Discover all the best things to do in LA, from Hollywood Boulevard to the beach and everywhere in between. Looking for a Los Angeles itinerary? You’re in the right place. Learn tips for where to go on your trip to LA! It’s time to explore the City of Angels…
Updated July 2023
There’s no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles. It’s the exact opposite:
There’s SO MUCH to do! And it can be overwhelming to decide how to spend your time.
There’s the beach, the mountains, theme parks, downtown LA, Hollywood, museums, street art…
Wouldn’t It Be Great To Spend Less Time Planning?
If you’re answer is yes, I’ve got you! Planning a trip can be fun, but also time-consuming. And if you don’t have time for that, consider this a shortcut.
In this Guide to Los Angeles I’m sharing with you what I know about LA so you can have a great time on your visit. I’ll cover:
- the best places to go in LA
- how many days to spend in the city
- what can you do in one day
Disclosure: Any tips or products shared are things I truly believe in. If you take action (ie make a purchase) after clicking one of the affiliate links, I’ll earn some money which helps me continue creating travel content for you. Thank you for your support!
How Many Days You Need
This is the question everyone wants to know. And here’s the thing: you can’t see it all in one day. 24 hours just isn’t enough to see all the major sites and attractions in Los Angeles.
But with that being said…
You can still have tons of fun even if you only have one day to explore. Just pick a few of the activities below to get started. With one day in LA, you’ll need to prioritize your time by picking 2-3 things to do.
If you have more time, awesome! In my opinion, 3 days is a great length of time to see a lot. You’ll be able to travel over a greater area and squeeze in many of the activities below.
How much you can do in Los Angeles depends on what kind of traveler you are – Do you like to pack lots of activities in? Or take it slow?
Build A Los Angeles Itinerary
Whether you have less than 24 hours in Los Angeles or several days, I’m absolutely positive you’ll find something that works for you. The activities listed below can be grouped together any way you like (I’ll share my tips along the way for how to do it).
Living near Los Angeles (a little bit south, in San Diego), I’ve been to LA many, many times. And it’s always fun! But there are some important things to keep in mind, and I’ll be sharing tips and tricks along the way.
Things To Do In Los Angeles
1. The Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is a museum in Malibu where you’ll find Greek and Roman art and antiquities. You’ll see art that’s over 7,000 years old! And it’s all housed in a replica of a first-century Roman house, perched atop a hillside overlooking the ocean. Dreamy…
2. Santa Monica Pier and Boardwalk
Santa Monica is the quintessential California beach town! You’ll definitely want to spend some time exploring. The pier has arcade games, a ferris wheel, and restaurants while the boardwalk is a great place to rent a bike or just soak up the sun.
3. Hollywood Walk of Fame
Have you heard about celebrities getting their star on the Walk of Fame? It’s a major honor for actors and actresses. The Hollywood Walk of Fame covers an area of roughly 15 city blocks, and the stars are embedded in the sidewalk. While admittedly this is a “touristy” thing to do, it’s fun and completely free. Located nearby is the Chinese Theater and Forecourt of the Stars.
WHERE TO STAY IN HOLLYWOOD: An iconic, historic hotel right in the heart of town of Hollywood is the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel. I’ve stayed there a few times and highly recommend it! Built in the 1902s, it’s hosted tons of celebrities and several movies and tv shows have been filmed there too.
4. Hollywood Bowl
This outdoor amphitheater has been named one of the 10 best live music venues in America! Visit their calendar of events ahead of time to see who’s performing and get tickets. They also have free, self-guided tours and a museum.
5. Studio Tour
You’re in the entertainment capital of the world! So why not take a tour of a working film studio? There are several to choose from in Los Angeles, and you’ll get to see all sorts of behind-the-scenes action and maybe even run into a celebrity or two! Here are a few to look into: Warner Bros., Sony, Paramount, and Universal.
6. Rodeo Drive
Feeling fancy? Head to Beverly Hills and the famous Rodeo Drive for a little bit of luxury. You’ll see some of the most expensive stores in the world! The Beverly Wilshire hotel is located here (where the movie Pretty Woman was filmed). It’s a fun place to spend a few hours.
Want to stay in West Hollywood, close to Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills? Check out Andaz West Hollywood for fantastic city views and a modern design. I love how spacious the rooms are and the fun, vibrant art throughout this hotel.
7. The Hollywood Sign
If you’re up for a scenic drive and a short hike, see the Hollywood Sign! Go here early in the day before it gets crowded to get a great picture. Wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to walk, because parking is somewhat limited. But the views? Totally worth it.
8. Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo is home to over 1,400 different animals! If you’re an animal lover (or have kids coming with you), this is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. The zoo is over 100 acres in size and has special events throughout the year, like LA Zoo Lights in December. Skip the lines and save money on L.A attractions here!
9. Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory has amazing views of the city. This is by far one of the most popular things to do on a trip to Los Angeles. You don’t want to miss it. Besides the great coastline and city views, you’ll also see the world’s most advanced star projector and can peer into a Zeiss telescope.
10. LA Arts District
This area of downtown Los Angeles is known for its art galleries, studios, murals, and street art. A little bit trendy and a little bit grungy, this part of the city is definitely unique and interesting. Picture warehouses next to upscale condos next to cute cafes. It’s a great place to spend a few hours walking around.
11. The Broad
The Broad is a cool (and totally free) contemporary art museum in Los Angeles. You’ll find over 2,000 unique pieces to explore! They have pieces from artists like Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Be sure to get your tickets well before your trip – while the Broad is free, it’s also very popular.
Bonus! Check This Out
There’s one thing I just had to add to this list, because it’s an iconic and unique thing to do in Los Angeles. Modeled after the actual Venice canals in Italy, this is one of my favorite chill spots in the city. Wanna hear more? Compass and Coastline was named a top Los Angeles local expert by Redfin. Check out the article we were featured in: Los Angeles Bucket List: 22 Activities You Can’t Miss.
Ready to Plan Your Los Angeles Itinerary?
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Want more options? There’s lots more to do in Los Angeles! Here are a few more ideas to get the wheels turning:
- OUE Skyspace
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Hop on/hop off bus
- Celebrity homes tour
- Disneyland
- Malibu
And before you go, here are some related posts about Southern California and nearby:
- A Local’s Guide To San Diego: Day Trips & Itineraries
- Top 10 Things To Do In Southern California
- Curious What To Do In San Diego? 20 Places To Explore
- How To Not Screw Up A Trip To Las Vegas
