The Top 10 Things To Do In Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. It truly is one of the entertainment capitals of the world. It has everything: surfing, skiing, sports teams, theme parks, and so much more!

Opening day festivities at **Dodger Stadium**.

#10 - Dodger Stadium

It’s time for Dodger baseball! Opening its doors in 1962, this stadium is now the third oldest and a piece of California history. It has encompassed so many great moments and great people in its time, including Sandy Koufax, Tommy Lasorda, and Vin Scully. There is nothing quite like going to a Dodger game. Arrive early Read Moreto walk around, grab a Dodger Dog, and find your seats (not to mention avoid the traffic). At Dodger Stadium, there is sure to always be a crowd! With one of the largest fan bases, it topped over 3.9 million fans coming through its doors this past season (2019, #1 in MLB). If driving, buy parking online ahead of time for a discount or take an Uber or shuttle to save some money for drinks. As far as public transportation goes, your only good bet is to take a subway line that connects to union station, and from there you can take the free (with proof of a ticket) Dodger Stadium Express bus. The Dodgers offer more promotional nights than any other team in baseball and they organize an assortment of theme games (Star Wars Night, anyone?). Be sure to check out their website to learn about those promotions. Recently, the stadium underwent a $100-million renovation which included a brand-new centerfield plaza. The plaza contains new restaurants, shopping, and opportunities to see pieces of and learn about Dodger's history. Go Dodgers!

#9 - J. Paul Getty Museum

Sitting high above the beautiful L.A. mountains, this museum houses thousands of famous works of art. Walk up the marble staircase to view works by Michelangelo, Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Monet. The museum’s rooms are filled with artifacts, sculptures, paintings, drawings, manuscripts, and more. Read MoreDon’t miss the beautiful outside gardens and the fantastic views of the city. Admission is free, but check to see if you need reservations. There are several other museums to check out too, such as The Broad, LACMA, La Brea Tar Pits, and the Peterson Automotive Museum.

The vibrant marquee of the El Capitan theater.

#8 - Hollywood Blvd.

For the typical Hollywood experience, look no further than Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood Blvd is a long street, so we recommend staying between Gower and Orange. Parking in the Hollywood/Highland parking structure is a nice central location. From there, you can see your favorite celebrity names while strolling Read Morethe Hollywood Walk of Fame, jump on countless tours, stop in places like Madame Tussauds Wax Museum or Ripley’s Believe it or Not, or even eat at Hollywood’s oldest restaurant (Musso and Frank Grill). For movie buffs, take in a film or a tour at two of the most famous movie theaters in the world: TCL Chinese Theatre (formally known as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre), and El Capitan (owned by Disney and will often play classic films). Or head to Pantages theater for a broadway show!

Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios Hollywood.

#7 - Theme Parks

Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland, California Adventure, and Six Flags Magic Mountain! If you have only a few days, Universal is your best bet! It is located nearest Hollywood and offers tons of fun rides, shows, experiences, and Minions! Take the tram tour to move through movie sets, such as King Kong Read Moreand Fast and the Furious. Explore where film and T.V. characters come alive, including the Whos from Who-ville and the Simpsons! If you’re up for a drive to Anaheim, you can visit two parks in one day! Experience the magic and adventure of Disneyland and California Adventure with one pass. Arrive early to hit some shorter lines for the most popular rides, such as Space Mountain and the Star Wars rides at Disneyland or Guardians of the Galaxy and Cars at CA Adventure. If you are more of a thrill seeker, visit Magic Mountain which is located about 30 minutes north of L.A. There is no shortage of fun and crazy roller coasters here, such as Goliath, Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom, and Tatsu. If it is summertime, enjoy the waterpark, Hurricane Harbor, right next door! Passes for Six Flags are very reasonable. If you plan on visiting twice, buy the season pass. Other theme parks include LegoLand and SeaWorld, which are in San Diego. Woo! So much fun to be had in Cali!

Visitors enjoying the rides on **Santa Monica Pier**.

#6 - Santa Monica Pier & 3rd Street Promenade

Come ride the Ferris wheel at this famous L.A. Pier! Play games, visit shops, eat, and have a cold treat, all while taking in the pristine beach views of California. Make it a beach day and lay out on the sand, play some bocce ball and frisbee, or try your hand at the boardwalk games. Take a quick walk or bike ride up to the Read More3rd Street Promenade for some excellent shopping opportunities! This grand street is lined with all kinds of shops, restaurants, and bars. They have tons of designer stores such as Coach, Tiffany and Co., and Kate Spade, as well as department stores that include Nordstroms and Bloomingdales. Stop to watch a movie, take in a comedy show, or visit the Santa Monica Museum. Enjoy the day with street performers and beautiful weather!

#5 - Exposition Park

Enjoy a day here strolling through the rose garden or visiting one of the park’s sports centers or museums. Take a tour of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which has been home to several sports teams, including the Dodgers, Raiders, and Rams. The Summer Olympics, Super Bowl, and World Series have also Read Morebeen played here. You can also walk to the nearby museums, including the National History Museum of L.A. County and the California Science Center. This area is great for families and kids to explore! Make sure to look online for days the museums are free for kids!

