Los Angeles, often referred to as the City of Angels, is a sprawling metropolis in Southern California that serves as the global epicenter of the entertainment industry. For travelers visiting the United States, Los Angeles offers a diverse array of experiences that range from sun-drenched beaches and world-class museums to iconic landmarks that have been immortalized in cinema. Navigating this vast urban landscape can be daunting, but focusing on a few key regions and attractions ensures a comprehensive experience of the California lifestyle. Whether you are drawn to the glitz of Hollywood or the laid-back atmosphere of the Pacific Ocean coastline, there is a “must-do” list that every visitor should prioritize to truly understand the essence of this vibrant city.
Iconic Landmarks and Cinematic History
The history of Los Angeles is inextricably linked to the silver screen. To visit the city without acknowledging its cinematic roots would be to miss its beating heart. The landmarks found within the Hollywood district and the surrounding hills are recognized globally, serving as symbols of aspiration and creative achievement.
Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign
Perched high on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood within Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory is arguably the best vantage point in the city. This Art Deco masterpiece offers breathtaking views of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. Inside, visitors can explore astronomical exhibits, see the Foucault Pendulum, and enjoy a show at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.
Just a short distance away, the Hollywood Sign stands as the city’s most famous sentinel. Originally created as an advertisement for a real estate development called Hollywoodland, the sign is now a protected historical landmark. While you cannot walk right up to the letters, several hiking trails in Griffith Park, such as the Mt Hollywood Trail, provide excellent photo opportunities.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
Descending into the heart of the city, a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a quintessential tourist experience. Stretching across fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard, the walk features over 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks, honoring musicians, actors, directors, and producers.
The focal point of this area is the TCL Chinese Theatre, formerly known as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. This opulent cinema house is famous for its forecourt, which contains the handprints, footprints, and signatures of nearly 200 film stars from the 1920s to the present day. Nearby, the Dolby Theatre serves as the permanent home of the Academy Awards, offering guided tours that take visitors behind the scenes of the most prestigious night in Hollywood.
Coastal Charms and Ocean Breezes
While the inland areas of Los Angeles are defined by their urban energy, the coast offers a different kind of magic. The beaches of Los Angeles County are diverse, ranging from the carnival-like atmosphere of Santa Monica to the bohemian spirit of Venice Beach and the rugged luxury of Malibu.
Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Park
The Santa Monica Pier is an enduring icon of the California coastline. This double-jointed pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue contains the world-famous Pacific Park, an amusement park featuring the Pacific Wheel—the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel. The pier marks the official western terminus of the legendary Route 66, making it a site of historical pilgrimage for many. Below the pier, Santa Monica State Beach offers miles of golden sand and the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, a 22-mile paved path that connects the northern and southern coastal communities.
The Eclectic Energy of Venice Beach
A short walk south from Santa Monica brings you to Venice Beach, a place where the eccentric side of Los Angeles is on full display. The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a sensory overload of street performers, fortune tellers, and local artisans. Fitness enthusiasts will enjoy seeing Muscle Beach Venice, the outdoor gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger once trained.
For a more serene experience, move inland a few blocks to the Venice Canals. Built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy, these charming waterways are lined with beautiful homes and quaint pedestrian bridges, offering a quiet respite from the bustling boardwalk.
The Pristine Beauty of Malibu
For those seeking a more sophisticated coastal experience, Malibu is an essential destination. Stretching along 27 miles of the Pacific Coast Highway, this affluent beachfront community is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in California. Zuma Beach is a favorite for locals, while El Matador State Beach offers dramatic sea caves and enormous rock formations that are a photographer’s dream. A visit to the Malibu Pier provides excellent views of surfers at Surfrider Beach, a premier spot in the history of surfing culture.
A Masterclass in Art and Culture
Los Angeles has evolved into one of the world’s premier destinations for art lovers. The city’s museums are not only repositories of historical artifacts but also architectural wonders in their own right. From ancient antiquities to cutting-edge contemporary works, the cultural landscape of L.A. is vast and impressive.
The Getty Center
Situated on a hill in the Santa Monica Mountains, The Getty Center is a monumental achievement in architecture and landscape design. Designed by Richard Meier, the complex is built primarily from Travertine and houses the J. Paul Getty Museum. The collection features European paintings, drawings, sculpture, and decorative arts, as well as American and European photographs. The Central Garden, designed by artist Robert Irwin, is an evolving work of art that visitors can wander through while enjoying panoramic views of the city.
LACMA and the Urban Lights
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, commonly known as LACMA, is the largest art museum in the western United States. Its massive campus on Wilshire Boulevard contains a collection that spans the history of art from ancient times to the present. The most famous installation at LACMA is Urban Light by Chris Burden, an assemblage of 202 restored cast-iron antique street lamps. Right next door, you can visit the La Brea Tar Pits, a fascinating active paleontological site where asphalt has seeped up from the ground for tens of thousands of years, trapping prehistoric animals like mammoths and saber-toothed cats.
The Broad and Downtown LA
In recent years, Downtown Los Angeles has undergone a cultural renaissance, centered largely around the Grand Avenue corridor. The Broad is a contemporary art museum founded by philanthropists Eli Broad and Edythe Broad. It is home to nearly 2,000 works of post-war and contemporary art, featuring artists like Jeff Koons and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Directly across the street is the Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry. Even if you don’t attend a performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the building’s stainless-steel curves are a must-see for any fan of modern architecture.
Thrills and Studio Secrets
For many, a trip to Los Angeles is a chance to see how the “sausage is made” in the film industry. The city’s theme parks and studio tours offer immersive experiences that bring beloved movies and television shows to life.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique hybrid of a working film studio and a world-class theme park. The centerpiece of the park is the Studio Tour, a tram ride that takes visitors through legendary backlots and soundstages. You can see the original sets from Jaws and Psycho, and experience immersive 4D segments like King Kong 360 3-D. Beyond the tour, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the high-tech Super Nintendo World provide state-of-the-art entertainment for all ages.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
If you prefer a more in-depth look at the production side of the industry, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank is highly recommended. Unlike the theme park atmosphere of Universal Studios Hollywood, this tour is more educational and intimate. It allows visitors to explore the sets of iconic shows like Friends and films like The Dark Knight. The Stage 48: Script to Screen exhibit provides a fascinating look at the various phases of the filmmaking process, from costume design to green-screen technology.
A short drive from Los Angeles brings you to Anaheim, home to the Disneyland Resort. While technically in Orange County, no travel guide for the region would be complete without mentioning Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. As the original park built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, it remains a “must-do” for families and enthusiasts of themed entertainment worldwide.
Los Angeles is a city that rewards those who take the time to explore its diverse neighborhoods. From the luxury boutiques of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to the historic Olvera Street in El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, the “Must Do” list is as varied as the people who call this city home. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventure, artistic inspiration, or cinematic thrills, the City of Angels delivers an unforgettable travel experience.
LifeOutOfTheBox is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate we earn affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases.