31 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles + Day Trips

The best things to do in Los Angeles include Santa Monica for beach time, Griffith Observatory for city views, the Getty Center for art and gardens, and a studio visit for film history. Add a Downtown museum or food stop, then choose separate days for longer excursions such as Catalina Island or Malibu.

LA is for the film buff eager to know more about Hollywood, the art enthusiast exploring a new city, and the foodie looking for a range of cuisines. This guide retains our contributors’ individual experiences and adds practical planning notes. Their accounts describe earlier visits, not new inspections of every attraction.

With 31 ideas across a large region, the useful question is what fits together. Start with one area each day. If you have only a short visit, this one-day Los Angeles itinerary offers another way to narrow the choice; do not try to fit the whole list into a weekend.

Planning notes prepared October 1, 2026. Prices are in USD; schedules can change. Visit durations are editorial estimates. Use the linked official information for your travel dates.

Six starting points for your trip

1. Santa Monica Beach and Pier

Recommended by Sean from LivingOutLau

Santa Monica Beach is an easy choice if you want to make the coast part of your Los Angeles trip.

The thing that makes Santa Monica Beach so popular is its various activities available.

Are you an avid surfer?

Surf conditions change. If you are learning, arrange a lesson suited to the conditions and follow lifeguard advice.

Do you want to just relax on the beach?

The sand, palm trees and sunset over the Pacific make this a good place to slow down between sightseeing days.

Don’t like the beach?

Santa Monica Pier adds rides, food stops and shops to a beach outing. Choose the activities you actually want rather than treating every paid attraction as compulsory.

Want something a little more physical?

The Original Muscle Beach (not to be confused with the Muscle Beach on Venice Beach) is the perfect place to get in shape and break a sweat.

For a bike ride, join a section of the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail. You do not need to ride its full length to enjoy the coast.

2. Runyon Canyon

Recommended by Shandos Cleaver from Travelnuity

Hiking isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when considering a visit to LA.

But heading to Runyon Canyon Park to hike is a favorite pastime of LA locals and should be high up on your list of things to do in Los Angeles.

The hiking trails in the park offer some of the best views across LA, with the skyscrapers of downtown visible in the distance on a clear day. It’s also pretty easy to get to the park.

Use a designated park entrance and read nearby parking signs carefully; do not count on easy free street parking.

The Mulholland Drive entrance is on the northern side of the park.

Runyon Canyon has several trails, but choose only an open route that suits the conditions on the day.

Some trails are steep and exposed. Carry enough water for your route and the heat, wear suitable footwear, and respect closures.

Dogs are a familiar sight here, but off-leash access applies only in designated areas. See Shandos’s guide to visiting Los Angeles with a dog.

3. Catalina Island: a separate day trip

Recommended by Jenn and Ed Coleman from Coleman Concierge

Catalina Island is a ferry trip away from the mainland, but to us it felt like arriving on a Mediterranean island. Treat it as a separate day trip or overnight stay, not a quick detour between LA attractions.

As soon as we stepped off the dock, the change of pace was noticeable.

Instead of freeway gridlock, we found smaller streets and golf carts around Avalon.

What can you do on Catalina Island?

Kayaking, boat outings and diving are options to investigate when planning Catalina. Divers interested in Casino Point should arrange a suitable operator and check current conditions.

Perhaps the best thing to do on Catalina Island is nothing at all.

Wander the shops and restaurants with no real plan. On our trip, seeking out the island cocktail called Buffalo Milk was part of the fun.

Or simply sit down for seafood with an ocean view.

Whether you stay for the day or weekend, a trip to Catalina Island makes a fabulous romantic Southern California getaway.

4. Griffith Observatory

Recommended by Cee from It’s a Family Thing

Griffith Observatory combines astronomy exhibits with views across Los Angeles. The setting is a large part of its appeal.

It sits on the south slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. The extent of the view depends on visibility.

This is it if you are looking for some of the best views in Los Angeles.

Morning visits to the grounds and evening visits to the building offer different experiences; the building does not open early in the morning.

Plan your arrival: parking near the observatory costs extra and can fill up. Compare the official public-transport directions with driving.

If you walk up, choose a route suited to your fitness, the weather and daylight. A hike is an optional part of the visit.

You can also hike toward the Hollywood Sign on authorized trails. The sign itself is fenced off and cannot be approached directly.

