Planning a trip to Los Angeles? You are heading to one of the most iconic, diverse, and endlessly entertaining cities in the United States. From the glittering landmarks of Hollywood and the sun-soaked shores of Santa Monica to world-class museums, outstanding food, and some of the finest theme parks in California, Los Angeles rewards every type of traveller.
This guide covers the best things to do and see in Los Angeles – top attractions, outdoor activities, hidden gems, where to eat, how to get around, and practical tips for your LA trip 2026.
Top Attractions in Los Angeles – Must-See Sights
Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory
The Hollywood Sign is the defining symbol of Los Angeles – and the Griffith Observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood is the best place to see it. The observatory offers panoramic views over the entire LA Basin, from the Hollywood Hills to Downtown and the Pacific on clear days. Entry to the main observatory building is free, making it one of the best-value attractions in the city. The hike up from the Greek Theatre parking area takes about 30 minutes; the Hollyridge Trail provides the most direct Hollywood Sign views on foot.
Griffith Observatory: free entry. Open Tuesday-Friday 12-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-10pm.
Best time to visit: late afternoon for the finest light on the Hollywood Sign and a spectacular LA sunset from the terrace
Combine with a hike through Griffith Park – one of the largest urban parks in the USA
Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood Boulevard
The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, with over 2,700 stars embedded in the pavement honoring icons of film, television, music, and theatre. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the United States and an essential Los Angeles experience. The surrounding Hollywood Boulevard has the TCL Chinese Theatre (where you can compare handprints with your favorite stars), the El Capitan Theatre, and the Hollywood & Highland entertainment complex.
The Walk of Fame is free to visit – open 24 hours, though busier and more atmospheric during daylight
TCL Chinese Theatre: guided tours available or browse the forecourt handprints and footprints for free
Santa Monica and Venice Beach
Santa Monica and Venice Beach are the most famous stretches of the Los Angeles coastline – and two of the most iconic beach destinations in the world. The Santa Monica Pier, with its historic carousel and Pacific Park amusement rides, is a beloved LA landmark. The beachfront Bike Path (The Strand) runs 22 miles along the coast from Santa Monica south through Venice Beach to Redondo Beach – one of the finest urban cycling routes in the USA.
Venice Beach Boardwalk – street performers, muscle beach outdoor gym, skate park, and the famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard boutiques
- Bike rental available at Santa Monica Pier from approximately $15-$25/hour – cycling from Santa Monica to Venice Beach is one of the best free LA activities
- Sunset at Santa Monica Beach – one of the finest sunset views in Southern California
Best Activities: What to do and see in Los Angeles
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the finest theme parks in California and a must-visit for families and movie fans in Los Angeles. The park combines working film studio infrastructure with world-class theme park attractions, creating an experience unique in the USA. The Studio Tour – a 45-minute tram journey through the actual Universal Studios backlot – is the park’s signature experience, taking you through iconic film and television sets. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Jurassic World – The Ride are the standout attractions.
Tickets: from approximately $109-$149 per person – book online for best prices
The Studio Tour is the park’s unmissable highlight – arrive early before queues build
- Combine with a visit to CityWalk for dining and entertainment before or after the park
Shopping on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world – three blocks of luxury boutiques, flagship stores, and the kind of glamour that defines the Beverly Hills mythology. Even if designer shopping is not on your agenda, walking Rodeo Drive and exploring the surrounding streets of Beverly Hills is a quintessential Los Angeles experience. The neighborhood is free to explore and excellent for celebrity spotting.
- The Beverly Hills Hotel (Sunset Boulevard) and the Polo Lounge are worth a look even if not staying
- Wilshire Boulevard’s Museum Row is nearby – LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) is excellent and walkable from Beverly Hills
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
For film and television fans, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank is one of the best studio experiences in Los Angeles – a behind-the-scenes journey through working sets, prop departments, wardrobe archives, and iconic filming locations. Unlike Universal’s theme park, the Warner Bros. tour is a genuine studio experience – you may walk through sets currently in production. The tour covers sets from Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Batman, and hundreds of other productions.
Tickets: approximately $70-$75 per person – book online. Tours run throughout the day.
