20 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles

It's not a trip to L.A. without stopping by Hollywood and Highland, the world-famous downtown Hollywood intersection. See a film at TCL Chinese Theatre (historically known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre) and place your hands into historic movie star's handprints and footprints. Follow the Walk of Fame, where notable film, television, and music artists have stars dedicated to their accomplishments, to the Hollywood Museum for a look at yesteryear. Remember to stop by the Ovation Hollywood shopping center for an afternoon amid popular brands and restaurants.

Whether you're a surfer, a sun worshiper, or a tourist looking for cool things to do in Los Angeles, LA beaches have something for everyone. Rent a bike and ride along the Strand (Marvin Braude Bike Trail) from the Pacific Palisades to Torrance County Beach. Catch waves with locals at Paradise Cove in Malibu, or follow the Pacific Coast Highway to Zuma Beach for summer swimming or winter whale watching. For beach camping close to LA, make a reservation at Topanga State Park, where hiking trails and beachside restaurants await.

They may not be movie stars, but the animals at Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens are celebrities in their own right. From condors to chimpanzees and everything in between, the zoo features exhibits of biomes from all over the world. Plan your trip to the zoo around the many events and shows scheduled throughout the year, and enjoy a meal from the zoo's many restaurant options. If you've got a passion for plants, take a walk through the zoo's pollinator garden and botanical exhibits featuring native plants to coastal and cliffside California.

For a quintessential independent bookstore experience, check out The Last Bookstore in downtown Los Angeles. With 22,000 square feet and over a quarter million books, this must-see bookshop can fill up an afternoon in a blink. Bookworms can consult with specialists to curate their library or choose their next read, while music lovers enjoy the store's vast vinyl selection. If you're headed to nearby Pasadena, check out Vroman's Bookstore on Colorado Boulevard for hard-to-find books and local author events.

Spend the day in the cultural heart of Los Angeles when you visit Olvera Street. Now a popular Mexican marketplace, this historical site has connections to California's Spanish and Aztec roots. Enjoy authentic Mexican tacos and carnitas, watch folkloric dance performances, and pick up a handcrafted Mexican souvenir. Olvera Street is walkable from nearby Union Station, making it an easy destination from anywhere in Los Angeles.

Enjoy a new view of the Pacific Ocean when you take the Catalina Express to Catalina Island, a popular getaway for locals and tourists alike. Make it a day trip with lunch and shopping at Catalina's many shops, or extend a trip with oceanside hotels or rustic camping options. Tour the island on a golf cart or sneak a peek at Catalina wildlife, including foxes and bison. On the ferry back to the mainland, try to spot pods of dolphins jumping alongside the waves.

Santa Monica Pier offers a day of fun for any visitor looking for cool things to do in Los Angeles. Step onto the pier to win prizes at carnival games, and peruse the shops for unique coastal souvenirs. Ride the West Coaster roller coaster for an oceanside thrill, or get a panoramic view of the beach from the top of Pacific Park's Ferris Wheel. Once you've experienced the pier, walk down Ocean Avenue for top-tier shopping and gourmet cuisine at the nearby 3rd Street Promenade.

For another type of "star sighting," schedule a stargazing evening at Griffith Observatory. The site of famous films like Rebel Without a Cause and La La Land, the observatory offers free public telescopes for visitors to observe the dark skies. Stop by during the day to picnic on the observatory's extensive grounds or Sunset Terrace, where you can order a meal at Cafe at the End of the Universe (operated by Wolfgang Puck Catering).

Cheer on your knight to victory when you enjoy an unforgettable evening at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. With a roast chicken dinner fit for a king and entertainment straight from the Middle Ages, there's nothing quite like the thrill of a jousting tournament. You don't even need to travel to Europe for the experience---Medieval Times is conveniently located in Buena Park, less than an hour outside downtown Los Angeles.

Seeing a play is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles---no matter what's playing and where. Check out the play schedule at the Pantages Theatre or the Ahmanson Theatre for touring productions of Broadway shows, or see something more avant-garde at the Geffen Playhouse. You'll find some smaller shows playing at several downtown black box theaters or open-air amphitheaters, along with a selection of restaurants to make it a perfect night on the town.

