From Hollywood landmarks to taco trucks and beachside boardwalks, this is everything worth seeing and doing across LA's sprawling neighborhoods.
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Hollywood & the Hills
Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The 2,700+ stars stretch 15 blocks along Hollywood Blvd between Gower St and La Brea Ave. The most photographed stars cluster near the TCL Chinese Theatre. Early morning visits (before 9 AM) mean fewer crowds.
Find a favorite star on the sidewalk
See the handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre forecourt
Hike to the Hollywood Sign
The Brush Canyon Trail from the Griffith Observatory lot is 6.4 miles round trip with 1,050 ft elevation gain. Start before 8 AM in summer — temperatures hit 95°F+ by noon. Bring at least 1.5 liters of water per person.
Visit Griffith Observatory
Free admission to the building and exhibits. Open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 10 PM. Parking fills up by 1 PM on weekends — take the DASH shuttle from the Greek Theatre lot instead ($0.50 each way).
Watch the sunset over LA from the observation deck
See the Tesla coil demonstration inside
Catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl
The 17,500-seat outdoor amphitheater runs concerts from June through September. Bring your own food and wine — picnicking is part of the tradition. Stacked seating means even the $20 bench seats have decent sightlines.
Beaches & the Coast
Spend a day at Santa Monica Beach and Pier
The pier's Pacific Park has a solar-powered Ferris wheel with views stretching 40 miles on clear days. Bike rentals along the boardwalk run about $10-15/hour. The beach is 3.5 miles long with free public access.
Ride the Ferris wheel on the pier
Walk to the end-of-Route-66 sign
Explore Venice Beach Boardwalk
The 1.5-mile boardwalk is busiest on weekends from 11 AM to 4 PM. Street performers, murals, and the original Muscle Beach outdoor gym are all free to watch. The Venice Canals are a 10-minute walk south — much quieter.
Watch street performers along the boardwalk
Walk the Venice Canals residential area
Visit Malibu for cliff views and surfing
El Matador State Beach has dramatic rock formations and sea caves — parking is $8 and the lot holds only 30 cars, so arrive before 10 AM. Zuma Beach is better for swimming, with 2 miles of wide sand and lifeguards year-round.
Museums & Culture
Tour the Getty Center
Admission is free; parking costs $20 per car. The hilltop campus has 110 acres of gardens with views from downtown to the ocean. The tram ride up from the parking garage takes 5 minutes and is part of the experience.
See the European paintings collection
Walk the Central Garden designed by Robert Irwin
See the Urban Light installation at LACMA
The 202 restored street lamps are lit from dusk until midnight — the best photo op in LA. The museum itself spans 20 acres with 150,000+ works. General admission is $20 for adults, free for visitors under 18.
Visit The Broad contemporary art museum
Free general admission with timed-entry reservations released online every month. The Infinity Mirror Room by Yayoi Kusama requires a separate standby line — wait times average 45-90 minutes on weekends.
Explore the Natural History Museum
The dinosaur hall has over 300 real fossils, including a T. rex growth series showing three life stages. Adult admission is $15. The museum is in Exposition Park, a 5-minute walk from the Expo Line station.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Browse the boutiques and cafés of Silver Lake
Sunset Junction (Sunset Blvd at Sanborn Ave) is the main strip with independent shops, bookstores, and coffee roasters within a 4-block radius. The Silver Lake Reservoir loop trail is 2.2 miles and popular with joggers at sunset.
Walk the Arts District in downtown LA
The area between 1st St and 7th St along Traction Ave has the highest concentration of murals — over 100 within a 6-block area. Galleries do free first-Thursday openings monthly. The neighborhood is walkable but parking meters are $2/hour.
Experience Koreatown's food and nightlife
K-Town has the densest concentration of restaurants in LA — over 4,000 within 2.7 square miles. Korean BBQ spots stay open until 2 AM or later. The area is well-served by Metro Purple Line stations for easy access without a car.
Stroll through Old Pasadena
Colorado Blvd between Marengo and Pasadena Ave has 16 blocks of shops, restaurants, and historic buildings dating to the 1880s. Free 90-minute parking in city structures. The Norton Simon Museum is a 10-minute walk north.
Food Worth Seeking Out
Eat street tacos in East LA or Boyle Heights
Taco trucks along East Cesar Chavez Ave and 1st St serve al pastor, birria, and carnitas tacos for $2-3 each. Most vendors are cash-only. The busiest stands have the fastest turnover and freshest tortillas — trust the lines.
Try Korean BBQ in Koreatown
All-you-can-eat spots average $25-35 per person for dinner with 15-20 meat options. Lunch specials at the same restaurants run $15-20. Most places have charcoal or gas grills built into the table — staff will help with grilling technique.
Visit Grand Central Market downtown
Open since 1917, the market has 40+ food vendors under one roof at 317 S Broadway. Stalls range from $5 tacos to $18 pasta dishes. Weekday lunch (11 AM-1 PM) is the busiest — go at 2 PM for shorter lines.
Get a breakfast burrito from a local stand
LA breakfast burritos are a regional staple — eggs, cheese, salsa, and your choice of bacon, chorizo, or potato wrapped in a flour tortilla for $6-9. Most taco shops and corner delis serve them starting at 6 AM.
Practical Tips for Getting Around
Plan for traffic and driving distances
Rush hour runs 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM on weekdays. A drive from Santa Monica to Hollywood (13 miles) can take 20 minutes at noon or 75 minutes at 5 PM. Google Maps with live traffic is essential for timing.
Use the Metro for key corridors
The Metro B Line connects Hollywood to downtown in 18 minutes. A single ride is $1.75, and a day pass is $3.50. The Expo Line runs from downtown to Santa Monica in 48 minutes. Coverage is limited outside these corridors.
Pack sunscreen and layers
LA averages 284 sunny days per year, but coastal areas drop 10-15°F by evening due to marine layer fog. Inland spots like Pasadena run 5-10°F warmer than the coast. SPF 30+ is necessary even on overcast days near the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Los Angeles?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including hollywood & the hills, beaches & the coast, museums & culture at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Los Angeles?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Los Angeles?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Los Angeles?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Los Angeles?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.