I lived in Los Angeles for 8 years, and loved exploring the city as a local and hosting friends and family when they would fly in to visit.
LA is a city like no other. As the center of the film and tv world, you can ski and surf in the same day while also maybe running into a celebrity at Target. It’s incredibly pet-friendly and with fabulous weather year-round, you’ll never want to leave!
I’m thrilled to share some of the best things to do in Los Angeles for first-timers!
When to Visit Los Angeles
Los Angeles is famous for its great weather! You don’t need to worry about a rainy season, but it does get warm in the summer and chilly in the winter.
If you are planning to visit the beach, be aware that the Pacific Ocean is VERY cold. You probably won’t have a great beach day splashing in the waves in March!
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the largest cities in the US, so planning where to stay during your visit does matter. I would start planning by writing down your must-dos and seeing what part of the city most of your activities are geared toward. If you’re planning to spend a lot of time at the beach but book a stay in Glendale, you’re going to spend upwards of an hour getting across town.
Los Angeles Neighborhood Guide
Here is a brief breakdown of some of the most popular neighborhoods in LA.
Santa Monica
Home of the famous Santa Monica Pier, this beachside neighborhood has beautiful water views and lots of great restaurants.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach is just south of Santa Monica, and my preferred beach. Strolling along the boardwalk you’ll come upon the classic kitschy beach shops and the famous Muscle Beach! You can’t miss the beautiful Venice canals
Culver City
When I first moved to LA, I lived in Culver City. Sony Studios is in Culver City, but aside from that it’s a pretty residential area.
West Hollywood
I could write a million love letters to West Hollywood. I lived and worked here when I moved out of Culver City, and it’s my favorite part of LA.
Beverly Hills
Where else in the world would everyone know your zip code? Beverly Hills is home to the rich and famous as well as the classic palm tree-lined streets you’ve seen on TV.
DTLA
Grab a bite at Grand Central Market or take a ride in the sky at Skyspace Los Angeles! If you’re not afraid of heights, there’s tons of fun to be had in downtown Los Angeles.
Los Feliz
Los Feliz is one of LA’s older neighborhoods with plenty of cute cafes and easy access to the Hollywood Hills.
Now let’s dive in to what to add to your itinerary!
Take a Studio Tour
If you’re visiting LA, you probably are a fan of film. Your favorite shows, movies, and celebs – they’re all here! Book a studio tour for a sneak peek behind the scenes and step onto set. These usually last 2-3 hours and are such fun and unique experiences.
Visit the Griffith Observatory
Another iconic landmark you’ve probably seen on TV or in movies like La La Land, the Griffith Observatory is worth a visit.
Inside, you can explore the stars with events, programs, and exhibitions. Outside, you’ll see breathtaking views of Los Angeles from the top of Mount Hollywood!
Window Shop on Rodeo Drive
Even if you can’t afford the luxury brands that dot Rodeo Drive, window shopping is (almost) just as fun. Shop one of the 100 brands on this two-mile long strip before grabbing a bite at one of Rodeo’s outdoor patio dining options.
The luxury doesn’t end with shopping. The famous Beverly Hills Hotel and the Beverly Wilshire are nearby to accommodate a five-star stay for guests!
Pro Tip: It’s pronounced “Row-day-oh”, not “Row-dee-oh”
Spend a Day at Universal Studios Hollywood
Disneyland is about an hour south in Anaheim and Six Flags Magic Mountain is in Valencia which is about 40 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. Universal Studios Hollywood, however, is in Universal City making it the perfect day activity during your stay!
Hit up Hogsmeade at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or get your game on in the new Super Nintendo World!
Book A Reservation at an Iconic Restaurant
The variety of incredible restaurants around Los Angeles often takes a backseat to the industry (that’s what Hollywood is known as to the locals), but is one of the main perks of living in LA. There are options for every diet and lifestyle including cannabis lounges.