Leave time for the approach, especially around sunset, rather than assuming traffic disappears after rush hour.

At night, the city lights become part of the view. Inside, explore the exhibits; planetarium shows have separate tickets.

5. La Brea Tar Pits: outdoor access during renovation

Recommended by Sharon from Dive IntoPhilippines

La Brea Tar Pits brings Ice Age fossil research into the middle of Los Angeles.

Current access: the museum building is closed for renovation. Selected outdoor areas remain accessible; consult the official closure and tour information before planning your visit.

Fossils recovered here reveal animals that once lived in the region. Excavation activity and public access depend on the work taking place.

On my earlier visit, I found the museum helpful for understanding the excavations and the animals recovered here. That indoor experience is currently unavailable.

The tar pits themselves were smelly but very interesting! Follow the current routes around the construction area.

LACMA is next door, so an outdoor stop can fit around a museum visit there. Do not plan on two indoor museum visits while the Tar Pits building is closed.

6. Universal Studios Hollywood

Recommended by Holly from Globeblogging

Combining the wonder of movies and television with the fun of a traditional theme park, Universal Studios should be high on the LA itinerary of any movie buff.

You might think this is a destination for families only, but Universal Studios caters uniquely to the solo traveler too.

Some attractions may offer a single-rider line. Availability varies, and you should expect to be separated from companions.

A single-rider line does not guarantee a short wait or replace a dated admission ticket.

The Studio Tour is part of the appeal for movie fans. Its route and the working-lot areas you see can change with production and operations.

Screen-based effects and moving ride vehicles feature in several experiences. Read the attraction restrictions if motion sickness, height limits or accessibility affect your choice.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will delight fans of the movies, be sure to try the Butterbeer and browse the dedicated store!

7. Hike toward the Hollywood Sign

Recommended by Daria from The Discovery Nut

If you are up for some physical challenge while in LA, hit the trail to the famous Hollywood sign!

This is arguably one of the most beautiful hikes in the greater LA area and one of those quintessential things that most visitors want to do, and that should be on your USA bucket list.

The Brush Canyon route is roughly 6 miles round trip and reaches a viewpoint behind the Hollywood Sign. It does not take you to the front of the letters.

Use the route and trailhead directions on the Hollywood Sign’s official hiking page. Do not follow a navigation pin to restricted streets or the sign itself.

Treat this as a real hike with climbing and heat exposure. Carry sufficient water, sun protection and suitable shoes; postpone it when conditions or closures make the route unsuitable.

Parts of the route are exposed, so do not rely on finding shade when you need a break.

Allow roughly 3–4 hours as a planning estimate, with extra time for breaks. Your pace and conditions determine the actual duration.

It’s better, however, to begin your journey sooner rather than later, as the trail tends to get a bit crowded, especially on weekends!

Choose cooler conditions with good visibility, and stay within the permitted daylight access hours.

With clear visibility, the Los Angeles skyline is part of the reward. I hope you enjoy your hike!

For a separate coastal excursion, consider Santa Barbara rather than adding another city to the same hiking day.

This guide will tell you about some of the most amazing things to do in Santa Barbara!

8. Watch a Lakers or Clippers game

Recommended by Alexander from Gourmand Trotter

Going to a basketball game is one of the best things to do in LA Los Angeles since the city is home to two major NBA teams, namely the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Lakers is perhaps the most famous of the two, with some of the most famous basketball stars playing in the team and several celebrities supporting the team.

The crowd and arena entertainment were part of the appeal for me. Celebrity appearances are a bonus, not something to buy a ticket around.

I enjoyed the Clippers’ crowd entertainment in particular, although the experience varies from game to game.

The Lakers play at Crypto.com Arena; the Clippers play at Intuit Dome.

Book for the actual home-game date and check the arena before arranging transport.

Ticket prices depend on the opponent, seat and seller. Compare final prices including fees rather than relying on an old starting fare.

You do not need to follow the NBA closely to enjoy the atmosphere, but a quieter evening may suit you better if arena noise is not your thing.

9. Malibu Country Mart

Recommended by Carole from Travels With Carole

Once upon a time, when I was driving along Highway 1 to L.A., I stumbled upon a popular local shopping center in Malibu. (Here, Highway 1 is referred to as the PCH for Pacific Coast Highway.)

