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The Top 22 Excursions and Tours in Los Angeles

Thinking about a trip to the City of Angels? To help you get started with your itinerary, we’ve put together a list of the top tours in Los Angeles.

Located in southern California, Los Angeles is a city that means many different things to different people. The beautiful beaches, sprawling amusement parks, and cultural activities have been attracting people to its sunny shores for decades and the glitz and glamor of Hollywood still attract hopeful starlets to this day. Today, many people around the world dream about visiting Los Angeles and it’s really no surprise why!

We know that organizing a vacation can be tricky, especially when you’re juggling work and family and everyone has a different idea of what they want to do there. To help you get started with your travel itinerary, we’ve put together a list of the top tours and excursions in Los Angeles. 

Expert Tip: If possible, try to book directly with the tour operator. The past few years of COVID restrictions have hit many travel companies pretty hard and booking directly helps them keep more money in their pockets. Plus, you’re likely to get better customer service in case anything goes wrong and you need to change, cancel, or reschedule your booking.

Try a different kind of tour !

Looking for a creative way to tour Tinseltown? Scrambling to see all that the City of Angels has to offer? Consider learning about Los Angeles on a scavenger hunt ! Our tours combine competitive spirit with sightseeing for a unique and memorable experience. Try one today!

Tours in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is huge, like really, really huge, which makes it challenging to see a lot without having a pretty good plan in place. Thankfully, there are a ton of different tour options that make it easier to see the things that interest you most without having to figure out the public transport system or drive through Los Angeles’ dreaded traffic.

The below list has been compiled using the expert knowledge of our in-house travel gurus as well as reviews from TripAdvisor and Google Maps and they are specially picked to include something for every type of traveler regardless of whether you adore relaxing walking tours or thrive on adrenaline-pumping activities.

As one of the largest, most diverse, cities in the United States, Los Angeles has a lot to offer whether you’re looking for world-class cultural attractions, laid-back beach towns, or ethnic enclaves. And, let’s not forget the allure of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. There are some great tours available that help you see some of Los Angeles’ top attractions, hidden gems, the homes of some of the most well-known celebrities in the world, and the filming locations of some of the most iconic movie scenes in cinema history. 

Most of the tours are designed for small groups which helps ensure that you’ll be able to interact with your guide and you won’t be ushered from one spot to the next in a large group. Best of all, when you go on a tour of Los Angeles, you’re likely to get some great recommendations from your guide on where to go after your tour.

1. The Original Farmers Market Food & History Tour

With people living there from all over the world, Los Angeles can certainly be considered a melting pot and this two-and-a-half-hour food and history tour takes you through the Original Farmers Market where you can sample ethnic dishes, delicious donuts, artisanal cheese, and other delights.

During the tour, you’ll learn about the history and folklore behind different dishes and the vendors who lovingly prepare them. If you have any dietary requirements, make sure to let the guides know in advance so that they can find suitable alternatives. The Melting Pot Farmers Market Tours are held Thursday through Saturday.

2. Star Homes Tours by Bus

We all sometimes imagine that we were celebrities and this entertaining Star Homes Tours by Open Bus Tours gives you a chance to see how Hollywood’s elite live. As you drive through Beverly Hills, your guide will point out landmarks, celebrity homes, studios, and failing locations. There will be plenty of time to take photos of iconic spots like the Hollywood Sign, Dolby Theater, and the famous Sunset Strip.

Tours last around two hours and by the time you’re finished, you’ll know some of the city’s celebrity hot spots. There are multiple departures each day leaving from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If you want to learn more about the general history and layout of the city, you can also join Open Bus Tours’ Best of Los Angeles Tour. 

3. Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Operated by Big Bus Tours , the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is a convenient way to discover Los Angeles. There are two different routes running daily that take in most of the top attractions in Los Angeles and a recorded commentary gives you the rundown of what you’re seeing and why it’s important. There is also an open-top, which is great for taking photos and enjoying the California sunshine. Best of all, you can decide how much or how little time you want to spend in each place.

The entry-level tickets are available for one day or you can purchase a two-day ticket which also includes a TCL Chinese Theater Walking Tour. This is a great ick for people who only have time to do one tour and want to have the option of sending more time in the areas that they are most interested in.

4. The Wonders of Downtown L.A. Scavenger Hunt

Many people don’t realize how easy it’s to get around Downtown Los Angeles or just how much there is to see there. During this Wonders of Downtown L.A. Scavenger Hunt by Let’s Roam, you’ll get a chance to see some of downtown’s unique attractions as you make a loo around this historic neighborhood checking out storied buildings, epic sculptures, and cultural attractions. Some of the attractions you’ll see include the Million Dollar Theater, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and City Hall. The hunts normally take around an hour and a half to two hours but you can complete the scavenger hunt at your own ace, storing and starting as often as you please. 

5. Grand Tour of Los Angeles

With hotel pick-ups and a streamlined approach, the Grand Tour of Los Angeles by Starline Tours lets you see a lot of the City of Angels in very little time. During this five-and-a-half-hour bus tour, you’ll get to see all of the major sites including Rodeo Drive, Boulevard, TCL Chinese Theater, and more. It’s important to keep in mind that the bus moves quickly and the only real photo stop is the Original Farmers Market where you’ll grab lunch but this is perfect for people who have limited time.

6. TMZ Celebrity Tour

If you can’t get enough of Hollywood gossip, the two-hour TMZ Celebrity Tour may be perfect for you! During the tour, you’ll learn about the juiciest gossip and the most secretive secrets. This is certainly not your conventional sightseeing tour, in fact, the guides show video clips and share stories while keeping on the lookout for any celebrities who may be willing to pop into the bus for a quick interview. If you’re interested in seeing specific sites, you may want to opt for another tour but this one can’t be beat for movie lovers.

7. Tinseltown’s Biggest Stars Scavenger Hunt

Have you ever wondered how many Academy Awards the Chinese Theater has hosted? How about how many stars are on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Well, now is the time to find out! Created by Let’s Roam, this star-filled Tinseltown’s Biggest Stars Scavenger Hunt lets you explore Hollywood from top to bottom as you race your nearest and dearest to find your next destination. Along the way, you’ll answer lots of fun trivia and riddles about some of the area’s most popular landmarks including Sunset Boulevard, the Capitol Records Building, the Chinese Theater, and of course, the Walk of Fame. 

Unlike other scavenger hunts, you can pause this app-based hunt as often as you like if you want to check out something interesting or simply are in need of a coffee break. We promise that you’ll learn a lot about the history of Hollywood and Los Angeles and create great memories at the same time. 

8. L.A. City Tour, Celebrity Homes & Beaches

This six-hour minibus tour operated by L . A. City Tours lets you see some of the city’s best cultural and historic sites. Along the way, there will be 20-minute stops scheduled at places like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, and Beverly Hills where you can get out, stretch your legs, and do a little mini walking tour on your own. The lunch break is either at the Original Farmers Market or Venice Beach which allows you to tick one more attraction off your list. 

This LA City Tour is a great way to get an overview of the city but it’s important to keep in mind that the 20-minute stops can go by really fast. We recommend doing this tour during the start of your trip so you can go back to some of the places that you wanted to spend more time in. The price of the tour includes pick up and drop off at many Los Angeles hotels as well as a map and bottled water.

9. Tragical History Tour

This very “punny” tour gives you a glimpse into Los Angeles’ darker side. Over a period of three hours, you’ll see the locations where celebrities lived and died and you may even see some places where scandalous behavior occurred. The Tragical History Tour will give you an insider’s look into the lives of celebrities such as Hugh Grant, John Belushi, and Whitney Houston. 

If you want to scratch below Los Angeles’ glossy surface, this is a great tour and should be at the top of your to-do list. If you want to go even darker, you can join their Helter Skelter Tour which covers the sites associated with the bone-chilling Manson Family Murders.

10. A City Tour 1

A Day in LA Tours brings you City Tour 1, a lengthy excursion that will take you from Venice Beach all the way to Griffith Park via Beverly Hills and Santa Monica onboard comfortable, air-conditioned buses that are outfitted with convenient device charging ports. This means that you can keep your phone fully charged for the seven-and-a-half-hour tour. The scheduled stops last roughly 40 minutes which gives you a decent amount of time to explore the attractions on your own and the free hotel pick-up from Los Angeles and Disneyland/Anaheim makes this a great option for people hoping to squeeze in a full-day tour during their stay in LA. 

11. Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour

Run by Six Taste , this four-hour Downtown LA Walking Tour gives you the chance to taste the signature dishes of some of the city’s best eateries. With Thai, BBQ, and Mexican options, this food tour provides a smorgasbord of flavors and it gives you an idea of the incredible diversity of Los Angeles. Many of the eateries are well off the beaten track so they would otherwise be very difficult to find on your own which kind of gives you bragging rights to claim that you got to eat like a true local.

The tours run on Saturdays and Sundays only and you must check their website for the most up-to-date departure times as they tend to vary. It’s also important to note that this tour is not vegetarian friendly and has very few gluten-free options so if you have any dietary requirements, you may want to sit this one out. 

12. Celebrity Homes Tour

Here is another one for the Hollywood lovers out there! The Celebrity Home Tour operated by Ultimate Hollywood Tours will take you to over 50 movie star homes over the course of two hours. The open-air bus passes by the former or present homes of Hollywood superstars like Johnny Sepp, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Will Ferrell, Lucille Ball, Michael Jackson, and Charlize Theron. You’ll also be able to see the clubs and shops that celebrities frequent and the knowledgeable guides will tell entertaining stories about the lives of the rich and famous.

The tour makes plenty of photo stops, including one at the Hollywood Sign. If you’re lucky, you may even have a celebrity spotting! Tours depart frequently throughout the day. If you want to get an even more in-depth look into the entertainment industry, you can also join their Hollywood Insider Tour.

13. Silver Lake Architecture Tour

Los Angeles is famous for its opulent mansions and spectacular architecture and on this Silver Lake Tour run by Architecture Tours L.A. , you’ll get to see some of the city’s most stunning buildings. This tour will send architecture buffs swooning and everyone will be impressed by the wide array of designs on display with mid-century modern and contemporary homes designed by Rudolph Schindler, John Lautner, and Richard Neutra as well as other architecture powerhouses. 

Throughout the tour, your expert guide will give you insider access to these remarkable homes and help you gain a new perspective on them. Architecture Tours L.A. also offers excursions focused on Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry and visits other neighborhoods in West Hollywood and Hancock Park that can provide a fascinating juxtaposition to the Silver Lake Tour. 

14. The Real Hollywood Tour

The team at The Real Los Angeles Tours promises to show you the “real” Hollywood on this two-hour tour. As you walk along the streets, you’ll see some of Hollywood’s historic sites including the Pantages, Egyptian, and Chinese theaters, and even the house where Charlie Chaplin’s kids attended school. This is a great experience for people who want to explore more of Old Hollywood rather than hear about present-day celebrities. These tours can easily be combined with their Downtown Los Angeles Tour for a full-day adventure!

15. Art Muse Los Angeles

This community of art historians, educators, and artists was formed to offer private tours of museums throughout Los Angeles. During the Art Muse tours , the passionate guides share their love and knowledge of art with you to help you get a better understanding of classic mainstream art that’s on display, as well as some of the more abstract pieces. Museums include the Getty Center, Norton Simon Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Hammer Museum and the tours can be tailored towards the group. 

Art Muse also offers tours of seasonal art fairs as well as Los Angeles galleries that specialize in contemporary art. This is probably one of the best ways to explore Los Angeles’s thriving art scene and you can find more details on the tour guides and their specializations on their website. 

16. Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour

This mouth-watering tour offered by Sidewalk Food Tours of Los Angeles is one of the best vegetarian-friendly food tours on offer. The tour stops at six food stops over over course of three hours, giving you the chance to indulge in spicy Mexican tacos, flavorful Asian fusion, juicy German currywurst, and flaky French pastry. During the tour, you’ll walk through the Grand Central Market, the Biltmore Hotel, and the Million Dollar Theater where your guides will fill you in on the city’s interesting history. 

The tour includes about two miles of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. If the times don’t work for you or you’re traveling in a large group, they are happy to arrange private tours. 

Outdoor Tours and Theme Parks

Perched on the gorgeous Pacific Coast and surrounded by some of the world’s best theme parks, it’s no surprise that many visitors opt to spend the bulk of their time outside of Los Angeles City. There are a plethora of outdoor activities on offer that allow you to enjoy Los Angeles’ many outdoor activities with ease whether it’s an energizing bike ride through the Hollywood Hills, a hike up to the Hollywood Sign, or a walk down memory lane with a trip to Disneyland.

Thankfully, the sunny southern California weather makes most of these activities accessible all year round but you may want to double-check what Mother Nature has in store for you for the day before you head out on an outdoor excursion and make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

17. Hollywood Sign Hike

Few locations in Los Angeles are more recognizable than the iconic Hollywood Sign. During this tour offered by Bikes and Hikes LA , you’ll have the opportunity to summit Mount Hollywood as part of a two-hour, four-mile-long hike. The tour begins in Griffith Park where you’ll see its observatory, Greek theater, and bird sanctuary before trekking up the mountain to see the famous Hollywood sign and enjoy sweeping views of the city. This is a great tour for someone who wants to get some exercise during their visit to Los Angeles as it can be a bit challenging. 

Tours run daily, and there is also an early morning Hollywood Hills hike if you want to hit the trails first thing in the morning. You might also consider joining one of their many bike tours.

18. Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

Los Angeles is clearly famous for the vast entertainment industry and during this studio tour of Universal Studios , you’ll journey through four acres of this famous movie studios backlot. The friendly face and voice of Jimmy Fallon accompany you and serve as your virtual tour guide alongside your actual real-life guide. Some of the highlights of the tour include the shark from Jaws, and the Bates Motel from Psycho and you can also watch in amazement as King Kong battles a T-Rex right before your eyes. 

The tours last roughly an hour and leave frequently throughout the day. They are included as part of the Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park ticket which gives access to tons of thrill rides and entertainment shows featuring your favorite characters from blockbuster movies and cartoon characters. 

19. Warner Bros. Studio Tour

If you want to get a real look at how Hollywood works, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers a glimpse into one of the busiest working film studios in the world. As you tour the backlot, you can see the sets from popular TV shows and movies. There is a guided one-hour tour and then you can explore on your own for an additional two hours to check out the different shopping and dining venues located onsite. Some of the highlights include the Friends fountain and the Central Perk set and the Big Bang Theory sets. Tours are offered in both English and Spanish and depart frequently throughout the day. 

20. Helicopter Tour

When you have had enough of exploring Los Angeles by land, it’s time to take to the skies and see it from the air! Los Angeles Helicopter Tours offers scenic rides over the city ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes and includes sights like the Santa Monica pier, Venice Beach, the Getty Center, Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip, and much, much more. Tours can be customized around your needs, meaning that the sky really is the limit here. If you loved the experience of being u in the air, you can even organize your own helicopter tour to Las Vegas

Thanks to its central location, it’s easy to venture out of LA to visit cities and towns such as San Diego and if you’re feeling energetic, you can even make a day trip to Las Vegas. While it’s possible to drive or take a train to many of these destinations, group tours are a good option if you want to cut down on your driving and have the chance to relax during the trip. Most tours include round-trip transportation, light meals, and time built into the itinerary to explore a bit on your own.

21. Catalina Day Trip

Lying just 22 miles away from Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island is a popular day-trip destination for many city slickers. You can get there easily via the Catalina Express , a high-speed ferry that whisks you across the ocean from San Pedro to Avalon or Two Harbors. The ride lasts about an hour and once you have arrived at Avalon you can check out the island’s unique array of shops, restaurants, cafes, and activities or simply grab a coffee and enjoy the sweeping vistas along the waterfront. If you choose to visit Two Harbors, you can head over to one of the pristine beaches or spend the night at the well-kept campground. 

22. Los Angeles to San Diego in a Day

With its easily walkable downtown, gorgeous beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, San Diego often feels like a world apart from the grind of Los Angeles, and a day trip there can be a good way to compare and contrast these two southern Californian cities. Operated by Another Side of Los Angeles Tours , the Los Angeles to San Diego in a Day will help you discover San Diego’s natural beauty and interesting history. The tour begins with a train ride from Union Station along the Pacific Coast. When you arrive at the Santa Fe Station in San Diego, you’ll be picked u in a Mercedes van for a day of sightseeing. 

Some of the highlights of the tour include the historic Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado Island and the Hotel del Coronado, the Embarcadero, La Jolla, and the expansive Balboa ark. During the day, you’ll have a one-hour lunch break in the Gaslamp Quarter where you can find a myriad of dining options. Tours depart daily all year round, leaving Los Angeles, and the tour price includes transportation, snacks, and beverages. 

If you want to learn more about the city before deciding whether or not you want to go on a tour, check out this list of “ The Top Things to Do in San Diego to Feel Like a Local .”

Ready to roam?

We hope that this guide has left you inspired to pack your bags and head to Los Angeles. As you can see, there is plenty to do there no matter what types of activities you are interested in and you can easily fill weeks of vacation time doing something new every day. As always, we would love to hear your feedback and please let us know if there are any hidden gems that we may have missed!

If you need more information, check out our list of “ The Best Things to Do in Los Angeles .” Alternatively, you can purchase tickets for one of our Los Angeles Scavenger Hunt Tours . They’re a great way to learn about attractions and hidden gems in hundreds of cities worldwide !

Frequently Asked Questions

The best tours in Los Angeles include the Original Farmers Market Food & History Tour, a Big Bus hop-on, hop-off tour, the Open Bus Star Homes Tour, or any of the Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt Tours .

No visit to the City of Angeles is complete without trying a few outdoor tours in L.A. Take a Hollywood Sign Hike, try a studio tour, or download the Let’s Roam app and go on a scavenger hunt tour !

Some of the most entertaining tours in Los Angeles are celebrity home tours, movie studio tours, and sightseeing tours that stop by local beaches. For a twist, try a Scavenger Hunt Tour from Let’s Roam !

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What People Are Saying About A Day in LA Tours

Did you know that we offer the top-rated LA city tours and LA tours from Anaheim on TripAdvisor , Google , Yelp, Get Your Guide and Expedia? We’ve earned top marks on these respected sites and have over 5,000 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor for our Los Angeles tours. You don’t have to take our word for it. We encourage you to look through some of the actual reviews we have received online!

So what are you waiting for?! Book one of the best tours in Los Angeles today!

LA City Tour

Our most popular, top-rated tour, the LA City Tour is a fantastic way to spend the day exploring Los Angeles, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood. The day-long trip on an upscale luxury small tour bus is narrated by your tour guide. You’ll get to spend 30 to 45 minutes at every stop to experience LA the way you want to. You’ll visit incredible sites such as Sunset Strip, Griffith Park, Rodeo Drive, and so much more! This tour offers hotel pickup and drop-off  from over 150 hotels! With over 5,000 5-Star reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google  — you simply can’t go wrong!

LA City Tour from Anaheim/Disneyland

For those of you who are visiting Anaheim or Disneyland but want to spend a day seeing the best of Los Angeles, then this is the tour for you! This Los Angeles bus tour from Anaheim is perfect for those wanting to see LA, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and other famous cities! Your tour will last an entire day and will be narrated by a friendly and informative tour guide. You’ll also spend up to 30-40 minutes at every stop to get a hands-on experience at famous attractions like Griffith Park, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip and so much more! Our Los Angeles tour from Anaheim also offers hotel pickup and drop-off from over 75 hotels in Anaheim!

LA City Tour Private VIP experience!

Tour in VIP style in a luxury full-size SUV with a funny, friendly and informative guide! This private tour is a great option for small groups wanting to experience all that Los Angeles has to offer in a private setting.  Our most popular itinerary which includes stops in Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, The Farmers’ Market for lunch, Griffith Park (Hollywood sign) and the Hollywood Walk of Fame can be custom tailored to your personal desires as well! This private tour offers free hotel pickup and drop off from over 150 hotels in the Los Angeles area.  Our 5,000+ 5-Star TripAdvisor reviews will guarantee your private tour will be unforgettable. Prices starting at $999.

Large Group and Corporate Private Tours

Let us customize any itinerary for you for the best possible experience of LA!  You can also choose from one of our many itineraries.  Whether you are in town with friends or family or are planning a corporate get-together, we’ll promise an experience your guests can’t get anywhere else. Our large group private tours are ideal for small, medium and large groups that come together for personal or professional reasons. Our 5,000+ 5-Star TripAdvisor reviews will guarantee your private tour will be unforgettable.  Call or email us today to book your Private Tour! 818-538-6287 or [email protected]

Los Angeles Tours

La – hollywood – beverly hills – santa monica – venice.

Looking to see the best of Los Angeles in a day? Whether you’re a tourist or a local, our Los Angeles tours will give you the chance to experience the City of Angels like never before. Join us to see why we are considered the best Tours of Los Angeles! Our LA City Tours and LA Tours from Anaheim have over 5,000 5-star reviews and have earned the coveted Travelers’ Choice Award – Best of the Best (ranked #1 in the world!) .A Day in LA was created by travelers for travelers. We recognized that Los Angeles and its neighborhoods had so much to offer but presented many challenges for a visitor to navigate in a short period of time. We make it easy to see a full overview of the city in one day! Reserve your seat now by clicking the Book Now button and see why we’re the best!”

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"A perfect way to see a lot of LA in one day. Comfy tour bus, small groups and friendly knowledgeable guides. Free bottled water throughout the day and fruit and juice at time of boarding. The guide and driver gave plenty of commentary as we drove around then gives you some free time to explore..."

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Experience Los Angeles exclusively.

Need a private tour of Los Angeles for you and your family?   Our Los Angeles bus tour isn’t just a convenient way to get around town. It’s also a fun, safe way to experience LA and the surrounding neighborhoods.  We offer pre-set private tour itineraries or you can customize your own private LA tour so you can make sure you check-off all your bucket list items!  We cater to groups of all sizes, with options for small group VIP tours and large group and corporate private tours.  Contact us anytime at [email protected] or call us 818-538-6287.  Check out our Los Angeles private tours here! 

For private tours of LA please visit our Private Tours page .

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Co-founders Kevin and Raman are global travelers who travel the backpacker’s way. From Europe and South America to India and Africa – they’ve trekked around the world and know the needs of budget travelers and how to make things fun. They understand that although the beaten path is beaten for a reason, it’s nice to step out of bounds to see another side of a new place.

With our LA city tours and LA tours from Anaheim , A Day in LA Tours wants to give you a piece of both with the best Tours in Los Angeles. We know many visitors are in town for only a few days, so we want to make the most of your time. In one day we’ll do everything from showing you breathtaking views of Venice Beach and Santa Monica to LA’s most notable highlights including Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, and other amazing Los Angeles attractions.

