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Shutters on the Beach, Los Angeles

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Los Angeles

Updated 1 October 2026 · 15 things to do

Pictured: Shutters on the Beach

Los Angeles isn't one place but a hundred, stitched together by freeways and sunshine. There's the Hollywood of film sets and star-studded pavements, the Pacific coast of surf, piers and palm trees, and the LA that locals love: taco trucks, hillside hikes, art museums with sea views. It rewards curiosity and punishes poor planning.

Our advice: don't try to see it all. Pick two or three areas, base yourself near them and give the freeways a wide berth at rush hour. Mornings are for the coast and the hills, afternoons for museums and air-conditioned theme parks, and evenings for tacos and a golden-hour view.

Don't miss

  1. 1Hollywood Walk of Fame
  2. 2Griffith Observatory
  3. 3Santa Monica Pier
  4. 4Venice Beach
  5. 5The Getty Center

Hollywood and the big sights

The LA of the movies, and the best views of the city.

  1. Hollywood Walk of Fame

    Landmark

    A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard
    Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

    More than 2,500 pink-and-brass stars set into the pavement along Hollywood Boulevard, honouring actors, musicians and filmmakers. It's a bit scruffy and very busy, but it's still a thrill to spot your favourite name. Nearby, the TCL Chinese Theatre has famous handprints and footprints in its forecourt.

  2. Griffith Observatory

    Landmark

    The Art Deco Griffith Observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood
    Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Art Deco observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood has the classic view of the Hollywood Sign and a sweeping panorama over the city. Come at sunset and stay for stargazing through the public telescopes.

    Tip: Parking is limited, so take the shuttle or a ride-hail.

  3. Universal Studios Hollywood

    Activity

    The Psycho house set seen on the Universal Studios Hollywood tour
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A working movie studio and theme park in one. The studio tram tour rolls you past real sets, and rides and attractions include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.

  4. The Hollywood Bowl

    Nightlife

    The Hollywood Bowl amphitheatre with the Hollywood Sign in the hills behind
    Photo: Matthew Field, http://www.photography.mattfield.com, CC BY-SA 2.5

    An open-air amphitheatre set into the hills, famous for its white band-shell. Pack a picnic and watch a summer concert under the stars. It's one of LA's most atmospheric evenings out.

Museums and culture

  1. The Getty Center

    Museum

    The Getty Center seen from its Central Garden
    Photo: Robert F. Tobler, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A hilltop campus of travertine buildings, gardens and fountains in the Santa Monica Mountains, reached by a little tram. The art is great, but the views over LA and the architecture are the real stars.

    Tip: Book your parking or timed entry in advance, and allow most of a day.

  2. Urban Light at LACMA

    Landmark

    More than 200 restored vintage street lamps lined up outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It's one of LA's most photographed public artworks, and it looks best at dusk when the lamps glow.

  3. Rodeo Drive

    Neighbourhood

    The famous Beverly Hills shopping street, lined with designer boutiques. Even if you're only window-shopping, it's a classic LA stroll, perfect for people-watching.

Beaches and the coast

  1. Santa Monica Pier

    Landmark

    Santa Monica Pier and beach with the mountains behind
    Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 2.5

    The pier with its Ferris wheel, arcade and fairground rides has been an LA icon for more than a century. Walk to the end for sea views, then rent a bike on the beach path or stroll along to Venice.

  2. Venice Beach

    Beach

    The Venice Beach Boardwalk
    Photo: Dave Lastovskly, CC0

    A boardwalk of street performers, skateboarders, murals, muscle-beach workouts and market stalls, backed by canals and a wide sandy beach. It's chaotic and wonderful, the most Los Angeles place in Los Angeles.

  3. Malibu

    Beach

    Zuma Beach in Malibu
    Photo: Pimlico27, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Miles of sheltered coves and surf beaches stretching along the Pacific Coast Highway, with mountains rising behind them. Drive up the coast and stop wherever takes your fancy, including Zuma Beach and the pier at Malibu.

Days out

  1. Disneyland Resort

    Activity

    Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim
    Photo: Carterhawk, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The original Disney park, in Anaheim, about an hour's drive from central LA, plus its neighbour Disney California Adventure. It's more compact and more intimate than Orlando, which suits families with young children.

  2. Pasadena

    Day trip

    A handsome city at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, home to the Rose Bowl stadium and the Rose Parade. Browse Old Pasadena's cafés and shops, and visit the Huntington Library and gardens nearby.

Eat and drink

  1. Tacos

    Food

    Tacos al pastor from a Los Angeles taco truck
    Photo: T.Tseng, CC BY 2.0

    LA runs on tacos, from al pastor carved off a spit on a street corner to fish tacos near the beach. Follow the queue at a taco truck and order a couple with lime and salsa.

  2. Grand Central Market

    Market

    Inside Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles
    Photo: NewtonCourt, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A historic food hall in downtown LA, filled with stalls selling everything from tacos to pasta and ramen, plus fruit and spices. It's a good place for a casual lunch.

  3. In-N-Out Burger

    Food

    Double-Double burgers with animal-style fries
    Photo: Louiemantia, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A California institution, with a short menu and a cult following. Order a Double-Double, animal style, and eat it in the car park like a local.

Where to stay in Los Angeles

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Los Angeles →

Getting around

LA is built around the car, and a hire car gives you the most freedom, but traffic is heavy, so plan routes to avoid rush hour. The Metro rail covers some areas, including downtown, Hollywood and Santa Monica, and ride-hailing fills the gaps.

When to go

LA is sunny for most of the year. Spring and autumn are comfortable, and summer can be hot inland with a cooler coast. Mornings along the coast are often grey in late spring and early summer before the sun breaks through.

Questions about visiting Los Angeles

What is Los Angeles best known for?
Hollywood and the film industry, its beaches at Santa Monica and Venice, theme parks, and a warm, sunny climate.
How many days do you need in Los Angeles?
Four or five days covers Hollywood, the beaches, a museum and a theme park. Add days for Disneyland and Universal if you want both.
What is there to do in Los Angeles with kids?
Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach and Griffith Observatory are all popular with families.
Do you need a car in Los Angeles?
It makes life easier, as the city is very spread out. If you are staying in one area, such as Santa Monica or Hollywood, taxis, ride-hailing and the Metro can be enough.

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