Los Angeles sprawls across 500 square miles, and that’s exactly why most first-time visitors waste half their trip stuck in traffic trying to figure out what’s actually worth their time. If you’re searching for things to do in los angeles that go beyond the obvious tourist traps, you’re in the right place. This city rewards people who know where to look, and punishes those who don’t with overpriced parking and disappointing photo ops.
This list answers a simple question: what should you actually do in LA right now, whether you have one day or a full week? We’ve split it between the landmarks you shouldn’t skip, like the Hollywood Sign and the Getty Center, and the lesser-known spots locals actually visit, from hidden hiking trails to neighborhood spots that never make the typical guidebook.
We’ve spent years leading guests through this city as guides who live here, so we know which attractions deliver and which ones are all hype. Below you’ll find 16 curated picks covering neighborhoods like Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach, plus practical notes on timing, cost, and how to skip the crowds entirely.
1. Take a guided tour with a local expert
Starting your trip with a guided tour sounds obvious, but it’s the single fastest way to turn a confusing city into one you actually understand. A good guide skips the guesswork that eats up entire afternoons and instead takes you straight to what matters, with the stories that make Hollywood Boulevard or Beverly Hills mean something beyond a photo. At Another Side Tours, we run small private tours led by local guides who’ve spent years building routes that dodge tour-bus crowds and dead time in traffic.
What it’s like
Expect a small group or private vehicle, a guide who actually lives here, and a route built around what you want to see, not a fixed script. Depending on which experience you book, you might cruise Beverly Hills in a private car spotting celebrity homes, cover Hollywood on an e-bike, or ride in a limousine for a special occasion. Tours run from 90 minutes to 7 hours, and most include hotel pickup so you’re not wasting time on logistics.
A guided tour trades hours of confused wandering for a few hours of context that actually sticks with you.
Who it’s for
This fits first-time visitors who want to hit the highlights without wasting a full day figuring out parking and traffic patterns. It also works well for families, couples celebrating something, and small groups who’d rather split the cost of a private guide than fight for space on a crowded shuttle. If you’re the type who wants context, not just a checklist of landmarks to photograph, a private tour delivers more than a self-guided itinerary ever will.
Good to know
Pricing depends heavily on group size and transportation method, so it helps to know the range before you book.
| Tour Type | Typical Price Range | Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Small group walking or e-bike | $75-$150 per person | 3+ for discounts |
| Private vehicle tour | $200-$600 total | 1-6 guests |
| Limousine experience | $800-$1,996 | Small groups |
Groups of three or more usually unlock a per-person discount, so it pays to combine with travel companions rather than booking solo. Custom and corporate options exist too, useful if you’re planning a team outing or want a route built around a specific interest, like classic film locations or Instagram-worthy backdrops.
2. Hike up to the Hollywood Sign
Skip the tourist buses that stop at a distant lookout for a blurry photo. The best way to see the Hollywood Sign up close is to lace up and hike one of the trails through Griffith Park that lead you right beneath the letters. Most routes start at Lake Hollywood Park or Brush Canyon Trail, both free and open year-round through the Griffith Park trail system.
What it’s like
Expect a moderate trail with real elevation gain, dusty switchbacks, and views that get better with every turn. The Brush Canyon route to Mount Lee runs roughly six miles round trip and takes most people two to three hours at a steady pace, though each trail to the Hollywood Sign varies in length. You won’t be able to touch the sign itself since it’s fenced off, but you’ll stand close enough to see individual letters towering overhead.
Nothing beats earning your Hollywood Sign photo with sweat instead of a zoom lens.
Who it’s for
This suits active travelers who don’t mind a workout and want a genuine outdoor experience baked into their city trip, and a guided hike to the Hollywood Sign takes the route-finding off your plate. Skip it if you’re traveling with small kids, have mobility limits, or you’re visiting in July heat without serious water supply.
Good to know
Start early, ideally before 9 a.m., to beat both the heat and the crowds. Parking near trailheads fills fast on weekends, so arrive early or take a rideshare. Bring at least a liter of water, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes since the trail surface turns loose and rocky in spots.
3. Spend the day at Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park
Once you’ve hiked to the Hollywood Sign, don’t rush back down, since seeing the sign and Griffith Observatory in one outing is easy to arrange. Griffith Park stretches over 4,300 acres, making it one of the largest urban parks in the country, and the Griffith Observatory sits right in the middle of it with some of the best free views in the city. Between the planetarium shows, the telescopes, and the skyline vistas, you could easily spend a full afternoon here without ever leaving the park boundaries.
