experience. From the iconic beaches to the glamorous streets of Hollywood, the City of Angels offers something for everyone. This guide to the 25 Best Things to Do on a Trip to Los Angeles, provides a starting point for exploring this dynamic metropolis and creating lasting memories.
