50 Ultimate Things to Do in Los Angeles

Considered an L.A. institution among locals (and the cause of horrendous mid-city traffic), the Hollywood Bowl Amphitheater deserves a spot on any guide to Los Angeles. During the Bowl’s concert season, which lasts from May to October, you can catch a number of free concerts, family-friendly events, and, of course, star-studded performances. This season promises everyone from HAIM to the Los Angeles Philharmonic to Steely Dan to Wu-Tang Clan. We highly recommend the sing-alongs, if singing in public is your thing. With its acoustic marvels (turns out a canyon is a pretty great place to see live music), live pyrotechnics, and stunning scenery, the only thing that could make this experience perfect is your beverage and snack of choice—which is no problem, since Hollywood Bowl allows for a BYOB and BYOF picnic experience, along with myriad offerings from food stands. Our final pro tip? If seats sell out for an event, just make your way to the Bowl’s 14 free picnic areas. They surround the Bowl and give you the same vantage points that you’d have from inside the venue.

2022’s concert schedule is available on their website.

Don’t be spooked by this hugely popular L.A. movie night’s location. Hosted in the iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery, the final resting place to Cecile B DeMille, Jayne Mansfield, and George Harrison, this outdoor movie series is the perfect weekend event. Gather up your friends–don’t forget the blanket and snacks–and watch classics like Psycho, The Parent Trap, and Clueless. Cinespia goes all out, even including fun backdrops of stills and sets from the film to their screening, (check out @cutiesatcinespia to get an idea). Since the pandemic, the Cinespia team has expanded options to a drive-in experience at The Greek Theatre, as well as shows at Los Angeles State Historic Park and special film screening events at historic movie palaces in Downtown Los Angeles. But hurry, tickets always go quick.

Don’t come back from L.A. with dingy souvenirs from some sad shop on Hollywood Boulevard. Instead, hunt for treasure at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, a massive flea market that takes over Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium once a month. Here, you’ll find vintage clothing and furniture, records, boho hippie wares, and more. An almost 50-year-old market, it’s the best in town—you might even spot a celeb or two among shoppers. Weave amongst the 2,500 stalls and seek your fortune, then bargain to buy it. Food stalls and drink carts will nourish you along your journey, and hopefully, you’ll walk away with something one-of-a-kind—at the very least, you’ll have a great suntan.

If you’re in it for a serious haul, bring a blue IKEA bag and your walking shoes.

Hiking is a ritualistic activity in Los Angeles. Sure, some people do it for obvious reasons—a great workout, nature, cinema-like views of the city. And some of us do it for other reasons—to see and be seen, to show off on the ‘gram, and to (sometimes) see a celebrity.

There are endless places to hike across the city, but if you’re looking for the hike, you know, one where you’ll see the Hollywood sign, check out the Hollyridge Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, or the Mount Hollywood Trail to get incredible angles and even above and behind the 45-foot-high HOLLYWOOD letters to view everything from the ocean to the mountains with sparkling Downtown smack in the middle. It all starts in Griffith Park, where you can look through the incredible public telescopes at the Griffith Observatory, the crown jewel of Griffith Park. There are daily sky viewings and monthly programming offered along with exhibits, galleries, and a planetarium at the famous observatory. 

Want to hit the less popular but equally stunning trails of South L.A. (with arguably better vistas)? With views from the ocean to Downtown, try climbing the hills at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area. The “Central Park of Los Angeles,” Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area is one of the largest open spaces in the greater Los Angeles area. This is the spot for photo-ops: take your pick of the views: the Hollywood Sign to the north, downtown’s skyline to the east framed by the San Gabriel Mountains or the Santa Ana Mountains Southeast, L.A. Harbor and Long Beach to the south, LAX and the mighty Pacific to the southwest. Don’t miss a stroll through the Japanese Gardens or a trip around the fish-stocked lake.

Yes, yes, here in Los Angeles, cannabis is legal for recreational consumption, but don’t be lured in by Apple Store-like mega-retailers with overpriced flower and high-tech devices you will definitely not be able to bring into LAX. If you’re going Cali sober, get your weed from a Black-owned dispensary. Why? It’s simple: Black people, and people of color in general, are disproportionately affected by racist marijuana laws across the nation and are being shut out of the cannabis industry. Support Black businesses and racial reform by shopping at one of these Black-owned dispensaries or suppliers in Los Angeles: LitCo (Downtown), Pineapple Express (West), Ball Family Farms (sold at various locations, including Sixty Four & Hope in Mid-City), FireHouse 30 Cap (East) and California Cannabis Dispensary (Boyle Heights).

