Things to do in LA: 15 must-dos and hidden gems

Classic things to do in LA: The iconic spots you can’t skip 

Some places stay popular for a reason. From Hollywood movie history to hilltop city views, these classic Los Angeles tourist attractions are the starting point for almost every trip and some of the best things to do in Los Angeles for first-time visitors. If you’re still planning your trip, it’s also worth checking our guide on the best time to go to the USA because the LA experience feels very different depending on the season.

1. Hollywood: Walk of Fame and studios

No trip to LA feels complete without Hollywood. The Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre remain some of the most iconic things to do in Hollywood, especially for first-time visitors exploring Hollywood Boulevard, historic cinemas, and famous film landmarks.

Studio tours are where Hollywood gets more interesting. Universal Studios Hollywood combines a working studio with a theme park, while Warner Bros. Studio Tour focuses on props, costumes, and filming locations like the recreated Central Perk set from “Friends.” Paramount Pictures offers a quieter, old-school Hollywood atmosphere.

Nearby spots like Lake Hollywood Park and Hollywood Forever Cemetery are also worth adding to your itinerary. And if you’re wondering about the best day to visit Hollywood studios, midweek mornings — especially Tuesday through Thursday — are usually the least crowded. 

2. Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive

You don’t need a luxury-shopping budget to enjoy Beverly Hills. Part of the appeal is simply walking past palm-lined streets, designer storefronts, luxury cars, and cafés around Rodeo Drive.

Rodeo Drive is one of the classic places to visit in Los Angeles and one of the city’s most recognizable tourist attractions. But the quieter residential streets nearby are just as memorable, with huge mansions and perfectly maintained gardens.

You can also take a free self-guided walking route through Beverly Hills. It’s one of the most fun things to do in LA, even if you’re only there for the atmosphere and people-watching.

3. Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign 

Griffith Observatory is one of the best free Los Angeles attractions, with views across downtown LA, the Hollywood Sign, and Griffith Park. On very clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of the ocean in the distance.

You can either take an easy route by driving or shuttling near the Observatory or choose longer Griffith Park hikes that get closer to the Hollywood Sign. Sunset is the best time to visit, when the city slowly lights up below.

Inside, you’ll find space exhibits, telescopes, and the famous planetarium. Parking fills up quickly on weekends, so arriving early helps.

Things to do in downtown LA: Culture, art, and street energy 

A lot of visitors expect Downtown LA to be all office towers and traffic. In reality, it’s one of the most interesting parts of the city — packed with street art, rooftop bars, galleries, historic buildings, and some of the best food in Southern California. It’s also one of the few areas in LA where you can actually spend the day walking from place to place, unlike most of the sprawling, car-dependent city.

Many of the best things to do in downtown LA are packed into just a few neighborhoods. Within a short distance, you can go from contemporary art museums and cultural events to taco counters inside Grand Central Market or cocktail bars hidden in old theaters. Downtown also gives you easy access to landmarks like the Bradbury Building, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Natural History Museum, and nearby spots such as Little Tokyo and the Arts District, each with its own completely different local vibe.

4. The Arts District and street art

The Arts District is one of the most creative parts of Downtown LA, where former warehouses have been turned into galleries, coffee shops, design studios, and popular brunch spots. Murals cover entire buildings, especially around Traction Avenue and nearby streets.

The atmosphere feels completely different from Hollywood or Beverly Hills — more industrial, local, and arts-focused. The best way to explore the neighborhood is to take it slowly — just grab coffee, stop for brunch, and wander without too much of a plan.

5. Grand Central Market: Tacos, coffee, and everything in between

Open since 1917, Grand Central Market remains one of the best food stops in Downtown LA. It mixes old-school vendors that have been there for decades with newer stalls serving everything from ramen to gourmet sandwiches and specialty coffee.

The taco counters are still the main attraction, where office workers, tourists, students, and locals all end up eating side by side, often for under US$15. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience LA’s food culture without spending much money. If you want a cheap, authentic lunch while exploring things to do in Downtown LA, this is one of the best places to start.

Because of its location at the foot of Bunker Hill, the market also connects naturally with several nearby tourist attractions, including The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the historic Angels Flight railway. 

6. The Broad and LACMA: Art for every taste

Even people who don’t usually plan museum visits tend to enjoy The Broad and Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Both are among the top Los Angeles tourist attractions for art lovers, but they offer completely different experiences.

The Broad, located in Downtown LA, focuses on contemporary art and is especially famous for Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Mirror Rooms.” General admission is free, though reserving tickets in advance is highly recommended because they sell out quickly.

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western US. Its collection ranges from classical works to modern exhibitions, but most visitors recognize it instantly from the “Urban Light” installation outside — the rows of vintage street lamps that have become one of the most photographed spots in LA.

Attractions in Santa Monica and Venice Beach: Discover LA’s beachside 

One of the things that makes LA unique is how quickly the scenery changes. Within 30 minutes, you can go from downtown skyscrapers to the Pacific Ocean, beach paths, and sunset views. Santa Monica and Venice Beach sit side by side, but they feel completely different — one polished and classic, the other chaotic in the best possible way. Together, they’re some of the most iconic places to visit in Los Angeles.

7. Santa Monica Pier and boardwalk

The Santa Monica Pier is a classic Santa Monica attraction. It’s among the most photographed spots in LA, where you can enjoy the Ferris wheel, the arcade, the Route 66 end sign, and sweeping ocean views stretching across the Pacific.

The Santa Monica boardwalk is just as entertaining, with rinks for rollerbladers, bike rentals, and beach volleyball courts. Watching the sunset from the boardwalk is unforgettable. If you’re driving, parking is easier early in the morning or later in the afternoon. For more exploring, you can head toward nearby spots like Marina del Rey. 