What it’s like
Expect a mix of science exhibits, historic architecture, and sweeping views that stretch from Downtown LA to the Pacific on a clear day. The observatory itself is free to enter, though planetarium shows carry a small ticket price. Outside, the park holds trails inside Griffith Park, the LA Zoo, and picnic areas that fill up fast on weekends.
The observatory gives you the best skyline view in Los Angeles, and it doesn’t cost you a dime to see it.
Who it’s for
This spot works for families, curious travelers, and anyone who wants a break from beach and shopping itineraries. Stargazers and photographers especially love it at sunset, when the whole city starts to light up below.
Good to know
Parking lots fill quickly after 10 a.m., so arrive early or take the seasonal shuttle from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station. Evenings bring cooler temperatures and better city views, making them the smarter visiting window than midday heat. Bring a jacket even in summer since the hilltop location catches wind after dark.
4. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Boulevard’s sidewalk holds over 2,700 bronze stars honoring everyone from Marilyn Monroe to modern pop icons, and walking it remains one of the most recognizable things to do in Los Angeles for a reason. The stretch between La Brea and Vine covers the densest concentration of stars, along with the handprints outside the TCL Chinese Theatre and several other stops within a block of the sidewalk. Managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, new stars still get added every year, so even repeat visitors find something new.
What it’s like
Sidewalks get crowded fast, especially near the theater forecourts where costumed characters pose for tips. You’ll spot tour groups, street performers, and plenty of people scanning the ground for their favorite celebrity’s name. The energy feels chaotic but genuinely fun once you accept it’s not a quiet stroll.
Walking the Walk of Fame works best when you stop chasing every star and just soak in the spectacle.
Who it’s for
This suits first-time visitors checking off the classic LA experience and film buffs hunting for specific names. Families with older kids tend to enjoy the theater architecture and street performers more than younger ones who tire quickly on crowded pavement.
Good to know
Visit early morning or late evening to avoid peak foot traffic and harsh midday sun. Keep a hand on your bag since pickpockets target distracted tourists here. Costumed characters expect tips for photos, so carry small bills if you plan to pose with anyone.
5. See celebrity homes in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills draws visitors who want a glimpse of the mansions behind the gates, and driving the winding streets north of Sunset Boulevard delivers exactly that. Names like Beverly Park, Trousdale Estates, and the streets around the Beverly Hills Hotel come up again and again as the addresses where celebrities actually live, not just where studios send their publicity photos. Our guided drive past Beverly Hills mansions covers these routes with a guide who knows which addresses are worth pointing out and which stories behind them are actually true.
What it’s like
Expect quiet, tree-lined streets, tall hedges, and security gates that hide more than they reveal. Some homes sit close enough to the road for a clear look, while others require a guide who knows exactly where to slow down. The neighborhood itself feels worlds away from the Walk of Fame crowds, calm and almost suburban despite the price tags behind every gate.
Beverly Hills rewards a slow drive with a knowledgeable guide far more than a rushed self-guided loop ever will.
Who it’s for
This fits pop culture fans and anyone curious about how the other half lives, plus travelers who’d rather ride than navigate unfamiliar streets themselves. Families and small groups often prefer a private vehicle here since it keeps everyone comfortable during a longer, winding drive.
Good to know
Self-driving works, but a guided route saves you from dead ends and outdated star maps sold on street corners. Weekday mornings offer the calmest streets and best lighting for photos.
6. Explore art and gardens at the Getty Center
Perched on a hilltop above the 405, the Getty Center pairs a world-class art collection with some of the best free views in the city. Richard Meier’s travertine architecture alone justifies the trip, and the surrounding gardens designed by Robert Irwin turn a museum visit into a half-day escape from the noise below. It’s one of the better answers if you’re hunting for no-cost activities around Los Angeles that still feel like a real cultural outing.
What it’s like
A tram carries you from the parking garage up to the museum campus, adding a small sense of arrival before you even step inside. Galleries hold European paintings, photography, and decorative arts, while the Central Garden outside rotates blooms throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views stretching from Downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean on clear days.
The Getty proves the best art experience in Los Angeles can also be the least expensive one.
Who it’s for
This suits art lovers, architecture fans, and anyone traveling with a tight budget who still wants a memorable stop. Couples looking for a quiet, romantic afternoon and families with older kids both tend to enjoy the mix of galleries, gardens, and skyline views.
Good to know
Admission is free, as it is at several other museums in Los Angeles, but parking runs about $25 per car, so arrive early since spots fill fast on weekends. Reserve your parking or tram time slot online in advance through the Getty Center website. Plan for two to three hours minimum if you want to see both the galleries and gardens without rushing.