Skate culture has always been a part of Los Angeles’ core identity but was long been considered a boys club. That changed in 2018 when GRLSWIRL, a female-founded skate collective, started hosting group skate meetups in Venice Beach. Inclusive, empowering, and encouraging, you don’t have to be a pro to join a GRLSWIRL meetup, just be able to “kick, push” alongside Venice Beach. GRLSWIRL’s mission to empower girls to get out there doesn’t stop stateside either. Up until the pandemic, they were regularly teaching girls across the Mexican border how to skateboard. Powered by community, the Venice-based collective even has merch—from boards to super cute skorts. For an exhilarating and euphoric slice of L.A. culture, head to a GRLSWIRL meetup.

An obvious but must-do on this list? Head to a comedy club. Be prepared for pricey drink minimums and buy tickets as far in advance as you can, since post-COVID indoor shows tend to sell out quickly. Our favorite spots are the Hollywood Improv (get the mac and cheese) and The Comedy Store, where we’ve seen A-list level drop-ins like Ali Wong. If you’re hoping to see your favorite stand-up act while in town, stalk their Instagram for info on where they’ll be.

Sure, there are more popular Chinatowns across America—see New York and San Francisco—but L.A.’s Chinatown is teeming with critically-lauded restaurants, vibrant and buzzy shopping, and one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful and spacious parks. And even most locals have no idea. It’s also a critical time to support this community and the predominantly Asian elders that live in this neighborhood. We can’t think of a more fun way than to stuff our face.

Our perfect Chinatown day starts on Hill Street, where you can hit up Today Starts Here for Tawianese-inspired breakfast, grab a hojicha latte from Thank You Coffee, and wander around the neighborhood. Howlin’ Rays started LA’s obsession with Nashville Hot Chicken, so it’s always a safe lunch bet, but we love newcomers Lasita and Pearl River Deli, all of which are located in nearby Far East Plaza. Try Full House Seafood Restaurant for an authentic experience complete with traditional dishes or for a hipster-fusion appeal, try Chego, celebrity chef Roy Choi’s “L.A. in a rice bowl” brick and mortar restaurant. Want a uniquely LA experience? Try Foo-Chow Restaurant, which boasts an appearance in Jackie Chan’s Rush Hour on the sign, menu, merchandise…you can’t miss the reference. For dinner, head to the legendary ABC Seafood for dim sum, pop by Little Jewel of New Orleans for the best beignets outside of NOLA, and stroll over to Highland Park Brewery to cap off the evening with local brews or while you are digesting, wander through Chinatown’s many art galleries on Chung King Road.

Are you obsessed with Ticket to Ride? Did you break out Pretty Pretty Princess at every sleepover in 1998? If so, you will love Glendale’s Game Haus Cafe. The game board cafe has literally hundreds of board and card games, ranging from obscure to nostalgia-bent to highly intense modern favorites like Carcassonne (we don’t get it either). Game Haus isn’t for nerds alone, it’s also a very fun date night, bolstered by the establishment’s delicious pastries and beer and wine selections. It’s a great bar alternative for those who don’t feel like a Big Night Out and, since the pandemic, they’ve started a loaner program where you can borrow board games for at-home enjoyment. Coming in to enjoy a boisterous night of board games? (Seriously, it gets intense in there.) Pay only $7.50 on weekdays and $10 on weekends for three hours of good, wholesome fun.

You can’t visit L.A. without having a beach day. If coming from anywhere east of the 405, be prepared for an onslaught of stop-and-go traffic (or get there early). Traffic is worth the trek though, as even the least popular of L.A. beaches provide that quintessential California feel. That being said, all L.A. beaches are not created equal. The drive to Malibu is worth it for the less touristy fare of Venice and Santa Monica. The definitive California beach experience awaits you at Will Rogers State Beach on the Santa Monica Bay. While much calmer than Santa Monica or Venice’s flurry of activities—this is a place for serious sun-soaking—WR still offers volleyball courts, a playground and gymnastic equipment, as well as a bike path and walkway. This is the beach you see in the movies, some come prepared with a picnic and sunscreen. Bonus: the beach has plenty of parking options ranging from street (free) to affordable (lots nearby) to convenient (on-site, $10+). 

We also love Point Dume State Beach’s jagged, cliffside splendor, Leo Carrillo State Beach for its cinematic views (it’s been featured in everything from Grease to The Craft), and, when we need a little privacy, it’s El Pescador State Beach all the way (but you didn’t hear that from us.)