8. Venice Beach: Skating, Muscle Beach, and the canals

Venice Beach feels like two different places in one. Along the boardwalk, the scene is loud and nonstop — street performers, skaters, outdoor gyms at Muscle Beach, murals, souvenir stands, and crowds moving between the beach and the skate park.

Just a few blocks inland, though, the atmosphere changes completely. The Venice Canals area is quiet, residential, and surprisingly calm compared to the energy near the water. It’s a side of Venice Beach many tourists miss entirely, but it’s one of the best ways to experience the neighborhood’s more relaxed local vibe.

Fun things to do in LA with kids 

LA is one of the best family destinations in the US, partly because the weather makes outdoor activities possible almost year-round. Beyond beaches and theme parks, the city has movie-related attractions, science museums, bike paths, and interactive spots that genuinely work for different age groups. If you’re looking for things to do in LA with kids, most families end up loving these experiences.

9. Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood works both as a real working studio and a full-scale theme park, which is why it appeals to kids and adults equally. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Jurassic World are usually the biggest hits, but the Studio Tour itself is still one of the park’s best attractions.

A visit to Universal Studios Hollywood is definitely a full-day activity, especially during school holidays and summer. Buying tickets online in advance and arriving right at opening time makes a huge difference if you want to avoid long queues for the major rides. If your kids enjoy science and space, pairing Universal with the nearby California Science Center on another day also works really well.

10. Disneyland (the ultimate LA-area day trip) 

Disneyland is technically in Anaheim, around 35 minutes from Downtown LA by car without traffic, but for many families, it’s still essential during a trip to the LA area.

The resort has two separate parks — Disneyland Park, with classic rides as well as Sleeping Beauty Castle, and Disney California Adventure, which focuses more on Pixar, Marvel, and larger thrill rides. Even adults who aren’t usually theme park enthusiasts tend to get caught up in it.

Like Universal Studios, Disneyland is best treated as a full-day commitment. Comfortable shoes and early starts help a lot.

LA for film and music lovers 

Nowhere else feels quite like LA if you grew up watching American movies or listening to American music. Film studios, famous venues, recording history, and recognizable filming locations are part of everyday life here. Many of the best things to do in Los Angeles for adults revolve around that connection to cinema, music, and pop culture.

11. Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Paramount Pictures 

Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers a detailed look at working soundstages, props, costumes, and famous sets like the Central Perk café from “Friends.” It gives a behind-the-scenes experience and is especially entertaining for fans of American sitcoms and films.

Paramount Pictures offers a different atmosphere. As the last major studio still based in Hollywood, it feels more cinematic and less like a theme park, with quieter backlots and classic Hollywood history built into the tour itself.

Both tours regularly sell out, so booking in advance is strongly recommended. If you’re interested in movie history beyond studio sets, the nearby Academy Museum is also worth adding to your itinerary.

12. The Grammy Museum and live music in Hollywood

The Grammy Museum in Downtown LA focuses on music history through interactive exhibits, instruments, handwritten lyrics, and costumes from iconic performances. Even visitors with a passing interest usually end up spending more time there than they expected.

But the real experience starts after dark. Venues like the Troubadour, the Roxy, and clubs around West Hollywood still host rising artists and major performers in surprisingly intimate spaces. You can also visit the Hollywood Bowl — one of the most iconic outdoor venues in the US. Watching a live show there on a warm summer evening is a classic LA experience that genuinely lives up to expectations.

13. Iconic film locations around the city 

LA can feel like one giant film set, and half the fun is recognizing places from movies and TV shows while exploring the city.

• Griffith Observatory featured in “Rebel Without a Cause” and “La La Land.”

• Venice Beach is recognizable from films like “White Men Can’t Jump.”

• Echo Park can be connected to classics like “Chinatown.”

• The Bradbury Building is famous for its appearance in “Blade Runner.”

• Hollywood Blvd is still one of the city’s most recognizable filming backdrops.

Even without a formal tour, spotting famous locations around the city turns everyday sightseeing into a bit of a treasure hunt.

Day trips from Los Angeles 

What makes LA especially convenient is how easily it connects you to the rest of Southern California. Within a few hours, you can go from city streets to beach towns, desert landscapes, coastal highways, or historic neighborhoods. Many of the best day trips from Los Angeles are close enough for a single day but feel like a completely separate trip. Driving is part of the experience, especially along the coast. Renting a car is straightforward and absolutely worth it if you want to explore more things to do near Los Angeles beyond the city itself.

14. Malibu: Beaches and scenic drives

The drive to Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway is part of the experience itself, with ocean views almost the entire way. Malibu is only around 45 minutes from Downtown LA but feels completely different from the city. Zuma Beach is perfect for a classic beach day, while El Matador State Beach is quieter and more dramatic, with cliffs and rock formations.

15. San Diego: A full-day escape

San Diego is a two-hour full-day escape south of LA. Most visitors focus on Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Old Town for a mix of beaches, food, and local history. If you’re driving back in the evening, the coastal route via Highway 101 is slower but far more scenic than the interstate. 

Stay connected in LA with Saily 

LA isn’t the kind of city where you can afford to be without an internet connection. Your phone and mobile data quickly become essential for navigating freeways with Google Maps, calling Ubers, booking restaurants, checking opening hours, or looking up the next taco spot.

For international travelers, using an eSIM is one of the easiest ways to stay connected without dealing with physical SIM cards or expensive roaming charges. Saily gives you reliable data in the USA from the moment you arrive, making it a practical alternative to buying a traditional SIM card for the US.