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1. Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More

2. Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus

3. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

4. Half-Day Sightseeing Tour of the Best of Los Angeles

5. Perfect 5 ½ Hour LA & Hollywood Tour from Santa Monica

6. Shared 3 Hour Los Angeles Tour

7. Skip the Ticketing Line: Aquarium of the Pacific General Admission Ticket

8. The Best of LA Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Griffith Park +More

9. Hollywood and Celebrity Homes Bus Tour

10. Black History Tours of South LA

11. Griffith Observatory Guided Tour and Planetarium Ticket Option

12. Mulholland Trail Horseback Tour

13. Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour

14. Small-Group Hollywood, LA Beaches & Filming Location Tour from Anaheim

15. 2-Hour Hollywood Bus Tour

16. Authentic 3-Hour Hollywood to Beverly Hills Tour

17. The Official Hollywood Sign Walking Tour in Los Angeles

18. Big Bus Los Angeles: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour & TMZ Celebrity Tour

19. Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, Santa Monica & Venice Tour from Anaheim

20. Private Therapy Sailing Adventure

21. 7 Hours Los Angeles and Hollywood Day Trip.

22. Universal Studios Hollywood General Admission Ticket

23. Celebrity and Lifestyle Hollywood Bus Tour

24. Big Bus Los Angeles: Hop-on Hop-off Tour by Open-top Bus

25. Big Bus Los Angeles: Guided Celebrity Homes & Lifestyle Tour

26. Shared 8-Hour Los Angeles City Sightseeing Tour from Long Beach

27. Small-Group Day Tour of Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beaches from Anaheim

28. Haunted Hollywood Walking Tour: True Crime & Creepy Tales

29. LA Venice Beach Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

30. All Day LA Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » California (CA) » 15 Best Los Angeles Tours

15 Best Los Angeles Tours

The glamorous “City of Angels” attracts visitors from across the world interested in connecting with American show business.

The warm climate and relaxed atmosphere have also resulted in many beautiful and vibrant beaches being within easy traveling distance of the city.

This way of life – combined with the way it epitomizes the American dream – makes Los Angeles an excellent city to visit time and time again.

A great way to experience the different influences on Los Angeles culture is by taking a series of tours throughout the city.

There is a great variety available and with the huge cultural influences in the city, there is sure to be a tour to please every visitor.

Here are the 15 best tours in Los Angeles.

1. Universal Studios Hollywood: 1 or 2 Day Ticket

Universal Studios Hollywood is a famous theme park dedicated to the movies and showbiz that many tourists come to Los Angeles to experience.

From thrill rides and studio tours to themed restaurants and boutique gifts stores, you can easily spend days at a time enjoying the park and the City Walk area.

This ticket gives you discounted entry into the park for either one or two days. You will have full access to all the entertainment, shopping and dining options.

2. Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket

The City Sightseeing hop-on-hop-off buses are a great way to become acquainted with a new city when you first arrive; they take you around all the most famous sights of the city.

You can opt for a 24, 48 or 72-hour pass, depending on how long you are in the city and how much time you want to dedicate to each stop.

On board are audio guides available in nine languages, detailing the important information about each spot.

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3. Private Mustang Tour

Get your own VIP Hollywood experience with this private tour in an authentic Mustang through the city. As this tour is private, you will get the opportunity to tailor it to what you want to see whilst in the city.

You will be taken to the most luxurious neighborhoods and told the deepest secrets of the city in this two-hour tour. A cold beverage is provided on board the convertible Mustang.

4. Hollywood Studio Tour: Warner Bros

If you are in Los Angeles to get close to the movie industry, you absolutely cannot miss this classic tour.

You will be taken behind the scenes of a real working movie studio owned by Warner Bros and learn all about the history of movies made at the studio, as well as the stories of the actors, directors, and crews behind them.

You can also check out famous film sets from movies and shows such as Friends, Harry Potter and Batman.

5. OUE Skyspace LA Skyslide Combo Entry Tickets

Enjoy beautiful, panoramic views over Los Angeles from this fantastic attraction in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

Your ticket will allow you to head up to the observation deck of the OUE Skyspace building, as well as give you access to the skyslide – giving you an extra thrill on the way down.

The Skyspace itself is filled with fun, interactive features, giving you an outlook on the fascinating history of the tower and the downtown Los Angeles area.

6. Newport Beach: 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour

Get up close with Southern California’s native marine life in a much more humane way with this excellent tour departing from Newport Beach.

You will be taken on a boat out into the coastal waters to try and spot some whales for yourself, including the humpback whales and finback whales that are native to the area.

The two-hour tour includes an onboard guide to help you know how to spot the whales and tell you all about the marine life in the area. Newport Beach is only a short journey from central LA by both car and public transport.

7. The Original Hollywood Tour

This classic tour around the homes of Los Angeles’ rich and famous has been popular with visitors from around the world for decades.

The open top bus guides you through Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills in two hours. You will also be shown the filming locations from some of the most well-known and loved movies to come out of the city, as well as taken to the Hollywood sign for a great view over the area.

Pick-up from hotels nearby is included as part of the price.

8. Hollywood Sign Small Group Tour in a Luxury Van

The iconic Hollywood sign has become an enduring symbol for the United States film industry.

This tour takes you right up to the sign, giving you an iconic view not just of the monument, but across the city of Los Angeles. You will be shown the TCL Chinese Theatres and the Hollywood Walk of Fame before departing on your adventure uphill to the sign.

Tours are limited to small groups for a more intimate experience and the luxury van is fully air-conditioned for your comfort. A live guide is provided.

9. 1-Hour Flight for 2 Persons

Get an even more luxurious vantage point over the Hollywood Sign with this one-hour private flight over the city of Los Angeles.

You will be shown some of the most iconic sights in the city – including the dodger stadium, Beverly Hills and the extensive beaches – from the sky in this excellent experience.

It is limited to two people, so you have your own private flight which can be adapted to your wishes. One person will even have the opportunity to try flying the plane themselves.

10. Champagne Brunch Cruise from Marina Del Rey

Nothing is more West Coast than brunch, and this cruise takes the late morning meal to the next level.

The cruise departs from the famous Marina Del Rey and will give you fantastic views over the Southern Californian coast. The champagne is unlimited – as is the brunch buffet – so feel free to eat and drink as much as you like.

There is atmospheric music setting a calm mood throughout your experience. All gratuities are included and you will be returned to the Marina at the end of the two hours.

11. The Queen Mary Tour

This tour takes you on board the iconic Queen Mary ocean liner. The now-retired ship was once synonymous with luxury cruises and has become an iconic attraction in Los Angeles.

This five-hour tour will take you around the most impressive parts of the ship and explain the vibrant history.

You are provided with an audio headset allowing you to tour the ship at your own pace. There are three different restaurants aboard for you to have your own sampling of luxury.

12. Palm Springs Day Tour and Outlet Shopping from Los Angeles

Head deep into the Southern Californian desert where the oasis town of Palm Springs lies. Palm Springs is a popular resort with Hollywood’s rich and famous; this tour will let you sample the high-life of SoCal’s wealthiest residents.

You will ride the iconic cable car after to see the iconic views over Palm Springs. You will then finish up your tour at the Premium Outlets, where you can search for bargain prices on some of America’s most iconic designer brands.

You will also have the opportunity to learn about the unique desert ecosystem, as well as check out some of the homes of the rich and famous in the area.

13. Downtown Los Angeles: Arts and Culture 2-Hour Walking Tour

Experience some of Los Angeles’ best cultural delights outside of the film industry in this tour through the museums, galleries and architectural highlights of the downtown area.

Your expert guide is local to the area and can provide you expert commentary on the history and culture of central Los Angeles.

You will also receive fantastic information on the arts movements that have shaped the city, and how artistic subcultures are still thriving in the central city.

14. Los Angeles: Downtown Food Tour

As with most major American cities, Los Angeles has a thriving food culture, with a vibrant selection of cuisines available across the city.

This three-hour tour is with a local guide who will talk to you about the history of cuisine in the City of Angels, as well as the cultures that have influenced it.

You will visit eight different restaurants in the city, allowing you to sample cuisine influenced by Germans, Mexican and Lebanese migrants – as well as a host of other national and international cuisines.

15. Hollywood Cannabis Tour

The recent legalization of recreational marijuana in the State of California has opened up a thriving cannabis industry across Los Angeles.

This tour takes you around all the main spots associated with cannabis in Hollywood and teaches you how the industry is growing across the country thanks to recent legalization movements. This tour is two and a half hours long and will take you to a real-life grow room, a cannabis dispensary, and on a short tour around some of the major sights in Hollywood.

You can also check out the thriving art community associated with the cannabis industry and enjoy a small discount on retail products.

15 Best Los Angeles Tours:

• Universal Studios Hollywood: 1 or 2 Day Ticket
• Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket
• Private Mustang Tour
• Hollywood Studio Tour: Warner Bros
• OUE Skyspace LA Skyslide Combo Entry Tickets
• Newport Beach: 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour
• The Original Hollywood Tour
• Hollywood Sign Small Group Tour in a Luxury Van
• 1-Hour Flight for 2 Persons
• Champagne Brunch Cruise from Marina Del Rey
• The Queen Mary Tour
• Palm Springs Day Tour and Outlet Shopping from Los Angeles
• Downtown Los Angeles: Arts and Culture 2-Hour Walking Tour
• Los Angeles: Downtown Food Tour
• Hollywood Cannabis Tour

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This Southern California city is known for sunshine, beaches and the film industry, Los Angeles, often called "The City of Angels" is the second most populated city in the United States behind New York City and is known for the diversity of its residents. It was founded in 1781, obtained by Mexico from 1821-1848 and was incorporated in 1850. Some of the city's most popular tourist attractions are The Hollywood Sign, Capitol Records Building, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, The Getty Center, Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Hollywood Bowl and Staples Center. Explore the world by joining a Las Vegas Tour, Chicago Tour, Yosemite Tour, Yellowstone Tour, and much, much more.

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Los Angeles means something different to everyone. LA is second only to New York in terms of population size in the USA and it is one of the most well-known cities in the world. As the center of filmmaking, it is a mecca for all who want to be or rub shoulders with a star!

Unforgettable Sightseeing with Los Angeles Bus Tours

There are countless things to see and do in Los Angeles, so your wisest choice is to join a tour. Why? With a city as big and diverse as LA, Los Angeles tours take care of all the planning and logistics that goes into ensuring your trip is a roaring success.

Travel in Los Angeles aboard comfortable, secure and fully equipped sightseeing tour buses, complete with expert local guides who'll share all the tips and tricks to enjoying a visit to Los Angeles. Day Tours in Los Angeles tend to focus on Hollywood, home to the city's most popular attractions, but you'll also get to see the city's most famous amusement parks.

On your LA tour be prepared to visit • Hollywood Walk of Fame – Los Angeles sightseeing tours often focus on the glitz and glam of Hollywood. Walk the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame, where over 2,500 stars immortalize your favorite celebrities. • Movie Star Homes – Take a self-guided bike tour of Beverly Hills to view the glamorous dwellings of the rich and famous • Universal Studios – Avoid the long lines with a special access ticket that takes you straight into the park. Then, get ready for one of the most memorable experiences of your life as you tour this "larger than life" facility. • Disneyland – You can visit Disneyland, Disney California Adventure or both! The rides, the food and all the enchanting characters truly make it "The Happiest Place on Earth."

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Los Angeles day trips offer a delightful escape from the urban buzz. Take a break from the rush and hurry on land to spend with one of the many Los Angeles bus trip to coast for a scenic Newport whale watching cruise . And, it's not just whales, there are playful dolphins to see as well! Los Angeles tours out to Newport for a whale watching and dolphin cruise take place daily all year-round. You will be enthralled by the giant blue whales, gray whales, finback whales, minke whales, humpback whales and several delightful species of dolphin.

Unveiling California's Gems with Los Angeles Tour Packages

After you've experienced the wealth of Los Angeles tours this great city has to offer, get ready to extend your Californian adventure beyond Los Angeles. When you go on a Los Angeles tour package , you can add in trips to many of the other iconic locations of the West Coast. Here are few to consider • Napa Valley – A bit of wine tasting, anyone? The enchanting vineyards and wineries of the Napa Valley beckon to you to pause on your trip for some sweet refreshment. • Monterey Bay – the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular tourist stop. Penguins, jellies, sharks and an awesome array of beautiful fish await you. • Catalina Island – Diving, kayaking and hiking a just a few of the ways to pass the time in this idyllic spot. Relaxing under the shade of palm tree is definitely an option as well! • 17-Mile Drive – the spectacular Central California coast is on display as you journey along this famous stretch. • San Francisco – the “City on the Bay” has culturally iconic attractions that you must experience at least once in your lifetime. Visit Alcatraz (at night – if you dare), stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge and grab a hop on hop off pass to see all the other major sites.

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72 Best & Fun Things To Do In Los Angeles (California)

By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Published: August 11, 2020  - Last updated: October 16, 2023

Los Angeles often called the City of Angels, is a hub for excitement, fame, and fortune.

With famous places like Hollywood to its name and many other similarly enticing tourist attractions and sites, it can be somewhat difficult to figure out where to visit as a tourist here.

That’s why we’ve put together an LA travel guide that is sure to give you some insight into the most intriguing and delightful places the city has to offer.

Here are our picks for the 72 best and fun things to do in Los Angeles, California.

Table of Contents

1. The Getty Center

Ken Wolter / Shutterstock

The Getty Center is one of the top Los Angeles attractions in California.

This institution is known across LA and the country for its prestige in the world and industry of art.

Exhibits and showcases vary across the multitude of buildings that make up the Getty Center and free tours allow you to learn about different aspects of the Center in engaging and informational ways.

The permanent collection at the Getty Center had its biggest headstart from J. Paul Getty’s $1.2 billion gift when he passed away.

The collection consists of Western art dating back to the Middle Ages until now, with an additional collection on the Pacific Coast Highway at the Getty Villa with a focus on European art.

Some iconic original pieces are displayed at these permanent collections.

Other exhibits here include a garden spanning 134,000 square feet, designed by Robert Irwin, often called a living sculpture with a floating labyrinth that houses over 500 species of flora.

There are also lots of temporary exhibits that focus on all sorts of different perfectly curated works.

Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop for art reproductions and souvenirs; it’s a must-do for collectors!

Address:  1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, United States

2. Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Michael Gordon / Shutterstock

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art , also known as LACMA, is a museum that can be defined as encyclopedic.

It consists of a huge 20-acre campus with buildings designed by Peter Zumthor.

As a museum, LACMA is extremely comprehensive in its collection of beautiful and stunning works, and the vastness of its grounds means that guests have lots of options for activities.

LACMA’s permanent collection showcases art from all eras, all the way back to antiques to new, modern works.

All sorts of works from different cultures live on here, including some iconic pieces from old masters and respected artists.

Temporary exhibits also showcase all sorts of collections from different and diverse artists.

LACMA also boasts the Bing theater, which has daily programming, and it hosts classes, incubators, and performance spaces.

You’ll spend a long time walking through LACMA, and even with a whole dedicated day, it’s hard to run out of exciting things to do on museum grounds.

Fun tours, though somewhat high in price, can provide additional information to visitors.

Address:  5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States

3. Hollywood Bowl

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In the summer, the Hollywood Bowl is a Los Angeles treasure.

The outdoor amphitheater is a staple of California tourist places.

It first opened its doors in 1922 and boasts a famous shell shape that makes for great acoustics – which is likely one of the many reasons it grew so popular in the first place.

For the most part, the Hollywood Bowl is one of the best music performance spots in LA, primarily focusing on classical music, though a few modern artists have graced the stage here too.

Film screenings, musicals, and orchestras also play here sometimes.

Seating can be a little difficult and can get expensive, but most consider it well worth the expense!

Address:  2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068, United States

4. Walt Disney Concert Hall

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There are few better places to seek entertainment in LA than the Walt Disney Concert Hall , built by Frank Gehry to a sometimes controversial design choice.

The concert hall houses the Los Angeles Philharmonic and provides incredible classical music performances that are fun for the family.

Do note, though, that kids under the age of 6 are not permitted!

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a must-visit for the Philharmonic alone, though most musical performances here make for great perusal.

The concert hall actually shares its space with the Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater, which provides more edgy and experimental shows that are still pretty good viewing, as well as a gallery that has some interesting showcases.

There’s one more thing to note; there’s actually a garden on the roof of the Walt Disney Concert Hall that is known as the Blue Ribbon Garden.

Not many visitors know about it and it’s a beautiful place to go to just to relax.

Address:  111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

5. The Broad

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Almost all of the very best things to do in LA, California are, surprisingly, museums – and The Broad is just one of them!

Despite only opening in the latter part of 2015, the Broad has quite a reputation.

It hosts all sorts of fancy and fun exhibits that lead to extremely long lines and sold-out tickets in minutes to their showcases.

The permanent collection at the Broad consists of 2,000 pieces that are part of Eli and Edythe Broad’s personal collection.

With both parties finding riches in their careers, they purchase early works from up-and-coming artists as well as show off extremely famous works by modern icons of the art world.

As a more modern museum, the Broad isn’t the kind of place you’d go to as an art intellectual, but it’s a great place to take photos – including selfies – and general admission is free, while you need to purchase tickets for certain temporary exhibits.

Address:  221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

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6. TCL Chinese Theatre

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The TCL Chinese Theatre is one of LA’s most popular and iconic places of interest.

It was originally known as the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre when it first opened in 1927 and is a fantastic representation of the Golden Age of Hollywood and its opulence.

Now, the TCL Chinese Theatre is a memorable part of Los Angeles.

Tours of the theater are offered every day and are very popular, so it’s a good idea to reserve a tour time in advance.

The theater also works as an ordinary one, so new films are played in it year-round.

While you’re here, you should also walk through the Walk of Fame right outside!

Address:  6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028, United States

7. Angeles National Forest

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The Angeles National Forest is known as one of the essential places to go for LA, California visitors seeking an active, exploration-filled day trip.

More than a thousand square miles of lush greenery spread across 53 different trailheads make for plenty of fun treks and a lot of ground to cover.

All manner of sports can be participated in at this national forest of Los Angeles.

Running, hiking, boating, biking, and skiing are all possible, and no matter what kind of nature you enjoy, there’s sure to be something for you.

Mt. Baldy provides a stunning panoramic view, the Bridge to Nowhere is an eerie and melancholic stop, the Devil’s Punchbowl offers a unique phenomenon of geography, and Pyramid Lake is nothing short of gorgeous with its unique man-made formation of rocks.

Address:  12371 N, Little Tujunga Canyon Rd, San Fernando, CA 91342, United States

8. Universal Studios Hollywood

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No trip to LA is complete without visiting one of its best spots – Universal Studios Hollywood , one of the top 10 attractions you can find in Los Angeles!

It is packed with amusement rides, scenes and places from popular movies and shows, and character actors that give the whole place a more realistic feel.

Some of the things you can enjoy here are rides and events related to popular culture produced by Universal.

This includes franchises such as Transformers, Despicable Me, Scooby-Doo, Fast and Furious, and Jurassic World.

Expect to see a ton of tourists at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Lines for rides and amusement showcases will be pretty long, so if you’re not willing to wait, you can buy Express passes in advance.

A visit here is far from inexpensive, so be sure you’re ready to front the cost!

Address:  100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, United States

9. Echo Park Lake

Gabriele Maltinti / Shutterstock

Echo Park Lake is one of the many LA, California sights you may naturally recognize.

That’s because the location has been used in tons of different movies, shows, and similar productions.

The good news is that despite its fame, it remains a very relaxing, down-to-earth location.

Echo Park Lake was renovated in 2014, giving it a new look and a shiny new purpose.

It has now become a bit of a point for meeting, exercising, or having picnics.

The lake offers one of the best opportunities for boating in Los Angeles, and you can rent pedal boats and head through a lake of ducks and lotuses.

The park is truly beautiful, garnering its fame not just for families but for romantic rendezvous.

A fountain helps further set the scene and mood with jets of water that rise an impressive 200 feet upwards and a good number of street food stalls sell delicious snacks in case you need a bite to eat.

Address: 751 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026, United States

10. Venice Canals

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No trip to Los Angeles, California is complete without a visit to the Venice Canals .

Among cute bungalows of quintessential Venetian style, the canals flow through them all, offering a romantic and whimsical view of the beautiful streets.

We have Abbot Kinney, a developer, to thank for the creation of the Venice Canals; in 1905, he built them, and the bridges across them have been standards for fun and romance since then.

Taking a stroll through the Venice Canals is breathtaking, relaxing, and somehow still one of the most fun things to do in LA.

If you’re lucky, you’ll see birds like egrets, parrots, herons, and pelicans flying by.

One of the corners of the canals boasts a children’s park complete with ducks and, potentially, ducklings, so if you’re here with kids, that’s a great spot to head to!

Address: Washigton Blvd. & Dell Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90292, United States

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11. Warner Brothers Studio

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Just like Universal Studios Hollywood, the Warner Brothers Studio is one of those fun Los Angeles attractions that is considered standard fare for any visitors to California.

The studio provides in-depth looks into all sorts of iconic stars of the entertainment world, from TV props to movie sets, including items from Harry Potter, Batman, and Friends.

Visitors can also view an interesting backlot of the studio that spans 110 acres.

30 different soundstages exist here, each one used for producing shows including the Ellen Degeneres Show, Young Sheldon, and more.

Tour guides are all very knowledgeable and have lots of information to share with charismatic and excitable dispositions.

Tours of the Warner Brothers Studio last about three hours and aren’t open to children below the age of 7.

Expect to pay between $59 and $295 per ticket, depending on the age of the person the ticket is for and what kind of access you’re opting for.

Address: 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505, United States

12. The La Brea Tar Pits & Museum

Looking for touristy things to do that you’d be hard-pressed to find outside of LA?

The La Brea Tar Pits & Museum make a pretty good spot to top that list.

The pits themselves are the result of tens of thousands of years’ worth of tar that has bubbled for all that time, and they’re free to feast your eyes on.

Meanwhile, the museum consists of the bones and fossils of animals that were trapped in the pits – which, while morbid, certainly makes for fascinating viewing that explains why this Los Angeles location is so popular.

The bones collection within the museum is a real treat for history nerds.

Composite skeletons exist of species that are extinct now, such as dire wolves, Columbian mammoths, saber-toothed cats, North American camels, and ground sloths.

Fossils, on the other hand, date back to the Ice Age!

A Fossil Lab lets you see how scientists and experts clean and sort out these fossils.

Address:  5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States

13. Korean Bell of Friendship

David A Litman / Shutterstock

The Korean Bell of Friendship is one of the most idyllic tourist spots in Los Angeles, California.

The bell is impressive in appearance, with a green finish – rusted over time – covered along the top by a hipped roof in ornate detail.

Though the paint is fading, there is no denying the beauty of the gift, given by South Korea in 1976, alongside the grassy pavilion it lounges upon.

This LA location is very beautiful, with an exposed bluff that looks out over the ocean along the coast of San Pedro.

It’s a great place to fly kits, relax, and enjoy the view.