Many locals treat the Malibu Country Mart as an informal town square in a town with no center.

It made a useful stop along the road. Malibu Country Mart is in the Civic Center area, not a few blocks from Broad Beach.

On those visits, I would stop for a snack and watch the other coffee drinkers from behind my sunglasses.

I also enjoy browsing boutiques that are loaded with shiny and pricey goodies. I’ve seen so many people who look like they are somebody but have only yet made one-star spotting here.

That was Minnie Driver hiding beneath a huge sun hat playing with her child out on the grass at the popular children’s playground. We made eye contact, and I was 99% sure it was her, which turned out to be 100% when I heard her speak.

I didn’t ask for an autograph or a selfie; I just enjoyed the moment. Another time I enjoyed a quick late lunch at the Malibu Kitchen.

While I was out on the porch enjoying a delicious pasta salad, somebody pulled up in an expensive Aston Martin with swan-wing doors, and a scene unfolded, but I just couldn’t figure out who it was.

These are memories from my earlier visits. Choose the stop for the shops and a break, not a promised celebrity encounter.

10. The Getty Center

Recommended by Dave Chant from www.davechant.com

As you ride the tram up to the Getty Center, you’ll feel like you’re being cleansed from the noise of Freeway 405 below you.

There are many things to do in LA, but the size and sprawl can be daunting. The Getty gives you room to slow down between galleries and gardens.

It’s set in the hills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Its combination of art, spectacular views across Los Angeles, architecture, and beautiful gardens make it not just a visit for those interested in art.

The Getty Center opened in 1997, bringing art, architecture and gardens together on its hillside site.

Explore European paintings, sculpture and decorative arts, alongside the photography collection. Check the current gallery information if you are coming for a particular work.

Look for artists such as Rembrandt, Monet and Vincent van Gogh as you choose which galleries to spend time in.

It is a good place to spend a few hours or longer, with garden time and a food break between galleries.

11. Long Beach: a separate day trip

Recommended by Gwen from Healthy Travel Mom

With its beautiful coastal location, amazing restaurants, and an array of fun activities, Long Beach is a great place to spend a day when visiting Los Angeles!

Located just south of LA, Long Beach has a lot to offer both families and adults. From beaches to museums to the Queen Mary, don’t miss your chance to check out Long Beach.

One of our favorite things to do in Long Beach is to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific. Its waterfront setting works well with a separate harbor walk.

Choose current exhibits and presentations from the aquarium’s program rather than assuming a particular feeding will take place during your visit.

Shoreline Village is a waterfront shopping and dining area.

Nestled along Rainbow Harbor, this is a great spot to grab lunch and do a little souvenir shopping.

Check the current waterfront activity listings if you want to add a rental or boat outing.

The Queen Mary offers a different focus: a permanently docked ocean liner that you can visit as a separate attraction.

The ship now combines hotel stays with visitor experiences. Choose the ticket or tour that covers the areas you want to see.

Ghost-themed tours are part of its entertainment offering; the haunting stories are stories, not established facts.

12. Dodger Stadium

A Dodgers home game brings you into LA’s baseball culture. If the schedule does not work, look at the stadium’s current tour options.

Tours provide a different experience from a game; the accessible areas depend on the day’s operations.

If you want team merchandise, allow time to browse, but do not assume stadium shops are the only places selling official gear.

13. California Science Center

A trip to the California Science Center is among the best things to do in Los Angeles for the whole family.

Interactive science exhibits give this stop a different focus from the art museums. The Blackbird is an aircraft, not a botanical exhibit.

Check the current exhibit list, special-exhibition tickets and Space Shuttle Endeavour access before visiting. Do not assume a previous display or opening announcement means the shuttle is available on your date.

14. TCL Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Walk of Fame

A guided TCL Chinese Theatre tour focuses on the building and its movie history. Tours, screenings and premieres have different schedules and access conditions.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame’s sidewalk stars are free to see. The handprints and footprints belong to the Chinese Theatre forecourt, a separate attraction whose access can change during events.

15. Zuma Beach in Malibu

Zuma Beach suits a separate Malibu outing rather than a quick beach stop between Downtown museums.

Leave time for the coastal drive and follow current beach and road notices. Ocean conditions vary; check lifeguard guidance before swimming or surfing.