- The Harry Potter Studio Experience is an additional special event available at select times
Outdoor Activities in Los Angeles
Hike Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon Park in the Hollywood Hills is one of the most popular hiking spots in Los Angeles – a 160-acre urban park with multiple trail options offering spectacular views over the city. The main loop trail takes about 45 minutes and delivers outstanding views over Hollywood and Downtown LA. The park is free to enter, extremely dog-friendly, and a favourite of LA residents who come to exercise, socialise, and enjoy the remarkable city views. Arrive early on weekends to find parking.
Free entry – open daily from sunrise to sunset
Multiple trails from easy to moderate – the Upper trail is steeper but offers the best views
- Combine with a coffee on Cahuenga Boulevard below for a classic LA morning
Cycling Along the Coast
The Santa Monica to Venice Beach bike path (and beyond to Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach) is one of the best outdoor activities in Los Angeles – a flat, scenic coastal route with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the vibrant beach communities of LA on the other. Rental bikes are widely available on Santa Monica Pier and along the Boardwalk. Allow 1 to 2 hours for a leisurely Santa Monica to Venice Beach round trip, or half a day for the longer coastal route south.
Museums and Culture in Los Angeles
The Getty Center
The Getty Center in Brentwood is one of the finest art museums in the United States – and uniquely for a world-class institution, entry is completely free (parking approximately $20). The museum’s collection spans European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and photography, with highlights including works by Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, and Cézanne. The building itself – a monumental Richard Meier-designed complex on a hilltop above LA – is extraordinary, and the gardens and views over the city and Pacific Ocean are spectacular.
Free admission – parking $20. Take the free tram from the entrance to the hilltop museum.
Allow 2 to 3 hours minimum – the garden and architecture alone are worth the visit
- The Getty Villa in Malibu (sister institution, Greek and Roman antiquities) requires a separate free timed entry ticket
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures – opened in 2021 and already one of the most visited museums in Los Angeles – is the finest museum dedicated to the history and art of cinema in the world. The museum’s collection spans the full history of film-making, from the earliest silent movies to contemporary blockbusters, with extraordinary original artefacts, interactive exhibits, and the Oscars Experience where visitors can walk the stage and accept a (replica) Academy Award.
Admission: adults approximately $25, children $15. The Barbra Streisand Wing is particularly impressive.
- Located on Wilshire Boulevard in Mid-Wilshire, adjacent to LACMA
Hidden Gems in Los Angeles
Beyond the famous landmarks, Los Angeles has a wealth of lesser-known experiences that are often the most memorable:
The Last Bookstore (Downtown LA) – a labyrinthine independent bookshop in a former bank vault, with a celebrated art installation of books forming tunnels and archways on the upper floor. Free to browse, genuinely extraordinary.
Grand Central Market (Downtown LA) – a historic food hall open since 1917, with dozens of vendors serving everything from Mexican tacos and Vietnamese pho to cold brew coffee and artisan charcuterie. One of the best and most affordable eating experiences in LA.
El Matador State Beach (Malibu) – a hidden gem of rocky coves and sea stacks north of Malibu, less crowded than Santa Monica and arguably more beautiful. Accessible via a short trail from the car park.
Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round – a beautifully preserved 1926 carousel in the heart of Griffith Park that inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland. Historic and charming.
The Broad Museum (Downtown LA) – free timed entry contemporary art museum housing one of the finest collections of postwar and contemporary art in the USA, including major works by Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and Jean-Michel Basquiat
Food and Dining in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the best food cities in the United States – a city of extraordinary culinary diversity shaped by its Mexican, Asian, Middle Eastern, and international communities. The food scene ranges from legendary taco trucks and Grand Central Market vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants along Melrose Avenue and the Santa Monica waterfront.
Tacos – LA’s taco scene is world-class. Tacos 1986 in West Hollywood and Leo’s Tacos Truck are beloved institutions. Budget $3–$5 per taco.
In-N-Out Burger – the California fast food institution. The Double-Double with Animal Style fries is a non-negotiable LA food experience. Approximately $10 for a meal.
Grand Central Market (Downtown) – the finest food hall in LA for variety and value. Eggslut, China Café, and McConnell’s Ice Cream are highlights.
