Los Angeles is known internationally for Hollywood, an entertainment industry that draws aspiring actors and actresses of all kinds from across the country worldwide. Over a century has passed, it’s grown to become both a nightlife destination and an international film location.
LA has emerged as the creative center of America and boasts a thriving culinary scene, amazing shopping, world class museums, and family friendly attractions. With an average temperature of 70-75 degrees year round, packing casual attire will cover nearly any activity.
While a vacation to the warm climate and beaches is plenty of fun, Sunseekers who plan to enjoy their stay will find many things to do, such as sightseeing and exploring LA’s public transportation network. In addition, a Metro Bike Share in downtown LA make getting around and enjoying the sights pain-free.
With its Disney and Universal theme parks, there’s lots Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles. For families looking to plan multiple vacations, Disney is a must-see destination that is often included on repeat trips.
1. Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Theme Park is an exciting Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles filled with rides of all personality types, ranging from simulators to roller coasters. The highlight for many is the ever-changing selection of rides, including favorites like Harry Potter’s world, The Simpsons world and Transformers world.
Instead of wasting your time in lines at Universal Studios, you can purchase a Skip the Line: Front of Line Pass for fast rides and attractions entry. This ticket gives you one-time priority access to each attraction in the park, as well as behind-the-scenes access to some rides and shows.
When you are tired of the rides, there are plenty of other options at Universal Studios. The CityWalk is a three-block entertainment area where you can shop and dine in addition to the theaters. Another option is the VIP tour that allows guests to explore behind-the-scenes areas and perspectives not usually available to the general public.
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California
2. Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park is in the eastern part of the Santa Monica Mountains, and covers nearly 4,200 acres. Incredibly, it also has such tourist attractions as a zoo, planetarium, theater, and riding center created for the 1984 Olympic Games.
San Francisco is home to many interesting destinations for you to explore, including the Griffith Observatory. There on-site are exhibits and telescopes, but the main highlight is a look through the Zeiss telescope – a model specially designated for viewing planets. The observatory is also equipped with solar telescopes that allows you to view the sun when it’s available.
Griffith J. Griffith donated the greater part of the land in 1886 and left funds for the creation of the observatory to be named for him after he passed away.
3. Disneyland Resort
Outside of Los Angeles, Disneyland is the premier family vacation destination and the most amazing and exiting Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles. Attracting visitors since the 1950s, the park was designed to be “entertaining for all ages.” With rides that create elaborately created theme sets, Disneyland is most often pictured by people when they imagine the park. One expansion was added during its 60 year run and the resulting Disneyland California Adventure Park holds even more excitement and adventure.
Rome, Italy-based company Six Flags has recently opened a new Star Wars-themed roller coaster in the new Star Wars Galaxy Edge area located at Disneyland. The park includes shops, restaurants and rides that mimic the appearance of Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu from Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Disneyland Resort has hotels, restaurants, and shopping as well as entertainment options. The resort is like a city in the heart of Disneyland with all of the same services that you can find in real cities.
Anaheim has many attractions and opportunities worth checking out during a visit. Central City, Anaheim’s historic core, is a popular Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles that extends outside of Disneyland Resort – one of Anaheim’s major draws.
4. Hollywood
A suburb of Los Angeles, Hollywood is a Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles in itself, with its own unique history and iconic sites. The attractions in Hollywood are closely associated with the film industry and the glamour of the silver screen.
In Los Angeles, you can visit those famous Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles like the hillside Hollywood sign, Hollywood Boulevard or the Chinese Theatre. If you’re lucky, you might even run into a celebrity out for some shopping on Rodeo Drive. A fun family activity in Los Angeles is to find your favorite actors’ stars on the 2,500 plus of the Walk of Fame.
5. The Getty Center
In the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty Center is a museum containing many stunning pieces of artwork. Be sure to visit during its opening hours to see some of the most impressive collections in all of California.
The view at The Restaurant is stunning. Reserve a table and have a leisurely lunch while overlooking Los Angeles.
The J. Paul Getty Museum is a collection of artifacts and art from ancient to modern, with the largest collection of Renaissance art outside Europe, despite being created by oil magnate J. Paul Getty. It is comprised of two locations: one in Malibu and the other in Beverly Hills.
Address: 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, California
6. Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum features a diverse array of cars and motorcycles from 1886 to the present. There are permanent displays, such as the 1930s Quasar fuel cell car, and temporary exhibits that also change with time, exposing new collections every few months.
The new, modern museum looks like an architectural masterpiece with a striking exterior. For touring it, you can sign up for either a 90- or 120-minute tour; whichever you prefer, the guides will give you additional insights on rare and unusual cars.