Today, the bell is rarely rung, only being set off four times annually: New Year’s Eve, National Liberation Day of Korea, Fourth of July, and Constitution Week.

Address:  3601 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731, United States

14. Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

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If you’re a bit of an intellectual, the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens are easy to consider a must-do among LA activities.

It was once the private estate of Henry and Arabella Huntington before they converted it into its humble institutional beginnings in 1919.

The institution, as its lengthy name suggests, houses three different types of attraction.

The first is the Huntington Library, which houses over 430,000 books of impressive rarity.

It is a premier research facility not just for Los Angeles, but for the whole country, with British and American works from the 11th century onwards.

The second is the Huntington Art Museum, which are home to a mix of permanent and rotating exhibits.

The art dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries and has quite a few famous masterpieces.

Temporary exhibits are curated flawlessly, only showcasing high-quality works from great artists of all fields.

The final is the 120-acre Huntington Botanical Gardens, which has more than 150,000 flora types.

Succulent plants, roses, bonsai trees, Corpse flowers, orchids, Sumatran flowers, and more are showcased here, though some only arrive with rotating or seasonal exhibits.

Address:  1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108, United States

15. Griffith Observatory

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The Griffith Observatory is widely considered one of the top things to do in LA, California.

Designed for sightseeing and stargazing, it sits in Griffith Park on Mouth Hollywood.

It took its name from Los Angeles philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith, a fairly controversial figure with a good interest in astronomy that led to his large donations that helped build the observatory.

The observatory was completed in 1935 and, since then, has gone on to become one of the world’s most visited observatories.

It offers exhibition halls with glorious attractions like the extremely unique and rare Tesla coil, and its planetarium often hosts exciting and fun shows.

Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention its powerful Zeiss telescope that is prized in the astronomy world.

That same telescope sees about 600 visitors per night!

Address:  2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

16. Runyon Canyon Park

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Runyon Canyon Park is one of LA’s best points of interest, which is why it’s such a pity that this urban park is not known as widely throughout the city.

The park is often used by celebrities for their exercise regimens thanks to the many hiking trails flanked by lovely palm trees.

Trails often wind through old estates and mansions that keep an air of Old Hollywood to them, and the hot climate can tire even experienced hikers.

As such, you should make sure that you’re prepared for the hike before you attempt it.

If you walk up to the very top of the canyon, you’ll be treated to a nice view of San Fernando Valley.

Address:  2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States

17. California Science Center

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The California Science Center is the perfect space for excitement, exploration, and education, making it one of the best among the things to see for children and adults!

The center offers free admission, with certain exhibits or shows requiring a fee, and with timed tickets needed for certain peak seasons.

The most popular exhibit of this science center in LA is the Ecosystems showcase.

This showcase is a permanent exhibition that shows off a wide range of different ecosystems across eight zones of habitat types.

Another great exhibit is Creative World, which encourages guests to learn about architecture and transportation as well as the technologies and innovation involved in it.

For space-lovers, the Air and Space showcase is an interesting one.

On display, it exhibits Pete Conrad and Dick Gordon’s Gemini 11 capsule and teaches visitors about the Endeavor space shuttle.

If you’d rather watch a movie screening, there is, of course, an IMAX theater in the science center that plays a mix of informational and interesting films.

Address:  700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037, United States

18. Zuma Beach

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Los Angeles has its fair share of beaches, but if you’re willing to travel from it to get, Zuma Beach is among the best.

It’s clean, less crowded, and widely considered the finest location of its kind in the city’s general vicinity.

A mix of tourists and locals enjoy the beach for its great sea and surf opportunities, and it’s also a good spot for sunbathing.

Zuma Beach is about 36 miles from the downtown portion of LA.

Driving through the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll see some interesting buildings, like the Adamson House, Getty Villa, and Trancas Country Market along the way.

The beach itself offers free visits all day long.

Address: 30000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, United States

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19. Hollywood Sign

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There’s no way that seeing the Hollywood Sign up close and personal shouldn’t be on your bucket list.

It’s the best iconic tourist draw in all of Los Angeles.

It’s the kind of thing that’s cool to see in person no matter what, simply because of how often you’ve probably seen the sign in media and as a standard, staple symbol of the world of fame and fortune.

Originally, the sign read “Hollywoodland” when it was put up in 1923 as a simple advertisement for a new and developing housing project.

It was only really meant to last 18 months, but it stood until the 1970s, getting progressively more damaged in the process.

When one of the letter Os fell, the sign was completely refurbished into how it stands as we know it now.

To get close to the sign, you’d hike for about 45 minutes and get to see a rare rear view of the iconic symbol of celebrity and pop culture.

However, you can’t touch the fence without security carting you off, so focus on the beautiful view from up here of the landscape of the state, the Santa Ana Mountains, the city beneath, and, of course, the ocean.

Address:  Los Angeles, CA 90068, United States

20. Hollywood Forever Cemetery

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If you love a little spookiness, then one of the fun things to do in Los Angeles, California is to visit the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

The cemetery was originally opened as Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery in 1899 by Isaac Van Nuys, a businessman, and farmer.

The cemetery is beautifully cared for as a park-type final resting place, packed with greenery and delightful architecture.

After all, there’s a reason that the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is on America’s National Register of Historic Sites – one of few similar LA locations to earn this honor!

The cemetery is the last home to many big names in Hollywood, like Estelle Getty, Cecil B. DeMille, and Johnny Ramone.

Some interesting and well-designed tombs that are fun to respectfully gawk at include the Greek Revival designed catacomb of William A. Clark Jr., the granite monument of Oscar-winning actress Hattie McDaniel, mausoleums of stained glass, and more.

Address:  6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038, United States

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21. Paramount Pictures Studios

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You’ve probably already noticed, but a lot of the best and most loved Los Angeles attractions are related to the big and small screen.

Paramount Pictures Studios is yet another one of these LA, California treasures.

It’s also the only film studio that still lives on in Hollywood.

As a company, Paramount has been around since the 1910s and has worked with some of the film world’s greatest stars, including Morgan Freeman and Meryl Streep.

They are behind some pretty famous shows and movies, including Mission: Impossible, I Love Lucy and Titanic.

A two-hour tour (open to those aged 10 and older only) brings visitors through the studios on a golf cart, taking you across 65 acres of land.

You’ll get to see some sound stages and famous sets.

Just make sure you reserve a tour spot in advance.

Address:  5515 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038, United States

22. The Last Bookstore

Ingus Kruklitis / Shutterstock

The Last Bookstore is one of the top spots in Los Angeles for bibliophiles, and even if you’re not much of a reader, it’s hard to deny that visiting here is one of the more cool things to do while you’re in LA.

The bookshop is housed in a large building that was once a bank and you can see remnants of the atrium in high ceilings and pillars of marble.

Books in the Last Bookstore are mostly used or vintage, all well-kept, and relatively reasonably priced.

Bookshelves are intentionally disheveled in appearance, placed haphazardly throughout the store, while sculptures made from damaged books add decorative charm.

None of the books are clearly organized, inspiring visitors to go deep-diving for treasure.

If you explore enough, you’ll have fun discovering all the hidden spots in the shop that host even more books.

Address:  453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States

23. Grand Central Market

Eddie Hernandez Photos / Shutterstock

The Grand Central Market of Los Angeles, California is known as one of the best local tourist spots for foodies.

Located in downtown LA, it’s visited by a mix of guests and locals who browse through stalls offering delicious foods from all sorts of cuisines in an open layout with high ceilings that provide a spacious atmosphere.

Grand Central Market opened its doors more than a century ago in 1917, offering a wide range of food from snacks to meals, with selections from different cultures to tantalize the tastebuds.

The liveliness makes for an exciting experience, even if you’re just there to sample a few quick goodies.

Address:  317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States

24. Los Angeles City Hall

The Los Angeles City Hall has been a strong symbol of downtown LA since the year 1928.

As an icon of the city, it’s a must-see for anyone seeking activities within the city.

The City Hall rests in a tall tower of white concrete that offers impressive views of the city from its observation deck on the 27th floor.

There is also an Olympic torch from 1984 near one of the exits.

The Civic Center is only open during public hours, so if you aim to catch a bird’s eye view of the city through the observation deck, make sure you’re going at the right time.

Even if it takes a bit of scheduling, it’s well worth it for the free panorama!

Address:  200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

25. The Ennis House

Mike Dillon / CC BY-SA

A gem of design and architecture, the Ennis House has been a staple for small and big screen productions for years.

You may have seen it in the House on Haunted Hell, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Day of the Locust, and it served additionally as inspiration for the apartment used by the main character Rick Deckard in Blade Runner.

The Ennis House, which has been a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument since 1976, suffered quite a bit from bad weather and natural disasters, but renovations have made it stable and popular again.

It was designed by the one and only Frank Lloyd Wright for Charles and Mable Ennis, with construction completed in 1924.

The house is one of a series known to California as the textile block designs, with a Mayan Revival style that grabs the eye quickly from the best spot in the Los Feliz Hills.

The home is technically a private residence and it isn’t open to the public often, but if you’re lucky, you’ll get there at a time when its current owners allow tourists to take a spin through the inside.

Address:  2607 Glendower Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

26. Watts Towers

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The Watts Towers consist of 17 structures, all interconnected, with the main places of interest among the collection being two that are taller than 99 feet in height.

The structures were put together by a construction worker and Italian Immigrant named Sabato Rodia, who used his free time to slowly build the Watts Towers over 33 years.

Part of the reason that the Watts Towers are popular locations for what to do in Los Angeles is because of their display of non-traditional vernacular architecture, with armatures made from steel rods and pipes, wire mesh, and a mortar coating.

Each tower is supported by frames dotted with tile, glass, and porcelain pieces, and the rest of the towers are littered with decorations of scrap metal, seashells, bed frames, bottles, and ceramic tiles.

Most interestingly, the towers were referred to as Nuestro Pueblo “our town” by Rodia, and he made them without any pre-planned design pattern or special equipment.

He used only tools used by window washers as well as hand equipment, and he used scrap material from his workplace, Malibu Pottery, to decorate it.

Since February 2018, the Watts Towers have been undergoing conservation and restoration efforts, meaning they are closed most of the time.

However, there are guided tours of the perimeter surrounding it, so check out the available times to book a spot.

Address:  1727 E 107th St, Los Angeles, CA 90002, United States

27. OUE Skyspace LA Skyslide

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There are fewer ways more fun and exhilarating to get a good view of this city of California than the OUE Skyspace LA Skyslide .

Located on the US Bank Tower, the Skyslide sits on the 70th floor, a thousand or so feet above the solid ground of the city below.

The slide, accessible via a ticket, joins an observation deck and a restaurant called 71Above in drawing visitors that seek the entertainment of an adrenaline rush.

The Skyslide only lasts about 5 seconds, bringing you down from the 70th to the 69th floor, and though it sounds extremely frightening, it can actually feel much more exciting than that.

It’s one of those places to visit to reserve for evenings or sunsets since the fog of the morning can somewhat obscure the wonderful view.

Address:  633 W 5th St #840, Los Angeles, CA 90071, United States

28. Underground Tunnels

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The Underground Tunnels were once the coolest part of LA during the years of the prohibition laws.

Spanning 11 miles, these service tunnels led into the basements of fun places like bars, speakeasies, and clubs, which all had unassuming fronts to prevent the suspicion of law enforcement.

Now, though much less traveled, traipsing through the Underground Tunnels is still an exciting experience and one to add to your list of activities.

To get to the tunnels, head behind Temple Streets’ Hall of Records and search for an elevator.

The lift will bring you underground to a world filled with rusty machines, street art, and graffiti, iron gates that keep you away from unsafe spots, and of course, a way into the basement of the extremely famous 1900s King Eddy Saloon that still runs till this day.

Technically speaking, the Underground Tunnels aren’t officially open to the public.

But that doesn’t mean they’re not used for film shoots, as shortcuts by locals, or even as a place to exercise.

Address: 320 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

29. Temescal Gateway Park

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The Temescal Gateway Park is a Santa Monica Mountains park not far from Los Angeles, California.

It’s a popular place to take in some relaxing and invigorating sights, and the fact that it doesn’t draw a huge number of guests means it’s the right amount of populated and quiet for those seeking a little reverie from the hustle and bustle of LA.

The park provides multiple oceanside views, multiple terrain types, and a good variety of flora.

It’s a great place to bring a dog for a walk, too.

The views don’t stop at all, even all the way towards the Valley, though most wouldn’t recommend traveling that far in!

Address:  15601 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, United States

30. Bronson Cave

Walter Cicchetti / Shutterstock

Looking for another one of the fun things to do in LA related to Hollywood and the big screen? Bronson Cave is where it’s at – one of the best places to head to in Los Angeles, California for a taste of the mysterious, yet most-talked about places in the US.

Bronson Cave sits in the large wilderness of Griffith Park and, like the rest of the park, it has been used as a movie set many, many times.

Just visit it once and you’ll easily be able to identify it in many a show or movie, including the Batman series of the 1960s, where it served as the Bat Cave.

Interestingly, Bronson Cave is not a cave at all.

It’s a small tunnel into a hill that is filmed at an angle to provide the illusion of a hidden cavern with a dark interior.

Despite the fact that it’s no longer used for bigger budget movies, it’s still a popular filming location.

Address:  3200 Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068, United States

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31. Lake Hollywood Park

Lake Hollywood Park is known for being the best of the Los Angeles attractions to get a picture of the iconic Hollywood sign at an up-close angle.

As a fun, dog-friendly spot, as many pets as people can often be found here.

There are two hiking paths that are most commonly trekked at this LA, California park.

One brings you to explore the park’s reservoir while the other leads up to the back of the Hollywood Sign, which we talked about earlier.

It’s open all the time, so whether you plan to go now, tomorrow, or far in the future, you’ll have no trouble getting in!

Address:  3160 Canyon Lake Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068, United States

32. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Tomasz Wozniak / Shutterstock

Spanning 58,000 square feet, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is a marvel of beautiful design courtesy of Rafael Moneo, a Spanish architect.

The complex is often referred to simply as the Los Angeles Cathedral and originally started in 2002, when it replaced the earthquake-damaged Cathedral of Saint Vibiana.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is a monument to LA’s patron saint and a Roman martyr from the third century, Saint Vibiana.

The style of the cathedral is rather unorthodox, with a mix of right angles creating a fortress-like appearance and a postmodern style that seems contrary to its religious roots.

In fact, at first, it was widely criticized for being created in such a style.

Still, through the controversy over design choice and cost, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was built as planned.

Centered on the themes of “journey” and “light”, the aesthetic of the structure is certainly one to behold, so if you’re a design geek looking for what to do in the city, definitely take a trip here.

The wooden ambo, the Spanish alabaster windows, the Rosso Laguna marble table, and the exact 333-foot length make for interesting aspects of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Address:  555 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

33. Venice Beach

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There is no way you can go to Los Angeles, California without going to one of its very best tourist attractions: Venice Beach .

The beach is modeled after the real Venice in Italy and was completed in the early years of the 20th century.

Sure, it doesn’t really feel like you’re being whisked away from LA to Italy, but the spirit and aesthetic of the beach is not one to miss.

Mansions, trendy shops, and fine eateries line Venice Beach, providing a touch of the opulent to what was meant to be whimsical.

The boardwalk is arguably its most popular feature, and plenty of eccentric visitors and beach guests make for great people watching.

Though not exactly perfect for swimming, Venice Beach is great for sunbathing, and as it’s open 24 hours a day, it’s always waiting for you.

Address: Los Angeles, CA 90291, United States

34. Echo Park Time Travel Mart

S cott Beale / flickr

The Echo Park Time Travel Mart is a very fun and unique store in LA.

Made by the same company that brought Brooklyn its Superhero Supply shop and San Francisco its Pirate Supply store, the Echo Park Time Travel Mart is one of the best eccentric locations in Los Angeles, especially for families.

The mart sells all sorts of wacky and fake relics from the past and future, ranging from Michael Jordan pogs to Barbarian Repellent, and from Robot Emotions to dinosaur eggs, visiting and exploring is a must-do if you’re into the strange and silly.

Aside from being a funky store, the Echo Park Time Travel Mart is also a literary tutoring center.

Approximately twenty to thirty students arrive every day to receive lessons on expository and creative writing – and that tutoring is a non-profit venture, too!

The shop’s proceeds also all go to that non-profit group’s tutoring and its other ventures.

Address:  1714 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, United States

35. Barnsdall Art Park

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If you love art, a trip to the Barnsdall Art Park is one of the top things to do in Los Angeles, California.

The park is located on East Hollywood and is usually quiet, making it a fun hidden gem to unearth while you’re in LA.

The secluded park is well-maintained and modern, housing a theater, art galleries, and even historic buildings for you to peruse.

One of the most loved houses on display here is Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Los Angeles project, the Hollyhock House, which was built for Aline Barnsdall, an oil heiress who donated the home to the city when she wound up never using it.

At the Barnsdall Art Park, you can also find the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre and the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.

Both house contemporary art in all its forms.

If you’re not seeking that sort of activity, you can simply walk around the park or have a picnic there.

Address:  4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

36. California Institute of AbnormalArts

Skibz777 / CC BY-SA

The California Institute of AbnormalArts is one of the more unusual points of interest in LA, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t top your list.

The events held here are ones commonly referred to as freakshows, consisting of odd musical performances, indescribable live events, and bizarre sideshows.

One of the more interesting draws at the Institute of AbnormalArts is Achile Chatouilleu, a mummified clown still wearing his makeup and costume, lying in a sealed glass coffin.

Other fascinating but morbid exhibits involve bones, body parts (some petrified), man-eating monsters, signs from circuses, and horror movie clips.

That’s why this is one of the unusual places to visit in LA for anyone who likes a little oddity in their life.

Address:  11334 Burbank Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91601, United States

37. Phantasma Gloria

Randyland is a home located in Echo Park, and in front of that home sits the Phantasma Gloria.

The Phantasma Gloria is a piece of modern sculpture art that casts a beautiful spectrum of colors in a fun kaleidoscope of vibrancy and wonder.

The sculpture was made by Randlett Lawrence, simply called Randy, and it’s a bit of a hidden gem as far as places to go in the city of Los Angeles, California are considered.

Using a litany of glass bottles, colored water, and wire, Randy set to work putting together this rainbow.

In the mornings, the refraction of the sunlight from the bottles causes glowing brilliant pinwheels of color, and inside each bottle, you’ll see patterns that appear as dolphins.

Randy is still working on the Phantasma Gloria to this day, always adding in new parts and making changes as he sees fit.

If you’re lucky, you might get to meet the man himself – who is very passionate and excitable about his work – this weekend during your visit.

Do note that he only holds tours on said weekends at certain times.

Address:  1646 Lemoyne St, Los Angeles, CA 90026, United States

38. Silver Lake Staircases

Lisa Bronitt / Shutterstock

Silver Lake is full of public stairways across its hillsides, and believe it or not, they make for some pretty fun activities for sightseeing in the LA area.

The stairway network spans 2.5 miles and is legally open to the public, though some homeowners try to block some of them off.

These outdoor stairways are great workouts for the fitness-minded, but they’re also beautiful and worth viewing for their aesthetics, too.

The Music Box Steps, made famous by Laurel and Hardy, and the Micheltorena Stairs are some of the more popular, picture-friendly ones you’ll find in your explorations.

39. The Sunken City

carlfbagge / flickr

If you’re in the Los Angeles area and willing to head over to San Pedro for some site seeing, check out the Sunken City .

A landslide that took place here, not far from LA, in 1929 led to a whole neighborhood falling into the ocean, with breakneck speeds of 11 inches per day of land movement measured at its worst.

This led to some of Point Fermin Park succumbing to the waves, too.

Locals now call this place the Sunken City.

Foundations of houses, splintered and broken, litter the vicinity, alongside streetcar tracks long since left abandoned, sidewalks twisted and buckled, and streets that see no traffic.

The roads surrounding it are popular for hiking and it has been used in movies and shows.

However, do note that you should not enter the Sunken City itself.

The ruins are extremely dangerous and trespassing is forbidden.

Address: Paseo Del Mar, Los Angeles, CA 90731, United States

40. Petersen Automotive Museum and Vault

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Taking a trip to the Petersen Automotive Museum is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles for car enthusiasts.

The fun museum was founded by Robert E. Peterson, a publisher, and opened in 1994 on Museum Row in LA.

A recent makeover has created a rather impressive transformation in the museum.

Its building is now decorated with a ribbon formation created by a stainless steel shell weighing 100 tons.

Within that building are 25 galleries of automobiles, carefully arranged against backdrops of vivid color and scenery.

Some of the most famous cars here are the 1958 Plymouth Fury “Christine”, the 1915 Detroit Electric Model 61 Brougham, and the 1987 Mana La, which is solar-powered.

But there’s something a little more special at the Petersen Automotive Museum: The Vault.

It costs extra to enter but is a real treat, having only opened to the public in 2012.

It contains more than 250 different vehicles, including many owned by celebrities, from across the globe over 120 years.

The collection includes Steve McQueen’s 1957 Jaguar, Saddam Hussein’s Mercedes-Benz, and even the golf cart of President Clinton.

Address:  6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States

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41. Autry Museum of the American West

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If the name of the Autry Museum of the American West rings a bell, it’s because its founder is Gene Autry, better known as the famous Singing Cowboy.

The museum was opened in 1988 as a dedication to Western America’s history and culture, meaning it speaks not just of LA or California, but all of the west.

The museum is located in Griffith Park, carefully held in a mission-type building.

Seven galleries span throughout the ground floor and lower floor that make up the permanent exhibit.

This exhibit essentially lays out a timeline of the West’s history, from its prehistoric ages, to the times of French missionaries and Spanish conquistadors, and even up to the 20th century.

A more fun exhibit lies in the Autry Museum of the American West’s firearm collection, which is already quite large but is still growing.

It holds the personal items and the weapons of people like Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, and Belle Starr.

There is also the Colt Gallery, focused on Samuel Colt and his revolvers, and the Journeys Gallery, which discusses advancements in Western transportation.

Whether you’re interested in history or not, the Autry Museum of the American West is one of the Los Angeles attractions well worth a trip.

Address:  Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

42. Two Bit Circus Micro-Amusement Park

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The Two Bit Circus Micro-Amusement Park is a great way to get some entertainment in downtown LA without the need for exotic animals, pitching large striped tents, or watching trapeze artists perform daring and dangerous acts.

Rather, it is a unique park that is designed to provide unique experiences to its visitors through the use of immersive technology.

Lounges, games, escape rooms, interactive performances, food, and more lie in wait for you here, whisking you away from the world of Los Angeles and placing you in realms of fantasy and excitement.

You’re spoiled for choice in terms of what to see.

For example, at the Midway, you can play carnival games that have been modernized through the wonders of virtual reality.

Despite its advancements and modernity, there’s a sense of nostalgia about the Two Bit Circus Micro-Amusement Park.

