L.A. Info

Guests often ask us about interesting things to do in Los Angeles (other than our tours of course) while they’re here. So here’s a list of the best that Los Angeles has to offer (sorry if you think we’ve missed something – all lists are subjective). We also produce a list of the 10 Best Things to Do in LA every month on our blog – The Los Angeles Lowdown – with information on all kinds of events here such as screenings, festivals, exhibitions, concerts etc. Have a look at that too when you’re in Los Angeles, or shortly before you get here, for ideas on activities to make the most of your stay.

1. Griffith Park

It’s one of the largest urban parks in the US, it has a beautiful observatory (see the photo above) which is free and offers great views of Los Angeles. If you’re feeling adventurous check out the old Los Angeles Zoo – you’ll get some good photos there, it’s very atmospheric. If you don’t feel like exploring on your own how about our Mount Hollywood Hike? It’s a two and a half hour hike from the Greek Theatre to the Griffith Observatory, via Mount Hollywood (from which you can see almost the whole city of L.A.).

2. Have a Beach Day

You might have heard that Los Angeles is a beach city and even as early as April and as late as October, depending on the weather of course, you can visit one of our many beaches. Santa Monica’s is very popular as it’s the easiest to get to, but Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach are very nice too. If you’re going to Santa Monica why not visit the Annenberg Beach House? It has a beautiful pool from the 1920’s and you can visit part of Marion Davis’ house. She was a silent movie star in the 1920’s and 30’s and she built an enormous beach house here (unfortunately only a small part now remains).

3. Main Street, Santa Monica

Instead of going right when you hit the beach at Santa Monica pier (and walking up 3rd Street Promenade) go left and walk down Main Street. There are many independent shops, bars and restaurants and itʼs only two blocks from the beach. If you’re feeling energetic keep walking all the way to Abbot Kinney – it’s the ultimate in westside hipness and still a cool place to hang out.

4. Wander the Venice Canals

The canals cover only about a quarter of the area that they did when first constructed, but it’s still a lovely, tranquil walk – around some of the most valuable real estate in the world (a 450 square foot “house”, with no kitchen, was on sale here in 2017 for $2.5 million). We also cycle through this area on our Santa Monica and Venice Bike Tour.

5. Old Town Pasadena

Pasadena is a beautiful and historic city northeast of downtown, at the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains, and which is very accessible on the Gold Line. What’s now known as Old Town Pasadena is the historic core of the city. It’s full of independent shops, bars and restaurants and the area is also home to the Huntington Library and the Norton Simon Museum, which both have very impressive art collections.

6. LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

One of the best things to do in LA is to visit some of the fantastic museums we have here and LACMA’s collection of art is truly world class. The institution is situated on the Miracle Mile and it’s also only about ten minutes walk from the Farmers Market and the Grove (an open air shopping mall) which are both very popular with tourists and locals.

7. The Getty

Another world-class art collection – this one housed in an award-winning building with breath-taking views of the sea and the Santa Monica mountains. Did we mention it’s free?

8. The Broad

The latest museum to open in downtown (2015) and a big hit with Angelenos, check out its first-rate collection of modern art. Be smart though and reserve online before you visit – that way you don’t have to join the long lines that often form at the entrance, especially on weekends. If you’re in the area you could also visit MOCA, another great free modern art museum, which, handily, is right opposite. We pass through the Grand Avenue cultural quarter on our Central Downtown LA tour, but make time to visit these museums as well, you’ll be glad you did.

9. California Science Center

It’s got something for everyone – adults and children – including fighter jets, robots and the Space Shuttle Endeavor (which was built in the Los Angeles area). It’s free – and there’s nothing wrong with free, right?

10. Natural History Museum

Also has some wonderful exhibits, including a lot of dinosaur fossils which were found in the Los Angeles area (they’re still turning up fossilized remains at the site of the La Brea Tarpits, where LACMA resides) and a section on L.A. history.

11. Do a Movie Studio Tour

No list of things to do in LA would be complete without this. Warner Bros, Universal and Sony Pictures have guided backlot tours and they all have something to recommend them, but our recommendation would probably be Paramount Studios. It’s the only old-time studio still in Hollywood itself and it’s very recognizable from movies like the Godfather. If you do go to Sony Studios though, you could also see Tara from Gone with the Wind, which is a brief walk from the entrance to Sony.

12. Catch a Game

Los Angeles has many world-famous sporting teams based here – and one of the best things to do in LA would be to see them in action. The Dodgers (baseball), the Lakers (basketball), the Clippers (basketball), the Chargers (football), the Rams (football), L.A. Galaxy (soccer) and the Kings (ice hockey) all call the city home. That’s right, LA is an incredible city to visit if you’re a sports fan.

13. Catch a Play, Classical Music Concert or Opera Performance at the Music Center

Believe it or not, but L.A. has award-winning work going on all the time in all three at this magnificent venue right in the heart of downtown. Our LA: Wild West to Now tour finishes here, so you could see a production afterwards.

14. Go to a Concert at the Hollywood Bowl

It’s a beautiful spot in the Hollywood Hills and they host all kinds of concerts here, from classical music with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (sometimes playing the score to a movie while it’s being screened) to appearances by pop icons like Paul McCartney.

15. Go to a movie screening

You’re in Los Angeles, movie capital of America (and arguably the world), so it makes sense. The New Beverly Cinema (owned by Quentin Tarantino) and The Cinefamily both have very interesting programs, in which screenings are often followed by moderated discussions of the movie (usually involving a panel made up of some famous actors and directors).

If you have any feedback on our list of things to do in LA, or if you have some recommendations of your own, please email us and let us know. We’ll be sure to take it into account.

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