7. Bike the Santa Monica and Venice boardwalk
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail runs 22 miles along the coast, but the three-mile stretch between Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach packs in the most scenery per pedal. Rent a cruiser or e-bike and you’ll cover in an hour what would take half a day on foot, passing muscle beach, drum circles, and the kind of people-watching that makes this coastline famous.
What it’s like
Expect a flat, paved path packed with skaters, joggers, and fellow cyclists, so this isn’t a speed run. You’ll roll past Santa Monica’s carnival-lit pier, the wide sand of Venice Beach with plenty worth stopping for along the boardwalk, and the tattoo shops, fortune tellers, and outdoor gyms that have anchored this scene for decades. Stop wherever something catches your eye since the ride rewards wandering more than distance.
The boardwalk moves at whatever pace you set, and slow is usually the right one.
Who it’s for
This fits casual riders, families with older kids, and anyone who wants ocean air without committing to a full beach day. Photographers love the golden-hour light bouncing off the Pacific, and if navigating solo isn’t your thing, a coastal e-bike tour covers the same ground with none of the guesswork.
Good to know
Rentals run $15-$40 for a half day, cheaper near Venice than right at the Santa Monica Pier. Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons by a wide margin for crowd levels, and always lock your bike since boardwalk theft happens more than most riders expect.
8. Wander Downtown LA’s Arts District
Once a stretch of warehouses and rail yards, the Arts District now holds some of the best murals, coffee shops, and converted lofts in the city. Wide sidewalks and industrial brick buildings give the neighborhood a raw, unpolished feel that stands apart from the polish of Hollywood or Beverly Hills. It’s one of the more overlooked things to do in downtown Los Angeles for visitors who assume the area is only skyscrapers and courthouses.
What it’s like
Expect block after block of hand-painted murals in downtown LA, many spanning entire building facades, alongside galleries, breweries, and design shops tucked into old factories. Places like Hauser & Wirth combine gallery space with a courtyard restaurant, so you can browse contemporary art and grab lunch without leaving the block. The neighborhood rewards walking slowly, since new murals and small studios pop up between visits.
The Arts District proves LA’s best outdoor gallery costs nothing but the time to walk it.
Who it’s for
This suits creative travelers, photographers, and anyone tired of chain restaurants and mall storefronts. Coffee enthusiasts also gravitate here, since the neighborhood holds some of the city’s most respected independent roasters.
Good to know
Parking is limited, so ride Metro’s A Line to the Little Tokyo/Arts District station instead. Murals change often as buildings get repainted, so don’t expect the exact same walls from older photos online. Plan for two hours minimum, longer if you stop for coffee or a gallery browse along the way.
9. Go behind the scenes on a studio tour
Los Angeles built its identity on filmmaking, and a studio tour lets you walk the actual soundstages and backlots where that history got made. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and Universal Studios both offer official tours, and it helps to compare which studio lot is worth your ticket before pairing one with a guided add-on covering nearby filming locations. Our own studio lot combination tours blend a working lot visit with movie location stops around the city.
What it’s like
Expect trams or golf carts rolling past sets, prop warehouses, and soundstages still in active use for current productions. Guides point out details like which superhero franchise shot on which stage last month, and you’ll often walk streets built to look like New York or small-town America. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour runs year-round and updates its route as new productions wrap.
A studio tour turns movie magic into something you can actually stand inside.
Who it’s for
This fits film buffs, families with older kids curious about production, and anyone who wants a break from beaches and shopping. Casual visitors sometimes find the pace slow, so skip it if you’re short on time.
Good to know
Tickets run $70-$250 depending on tour length and access level. Book weeks ahead during summer since popular time slots sell out fast, and wear comfortable shoes since most tours involve real walking between stages.
10. Relax on Malibu’s best beaches
Malibu stretches along 21 miles of coastline northwest of Santa Monica, and its beaches rank among the best in Los Angeles, trading boardwalk crowds for cliffs, coves, and noticeably calmer water. Zuma Beach offers the widest sand and easiest parking, while El Matador State Beach hides rock arches and tide pools that feel like a different state entirely. If you’re building a list of things to do in Los Angeles that skip the tourist density, Malibu belongs near the top.
What it’s like
Expect dramatic bluffs, fewer crowds than city beaches, and water that stays cleaner thanks to less runoff and foot traffic. Zuma suits volleyball games and long walks, while El Matador rewards anyone willing to climb down a short staircase for tide pools and dramatic rock formations perfect for photos. Surfers cluster around Surfrider Beach near the pier, one of the birthplaces of American surf culture.
Malibu gives you the same Pacific coastline with a fraction of the crowd and none of the boardwalk noise.