It’s a good throwback to the games of the 80s and a good balance between the world of the old and the new.

While it may not be the most suitable attraction for very young children, it can be a good deal of excitement for the whole family.

Address:  634 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90021, United States

43. Garden of Oz

Garden of Oz

The Garden of Oz was never intended to blossom as it is now.

When Gail Cottman, a Los Angeles, California resident, purchased the plot of land that would go on to become one of the city’s top hidden gems, she originally planned only to grow some roses in it.

But her 1991 plan grew into something far beyond a simple patch of flowers!

Cottman hired a man named Manuel Rodriguez as her contractor to build her rose garden.

When the roses were placed among cement, Rodriguez thought the dullness needed some brightening, so he decorated it with beads and tiles.

Cottman, upon seeing his creativity, was reminded of the Wizard of Oz, which was one of her personal favorite films.

This is where she got the inspiration to transform the garden from just roses to a fun and enchanting Land of Oz.

If you are to visit the Garden of Oz, you’ll find a path of yellow tiles (the Yellow Brick Road, of course) winding through flora of all kinds.

A mailbox allows you to send letters to Oz, a Wall of Toys provides a touch of the fun and childlike, and a crystal ball adds more whimsy and mysticism to this already magical place.

Thrones are also scattered throughout the garden, and each one is dedicated to certain famous real and fictional figures, such as Elvis Presley, Rosa Parks, and Dorothy herself.

When we say the Garden of Oz is a hidden gem, we mean it isn’t really one of the city’s tourist attractions.

It is usually not open to the public – though local kids of the neighborhood have the keys! – so you’d have to visit it from the outside.

Even viewing it from the street, though, is quite a treat already.

Address:  3040 Ledgewood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068, United States

44. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

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Deemed as one of the most beautiful places to visit in the US , the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is located on the Westside of Los Angeles.

It is perhaps most known among more energetic activities, as there are 282 steps of stairs in a steep configuration.

To get to the overlook, you have to climb them.

Though it is a tiring endeavor, getting to the overlook after all those steps rewards you with must-see views of downtown LA’s skyline and the ocean, one on each side respectively.

The view stretches all around and a long bench allows you to sit and relax as you take in the beauty of it all.

Address:  6050 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, United States

45. Bradbury Building

Barbara Barbour / Shutterstock

The Bradbury Building has a rather unusual backstory: it may never have come to be if not for the use of an Ouija board.

Lewis L. Bradbury, a man who had found success and riches in mining in California, only wanted the very best man to bring to life his dreams of an indulgent building of five stories.

That man, he decided, was George Wyman, who absolutely refused to take the project on.

He only agreed after using a planchette board to speak to his brother, who assured him through the board that this project would be extremely successful.

The impressive and rather regal structure is inspired in large part by a sci-fi novel by Edward Bellamy called Looking Backward, which pictures a utopian society.

Interestingly, the building is not particularly memorable from the outside, but as soon as you enter, you’ll see why it’s among the surefire places to visit in Los Angeles.

The interior of the Bradbury Building features a large courtyard that is breathtaking to behold, making use of natural light and multiple intricate details to relay a vision of magnificence.

It has been used in popular culture and films, including in Blade Runner; there’s something about it that works well with the realm of science fiction.

You’ll have to see it for yourself to understand!

Address:  304 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States

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46. Valley Relics Museum

Thomas Hawk / flickr

The Valley Relics Museum was founded by one person alone: native Los Angeles resident Tommy Gelinas.

He curates the items found within this treasure of a location and has turned it into one of the best non-profit places of interest in LA.

The place is completely packed with exhibits and showcases, even hanging from the ceiling.

The mission of the Valley Relics Museum is fairly simple: to tell the stories of those who helped build this city and its state into what it is today, as well as how this region helped with the overall development of the country.

Pop ephemera of all kinds, including signages, vintage bikes, restaurant menus, yearbooks, and more, preserve the tales of those who came before.

Address:  7900 Balboa Blvd. C3 & C4 Entrance on, Stagg St, Van Nuys, CA 91406, United States

47. Santa Monica Farmers Market

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The Santa Monica Farmers Market near LA, California is one of the most reputable shopping locations in the general vicinity.

Open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the farmers market covers multiple blocks and is completely packed with all sorts of fun goodies and fresh produce.

Each booth is run by a local farm that specializes in something different.

With so many parts of the market and places to see, you’re sure to find something that entices you to purchase it.

Emu eggs, black truffles, sea urchin, and bergamot are among the more exotic offerings up for grabs.

Address:  2640 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90404, United States

48. Philosophical Research Society

Philosophical Research Society

Los Angeles has always been a center for the spiritual, the occult, and the mystic.

That might be why the Philosophical Research Society was formed in 1934.

As far as research facilities go, it’s undoubtedly one of the coolest you’ll find, and it’s the best way to get a glimpse into LA’s paranormal roots.

The Philosophical Research Society’s library contains a ton of information regarding rare and unusual philosophies, spiritualities, and religions.

Events and classes give guests a chance to find out more about the esoteric arts, too, so though it is a non-circulating library, you’ll never leave without some food for thought.

Address:  3910 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

49. Greystone Mansion

Yuriy Chertok / Shutterstock

Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills is one of many famous LA, California estates, and it’s one to add to your bucket list of activities if you’re into a mix of history and architecture.

Designed by Hoover Dam architect Gordon Kaufmann, the mansion is rich and luxurious and, at the time it was finished, was the most expensive house to ever be built in Los Angeles and the surrounding state.

The home was purchased by Edward Doheny, the controversial oil tycoon, for his son and his family as a gift in 1928.

Just four months after they moved in, tragedy struck and that same son and his secretary were both found dead from gunshots, supposedly having shot each other for reasons that remain a mystery to this day.

The mansion was then donated by Edward Doheny to the city.

Greystone Mansion then became a National Register of Historic Places entry.

It’s been used in multiple different shows and movies, including MacGuyver, The Big Lebowski, and Gilmore Girls.

Unfortunately, visitors can’t go into the home, but they can freely tour its surroundings.

Address:  905 Loma Vista Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States

50. The Old, Abandoned Zoo of Griffith Park

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If you’re seeking fun things to do in LA that don’t fall within the realm of traditional sightseeing, you’d be surprised to know that one such spot can be found right in Los Angeles’ famous Griffith Park.

Little remains of 1912’s first Los Angeles Zoo.

It opened with only 15 animals, with more enclosures built a couple of decades later.

The zoo wound up closing in 1966 with the opening of the new city zoo, and all of its remnants still live on in a silent part of Griffith Park.

The former enclosures are now fitted with facilities like grills and benches.

You can sit here for a picnic or walk up the trail to see where the lions’ den once was.

It’s hard to find this place with how large Griffith Park is, but if you stumble upon it, you’ll be glad that you did.

Address:  4801 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

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51. Japanese American National Museum

The Japanese American National Museum isn’t just the largest museum of its kind in California but in all of America.

It showcases the history of Japanese-American life and culture, with textiles, artifacts, photos, art, and even footage that retain the wealth of the past.

The museum’s permanent exhibition proves why it’s one of many fantastic LA attractions.

Common Ground: The Heart of Community discusses the experience of Japanese-Americans, dating back to the very first Japanese immigrants in the 1800s.

Documents, oral history, and objects help preserve the life behind these stories.

Meanwhile, temporary exhibits are often fun and exciting, and if you’re lucky enough to catch one this weekend, you may be treated to toy showcases or similar exhibitions.

Address:  100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

52. Galco’s Soda Pop Stop

A trip to Galco’s Soda Pop Stop can easily be considered one of the most unique things to do in LA.

With big soda brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Fanta taking control of most of the industry, it’s hard to find anything without their names.

Back in the old days, small independent soda makers were commonplace, and that’s a past that Galco’s Soda Pop Stop very much preserves within its walls.

The store is chock full of soda brands from all across the country and even from other countries.

Much of its stock is obscure, with forgotten brands and rare imported products with little-known flavors.

If you won’t be in Los Angeles, you can still sample some goodies from the store thanks to an online shop!

Address:  5702 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042, United States

53. Necromance

Necromance is one of LA’s most unorthodox points of interest for those with a fascination with the morbid and odd.

The oddities in here are mostly one-of-a-kind, and many times, the items you see there will be gone the next time you return.

At its core, Necromance is a shop that sells oddities of zoological, medical, and even creepy varieties.

Bone saws, stuffed animals, preserved skeletons or insects, glass eyes, and more are among the unique antiques you can see here.

There are also strange postcards you can’t find anywhere else in Los Angeles which make for great gifts.

Address:  7220 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States

54. Holyland Exhibition

Holyland Exhibition

The Holyland Exhibition is one of the best smaller things to see in Los Angeles, California – and it truly is small!

The man behind this fun little museum’s creation is Antonia F. Futterer, who is widely regarded as the inspiration for Indiana Jones.

Futterer became ill in the 1900s and had prayers for recovery answered, which led to his strong belief in Christianity.

In 1926, Futterer’s faith led him to make multiple trips to the Holy Land, and this eventually evolved into his goal of finding the Ark of the Covenant.

While he never succeeded in that venture, he did wind up accumulating a rather impressive collection of Christian artifacts from across the world.

Lack of storage led to Futterer’s decision to found the small museum.

Though the Holyland Exhibition has only five rooms, each room is worth it.

You’ll be able to see artifacts dating back as far as 5,000 years, ranging from jewelry to tapestries and from a sarcophagus to mundane oil lamps and bottles.

If you visit the museum, you’ll be treated to complementary Mandel bread, a grape drink, and Damascan apricot fruit leather.

You might even feel like you’re no longer in Los Angeles at all!

Address:  2213 Lake View Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039, United States

55. Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

Roka / Shutterstock

With the rich neighborhood of the Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, the ten-acre Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine hosts its campus.

The shrine is designated as a natural destination for spiritual enlightenment.

Many celebrities have come here, too, to seek their own break from LA and the world around it.

Paramahansa Yogananda, a famous yogi, founded the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in 1950.

A mix of green gardens and a serene lake give people a chance to take a break from the sometimes-fun, sometimes-stressful bustle of the city right outside.

Some structures also live on shrine grounds, including an inclusive monument of multiple religions, a tomb of Mahatma Gandhi that is home to some of his ashes, and a windmill that has been turned into a chapel.

Address:  17190 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, United States

Exploring other areas of California? Why not check out some of the fun things to do in Solvang  & the best things to do in Fresno ?

56. Rosenheim Mansion

Rosenheim Mansion

The Rosenheim Mansion was built by Alfred Rosenheim shortly after his move from St. Louis to LA, California.

It sits atop a hill in Los Angeles’ Country Club Park on a street most refer to as Billionaire Row.

The mansion is one of many places used abundantly in Hollywood productions.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Law & Order: SVU, American Horror Story, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Bones have all shot here.

If you tour the building, you’ll get the fun experience of recognizing its key features from the shows you’ve watched: Italian brickwork, exotic wood, a gold-leaf ceiling, Tiffany stained glass, a solarium, and a semi-circular library, among others.

Address: 1120 Westchester Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90019, United States

57. Battleship Iowa Museum

Philip Pilosian / Shutterstock

The Battleship Iowa Museum is located close to LA’s port and is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles, California for families.

As its name suggests, it is a huge battleship that gives you a glimpse into what life is like at sea.

Each admission ticket comes with a self-guided tour and a free, fun scavenger hunt for kids.

An additional fee lets you in on a guided tour that showcases the ship’s engine room, Combat Engagement Center, and boiler room.

Don’t forget to check out the 16-inch guns on the ship; they’re quite impressive and will remind you of the perils that Los Angeles was once prepared to face.

Address:  250 S Harbor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90731, United States

58. The Magic Castle

Ryan J. Thompson / Shutterstock

The Magic Castle is one of the more interesting and surreal of LA attractions, an intersection between magic as an artform of sleight of hand and magic as a paranormal source of supernatural ability.

The combination and middle ground of these two activities make the Magic Castle what it is.

It’s worth noting that The Magic Castle is exclusively open only to magician members and associate members of the Academy of Magical Arts, and their guests, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth seeing, even if just from the outside.

The huge castle is impossible to miss when you drive by, even among all the other great Los Angeles, California structures.

If you do get to enter as a visitor, you’ll be able to enjoy good meals and drinks – that is, if you can get past the foyer and through the hidden entry!

If you do make it inside, there are plenty of performances with high production value and impressive magician talent that are a real treat to be an audience to.

Address: 7001 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States

59. The Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art , or MOCA for short, is a museum featuring the most impressive collection of art of its kind in Los Angeles, California.

Its permanent collection houses 6,000 pieces and its temporary, rotating exhibits are packed with fun and exciting works from all sorts of artists of varying levels of experience and renown.

MOCA has a bit of an intellectual air to it but still provides accessible entertainment to many.

It technically consists of three separate buildings stretched across the city of LA, which gives you plenty to do in terms of where to go.

The guided tours are great for some extra knowledge, the gift shop provides awesome souvenirs and presents, and even the café can be worth stopping by if you like lemonade.

Address: 250 South Grand Avenue; Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

Looking for more thrill and excitement? Check out some of the best places to visit for a memorable holiday!

60. The Museum of Jurassic Technology

Sascha Pohflepp / flickr

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is one of those tourist attractions that you can’t even get near to explaining well until you actually see it for yourself.

The museum doesn’t consider itself so much as an educational resource as a “spot dedicated to the muses”, according to its brochure.

Essentially, The Museum of Jurassic Technology prides itself on sticking to the original meaning of the word “museum” – a place that lets the mind wander and ponder as it muses.

Its collection of exhibits is the most eclectic you’ll find in Los Angeles, California.

Some of the most interesting showcases in the museum are the Garden of Eden on Wheels, which is a micro-sculpture diorama exhibiting trailer park culture that is viewed through the eye of a needle, and the works of Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher.

Don’t expect to get much sense out of this LA museum – it’s all confusing, and that’s what makes it so good!

Address:  9341 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, United States

61. Mosaic Tile House

Mosaic Tile House

We all know how loved Venice Beach is in LA, California, but in that very spot is a rather interesting home known as the Mosaic Tile House .

It’s a must-see for anyone who wants to get a true taste of Venice and be transported away from the city, just for a little while.

The building is a hidden gem and is technically still in progress.

Throughout the house, mosaic tiles in vivid colors provide a kaleidoscope of stunning colors that are a real treat to see.

The home is designed by locals Gonzalo Duran and Cheri Pann, who originally just began their design efforts with the goal of installing unique bathroom tiles over a weekend.

That soon grew into a twenty-year continual effort to add more tiles and beautiful paintings to the home.

Pann, an oil painter, is responsible for creating the original art for the tiles, while Duran breaks them and fixes them across the home.

They’re still working on filling the whole house.

It’s only open to the public for 3 hours on Saturdays, and reservations are typically recommended.

Address:  1116 Palms Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, United States

62. Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn

Logan Bush / Shutterstock

Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn was built behind the great man’s home in 1950 to be a place for Disney to simply relax and think creative thoughts.

It was a station house at first, designed to hold a mini railroad despite looking just like a barn from outside.

Disney spent hours in here with his fellow creatives, dreaming up all sorts of ideas.

Eventually, Disney left the LA home and moved on.

His daughter eventually saved the barn and had it and the miniature railroad within given to the Los Angeles Live Streamers, who have a Griffith Park rail museum and set up the track and rail there.

Meanwhile, Carolwood Barn remains in this corner of California and is one of the most fun and almost whimsical places to visit in Los Angeles.

It is a small museum now and guests can see it just as Disney left it!

Address:  5202 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

63. Chicken Boy

Joe / flickr

It’s hard to believe that such an oddball statue is considered the Statue of Liberty of Los Angeles, but Chicken Boy has become one of the best draws for tourists who like a little strangeness in their adventures.

Chicken Boy is a figure made of fiberglass that stands 22 feet tall in a location along Route 66 – also one of the city’s famous places – on the Future Studio Gallery.

Chicken Boy was originally designed as a part of the Muffler Men lineup of mascots but then became a fried chicken restaurant mascot.

If you don’t know, the Muffler Men were customized statues that once filled Mother Road.

After the Chicken Boy restaurant shut its doors in 1984, Amy Inouye, a local artist, saved the statue from being tossed out and fought to gain custody of it.

She tried to find it a new home, but the task proved difficult, and Chicken Boy stayed in storage for a whopping twenty years or so.

Finally, in 2007, it was finally set up on Future Studio Gallery’s rooftop, and Chicken Boy has become so popular that he even has a birthday (September 1) and is considered an essential part of the city.

Address:  5558 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042, United States

64. Museum of Tolerance

Smart Destinations / flickr

The Museum of Tolerance isn’t exactly a fun place, but for those seeking to educate themselves on prejudice and injustice – especially surrounding the Holocaust – this is one of the places to see in the city of Los Angeles, California that shouldn’t be missed.

The museum first opened in 1993 through the efforts of human rights group Simon Wiesenthal Center.

It not only seeks to provide awareness regarding the Holocaust but also human rights concerns in Cambodia and Latin America.

If you’re not in or even near LA, though, it has an associated museum all the way in New York , too.

Address:  9786 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035, United States

65. Box Canyon

janiegreen23 / Pixabay

Box Canyon is very narrow and very small, with only two ways in.

On its own, it’s never been more than a fun little Los Angeles getaway for a tiny and still relaxing adventure.

But with a little historical context, it becomes one of the best and most fascinating sites to visit in the city.

Why? Well, it is here that a doomsday cult was formed.

The Fountain of the World was a cult set up in 1948 by Francis Pencovic.

The man believed he was from an alien planet called Neophrates and claimed to be Christ’s second coming.

He purchased land in Box Canyon to build a monastery across 25 acres of land, with multiple dorms for approximately one hundred followers.

The cult started to gain positive fame when they fought wildfires in the place, though the internal preachings were anything but of peace.

Pencovic was killed in 1958 when two men, seeking revenge on him after their wives joined him, blew up the monastery with 20 dynamite sticks.

The cult attempted to carry on without its leader but eventually, it died away in the 1980s, leaving a strange legacy that draws visitors to Box Canyon, Los Angeles year after year.

Address: Los Angeles, CA 91311, United States

Looking for your next adventure? Why not check out some of the things to do in Carlsbad, CA ?

66. Bob Baker Marionette Theater

Bob Baker Marionette Theater

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is one of California’s longest-running theaters for puppetry.

The theater is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural landmark that makes for a fantastic visit to check off your bucket list.

The theater is named after one of its founders and an iconic part of puppeteer history: Bob Baker, who performed and helped other puppet performers for more than seven decades.

He was a key figurehead in the push for unions for puppet performers and the marionette theater was used for training for up-and-coming performers.

Baker had quite a prolific list of credits, as well, with his work being featured in Star Trek, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Bewitched, and even A Star Is Born.

If you plan to catch a show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater this weekend, you’ll be able to sit in a shoebox theater that seats 200 people and spend slightly over an hour watching performances from puppeteer students.

After each show, kids are given free vanilla ice cream!

Address:  4949 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042, United States

67. Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum

Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary to do in Los Angeles, look no further than the odd and extremely biased Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum .

The museum is run by the Church of Scientology-funded Citizens Commission on Human Rights, which is the reason behind the museum’s absolutely dismal perspective of the field of psychiatry.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the Church of Scientology’s view on psychiatry, they essentially believe that psychiatry is a form of abuse to human beings.

In fact, members of the church are often forced to sign contracts that they will deny all psychiatric care no matter what.

So, if Scientology is so opposed to psychiatry, why did they make a museum on the subject?

Well, they did so to expose the “evils” of psychiatry and the more questionable portions of its history.

The museum gives visitors vivid tours of the worst that the mental health world ever had to offer, such as insane asylums, lobotomies, excessive drug usage, straight jackets, and shock therapy.

As long as you’re willing to take what you see here with a grain of salt and remember the bias of the curators, it can be pretty fun to view the museum, especially for those with a love of the morbid.

It’s one of the best things to do in LA if you love the strange and eerie!

Address:  6616 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States

68. Pacific Park

littlenySTOCK / Shutterstock

Pacific Park is a pier amusement park, making it the only one of its kind not just in Los Angeles, California, but throughout all of America.

Completely free to the public, it’s a great, low-cost way to have fun among exciting LA attractions.

The theme park first opened in the 1910s and, after closing a few times, was fully brought to glory in the 1990s.

It is relatively small, boasting only 12 rides, but that doesn’t stop its fame due to its free entry and the fact that it has appeared in TV shows, movies, and even video games.

To ride the rides at Pacific Park, you pay to enter individual attractions.

Don’t miss out on the Pacific Wheel, which is the only Ferris wheel on the planet to be powered by solar energy.

Address:  380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States

69. Hauser & Wirth

Lee A Wong / Shutterstock

In a building that was once an industrial mill for flour, Hauser & Wirth now lives in the Arts District of LA as an oasis of modern art, books, and gardens.

A great restaurant onsite, a gallery, and a bookstore all make up the best of the stuff to do at this location.

Hauser & Wirth first opened its doors in 1992 and has grown in popularity throughout Los Angeles ever since, allowing it to host workshops, performances, discussions and lectures, and screenings.

All sorts of exhibitions showcase famous works by interesting modern artists.

This is not Hauser & Wirth’s only location, either, as over 75 different estates across the globe share its name and its mission.

Address:  901-909 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States

Going on a road trip around California? Fret not! Here’s what to do in Santa Cruz & what to do in Santa Monica for a memorable trip!

70. Heritage Square Museum

Ron Reiring / flickr

Heritage Square Museum is an open-air museum situated among multiple Victorian-style structures that are some of LA’s hidden gems of tourist attractions.

Long before it was the bustling city it is known as now, Los Angeles had a much more elegant history.

The buildings of the museum consist of ones built between the 1850s and 1950s, showcasing a classy and sophisticated sense of style and architecture.

In the 1960s, the population boom of the city resulted in most historical buildings being demolished to make way for rapid urbanization.

Some still survive, mostly thanks to a nonprofit organization called the Cultural Heritage Foundation of Southern California.

They created the Heritage Square Museum to house the many architectural and historical parts of the city that would have otherwise been destroyed.

In terms of activities, one building you must check out in the museum is called the Hale House.

Its colors are shocking and almost an eyesore with orange and green paint, but that’s what makes it a great sight.

You can also check out a train depot, a house shaped like an octagon, and a carriage house.

In addition, you can opt to go on a tour, following guides dressed in period-appropriate clothing.

Address:  3800 Homer St, Los Angeles, CA 90031, United States

71. Descanso Gardens

If you’re a nature-lover looking for what to visit in Los Angeles, Descanso Gardens might be one of your best bets for something both laid back and interesting.

Once upon a time, Descanso Gardens was the estate of LA Daily News publisher E. Manchester Boddy – a man with a classic rags-to-riches story.

In his older years, he focused more on his horticultural passions, leading to the careful tending of the 150-acre gardens.

