Discover the ultimate list of things to do in LA, as we explore the first half of the top 104 activities and attractions in and around the vibrant city of Los Angeles.
If you have something to add, please let us know in the comments!
Let’s start with things to do in Malibu, in its 21 miles of scenic beauty.
1. Leo Carrillo State Beach
At low tide, you can find fabulous tide pools with diverse sea life in them. Many Hollywood movies were filmed here.
2. El Matador Beach
Perfect for instagram-worthy photos and relaxing strolls on the beach. Especially at sunset, views are stunning here.
3. Zuma Beach
This beach is one of the largest and, due to its excellent surf and long, white stretch of sand, one of the most popular ones in LA county.
4. Point Dume State Beach
Right next to Zuma Beach is the fourth and last Malibu beach in this list.
What is your favorite beach in Malibu? Tell us in the comments!
5. Malibu Country Mart
With its high-end retailers, this outdoor lifestyle center is the primary local gathering place. You might even see someone famous.
6. Malibu Creek State Park
Following Malibu Creek, you’ll experience breathtaking vistas, including scenic pools and volcanic rock gorges. Planet of the Apes and M*A*S*H were filmed here.
7. The Getty Villa
We arrived at the easterly end of the Malibu Coast, in Pacific Palisades.
Being one of the two locations of the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Villa’s collection has 44,000 Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities.
8. Lake Shrine
A peaceful garden surrounding a small lake only a few minutes from the Pacific Coast Highway. Perfect for meditation or just taking in the view.
This place is not as well known as some other spots on this list, but it’s one of the most tranquil things to do in LA.
9. Temescal Gateway Park
One of the most popular parks in the Santa Monica Mountains. Features spectacular views of the coastline.
Let’s move farther southeast to Santa Monica.
10. 3rd Street Promenade
Three open-air blocks of traffic-free environment with designer stores, restaurants, and a lot more.
11. The Santa Monica Farmers Market
Four weekly markets on 3 different locations promote sustainable food systems and the prosperity of California farmers and small food businesses.
12. Santa Monica Pier & Beach
Being one of the most photographed places in the world, the Santa Monica Pier symbolizes the heart of Santa Monica. Santa Monica State Beach is a perfect relaxation spot with blue water and good waves.
After about an half hour walk down the beach, you’ll arrive at our next destination:
13. Venice Beach
Experience the famous Venice Beach with its eclectic boardwalk, bustling with energy and diversity.
Visit Muscle Beach, the skatepark, or even sign up for a ride with Venice Beach Bike Tours or a stroll with the Venice Beach Walking Tours.
This place is not for everyone, but one of the most iconic things to do in LA for sure.
14. Join a drum circle at Venice Beach
If you’re in Venice on a weekend day, stay till sunset and drum along with the sound of the waves!
15. Abbot Kinney Boulevard
This place, especially lively on weekends, is a mile-long strip known for its chic shops, one-of-a-kind local goods, and internationally recognized brands.
16. The Mosaic Tile House
This Venice local gem is covered in colorful tiles. Quite an experience, but open only on Saturdays and reservations are required!
17. The Venice Canals
Built in 1905, the Venice Canal Historic District with its walking paths and bridges is perfect for leisurely strolls.
18. Go Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Marina del Rey
With its calm harbor waters, Marina del Rey is perfect for stand up paddling, even for beginners. There are several spots in the harbor to rent boards by the hour.
19. Manhattan Beach
Located on the other side of LAX, Manhattan Beach is known as the ‘Pearl of LA’s South Bay’. It’s fantastic for people-watching and to check out the impressive beachfront real estate while walking, running, or biking on The Strand.
20. Hermosa Beach
Right next to Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach has more of a ‘nightlife vibe’. It is also popular for sunbathing, beach volleyball, and other beach activities.
21. South Coast Botanic Garden
Containing more than 2,000 species of plants from around the world, this park is an oasis for over 200 species of birds and a great place for hikes and picnics!
22. A scenic drive around the Palos Verdes Peninsula
One of the few stretches of wild coastline in LA County with an unforgettable view.
23. Wayfarers Chapel
Visiting this place is one of the more unique things to do in LA.
Located between towering redwoods on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, this chapel, also known as ‘The Glass Church’, was featured as the location of weddings and funerals in the TV series ‘The O.C.’.
Be sure to also check out our list of the most unique places in California!
24. The Korean Friendship Bell
This bell was gifted by the South Korean government to the United States in 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial of the U.S. independence and to honor veterans of the Korean War. It should also symbolize friendship between the two countries.
Just a short drive, not longer than 5 minutes, and you’ll arrive at our next stop:
25. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
This aquarium has the biggest collection of Southern Californian marine life on Earth. There is also an outdoor tide pool touch tank to explore.
26. The Queen Mary
Already in Long Beach, this famous 1936 art deco ocean liner serves as a hotel in the harbor of Long Beach.
27. The Aquarium of the Pacific
With its more than 11.000 animals and over 500 different species, this is Southern California’s biggest aquarium. There’s not only fish, but also turtles, sea lions, otters, and more.