Who it’s for
This fits couples, photographers, and anyone craving quiet after a few days of Hollywood crowds. Surfers and paddleboarders gravitate toward Surfrider, while families with younger kids often prefer Zuma’s calmer, wider shoreline and nearby lifeguard towers.
Good to know
Driving is the only realistic option since public transit barely reaches this stretch of coast. Parking lots at Zuma charge a daily fee, while some Malibu pullouts along Pacific Coast Highway offer free street parking if you arrive early. Bring cash for lot fees and check tide charts before visiting El Matador, since high tide covers much of its sand.
11. Catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl
Tucked into a natural amphitheater in the hills above Highland Avenue, the Hollywood Bowl has hosted concerts since 1922, and a summer night here ranks among the best evening things to do in Los Angeles. The venue seats nearly 18,000 people across a bowl-shaped hillside, with the LA Philharmonic anchoring the season alongside touring acts spanning jazz, rock, and film scores performed live to picture. Few venues anywhere pair open-air seating with a skyline backdrop this dramatic.
What it’s like
Most visitors arrive early with a picnic dinner and a bottle of wine, since the Bowl allows outside food and the box seats even come with small tables built in. Sound carries cleanly even from the cheap seats near the top, and string lights framing the stage’s concentric arches give the whole setting a timeless feel once the sun drops. Traffic and parking get tight, so many locals take the Metro-run shuttle instead of driving.
A picnic, a warm night, and live music under the Hollywood Hills beats almost any indoor concert venue in the city.
Who it’s for
This suits music lovers, couples planning a date night, and anyone who wants an LA evening that feels distinctly local rather than touristy. Casual visitors without a specific show in mind should still check the summer schedule, since even unfamiliar acts translate into a memorable night here.
Good to know
Ticket prices range from around $20 for lawn seating to well over $150 for box seats near the stage, so it’s worth knowing the best seating at the Hollywood Bowl before you buy. Season runs roughly June through September, so plan accordingly if visiting outside that window.
12. Take a day trip to Catalina Island
Cross 22 miles of open ocean and you land on Catalina Island, a mountainous escape that feels closer to the Mediterranean than to Downtown LA. The Catalina Express ferry runs from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point, dropping you in the harbor town of Avalon within about an hour. Trading freeways for saltwater air makes this one of the more refreshing day trips from Los Angeles when the city itself starts feeling crowded.
What it’s like
Avalon greets you with pastel buildings, golf carts instead of cars, and a harbor lined with dive shops and casual seafood spots. Snorkeling and glass-bottom boat tours reveal kelp forests just offshore, while hiking trails climb into the island’s interior past wild buffalo descended from a 1920s film shoot. Everything moves slower here, and that’s the entire point.
Catalina proves you don’t need to leave Los Angeles County to feel like you’ve left the country.
Who it’s for
This suits couples craving a slower pace and anyone who wants ocean views without another beach day in the city. Snorkelers, hikers, and day-trippers looking for a break from urban sightseeing all find something worth the ferry ride.
Good to know
Round-trip ferry tickets run $75-$90 per adult, and booking ahead saves you from sold-out sailings on weekends. Plan for a full day since travel time eats into your hours on the island. Golf cart rentals cost extra but beat walking if you want to cover more ground quickly.
13. Browse contemporary art at The Broad
Downtown LA’s The Broad holds one of the country’s best collections of postwar and contemporary art, and unlike most major museums, admission is free. Eli and Edythe Broad built the museum around their own collection, which means you’ll find major works from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roy Lichtenstein, and Kara Walker packed into a single building instead of scattered across a sprawling campus. It’s a strong pick among things to do in downtown Los Angeles for anyone who wants culture without a ticket price attached.
What it’s like
The honeycomb-veiled exterior draws photos before you even step inside, and galleries flow across two floors without feeling maze-like. Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room draws the longest lines, so check same-day availability the moment you arrive. Everything else moves at a relaxed pace, letting you linger with pieces instead of rushing through a crowded hallway.
The Broad delivers a world-class collection without asking for a single dollar at the door.
Who it’s for
This suits art lovers, design-minded travelers, and anyone building a downtown day around walkable, free attractions. Couples and solo travelers both find it easy to move through at their own speed, and it pairs naturally with other walkable stops in downtown LA afterward.
Good to know
General admission is free, but reserve a timed ticket online through The Broad since walk-up spots run out fast on weekends. The Infinity Mirror Room requires a separate same-day reservation, so grab one early if it’s your priority.