When he became too old to manage the gardens, he sold it as a botanical teaching garden.

Now, the Descanso Gardens is simply teeming with glorious flora.

Bucolic sculptures, designed to look like all manner of woodland creatures, dot the space across beautiful and lush greenery.

A small maze, only three feet high in its hedges, makes for a lot of fun for young kids while allowing adults to easily navigate their way through it.

The maze leads to lots of little surprises and the final reward in the middle of a seating location perfect for relaxing.

Address:  1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, United States

72. Angels Flight

The Angels Flight railway began operations in 1901 to bring travelers to their destination down or up Bunker Hill.

The distance only spanned 315 feet, but the incline was very steep, resulting in millions of people making use of its services and riding the 30-second ride up and down the hill.

It is widely considered the world’s shortest railway as well as, ironically, it’s most traveled.

In 1969, heavy commercialization in Los Angeles, California resulted in the railway being closed down and the trolley carts kept away.

Then, nearly three decades later in 1996, it was finally reopened at a different location, just south by half a block.

Things went well until 2001 when the train experienced a sudden malfunction that resulted in an accident that seriously injured passengers and was fatal to one.

This caused the railway to be closed by the National Transportation Safety Board, citing a design failure.

Eventually, Angels Flight reopened again in 2010, but not before derailment caused it to close in 2013 once more.

Vandals decorated it as time went on before the rail cars were finally restored one last time, opening in 2017.

If you’re looking for what to do in LA that’s fun and full of intriguing history, take a ride on Angels Flight!

Address:  350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071, United States

Planning to visit other areas of California? Be sure to check out some of the top Big Bear attractions  & some of the fun things to do in Pismo Beach !

Start Planning Your Trip To Los Angeles

Los Angeles is packed with popular places, and there’s always going to be a lot to do and many fun activities to try out.

Whether you’re heading to the city today, tomorrow, this weekend, this week, or somewhere farther into the future, you can be sure that LA is full of surprises.

Hopefully, this travel guide has shown you all the best spots for sightseeing and beyond that the City of Angels has to offer so you won’t miss out on the best things to do in LA, California.

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• Los Angeles

10 Best Bus Tours in Los Angeles for a Glimpse into Hollywood and Beyond

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Enjoy magnificent city sites from the Walk of Fame to the Sunset Boulevard, and the luxurious Beverly Hills, in the comfort of a bus for an elevated experience in Los Angeles .

Look through the best bus tours in Los Angeles  to add to your list of things to do in Los Angeles , and enjoy the detailed commentary of your guides!

And discover our top 3 picks, including the best open bus tour for panoramic views, a fantastic hop-on-hop-off option for flexibility, and a luxurious trolley tour.

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

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1 – Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Bus tours

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 1236 reviews )

“Had a good time on the bus tour. Great way to see several areas of the Los Angeles area! Our guide was awesome! He was very funny and informative! Would definitely recommend this bus tour!” Audra. Viator

Drive through the same streets that your favorite celebrities frequent on a show-stopping Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour!

Enjoy the wide views from the open-top bus, and be ready to capture the city, as you pass through iconic sites like the Chinese Theater, the Sunset Strip, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and even a few famous filming locations.

You might even get lucky, and spot a celebrity, or drive past an active filming location!

This tour offered by Open Bus Tours , is one of many fan-focused tours that welcome you to La La Land whether it’s with Hollywood or its celebrity homes tours !

Whether you have all the time or limited time in Los Angeles, this Hollywood tour is a must to add to your list of things to do in Los Angeles! Laugh and engage with your tour guide, enjoy the over-the-top sites, and learn lots on this informative yet fun tour!

Read more: Hollywood & celebrity homes tours – all you need to know

2 – Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus by Starline Tours of Hollywood

Rating: ⭐️ 3.9/5 ( 1122 reviews )

“An attraction worth recommending. In no other and relatively economical way could we see as much as during a two-day bus trip. Plus an audio guide, thanks to which you could learn many interesting facts.” Anna. Getyourguide

Enjoy not 1 or 2 but up to 3 days’ worth of exploring LA on the Los Angeles Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, with over 40 stops and 3 routes to choose from!

Go beyond Hollywood, and explore sites like Santa Monica, Downtown Los Angeles, Venice Beach, and Beverly Hills, while improving your knowledge of the city with your audio guide.

Starline Tours of Hollywood has loads of detailed tours around LA, simply choose a 1,2, or 3-day sightseeing tour, and get ready to liberally hop off wherever you’d like to explore more! When you’re done exploring, simply back hop on!

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Make the most of your day exploring LA and its nearby cities and districts with this special hop-on hop-off tour!

We recommend this tour for its flexibility, expansive and detailed routes, and peace-of-mind transportation to the main sights of LA, without worrying about how to get back to a central location.

3 – Luxury Hollywood Trolley Bus Tour by The Parlor Car Tours

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 6 reviews )

“We had a great tour and learned a lot about the entire area and how Hollywood/Los Angeles developed over the years. Highly recommend!” Robin, TripAdvisor

Ride around LA in a piece of stylish history on this magical Luxury Hollywood Sightseeing Trolley Bus Tour !

The famous The Parlor Car Tours offer a luxurious and historical experience seeing LA’s most notable sights, from the comforts of a restored trolley, with surround sound, AC, and wifi on board.

Relax and get to know the city’s fun facts, historic relics, interesting stories, architecture, and other celebrity-infused details that make up Tinseltown, in a fun and entertaining way.

Perfect for families and friends, get ready for a truly unique tour around LA, with a medium-sized group of travel and culture enthusiasts!

If you’re a bit of a history lover with an interest in discovering Los Angeles’ best-kept secrets, this tour is the one for you!

Your tour guide (and the itinerary and sites themselves) have raving reviews from previous guests while offering luxury which separates it from other tours in the city.

4 – City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour by Starline Tours of Hollywood

Rating: ⭐️ 3/5 ( 949 reviews )

“Our bus tour on the redline was amazing. She was very informative and was able to help us out with city directions as well.” Justin. Viator

Do you only have 24 hours to explore LA? The Los Angeles City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour is just the experience to add to any tight itinerary!

Enjoy 1 or 3 tour options, based on different passes, and tour durations, and take a seat on the top of the double-decker bus to get the best views of the city.

Enjoy onboard commentary, and wherever you see a spot that interests you, simply hop off, explore, and hop back to continue on your way.

An award-winning tour by Starline Tours of Hollywood , this tour will check off all those bucket list LA items you’re dying to see!

We can’t recommend this tour more, with its 3 different routes that offer adventuring throughout Los Angeles, with reliable transportation, great commentary, and self-paced.

This tour is the best of both worlds, if you want to explore the city on your own, but don’t want to figure out city buses!

5 – Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Sightseeing Tour by Big Bus Tours Los Angeles

Rating: ⭐️ 3.7/5 ( 609 reviews )

“The activity was great to see all the highlights of Los Angeles easily, i enjoyed riding around.” Aria. Getyourguide

Another great hop-on, hop-off bus tour option, this time provided by Big Bus Tours Los Angeles , this tour not only takes you to the most important sites in LA but also offers other bonuses worth considering.

Skip the line, buy your tickets ahead, and take to the LA streets exploring West Hollywood, Museum Row, Miracle Mile, Venice Beach, and other sites not always shown on other tours.

Feel the warm California sun as you sit back and relax on the top seats of the mega double-decker bus, and enjoy the scenery of the rich and famous, and the commentary of the entertainment capital of the world.

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A hop-on hop-off bus tour that offers a little extra, we recommend this tour for its value, offers, and flexibility.

Not only do you get to explore the city with reliable transportation, but if you cannot make it to the tour on your designated day, your tickets have a 6-month validity.

6 – 2-Hour Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour by Hollywood Tour Pass

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 244 reviews )

“It was a great tour. The driver was very knowledgeable and very informative about the whole area and historically informative. Plus entertaining.” Dee. Viator

For a small-group experience with big fun, check out the 2-hour Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour, and explore the city with a professional driver and guide!

Once you hop aboard the open-top bus, you’ll get to sit back and enjoy the impressive LA sites you’ve seen so much on TV and in movies. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the famous Capitol Records Building, Rodeo Drive, and more.

A tour by Hollywood Tour Pass , with many other great tours to check out, take a glimpse into the glitzy neighborhoods of the rich and famous on the best Beverly Hills tours !

Enjoy the company of a local who is passionate about showing you their city on this epic tour, exploring the major sites of Hollywood!

We recommend this tour for people who wish to give their feet a break from walking and families who would love a family-friendly tour, with an entertaining guide!

Read more: Best Hollywood tours

7 – Celebrity Homes and Hollywood Open-Air Bus Tour by Hollywood Bus Tours

Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 ( 109 reviews )

“The guide is very friendly!! I really liked West Hollywood and the stories told by the guide.” Thatiane. Getyourguide

See it all on the Los Angeles: Celebrity Homes and Hollywood Open-Air Bus Tour , from the beautiful Hollywood Hills to the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and more!

Get the deets and behind-the-scenes secrets behind some of Los Angeles’ most well-known spots, and see how the movie magic works in one of the busiest and most eventful cities in the world.

Hollywood Bus Tours offers this tour, plus other themed tours, from celebrity homes to food tours, and even a chance to create your very own tour!

Get seats to the best Hollywood tours , and explore the city in a fun and knowledgeable way.

If you want to kill two birds with one stone, and you want to see multiple LA experiences into one, this tour is for you!

Hop on, and let your entertaining and hospitable tour guide share fun facts and bust common LA myths while taking stops around the sights to explore more.

8 – Celebrity Homes & Lifestyle Tour by Big Bus Tours Los Angeles

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 42 reviews )

“Loved seeing the parts of LA that I wouldn’t have seen on my own” Elzbieta. Getyourguide

Revel in the fancy lifestyles of Hollywood celebrities on a journey through LA on the Big Bus Celebrity Homes & Lifestyle Tour!

Step aboard a lavish Mercedes tour bus with a wide open glass ceiling, and don’t miss a moment exploring everything from the large mansions dotting Beverly Hills, to spotting the amazing sites on Hollywood Boulevard, including the Hollywood Hills.

Enjoy a glimpse into the city’s local culture, as you drive along the Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive, with your guide’s interesting stories and facts.

Check out Big Bus Tours Los Angeles to explore more of Los Angeles with the best tour experts in town!

For a comfortable journey along the best sites in LA, this audioguide tour inside a luxurious glass-ceiling bus is the one for you!

We recommend this tour for its professionalism, incredible sites on the itinerary, and detailed stories with behind-the-scenes details on the most famous movie scenes filmed all over LA.

9 – LA Hop-on Hop-off and TMZ Celebrity Tour by Big Bus Tours

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 26 reviews )

“Was a really good tour, Rodney was a amazing guide around all the tour and how he stop in the front of the houses so the group can take pictures all over the place.” Edward. TripAdvisor

Another great tour bus provided by Big Bus Tours Los Angeles is the Hop-on Hop-off and TMZ Celebrity Tour!

See in detail the different sides of Los Angeles on the 2 tour options available – the Beach Shuttle and The Hollywood Loop, with plenty of stories, history, and views to admire, plus the celebrity tour by TMZ.

Enjoy plenty of space to view the lavish celebrity homes or the stunning beach and gardens, while listening to the entertaining commentary. The Hop-on Hop-off bus tour has recorded audio, while the TMZ tour has a live guide with insider scoop from the Hollywood gossip heavyweights, TMZ.

For an easy way to get around LA, and the best sights, including a possible celebrity sighting, this Hop-on Hop-off tour is hard to beat!

You can explore LA while laughing at the jokes and playing fun celebrity-themed games on board with your tour guide, as they relate to the sights seen on board.

10 – 2-Hour Open Air Bus Tour to Celebrity Homes by Hollywood Tourz

Rating: ⭐️ 3.5/5 ( 15 reviews )

“The tour was pretty good The guide was great, Love this job and we can see it.” Caroline. Viator

Discover a little more beyond the surface on the epic Hollywood Open Air Bus Tour to Celebrity Homes, dishing up all the stories and little-known facts from LA’s most famous celebrities, to the fascinating culture and architecture of the city.

Provided by Hollywood Tourz, experts in quality and entertaining tours, this tour is prepared to give you exciting sites like the Hollywood Sign and Walk of Fame details, while exploring the city’s history, music, politics, and more.

Check out where your favorite movies were filmed while you’re out there, and get ready to learn why LA is such an entertainment center.

If you’re looking for a small group tour with a passionate guide who loves what they do while showing you beyond the popular LA sights, then this tour is for you!

Along with 10+ sights on the itinerary, including Jimmy Kimmel LIVE and Sunset Plaza, this tour stands out a bit differently from the rest.

How to book bus tours in Los Angeles?

Ready to explore all the best things to do in Los Angeles?

While there are tons of tours out there, especially the best bus tours in Los Angeles, you’ll often see that many of them are found on many different travel websites at different prices. It’s important to keep in mind that some sites offer discounts which influence the price differences.

In order to stay ahead of the curve, we suggest you search through Tourscanner’s search engine to compare all offers, based on prices and real guest reviews.

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The 50 best things to do in Los Angeles

Your essential guide to the best things to do in Los Angeles, from stair hikes to scenic drives and more

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles? We have you covered with the very best that L.A. has to offer. Whether you’re a culture vulture, outdoorsy type or simply a lover of our fine city, there’s more than enough here to keep you busy. Even lifelong Angelenos will find something new to add to their to-do list, between the city’s landmark attractions  that are still accessible, an ever-changing inventory of the  best restaurants in Los Angeles , essential L.A. museums and even some off-the-beaten path secrets. How many of the best things to do in Los Angeles will you try?

May 2024: This month , we’ve added a citywide comedy fest from Netflix and a Maurice Sendak exhibition at the Skirball, plus a couple of harbingers of summer: Cinespia’s cemetery screenings and the L.A. County Fair. We’ve also refreshed a bunch of our museum and attraction picks with their latest seasonal offerings, including a Pixar fest at Disneyland and a studio tour celebration at Universal. Speaking of the change of seasons, we’ve said so long to our mentions of ski resorts  and wildflowers (which turned out to be relatively lackluster).

You can also find out more about  how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world , or take a look at our list of the best things to do in the world right now . 

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Best things to do in L.A.

Stroll through the stunning gardens at the Huntington Library

• Things to do
• Event spaces
• price 2 of 4

What is it? A historic library, museum and sprawling gardens that was the bequest of entrepreneur Henry E. Huntington.

Why go? The Huntington’s distinctly themed gardens are easily the most stunning manicured outdoor spaces in SoCal, especially its recently expanded Chinese garden. The library and museum are equally impressive; all require reservations on weekends.

Don’t miss:  An excellent exhibition on under-recognized sculptor Sargent Claude Johnson . In the past year, the Huntington has also renovated its historic tea room  and  rebuilt a 320-year-old house from Japan .

See L.A. from above at Griffith Park

• Griffith Park

What is it?  A 4,000-plus–acre rugged park in the center of the city.

Why go?  The trails, the flora, the views, the howls of coyotes down the canyons at night, the twinkly lights of Downtown in the distance—L.A. may not have a grassy, centralized park, but Griffith’s massive, hilly wilderness makes for a stellar alternative.

Don’t miss:  Even when the Griffith Observatory  is closed (on Mondays), you can still drive or hike up to the grounds of the landmark Art Deco dome to take in the unparalleled views .  Wherever you end up hiking, we highly suggest listening downloading Ellen Reid’s  Soundwalk , a location-based musical composition that transforms as you move about the park.

Practice your acceptance speech at the Academy Museum

• Movies and TV
• Miracle Mile

What is it? A permanent home for the history of moviemaking  that’s finally open .

Why go?  The collection includes the sorts of cinematic treasures you’d expect from the people who put on the Oscars, like C-3PO and the sole surviving shark from Jaws . The museum’s gallery rotations currently celebrate The Godfather , Casablanca and Boyz N the Hood , plus French New Wave pioneer Agnès Varda and documentarian Lourdes Portillo. Oh, and the gift shop  is pretty fantastic, too.

Don’t miss: This month, the museum unveils a new exhibition on the Jewish founders of the Hollywood studio system. Plus, through early August, you can see  a John Waters retrospective  that outlines the iconic director’s gleefully filthy films.

Have tacos and egg sandwiches from Grand Central Market

• Restaurants
• Downtown Historic Core

What is it? A European-style food hall that’s been operating in Downtown L.A. since 1917.

Why go? Even if you’re not there for the food, it’s worth a trip; people from all corners of L.A. mix and mingle among rows of spices, produce and vintage neon signage. Of course, if you’re hungry it’s a great place to get cheap pupusas, carnitas tacos and aguas frescas, as well as food from handsome, trendy eateries like Shiku , Fat + Flour ,  Sticky Rice , Broad Street Oyster Co. ,  Eggslut , McConnell’s and G&B Coffee .

Don’t miss: Tacos Tumbras a Tomas serves the hall’s go-to taco, particularly the carnitas and al pastor.

Take a food tour of Downtown L.A.

Pose in front of streetlights at LACMA

• Art and design
• price 1 of 4

What is it?  Chris Burden’s Urban Light , a piece made up of 202 cast-iron street lamps gathered from around L.A. and restored to working order, that stands outside of the massive museum.

Why go? Yes, snag your streetlight selfies. But you’d be selling yourself short if you don’t venture beyond the photo-friendly installation; LACMA’s collections boast modernist masterpieces, large-scale contemporary works, traditional Japanese screens and by far L.A.’s most consistently terrific special exhibitions. 

Don’t miss:  Both  the Ed Ruscha retrospective  and the opportunity to  watch Judy Baca paint an extension of  The Great Wall of Los Angeles . Also, if you live in L.A. County, book a reservation for a weekday after 3pm to get in without paying a cent. And speaking of free, Jazz at LACMA  is back with free Friday night sets through the summer.

Let the wild rumpus start at the Skirball’s Maurice Sendak exhibition

• Exhibitions
• Westside Until Sep 1, 2024

What is it?  A retrospective of beloved children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Why go?  You’ll encounter more than 150 sketches, storyboards and paintings from the celebrated author, including an entire gallery dedicated to  Where the Wild Things Are as well as his illustrations for the Little Bear series.

Don’t miss:  Admission costs $18, but you can visit for free on Thursdays. Also, head to the adorable living room setup near the exhibit’s entrance for story time held Thursday through Sunday at 3pm.

Bike the Strand

• Sports and fitness

What is it? A 22-mile bike path, officially known as the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, that traces nearly the entire extent of L.A.’s westward-facing coastline.

Why go? It’s the best way to tour the coastline. The path starts at Will Rogers State Beach and winds its way all the way down to Torrance County Beach.

Don’t miss: If you’d rather take the path at a walking pace, you’ll find pedestrian-friendly forks in Santa Monica, Venice and Manhattan Beach.

Take a guided bike ride along the coast.

Pedal around Echo Park Lake

What is it?  A former reservoir turned public recreation area at the center of one of L.A.’s most buzzing neighborhoods.

Why go?  The historic Echo Park Lake in recent years finally became a family-friendly destination worthy of its bold backdrop: the Downtown skyline amid the lotus flower blooms, fountains and the Lady of the Lake statue.

Don’t miss:  You can push your way through the lake in a swan boat ($12 per hour) or stroll around the path that hugs its borders.

Indulge in all things deep-fried at the L.A. County Fair

• Pomona Until May 27, 2024

What is it? An annual celebration of deep-fried food and carnival rides, held from May 3 to 27.

Why go? It’s a century-old tradition, stuffed full of belly bombs, agricultural displays and a car show. You’ll also get a bit of relief from the heat: As of a couple of years ago, the L.A. County Fair  has moved from its typical end-of-summer slot to May, a much more forgiving time of year in Pomona in terms of the weather.

Don’t miss: You can save a few dollars by attending earlier in the month, or pick up $16 tickets at Superior Grocers and O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Gaze into infinity at the Broad

What is it? A free, contemporary art museum in Downtown L.A.

Why go?  Three little words: Infinity Mirror Rooms. The persistently popular museum has  two  mirror-laden Yayoi Kusama installations (the more immersive of which you can now reserve in advance ). Of course, there’s plenty more to see, from Robert Therrien’s oversized Under the Table  to a half-dozen Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings.

Don’t miss:  The museum debuts a new exhibition at the end of the month on  Mickalene Thomas , best known for her rhinestone-studded paintings of Black women, collages of old Jet Magazine spreads and revisions of historic paintings.

Choose between over 500 comedy shows during Netflix is a Joke Fest

• Until May 12, 2024

What is it?  The return of Netflix’s comedy festival, which spans from May 1 to 12.

Why go?  The first iteration of this fest in 2022 was an impressive (if pricey) way to immerse yourself in all things stand-up. This year’s edition boasts hundreds of shows from the likes of Ali Wong, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, Chris Rock, Taylor Tomlinson and more (we’re highlighted 10 of the most unique offerings here ).

Don’t miss:  Set up in a parking lot behind the Palladium, Outside Joke is the event comes to a traditional fest with a mix of stand-up, games, food, drinks and merch. You can access the area on a first-come, first-served basis with a ticket to any other Netflix is a Joke Fest show, or you can guarantee entry with a $25 day pass.

Watch a movie outdoors

What is it?  The proper start of outdoor movie season.

Why go?  Just about all of L.A.’s major screening series are up and running starting in May, including mid-month entries from  Rooftop Movies at the Montalbán  and Street Food Cinema , plus nightly screenings from  Rooftop Cinema Club  in DTLA. Cinespia , too, returns with some off-site screenings, followed by its signature cemetery ones—which we detail later on in this story.

Don’t miss:  New screenings and series are announced all the time, so make sure to check our calendar each week.

Spend the weekend at a music fest

What is it? The continuation of a packed few months of music festivals.

Why go?  With  Coachella  behind us, it’s time to focus instead on the stagger 10 fests bound for the region in May. Highlights include the surf-inflected BeachLife , goth and new wave-focused  Cruel World  and aughts indie-filled Just Like Heaven , plus a free night of music to kick off OUTLOUD at WeHo Pride .

Don’t miss:  There’s at least one major local music fest nearly every month from now until the end of the year, so make sure to scope out our full list .

Step inside of a long lost art carnival at Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy

• Installation
• Boyle Heights Until May 12, 2024

What is it?  A carnival that popped up in Germany in 1987, went into storage for decades and has now been reborn in a soundstage near the L.A. River.

Why go?  Though you can’t climb aboard the rides here, the atmosphere is magical. The same can be said for the astounding lineup of artists whose works you’ll see inside: a Ferris wheel with drawings by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a carousel crafted by Keith Haring, a mirrored dome devised by Salvador Dalí, swings painted by Kenny Scharf and many, many more.

Don’t miss:  You’ll need a timed ticket throughout the show’s run, which wraps up this month on May 12. You can read more here about our experience at Luna Luna —including why we think you don’t necessarily need to spring for VIP access.

Have a street food feast at Smorgasburg L.A.