You can’t miss the Getty Center. On a hillside above Brentwood, The billion-dollar Getty Center is a museum, a garden, a vista, and an architectural marvel. Wander the grounds and take in the views from the ocean to downtown and (on a clear day) snow-capped mountains, or peruse indoors where impressionist canvases, Greek antiquities, and jaw-dropping exhibits of furniture and decorative arts from French monarchies past. A free museum with free Wi-Fi (the only cost is to park), this is a great place to spend your time working, perusing, Instagramming, sunbathing, and soaking up the So-Cal goodness.

Santa Monica Pier & 3rd Street Promenade: A popular family destination at a popular family beach, Santa Monica Pier offers tons of entertainment for the young and old alike. Ride the Ferris wheel at dusk to watch a spectacular L.A. sunset. Dig into snacks galore and play the arcade games after the sun goes down for a family boardwalk experience you’d expect to find on the East Coast.

Step off the pier and wander three car-free blocks of shopper’s paradise –everything from a farmers market to designer digs. The culinary scene in Santa Monica ranges from local, fresh, and organic to authentic Southeast Asian to rustic picnics. Stop for a glass of wine or a smoothie and watch the street performers and the people go by.

The Manhattan Beach Pier: Want to see the sparkliest Pacific waters? Head down to the charming pier at Manhattan Beach and wander across the boards out over the crystal clear ocean. Look back at the shore to see all sorts of people doing those California things—heading into the water with surfboards, spiking volleyballs over the net, building sandcastles with a troop of children. The aquarium at the end of the pier is small, cute, and free—worth stopping in and getting yourself better immersed in the West Coast. 

Venice Boardwalk: Quintessential Los Angeles begins at the beach, and nothing is more L.A. mythos than Venice. Named for the stunning canals built throughout oceanfront neighborhoods, Venice and its famous boardwalk has something for everyone: a pristine beach with Wi-Fi, a skate park, stoner shops, designer swimwear, happy hour, and psychics. Still looking for something to do? Watch the roller disco skaters do their thing, or rent a beach cruiser or a pair of rollerbladers and join the ~flow~, man.

The Culver Hotel is a national landmark built by the founder of Culver City, Harry Culver, in 1924, and boy is it gorgeous. Live piano or jazz music and old black and white movies projected on the wall set the atmosphere for this lovely, classic dining or drinking experience. Cuddle up in a sofa or grab a seat on the patio and clink your crystal cocktail through the golden afternoon. Can’t make it for happy hour? Don’t miss the weekend brunch.

This cabinet of curiosities contains exhibits you’re unlikely to see anywhere else. The Museum of Jurrasic Technology is a completely unique science and history museum experience where employees are (rumoredly) instructed not to answer questions like “what is this place?” Exhibits include miniatures, examples of medicinal folk remedies, a series of oil paintings featuring dogs that Russia has sent to space, radiographs, micromosaics, and details of the lives of artists, historical figures, scientists, and more. After you’ve poured over the exhibits, indulge in some tea and cookies in the rooftop garden and ponder the delights and monstrosities you’ve just taken in. 

Part luxury shopping district, part tourist destination, Rodeo Drive is a business district as much as a leisurely stroll. Visit the flagship shops of designer brands like Tory Burch, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, and more. The parking can be difficult and expensive, but the cars are as much a part of the aesthetic as the shops–if you like fancy automobiles, it’s a great place for coveting.

Oh, and if you want to go to the boutique where Julia Roberts was shunned in Pretty Woman (“Big Mistake! Big! Huge!”), Boulmiche Luxury Fashion Store remains open and friendlier than ever.

Though this tourist area can be crowded to the point of a parade, it’s worth a visit if you’ve never been to Hollywood. Grauman’s Chinese Theater opened in 1927 and has been home to red carpet royalty ever since. Cement hand- and footprints immortalize Hollywood’s elite in the forecourt, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, home to over 2,600 terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks, serve as a yellow brick road to the Theater’s Oz.

Take photos with street performers costumed as Elvis, Mickey Mouse, Marilyn Monroe, Yoda, Superman, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Don King, the Joker, and other box-office leading roles (note: performers will want you to tip for photos) as you navigate the souvenir and vape shops. There’s a great spot to get a photo of yourself with the Hollywood sign in the background, and don’t forget to grab your map to the stars’ homes from vendors along the way.

The mile and half stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood and is home to comedy venues, restaurants, music clubs, boutique hotels, and tons of ridiculously cool billboards. Don’t expect to see the once-was 1960s hippie vibe–West Hollywood is now more of a glitzy gayborhood than a bohemian playground. Former Sunset Strip anchor Amoeba Music recently relocated a block north to Hollywood Boulevard and is worth the detour. And, while there may be San Francisco and Berkeley locations, its new, larger-than-life outpost on Hollywood Boulevard is the place to find vinyl, CDs (remember those?), DVDs, and more. In its over 20,000 square feet space, you’ll find records spinning and knowledgeable, friendly employees that won’t judge your taste, plus a fun, buzzing atmosphere that feels welcome to visitors and locals alike.