Carrie Underwood performing at the Crypto.com Arena.

#4 - Crypto.com Arena

Come catch a Lakers, Clippers, King’s game, or a concert here at this amazing arena! Arrive early to give time for any traffic and to have some dinner and drinks at L.A. Live right across the street. They have a Yardhouse, Fleming’s Steakhouse, and a Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill. There is always something Read Moregoing on here like ice skating, street fairs, and concerts. You can even see a movie, go to a spa, or go bowling at Lucky Strike. To save time in traffic and money from parking fees, you can take the subway by connecting to the blue line from union station. From there, you can exit the 7th St/Metro Center stop and set out on a 15ish minute walk or you can connect to the light blue line and stop at the Pico Station for a much shorter walk.

The sun setting behind the famous WB water tower.

#3 - Warner Bros. Studio Tour

This studio is located in the city of Burbank close to all of the major studios, such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Universal, and NBC. This is a fun tour where you can visit current television show sets, walk the streets where TV shows and movies are made, sit on sets where your favorite characters once stood, and take Read Morea tram ride to learn all of the ins and outs of the TV and movie industry! You will be able to see costumes and props used in films such as Harry Potter, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman. You can even sit under the sorting hat and find out which Hogwarts house you belong to (we were sorted in Hufflepuff and Gryffindor). We loved getting to sit on the iconic couches of two of our favorite shows-Friends and The Big Bang Theory. Great photo opportunities here! While you are in Burbank, check out the great restaurants nearby, such as Smokehouse, or hop on over to Universal Studios right down the street! We are biased, having lived in this area for many years, but we love it!

#2 - Paradise Cove & Malibu Beaches

Worth the drive, any beach in California is a must-do when visiting the state. Make it a day by cruising down PCH and taking in the refreshing ocean views. Head on over to Malibu for some fun in the sun. Bring a beach bag, towel, snacks, drinks, games, and anything you need for a day on the sand. We enjoy Read Moregoing to Paradise Cove where you can enjoy the on-site restaurant and drink on their private beach! Don’t forget to have your parking validated before you leave. Any beach along this strip is a great choice! Park for free along the main street, or pay a small fee to park in many of the lots. Other great beach spots include Venice, Santa Monica, Ventura, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach...the list goes on and on! Just look up directions to see what best fits your trip.

Visitors entering the famous Griffith Observatory.

#1 - Griffith Park

If you need a break from the city and are looking for a fun way to get your steps in, take a trip to Griffith Park. Parking can get competitive on the weekends so make sure to get there early. There’s so much to do here that it could easily fill up an entire day. You can visit the Observatory, which is free, that has some Read Moreincredible telescopes and offers one-of-a-kind views of Los Angeles. From there, you can take one of several hiking trails through the park, even one that will guide you to a photo op at the Hollywood Sign. Not far from there (it’s a large park so driving would be best), you can visit the animals at the LA Zoo, or during the summer you can spend a memorable night seeing an outdoor concert at the Greek Theater or the nearby Hollywood Bowl. We highly recommend their summer movie nights! Other family attractions here include The Gene Autry Museum, Travel Town, the carousel, and pony rides.

Check out the top 10 things to do in San Diego!

Los Angeles Travel Frequently Asked Questions

What tips are appropriate for people traveling to Los Angeles? One quick tip for first-time Los Angeles visitors is to check the weather forecast. Although LA is famous for always having nice weather, there are times that can get chilly when you’ll want pants and a sweater. Another thing to know is that the ocean water is very cold. Unlike the water on the East Coast, many people find it too cold to enjoy and stick to Read Morethe sand. One final quick tip is you’ll probably want access to a car. Ride-sharing prices can add up quickly and the metro isn’t as great as other huge metropolitan areas.

How much money should I bring to LA for 3 days? Everything is more expensive in big cities. Food, gas, and hotels are just some examples. Research the entertainment options you are interested in to get an idea of admission prices. As a rough estimate, prepare to spend around $200 on food, transportation, and events daily.

How do I visit LA for the first time? Los Angeles truly is one of the biggest hubs for entertainment in the world. Make a plan for your trip and schedule things that are close in proximity to each other on the same day. Bundling up activities like the beach and Santa Monica Pier, or the Griffith Observatory and hiking the Hollywood Sign, will allow you to accomplish more during your stay.

How many days do you need in LA? Unlike some of the other smaller cities we’ve talked about on our site, where 3-4 days are recommended, we would suggest you spend anywhere from 5 days to a full week on your first trip to the LA area. That is because there is so much to do and a lot of the activities are very spaced out.

What month is best to visit Los Angeles? Another anomaly of the City of Angels is that there really isn’t a bad time to visit. The weather is pretty great year around and there are always a ton of events happening. That said, the absolute best months to visit are March thru May. The weather is superb and the city is colorful and gorgeous in those spring months.

Can I visit LA without a car? Yes! Even though we would recommend a rental car for efficiency, there are a ton of options to get around without your own vehicle. The city has expanded the subway immensely in recent years and has one of the biggest bus systems on the planet. On top of that, there is an abundance of ride-share options, guaranteeing you’re never waiting too long for a pickup.

The Top 10 Things To Do In Los Angeles, CA 2023