• Markets and fairs
• Downtown Arts District Until Dec 15, 2024

What is it?  A Sunday market with dozens of food vendors in the Arts District.

Why go?  The weekly food fest is like an incubator for L.A.’s next big food spot, with more than 80 food and retail stalls at ROW DTLA. You’ll also find the I Love Micheladas beer garden for local brews and micheladas.

Don’t miss: This year’s new vendors include Basket Taco Co., Battambong Barbecue and Taste of the Pacific.

Sample wine on a scenic hilltop during Friday Night Wine Tastings

• Los Feliz May 31 Aug 30, 2024

What is it?  Friday evening wine tastings held on the west lawn of the historic Hollyhock House .

Why go?  Back after a nearly five-year absence, this seasonal Barnsdall Art Park fund raiser features selections of pours provided by Silverlake Wine  paired with food trucks and music. You’re welcome to bring along a blanket and picnic basket, too.

Don’t miss:  You’ll need to book early to nab a guided tour of the Hollyhock House (an additional $25), but you can take a self-guided and far cheaper tour outside of the event (you’ll find more info in our standalone entry for the Hollyhock House later on in this list).

Pal around with Pixar friends at Disneyland

• price 3 of 4

What is it?  A celebration of all things Pixar at Disneyland, the nearly 69-year-old iconic  theme park .

Why go? Pixar Fest  (through August 4) has brought animation-inspired decor, food and programming to the pair of parks, including the colorful fireworks show “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” and the family-focused Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Disneyland, and over at Disney California Adventure Park the “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration” parade and the photo-op–filled Club Pixar. You can also meet Bing Bong and watch Joe play piano at the just-debuted Pixar Place Hotel, which has transformed the former Paradise Pier Hotel into a celebration of the art of Pixar animation.

Don’t miss: If you haven’t been to the pair of parks in a while, there’s a lot that’s changed—and we’re not just talking about the additions of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge  and Avengers Campus —so we suggest brushing up on some of our essential Disneyland tips first.

Dance among the dinosaurs during First Fridays at the Natural History Museum

• Classes and workshops
• USC/Exposition Park Until Jun 7, 2024

What is it?  A monthly after-dark party and lecture series at the Natural History Museum.

Why go?  The first Friday of every month from March through June plays host to a KCRW-presented evening of music, plus guided museum tours, and scientist-led talks.

Don’t miss:  Each month has a different theme, including the Plant Clones are Coming (May) and How We Multiply (June).

Partake in Elizabethan era shenanigans at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire

• San Gabriel Valley Until May 19, 2024

What is it?   The renaissance fair, which returns to Irwindale in April and May.

Why go?  Even if you’re not a ren fair person, this Sante Fe Dam Recreation Area tradition is astoundingly fun. You’ll find  fully armored joust tournaments and tea parties with the Queen along with beguiling stage acts and delicious edibles and ales.

Don’t miss:  Many stalls are cash only, so you’ll want to hit up an ATM before you arrive (lest you deal with the on-site fees).

Picnic at the Hollywood Bowl

What is it? A gorgeous and instantly recognizable outdoor amphitheatre that’s been hosting concerts since the LA Philharmonic first played there in 1922.

Why go? Nestled in an aesthetically blessed fold in the Hollywood Hills, the 18,000-seat venue can bring out the romantic in the terminally cynical. It’s the summer home of the LA Phil (and boozy picnics).

Don’t miss: As long as there’s no performance going on (which is most days in the winter and spring), it also doubles as a public park . During the busier summer season, you’re welcome to bring your own food to ticketed shows (and even booze to LA Phil-produced ones).

Ride the tram up to the Getty Center

What is it?  A free hilltop art museum with a rolling lawn overlooking the ocean.

Why go?  From the ocean to the mountains northeast of Downtown L.A., the panoramic views from this artopolis more than compensate for its relative inaccessibility (you need to ride a tram to the museum). So too do the masterpieces on display, particularly its Impressionist paintings and baroque and French decorative arts.

Don’t miss:  Pacific Palisades sister institution the Getty Villa  is absolutely worth a visit, too, and brimming with Greek and Roman antiquities. Both museums require a free reservation.

Step inside Frank Lloyd Wright’s handsome Hollyhock House

• Walks and tours

What is it?  A 1921, Mayan-inflected Frank Lloyd Wright house atop a hill in East Hollywood.

Why go?  Though the home’s privileged hilltop perch is admirable from the outside, it’s best experienced from within: The exquisite wood detailing, long concrete hallways and geometric furniture are well worth the $7 tour.

Don’t miss: Saturday tours tend to sell out, so make sure to book in advance or try a weekday if you can (Thu–Sat 11am–4pm).

Catch a movie in a cemetery at Cinespia

• Chinatown May 10 Jun 29, 2024

What is it?  A screening series held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery.

Why go?  While the booze- and picnic-friendly vibe are enough for some people, the excellent film programming makes this outdoor series rise above the rest each year. Oh, that and the fact that it’s held at the final resting place of Old Hollywood’s screen legends.

Don’t miss: Cinespia starts its season off-site with  Mamma Mia!  (May 10) and  The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (May 17) at L.A. State Historic Park and  Almost Famous (May 25) at the Rose Bowl before kicking off its slate of cemetery screenings with  Se7en (May 26).

Warp into the the Mushroom Kingdom at Universal Studios

• Theme parks
• Universal City

What is it?   Super Nintendo World , a new Mario-themed land at Universal Studios Hollywood. 

Why go?  The colorful, kinetic land lets you throw shells on an augmented reality-enhanced Mario Kart ride, punch ? and POW blocks for coins, and dine inside an adorable Toad-themed café. It’s the most significant—and greatest—addition to the park since the still-pretty-magical  Wizarding World of Harry Potter . (You can enter an hour early if you shell out an extra $20 to $25.)

Don’t miss:  The theme park is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its studio tour with throwback trams and the opportunity to step off the ride and into a few photo ops through mid-August.

Walk along the Venice Canals

What is it? A series of small canals that run through the beachfront neighborhood—hence the name, Venice.

Why go?  Tucked between the grimy Venice Boardwalk and the posh Abbot Kinney, the Venice Canals offer a completely different side of the famed beachfront neighborhood. Take a stroll through these three canal-lined blocks and you’ll discover an idyllic scene with arching pedestrian bridges, charming (and astronomically priced) beach houses and bunches of ducklings.

Don’t miss:  Though you won’t find boat rentals anywhere along the canals, you can bring your own non-motorized vessel to tour the neighborhood at water level (enter via the launch ramp at Venice Boulevard).

Watch a film in Hollywood’s oldest operating movie palace

• Movie theaters
• Independent

What is it?  A 101-year-old theater built by the same architect as the Chinese Theatre and home to the first Hollywood premiere.

Why go: The Egyptian Theatre is back after a three-year restoration project . Now under the ownership of Netflix, the streamer will hold special events and premieres there on weekdays. But the American Cinematheque, the not-for-profit that first revived the venue in the ’90s, will continue to program it on weekends with excellent cinematic picks and Q&As.

Don’t miss:  It’s not the only old theater to make its return recently: The Vista, now under the ownership of Quentin Tarantino , is once again regularly screening films (and serving coffee in an adjacent shop).

Take your pup to the only off-leash beach, Rosie’s Dog Beach

What is it?  A pooch-friendly paradise in Paradise.

Why go?  The four-acre waterfront spot is the only legal off-leash dog beach in L.A. County. The park is named after the area’s late local canine celebrity, Rosie the English bulldog.

Don’t miss:  The entrance. There are no fences marking the dog-friendly area—though you’ll know you’re in the right spot if you see the signs and colorful “Dogs at Play” sculpture—so you’ll want to stay between Granada Avenue and Roycroft Avenue between 6am and 8pm daily.

See L.A. from 6,000 feet up at the Mount Wilson Observatory

• Angeles National Forest

What is it?  A mountaintop observatory, and a winding, scenic drive to get there.

Why go?  High up in the San Gabriel Mountains, the Mount Wilson Observatory affords terrific views of the surrounding region. Admission to the area is free, but you’ll need to buy a Forest Service Adventure Pass in order to park at the site and its adjoining picnic area as it’s located within the Angeles National Forest.

Don’t miss: First off, make sure the road up there is open as it often closes for large stretches of the winter. Take a self-guided tour of the grounds, or a seasonal docent-led tour ($15) of the observatory on weekend afternoons (same-day tickets are available at the Cosmic Cafe). For late-night stargazing , you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for the pricey but totally worth it ticketed events (the monthly lectures are a much cheaper alternative). And consider securing tickets for a concert inside the dome on select Sunday afternoons during the summer.

Stroll through SoCal flora at Descanso Gardens

• Parks and gardens

What is it?  A hillside botanical garden in La Cañada Flintridge that harbors a year-round collection of native flora.

Why go?  This delightful tribute to the horticultural magic of Southern California includes more than 600 varieties of camellia (best seen between the middle of February and early May), as well as groves and hillsides of native plants.

Don’t miss:  There’s always a seasonal bloom to scope out, including—as mentioned—camellias in the winter, and tulips and the Japanese garden’s cherry blossoms in the spring (usually in March or April).

Hike to Eaton Canyon Falls and back in less than an hour

What is it? A 50-foot waterfall located in an easy-to-access canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Why go? Los Angeles is a beautiful place, and it’s not afraid to flaunt it. Case in point: Eaton Canyon. The Pasadena-area park is one of the most accessible and easygoing trails where you’ll truly feel like you’ve slipped into the wilderness. Just note that the creek along the hike can swell after winter rains, while the waterfall itself is reduced to a trickle in the middle of the summer.

Don’t miss:   Most easily accessible on weekdays , the Pinecrest Gate is just barely over a mile from the waterfall and cuts out what’s otherwise the most boring part of the hike.

Have an oceanfront, roadside meal at Neptune’s Net

• Ventura County

What is it? A postcard-worthy seafood shack on the Pacific Coast Highway toward the western edge of Malibu.

Why go?  The fried ocean bites and weekend biker crew make Neptune’s Net a unique destination. (Alternatively, dine up the coast with locals at Malibu Seafood , where the long line is worth the wait for fresh fish and seafood, or grab a superlative lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster Co. ).

Don’t miss: Take your food across the street and park in the dirt patch by the water, with views of surfers and kite boarders.

Explore the twisted exterior of the Walt Disney Concert Hall

• Music venues

What is it? A concert hall and home of the LA Philharmonic designed by famed local architect Frank Gehry.

Why go? Cruise along Grand Avenue and you can’t miss the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a twisted metallic explosion of Frank Gehry’s imagination. You can look inside the stunning auditorium on a self-guided tour, but the exterior is also just as exquisite.

Don’t miss:  Climb up the staircase on Grand Avenue, near 2nd Street, and you’ll find  a garden hidden behind the hall . Bring a bagged lunch or a climb along the building’s lustrous exterior. Also, in honor of the hall’s 20th anniversary, you can scope out a half-dozen architectural models (look for them inside in BP Hall).

Take a scenic drive around the Palos Verdes Peninsula

What is it? Ten miles of streets, mostly along Palos Verdes Drive, hugging the coast from the Torrance border to San Pedro.

Why go? The first third of the drive sticks mostly to spectacular real estate a few blocks inland, but after you round Point Vicente, the drive changes dramatically. For a few miles past Terranea, there’s nothing but undeveloped oceanfront hillsides, winding roads and golden-hued bluffs.

Don’t miss:  Take a stroll by the Point Vicente Interpretive Center  for views of the nearby lighthouse.

Hike the Silver Lake Stairs

• Silver Lake

What is it?  Dozens of public, outdoor stairways scattered around Silver Lake’s verdant hillsides.

Why go?  These WPA era staircases are well-suited for a workout or a fitness-included tour of the area. Though some homeowners have tried to prevent open access, make no mistake: These sets of stairs are for public use. You can find an exhaustive list in author Charles Fleming’s Secret Stairs .

Don’t miss: Highlights include the heart-painted Micheltorena Stairs (Sunset Blvd and Micheltorena St) and the Music Box Steps (Vendome St and Del Monte Dr), of Laurel and Hardy fame.

Fly a kite by the Korean Bell of Friendship

What is it?  A mighty metallic bell and pavilion in San Pedro donated by South Korea in 1976.

Why go?  Perched over the Pacific, this grassy spot overlooking the ocean is known for its namesake bell, with an ornately painted hipped roof. The exposed hillside is an ideal spot to fly a kite thanks to persistent winds coming off the ocean.

Don’t miss:  The bell rings only four times each year: Fourth of July, National Liberation Day of Korea (Aug 15), New Year’s Eve and during Constitution Week in September.

Get some fresh air at Malibu Creek State Park

• Santa Monica Mountains

What is it? An 8,000-acre mountainous park that looks unlike anything else in L.A.

Why go?  With dramatic gorges, open pastures, lush forests, hidden pools and jagged peaks, Malibu Creek is simply one of the most stunning spots in Southern California.

Don’t miss: A bit of silver screen history; you can spot remnants of the  M*A*S*H set and splash in the rock pool that was featured in  Planet of the Apes . Consider using your library card to secure a free parking pass .

Admire the coastline atop Temescal Gateway Park

• Pacific Palisades

What is it?  A Pacific Palisades hillside park with multiple viewponts of the ocean.

Why go?  With a variety of terrain, flora and views of the Pacific and city, Temescal Canyon Park is great for trail runners, hikers and dog walkers. You’ll experience vast, breathtaking views that span from Catalina to Downtown and enough varied terrain to keep you and your furry friend going—all the way to the Valley, should you dare.

Don’t miss:  The stop signs. Seriously. They’re photo enforced, and you’ll be sent a $100 fine if you roll through.

Watch the sunset from El Matador

What is it? A small but beautiful state beach in Malibu dominated by rocky coves.

Why go?  Because it’s easily the most scenic stretch of coastline in the region. It’s only accessible via a steep gravelly path from a paid parking lot . But the effort is worth it, whether it’s to watch the waves lap against the rocks or see the sunset.

Don’t miss:  The tide. The beach here is pretty narrow and sand comes at a particular premium when high tide rolls in.

Travel back in time at the drive-in

What is it? About a half-dozen drive-in movie theaters in SoCal that are still going strong.

Why go?  For nearly a year, it was one of the only ways to see a first-run movie that wasn’t on your couch. But even with regular theaters open again, we still think it’s tons of fun and cost effective.

Don’t miss:  Some theaters are only open seasonally while others only screen on weekends, so you’ll want to check the schedule before you drive over.

Tackle 282 steps at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

• Culver City

What is it?  A Westside lookout best known for its 282 steep, concrete stairs to the top.

Why go?  The views from the top offer some of the best views of the region, with the ocean on one side and the Downtown L.A. skyline on the other (set against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains in the winter). Once you reach the summit, sit at the long park bench and take in the 360-degree views.

Don’t miss:  If you’d rather not beat up your knees, take a shortcut and drive up to the top of the hill and park in one of the many empty spaces ($6).

Survey DTLA architecture on a Los Angeles Conservancy Walking Tour

• Downtown Financial District

What is it?  Take a fuel-efficient walking tour and cherish Los Angeles’ urban architectural heritage.

Why go?  The Los Angeles Conservancy walking tours take in the city’s top sights and most beautiful buildings , including Downtown’s historic theaters and Art Deco buildings (on a weekly basis) as well as the modern skyline (monthly). Be sure to reserve a place well ahead, because the tours are incredibly popular.

Don’t miss:  The tour of Victorian homes in Angelino Heights (first Saturday of the month) is perfect for Halloween-time.

Spend time with your dog at the South Coast Botanic Garden

• Rancho Palos Verdes/Rolling Hills Estates Until May 26, 2024

What is it? A once-a-month block of dog-friendly hours at the Palos Verdes botanical garden.

Why go?  To spend some quality outdoor time with your four-legged best friend, of course. One Sunday a month, you can roam the gardens’ 87 acres with your fur baby. The rose garden and a few other paths are closed off to pups, but otherwise the majority of the grounds are dog-friendly during the event.

Don’t miss: Nabbing a reservation. You (the human) will need a reservation, while your best friend (the pup) will need to remain on their leash at all times, including in the parking lot.  

Become a pinball wizard at EightyTwo

• Downtown Arts District

What is it?  An Arts District arcade bar.

Why go? If ever there was a bar to geek out in, this one is it. L.A.’s first arcade bar boasts more than 40 classic arcade cabinets and pristinely preserved pinball machines—all fixed with cup holders for endless booze-fueled sessions. An homage to the golden age of arcade games, cocktails here have names like Kill Screen, Zangief and Dr. Mario.

Don’t miss:  Swing by the last Sunday of the month for an open pinball tournament (or join the L.A. Pinball League , which plays on Tuesday nights).

Hunt for antiques at the Rose Bowl Flea Market

• Pasadena Until May 12, 2024

What is it?  A staggeringly colossal flea market held outside of the Rose Bowl the second Sunday of each month.

Why go?  The sheer size and scale of this flea market means that it encompasses multitudes: new and old, hand-crafted and salvaged, the cheap and the costly. There are plenty of duds, to be sure, but come out early enough and you may go home with that perfect purchase.

Don’t miss:  Stray from the main loop around the stadium; there are rows and rows of old furniture, albums and vintage clothes and accessories that fill the adjacent parking lot.

Achieve your farm-to-table dreams at the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market

• Santa Monica

What is it?  A series of farmers’ markets held every week year-round in Santa Monica.

Why go?  The next time you’re at a restaurant and tempted to ask the waiter where your astoundingly fresh beets came from—don’t. We’ll save you the trouble and answer for you: the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market.

Don’t miss: While the market occurs on a couple of days in various parts of Santa Monica, the best day to go is on Wednesday along Arizona Avenue.

Relax on the sand at Point Dume State Beach

What is it?  One of Southern California’s most beautiful beaches and a frequent Hollywood filming location due to its iconic rock face.

Why go?  If you can’t find a free space along Westward Beach Road or you’re willing to pay for parking, you’ll be rewarded with this wide and rarely crowded patch of sand and surf. As all the parking spots are only steps from the sand, Point Dume is the perfect place to pack a picnic for a beachfront meal as seals and dolphins frolic during sunset—just watch out for those hungry seagulls.

Don’t miss:  An easygoing dirth path climbs from the sand to the top of the point, with tons of yellow wildflowers in the winter and spring.

Look out on L.A. from Los Angeles City Hall

What is it?  A grand, white concrete tower that’s served as L.A.’s city hall since 1928.

Why go?  It’s the cheapest way to take in an elevated view of Downtown and beyond. If you’re ever passing through the Civic Center during weekday public hours, enter on Main Street—then you owe yourself a visit to the 27th floor observation deck .

Don’t miss:  Look for the 1984 Olympic torch near the Spring Street exit.

Load up on records at Amoeba Music

What is it?  A warehouse-sized record store in the middle of Hollywood.

Why go?  Sure, Spotify is great, but anyone in search of that arcane track off of that mid-’80s Tom Robinson album knows it isn’t perfect. Neither is Amoeba, but it is the largest independent record store in the United States, and the variety of music on offer is amazing, the prices are fair and the staff really know their music.

Don’t miss:  Its new address. The shop recently moved from its longtime home on Sunset Boulevard to a spot at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue.

Step inside the precursor to Disneyland at Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn

What is it?  A model train workshop housed inside of a red barn that used to reside in Walt Disney’s Holmby Hills backyard.

Why go?  Walt Disney used to ride his own 1/8th scale live-steam railroad—the “Carolwood Pacific Railroad”—around his backyard until he shifted his focus to a much bigger project: Disneyland . In 1999, the red barn that he used as his workshop was moved to Griffith Park’s Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum. Every third Sunday of the month, you can visit the barn to find a collection of train models and memorabilia.

Don’t miss:  Legendary Disney artists and engineers are known to pop in during open hours.

Find your zen at the Lake Shrine

What is it?  A meditation garden in the Pacific Palisades.

Why go?  Get lost in your thoughts at one of L.A.’s best kept secrets: the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine. Set on a 10-acre site that was used as a film set during the silent era, its lovely gardens offer some increasingly rare assets today: peace and tranquility.

Don’t miss:  A reservation . You’ll need one right now to visit the meditation gardens, which are open for free from Wednesday through Sunday.

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The 8 Best Hollywood Tours

See celebrity homes, top attractions and fun sights on these engaging tours of one of LA's hottest neighborhoods.

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Hollywood's glitz, glamour and celebrities have always held a fascination for travelers. Tourists journey to Los Angeles from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the city's famous residents or scope out iconic filming locations. For a behind-the-scenes peek at Hollywood's unknown tales and secrets, enlist the help of a local by signing up for a guided tour. Researching both expert opinion and traveler sentiment, U.S. News selected the best Hollywood tours.

Big Bus Tours Los Angeles – TMZ Celebrity Tour

Price: From $47.20 for adults; from $39.20 with kids Duration: 2 hours

TMZ, known for its celebrity news-fueled television show and website, operates this bus tour that takes travelers through Hollywood in the hopes of seeing their favorite celebrities. During the two-hour trip, TMZ guides will take you to celebrity hangouts in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills the Sunset Strip and more. The guides even bring video cameras in case a passing celebrity is willing to give an interview. Many patrons say the tour is fun, even without seeing any stars, and applaud the entertaining guides.

Tours run multiple times daily. Children younger than 2 are not permitted.

Check prices & availability on:

Ultimate Hollywood Tours – Celebrity Homes Tour: The Real Hollywood Experience

Price: From $44 for adults; from $34 for kids Duration: 2 hours

Keep your eyes peeled for Hollywood A-listers on this two-hour open-top bus tour, which promises to drive by dozens of celebrity homes. The bus will also cruise down Rodeo Drive and pass by the Hollywood Walk of Fame landmark and the Dolby Theatre, among other celebrity haunts. Visitors appreciate the guides' sense of humor and knowledge. They also say this is an excellent way to see the major attractions in Hollywood in a short amount of time.

The tours depart multiple times daily. There is a booking fee added to the tour price. If you're hoping to see even more of Los Angeles, consider the company's 5.5-hour excursion that includes an hourlong stop in Santa Monica.

The Real Los Angeles Tours – The Real Hollywood Tour

Price: From $40 Duration: 2 hours

During this historic walking tour, travelers will learn why Hollywood – once a farming town – was selected by movie industry pioneers in the early 20th century. The two-hour tour also stops at unique sights, such as the oldest house in Hollywood. But major attractions aren't forgotten either: You can expect to see the Capitol Records Building, the Dolby Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among other sights. Reviewers enjoy the informative guides, and even locals say they discover things they never knew about the city.

Tours are offered daily at 10 a.m. There is a 5% booking fee when purchasing tickets. You can also opt to combine this tour with the company's Central Downtown LA tour for a comprehensive, three-hour historical overview of the city.

