Top Attractions

Los Angeles is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. These top attractions showcase the best of what LA has to offer.

Griffith Observatory

Perched on the south slope of Mount Hollywood, Griffith Observatory offers free admission and some of the most spectacular views in all of Los Angeles. On a clear day you can see from downtown's skyscrapers to the Pacific Ocean. The planetarium shows are excellent, and the surrounding Griffith Park trails — including the hike to the Hollywood Sign — make this a full-day destination.

The Getty Center

Richard Meier's stunning hilltop campus in Brentwood houses an extraordinary collection of European paintings, drawings, sculpture, and photography. Admission to The Getty Center is free (parking is $20), and the meticulously maintained gardens offer panoramic views of the LA basin stretching to the ocean. The Central Garden designed by Robert Irwin is a work of art in itself.

Santa Monica Pier & Beach

The iconic Santa Monica Pier features Pacific Park's solar-powered Ferris wheel, an aquarium, and street performers. Walk south along the beach to the original Muscle Beach, or rent bikes and ride the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail that stretches from Pacific Palisades to Torrance Beach.

Hollywood Boulevard

Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, see the handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre, and catch a movie at the historic El Capitan Theatre. For a less touristy Hollywood experience, head to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for outdoor movie screenings and Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

Food & Dining Scene

LA's food scene reflects its incredible cultural diversity, with some of the best Mexican, Korean, Japanese, and Thai food outside of those countries.

Must-Try LA Foods

  • Tacos: Leo's Tacos on La Brea serves legendary al pastor from a vertical spit. Guerrilla Tacos in the Arts District elevates street food with seasonal ingredients. Mariscos Jalisco in Boyle Heights does the best shrimp tacos in the city.
  • Korean BBQ: Koreatown along Western and Olympic is the epicenter. Parks BBQ and Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong are go-to spots for tabletop grilling and banchan spreads.
  • Ramen: Daikokuya in Little Tokyo consistently has a line around the block for its rich tonkotsu broth. Tsujita on Sawtelle serves an exceptional tsukemen (dipping ramen).
  • Grand Central Market: This historic downtown food hall has been operating since 1917 and features vendors like Eggslut, Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, and Sticky Rice.

Neighborhood Food Crawls

Sawtelle Boulevard on the Westside is a Japanese food corridor with ramen shops, izakayas, and mochi ice cream. Thai Town along Hollywood Boulevard offers authentic Thai street food at places like Night + Market and Jitlada. The San Gabriel Valley — particularly Alhambra and Arcadia — is home to some of the best Chinese food in the United States.

Outdoor Activities

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, LA is built for outdoor living.

Beach Days

Venice Beach offers its famous boardwalk, skate park, and people-watching. Zuma Beach in Malibu is a quieter stretch of pristine sand. El Matador State Beach, also in Malibu, features dramatic sea stacks and is one of the most photographed beaches in California.

Hiking

Runyon Canyon in Hollywood is the most popular urban hike, offering views of the Hollywood Sign and downtown. For a more challenging trek, the Backbone Trail runs 67 miles through the Santa Monica Mountains. Eaton Canyon in Pasadena offers a moderate hike to a 40-foot waterfall.

Surfing

Beginners should head to the gentle waves at Surfrider Beach in Malibu or Manhattan Beach. More experienced surfers can tackle the breaks at El Porto or Rincon, just north of the city in Ventura County.

Nightlife & Entertainment

From legendary comedy clubs to rooftop poolside parties, LA's nightlife scene is as varied as the city itself.

Live Comedy

The Comedy Store on Sunset Strip is hallowed ground for stand-up. The Groundlings Theatre in Hollywood launched the careers of countless SNL cast members and offers improv and sketch shows nightly. UCB Sunset is another great spot for comedy fans.

Live Music

The Hollywood Bowl is the premier outdoor concert venue, hosting the LA Philharmonic and major touring acts from June through September. The Troubadour in West Hollywood is an intimate club where legends like Elton John and James Taylor got their start. For jazz, head to the Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.

Rooftop Bars

Perch in downtown LA offers French-inspired cocktails with views of the Pershing Square skyline. The Highlight Room at the Dream Hollywood hotel features a rooftop pool scene that's quintessentially LA.

Hidden Gems

The Watts Towers

These 17 interconnected sculptural towers in South LA were built single-handedly by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia over 33 years using steel, mortar, and found objects like broken glass and seashells. The Watts Towers are one of the most remarkable works of folk art in the world.

The Last Bookstore

Located in a former bank building in downtown LA, The Last Bookstore features a labyrinth made of books on the second floor, book tunnels, and an art gallery. It is a bibliophile's paradise and one of the most Instagrammed spots in the city.

Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

This serene 10-acre meditation garden in Pacific Palisades sits along a spring-fed lake surrounded by lush tropical plants, swans, and a houseboat chapel. It contains a portion of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes and offers a surprising oasis of peace just minutes from the bustle of Sunset Boulevard.