The museum has regular special exhibits showcasing cars from the past and the future, along with some you might see in between.
Address: 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California
7. Santa Monica
Santa Monica is both chic and laid back. It has a diverse population including surfers, skateboarders, and yoga devotees. The character of this beachfront city next to Los Angeles starts with the illustrious stretch of golden sand that makes it beautiful to look at and continues with the notable Santa Monica Pier and its iconic Ferris wheel.
Santa Monica has many options for shopping with a diverse selection. Third Street Promenade is a popular place that hosts some of the street performers, reminding shoppers it’s even possible to enjoy shopping in Santa Monica during the day and evening.
It is one of the most popular Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles, because Any activity you can think of, Santa Monica has something fun to help do it. From 26-mile bike paths and beaches to the Venice neighbourhood, there’s so much to gain with this city.
The new Expo Line has made traveling between Downtown LA and Santa Monica more convenient.
8. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Mostly famous for its permanent collection, the Natural History Museum also displays a variety of dinosaur skeletons. The Dinosaur Hall features T-Rex fossils ranging from babies to adults. A Triceratops and Stegosaurus can also be found.
The museum is home to exhibits exploring the natural history of California and other locations around the world. One must-see exhibit is ‘Becoming Los Angeles,’ which explores 500 years of Southern California’s history. The Discovery Center, Insect Zoo offer hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages, as well as being highly interesting for children.
Address: 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles
9. California Science Center
The California Science Centre popular Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles, free and open to the public, is home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour as well as other major exhibits. Mission 26: The Big Endeavour is currently on display at the Samuel Oschin Pavilion while construction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center continues. You can see the space shuttle and its artifacts from the mission, as well as information about it and the people involved in launching it into space.
Other exhibits at the Science Center include living world, technology, and ecosystems. The Ecosystems exhibit includes a large kelp tank and plants, animals, and fish. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the California Science Center has special exhibits on an ever-changing selection of things to see.
Address: 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, California
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10. The Broad
The Broad opened late 2015 and quickly became very popular Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles, New York. The museum focuses on contemporary and postwar art, with installations that are big and dramatic. Over 2,000 artworks are included in this unique building. Its “veil-and-vault” concept promotes both well-known artists as well as up-and-coming talent.
Tickets are free, but they are often out of stock. You can only book tickets on a first-come, first-served basis if the person who gets the ticket is available on the day you want to go. On weekends, wait times can get long in line to pay admission. Special exhibitions may carry a fee.
The Broad museum is founded by Eli and Edythe Broad, who have been long time collectors of postwar and contemporary art.
Address: 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California
11. The Original Farmers Market
The Farmer’s Market Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles started in 1934, as 18 farmers opened up stalls on a piece of Shepard St., which was near Wilshire Blvd. during the Great Depression. They sold their produce to local consumers and this eventually led to a farmer’s market.
That experiment was so successful that the market continued to expand. When it first became a farmers’ market, it was only for fruits and vegetables, but the number of vendors has increased over time and now includes food stands, restaurants, and specialty shops. You can find everything from jewelry and candles to kitchenware and toys at this market today.
In Los Angeles, entertainment options include the free night concert, which happens on Friday nights in summer.
Address: 6333 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, California
12. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
LA County Museum of Art is the Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles the largest art museum in the western part of the United States. It contains some 130,000 pieces spanning from antiquity through to modern times. Of particular mention are the outstanding collections of Asian, Latin American, and Islamic Art.
The La Brea Tar Pits are adjacent to the museum on museum row. The LACMA is immense and has buildings designed by the renowned Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
Address: 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
13. Venice Beach
Venice Beach has a reputation of being a place to observe the beauty and eccentricity that the area has to offer, with its varied activities and inhabitants. The golden sand of this beach is always packed with people jogging, running, biking or walking by.
The Skatepark is a popular Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles hangout for the area’s top skateboarders, while Art installations and eclectic shops line the walkway nearby. At Muscle Beach, gym members work out in the California sun.
From shaved ice to kettle corn, you can find everything you need at the food stalls that line the Scary Boulevard. This is a less family-friendly beach, but it’s worth stopping by.
14. Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is a city in southern California, bordered by Los Angeles to the west and encompassing 5.7 square miles of residential neighborhoods that nestle beneath the Santa Monica Mountains. Within this small footprint are some of the most affluent streets in America, including Rodeo Drive.
When you visit Beverly Hills, there are three main streets that converge. Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Boulevard, and Wilshire Boulevard. These three interconnecting streets are lined with upscale boutiques, restaurants and parking lots for luxury cars. Visit Beverly Hills even without going shopping or eating at a restaurant. There is just so much to see on these streets! With the appearance of glamour and celebrity sightings abound!