Open Bus Tours – Movie Star Home Tour

Price: From $35 Duration: 2 hours

Admire the mansions of Hollywood's rich and famous as you wind through LA's posh neighborhoods on this two-hour, open-air bus tour. Then, pass by iconic sights, such as the Hollywood sign and Mulholland Drive, before cruising along Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip and other well-known Hollywood locales. Most reviewers give the tour high marks, applauding the amusing and informative guides.

Tours are available Thursday through Monday; they depart every two hours between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each operating day. Private tours are also an option.

Bikes and Hikes LA – Hollywood Sign Hike

Price: From $29 Duration: 2.5 hours

For a unique and sunshine-filled Hollywood tour, opt for this 2.5-hour hike to the Hollywood sign. Highlights include a view of Griffith Observatory, panoramic views from Mount Hollywood and local guides who also double as actors and comedians. Along the 4-mile round-trip hike, you might even see local celebrities walking their dogs. Tour-takers love the views, informative guides and the overall experience.

The company offers both morning and afternoon guided hikes. The exact meeting times vary, depending on the time of the year, but there is typically a morning departure and a late afternoon departure. Bikes and Hikes LA recommends wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and sneakers, and bringing a camera or smartphone for all those Instagram-worthy views. The company also offers three different bike tours around Hollywood and LA.

Hollywood City Tours – The Original Hollywood Tour

Price: From $45 for adults; from $35 for kids Duration: 2 hours

According to travelers, this tour is worthwhile if you're only in Los Angeles for a short amount of time, as you cover a lot of ground in just two hours. You'll cruise along Rodeo Drive and the Sunset Strip in an open-top bus as your driver (who doubles as your guide) shares interesting tidbits and historical information. Reviewers compliment the personable, entertaining guides, who they say tailor the tour to the group's interests. Along with celebrity homes belonging to A-listers like Katy Perry and Leonardo DiCaprio, you'll also drive past Hollywood landmarks like the Hollywood Bowl, Chateau Marmont and the Pantages Theatre.

Tours operate daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you're hoping to hit all of LA's top sights, consider the company's seven-hour Grand LA Tour.

Access Hollywood Tours – Celebrity Homes & Hollywood Sign Tour

Price: From $39 for adults; from $29 for kids Duration: 2 hours

Reviewers say this Hollywood sightseeing tour is lots of fun thanks to the engaging, personable guides. They also praise the beautiful scenery and report seeing plenty of iconic landmarks and celebrity homes. On this two-hour tour, you'll board an open-top bus in search of celebrity homes belonging to the likes of Mick Jagger and Madonna, as well as Hollywood must-sees like Greystone Mansion, Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip and more.

Tours are available Thursday through Tuesday starting at 10:30 a.m. until around 4:30 p.m. Tours may be available daily, depending on the month.

Surf City Tours – The Perfect Los Angeles Tour

Price: From $85 for adults; from $70 for kids Duration: 5.5 hours

See the best of both Hollywood and Los Angeles on this half-day tour. Departing from Santa Monica Pier, the bus tour features several stops, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and The Original Farmers Market. Along with celebrity homes belonging to stars like Bruno Mars, Al Pacino and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, you'll cruise past famous music venues, such as The Viper Room and Whisky a Go Go. Reviewers say the tour flies by thanks to the knowledgeable guides, who are well-versed in celebrity culture. Travelers also appreciate the time allotted for each stop and say they captured great photos.

Tours are available at 10 a.m. and noon daily. If you're short on time, consider the company's two-hour Hollywood tour.

You may also be interested in:

• Best Los Angeles Tours
• Best Things to Do in Los Angeles
• Best Los Angeles Hotels
• Best California Tours
• Best Places to Visit in California
• Top Things to Do in California

Tags: Travel , Hollywood , Tours , Vacations , California Vacations , U.S. West Vacations , US Vacations

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40 Fun Things To Do In Hollywood

If you're looking for things to do in hollywood, ca, then you've come to the right place whether you're looking for a fun day trip in l.a., or just want to know what's worth checking out in hollywood, you'll find everything you need here..

Are you visiting L.A. for a day?

If you’re on a day trip to L.A., then Hollywood & Beverly Hills are a must! Start your day by checking out some of the most iconic landmarks in Hollywood, such as the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame. Then, head over to Beverly Hills for some shopping on Rodeo Drive. Be sure to stop by The Grove for lunch or dinner – it’s one of our favorite spots in L.A.!

In this article, we’re going to break down the best things to do in Hollywood, CA. We’ll give you our top things to see and do, as well as some insider tips on how to make the most of your trip and make sure you have a memorable experience. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Can I do everything in one day?

No, you can’t! If you’re visiting Los Angeles, and Hollywood/Beverly Hills is on your to-do list, then we recommend setting aside at least 3-4 days to do 2-3 things each day on this list. If you want, you can do more than 2-3 things on this list per day… but, if your goal is to have a great time (and not feel rushed around!) then we recommend dedicating an entire day to only 2-3 things here.

1. Take a bus tour of Hollywood, California!

Here at Hollywood Bus Tours, we offer a variety of different tours that will show you all the best that Hollywood has to offer. From the Hollywood Sign to the Walk of Fame, we’ll make sure you see it all. If you want to see everything Hollywood, CA has to offer, then taking a bus tour is 100% the best way to do it! You’ll get to see all the famous landmarks, like the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame. Plus, our tours are fun and informative, so you’ll learn a lot about Hollywood while you’re on them.

Not to mention that we often spot celebrities & other famous people while we’re on our tours, so your chances of seeing a celebrity in Hollywood while on a bus tour are actually pretty high!

Why would you want to book a tour to see Hollywood?

If you’re looking for things to do in Hollywood, CA, then a bus tour is the best way to take in the city in all of its glory. On our tours, you’ll get to see all the famous landmarks in Hollywood, like the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame. Plus, our tours are fun and informative, so you’ll learn a lot about Hollywood while you’re on them.

2. Learn About The Rock ‘N’ Roll History Of Hollywood & LA!

Embark on an exhilarating journey through the heart of Hollywood’s rock ‘n roll history with the Hollywood Rock ‘N’ Roll History Tour, operated by Los Angeles Rock Tours. This two-hour immersive experience will introduce you to the vibrant music scene that has shaped Los Angeles and left an indelible mark on the world of rock music. Whether you’re a visitor exploring Hollywood or a local resident of LA or Southern California, this tour promises to be a captivating adventure that unveils hidden gems and uncovers fascinating tales.

So, gather your friends, put on your rock ‘n roll attitude, and join Los Angeles Rock Tours at the Musichead Gallery on Sunset Blvd. It’s time to hit the road and immerse yourself in the captivating tales and sights of the city that has been the beating heart of the music world for the past 50 years.

About Los Angeles Rock Tours…

Los Angeles Rock Tours is a premier tour operator in L.A., dedicated to providing the ultimate rock ‘n roll experience for music enthusiasts. With a mission to make your time in L.A. unforgettable, they have curated a tour that delves deep into the city’s rock history. Led by knowledgeable local guides, their meticulously crafted tours take you to iconic locations, sharing fascinating stories and insider knowledge along the way. From luxurious vehicles and audio/video components to surprises from special guests, Los Angeles Rock Tours goes beyond a typical tour, creating an immersive and engaging experience that will be the highlight of your trip. Whether you’re a rock ‘n roll fan visiting L.A. or a local looking to uncover hidden gems, their tours offer a unique and captivating journey through Hollywood’s rich musical legacy.

3. Spot Some Marine Wildlife At Long Beach!

Explore the local waters to experience the amazing marine wildlife that makes SoCal such a special location! Bring the family, friends, or make it a special day with that special someone.

One of the things that makes Southern California so unique is its amazing access to the ocean. And one of the best things you can do in SoCal is go whale watching! Whale watching tours leave from many different locations along the coast, so it’s easy to find one that’s convenient for you. On a whale watching tour, you’re almost guaranteed to see some dolphins, and if you’re lucky you might even see a whale!

Book a tour now!

Beat the crowds of the larger boats and get right up-close and personal with dolphins, whales, sea lions and more! Click below to book a tour today.

4. Take a stroll down the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame!

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the most iconic and popular things to do Hollywood, CA. It’s a must-do for any first-time visitor to the city, and even the locals love visiting time after time! The Walk of Fame is a sidewalk that is lined with more than 2,000 stars, each one honoring a different celebrity. As you walk down the Walk of Fame, you’ll see celebrities from all walks of life, including actors, actresses, directors, producers, musicians, and more. Walking down the Walk of Fame makes you feel connected to the history of Hollywood and its many legends.

An experience you won’t forget…

Walking down the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a great way to see some of your favorite celebrities’ names up close and personal. Plus, it’s a great photo opportunity! If you’re looking for things to do in Hollywood that are both fun and educational, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is an experience you will certainly never forget.

5. Grab A Motha-Cluckin’ HOT Chicken Sandwich!

If you’re looking to satisfy your cravings for a mouthwatering hot chicken sandwich, look no further than Hot Motha Clucker in Hollywood, CA. This renowned restaurant has gained a reputation for serving up some of the best American-style food in the area, with their specialty being the famous Nashville Hot Chicken recipe. Established by three brothers with a passion for homegrown cooking, Hot Motha Clucker started as a backyard cookout that quickly grew in popularity.

Today, it has become a fully operational restaurant and bar, attracting a wide range of patrons, including influencers and celebrities.

Have a cluckin’ good time in Hollywood!

If you’re in Hollywood and looking for a cluckin’ good time, make sure to stop by Hot Motha Clucker. Join their rewards program to earn points, get free items, and stay up to date with their latest offerings. With their commitment to quality, passion, and authentic flavors, Hot Motha Clucker promises to deliver a dining experience that will leave you craving more.

6. Tour Universal Studios Hollywood!

Universal Studios Hollywood has always been one of the most popular things to do in Hollywood, CA. It’s a theme park that’s based on movies and TV shows, and it’s packed with rides, attractions, and shows. There’s something for everyone at Universal Studios Hollywood, so it’s the perfect place to bring the whole family. Plus, if you purchase a ticket in advance, you’ll save time and money. Built in 1915, Universal Studios Hollywood is the Entertainment Capital of L.A., and it’s easy to see why. With world-famous rides, attractions, and shows, there’s something for everyone at this historic theme park.

From movie-themed rides to live shows, there’s something for everyone at Universal Studios Hollywood. A visit to Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. With a rich history dating back to 1915, this theme park has something for everyone. From movie-themed rides and attractions to live shows, there’s something for everyone at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Buy your tickets in advance and save time and money!

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park that’s based on movies and TV shows, and it’s packed with rides, attractions, and shows. There’s something for everyone at Universal Studios Hollywood, so it’s the perfect place to bring the whole family. If you purchase your tickets in advance, you’ll save time and money. Plus, you’ll be able to skip the line at some of the most popular rides and attractions. So, don’t wait! Purchase your tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood today. Click the link below to book a private tour of Universal Studios Hollywood today!

7. Take a trip down to Universal CityWalk, Hollywood!

Universal CityWalk is Hollywood’s premier dining and entertainment destination. With more than 30 restaurants, 20 movie screens, and 30+ stores, there’s something for everyone at Universal CityWalk. Plus, it’s just a short walk from Universal Studios Hollywood, so you can do both in the same day without breaking a sweat!

The perfect place to eat, drink, shop, and play in Hollywood, CA!

Whether you’re looking for restaurants near you in Hollywood, or you’re looking for things to do in Hollywood, CA, Universal CityWalk is the place to be. With restaurants like Bubba Gump, Antojitos, Margaritaville, and more, there are plenty of places to eat.

8. Get Some Surf Lessons – California Style!

Get ready to catch some epic waves and embark on a thrilling surf adventure in beautiful Laguna Beach, CA! The Laguna Ethos semi-private surf lessons offer an incredible opportunity to learn and ride the waves with personalized attention. With a limited group size of three students per instructor, you’ll receive focused guidance and support throughout the 1.5-hour lesson. Located at Thalia St, renowned as Laguna’s prime spot for beginner waves, this tour ensures you have the perfect setting to master essential surf techniques such as paddle out, wave judgment, etiquette, and pop-up skills. The experienced instructors at Laguna Ethos are dedicated professionals who prioritize your safety while helping you achieve your surfing goals. They boast an impressive success rate, with many students standing up on waves for the first time and discovering a newfound passion for surfing and surf culture.

Where to book surf lessons in Los Angeles?

Click on the link below to find out!

9. Go Shopping On Rodeo Drive!

Rodeo Drive is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. Located in Beverly Hills, California, Rodeo Drive is home to some of the most luxurious and expensive shops in the world. If you’re looking for things to do in Hollywood, then a trip to Rodeo Drive is a must – especially if you love to shop! While you’re down there, be sure to check out the restaurants, bars, and grills – you might just run into a celebrity eating at the table behind you!

How much money should I expect to spend?

Keep in mind that Rodeo Drive is a shopping center for Hollywood’s rich and famous – so don’t expect to find any bargains! However, if you’re looking to treat yourself to a luxurious shopping experience, then Rodeo Drive is the perfect place for you.

10. Watch A Play – At The Pantages Theatre!

If you’re a theatre buff, then you’ll be happy to know that there are a variety of things to do for you in Hollywood, CA – including watching a play at the Pantages Theatre. The Pantages is one of the most popular theatres in Hollywood, and in fact the world, and it’s known for hosting some of the biggest Broadway shows. So, if you’re looking for things to do in Hollywood that are both fun and cultural, then a trip to the Pantages is a must for your day drip to L.A.!

What’s playing at the Pantages right now?

To find out what’s playing at the Pantages Theatre, you can check their website or call their box office. They typically have a variety of different shows playing throughout the year, so there’s sure to be something that you will enjoy.

11. Stargaze – At The Griffith Observatory!

No, we don’t mean Ariana Grande and Tom Cruise – we mean the constellations! Use their telescopes to view celestial bodies both in and outside of our solar system, and have a great time doing it! The Griffith Observatory is one of the best places in LA to see the stars, and it’s free! Make sure to go on a clear night for the best experience – you won’t regret this trip.

Is it free?

Visiting the Griffith Observatory is free, but there is a small fee for parking. Make sure you bring some cash on hand for the gift shop and parking!

12. Take The Warner Brother’s Studio Tour!

The Warner Bro’s Studio Tour is one of the coolest things to do in Hollywood, CA. On the tour, you’ll get to see where some of your favorite movies and TV shows were filmed. Plus, you’ll learn a lot about the movie-making process and how Warner Brothers Studios operate. The tour is led by a knowledgeable guide who will take you behind the scenes of some of the most iconic movies and TV shows ever made, including Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Batman.

If you’re a movie buff or a TV fan, then the Warner Bro’s Studio Tour is a must-do while you’re in Hollywood. You’ll get to see where some of your favorite movies and TV shows were filmed, plus learn a lot about the movie-making process.

Explore where Hollywood is made.

Taking the Warner Bro’s Studio Tour will show you a side of Hollywood that you’ve never seen before. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at one of L.A.’s most active film studios with one of their professional Tour Guides, who will lead you through the studio that has entertained the world for nearly 100 years.

13. Enjoy A Comedy Show At The World-Famous Laugh Factory!

Nestled right in the heart of Hollywood, prepare to have your funny bone tickled and your laughter unleashed at the world-famous Laugh Factory! This legendary comedy club is where the magic happens, where laughter reigns supreme, and where comedic brilliance takes center stage. Get ready to be blown away by the uproarious energy that fills the air as you step into this vibrant venue. With a cozy and intimate setting, you’ll feel like you’re part of an exclusive inside joke. From the seasoned comedy veterans to the freshest and funniest rising stars, the Laugh Factory boasts an all-star lineup that guarantees an evening of non-stop hilarity.

What famous comedians have performed at the Laugh Factory?

The Laugh Factory has seen a parade of legendary comedians grace its stage, leaving audiences in stitches and with tears of laughter streaming down their faces. Some of the notable names who have performed at the Laugh Factory include comedy icons such as Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Dave Chappelle, Ellen DeGeneres, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, and many more. These comedic powerhouses, along with countless others, have left their indelible mark on the Laugh Factory’s history, ensuring that each show is infused with the spirit of comedic greatness. Whether it’s the household names or the up-and-coming talents, the Laugh Factory continues to attract the best and funniest minds in the business, making it a destination where comedy dreams come to life.

14. Have A Magical Evening – At The Black Rabbit Rose Magic Show!

The Black Rabbit Rose Magic Show is a 21+ bar and restaurant located in the heart of Hollywood that offers guests a truly unique experience. This is not your typical magic show – at the Black Rabbit Rose, all of the magic happens right in front of you as you enjoy a delicious meal! Featuring magic and burlesque shows on the weekends and a unique assortment of captivating cocktails, the Black Rabbit Rose is the perfect place to add a little magic to your trip.

Remember to dress to impress!

The Black Rabbit Rose enforces a strict formal dress code at all times. If you plan on attending for the evening, be sure to wear your fanciest dress, coat, and hat!

15. Go Horseback Riding At Sunset Ranch!

Ever wanted to see the Hollywood Sign up close and personal? Well, here’s your chance! Sunset Ranch is a working ranch located just minutes from downtown Hollywood that offers horseback riding tours of the city. These tours are the perfect way to experience LA’s famous landmarks while getting some fresh air and enjoying the great outdoors.

The best part? You don’t even have to be an experienced rider to enjoy one of these tours – the ranch’s horses are well-trained and gentle, making them perfect for first-time riders.

16. Visit The LA Zoo!

If you’ve never been to a zoo, then you’re in for a treat! The LA Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the country and is home to over 1,400 animals from all over the world. Visitors can see everything from tigers and lions to elephants and gorillas, making it the perfect place to learn about and see exotic animals up close. In addition to its many animal attractions, the zoo also features a botanical garden, a children’s petting zoo, and a playground – making it the perfect place to spend a day with family or friends.

Eat & drink among the wild inhabitants of the LA Zoo!

There are many restaurants and snack shops located within the walls of the LA Zoo, so you can refuel after a day of exploring. If you’re looking for something truly unique, be sure to check out the zoo’s Mahale Café – and watch the giraffes while you eat!

17. Take a Cycling Tour Of Hollywood!

Are you looking for a unique and interactive way to see the sights of downtown Hollywood? If so, then a cycling tour is the perfect activity for you! These tours take visitors on a leisurely ride through the city, stopping at all of the most popular landmarks and attractions along the way. Best of all, these tours are led by knowledgeable guides who will share interesting facts and stories about Hollywood as you pedal your way through the city.

Looking for something more self-guided?

All along Hollywood Boulevard, you will find convenient bike racks where you can park your bike while you explore the area on foot.

18. Take The Paramount Pictures Tour!

The Paramount Pictures Tour is a must-do for any film buff or Hollywood enthusiast. This two-hour guided tour takes visitors behind the scenes of one of the world’s most famous movie studios, providing an insider’s look at how films are made at Paramount Pictures. The tour includes a visit to soundstages and backlots, as well as a stop at the studio’s historic theatre.

Paramount Pictures is responsible for producing some of the 20th and 21st centuries’ biggest hits, including The Godfather, Forrest Gump, and Titanic.

19. Head down to Temecula for a Wine Tour!

Temecula is wine-central here in Southern California, and if you’re a fan of vino then a wine tour is a must-do activity during your day trip to LA. These tours take visitors to some of the region’s best wineries, where you can learn about the wine-making process and sample some of the area’s finest wines. Click on the link below to book a Temecula Wine Tour through Best Coast Tours:

20. Grab A Bite At The Hollywood Farmer’s Market!

The Hollywood Farmer’s Market is the perfect place to find fresh, locally-grown produce, delicious prepared foods, and unique gifts. This market is held every Sunday morning on Ivar Avenue and features over 100 vendors selling everything from fruit and vegetables to artisanal cheese and bread. In addition to its many food vendors, the Hollywood Farmer’s Market also has live music, face painting, and other family-friendly activities.

21. Have A Picnic At The Barnsdall Art Park!

The Barnsdall Art Park is a public park and art gallery located on Hollywood Boulevard. The park features lush gardens, walking paths, and spectacular views of the Hollywood Hills. Visitors can also tour the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Hollyhock House – one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

The Barnsdall Art Park is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch or an afternoon stroll. And, best of all, admission to the park is free! Just make sure to check the weather forecast in advance, as the park can get quite hot during the summer months.

22. Tour The Iconic Stahl House!

The Stahl house, also known as Case Study House No. 22, is one of the most iconic examples of mid-century modern architecture in the world. This landmark home was designed by renowned architect Pierre Koenig and built in 1959. It was built for the Stahl family as part of the Case Study House program, which commissioned homes that would showcase innovative approaches to modern living.

The Stahl house is located in the Hollywood Hills and is open to the public for tours. Visitors can explore the home’s many unique features, including its cantilevered design and floor-to-ceiling windows. If you’re interested in architecture or design, then a tour of the Stahl house is a must-do while you’re in Hollywood.

23. Shop, Dine, & Take Photos At Hollywood & Highland!

The public mall at Hollywood & Highland is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hollywood. This massive complex houses over 70 retail stores, 30 restaurants, and a variety of entertainment venues, making it the perfect place to spend a day (or two!) exploring. Be sure to take a photo with the Hollywood Sign in the background – it’s one of the most popular things to do in Hollywood!

What’s there to do at the mall?

In front of the mall, you will find all sorts of street food, street performers, and costumed characters. Just be sure to keep an eye on your belongings, as pickpockets are known to operate in this area!

24. Visit Picturesque Lake Hollywood Park!

Lake Hollywood Park is one of the most popular parks in Hollywood. This man-made lake is situated in the Hollywood Hills and offers stunning views of the city below. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities at the park, including picnicking, hiking, fishing, and paddle boarding. It’s also one of the best places to get a great shot of the famous Hollywood Sign, which is located just a short hike away.

Activities you can do at the park include hiking, picnicking, fishing and paddle boarding. If you want to get a great shot of the Hollywood Sign, this is one of the best places to do it from.

25. Eat At The Historic Musso & Frank Grill!

The Musso & Frank Grill is one of the oldest and most iconic restaurants in Hollywood. This historic eatery has been serving up classic American cuisine since 1919. Some of the restaurant’s signature dishes include the chili cheese omelette, the club sandwich, and the hickory-smoked Prime rib. It’s played host to famous customers such as Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and Marilyn Monroe.

You might also recognize the Musso & Frank Grill from the movie Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which was set in 1969 and features Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Rick Dalton, eating at the restaurant.

26. Play Golf (& Mingle With Celebrities) At Griffith Park!

Are you into golf? If so, then you’ll definitely want to add Griffith Park to your list of things to do in Hollywood. This massive park is home to two 18-hole golf courses – the Wilson Golf Course and the Harding Golf Course. Celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Justin Timberlake, and Adam Sandler have all been known to tee off at Griffith Park, so you never know who you might run into!

In addition to golf, Griffith Park also offers a variety of other activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking. There’s also an observatory and a planetarium on-site, making it the perfect place to spend a day (or two) exploring.

