You can’t miss a visit to the West Coast of the United States considering how many things there are to do in Los Angeles. Also known as the Mecca of cinema, this city of enormous dimensions has become one of the main places to see in California.
Los Angeles is divided into four areas that you must visit: Downtown, where you will find the most impressive skyscrapers; Santa Monica, the liveliest area located by the sea; Hollywood and, finally, Movie Studios. You will be impressed by the number of attractions and tourist attractions you will find in Los Angeles; so many that you will definitely want to come back!
Things to see in Los Angeles
Santa Mónica
One of the first things you must do in Los Angeles is the Santa Monica area. With an incredible oceanfront location, it has the largest and most beautiful beach in the city. From here, you can experience some of the most breathtaking sunsets in the world.
You can’t miss a stroll along its famous pier, where the famous Pacific Park Fair is also located. Along the promenade you will discover a myriad of picturesque stalls and countless restaurants where you can stop for lunch. The ride can be made even more fun if you rent bikes or rollerblades. If you get tired, you can stop for a swim at Venice Beach. You’ll love the liveliness of Santa Monica!
Little Tokyo
As its name suggests, Little Tokyo is a neighborhood set in Japan and undoubtedly one of the most interesting to see in Los Angeles. Once you enter it, you will feel like you have been transported to Japan itself.
You can wander through its small streets designed in the purest Japanese style while you feel like a real oriental. It was created in the early twentieth century, when the first Japanese began to settle in the city. You will be able to discover a wide variety of stores selling typical Japanese gadgets. As well as taste an infinite number of traditional Japanese dishes. Don’t forget to take a walk through one of its incredible gardens or temples to learn more about its history and culture.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Walt Disney Concert Hall is an impressive concert hall located in the heart of Downtown. Not only will you be fascinated by its spectacular architectural design, but also by its beautiful interior.
This monument was once funded by Disney, and represents a symbolic element of Los Angeles culture. Inside it houses the famous Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. We recommend, if you have the time, to attend one of their concerts to enjoy not only the interior of this infrastructure but also a show that will leave you speechless.
The Huntington
The Huntington is undoubtedly one of the most impressive parks to see in Los Angeles. In addition to offering a vast green expanse filled with the most impressive trees. Inside you’ll find a library and an art museum.
After a pleasant stroll through the botanical garden, don’t hesitate to go inside the library and see some of its most important collections, such as Shakespeare’s writings. Afterwards, we recommend you visit the art gallery and enjoy its magnificent works of art. Undoubtedly one of the most magical and cultural spots in the whole city of Los Angeles.
Sunset Boulevard
Being one of the most important and emblematic avenues to see in Los Angeles, you cannot miss a visit to Sunset Boulevard. Especially known for its famous line of palm trees, this avenue connects downtown with some of the most important areas of Los Angeles.
We recommend you to approach this avenue during sunset, a time when the atmosphere is idyllic with the reflection of the sun about to disappear. In addition, this area is full of the most famous pubs in the city. It offers a wide variety of options and an incredible nightlife. Among the places you really must visit are The Roxy and Rainbow Bar.
OUE Skyspace
The OUE Skyspace is an imposing 70-storey building in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and offers some of the most breathtaking views in Los Angeles.
At the top you’ll find a large glass rooftop terrace from where you can look out over the entire city at dizzying heights and even use a telescope to see the details. If that wasn’t enough, you have the option of sampling some amazing Californian wine and snacks at the rooftop bar. Of course, you can’t miss the most exciting part of this visit: a slide made of glass through which you can slide down to the lower floor, experiencing a breathtaking sensation of emptiness. What are you waiting for?
Venice Beach
Venice Beach is probably the busiest area of Los Angeles, but it is also one of the most beautiful. This bohemian-style area will leave you fascinated by its peculiarities and its extensive promenade where you can enjoy a wide variety of activities.
Along your stroll along the promenade you will experience some of the most everyday situations of the area. Such as the entertaining performances of its street musicians, the impressive skate park and its countless stalls selling local and artistic products made on the spot. Venice Beach is sure to become one of your favourite places in Los Angeles – don’t forget to bring your camera!
Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard
Walk of Fame captures the purest essence of Los Angeles, being a long avenue completely influenced by the film culture of this city. You’ll be able to enjoy a cinematic atmosphere while you get to know some of the most emblematic spots in this area.
We recommend you to start your tour by the Artists’ Stars, the famous plaques with the engraved names of the most famous actors and actresses. Next, don’t miss the impressive Dolby Theatre, where the famous Oscar gala takes place every year. Last but not least, you can’t leave Hollywood Boulevard without seeing the world-famous Hollywood Sign; you can get an incredible view by going up to the observation deck in the mall near the Dolby Theatre.
Beverly Hills
One of the things you can’t miss on your trip to Los Angeles is a visit to the glamorous neighbourhood of Beverly Hills. Although you may have seen it in countless movies, you’ll enjoy a totally different experience when you’re there.
As well as being the epicentre of most of the celebrities who live in the city, you can visit some of the world’s most expensive fashion shops on the popular Rodeo Drive. Also, yo can get up close to the Warner Brothers studio while you learn about the history of one of the world’s most important film production companies. You can’t miss it!
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to do in Los Angeles with kids?
Universal Studios
Universal Studios is probably one of the most impressive and famous theme parks in the world, and one of the most fun places to see in Los Angeles; especially if you’re travelling with kids.
