Where to Go in LA: Your Essential City Guide

I first discovered Los Angeles back in 2019, when I escaped the winter chill of Boise for a week-long adventure in Southern California. What started as a quick getaway turned into a love affair with a city that somehow manages to feel both familiar and completely unexpected at the same time.

Los Angeles is one of those rare places where you can surf in the morning, hike through canyons in the afternoon, and catch a world-class show in the evening. From the laid-back beach communities to the buzzing arts districts, and from historic neighborhoods to modern cultural hubs, LA serves up something new around every corner.

To help you navigate this sprawling city, I’ve pulled together my favorite spots based on countless visits and conversations with locals who know LA inside and out. Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular visitor, these 19 places will show you why the City of Angels keeps drawing people back for more.

Griffith Observatory

Get the best views of LA from the iconic Griffith Observatory, perched high on Mount Hollywood. The art deco landmark offers panoramic vistas of downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean, and of course, the Hollywood Sign. Inside, you can explore space-themed exhibits, peer through telescopes, and catch shows at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Visit at sunset to watch the city lights come alive while standing on the observatory’s front lawn – it’s a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to end their day. For the best experience, come on a clear day and bring your camera to capture the sprawling cityscape below.

Universal Studios Hollywood

If you’re looking to experience movie magic in real life, Universal Studios Hollywood is an absolute must-visit. Located in the San Fernando Valley, this legendary theme park and working film studio lets you step into your favorite movies and TV shows through immersive rides, behind-the-scenes tours, and live entertainment. From racing through Hogwarts on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey to surviving a zombie apocalypse on The Walking Dead attraction, you’ll feel like you’re living inside the movies you love.

Venice Beach

If you want to experience the true spirit of LA’s beach culture, Venice Beach is where you need to be. Along its famous boardwalk, you’ll find everything from street performers and local artists to bodybuilders working out at Muscle Beach and skaters showing off their moves at the beachfront skate park. The neighborhood’s canals, built in 1905 to recreate the feel of Venice, Italy, offer a peaceful escape just blocks away from the lively oceanfront scene.

The Getty Center

Get lost in the world of art and architecture at The Getty Center, one of L.A.’s most impressive cultural landmarks. Perched high in the Santa Monica Mountains, this sprawling museum complex offers more than just incredible views of the city. You can wander through galleries filled with European paintings, decorative arts, and photography, or take a stroll through the beautifully manicured gardens. The modern architecture itself is worth the visit – take the tram up the hill and spend time exploring the travertine courtyards and outdoor spaces. For lunch, grab a bite at The Restaurant, which serves California-fresh cuisine with panoramic views of the mountains and sea.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Ever wondered what it feels like to walk in the footsteps of movie stars? That’s exactly what you’ll experience at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where over 2,700 brass and terrazzo stars line the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. This famous stretch draws millions of visitors each year who come to snap photos with their favorite celebrities’ stars, catch street performers in action, and soak up the lively atmosphere of Tinseltown. You can explore the historic TCL Chinese Theatre nearby, where countless movie premieres have taken place since 1927, or join the crowds hunting for handprints and footprints of silver screen legends in the theatre’s forecourt.

Santa Monica Pier

Have you ever walked down an illuminated pier as the sun sets over the Pacific? That’s the magic you’ll find at Santa Monica Pier, where classic California beach culture meets old-school carnival fun. This historic landmark, stretching into the ocean since 1909, is where locals and tourists come together to ride the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, try their luck at arcade games, or simply watch surfers catch waves below. The pier’s iconic entrance sign serves as the official end point of Route 66, and Pacific Park’s roller coaster offers views that stretch from Malibu to Venice Beach. You can spend hours here sampling fresh seafood at the local restaurants, catching live music on the weekends, or just taking in the constant parade of street performers and artists who make this wooden walkway their stage.

Rodeo Drive

No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a stroll down Rodeo Drive. Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, this famous three-block stretch is where the world’s top fashion houses showcase their latest collections. From Gucci and Prada to Louis Vuitton and Cartier, you’ll find flagship stores of luxury brands that have made this shopping district a symbol of Hollywood glamour and wealth.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Known to locals simply as LACMA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art sits along Museum Row on Wilshire Boulevard. As the largest art museum in the western United States, it houses over 147,000 works that span ancient times to modern day. Much like other major museums, LACMA has impressive permanent collections and rotating exhibits. But unlike its counterparts, it’s become famous for its outdoor installations, especially the “Urban Light” display – those iconic rows of vintage street lamps that light up at dusk. Because of its location in the heart of LA’s cultural district, visitors can easily combine their museum visit with stops at the La Brea Tar Pits next door or grab lunch at one of the food trucks that regularly park along Wilshire.

Runyon Canyon Park

When it comes to iconic Los Angeles hikes, Runyon Canyon Park stands out as a true local favorite. This 160-acre park in the heart of Hollywood Hills offers a network of trails where you’ll spot everyone from celebrities walking their dogs to fitness enthusiasts getting their daily workout. The paths wind up through the scrubby hills, giving hikers views that sweep across the entire LA basin – from the Hollywood Sign to Downtown’s skyline and all the way to the Pacific on clear days. It’s not the most secluded trail experience – you’ll definitely be sharing the path with plenty of other people – but that’s part of what makes it such a quintessential LA spot. The mix of urban convenience and natural escape perfectly captures the spirit of outdoor life in the city.