27. Visit Disney’s El Capitan Theatre!

If you want to catch a Disney movie in style, then you’ll definitely want to visit the El Capitan Theatre. This historic movie palace first opened its doors in 1926 and has been showing Disney films since the 1940s. The theatre is also home to a beautiful Wurlitzer pipe organ that is played before each movie, and hearing it is truly an unforgettable experience.

The El Capitan Theatre is located right on Hollywood Boulevard, making it easy to find. Just look for the giant red sign!

28. Stop By The Famous Amoeba Music!

Amoeba Music is one of the most famous independent music stores in the world. This massive store stocks over 250,000 new and used CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, and more. It’s the perfect place to find that rare album you’ve been searching for (or to just browse and see what you can find).

Amoeba Music is located on Sunset Boulevard, just a short walk from the Hollywood & Highland Center. The nostalgic vibe and huge selection of music make it a must-visit for any music-lover longing for the simple pleasure of flicking through stacks of vinyl, just like our distant ancestors used to do in the 80’s and 90’s.

29. Confront Your Inner Self – At The Psychiatry Museum!

The Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum is one of the most unique things to do in Hollywood. This museum is dedicated to exposing the truth about psychiatry and its role in society. It’s a bit of a controversial topic, but it’s definitely something that will make you think. The Psychiatry Museum is located on Melrose Avenue, just a short walk from the Hollywood & Highland Center.

The museum is owned and operated by The Citizens Commission on Human Rights, an anti-psychiatry organization founded by the Church of Scientology.

30. Get A Shake – At Mel’s Drive-In On Sunset!

Mel’s Drive-In is a restaurant that goes way back – all the way to 1947! This classic American diner is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious burger and shake. The retro vibe at Mel’s Drive-In is sure to take you back in time, and the food is definitely worth writing home about.

Mel’s Drive-In is located on Sunset Boulevard, just a short drive from Hollywood Boulevard. This is the perfect restaurant to take a date or your family to, so be sure to add it to your list of things to do in Hollywood.

31. Watch A Movie At The TCL Chinese Theatre!

The Chinese Theater was built by Sid Grauman and originally opened in 1927; the TCL Chinese Theatre is one of the most iconic things to see in Hollywood. This world-famous theatre has been the premier showing locations to Hollywood blockbusters such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and The Dark Knight.

The TCL Chinese Theatre is located right on Hollywood Boulevard, making it easy to find. It is almost impossible to miss, and it is definitely worth a visit (especially if you’re a movie fan). You can catch a movie here, or just take a look at the beautiful exterior and famous handprints in the concrete.

32. Take A Hike – Up Runyon Canyon!

Runyon Canyon is one of the most popular things to do in Hollywood. This 160-acre park offers stunning views of the city, and it’s a great place to get some exercise. There are numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, so there’s something for everyone. Runyon Canyon is located on Mulholland Drive, just a short drive from Hollywood Boulevard.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset, and there is a $5 fee to enter. However, the fee is well worth it, as the views from the top of the canyon are simply breathtaking. Many celebrities have been spotted on their morning jog here, so keep your eyes peeled!

33. Visit The Famous Hollywood Sign!

Visiting the Hollywood Sign is easily one of the most popular things to do in Hollywood. This world-famous sign is located on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills, and it offers stunning views of the city that you simply won’t get anywhere else (unless, of course, you took our advice earlier and booked a helicopter tour!). There are numerous hiking trails leading up to the sign, so you can choose your own adventure.

The Hollywood Sign is located on North Beachwood Drive, just a short drive from the Hollywood & Highland Center. The best time to visit is early in the morning or late at night, as the crowds can get pretty crazy during the day.

34. Check Out The Dolby Theatre!

The Dolby Theatre is where the Academy Awards are held every year, so it’s definitely worth a visit! Even if you’re not lucky enough to catch a live show, the theatre itself is a work of art. The Dolby Theatre is located on Hollywood Boulevard, just a short walk from the TCL Chinese Theatre. If you time your visit just right, you might find yourself on live television!

The Dolby Theatre was built in 2001 and has been the home of the Academy Awards ever since. If you’re a movie fan, this is definitely a place that you need to see.

35. Get Strange – At Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not is a museum that is devoted to the strange and unusual. This is definitely not your average museum, and it’s sure to peak your curiosity. Ripley’s Believe It or Not is located on Hollywood Boulevard, just a short walk from the TCL Chinese Theatre, and is located right next to both the Hollywood Museum and Mel’s Drive-In!

Be sure to bring the whole family, because this museum is sure to entertain everyone. Ripley’s Believe It or Not is open every day from 9:00 AM to 11 PM, so you can visit any time that you like.

36. Learn More About Our City’s History – At The Hollywood Museum!

The Hollywood Museum is a great place to learn more about the history of Hollywood. This museum is located in the historic Max Factor Building, and it houses an extensive collection of artifacts that are sure to interest everyone who’s interested in film and film history. The Hollywood Museum is located on Hollywood Boulevard, directly between Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Mel’s Drive-In.

What’s in the museum?

Within the museum walls, you will find countless artifacts that are sure to interest you. There are several exhibits that are devoted to specific topics, such as the history of movie posters, and there is also an extensive collection of photographs. Many of the items on display at the Hollywood Museum are things that you would never be able to see anywhere else. This museum is a must-see for anyone who’s interested in learning more about Hollywood’s history!

37. Walk Down The Sunset Strip!

The Sunset Strip is one of the most iconic streets in all of Hollywood. This street is home to some of the most popular nightclubs, restaurants, and hotels in the city. Walking down the Sunset Strip is a great way to see some of the most famous landmarks in Hollywood.

Where, exactly, is the Sunset Strip?

The Sunset Strip is located on Sunset Boulevard, and it runs from West Hollywood to Downtown Los Angeles. This street is home to many of Hollywood’s most popular nightclubs, such as the Viper Room and the Roxy Theatre. In addition to being home to some of Hollywood’s best nightlife, the Sunset Strip is also home to many of the city’s best restaurants.

38. Visit Santa Monica Pier!

If you’ve seen Forrest Gump, then you might recognize the Santa Monica Pier as the location from that movie! This pier is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of California, and it’s a great place to spend a day with family or friends. The Santa Monica Pier is located on Ocean Front Walk, and it offers a variety of things to do, including several restaurants, bars, gift shops, games, and more.

The Santa Monica Pier is known for being one of California’s more family-friendly piers, so it’s a great place to bring the kids!

39. Learn About Ancient Pre-History At The La Brea Tar Pits!

The La Brea Tar Pits, located in Museum Row on Wilshire Boulevard, are a group of tar pits that have been around for over 40,000 years! The La Brea Tar Pits are one of the most popular tourist destinations in Los Angeles, and they offer a variety of things to see and do. A popular destination for school and college field trips, don’t be surprised if you run into a group of 30+ children running around with wooly mammoth hats on!

If you’re interested in learning about ancient Californian pre-history, then the La Brea Tar Pits are a great place to start. This is an excellent destination for anyone who’s interested in learning more about the history of Los Angeles.

40. Step Inside The Famous Historic Bradbury Building!

The Bradbury Building, built in 1893, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Downtown Los Angeles. This historic building is home to a variety of businesses, including law firms, real estate offices, and more. The Bradbury Building is also a popular filming location, and it has been featured in a number of movies and TV shows over the years including Blade Runner, (500) Days of Summer, and The O.C.

Where is the Bradbury Building?

The Bradbury Building is located on Broadway, between 3rd Street and 4th Street. This historic building is open to the public, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Downtown Los Angeles – if for nothing else, for the photo opportunity!

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7 Kid-Friendly LA Tours You’ll Actually Want to Take

by Jayme Kennedy

August 1, 2017

" Hollywood Boulevard —again?!" If that's your kid's reaction when it's time to show out-of-town guests around Los Angeles, it might be time to try something new. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to introduce visitors to our city's highlights without boring your little natives—think tours of Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. to a boat ride around Catalina Island. Don't have anyone coming to visit? No worries. You can still embrace your inner tourist by trying one of these fun tour options for families. (P.S. Don't forget the camera!)

1. Fantastic Race

Take your family on a sightseeing scavenger hunt on steroids and spend the day racing around Downtown LA or Santa Monica, searching for clues and seeing parts of the city you didn’t even know existed!

Best for: Trivia and mystery loving families. Teams start in one location, and must solve a series of clues in order to move on to the next location. It’s a competitive tour/scavenger hunt, and the team who reaches the final destination in the shortest amount of time wins.

Expect to see : It depends on which race you sign up for. Fantastic Race currently has three races in the LA area: the Los Angeles Race which covers Hollywood and Downtown, the Santa Monica Race, and even a Disney Race. You can even customize your own race for larger groups.

2. Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Paramount Pictures 5555 Melrose Ave LA, CA Get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of your favorite movies and TV shows are made on this only-in-LA tour. You’ll feel like part of the crew as you walk through some of the most iconic sets in television and film history.

Best for: Future filmmakers. If you’ve got a kid who dreams of their name in lights, the Paramount Studio tour is a must-do. They’ll get a chance to see how the industry works, and learn some of the secrets behind what it takes for a project to move from the drawing board to our living rooms.

Expect to see: The basic studio tour takes you through prop warehouses, backlots, and some of the most memorable sets in history. The VIP and After Dark tours allow you to meet some of the people who work at the studio, and discover some of the secrets of the studio that are typically unknown to the public.

3. Catalina Tours

Spend some time exploring LA’s very own slice of paradise by taking a tour of Catalina Island! Located about 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina is a great option for a quick getaway.

Best for: Active families. Catalina Tours offers several options for seeing the island and exploring the rugged coastline and natural beauty of Catalina. You can zipline over Descanso Canyon, take a boat or kayak tour around the island, or take a Jeep eco-tour through the rugged terrain to explore the outback. They also offer food and walking tours of downtown Catalina.

Expect to see: Boat and kayak tours give you a firsthand view of the natural beauty of the island, and you may even see some sea life out on the water. Zipline and Jeep tours give you a birds-eye view of the beautiful landscape of Catalina and the Southern California coastline, while learning more about the ecosystems and conservation efforts that go into keeping Catalina pristine.

4. Melting Pot Food Tours

One of the best ways to learn more about the rich history and culture of LA is through its food. Melting Pot Food Tours excite all the senses with informative and delicious tours of some of city's most famous food spots.

Best for: Foodie families. You’ll experience the many different flavors that make up our world-renowned food scene, so this is a great option for adventurous eaters, or those who want to expand their palates.

Expect to see: Many of LA’s most famous neighborhoods and metros. There are five tours to choose from: Old Pasadena, Original Farmers Market, East LA Latin Flavors, Flavors of Thai Town, or the La Española VIP Tour. Each tour will take you through a different area, giving you a chance to absorb the history behind the delicious food you sample.

5. Sunset Ranch Tours

Saddle up for one of the most unique city tours Los Angeles has to offer. You’ll mosey your way through the hills above Mt. Hollywood and Griffith Park on horseback, experiencing what life was like way before the bright lights started to shine.

Best for: Adventurous and outdoorsy families. You’ll be covering some tough terrain on horseback, but don’t worry if you’re not an experienced rider. Sunset Ranch offers tours for every cowboy or cowgirl, from novice to John Wayne.

Expect to see: The untouched beauty of our surrounding mountains and hills, plus some famous landmarks! Take a tour through Griffith Park, or wind through the trails along Mount Hollywood, getting up close and personal with the Hollywood Sign, and on a clear day, you’ll be able to see straight to the Pacific Ocean. Nighttime tours give you an unparalleled view of the twinkling lights of the city below, with a 360° perspective of breathtaking beauty.

6. Warner Bros. Studio Tour

In LA, you can’t really do just one studio tour! While the Paramount tour will take you behind-the-scenes of a working studio, the Warner Bros. tour combines that with exhibits and special memorabilia.

Best for: The whole family. There really is something for everyone on the WB Studio tour—from checking out the sets of some of your favorite TV shows to seeing props from popular movies.

Expect to see: The WB Studio tour takes you through movie and television sets, behind-the-scenes of production, and gives you access to memorabilia that the public doesn’t get to see. You can sit on a couch in Central Perk from Friends , see the Batmobile up close and even take a ride on Harry Potter’s broomstick against a green screen! It’s definitely one of the most interactive studio tours you can take in Los Angeles.

7. LA Cycle Tours

Living in LA, it can feel like you can’t get anywhere without hopping on one of our many, many busy freeways. But did you know that there are entire sections of the city that are best seen by bike? Bike tours take you on a ride through the city, giving you a chance to experience parts of it that many people don’t get to see.

Best for: Older kids who can hang with the rigors of riding a bike along streets and hills. LA Cycle Tours are designed to be doable for even the occasional bike rider, but at two to three hours, littler kiddos will likely get tired and not be able to continue.

Expect to see: Parts of LA not visible from a car or bus. Bike tours take you through smaller, more intimate areas of the city. They offer historical tours, beach tours, and even neighborhood art tours through places like Downtown LA, Hollywood, and Venice Beach. You can take an all-inclusive tour, and make foodie stops along your route, too! 

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For Jasmine Tookes, Home Is Where You Have the Most Fun

By Sydney Gore

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Like many millennials , Jasmine Tookes practically lives on Zillow and Redfin . “It is my favorite place to aimlessly [browse] every day,” she confesses. “I just enjoy looking at houses and I love interiors and architecture so much.” During the pandemic, the Los Angeles–based model and entrepreneur spent the early days of quarantine scrolling real estate listings with her now husband, Juan David Borrero , not expecting to immediately find what turned out to be their ultimate dream home—but that’s exactly what happened. From the moment that they stepped into the house, the couple felt a “really great energy” that couldn’t be explained. “It had a lot of really beautiful light and we just looked at each other, like, ‘We think this is the one,’” she recalls.

The first major change that was made to the house was painting the exterior black , at her husband’s request. “I had to give him that because he allowed me to have my traditional contemporary sort of style on the inside,” Tookes says with a smile. This is where working with Kara Smith, principal and creative director of KES Studio , was fundamental throughout the process of transformation. Although Tookes claims that Smith was often on her side when it came to making most of the design decisions, the interior designer pushed both her and her husband to expand their horizons with out-of-the box elements like a mural wallpaper on the ceiling of the dining room or Kenya Black marble behind the bar in the speakeasy room.

Compared to her previous farmhouse -style homes in Beverly Hills and Brentwood , this house marks a metamorphosis for the JOJA cofounder, especially as Tookes settles into her motherhood era (the couple’s daughter, Mia Victoria, was born in 2023). Smith doesn’t hesitate to label Tookes as a “forward thinker” who prefers going for something timeless instead of following trends . “We really tried our best to steer clear of anything that was having a moment,” the designer says. “Her vision was something that would be very livable and comfortable and suit their lifestyle. They love to entertain with dinner parties or karaoke in the home, but they also wanted a place to retreat. She does a tremendous amount of travel and wanted it to be this very calming space for them.”

Shop out the look of the house here ⤵

The custom dining room table is made out of a burnished bronze sculptural base with bleached burl wood; Jasmine Tookes and Juan David Borrero were keen on the matte-finished tabletop having an irregular shape. “We’re never fans of square tables or long rectangular tables because we feel like you can’t really speak with anyone that’s on the other end of the table,” Tookes explains. The piece is surrounded by custom velvet chairs, a vase from L’Objet , and a Visual Comfort chandelier on Drop It Modern wallpaper. The walls in the room are painted with Roman Clay by Portola Paints and Hope Chest by Dunn-Edwards .

Tookes describes her own aesthetic as more classic while Borrero leans more modern, so the biggest challenge for Smith was blending their respective styles. He loves marble, she likes bouclé . Her fondness of nudes, creams, and neutral tones didn’t take away from his preference for darker tones—and even prompted them both to make bolder choices like a moody kitchen dominated by dark stone slabs with white veining and hints of camel. Despite their differences, Smith was able to find common ground. “It wasn’t too much of a box of concrete and I felt like I could blend my softer style into it,” Tookes insists.

Considering how the couple already managed to pull off a wedding in the wake of COVID, they anticipated a few minor setbacks and delays here and there; but nothing could have prepared either of them for record-setting storms that caused massive leaks in the house and fully derailed the progress that had been made. “We finished our primary bedroom—it was all beautiful, paint was done, furniture was in—and we got this huge leak,” Tookes recalls. “We had to shift and change things with the furniture and materials that were available. Everything was quadruple the price when it came to picking stones…. There were a bunch of pivots that we had to make, but I think everything came out so perfectly.”

“Nowadays when people say they want a neutral house, it’s so easy to give them this one-note cream look,” says designer Kara Smith of KES Studio. “We wanted it to be calming, but not boring.” The sconce behind Tookes is by Rosie Li for Rosie Li Studio .

Given their passion for entertaining, it was extremely important to Tookes and Borrero that they have a variety of designated areas for hosting friends and family. Smith was determined to make these places pop from the lighting down to the glassware on the shelves. “We have a ton of game nights, that’s our thing—our friends come over and we do karaoke,” says Tookes. “We wanted to build a nice space for all of our friends.” The dining room is another standout space that warmly invites guests to unleash their playful side with the terracotta tinted walls before the groovy wallpapered ceiling stops them in their tracks. (The goal was to use rich, warm hues for a calming effect instead of anything that felt too loud or abrasive.) In order to maintain consistency so the interiors still felt contemporary, Smith combined ’ 70s influences with a blend of eras.

Some might find it surprising that when Tookes seeks a moment of serenity in the comfort of her home, she retires to the privacy of her sophisticated blush-toned office—not the primary bathroom with marble countertops and glam lighting. But the most satisfying room transformation of all came from tearing down the “horrible” lacquer cabinets that were originally in the couple’s primary bedroom and replacing them with a custom built-in shelving space. “My husband was, like, ‘These are great cabinets,’” Tookes laughs. “Kara and I were, like, ‘We need to get them out of here immediately.’”

Tookes partnered with Crate & Barrel to design a nursery that would feel like a “princess bedroom” for her daughter, Mia Victoria. “Whenever I thought of having a baby, I knew that I wanted these really gorgeous blush limewash walls,” she says. “I also intended to paint the walls myself—that did not go very well, but I tried.”

By Katherine McLaughlin

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In terms of the artwork, Tookes and Borrero have an impressive collection of original pieces from James Turrell , Rose Wylie , Angel Otero, Otis Jones, Jordy Kerwick, and Hank Willis Thomas. “They have amassed a great art collection that represents a very well traveled young couple,” says Smith. “It’s really on point for who they are and the family they’re building.”

Although there are still other areas that are works in progress, now that they’re basically done with the house, Tookes is most excited about how it will grow with them over time as a family. With their daughter now in the picture, the precious memories that will continue to live inside these walls simply can’t be rendered. “If I ever designed another home, I would definitely do it with Kara,” she says. “I’m very happy with everything.”

The couple loves this painting by Angel Otero Piece from Calodney Advisory , which served as the starting point for infusing color into the entryway. Smith added a custom daybed with inset burnished brass and ebony stained wood alongside a Loredo accent table by Arteriorsbecause Borrero didn’t want a typical entry table. “He was like, ‘We want something fun and loungey that connects the spaces, but not in an unusable furniture piece,’” she recalls.

“My husband dreamed of having a black kitchen,” says Tookes. Her personal touch comes out with the bouclé backs on these Thomas Hayes Studio stools in an ebonized satin lacquer oil and black metal finish. The pendant light hanging above the island is by Aurora Lampworks .

“This room was something that they wanted from the start—a space that is totally different from the rest of the house to entertain,” Smith says about the speakeasy on the third floor. “They wanted something that was karaoke-focused, but also had a great bar—Juan recently started a tequila brand—so we wanted something that was just pure entertaining. It opens up to a private outdoor terrace that has a fireplace.” Hank Willis Thomas ’s Believing is seeing/Seeing is deceiving hangs on the wall, which is covered in Phillip Jeffries Suede Lounge wallpaper.

Tookes’s home office is her favorite room in the house. She loves the view from behind her Éstudio North desk while sitting in the Lulu & Georgia chair; a table lamp by Elisa Uberti decorates the shelf against the limewash walls. “She wanted a backdrop for videos, so no art, just a great place for her to shoot her content and to work from,” says Kara Smith. “She likes a sophisticated and neutral palette. I feel like her interior style really mimics how she dresses; she’s contemporary but also very classical.”

Tookes and Borrero use this seating area off the living room to entertain guests. “I really wanted a gaming table because we’re always playing cards,” adds Tookes. The set of Ojai Tub Chairs are from Sabin ; the Dania dining table is by Nuevo .

“I think when anyone walks into my office after walking through the whole house, they’re like, ‘Wow, this is so Jasmine.’ It’s just so clear that the neutral tones, and the light and airiness of it, is very true to me,” Tookes says. “It’s very relaxing and serene.” The daybed is custom made, the side table is by Estúdio Orth , the bouclé armchair is from Soho Home , and the mirror is from Ethnik Living .

Tookes effuses, “I love when you walk into a space and your eye is drawn to so many different things and just want to know like ‘Where’d you get that?’” In the family room, the sets of Cassina and Percival Lafer chairs were sourced from 1stDibs , while the green velvet sofa was custom made.

The primary bedroom is a perfect balance of Tookes and Borerro’s styles with its combination of light and dark elements. “We fell in love with this bed and chose the suede that is around,” the model says. “We wanted something light that feels welcoming and soft.”

Tookes can’t get enough of the marble that they chose for the primary bathroom.

Shop it out:

Georg Jensen Alfredo Vase 250

Bloomingdales

MP97 Lounge Armchair by Percival Lafer

Jordan Ebony End Table

Crate & Barrel

Gear Table by Norr11, Tall, Earth

Vintage Angelo Lelli Style Italian Brass and Opaline Pendant Light

Gabriola Dover Gray Bouclé Pillow Set

Round Onyx Box

Carrerra Shag Rug

Kabinet Italian Contemporary Upholstered Bench

Carved Stone Planter

Labradorite Spectrolite Soapdish Bowl

Foley Mink Velvet Dining Armchair

Tulip Pedestal Dining Table

Williams Sonoma

Laurel Wall Sconce

ModernRail Chandelier

Visual Comfort

L'OBJET White & Black Large Tokasu Vase

Italian Curved Antiqued Brass Mirror

Garret Armchair

Late 20th Century Postmodern Lowslung Travertine Coffee Table

Oyster Alabaster Catchall by Kara Mann

Italian Brass Ceiling Light

Giraffe dining Chair in Solid Brazilian Wood

Refuge #5 Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti

Adelai Office Chair

Lulu and Georgia

Up & Down Pendant Contemporary

Staub Cast Iron Round Cocotte

Oluce Atollo Table Lamp

Design Within Reach

Set of 2 Corbu Bedside Table by DeMuro Das

Percale Sheet Set

Lenora Textured Cotton Linen Sham

By Kaite Welsh

By Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar

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