You'll find so many incredible things to do in Los Angeles. So many that it can be overwhelming to know where to begin! That's why we asked some Los Angeles locals about what to do in their city. From hiking to the Hollywood sign to eating fish tacos, here's what locals say are the top things to do in Los Angeles.
Locals tell us that the seafood in Los Angeles is incredible. (With all those beaches it's no surprise!) You'll have a ton of choices, so benefit from personalized advice.
They have tons of suggestions. Some of their favorite seafood joints include Fishing with Dynamite (for incredible raw scallops), the Mariscos Jalisco food truck (for their out-of-this-world shrimp tacos), Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada, Ricky’s Fish Tacos, and Connie & Ted’s (for fresh-shucked oysters).
Locals tell us that LA has an excellent craft beer scene—and the breweries vary by neighborhood!
Our trip planners say that Highland Park on the edge of Chinatown is a perennial fave, Arts District is one of DTLA’s most popular spots, and hops-happy El Segundo is only a short walk from the beach.
The people of Los Angeles have enjoyed snacks from Grand Central Market since 1917.
Locals tell us that this food-hall offers a wonderful variety of food—wonton soup! Pastries! Pupusas! BBQ! Beer!—which makes it an immediate crowd-pleaser. Eggslut is a perpetually preferred stall.
The bustle and buzz of the always-busy Venice Beach Boardwalk make it one of the most action-packed places in LA. Locals say the beach is fantastic, but the real draw here is the mix of outdoor beach shops, musicians jamming on the grass, and buskers performing for the crowd. Really, people-watching here is just out-of-this-world good.
Locals say that Koreatown isn’t just amazing Korean restaurants (although it’s certainly that too): this part of town is flush with amazing bars and fun shops. Koreatown is also home to the iconic Wiltern theatre and some of the city’s best donuts. Donuts and a show? Uh… yes, please.
The karaoke bars in Koreatown are a great way to spend any evening out.
Downtown Los Angeles is in the midst of an exciting revival. With tons of new bars, restaurants, and shops (and proximity to neighborhoods like Echo Park, Silverlake, and Los Feliz), locals say that DTLA has become cool spot to explore.
Lately, locals have suggested taking in a free view at the Los Angeles City Hall observation deck, perusing the shelves at the quirky Last Bookstore, checking out the street art in DTLA’s Arts District, and chilling at Clifton’s, a forest-themed bar with an enormous tree in the center.
Ten miles from downtown Los Angeles, locals tell us that Pasadena is packed with stuff to do. They say that Old Pasadena is beautiful and full of great restaurants and shops, Eaton Canyon offers a gorgeous hike near a *waterfall*, and if you plan your trip to Los Angeles for January, you can see the famous Rose Parade.
(Your eyes aren’t deceiving you: those really are wild parrots in Pasadena’s trees.)
With sprawling white sand and sparkling azure water, locals say that Santa Monica is one of the most beautiful beaches in Los Angeles. They tell us that the pier—full of old carnival rides and restaurants—can be a bit of a tourist trap, but it's iconic and fun to visit.
Sometimes overlooked, locals tell us that Culver City is close to LAX and the ocean, which makes it a convenient place to stay.
And there's lots to do here! Our trip planners suggest checking out the thriving gallery scene in Culver City’s Arts District, grabbing a late drink at the ornate (and soaked in Hollywood history) Culver Hotel, or hiking up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook for an amazing view.
Culver City is also home to Sony Pictures Studio, which offers a great behind-the-scenes tour.
Malibu is known for two things: stunning beaches and spectacular celebrity mansions. And it’s true, the beaches are incredible.
Locals say to keep an eye out for whales while you’re enjoying “aloha hour” at seaside Duke’s restaurant!
And of course, they note that Malibu offers unbeatable surfing, scuba diving, and sunbathing opportunities. And incredible hiking. (see the waterfall at Escondido Falls). And lots of wonderful wine tours.
It’s more than just a Weezer song—locals say that Beverly Hills is one of LA’s most iconic neighborhoods! The Revolver Gallery has the world’s largest gallery-owned collection of Andy Warhol’s work, making it a colorful and fun stop; the Paley Center for Media is a must-stop for TV nerds, and a photo with the iconic Beverly Hills sign at Beverly Hills Garden Park is a necessity.
If you’ve seen La La Land, you know Griffith Park (but please don’t burst into “A Lovely Night”— you will scare the locals).
Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Locals say that the main attractions here are the sweeping view of downtown LA, the iconic Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign. Our trip planners recommend going up at night for an impressive look at the sparkling city and the lit-up H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D.