A mile and a half long stretch of Wilshire Boulevard between Fairfax and Highland Avenue, Miracle Mile has been called “America’s Champs-Élysées” due to its importance as the west-east thoroughfare through retail, business, and art centers. Pop into one of the many wonders on “Museum Row”: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the La Brea Tar Pits, the Craft and Folk Art Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum, Architecture and Design Museum, or simply wander Wilshire Boulevard and admire the spectacular Art Deco buildings. The recently opened Academy Museum of Motion Pictures explores all things cinema, from the Oscars to Pixar. 

Further south, there is a bevy of fun all-age learning opportunities at Exposition Park, where you have your pick of top-notch museums for a variety of interests. Explore outer space (including life here on Earth) through interactive exhibits and at an IMAX theater at the California Science Center, dig at the history of the planet at the largest natural and historical museum in the world at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and learn about heritage and history of African Americans and the contributions of cultural intersectionality at California African American Museum.

Come hungry to The Grove and Original Farmers Market in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles. At the historic Farmers Market (dating back to 1934), over 100 vendors serve and sell myriad cuisines and goods seven days a week in a relaxed, open-air atmosphere. Work up your appetite at The Grove, an outdoor shopping mall famous for its variety of retail shops and restaurants, “dancing” fountains, and Art Deco architecture. Though technically separate entities, it’s easy to wander between and around both locations sampling the many food stalls, shopping options, and entertainment venues.

After you’ve soaked in zen, get rowdy at Shatto 39, where you can bowl at one of 40 lanes, play pool, foosball, or two rooms of arcade games, or grab a cheap drink in the low-lit bar. If bowling isn’t your thing, sing some karaoke in a private room at Star Karaoke or to work up an appetite because tonight you’re going hard: all-you-can-eat style. For a DIY restaurant experience you can’t get anywhere else, there’s Korean BBQ. Let hip waiters serve you mounds of uncooked brisket, bacon, pork belly, and ribs for you to cook as rare as you like on the grill centered on your table. Our favorite spots nearby? Road to Seoul, which offers loud music, unlimited meat options, and a party-like atmosphere, and Oo Kook Korean BBQ, with its array of meat, seafood, and even pork belly three ways. At both spots, banchan, or the small sides served alongside the meat, are unlimited, so don’t be afraid to ask for refills.

Downtown Los Angeles has been through economic ups and downs but is currently experiencing a renaissance of redevelopment (though it briefly paused during the pandemic). Home to a diverse population, Downtown offers amenities ranging from free civic buildings and street food to chi-chi galleries and restaurants. The great egalitarian force that brings the public together is the Los Angeles Public Library, an eight-story building full of books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, computer access, and more. Not interested in perusing the stacks? Look up—the architecture is a combination of ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean revival, and features a central tower topped with an exquisitely tiled mosaic pyramid.

Los Angeles features some impressive buildings that are worth the full tour, but even just an eyeful will satiate any art or design enthusiast. A few that shouldn’t be missed: Union Station, a mix of Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival, and Art Deco and the last of the grand railway stations, is a can’t-miss both outside and in. Made of everything from marble to terra cotta and featuring garden patios that flank the waiting room. The Eastern Columbia Building was designed by Claud Beelman, and this Art Deco jewel shines bright over the city. No matter which way you look at it–admire its clock tower from afar, its metallic chevrons and sunburst up close, or lit up in tasteful neon at night—this is a gorgeous can’t miss. No tour of southern California would be complete without striking brutalism, and Los Angeles’ Bonaventure Hotel, built in a cluster of three buildings and featuring the most charming rotating cocktail lounge at the top. Top it all off with the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, “The Host of the Coast,” a Beaux-Arts marvel with an interior dripping with ornamentation.

And whatever you do, don’t miss the Bradbury Building–this architectural landmark deserves its own stop: it has been featured in the movies Blade Runner, Chinatown, 500 Days of Summer, The Cheap Detective, Pay It Forward, and The Artist as well as a plethora of television shows and music video. The Bradbury Building’s gorgeous skylit atrium and ornate ironwork will wow you with detail. Entrance is free and open to the public from 9-5 daily. Hungry from all that site-seeing? Open since 1917 and ever-changing in vendors and featured cuisines, the Grand Central Market is L.A.’s premier food emporium and dining experience. Over 30,000 square feet showcases almost 40 vendors with hot and cold dishes to eat-in or take-out. 

