25 Things To Do in Los Angeles, California [With Photos]

#Ad : This post is sponsored by Cheapoair.

The City of Los Angeles, Spanish for “The Angels,” is the most populous city in California; second in all of the US with New York being the first. LA is renowned for its Mediterranean-like weather, cultural diversity, entertainment industry, Hollywood, and widespread metropolis. Filled not only with buildings and landmarks, but LA is also adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and high Mountains. One will genuinely get confused on what to do.

The first time we ever travelled to Los Angeles, we were completely overwhelmed and had no idea where to start or what to do. There is so much information out there scattered across the internet, that it’s really hard to get a cohesive strategy together for what to do in Los Angeles. 

The city and the surrounding areas are so huge that we needed some help just to get started! We were incredibly lucky to have friends from the city to help us out and show us some of the best things to do and see in Los Angeles in the short time we had to explore. However, for those who are not so fortunate to have local friends to show you around, a reliable source of information is priceless! 

Our favourite flight bookings website, Cheapoair, has started producing a series of video travel guides called the Things To Do video series which will cover destinations all over the world, starting with Los Angeles! Not only are the guides helpful for finding cool things to do all over LA, they are also designed to help budget-conscious travellers stretch their dollars and get the most out of their trip! Many of the activities and places to visit in the guides are either free or very cheap.

Here’s a link to the Cheapoair Things to do in Los Angeles video guide to get you started!

Be sure to follow the Cheapoair YouTube channel so you don’t miss any new videos. Also, keep a close eye on their YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels, because there is going to be an exciting opportunity for their followers to participate in… Watch this space!

To assist you in your journey in LA, here is a list of 25 things to do in Los Angeles.

1. Hike to the Hollywood Sign

The most iconic sign in Los Angeles is that “Hollywood” sign. There are three trails towards the sign; Mt. Hollywood, the easiest, Brush Canyon and Cahuenga Peak, the hardest path. It will take more than an hour, so ready yourself and enjoy the view of the city when you go up.

Suggested Tour: Hollywood Sign Walk to the top

2. See the Stars at Griffith Observatory

Not only is Griffith observatory a gorgeous building, but it is a gateway to the cosmos. Admission to the buildings and grounds are free and also viewing the night sky through the telescope

Suggested Tour: Griffith Park & Hollywood Sign Hiking Tour

3. Tour the Getty Center

The Getty Center, with great architecture and remarkable buildings, is home to collections of world-renowned Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne. Be ready to be in awe of the interior and exterior of this site.

Suggested Tour: Los Angeles Getty Center Scavenger Hunt Adventure

4. Bike around LA

Rent a bicycle and bike along the bike path of Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Enjoy the ocean breeze and magnificent views.

Suggested Tour: The Ultimate Los Angeles Bike Tour

5. Watch a game at Staples Center

It is known as the home to Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) and Los Angeles Clippers and other leagues like WNBA, NHL, and AFL. Check out the schedule and cheer for the home team.

Suggested Tour: LA in A Day

6. Enjoy Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and theme park in the San Fernando, LA. Witness muggles appreciate the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or check out other characters that roam the park grounds.

Suggested Tour: Universal Studios Hollywood General Admission Ticket

7. Experience the Tar Pits

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is a group of tar pits inside the Hancock Park. Over many centuries, the tar preserved the bones of trapped animals. Discover specimens from the animals that died there, especially from Ice Age; mammoths, saber-tooth tigers and dire wolves.

Suggested Tour: La Brea Tar Pits and Museum Admission

8. Stroll at Greystone Mansion and Park

Feel like an aristocrat as you tour the largest private estate in Beverly Hills; the Gretsone or Doheny mansion. It is now a public park and a popular shooting location of films like X-men and Spiderman.

Suggested Tour: Scandals Tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills

9. Watch a concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall

The LA Philharmonic’s home, Walt Disney Concert Hall, is one of the world’s most acoustically advanced concert halls. If you can’t get tickets to a concert, you can have a self-guided tour to see the gorgeous gardens and entryways; however, it would make you curious about what is inside.

10. Swim at Santa Monica Beach

Swim, sunbathe, stroll or people-watch; Santa Monica Beach is also clean and safe. Bring your sunblock, umbrella and beach towels and enjoy the day.

Suggested Tour: Santa Monica and Venice Beach Tour from Los Angeles

11. Look for Celebrities

Want to have a good chance to see a star, this is an awesome thing to do in Lost Angeles! Since numerous celebrities (singers, actors) and other entertainers live in different districts of LA, try to find one or book a tour into one of their homes. You might get lucky and get a picture with one!

Suggested Tour: City and Celebrity Homes Tour

12. Wander at the Venice Canals

Want to feel like in another country while being in the US? Try this thing to do in LA! Take a relaxing walk at the Venice Canals. See arching pedestrian bridges, charming houses, and some people paddleboarding. If you have your own equipment; boat or paddleboard, you can tour the canals by that too!

