Los Angeles is home to celebrities, the famous Hollywood sign and party areas, but that’s not all it's good for. Between the coastline, the canyon roads, and the sheer spread of neighbourhoods, it can feel like ten different cities stitched into one.
This guide walks you through the top places to visit in Los Angeles along with what you can do there, no matter if you’re into beaches, landmarks or want to spend time with your family.
What Are the Best Places to Visit in Los Angeles for Landmarks and Culture?
If you only have a handful of days, start with the classics. These are the best places to visit in Los Angeles that most first-time travellers add to their list.
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory sits on a hill above the city and gives you a free, sweeping view of the skyline along with a look at the Hollywood Sign.
Things to Do:
- Walk up to the terrace for panoramic city views.
- Catch a planetarium show.
- Stay past sunset to watch the skyline light up.
Tribe Travel Tip: Visit an hour before sunset. You get daylight views over the city, then watch it transform into a blanket of lights without moving from the same spot.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches along Hollywood Boulevard, home to more than 2,700 stars honouring names from film, television, and music.
Things to Do:
- Spot stars of your favourite actors and musicians.
- Visit the TCL Chinese Theatre's handprint courtyard.
- Watch street performers along the boulevard.
Getty Center
The Getty Centre, up in the Brentwood hills, holds an outstanding art collection and a garden that alone is worth the visit.
Things to Do:
- Walk through the Central Garden.
- View European paintings and sculpture inside.
- Enjoy the skyline and ocean views from the terraces.
What Are the Best Places to Visit in Los Angeles for Beaches and Outdoors?
Los Angeles is as much a coastline as it is a city, and these places to visit in Los Angeles are where most people head once the museums and landmarks are done.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier keeps things simple with a small amusement park, an aquarium, and a wide beach right underneath it.
Things to Do:
- Ride the Ferris wheel and other rides on the pier.
- Walk the Third Street Promenade for shopping and food.
- Watch the sunset from the beach below.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Known for its free-spirited vibe, Venice Beach is fronted by the Ocean Front Walk, where street performers, pickup basketball games, and roller skaters are pretty much guaranteed.
Things to Do:
- Watch the action at Muscle Beach outdoor gym.
- Browse art and jewellery stalls along the boardwalk.
- Explore Abbot Kinney Boulevard just inland.
Malibu Coast
Along the coast, El Matador State Beach in Malibu offers sea caves and rock formations far removed from the Santa Monica crowds, reached by a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Things to Do:.
- Walk down to El Matador's sea caves at low tide.
- Drive the Pacific Coast Highway for ocean views.
What Are Some Interesting Places to Visit in Los Angeles Beyond the Well Known?
Once you have ticked off the famous names, the more interesting places to visit in Los Angeles sit a little off the tourist path.
Venice Canals and Watts Towers
The Venice Canals, tucked a few streets back from the boardwalk, were built more than a century ago and still have small footbridges lining the water. Watts Towers, a set of soaring sculptures built by a single artist over three decades, is one of the more unusual folk art sites in the country.
Things to Do:
- Walk the footbridges at the Venice Canals at a slow pace.
- Take a guided tour of Watts Towers and its grounds.
- Learn the history behind the decades-long build.
Koreatown and San Gabriel Valley
Koreatown runs late into the night with restaurants, karaoke rooms, and jjimjilbang-style spas, a different rhythm from the beach side of the city. For food, head toward the San Gabriel Valley, east of Downtown, home to some of the best Cantonese and Sichuan cooking outside of Asia.
Things to Do:
- Try Korean barbecue or book a few hours at a jjimjilbang spa.
- Sample dim sum or explore a night market in San Gabriel Valley.
- Compare a few restaurants across neighbouring towns.
Which Are the Best Places to Visit in Los Angeles With Family?
Travelling with kids or grandparents changes what counts as a good stop, and the best places to visit in Los Angeles with family combine easy logistics with a bit of wonder.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood leads the pack, with a working studio tour alongside rides based on Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and Super Nintendo World.
Things to Do:
- Ride the Studio Tour tram through working film sets.
- Explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- Try Super Nintendo World's interactive rides.
Tribe Travel Tip: Arrive at opening time. The big rides fill up fast once school groups arrive around mid-morning.
The LA Zoo
The LA Zoo is large enough to fill a whole day with pony rides, and gentle walking trails suited to younger legs.
Things to Do:
- Spend a couple of hours at the LA Zoo.
- Take an easy trail walk suited to kids.
- Stop for a pony ride near the park entrance.
California Science Centre
The California Science Centre, next to the authentic Space Shuttle Endeavour, is a solid rainy day option since most of it sits indoors.
Things to Do:
- View the Space Shuttle Endeavour up close.
- Explore hands-on exhibits across several floors.
- Catch a show at the IMAX theatre.
Where Are the Best Places to Visit in Los Angeles at Night?
The city changes character after sunset, and the places to visit in Los Angeles at night lean toward rooftop views, live music, and slow evening walks.
Sunset Strip and Griffith Observatory
The Sunset Strip in West Hollywood has carried LA's live music scene for decades, with venues like the Whisky a Go Go still hosting shows most nights.
Griffith Observatory stays open into the evening and has one of the best views in the city once the skyline lights up.
Things to Do:
- Catch a live set at one of the strip's music venues.
- Watch the cityscape lights spread out from the observatory terrace.
- Photograph the Hollywood Sign lit against the dark hillside.
Downtown Arts District and Abbot Kinney
Downtown's Arts District has grown into a strip of bars, breweries, and restaurants inside old warehouses.
If you want a quieter option, a short walk along Abbot Kinney Boulevard near Venice ends at plenty of small wine bars that rarely feel crowded on a weeknight.
Things to Do:
- Walk between converted warehouse bars and breweries in the Arts District.
- Look out for the neighbourhood's large-scale street murals.
- Wander Abbot Kinney's wine bars and boutiques for a slower evening.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Los Angeles?
Weather barely swings in LA, which is part of why it is such a comfortable year-round escape, though timing still affects crowd size and beach conditions.
Here’s what you need to know about the seasons and how they can affect your vacation:
Season | Avg. High | Avg. Low | What you Can Expect |
Spring (Mar-May) | 22°C | 12°C | Mild, fewer crowds, occasional clouds near the coast |
Summer (Jun-Aug) | 28°C | 17°C | Warm, busiest season, best beach weather |
Fall (Sep-Nov) | 26°C | 14°C | Warm days, thinner crowds, good hiking weather |
Winter (Dec-Feb) | 20°C | 9°C | Mild by most standards, occasional rain, lower hotel rates |
What to Keep in Mind Before You Go
- Transport: Renting a car or relying on rideshares works far better than walking, since neighbourhoods sit well apart.
- Currency: The US Dollar is used everywhere, and cards are accepted almost universally.
- Plug Type: The US uses Type A and B plugs at 120V, so Indian travellers need a plug and voltage adapter.
- Tipping: Tipping is customary in restaurants and cabs, usually around 15 to 20 per cent of the bill.
Conclusion
Whether you feel drawn to the classic places to visit in Los Angeles like Griffith Observatory and the Walk of Fame, or you would rather see lesser known places like the Venice Canals, Los Angeles has something for you no matter if you’re travelling with friends, family or going solo.
If you’d rather skip the hassle of planning, advisors at Holiday Tribe can help with customised USA travel packages that cover everything you want to see along with stays, transfers and optional flight add-ons. Get in touch to book your vacation today!