Bring food and drinking water if you want to stay on the beach rather than interrupting the day to find a restaurant.

16. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

When you come to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, you will immediately recognize one of the most famous public arts, which can be found in the park, the Los Angeles icon named Urban Light.

Choose exhibitions that interest you and consult LACMA directly about accessibility or assistance. A standard visit does not include a private guided tour.

The David Geffen Galleries opened in 2026. The previous forecast of a 2024 opening is obsolete; use the current museum map and exhibition program.

17. The Sunset Strip

Sunset Boulevard is a long cross-city street. For live music and comedy, focus on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood.

The Roxy Theatre, Whisky a Go Go and The Comedy Store are among the Strip’s venues. Pick an actual show rather than planning the evening around a drive past signs.

Check each venue’s age rules, ticket terms and arrival instructions. Celebrity sightings at nearby hotels are not guaranteed.

18. Venice

Venice combines beach time with art, people-watching and food. It can share a coastal day with Santa Monica if you leave time between stops.

The boardwalk’s vendors, performers and artwork make walking here a different experience from sitting on the sand.

When it comes to food, Venice has a wide array of dining options – from fine dining to bars and pubs.

19. Walt Disney Concert Hall

Home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is an architectural masterpiece that combines tasteful design with great sound.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is the vision of architect Frank Gehry. Not only is it a true sight to behold on the outside, but it is also a well-known venue with superb acoustics on the inside.

A concert is the way to experience the music inside; an architecture tour serves a different purpose and does not include a performance.

20. Third Street Promenade

Third Street Promenade is a convenient shopping and food stop during a Santa Monica day.

Imagine having fun buying things you like from one store after another, with the open skies adding a new component to your shopping experience.

Browse the current shops, then continue toward the pier or beach. It works better as part of that outing than as a separate cross-city trip.

21. Little Tokyo

Little Tokyo offers a different focus for a Downtown day: Japanese American culture, shops and food.

When you’re on this side of LA, be sure to come hungry because there are many food establishments to try.

Daikokuya is known for ramen, rather than being a rice specialist. Choose restaurants from their current menus and opening information.

For a wide selection of Japanese snacks to bring home, head over to Nijiya Market. Here, you can also get hold of Japanese ingredients to use for cooking.

22. Greystone Mansion and Gardens

The Greystone Mansion and Gardens was the gift of oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny to his son. The property was later purchased by the City of Beverly Hills in 1965.

The gardens and grounds are open during published park hours, while mansion interiors require an available ticketed program or event.

The estate also hosts events and has been used as a filming location. Check closures before making a special trip.

23. Original Farmers Market or Grand Central Market

The Original Farmers Market works well for choosing a meal from different food counters and browsing the shops.

This market came from a humble beginning. Back in 1934, some farmers gathered at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax to sell their produce straight from their trucks.

Grand Central Market is a different food stop in Downtown. The two markets are not adjacent: choose the one that fits the day’s neighborhood.

24. Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

A Paramount Pictures Studio Tour focuses on a working studio and its history. Choose it if behind-the-scenes context matters more to you than theme-park rides.

Compare the actual tour options and inclusions before booking; do not assume a private lunch or a celebrity encounter is part of every ticket.

Tours are currently offered in English. Check age eligibility directly, especially for a child aged 10, because the published FAQ says children over 10 are welcome.

25. Barnsdall Art Park and Hollyhock House

From where it stands in Olive Hill, the Barnsdall Art Park gives you a magnificent view of Los Angeles.

Hollyhock House is the highlight of every visit to the Barnsdall Art Park. Aline Barnsdall, who donated the park to the City of Los Angeles, sought the expertise of architect Frank Lloyd Wright in creating a “half house, half garden” residence, among others.

Check the calendars for the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and Barnsdall Gallery Theatre if you want to add an exhibition or performance.

26. Echo Park Lake

For a slower afternoon between city visits, spend time around Echo Park Lake.

Swan boats add a different view of the lake, but the operator currently requires reservations and does not accept walk-ups.

27. The Broad

Nothing speaks boldly quite like The Broad. This museum has two floors showcasing a vast postwar and contemporary art collection.

Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room requires a separate advance reservation. Do not assume a general-admission ticket includes it or guarantees a solo visit of a fixed length.