- Craig’s is an LA staple and a hotspot for celebs
- In-N-Out Listen…I am not a fan of this California burger chain. However, the drive through lines are always long and when friends are in town this is usually our first stop. You have to try an animal style burger at least once!
- Gracias Madre is great plant-based Mexican food
Catch a Dodgers Game
I was a theatre major in college, so it might shock you to learn that I’m a huge Dodgers fan. Catching a game on the weekends was one of my favorite ways to relax and have fun in the city! Of course, no visit to Dodger Stadium is complete without at least one Dodger Dog.
Things to Skip & How to See Them Instead
Let me begin by saying that I am staunchly pro-tourism. Areas described as “touristy” are probably popular for a reason – after all, they’re iconic destinations that visitors are hoping to see!
However, having visited some sights and seen disappointed friends and family members over the years, I can say that they are not all made the same. This is not to say that if there’s something you’re interested in seeing you should totally cross it off your list, but there could be a better way.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
When you think “Hollywood”, you probably think of the Walk of Fame with stars on the sidewalk. I like to think of this area of Hollywood as the Times Square of LA. You’ll find lots of kitschy shops and souvenir pagodas, but it’s also dirty. You will probably have people approach you with fliers or CDs (don’t take them) and it’s not a very safe place.
I like to drive through this area to take in all the sites. If there’s a particular star you’d like to see, you can look up it’s location to hop out and take a photo. Otherwise drive past Grauman’s Chinese theatre from the safety of your car!
Hiking to the Hollywood Sign
You can see the iconic Hollywood sign from many places in LA, and aside from a closer view of the letters there’s nothing else to see.
I loved living in Los Angeles and can’t wait for you to experience it for the first time! One of my favorite weekend activities was driving to Disneyland in Anaheim, about an hour away from LA.
Check out these helpful articles to plan your trip!
I visited Los Angeles years ago but definitely need to come back soon. It’s been too long and I need to check off some activities on your to do list.
You definitely should! LA is such a fun place.
Now that I think about it, I cannot believe that I have never been to LA. I would love to take a trip to the west coast. I am going to bookmark this post so I know the top things to do. Thanks!
I flew to LA from Australia and spent a short time there a few years ago. Oh my goodness. Venice was an eye opener and I loved it. Would love to return some day.
So many things to look forward to! These are indeed unmissable things in LA.
Los Angeles is the iconic home of blockbuster movie production, sandy beaches, never-ending sunshinegs to look forward to! This is a great list!
I completely agree with you that just because a place is considered “touristy” doesn’t mean it’s not worth seeing. However, it’s essential to be aware of what to expect when visiting specific locations. Thank you for the tip about the Hollywood Walk of Fame – I had no idea it could be unsafe and dirty. Driving through to take in the sights seems like a much better alternative. I always appreciate learning how to experience popular destinations in a different, more enjoyable way.
Maybe, the first thing I would do is go tour Universal Studio. I want to know how movies in Hollywood are made.
If you visit Universal Studios Hollywood (the theme park) they have a “Studio Tour” attraction with lots of cool special effects!
LA is always on my bucket list! There’s lot’s of awesome places and things to do there! Thanks for sharing this with us
It’s been years since I visited LA! I am so inspired to hop the next flight out and check some of these great ideas off my bucket list!
I have never been to California, and these all sound like good places to check out. We are going to Seattle next summer, and it is nice to have some ideas for exploring, since we are thinking of going to CA too.
These are awesome things to do there! Thanks for narrowing down the top spots and activities we should do when we go there, it’s a large city so it’s very helpful to have a guide list.
I can just imagine how much fun the whole family would have visiting this place! Thanks for sharing
These are such great travel tips! I’ve been to LA so many times, and never thought to look into a studio tour. This and others are such great ideas!
Thanks for this tips for first timers. I have never been to LA and I sure will refer to this when I plan a visit.
I love visiting LA! This article is really great.
This is great, it will help a lot of people wanting to visit LA and want to explore more of it. Thank you for sharing these things to do.