The Grove

A short drive from downtown LA sits The Grove, a shopping destination that’s become more than just a place to swipe your credit card. Like many outdoor malls in Southern California, it has designer stores and popular restaurants, but there’s something different about this spot. Maybe it’s the dancing fountain shows synchronized to Frank Sinatra tunes, or the old-school trolley that runs through the center, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a cheerful slice of 1950s America. The Grove’s connection to the historic Farmers Market next door adds another layer of charm – you can grab fresh produce and local eats before heading over to catch a movie at the art deco theater. Thanks to its mix of shopping and entertainment, both tourists and locals flock here, making it one of LA’s most visited spots, even outpacing Disneyland some years.

Olvera Street

When it comes to experiencing authentic Mexican culture in LA, nothing quite compares to Olvera Street. This historic marketplace, often called “the birthplace of Los Angeles,” takes you back to a time when the city was just a small Mexican pueblo. The narrow, brick-lined alley is packed with traditional vendors selling everything from hand-tooled leather goods to fresh churros and tamales. It’s not just a tourist spot – locals still come here to shop, eat, and connect with their heritage. Walking through the bustling marketplace, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the sounds of mariachi music, the smell of fresh tortillas, and the warm spirit of Mexican hospitality that’s been alive here since 1930.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Many visitors come to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for its unique architecture, but this Downtown LA landmark is much more than just its shiny exterior. Home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the concert hall offers world-class classical performances in a space known for its perfect acoustics. The building’s gleaming steel curves and sweeping lines have made it one of LA’s most photographed spots since opening in 2003. While most people come for evening concerts, you can also take a free self-guided tour of the garden and public areas during the day, or join a docent-led tour to learn about the building’s fascinating design and construction story.

Sunset Strip

Many visitors flock to Sunset Strip for its legendary music venues and nightlife scene, but this 1.5-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard offers much more than just entertainment. The area has been a cultural cornerstone of Los Angeles since the 1920s, hosting both old-school establishments like Chateau Marmont and newer hotspots that keep the strip’s energy alive. During the day, you can explore vintage boutiques and trendy restaurants, while nighttime brings out the neon lights and bustling crowds heading to comedy clubs and rooftop bars. Even if you’re not interested in the nightlife, the Strip provides some of the best people-watching in LA and a chance to experience a piece of Hollywood history.

Broad Museum

Of all the places I’ve visited in Los Angeles, none stand out quite like the Broad Museum. This free contemporary art museum in downtown LA has become a must-see spot since opening in 2015, drawing visitors with its unique honeycomb-like exterior and world-class collection of modern artwork. Inside, you’ll find pieces from big names like Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons, but the real crowd-pleaser is Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms, where mirrors and lights create endless reflections that make you feel like you’re floating in space. It’s not just another stuffy museum – the Broad manages to make modern art feel accessible and fun, even if you don’t know much about art history.

La Brea Tar Pits

Many visitors come to the La Brea Tar Pits for its fascinating display of prehistoric fossils, but this unique Los Angeles attraction offers much more than just ancient bones. Located in the heart of the city, these natural asphalt pools have trapped and preserved Ice Age creatures for over 50,000 years, making it one of the world’s richest fossil sites. While the bubbling tar pits themselves are a peculiar sight, the connected museum brings the prehistoric world to life with full-scale replicas and interactive exhibits. You can watch scientists work in the Fossil Lab year-round, but the summer months offer special programs where kids can participate in mock excavations and learn about paleontology firsthand.

Huntington Library and Gardens

If you’re a fan of art, books, and nature, the Huntington Library and Gardens deserves a spot on your LA itinerary. Located in San Marino, this cultural landmark combines a world-class research library, art galleries, and 120 acres of themed gardens. You can wander through the Chinese Garden with its peaceful lake, explore the Desert Garden’s collection of cacti, or see original manuscripts like Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in the library. The art galleries house impressive works like Gainsborough’s “The Blue Boy,” and there’s even a special garden just for kids to learn about plants.

Grand Central Market

Located in the heart of downtown LA, Grand Central Market has been feeding hungry Angelenos since 1917. Like many food halls across America, it’s packed with vendors selling everything from fresh produce to hot meals. But unlike the others, it captures the true spirit of Los Angeles – a mix of old-school lunch counters and modern food stalls where hipsters and old-timers sit side by side. Thanks to its role as a culinary meeting point, the market has become a place where traditional Mexican taco stands share space with trendy coffee shops and artisanal ice cream makers, creating a snapshot of LA’s ever-evolving food scene. Walking through the market’s neon-lit aisles, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the sounds of sizzling griddles, the aroma of freshly baked bread, and the chatter of locals going about their daily routines.

Echo Park Lake

Echo Park Lake has been a cherished Los Angeles hangout since the 1890s, sitting pretty just north of downtown. This 13-acre lake feels like a peaceful escape from the city’s usual hustle, with swan-shaped paddle boats gliding across its calm waters. The lake’s path draws joggers and families for leisurely walks, while the grassy slopes make perfect picnic spots with views of downtown’s skyline. Local vendors sell elotes and ice cream along the walkways, and the famous lotus flower garden blooms pink and white each summer, carrying on a tradition that dates back generations. The Lady of the Lake statue stands watch over it all, a restored Art Deco masterpiece that’s been here since the 1930s.

Melrose Avenue

I always tell people visiting LA to spend an afternoon exploring Melrose Avenue. Running through the heart of West Hollywood, this famous street combines high-end boutiques, vintage clothing stores, and trendy restaurants with colorful street art and iconic photo spots. Between Fairfax and La Brea, you’ll find the most Instagram-worthy murals, designer shops like Paul Smith’s pink wall, and local favorites like Melrose Trading Post, where hundreds of vendors sell everything from antiques to handmade jewelry every Sunday.