28. Rosie’s Dog Beach
The last Long Beach activity presented in this list is the only off-leash dog beach in LA County.
29. Disneyland
A little more than 20 miles away, ‘the happiest place on Earth’ is a must-see, especially with children older than 4.
30. Disney’s California Adventure Park
Located right next to Disneyland, this park has more thrill rides and is therefore more interesting for an older demographic.
31. Knott’s Berry Farm
The next amusement park in our list is about a 10 minute drive away.
Here you can ride huge roller coasters, go on Old West adventures, try those magnificent fried chicken dinners, and much more.
If you wanna learn more about things to do with family in the Golden State, be sure to check out the best things to do in California with kids!
32. The Original In-N-Out Burger Museum
You’ll find this place after a 25-minute drive north (with good traffic). For a short trip in history, stop by this replica of the original in-n-out, which used to be located close by.
33. The Gardens at the Huntington Library
Located in Pasadena, the Huntington Library is a large research library full of rare books and manuscripts, art pieces including the Blue Boy, and the 120 acre botanical gardens, featuring more than one pungent “corpse flower”. Especially recommended: The wonderful Japanese Garden!
34. Galco’s Old World Grocery
This shop specializes in soda, you’ll find an unbelievable collection you won’t see anywhere else. And that’s not all, there’s lots of other vintage treats too.
A 3-minute car drive away is our next destination:
35. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater
This is not just for children; it offers unique and fun entertainment for the whole family.
36. The Rose Bowl Flea Market
Don’t rush here, you might miss out on some of the treasures to be found at this massive flea market. This market is only once a month though, so plan wisely.
37. The Descanso Gardens
You can explore diverse plants, flowers, and trees, as well as take a short trip on a train in this 150 acre botanical garden.
38. Hike to Eaton Canyon Falls
Gorgeous trails with a waterfall that is only 2.5 miles from the trail head. You’ll cross a stream multiple times, with only boulders and logs to help traverse. Good balance is required.
If you want to learn about other beautiful natural places in the Golden State, also check out our list featuring the 30 most beautiful nature spots in California!
39. The Angeles National Forest
Covering more than 650.000 acres, this forest is the backyard playground for over 20 million people living in the Greater LA area.
The next two things to do are located in the Angeles National Forest.
40. Drive the Angeles Crest Highway
This road has tons of twists and turns and can get snow in Winter. It’s a beautiful drive with lots of vista points to stop.
41. The Mount Wilson Observatory
Located on the 5,710-foot high Mount Wilson near Pasadena, this observatory is one of the oldest and most successful ones on earth.
The next location is almost a one hour drive away, so maybe better for another day.
42. Hike the Burbank Peak Trail and rest beside the Wisdom Tree
Enjoy the views into the Santa Monica Mountains, over Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. The Wisdom Tree is a lone pine on Burbank Peak rising above the surrounding brush.
After a short 5-minute drive from the starting point of the Burbank Peak Trail, you’ll reach our next stop:
43. Universal Studios Hollywood
‘The Entertainment Capital of LA’ was initially created to offer tours of real movie sets and is now a film studio and theme park.
44. The Universal CityWalk
Just outside the entrance of Universal Studios, this three-block entertainment promenade has over 30 eateries. It also features indoor skydiving, a 19-screen movie theater, and more than 30 stores.
45. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour
During this 3-hour visit, you’ll tour a real working Hollywood studio. You’ll explore the sets of Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and more.
46. The LA Zoo
The LA Zoo is home to over 2.200 animals representing over 270 species, of which more than 58 are endangered.
47. The Griffith Observatory
Located in Griffith Park, this one of the most famous LA attractions.
You’ll experience breathtaking views over Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory, especially at sunset. You’ve probably already seen it on TV, it was used as a filming location for movies like La La Land, The Terminator, and Jurassic Park.
Experiencing the Griffith Observatory when it’s dark is one of the best things to do in LA for sure!
If you want to visit other places that were used for films, be sure to check out our blog post about the 12 best LA movie locations!
48. The John Sowden House
Also known as the ‘Franklin House’ or the ‘Jaws House’, this house is famous for its striking facade. It resembles either the open mouth of a shark or a Mayan temple.
Our next stop is another famous one:
49. The Hollywood Sign
Some of the best viewpoints of this American landmark are on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood and from Griffith Observatory.
50. The Hollywood Bowl
This amphitheatre in the Hollywood Hills was named one of the 10 best American live music venues by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2018. It’s the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the host venue to hundreds of musical events yearly.
51. Drive the Mulholland Drive
This drive offers magnificent views of the LA Basin, the San Fernando Valley, the Hollywood Sign, and Downtown LA. Other than that, many Hollywood celebrities live here, so you’ll see some impressive houses.
One location of the Getty Museum was one of the first things to do in this list, the other is the last:
52. The Getty Center
The Getty Center is larger than the Getty Villa and famous for its art, architecture, gardens, and views.
Also check out the second part of this list!
If you enjoyed reading this list of the best things to do in LA, you’ll LOVE watching it in video-format:
