The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the western United States with over 150,000 works of art. This impressive collection is just one highlight among the many attractions in Los Angeles. The city’s landmarks range from the iconic Hollywood Sign to the lively Venice Beach boardwalk. You’ll need 5-7 days to experience these diverse attractions properly.
The best time to visit is between October and May when the weather is perfect to explore the city for both solo and group travelers (You’ll want a charter bus for a more memorable touring experience.) The Griffith Observatory welcomes visitors with free admission and provides amazing views of the Hollywood sign. The historic Santa Monica Pier, which marks where Route 66 ends, is another must-see destination.
We’ll show you the best Los Angeles attractions that combine famous landmarks with hidden gems. The city offers something for everyone. You can hike trails with spectacular city views, check out the 2,600 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or admire the Getty Center’s stunning architecture. These suggestions will help you create the perfect LA itinerary.
Essential Los Angeles Landmarks
The Hollywood Sign stands majestically above Los Angeles, transforming from a simple 1923 real estate advertisement into a timeless cultural icon. The 45-foot-tall letters span 350 feet across Mount Lee and create perfect photo opportunities from many spots around the city.
Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos, the Griffith Observatory welcomes everyone with free entry. This Art Deco landmark sits on Mount Hollywood’s southern slope and houses compelling exhibits like a Tesla coil and Foucault pendulum. The Samuel Oschin Planetarium runs fascinating shows while the observatory grounds reveal stunning views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
The Santa Monica Pier has delighted visitors since 1909 and features the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel at Pacific Park. The pier’s Looff Hippodrome, a National Historic Landmark, houses a charming 1939 carousel with wooden horses. A thrilling roller coaster soars 55 feet above the Pacific Ocean, drawing crowds year-round. (However, your transportation to Santa Monica should be easy and efficient!)
Venice Beach adds its unique charm to the pier’s carnival spirit. Visitors can enjoy soft sand and picture-perfect views of the mountainous coastline. The Venice Boardwalk comes alive with captivating street performers, while the Venice Canals provide a quiet retreat from the beach’s energy.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs through 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street, showcasing 2,800 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars. These stars fall into six categories:
- 47% awarded for motion pictures
- 24% for television
- 17% for audio recording or music
- 10% for radio
- Less than 2% for theater/live performance
- Less than 1% for sports entertainment
This iconic landmark grows by about 30 new stars each year. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce takes care of this famous sidewalk, with each star’s installation now costing USD 75,000.
Arts and Culture Experiences
Los Angeles has more museums per capita than any other U.S. city, beating both Washington, D.C., and New York City. Learning about LA’s rich cultural world is one of the best ways to experience the city.
Best museums to visit
The Getty Center has pre-20th-century European paintings and decorative arts, among 19th and 20th-century American photography and sculpture. Its sister location, The Getty Villa, shows off 6,000 years of antiquities in a stunning recreated Roman villa setting.
The Broad lets you view its contemporary art collection for free, with works by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Cindy Sherman. Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms have become a huge hit with visitors.
The Natural History Museum is the largest natural history museum in the American West. It has over 35 million specimens that date back 4.5 billion years. The museum added a 75,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor wing recently.
Street art spots
The Arts District is LA’s street art culture hub. America Tropical, from 1932, is one of the city’s oldest surviving murals. The art spreads across several neighborhoods and features:
- The Container Yard – with its massive murals and open spaces
- Traction Avenue area – stretching to Angel City Brewery
- Wilshire Boulevard – known for its tributes and portraits
Artists use everything from spray cans to team productions to create their work. The scene grew from its 1960s roots to become a key part of LA’s cultural identity.
Live entertainment venues
The Hollywood Bowl, 101 years old, stands as one of LA’s most iconic venues. This 18,000-seat outdoor amphitheater has hosted legends from the Beatles to the LA Philharmonic.
Walt Disney Concert Hall opened in 2003 and seats 2,265 people. It delivers amazing acoustics for classical performances. The LA Phil calls this venue home and puts on diverse musical events year-round.
The Music Center complex has the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for opera and the Mark Taper Forum for experimental theater. These venues quickly became top spots for performing arts fans.
LA’s entertainment scene runs on smaller venues too. The El Rey Theater, next to Museum Row, showcases artists just before they hit it big. These cozy spaces are a great way to catch rising stars before they move to bigger stages.
Food Scene Highlights
LA’s culinary landscape stands out with its remarkable diversity, which shines through the city’s historic food markets and iconic dishes. These food destinations have drawn countless celebrities, from President Eisenhower to The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe.
Famous food markets
Grand Central Market, a 30,000 square-foot food paradise, has delighted both locals and tourists since 1917. The market houses beloved spots like Sarita’s Pupuseria, China Café, and Tacos Tumbras A Tomas. Recent additions such as The Donut Man, Eggslut, and Wexler’s Deli have brought new life to this historic space.
The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax opened in 1934 and now thrives with over 100 produce vendors, food stalls, and specialty shops. Decades of family ownership have helped places like Magee’s Kitchen – the market’s first eatery – keep their authentic charm. The market comes alive with events throughout the year, from summer concerts to holiday celebrations.
