Top 10 Things to See and Do in Los Angeles
The best things to see and do in Los Angeles are plentiful: Between Disneyland, The Hollywood Sign, and The Walk of Fame, there’s no shortage of attractions or landmarks to hit on a visit to L.A. For example: Malibu Pier is where locals like to spend their time, and record browsing at Amoeba is a necessity, while spots like The Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Paramount Pictures make fine pit stops for movie buffs. Wondering what to add to your itinerary the next time you’re in town? Simply scroll down to find out more about many of the best things to see and do in Los Angeles, one of the most vibrant and memorable cities in America.
Hill Street and Grand Avenue
Angels Flight Railway is back after a recent renovation to restore the 1901 historical funicular. It’s given over a million rides since it opened over 100 years ago – and you can be the next for just $1. Choose from either vehicle for a one block ride from Hill Street and Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. It’s the world’s shortest railway, but riders will get to see the City of Angels from a different perspective and have the chance to ride up to California Plaza.
23000 Pacific Coast Hwy
Instead of heading to Santa Monica Pier for an afternoon, which is known to be crowded, consider checking out Malibu Pier instead. You can walk along the water, people watch, and stop to get something to eat at the Malibu Farm Cafe, which serves up healthy and organic dishes like grilled salmon and coconut tofu. You’ll also find shops to browse like The Ranch, where you can buy spa goods, beach accessories, and apparel.
4730 Crystal Springs Dr
Griffith Park is easily accessible from the center of the city and offers over 50 miles of trails to explore. If you take the route up Mount Hollywood, you’ll be mesmerized by the panoramic views at the top overlooking the city. (You’ll be able to clearly see the Hollywood Sign and even the L.A. Basin.) You can even take a ride on horseback throughout certain marked trails if you don’t want to work up a sweat. Afterwards, the Griffith Observatory is where you can see the stars up close to end your night.
5515 Melrose Ave
Paramount Pictures is the only studio left over from film’s golden age outside of Burbank or Culver City. It offers an authentic tour to give you the ins and outs of the film industry, the standard version of which runs up to 2 hours. You can also get the VIP 4-hour tour to really immerse yourself in the history of this place. On either one, you’ll be courted around by a guide on a trolley, and aside from learning a thing or two, you’ll also get to spot some filming, and possibly actors, in action. Visits include the Dr. Phil set or The Fosters.
South Fairfax and West Olympic Boulevard
This market stays true to its North African roots and serves up some of the best injera, a type of spongy bread, in town. The block-long stretch on Fairfax avenue features a variety of Ethiopian businesses for you to wander in and out of as well. Stop by to browse your way through funky thrift shops and furniture stores, antique shops, and restaurants like Messob or Merkato where you an grab tere siga. Once you’ve concluded your meal, your last stop should be Little Ethiopia Restaurant for its coffee ceremony. The beans are roasted right at your table for you.
6000 Santa Monica Blvd
The serene grounds of this resting place are open and free to the public to explore until 5 every day. Stars like Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, and Douglas Fairbanks are buried here and there’s a map at the entrance to guide you through the tombs. You’ll also find a flower-shop on site, and select events taking place, like outdoor movie screenings on Saturday nights during the summer months.
Rodeo Drive
While it might be touristy, a visit to Rodeo Drive remains a must-see – and one of the likeliest spots in town at which to catch a famous fashion icon casually walking down the street. Looking to do some shopping? Celine, Coach, Moncler, Jimmy Choo, and lots of other high-end brand names and indie boutiques are also readily on-hand when the urge to splurge strikes.
6400 Sunset Blvd
Amoeba is one of the biggest independent record stores in the country and the best place to scour in search of hard-to-find records in L.A. The selection on offer here is huge, and in the past, people have scored records from The Charlatans, Leonard Cohen, and newer artists like the arctic monkeys. You can bin dive for hours, and skim through random DVDs and CDs too. On occasion, Amoeba hosts live shows, with artists like Mike Shinoda having performed here as well.
4 Westmoreland Pl
Gamble House is tucked away in Pasadena but nonetheless worth the visit. It was originally built for one of the heirs of Procter and Gamble and is a quintessential example of the arts and crafts movement and Charles and Henry Greene’s craftsmanship. There are a variety of events held here on occasion as well, like brown-bag Tuesday, where visitors are invited to eat their lunch on the grounds and then receive a tour to learn more about the history. For more niche tours, there are options like outings dedicated solely to art glass or smaller details within the home.