The best things to do in Los Angeles, California are Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Boulevard, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, the Getty Center, Rodeo Drive, Downtown LA and Universal Studios Hollywood. First-time visitors should start with the Hollywood and Beverly Hills stops. Beach lovers get the best day by pairing Santa Monica with Venice, and art and architecture fans should put the Getty and Downtown first.
The problem is geography. Los Angeles is a collection of districts, not a walkable city, and two stops that look close on a map can sit an hour apart in traffic. Most lists ignore that and hand you a pile of names. This one stops at nine picks instead of a padded ten, and each pick gives you the same three things: why it earns a place, what it costs and when to go, and the easiest way to do it.
Another Side Of Los Angeles Tours has been creating memorable experiences for visitors since 2007. Read straight through, or jump to the area you will actually be in.
1. Griffith Observatory
Why it’s worth your time
Griffith Observatory gives you the best free view in Los Angeles. It sits on the south slope of Mount Hollywood, so one lookout frames the Hollywood Sign, the downtown skyline and, on clear days, the Pacific. The art deco building became even more famous after La La Land, but the setting is the real draw.
Inside, the astronomy exhibits and the Foucault pendulum are worth a slow half hour, and planetarium shows run through the day. Kids and adults both get something out of it, which is rare for a free attraction.
Costs, hours and timing
Plan on about two hours here, longer if you hike. These facts decide how smooth the visit goes:
- Admission to the building and grounds is free. Planetarium shows need a ticket.
- The Observatory is closed on Mondays, so check the hours before you drive up.
- Parking on the hill is limited and fills quickly on weekends and at sunset.
- On clear evenings the public telescopes are free to use.
How to do it well
Arrive about 90 minutes before sunset. You will see the city in daylight, at dusk and then lit up, and you will claim a spot at the railing before the crowd builds.
Go for the view, not the exhibits, and time it for sunset.
To skip the parking fight, take the DASH Observatory shuttle from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station. Trails lead from the Observatory into Griffith Park, and the Hollywood Sign is visible from many of them, which links neatly to the next pick.
2. The Hollywood Sign
Why it’s worth your time
The Hollywood Sign is the most photographed symbol of LA, and it is smaller than most people expect. Its 45-foot letters went up in 1923 as an advertisement for a housing development called Hollywoodland, and they now stand on Mount Lee above the city.
One thing surprises visitors: you cannot walk up and touch the letters. The area around the sign is fenced and restricted, so every route is really about finding a good angle.
Costs, hours and timing
You have three ways to see it, and the cost climbs with the effort:
- Viewpoints: Lake Hollywood Park, Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood & Highland complex are all free.
- Self-guided hikes: free, but they take planning, water and sturdy shoes.
- Guided hike: Beyond The Billboards, our private Hollywood Sign hike, runs about 2 hours from the Lake Hollywood Reservoir trail. It costs $149 per guest with a 2-guest minimum.
Two guests pay $298. A party of three saves $20 per guest, so each pays $129 and the group pays $387.
How to do it well
Go in the morning, when the trails are cooler and quieter. Wear real shoes, not sandals, and carry more water than you think you need, because the hills have little shade.
Pick the viewpoint if you have 20 minutes and the hike if you have two hours.
If you would rather not navigate the trails yourself, a guided hike removes the guesswork. The guide handles the route and tells the sign’s story on the way, so you spend your time looking at the panorama.
3. Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame
Why it’s worth your time
Hollywood Boulevard is where the film industry’s mythology lives on the sidewalk. The Walk of Fame has more than 2,500 stars across 15 blocks, and the TCL Chinese Theatre forecourt holds the hand and footprints of generations of celebrities. The Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars, is next door.
Be realistic about it. The street is crowded, costumed performers ask for tips, and parts of it look worn. Most visitors are happy with an hour, and the stories behind the landmarks are what make it worthwhile.
Costs, hours and timing
Walking the boulevard is free, and it is open all day. Here is how to get there and when to go:
- The Metro B Line stops at Hollywood/Highland, steps from the theatre.
- Parking is available in the garage at Hollywood & Highland.
- Mornings are calmer than afternoons and evenings.