Erewhon Market (various locations) – LA’s legendary health food grocery with a smoothie bar that has become a city institution. Expensive but worth experiencing.
Melrose Avenue and West Hollywood restaurant strip – for a sit-down dinner in one of LA’s finest dining corridors
Getting Around Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a car city – the urban area covers over 500 square miles and public transport, while improving, does not cover most of the destinations visitors want to reach. A rental car gives you the greatest flexibility and is the recommended option for most visitors.
Car rental: essential for visiting Universal Studios, the Getty Center, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Malibu. Book well in advance – LA car rental prices rise sharply during peak periods. Budget $40–$70/day for a standard vehicle.
Uber and Lyft: widely available throughout LA and the best option for central areas, evening outings, and trips where parking is challenging (Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Weho)
Waymo – Waymo offers a self-driving taxi service in Los Angeles, allowing you to travel without a human driver using a simple app. It’s a convenient and futuristic option for getting around certain areas of the city, especially for short rides.
LA Metro: the metro system covers Downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown, and Santa Monica. The Expo Line from Downtown to Santa Monica is useful for beach days. Day pass approximately $7.
Walking: limited for most LA sightseeing, but excellent within specific neighbourhoods – Venice Beach, Silver Lake, Arts District, and Santa Monica are all very walkable
- Tip: plan travel times carefully. Los Angeles traffic is notoriously heavy, particularly on the I-405, I-10, and US-101 during rush hour (7-9am and 4-7pm). Allow significantly more travel time than Google Maps suggests during these windows.
Practical Tips for Visiting Los Angeles
Sunscreen is essential – Los Angeles has over 280 sunny days per year and UV levels are high. Apply SPF 50+ daily, even on overcast days.
Layer your clothing – mornings and evenings in LA can be noticeably cooler than midday, particularly near the coast. A light jacket for evening is worth having year-round.
Book popular attractions in advance – Universal Studios tickets, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, and the Getty Center parking all benefit from advance booking.
Carry water – LA’s warm, dry climate means dehydration can creep up quickly, particularly during outdoor activities like Runyon Canyon hikes.
Leave extra time for traffic – factor in 30–50% more driving time than estimated during busy periods
Why Los Angeles Belongs on Your Travel List
Los Angeles is a city of extraordinary contrasts – glamorous Hollywood and sun-bleached surf beaches, world-class art museums and legendary taco trucks, hiking trails with city views and Michelin-starred dining. Few cities in the world offer this range of experiences in such compact geography, and the year-round Southern California climate makes it an outstanding destination in every season.
Whether you have three days or a week, Los Angeles will surprise, entertain, and inspire. Plan a few key experiences in advance, leave room for spontaneous exploration, and be ready to fall for one of the world’s great cities.
Plan your trip:
- ✈️ Book flights
- 🏨 Book hotel
- 🎟️ Plan events
Frequently Asked Questions: Los Angeles
What Are the Best Things to Do in Los Angeles?
The must-do LA attractions are: Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign, the Walk of Fame, Santa Monica and Venice Beach, Universal Studios Hollywood, the Getty Center (free), and the Grand Central Market. For something beyond the obvious, El Matador Beach in Malibu and The Last Bookstore Downtown are outstanding.
Is Los Angeles Worth Visiting?
Yes – Los Angeles is one of the most iconic and exciting cities in the world, with a unique combination of film history, beach culture, world-class food, outstanding museums, and a year-round warm climate that makes outdoor activities enjoyable in every season. It rewards exploration beyond the famous landmarks.
How Many Days Do You Need in Los Angeles?
A minimum of 3 to 4 days is needed to see the essential highlights of LA. 5 to 7 days is ideal for a more relaxed pace that allows day trips to Malibu, a Universal Studios day, the Getty Center, and time to explore neighborhood restaurants and local life beyond the tourist trail.
What Is the Best Area to Stay in Los Angeles?
The best areas to stay in LA depend on your priorities: West Hollywood and Hollywood offer central access to most attractions; Santa Monica is ideal for beach-focused visitors and families; Downtown LA has excellent hotel value and access to the Arts District and Grand Central Market. Beverly Hills is the most luxurious option.