General admission is free; timed reservations are recommended. Some exhibitions have a separate charge.

The museum shop is an optional final stop if you want books or a souvenir.

28. Los Angeles Conservancy walking tours

Los Angeles Conservancy walking tours use architecture to explain the city’s history. Choose a published route rather than expecting a custom tour of any neighborhood.

Joining a walking tour is one of the best ways to appreciate LA architecture. You can choose to explore the Broadway Historic Theatre and Commercial District to see how much the area has changed.

The Historic Downtown tour offers another way into the area. Check the current route and interior-access conditions before booking.

29. Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever is an active cemetery as well as a place associated with film history. Give mourners and services priority during your visit.

Sign up for a tour and learn which famous personalities were laid to rest in this cemetery. Two of them are Rudolph Valentino and Judy Garland.

Cultural events have their own dates, tickets and entry rules. Check the calendar for Día de los Muertos or other programs instead of treating them as everyday attractions.

30. Watts Towers

The Watts Towers are an interconnected sculptural environment created by Italian immigrant artist Simon Rodia from materials including found objects.

Guided tours are listed again. The previous statement that tours were impossible should no longer guide your plans.

31. Arts District

The Arts District adds galleries, murals and food stops to a Downtown visit.

Choose a few galleries or public artworks from the district’s current directory. Check opening times before walking across the neighborhood for a particular space.

For a drink afterward, compare the current bars and breweries listed in the district directory.

A flexible four-day Los Angeles itinerary

Day 1: Santa Monica and Venice. Start with the pier and beach, add Third Street Promenade if shopping interests you, and leave the afternoon for Venice. Allow an unhurried transfer rather than treating the two waterfronts as one short stop.

Day 2: Hollywood and Griffith. Make a short Walk of Fame and Chinese Theatre stop, then spend time at Griffith Observatory on an opening day. A Hollywood Sign hike is an alternative major activity, not a compulsory extra before sunset.

Day 3: Downtown. Choose The Broad and a Walt Disney Concert Hall tour when their schedules align. Have lunch at Grand Central Market, then choose Little Tokyo or the Arts District if you still have time. Leave room between reservations.

Day 4: Choose one priority. Give Universal a full day, choose the Getty Center for a slower art-and-garden visit, or book a Paramount tour and keep the rest of the day flexible. These are alternatives, not a checklist for one day.

With extra days, choose Catalina, Long Beach or Malibu. For LACMA, plan a separate museum-focused outing and consider only the currently accessible outdoor areas at neighboring La Brea Tar Pits. Reorder around closures: Getty, The Broad and Griffith Observatory close their buildings on Mondays; LACMA closes Wednesdays.

Getting around Los Angeles

You can build a selective LA trip around public transit and occasional rideshares, but a car can be useful for a wider coastal itinerary. Compare complete journeys, not map distance: hotel parking, attraction parking, traffic and the walk from a station all affect the decision.

The Metro fare page lists a $1.75 base fare, with eligible fare caps of $5 per day and $18 over seven days. Check the payment and transfer rules; these are Metro fares, not a ticket for every regional operator.

From LAX, FlyAway buses serve Union Station and Van Nuys. Choose a transfer based on your hotel and current service information. A Downtown arrival does not put you next to a Santa Monica hotel.

For a timed booking, check a live route estimate and add an arrival buffer. Avoid a coastal morning, Hollywood lunch and Downtown appointment on the assumption that all three are close.

Where to stay and when to go

Santa Monica: choose it if beach time shapes the trip. Hollywood: consider it for a film-focused itinerary. Downtown: consider it for museums and food stops. Compare the actual hotel block, transit connections, total room price and parking rather than booking on a neighborhood name alone.

For a walking-focused trip, milder conditions are preferable to the hottest forecast days. Coastal mornings can be gray, and hillside temperatures and exposure differ from the beach. Check the forecast and official trail or road notices shortly before each outdoor day; leave indoor alternatives in your plan.

For a longer road trip, use our California activity guide, San Diego guide and San Francisco guide. These are separate destinations, not extra LA neighborhoods. Our places to visit in the USA guide can help with the wider route.

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Pauline Joie

Pauline has a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and is a professional content writer. She specializes in writing about travel and food. Pauline spent most of her career life in Dubai and is a Travel Expert for the United States and Costa Rica.

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