As well as being a large park, the most characteristic feature of this park is the wide variety of rides and attractions for both adults and children. It is the ideal place to spend a fun-filled day with the whole family. Here you can experience a continuous adrenaline rush in an environment-themed on the sets of Universal’s most famous films. Plus, once you’ve finished with the attractions, you can take a guided tour of the film and TV studios. You’ll love it!
Pacific Park
Located right on the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park is a huge fairground offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s sure to become a favourite place for the little ones.
Admission to Pacific Park is completely free, so you can go inside even if you don’t ride any of the rides. Once inside, rides are paid for individually, and prices vary depending on which one you choose. Inside you’ll find not only rides, but also a good range of stalls where you can buy takeaway food to recharge your batteries after a morning full of excitement. The kids will love it!
Griffith Observatory
One of the most visited places to see in Los Angeles is the incredible Griffith Observatory. Located on the same hill where the Hollywood Sign is located, from here you can see the vast expanse of the city.
Accessible by car or bus, the observatory is located in the heart of Griffith Park, surrounded by an idyllic green setting where you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s a popular spot for locals, especially for romantic dates or to enjoy a picnic in the park. We recommend you go inside the observatory and visit the incredible planetarium, which houses a huge star projector that allows you to observe space in detail. A unique experience that will delight the whole family.
What to do around Los Angeles?
Malibu
Especially famous for its beaches, Malibu is a must-see destination in Los Angeles. Located just 40 minutes from the city, Malibu will impress you with one of the most beautiful natural settings in the country.
As well as enjoying a dreamy climate, this city has stunning beaches, making it the ideal destination for a sunny day out. Also, its beaches offer the perfect waves for surfing, whether you’re a fan or not, so don’t hesitate to get to know Malibu!
Redwoods National Park
If you’re travelling to Los Angeles, you can’t miss a visit to the stunning Redwoods National Park. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it is the second oldest national park in the country.
The park is open all year round and offers a free internal transportation system that is included in the price. You can tour the park via the Generals Highway, from which you can take other roads to the park’s most attractive points, as the Lincoln Tree, the Centennial Stump and the General Grant Tree, some of the park’s most important redwoods. You can get your ticket for a very affordable price!
Death Valley
Death Valley, or Death Valley, is the largest national park in the United States and is considered the lowest and driest area in the country. It is definitely one of the things to see near Los Angeles.
If you visit Death Valley, one of the first things to be aware of is the significant heat, so it’s important to be prepared. At more than 13,000 square kilometres, this park offers an expanse that will leave you speechless. Also, it has broken records numerous times for the hottest temperatures in history. If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll be able to walk through some of the locations where scenes from the movie were filmed in this desert park. It is truly breathtaking!
Itineraries for your trip to Los Angeles
What to see in Los Angeles in 1 day?
- First, see Little Tokyo
- Later, walk along Sunset Boulevard
- Then, discover Walk of Fame Hollywood Boulevard
- Finally, stroll along Venice Beach
What to see in Los Angeles in 4 days?
- First, troll around Santa Monica
- Later, enjoy a concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Also, climb the OUE Skyspace
- Get to know Beverly Hills
- Finally, escape to Malibu
What to see in Los Angeles in 5 days?
- See Death Valley
- Spend the day at Universal Studios
- Enter Redwoods National Park
- Enjoy the Pacific Park Fair
- Visit the Griffith Observatory
- Tour The Huntington Park
Frequently Asked Questions
Despite the endless clashes between locals and tourists to prevent tourists from crowding into their home area to visit the Hollywood Sign, there are several ways to get to the famous sign.
– Make a note in your GPS of N. Beachwood Dr, which is on the corner of Franklin Avenue. Once there, park your car and drive along N. Beachwood Dr. You will see a sign warning that this is not the way to the sign; ignore it. Continue along Mt Lee Drive until you are as close to the sign as possible.
– You can drive to Lake Hollywood Park. From there you can get a good view of the sign, but if you want to get an even better view, head to the Last House on Mulholland. This last stretch will take you about 20 minutes to walk.
You can get into the Walt Disney Concert Hall for free, but if you want to enjoy a concert by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, prices can range from €50 to €140 (depending on the performance).
In Los Angeles you’ll find numerous transport options so you can choose the one that suits you best depending on where you want to go.
– Metro Rail is considered to be the best transport system in the city, consisting of two underground lines and four tram lines. It has the advantage of being faster than a bus, although it runs less frequently. Its time slot is usually from 5am to midnight, extending to 2am on weekends.
– The Metro Bus offers a variety of lines that connect the city and the surrounding area, allowing you to easily travel to almost any part of Los Angeles. Within this type of transport, you can choose from a number of different modes.
The Dash Bus is a kind of shuttle-style bus that runs in and around downtown. However, its schedule is more limited.
– Uber or Lyft are the most popular and widely used transportation options in Los Angeles. It is similar to a taxi but at a lower price. You contact the driver via the app. It can be a useful option for getting around poorly communicated areas.
A ticket to the park is valid for 7 days and costs €16.65 if you enter on foot or by bike, or €29.14 if you enter with a private vehicle.
How to organise your trip to Los Angeles?
If you don’t know how to organise your trip, or where to start to visit all the points of interest in Los Angeles, download the Passporter App and we’ll help you.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest that we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days of the route according to its location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited on your trip to the app to inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
No Comments