Beverly Hills has a lot more to offer besides shopping and dining. The city is very walkable and there are many public spaces for leisure with historic building, gardens, and public art throughout. Visit Beverly Gardens Park to take in a sample of these first class public spaces.
15. La Brea Tar Pits
In Hancock Park, California, La Brea Tar Pits offers an opportunity to watch excavations of fossils and learning about the process. About 40,000 years ago, oil seeped through the rocks in the area, coating everything with a substance that animals would become entrapped in. The tar then preserved them almost as they were when they passed by that way, leaving us with an amazing glimpse into what life was like ages ago.
The Brea Tar Pits Museum at the George C. Page Museum recreates ancient fossils with authentic lab work before skeletons can be displayed in the mock of a pit cave.
The museum has fossil replicas of a variety of mammals, including mammoths and saber-toothed cats, dating back between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. An outdoor area also has a display of extinct animals.
Plans are in place for a renovation and redesign of what is generally considered the most unique attraction in Los Angeles County: the Natural History Museum.
Address: 5801 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles
16. Battleship Iowa Museum
Los Angeles is the central port for ships between Asia and American. Here, you can see what life of sailors at sea was like through an imposing site known as Battleship Iowa Museum. The battleship offers a fun family activity where everyone can wander around and learn more about what life on board would have been like for sailors who once made this ship the “flagship of battle”.
This admission ticket includes a self-guided tour, a look at the history of the ship and its 16-inch guns. Kids can search throughout to find secret 10 locations with augmented reality.
For those interested, for an additional fee, the Full Steam Ahead Guided Tour combines behind-the-scenes insight into the engine room and boiler room with other restricted areas of the cruise ship. The dates and numbers are limited for this tour and it’s on a first come, first served basis.
Address: 250 S Harbor Blvd., Low Angeles, California
17. Malibu
In Malibu, the Santa Monica Mountains meet the ocean to create a dramatic backdrop where a variety of activities are available and brought to life throughout the streets due to luxury mansions and celebrity sightings.
Discovering some of the best beaches in Malibu is a great way to enjoy the town. These beaches are located close enough that others are accessible in an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, depending on traffic. There are destinations for both relaxation and adventuring.
Malibu is also home to several seafood restaurants that are worth checking out. The famous Neptune’s Net perhaps has the most notoriety, partly thanks to its roles in movies like Point Break and The Fast and the Furious. Other spots with menus worth perusing include Dukes Malibu and Paradise Cove Beach Cafe.
18. Long Beach
Long Beach is a community in the Los Angeles area that’s easy to spend a day exploring. It borders LA to the south, about 20 miles from downtown, and extends along San Pedro Bay. The miles of beach in Long Beach are common motives for a visit, capped off with an entertaining and entertaining waterfront district.
There are a variety of things you can do in Long Beach’s waterfront district, such as visiting the historic Queen Mary ocean liner looming over the water, exploring the Aquarium of the Pacific, and shopping at Shoreline Village. You can also take the Catalina Express for a trip to Santa Catalina Island.
There are also amazing parks near Long Beach, like Bixby Park and El Dorado East Regional Park. Bixby Park contains rustic charm, while the Miller Japanese Garden is filled with peace and serenity.
19. The Nethercutt Collection
If you’re a fan of antique, vintage, and classic cars, this is the place for you to visit. The Nethercutt Collection has over 100 vehicles from old American and European makes. They are pristinely beautiful, displaying history with each car accompanying it’s previous owner’s story.
The museum also showcases a collection of antique furniture and mechanical musical instruments. Outside you can view a restored steam locomotive and railcar.
Address: 15151 Bledsoe Street, Sylmar, California
20. The Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is a major installation of the cultural institution, located in Pacific Palisades, near the Pacific Ocean. It has been recreated as a Roman country house with garden courtyards and tranquil areas.
On display throughout the Getty Villa is a huge collection of ancient artworks, dating back over 3,500 years. Every corner and space of this museum contains something else to look at, so you should plan on spending at least two or three hours drinking in the grand surroundings.
21. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
The Museum of Contemporary Art consists of two separate facilities and is focused on the presentation of works from the 1940s onwards. They collect permanent works, and have regularly changing exhibitions which feature new pieces, emerging media and other special events.
The MOCA Grand is the main facility of the museum, with galleries, a store, and tour guides. The MOCA Geffen is located in Little Tokyo and includes tours along with exhibits and a cafe in what was previously a police car warehouse.
Double Negative is a site in Moapa Valley, operated by MOCA, near Overton, Nevada. The land art by Michael Heizer was acquired from the museum and is accessible for no charge.
