Dorothy Parker allegedly quipped, “Los Angeles is 72 suburbs in search of a city.” Jack Kerouac called L.A. “a jungle.” And Dutch novelist Cees Nooteboom observed that Angelenos “travel infinite numbers of kilometers in a world that continuously remains Los Angeles.”
The writers’ point was that the place is vast, with nearly four million people, 98,000 hotel rooms, 75 miles of coastline and 4,753 square miles. So you can imagine just how many things there are to do and see on any given day in L.A. County.
While the abundance of options to fill your vacation itinerary is exciting, it can feel overwhelming. But never fear; we’re here to help with a list of L.A.’s best attractions and activities to ensure your trip is quintessential Southern California.
Make Hollywood memories
No one can compete with the Entertainment Capital of the World regarding the set-jetting trend. Pop culture connoisseurs should start their cinematic exploration on Hollywood Boulevard at the TCL Chinese Theatre, arguably the most recognizable movie theater in the world. If they’re lucky, they can catch a red-carpet premiere or an actor cementing his footprints in the forecourt.
Then, wander along the Walk of Fame before popping into The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel — the ghosts of Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift reportedly haunt the site of the first Academy Awards. Across the street, you can see the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are currently held. As the day winds down, sip cocktails by The Hollywood Roosevelt’s David Hockney-painted pool or bowl a few frames in The Spare Room.
See the Venice Canals
Walk inland a few blocks from the Venice Beach Boardwalk to stroll through the last of the remaining canal neighborhoods, especially if you enjoy architecture. On the National Register of Historic Places, the canals debuted in 1905 and were the vision of developer Abbot Kinney. After exploring the canals, window shop and grab dinner on Abbot Kinney Boulevard at Felix, Gjelina or the plant-based Butcher’s Daughter.
Do it for the tram
There’s no business like show business, so a behind-the-scenes tour of a working movie studio is worth your time. Universal Studios Hollywood combines movie-themed thrill rides and restaurants with a tram tour around Universal’s backlot, where guests will meet Jaws, King Kong and Norman Bates and see outdoor sets from movies and TV shows like The Good Place and War of the Worlds.
If you prefer a deeper dive into Tinseltown history to a crowded theme park, we’d recommend the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. A knowledgeable guide will drive the tram around the historic 110-acre movie studio, pointing out (and stopping for photos at) soundstages, the Friends fountain, sets, the props warehouse and the Gilmore Girls gazebo. Also included are costume displays, an interactive special effects experience and exhibits on DC superheroes and Harry Potter movies.
Become a guardian of the galaxy
Perched 1,134 feet above sea level in Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory is a free observatory, planetarium and space science museum. Since the facility opened in 1935, more than 85 million visitors have gazed through its Zeiss 12-inch refracting telescope. The landmark has also become a star thanks to cameos in numerous TV shows and films, including La La Land, Rebel Without a Cause and The Terminator. The observatory also offers a stellar downtown-to-ocean panorama.
Eat your way around the world
L.A.’s greatest strength is its diversity, which is reflected in the melting pot’s wide array of dining options. From a bacon-wrapped “danger dog” prepared by a street vendor to the tweezered edible art served at restaurants like Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Providence, tourists can nosh on food from around the globe all over the city. Often the best representations of a culinary culture are found in pocket neighborhoods — Thai Town (Anthony Bourdain favorite Jitlada is here), Koreatown and Little Ethiopia are delicious examples — defined by the majority ethic group residing there.
Take a hike
Outside of a day at the beach, L.A. does not get enough credit as an outdoor destination. However, its urban hiking scene is unparalleled, with many trails within city limits offering stunning views, varied terrains, wildlife and memorable sites like the iconic Hollywood Sign (Mt. Hollywood, Brush Canyon and Cahuenga Peak trails), the former 20th Century Fox movie ranch (now Malibu Creek State Park) and TV’s original Batcave (Bronson Caves). Runyon Canyon is also famous for being a grueling workout and is a reliable destination for star sightings.
Another popular option gaining traction with locals in recent years is hundreds of staircases peppered throughout hilly communities like Hollywood, Silver Lake and Pasadena providing walkable windows into L.A.’s storied past. Most date to the early 1900s, the heyday of the Pacific Electric Railway and the Los Angeles Railway, and were built to deliver residents from their hillside homes to transit stops and main drags for shopping and socializing. The definitive guide, Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide To The Historic Staircases of Los Angeles, gives detailed directions, points of interest along the treks and factoids about the flights.
Have a museum moment
According to Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, the City of Angels has more museums and performing arts venues than any other U.S. city. Our advice is to first hit at least one of the big institutions, like The Getty Center, LACMA, the Hammer or The Broad and then take in one of the more specialized museums, depending on personal interests, such as the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, La Brea Tar Pits or the Petersen Automotive Museum.
See films alfresco
Many cities hold outdoor movie screenings in the summer, but L.A. takes the warm-weather programming to the next level with corresponding costume contests, ornate photo booths, concerts and cast member Q&As. Catch hundreds of classics, cult films and even recent blockbusters all across town as soon as temperatures start to rise. Companies like Street Food Cinema or Melrose Rooftop Theatre put on these shows. But for an unforgettable night, head to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where Cinespia has been projecting flicks on a mausoleum wall since 2002.
Get an earful
The Hollywood Hills have been alive with the sound of music since 1922, when the Hollywood Bowl opened. Since then, acts such as The Beatles, Ella Fitzgerald, Radiohead, The Roots and Yo-Yo Ma have performed under the concentric arches of the Bolton Canyon band shell. The summer home of the L.A. Philharmonic hosts annual mariachi and jazz festivals, operas, comedy shows, fireworks extravaganzas and sing-along movie and Broadway nights.
Before most concerts, you’ll find people picnicking on the verdant grounds. Outside of the amazing acoustics, the best part of most shows is the fact that you can bring in outside food and wine to enjoy at your seat.
Let the games begin
Even before the World Cup and the Summer Olympics pull into town in 2026 and 2028, respectively, L.A. is a paradise for sports fans, given that it’s home to two NBA teams (the Clippers’ state-of-the-art arena, Intuit Dome, is a destination itself), a WNBA team, two NFL teams, two MLS teams, two NHL teams and the reigning World Series champs. Speaking of the Shohei Ohtani-led baseball squad, mega fans should sign up for a tour of historic Dodger Stadium.
Shop till you drop
Rodeo Drive is arguably the world’s most famous shopping street, with more than 100 designer boutiques lining three blocks. Givenchy, Chanel, Hermès, Cartier, Loewe and Harry Winston all have flagships here. For an alternative shopping excursion, make your way to West Hollywood’s Melrose Avenue. The stores here veer more toward contemporary, including Alice + Olivia, Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith, whose bubblegum-pink building is a popular selfie backdrop.