How to do it well
A guide turns the street from a photo stop into a story. Our Hollywood-focused tours differ mostly by length and privacy:
| Tour | Length | Format | Price per guest |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Los Angeles Tour | About 3 hours | Semi-private | $149 |
| The Ultimate Hollywood Tour | About 4 hours | Private | $299 |
| The Private LA Highlights Tour | About 5 hours | Private | $349 |
| The LA Highlights Tour | About 7 hours | Semi-private | $249 |
Choose by time: three hours covers Hollywood and Beverly Hills, seven hours adds the coast.
The LA Highlights Tour adds Santa Monica, Venice Beach and a Farmers Market lunch. A party of four pays $249 less a $15 group discount, so $234 each and $936 in total. Optional pick-up and drop-off adds $20 per guest within 5 miles of our office.
4. Santa Monica Pier
Why it’s worth your time
Santa Monica Pier is the classic California postcard. Pacific Park, the small amusement park on the pier, has a solar-powered Ferris wheel and a roller coaster over the water, and the pier marks the end of Route 66. It is touristy in the best way, with arcades, fish and chips, and a wide beach beside it.
Beyond the pier, Third Street Promenade is a short walk inland for shopping and street performers. Together they fill a relaxed half day.
Costs, hours and timing
Walking the pier and the beach costs nothing. Rides in Pacific Park are ticketed, so check current pricing before you go.
- The Metro E Line runs from downtown LA to Santa Monica, which avoids coastal traffic.
- Parking structures near the pier fill quickly on summer weekends.
- Late afternoon into sunset is the best light, and also the busiest time.
How to do it well
Arrive by mid-afternoon, ride the Ferris wheel for the view, and stay for sunset. If crowds bother you, go on a weekday or early in the morning, when the pier is calm and the beach is nearly empty.
Santa Monica is best as a half day that ends at sunset.
The smartest add-on is the beach path to Venice. You can rent a bike along the beach, or join one of our guided electric bike tours, which cover Santa Monica and Venice Beach and let you cover more ground without hard pedaling. Check the electric bike tours page for current routes and prices.
5. Venice Beach
Why it’s worth your time
Venice Beach is the loudest, strangest and most local-feeling stop on the list. The Ocean Front Walk is a nonstop show of street performers, artists and vendors, with the skate park and the Muscle Beach outdoor gym a few steps away. It is where LA shows off.
Venice has a quieter side too. The Venice Canals and boutique shopping on Abbot Kinney Boulevard feel like a different neighborhood, and both are worth the detour if you have time.
Costs, hours and timing
The boardwalk, the beach and watching the skate park are all free. You pay for food, drinks, bike rentals and anything from the vendors. Keep these points in mind:
- Santa Monica Pier to the Venice boardwalk is about 2.5 miles, an easy bike ride.
- Weekend afternoons are the busiest, so weekday mornings are calmer.
- Bring cash for some vendors, and keep valuables close in the crowds.
How to do it well
Walk the boardwalk first, then turn inland for the canals and Abbot Kinney. This order gets the crowded part done early and ends the day somewhere calm, with good places to eat.
Venice rewards wandering, so leave an unplanned hour.
If you want the history and the hidden corners, our Segway tours cover Venice Beach and Santa Monica, and the same company runs private options. The Segway tours page lists the current locations and prices.
6. The Getty Center
Why it’s worth your time
The Getty Center is the pick for art and architecture lovers, and it is one of the most beautiful public spaces in the city. Richard Meier’s white buildings crown a hilltop in Brentwood, and the Central Garden and valley views are as much the attraction as the collection inside.
Even if you only half care about art, the grounds make the trip worthwhile. Most people spend three to four hours, and nobody finishes the whole museum in a single visit.
Costs, hours and timing
Admission to the Getty Center is free, but you pay to park, and the museum is closed on Mondays. A tram carries you from the parking structure up to the hilltop.
- Private tour: our Exclusive Tour of The Getty Center is a private half-day, about 5 hours, at $499 per guest with a 2-guest minimum.
- Tour hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm.
- Policy: no cancellations or refunds within 7 days of the tour date.
- The Getty Villa on the coast is a separate site with its own timed tickets.
How to do it well
Go early on a weekday, and pick two or three galleries rather than trying to see everything. Walk the garden before you leave, because the light is better in the afternoon.
The Getty is a free museum with a parking fee, so budget for the car, not the ticket.