Must-try local dishes
LA’s signature dishes have carved their place in culinary history. Here are some local favorites that stand out:
- The Dodger Dog broke records with 3 million hot dogs consumed at one stadium in 2014
- Roscoe’s soul food chain creates magic with its signature chicken and waffles blend of salty and sweet
- The famous #19 at Langer’s combines hand-cut pastrami, coleslaw, Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese on double-baked rye bread
- Pink’s Hot Dogs, a Hollywood landmark, serves 30 different hot dogs, many named after celebrities
- Lawry’s The Prime Rib, a 1938 establishment, presents its signature standing rib roasts from gleaming silver carts
LA’s modern food scene welcomes global influences. The pescado zarandeado at Coni’ Seafood showcases grilled snook with savory onion salsa. Otafuku’s handmade soba reflects LA’s appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship, with fresh buckwheat noodles made daily in limited quantities.
Outdoor Adventures
Los Angeles offers endless outdoor adventures with year-round sunshine and temperatures above 70 degrees. Nature enthusiasts can find plenty to do here.
Best hiking trails
Griffith Park spans over 4,300 acres and stands as one of North America’s largest urban parks. The park’s trails feature the popular Bronson Canyon, home to the famous “Batcave” from the 1960s Batman TV series. The Griffith Observatory West Trail Loop runs about 2.5 miles and gives hikers amazing views of the Hollywood Sign and the L.A. Basin.
Franklin Canyon Park covers 605 acres and offers more than five miles of peaceful hiking trails. The park’s story goes back to 1914 when William Mulholland built the Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir.
Runyon Canyon has a 3-mile loop trail that’s great for people-watching and spotting celebrities. Hikers who reach the trail summit, Cloud’s Rest, can enjoy panoramic views of the Hollywood Sign and Sunset Strip.
Beach activities
The constant sunshine draws visitors to Los Angeles’s beautiful coastline all year. El Matador State Beach in Malibu catches the eye with its tall rock formations and sea caves. Couples often come here for a romantic getaway.
Beach lovers can enjoy various activities:
- Hang gliding lessons at Dockweiler State Beach
- Volleyball lessons at Manhattan Beach through Campsurf
- Surfing along the coast
Venice Beach draws between 28,000 to 30,000 visitors daily to its famous boardwalk. The beach boasts multiple attractions with basketball courts, a world-renowned skate plaza, and two children’s play areas.
Scenic drives
The Palos Verdes Peninsula drive stretches more than 10 miles along the coast. The route starts with dramatic cliff top views toward the Santa Monica Mountains from Palos Verdes Estates. Past Point Vicente, the scenery changes to show undeveloped oceanfront hillsides.
Mulholland Drive curves through the Santa Monica mountains for 21 miles. Drivers can stop at many overlooks to take in city panoramas. This scenic road passes by landmarks like the Hollywood Hills, Griffith Park, and the Getty Center.
The Angeles Crest Highway runs 66 miles through protected forest areas. Early morning drivers love this scenic byway, often stopping at Newcomb’s Ranch roadhouse. Visitors can reach Mount Wilson Observatory from this route via the Mount Wilson Red Box Road.
Shopping and Entertainment
Los Angeles attracts shopping enthusiasts with its mix of luxury boutiques and trendy outdoor malls. The city’s shopping scene strikes a perfect balance between high-end fashion and unique local finds, making it one of LA’s best attractions.
Popular shopping districts
The Grove ranks among highest-grossing shopping centers in America. The center’s success comes from its careful attention to neighborhood scale and steadfast dedication to customer experience. A natural connection links it to the Original Farmers Market, where events happen year-round.
Santa Monica Place brings retail excitement across three levels and gives exclusive savings up to $250 with their Visitor Savings card. This sophisticated destination sits just blocks from the beach and pairs shopping with breathtaking ocean views.
The Bloc brings a fresh take on urban shopping to Downtown LA’s busy 7th Street corridor. Local boutiques, artisans, and premier retailers fill this hip open-air destination. The space features some of the city’s coolest art installations and live performances.
Westfield Topanga stands out as the only U.S. center that combines Neiman Marcus and flagship Nordstrom with Target.
The luxury lineup has:
- Gucci, Tiffany & Co., and Louis Vuitton
- Saint Laurent and David Yurman
- Apple, Tesla Motors, and Peloton
FAQs
Q1: How many days do I need to explore Los Angeles properly?
You should plan for at least 5-7 days to experience the city’s major attractions, neighborhoods, and outdoor activities without rushing.
Q2: What is the best time of year to visit Los Angeles?
October through May offers pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and great conditions for outdoor exploration.
Q3: What are the must-visit landmarks in Los Angeles?
Top sites include the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Q4: What local dishes should I try in Los Angeles?
Signature foods include the Dodger Dog, Roscoe’s chicken and waffles, and Langer’s pastrami sandwich.
Q5: What are the best shopping areas in Los Angeles?
The Grove, Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Place, and Westfield Topanga offer a mix of luxury brands and local boutiques.