Suggested Tour: Small Group Electric Bicycle Tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach

13. Play at Santa Monica Pier

The pier includes the Pacific Park, a family theme park with a brightly lit Ferris Wheel. It is also a venue for concerts and other activities during summer. You can walk and feel the ocean breeze at this pier.

Suggested Tour: Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway Tour

14. Appreciate art at Los Angeles County Museum

The LACMA is an art museum and the western US’s largest art museum. LACMA has more than 120,000 objects or artworks and spread among the buildings. Take time and appreciate the art it offers.

Suggested Tour: LA in A Day

15. Shop at Rodeo Drive

Check out luxury goods shops in this star-studded shopping street. If you don’t have extra money, then go and window shop or see luxury cars.

Suggested Tour: Hollywood & Beverly Hills Celebrity Homes & Landmark Locations in Open Air Buses

16. Ride at Angels Flight

Angels Flight is a narrow railway with 2 funicular cars; Sinai and Olivet. This was also featured on films like La La Land and the Muppets

Suggested Tour: Downtown Los Angeles Filming Locations Walking Tour

17. Go on a Studio Tour

Get behind the scene and see where your favorite movies have been made. There is Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, Paramount, Universal Studios and many more. So choose one or all!

Suggested Tour: Hollywood Celebrity Homes and Warner Bros Studio Tour

18. Restaurant Hop in LA

Los Angeles is a great place for foodies; due to a variety of immigrants from all over the world, then there are a variety of international cuisines. Prepare yourself to be full.

Suggested Tour: Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour

19. Walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Want to know another star-studded thing to do in Los Angeles? Try finding the name of your favorite celebrity in one of Hollywood’s streets embedded in more than 2,600 stars. Be careful though, you might get a stiff neck with always looking down?

Suggested Tour: Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open-Top Bus

20. Visit the Los Angeles City Hall

The LA city hall is the center of the government of Los Angeles City. An observation level is found on the 27th floor. The building is also familiar since it has been featured in movies.

21. Feel like a Student

Visit famous universities like UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) or USC (University of Southern California); check out their buildings and do a self-guided tour.

Suggested Tour: Los Angeles Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Tour

22. Tour inside Petersen Automotive Museum

The number 1 automotive museum in the world, the Peterson Automotive Museum is dedicated to the exploration and presentation of the automobile and its impact on the world. There are about 25 galleries with more than 350 vehicles on display. For car buffs, spend extra to see the vault.

Suggested Tour: Skip the Line: Petersen Automotive Museum General Admission Ticket

23. Trek at Runyon Canyon Park

Los Angeles is not only about the entertainment industry, shopping or studios, there is also a thing to do in LA with mother nature. Go away from the bustling city and hike at Runyon Canyon Park. Enjoy a view of downtown Los Angeles. You might see a celebrity hiking here too!

Suggested Tour: 2.5-Hour Hollywood Walking and Hiking Tour

24. Shop and Dine at Third Street Promenade

The Third Street Promenade is a pedestrian mall in Santa Monica’s downtown dining, shopping, and entertainment complex. This also a moviegoer’s heaven since there are 20 movie theatres. Check out street performers too!

Suggested Tour: Sightseeing Tour of LA by Bike with Transportation from Los Angeles Hotels

25. Check out Ethnic Enclaves

Want to feel like home or in taste the feel of another country? This is a great thing to do in LA! Los Angeles is very diverse so you could see little towns in this city; choose between Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown, Little Armenia, Historic Filipinotown, Tehrangeles, Little Bangladesh, Little Ethiopia, Thai Town, and many more.

26. Find accommodation in Los Angeles, California

Frequently Asked Question

1. Where to stay in Los Angeles?

Hollywood is the best place for tourists, it is near a lot of touristy areas and public transit.

2. Is it safe to travel to Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is safe at touristic neighbourhoods like Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills. However, California is one of the most dangerous states in America; there are parts of LA with gang-related violence and homicide. Just don’t walk alone, especially at night. But in case of emergencies, dial 911.

3. Should I get travel insurance before heading to Los Angeles?

I always recommend buying travel insurance since we don’t know what will happen to us. Check out SafetyWing, my insurance provider.

4. Is it expensive in Los Angeles for tourists?

Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the US; a great competition with New York as number one. So be careful with your budget.

5. When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?

The best time to visit LA are on March to May (Spring) or September to November (Fall); great weather; not too hot or too cold and there are not many tourists as summer/winter vacation in the US is over.

6. How to get there?

Los Angeles International Airport is the main international and domestic airport in LA. It is knowns also as LAX. Top international destinations include London, Mexico, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, Japan, and China.

I hope you now know 25 things to do in Los Angeles! You can check out more things to do in my blog. Enjoy your travels!

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