14. Take a haunted Hollywood ghost tour
Hollywood’s glamour hides a darker side, and a haunted Hollywood ghost tour digs into the scandals, unsolved deaths, and cursed addresses that never make it into the standard sightseeing loop. Guides walk you past the Roosevelt Hotel, where staff swear Marilyn Monroe’s reflection still shows up in a certain mirror, and the alleys where old Hollywood’s biggest scandals actually unfolded. Our own haunted Hollywood ghost walk covers these stories on foot, mixing real history with the legends that grew around it.
What it’s like
Expect a nighttime walk through Hollywood Boulevard’s side streets, away from the daytime crowds and lit by streetlights instead of tour-bus headlights. Guides lean into the theatrical side of storytelling, but every stop ties back to documented deaths, disappearances, or scandals tied to a specific building still standing today. The pace stays relaxed, more storytelling stroll than fitness challenge, so you can focus on the details instead of your step count.
A good ghost tour turns Hollywood’s sidewalks into a stage for stories the postcards never mention.
Who it’s for
This fits true crime fans, horror movie buffs, and couples looking for a date night that’s different from dinner and a show. Families with younger kids should skip it, since some stories cover real violence and won’t land well with sensitive listeners.
Good to know
Tours typically run 90 minutes to two hours and cost less than most daytime sightseeing options, usually in the $40-$75 range. Wear comfortable shoes and book evening slots in advance, since weekend tours near Halloween sell out fast.
15. Shop and stroll Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive stretches just three blocks through Beverly Hills, but those blocks hold some of the most recognizable storefronts in the world. Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co. all sit within walking distance of each other, which makes a Rodeo Drive shopping walk easy to plan around the palm-lined median that’s shown up in countless films. Even if luxury shopping isn’t your thing, the street itself works as one of those classic things to do in Los Angeles that photographs well and takes under an hour to experience.
What it’s like
Expect polished sidewalks, valet-parked sports cars, and window displays that change with each new collection. The Two Rodeo pedestrian mall adds a cobblestone European feel, complete with a fountain and archways built specifically for photos. Even without buying anything, browsing here feels like a mini tour of global fashion history packed into a few walkable blocks.
Rodeo Drive sells a feeling as much as it sells anything in the windows.
Who it’s for
This suits luxury shoppers, fashion enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a taste of Beverly Hills glamour without booking a full tour. It also works well as a short add-on stop if you’re already exploring celebrity home routes nearby, since the neighborhoods sit close together.
Good to know
Metered street parking exists but fills fast, so nearby paid lots are usually the easier option. Weekday mornings offer the calmest sidewalks for photos before tour groups and shoppers arrive in the afternoon.
16. Visit the La Brea Tar Pits
Right on Wilshire Boulevard, sticky asphalt still bubbles up from the ground the way it has for tens of thousands of years, and the La Brea Tar Pits turn that oddity into one of the most unusual things to do in Los Angeles. Real fossils of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves came out of these pits, and the adjoining museum displays thousands of bones pulled from the muck just steps from where you’re standing.
What it’s like
Outside, fenced pits still trap unlucky birds and insects, and a few reconstructed mammoth statues mark the spot where a real mammoth once got stuck. Inside the La Brea Tar Pits Museum, glass-walled labs let you watch paleontologists clean fossils in real time, a detail that makes the whole site feel active rather than roped off behind glass. The smell of tar drifts across the whole park, a strange but memorable reminder that this ground has been trapping animals since the Ice Age.
Nowhere else in a major city can you watch scientists excavate Ice Age fossils on your lunch break.
Who it’s for
This fits families with curious kids, science lovers, and anyone looking for a break from beaches and shopping strips, and it sits alongside plenty of other LA activities kids actually enjoy. It also works as an easy add-on if you’re already near the Original Farmers Market or The Grove, both a short walk away.
Good to know
Admission runs around $15-$18 for adults, with discounts for kids, students, and LA County residents on certain days. Plan for about 90 minutes, and street parking nearby is limited, so use the museum’s paid lot instead.
Planning your time in LA
Sixteen options is a lot to juggle, so don’t try to force all of them into one trip. Pick two or three anchors per day, like a morning hike to the Hollywood Sign followed by an afternoon at Griffith Observatory, and leave room for traffic and detours. Distance matters more than desire in this city, so group activities by neighborhood instead of bouncing from Malibu to Downtown in the same afternoon.
If you only remember one thing from this list, remember that Los Angeles punishes rushed, disconnected plans and rewards routes built with local knowledge. That’s the whole reason a guided tour tops this list instead of sitting somewhere in the middle. You get the landmarks, the context, and none of the wasted hours spent second-guessing your route.
Ready to skip the guesswork entirely? Book a private Los Angeles tour with hotel pickup and let a local guide turn your trip into the version you actually came here for.