Get up close and personal to the symbol of Hollywood with a hike to the Hollywood Sign. The six-mile trail takes about two or three hours to complete, depending on your hiking experience level. When you reach the top, you're rewarded with an unparalleled view of Los Angeles. Park at Griffith Park from sunrise to sunset and access the trailhead for the Mt. Lee hiking trail. Remember to take a selfie once you reach the sign---and bring lots of water during the hotter months.

From local artists to Renaissance legends, Los Angeles has an art scene that's not to be missed. Visit the grand Getty Museum to see classic paintings and sculptures before touring the architectural masterpiece of the Central Garden. If you're closer to Malibu than downtown LA, stop by the historic Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. Contemporary art enthusiasts may enjoy exhibits at The Broad, which hosts free shows for visitors throughout the week.

It's called "The Happiest Place on Earth" for a reason. Take a trip back to your childhood when you spend a day at the Disneyland Resort, located under an hour from downtown Los Angeles. Arrive in the morning or later in the day and enjoy the world-famous attractions at Disneyland and neighboring Disney California Adventure Park. For visitors who don't want to buy tickets to the parks, grab dinner and pick up exclusive souvenirs at Downtown Disney, the upscale shopping and restaurant district that joins the parks together.

Add a few scares to your Los Angeles trip. For the ultimate spooky experience in town, make a reservation with LA Ghosts for one of the most popular ghost tours in town. Tours include haunted pub crawls, nighttime ghost tours, and a special look at classic Hollywood horror stories. Ghostly expert guides take guests through notable haunted spots in town, including The Egyptian Theater and Boardners by La Belle.

Everyone needs a good celebrity sighting to talk about when they get home from Los Angeles. Where better to see your favorite stars than The Grove LA? This California hotspot is home to some of the best shopping in town, including designer brands and hot new restaurants and coffee shops. See a movie at the shopping center theater and experience a pop-up event for a new brand or service. Around Christmas, watch the Grove tree lighting and meet up with Santa on his holiday rounds.

A now-famous hidden gem in Los Angeles, Porto's Bakery has five locations where you can enjoy authentic Cuban pastries and dishes. Originally founded by Rosa Porto, a Cuban immigrant with a flair for baking, Porto's is a local favorite and a must-try culinary experience for anyone staying in Los Angeles. Try the empanadas and papas rellenas (potato balls), and finish off the meal with Rosa Porto's famous Pineapple Cuban Cake.

Music lovers have their choice of incredible venues to see their favorite bands, notable orchestras, or ensembles that feature surprise celebrity guests. The acoustically and architecturally innovative Walt Disney Concert Hall is a popular destination for those who enjoy classical music and opera and is conveniently located near Union Station and downtown restaurants.

Pack a picnic dinner to enjoy at the Hollywood Bowl, an outdoor amphitheater without a bad seat in the house. If outdoor music is your scene, check out the upcoming shows at the Greek Theatre, a historic monument to legendary musicians of the past.

In Los Angeles, you don't need to be in front of a camera to be in show business. Add your laughter and applause to the studio audience of a live television show. It's your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see game shows, sitcoms, and talk shows filmed in Studio City, Hollywood, and several movie studios around Los Angeles. Check in with On Camera Audiences to secure tickets for the next upcoming show, or choose a show you'd like to see and find out how to be part of the studio audience.

Legends never stop being legends, even after they've passed away. Visit your favorite stars of the past at the Hollywood Forever cemetery, the final resting place for celebrities such as Judy Garland, Douglas Fairbanks, and Johnny Ramone. Pay your respects to these film and music greats before enjoying the venue's many nighttime events, including outdoor classic films and Dia de Los Muertos celebrations.

Whether you're an LA sports fan or just looking for a good game, the Los Angeles sports scene is a guaranteed good time. Take Vin Scully Avenue to Dodger Stadium to watch the boys in blue warm up for another World Series win, or head south to SoFi Stadium to see the LA Rams score a few touchdowns. At downtown Crypto.com Arena (previously known as the Staples Center), visitors can get tickets to hockey games with the Los Angeles Kings or enjoy a night of basketball with the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, or Los Angeles Sparks.

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