Our exclusive tour includes luxury round-trip transportation, light refreshments and a guide who stays on hand through the visit. That removes the parking and planning, which suits couples and small groups who want the day to feel effortless.
7. Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive
Why it’s worth your time
Beverly Hills is the part of LA that matches the movies. Rodeo Drive is a short stretch of luxury boutiques, and Beverly Gardens Park holds the Beverly Hills sign, a favorite photo stop. Streets of enormous homes and manicured hedges sit just beyond the shops.
You will not get inside any of the houses, since celebrity homes are private and mostly gated. What you get is the atmosphere and an understanding of how wealth and fame shaped this corner of the city.
Costs, hours and timing
Window shopping and a park stroll are free. The shops are open standard retail hours, and the area is easy to cover in about 90 minutes on foot.
- Rodeo Drive sits close to Hollywood and West Hollywood, so it pairs naturally with them.
- Garage parking is easy to find, though it is not cheap.
- Morning is the calmest time to walk the street.
How to do it well
A guided drive shows you far more than you can see alone, because a guide knows which streets matter and which stories are true. Our Ultimate Hollywood Tour, a private four-hour trip at $299 per guest, links Hollywood, West Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard and Beverly Hills.
Beverly Hills is best seen with context, because the houses hide behind gates.
For something more active, our Segway and electric bike tours cover Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and the celebrity home neighborhoods. Both tour pages list current routes and prices, and the private options let you set the pace.
8. Downtown Los Angeles
Why it’s worth your time
Downtown LA is where the city’s architecture, food and art sit within walking distance of each other. Grand Central Market has been feeding people since 1917, Angels Flight is a tiny historic railway, and The Broad is a contemporary art museum with free general admission. Nearby, Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Last Bookstore add more reasons to stay.
Downtown rewards visitors who expect Los Angeles to be all beaches and palms. It shows the dense, historic and creative city underneath.
Costs, hours and timing
Plan for a half day. Entering Grand Central Market and viewing the buildings costs nothing, and the main costs are food and any special exhibit tickets.
- The Broad’s general admission is free, and reserving a timed ticket is wise. It is closed on Mondays.
- The Metro B and D Lines reach the core of downtown, so you can skip the car.
- Walk between the main sights in the daytime and use a rideshare for longer hops, especially after dark.
How to do it well
Start with breakfast or lunch at the market, then ride Angels Flight, then spend your longest stretch at The Broad. End with a look at the Concert Hall’s steel curves, designed by Frank Gehry.
Eat first, then see the art, because downtown rewards a slow pace.
If you would rather not manage the logistics, our private tours include Downtown Los Angeles, and our Segway tours cover it as well. A guide also explains what you are looking at, which matters in a district full of historic buildings.
9. Universal Studios Hollywood
Why it’s worth your time
Universal Studios Hollywood is the one stop on this list that fills a full day. It combines a working movie studio, a theme park and the Studio Tour, a tram ride through backlots and sets. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Springfield from The Simpsons and Super Nintendo World are the headline areas.
If you travel with kids or love film, this is the closest thing LA has to a must-do. If you dislike crowds and queues, skip it and spend the day at the Getty and on the coast.
Costs, hours and timing
Ticket prices change by date, so look at the official site before you plan, and buy online in advance. Several things change the experience:
- The Studio Tour is included in general admission and takes about an hour.
- Express passes cost extra and shorten waits on busy days.
- Park hours vary by season, and Halloween Horror Nights in the fall needs a separate ticket.
How to do it well
Arrive at opening and ride the biggest attractions first, because lines grow all day. Take the Studio Tour once the morning queues peak, since it moves steadily and gives you a break from walking.
Pay for the early start, not the extras, because opening hour beats any line pass.
If you want film history without a theme park, we also offer studio lot combination tours, and our team can tell you what is currently available. Use the contact details on our website to ask.
Plan your Los Angeles days
The nine picks group into four areas: Hollywood and Griffith Park, the Westside with Beverly Hills and the Getty, the coast with Santa Monica and Venice, and Downtown. Do one area per day and the city stops feeling impossible. Universal needs a day of its own.
If you want those stops linked without managing traffic and parking yourself, see our small-group Los Angeles sightseeing tours. They cover the Hollywood, Beverly Hills and coastal highlights with local guides, and you can compare routes, lengths and prices before you book.