The gorgeous Huntington Gardens, near Pasadena, defy Los Angeles’ reputation as urban sprawl. Not only does Huntington feature 16 themed garden areas over 120 acres, but locals say that the Huntington Library also contains a spectacular collection of art as well as rare historical documents and photos.
Locals say that the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is not as morbid as it sounds—although it is an actual cemetery where you can pay respects to deceased stars like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
Actually, the cemetery is known for much more than its “residents”. The (very-much alive) events calendar is packed with activities like movie nights and concerts, as well as one of LA’s biggest Day of the Dead celebrations.
Sunset Boulevard contains some of L.A’s classic spots, and plenty to do! Locals say that its famous hotel, the Chateau Marmont is a veritable character in Hollywood history itself—it’s where John Belushi died and where Jim Morrison fell off a balcony, among other colorful anecdotes.
Don't get stuck in tourist traps here (there's a lot). Locals say that the nearby Whiskey A Go Go is a great place to catch a rock show, and if you don’t have In-N-Out in your home state/country/etc., Sunset Blvd is a fun place to grab a burger.
In a town full of gorgeous movie stars, it’s devastating to be called a fossil—except at the La Brea Tar Pits, which contain some of the most well-preserved fossils in the world!
For thousands of years, prehistoric mammals like mammoths, saber-tooth cats, and direwolves (the real kind, not the Game of Thrones kind) were trapped and preserved in the pits of tar that bubble up from the ground. Bad news for them, but wonderful for the curious of today!
The Getty Museum, north of Beverly Hills, is a definite crowd-pleaser. Love art? They’ve got your Van Goghs and Monets, but also so much more. Love gardens? The garden at the Getty is stunning, and there are great spots for a picnic. How about sweeping LA views? Yup, sunset at the Getty is one of the most gorgeous vistas in town.
Only open since 2015, our trip planners tell us that the Broad Museum is quickly becoming a local favorite.
Unlike the Getty, the Broad is all about contemporary art. You’ll find artists here like Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons, and the Instagram-darling Yayoi Kusama (you’ve definitely seen her “infinity rooms” on social media).
Admission is free, but some exhibits and events require paid tickets.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has an amazing collection—it’s the largest art museum in the western United States—and visitors can easily spend a few hours admiring its 140,000 pieces (which represent more than 6,000 years of art history).
Locals say that one of LACMA’s main attractions is its “urban light” display. It’s a favorite backdrop for Instagrammers, engagement photographers, and, well, everyone else.
Move aside, New York City! LA has an incredible comedy scene—comedians like Conan O'Brien, Lisa Kudro, and Donald Glover got their start here.
Locals say that some of the city’s most famous clubs include The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, The Groundlings, and Upright Citizens Brigade, but there are countless smaller venues to check out as well. If you're looking to get off the beaten path, see what locals say about more low-key clubs in town.
The Hollywood sign is perhaps the most iconic of LA landmarks. It’s cool to see from afar, but locals say seeing it up close is something else entirely.
Our trip planners tell us you don’t have to be a pro hiker to trek up to the sign. There are different levels of Hollywood hikes to choose from, which makes it an accessible activity for most.
If you love television you’re in luck: Los Angeles is the TV town, and there are definitely ways to get into the audience of a live taping. The best part? Usually, these tickets are *free*. So whether you adore Ellen, dream of being on The Voice, or love laughing to Conan, you may be able to snag a seat in the studio audience.
Not only is the architecture of the Walt Disney Concert Hall phenomenally cool but it’s also designed to make the hall one of the most “acoustically sophisticated” in the world. Catch a show from the world-famous Los Angeles Philharmonic for some of the best classical music on the West Coast.
Looking to burn off the calories from those fancy West Hollywood cocktails? Locals say that the resplendent Runyon Canyon offers one of the best hikes in Los Angeles.
About thirty minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Runyon is a favorite amongst LA dog owners since the area is leash-optional.
Root, root, root for the Dodgers! Or whoever’s playing them, we won’t judge. On a hot LA day, there’s nothing better than enjoying a cold beer and watching some baseball. Dodger Stadium offers the perfect way to kick back, relax, and indulge in America’s pastime—plus, locals say it's only a 15-minute Uber from downtown LA.
There’s always something happening at Staples Center. If you love basketball, root for the Lakers (or the Clippers or the Sparks). If hockey is more your thing, catch a Kings’ game. None of the above? Then check out some of today’s biggest musicians, who perform frequently at Staples Center.
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