The Music Center contains a multitude of performance venues including the architecturally whimsical Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson Theatre, and the Dorothy Hall Pavilion and hosts the L.A. Philharmonic, Opera, and Master Chorale, among others. For visual arts, the recently opened Broad (rhymes with “road”) Museum and the main branch of The Museum of Contemporary Arts are kitty-corner to each other. Feel like taking a break from the bustle? Pedestrian-friendly Grand Park includes dancing fountain displays, tree-shaded sidewalks, handsome landscaping, and even moveable park furniture for when you find the perfect spot.

Probably the most beautiful commercial space in Los Angeles, The Last Bookstore is a two-story independent bookseller, art installation, performance space, and generally nice place to hang out. With an art book annex, a suspense and mystery vault, and multiple sculptures literally formed of books, there’s plenty to discover at what feels like the very last (and best) non-chain bookstore on earth.

Overlooking Downtown L.A., Dodger Stadium is a can’t-miss stop for any baseball fan. Get down on a Dodger Dog and garlic fries and wash it down with cold brew (Dodger’s Blond by Golden Road Brewing is a good one). Settle in for a good game—the Dodgers have a notoriously enthusiastic crowd—and watch the sun set over Elysian Park. Go Blue!

Disneyland isn’t technically L.A.—it’s in Anaheim—but lots of visitors to the area make the hour jaunt out to The Happiest Place on Earth. Disneyland is the original theme park vision of Walt Disney, and many people find it to be more charming and less overwhelming than its Florida counterpart. A bonus L.A. experience is that Disneyland now pairs with Disney’s California Adventure, showcasing more recent Disney characters and Hollywood-oriented attractions. Just beyond that, Downtown Disney has a ton of restaurants, bars, and clubs (not to mention parking) that’s not just for kids. Serious Disneylanders have established a few tricks to beat the crowds and keep you smiling. The most important? Make sure to get a fast pass early in the morning—they inevitably run out—so that you can quickly get onto the park’s most popular rides, like Space Mountain. Another hot tip? Download the app Is It Packed? to track the wait times at your favorite rides. It’s worth sticking around for the fireworks show—it is Disney, after all—and we recommend finding a less crowded spot in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle for prime viewing. Stay away from Main Street. For 2022, here’s every new thing coming to the Disney parks. 

Related: An R-Rated Guide to Disneyland

At Universal Studios Hollywood, you’ll want to pick the movies and rides you are most passionate about ahead of time, because there is no way you’ll be able to do it all in just one day. Like all theme parks in L.A., we recommend weekdays to beat the crowds. Besides Harry Potter World, don’t miss out on the 4D Transformers experience (Bumble Bee is wandering around!); the super-fast, super spooky Revenge of the Mummy; Simpsons Land; and Jurassic Park the Ride (prepare to get wet). Harry Potter World is Universal’s most popular attraction, and for good reason: because it’s magical. The line waits, however, are all too regular–but in this case, the queues are half the fun. There’s plenty to see while you snake through Hogwarts, from the Whomping Willow to the Sorting Hat. It’s worth it to get a butterbeer at Hogsmeade or a (very expensive) wand from Olivander’s. Get ready for Super Nintendo World coming in 2023—”Oh yeah! Mario time!”

And when it comes to the park as a whole, pick what you want to do ahead of time because you won’t get to all of it!

Healthy(ish) made-to-order fast food with a secret menu? That is so L.A. Most hometown Los Angelenos will tell you the best spot for quick burgers and delicious shakes is In-N-Out, but don’t be an out-of-towner about it: get your burger and fries animal style and savor the grilled onions and special sauce that take your meal to the next level. It doesn’t matter which one you choose–the menu is uniform, and the secret menu is universal.

Now, there are also reasons to avoid In-N-Out and choose a different burger joint instead, like HIHO Cheeseburger and For the Win. But we’ll leave it to you to make up your own mind.

An incredible work of public art, these mosaicked architectural structures were built over a period of 33 years from 1921 to 1954. Composed of tile, glass, porcelain and fastened by mesh wires and cement, they are the brainchild of Italian immigrant Sabato (“Simon”) Rodia (1879–1965), a construction worker and tile mason, who created the structure without a preplanned blueprint, let alone special equipment.

The tallest of the towers is 99.5 feet. Since their creation, they have been reinforced and city officials have deemed them structurally sound. Now, the Watts Towers Art Center Campus oversees their preservation and provides guided tours of the structures. An extraordinary example of outsider art and an installation of wild creation, the Watts Towers are worth the stop south to ogle.