Things to do in Los Angeles

Sightseeing in LA presents certain challenges. For one, the city is immense, stretching out in every direction, and its various attractions are often miles apart. Also, since it's an agglomeration of small and previously separate towns, LA lacks a definite focal point, making it hard to get to grips with the city's character.

The best way to go about sightseeing is to use the various tour buses that connect the attractions, hail a taxicab or an Uber. LA is a year-round destination, although it can get pretty hot during the summer months of July to September. Key sights are the tours of the great movie production houses of Universal Studios and Warner Brothers, experiencing the glamour of Hollywood, the original Disneyland, and the vibrant beach communities of Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Walking tours focused on downtown LA's art deco architecture and historic theatres are also worthwhile.

If travellers are in town for a few days, it might be worth purchasing the Go Los Angeles Card, which gives free entry to over 35 attractions, as well as shopping and dining discounts, free tours and a guidebook.

Hollywood photo

Hollywood

Los Angeles is the film and entertainment capital of the world and the name 'Hollywood' is the embodiment of glamour, success and money; the place where films are made, television …

Universal Studios Hollywood photo

Universal Studios Hollywood

One of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles is Universal Studios Hollywood, which is reputedly the world's biggest film studio and theme park. The main attraction is the Stu…

Warner Bros Studios photo

Warner Bros Studios

The tour at Warner Bros offers a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at an authentic working studio and provides more of a technical slant than the Universal Studios tour, as it f…

Disneyland Resort photo

Disneyland Resort

Claiming to be 'The Happiest Place on Earth', Disneyland is an integral part of an American childhood and was the world's first mega theme park designed for the family by Walt Disn…

West LA photo

West LA

West LA is the place where the 'stars' live, shop and go out on the town, and it's famous for its trend-setting style. The area includes some of the most prestigious neighbourhoods

Beach Communities photo

Beach Communities

The miles of sandy beaches along the Pacific Ocean are a celebration of the Californian lifestyle, with distinct neighbourhoods and oceanfront walks linking the communities. Malibu…

Runyon Canyon Park photo

Runyon Canyon Park

Runyon Canyon Park lies just two blocks away from Hollywood Boulevard, and is a haven for hikers, fitness enthusiasts and nature lovers. This picturesque urban park has several hik…

Los Angeles Zoo photo

Los Angeles Zoo

Founded in 1966 and located within the Griffith Park area, the Los Angeles Zoo is a lively centre of wildlife conservation and invaluable education. The large facility boasts more …

La Brea Tar Pits photo

La Brea Tar Pits

One of the world's most significant fossil sites, the tar pits in central Los Angeles have revealed fossils of plant and animal life preserved in the pits for tens of thousands of …

Griffith Park and Observatory photo

Griffith Park and Observatory

Griffith Park lies in the eastern part of the Santa Monica Mountains, and is one of the largest urban green spaces in the US. This marvellous stretch of rough, hilly wilderness ext…

Walt Disney Concert Hall photo

Walt Disney Concert Hall

It's worth heading into downtown Los Angeles to see this strange, iconic concert hall. Designed by Frank Gehry, who's considered to be one of the most influential architects of the…

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter photo

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter draws visitors into J.K. Rowling's enchanting universe of magical spells and mystical creatures, where they can meet the dark villains and darin…

Madame Tussauds Hollywood photo

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Madame Tussauds Hollywood is located on Hollywood Boulevard and offers a fun experience in the world's greatest wax museum. Guests can step into the glitz and glamour of Hollywood …

Anaheim photo

Anaheim

Located approximately 25 miles (40km) southeast of Los Angeles and founded in 1857 by grape farmers and wine makers, Anaheim (meaning 'home by the Santa Anna River' in German) is k…

Knott's Berry Farm photo

Knott's Berry Farm

When Walter Knott began selling berries, berry plants and pies from a roadside stand beside State Route 39 in the 1920s he could never have known what his stand would eventually be…

Six Flags Magic Mountain photo

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Even with the stiff competition among Southern California theme parks, Six Flags Magic Mountain has a solid reputation for the biggest, most thrilling rides in the area. This world…

Getty Villa photo

Getty Villa

Originally completed in 1974, then rebuilt in 1997, the Getty Villa is a faithful replica of a Roman villa that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79. Perched…

Getty Center photo

Getty Center

It's said that the Getty Center in Brentwood, Los Angeles is less a museum with artworks inside, than an artwork with a museum inside. Certainly the building is celebrated for its …

Celebrity Gravesites photo

Celebrity Gravesites

Hollywood's celebrities are a major tourist attraction in Los Angeles long after they're dead. Several cemeteries in LA are known for their famous residents, and visitors flock to …

Medieval Times photo

Medieval Times

A wildly popular family attraction in Los Angeles, Medieval Times is a dinner event that combines food and entertainment. Guests are treated to a four-course 11th-century feast whi…