Los Angeles is no stranger to lights, glamour, and plenty of fuss. For as long as most of us can remember, LA has been the hotspot for movies, music, and all things entertainment related. Of course, the ample sunlight only strengthens the California city’s appeal. There are plenty of things to do in Los Angeles for nearly anyone, even if you’re not in the movie business. From the Santa Monica Pier to The Valley, you have fine food, amusement parks, and loads of outdoor trails at your disposal when you visit Los Angeles.
Areas & Neighborhoods
Beach Cities — The beach cities and neighborhoods in and around LA are a hotbed of boutiques, picture-perfect sand, and impressive piers. Cities like Santa Monica, Malibu, and Marina del Rey will leave you spoiled for choice when it comes to where to watch the best sunset or stick your toes in the sand.
West Hollywood — Head inland to West Hollywood, and you can explore one of Los Angeles’ largest gay-friendly neighborhoods, which also happens to be replete with community theaters and lots of festivals.
Beverly Hills — For a taste of the finer things in life, there is perhaps no better stop on a Los Angeles vacation than this upscale stretch. In Beverly Hills you can peruse some of the most prestigious retail strips in the entire city (even if you only window shop). While you’re there, you might as well treat yourself to a 5-star meal.
Downtown — The bounty of attractions in Los Angeles’ downtown vary from culinary hot spots to loud, music-pumping clubs and everything in between. Take in a free concert at California Plaza or meander through the Natural History Museum. If you’re in search of late-night entertainment, make your way down Sunset Boulevard, which begins downtown.
If you can’t enough of the California lifestyle, tours from Los Angeles let you experience even more far-flung neighborhoods in SoCal within just a few hours.
Things to See in Los Angeles
One of the best things to see in Los Angeles is its inhabitants. Yes, people-watching is a worthwhile pastime in LA. If you want to see more than the characters on Venice Beach, head to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles or check out the exhibits at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Getty Center. For a great night at the theater, tickets to a performance at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood are always a good idea. Sports fans can grab some peanuts and head to a professional baseball game when the Dodgers™ are at home.
Things to Do & Attractions in Los Angeles
Fun things to do in Los Angeles often require you to burn some tread on your favorite pair of tennis shoes. Amusement parks near the city, including the House of Mouse, can translate to lots of walking. If you’re not after a roller coaster ride, hike the Eaton Canyon Falls Trail or take surf lessons at Manhattan Beach. Griffith Park deserves an entire day of your time; this large municipal park is home to the Greek Theater, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles Zoo, and more. Day trips from Los Angeles can lead to Santa Barbara, Big Bear Lake, Laguna Beach, and other attractive Southern California destinations. And if you want to leave the planning to someone else, Los Angeles tours let you experience ocean, skyscrapers, and parkland in the same day without leaving the city.
