Los Angeles attractions

The largest art museum in the western United States, the size of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is matched by the breadth of its collection. Home to more than 120,000 objects dating from antiquity to the present, representing every part of the world, the museum’s collection encompasses nearly the entire history of art.

Dating back to 1923, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (LA Coliseum is one of LA’s most storied sporting venues. A National and State Historic Landmark, the 78,000-capacity stadium has seen more major sporting events than almost any other athletic arena. It’s also home to the University of Southern California’s Trojans football team.

On a busy downtown street corner, the Walt Disney® Concert Hall's twisted-metal landmark building bursts from the Los Angeles cityscape. Designed by Frank Gehry and acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, the building's interior features walls and a ceiling finished with Douglas fir and unparalleled sound, making it a must-see attraction for lovers of music and architecture.

One of Los Angeles’ most storied music venues, Whisky a Go Go has welcomed rock ‘n’ roll fans since 1964. Located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, the nightclub is often called “the first real American discotheque.” Over the decades, it has hosted legends ranging from Jimi Hendrix and The Doors to Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin.

Many a saber-toothed tiger, dire wolf, mammoth, and ground sloth had the misfortune of “discovering” the La Brea Tar Pits some 40,000 years ago. Excavation on the ice age fossil site—formerly the city’s natural history museum—began in 1915 and continues to this day right in the heart of Los Angeles.

The Capitol Records Building has been one of the most recognizable features of the Hollywood skyline since its construction in 1956. Distinguished by its cylindrical shape, the 13-story skyscraper hosts the Capitol Studios, where the likes of Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, and Nat King Cole have all recorded music.

Comprising a series of manmade canals located just steps from Venice Beach, the Venice Canals are one of LA’s loveliest attractions. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1980s, the Venice Canal District dates to 1905 and was built by a local developer seeking to recreate the romantic ambiance of Italy.

Tucked into the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles, with the Hollywood sign in the background, the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater has been a favorite venue for outdoor live music since it opened in 1922. It’s home to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and it hosts the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the summer months.

Inspired by Harlem’s 1920s jazz clubs, the Viper Room is one of Los Angeles’ most legendary music venues. Once partly owned by Johnny Depp and long a magnet for Hollywood stars, the Sunset Strip nightclub has earned its place in rock ‘n’ roll lore: legends like Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, and The Strokes have all taken to its stage.

One of Los Angeles’ most famous shopping destinations, this colorful West Hollywood street offers an eclectic mix of highbrow and punk rock fashion. Trendsetters and tourists alike flock to the retail hub, where couture storefronts stand alongside vintage boutiques, jewelry shops, and tattoo parlors.

One of Los Angeles’ most popular shopping destinations, The Grove is an open-air retail and entertainment complex. Stretching across 575,000 square feet (53,419 square meters), the mall hosts dozens of shops, restaurants, and even a movie theater. A trolley serves the complex—ride it for fun or just to rest your feet.

Hollywood’s Golden Age still glitters at this historic theater on Hollywood Boulevard. After opening in 1930, the Art Deco landmark went on to host Academy Awards, glittering galas, and other star-studded Tinseltown events. Now it’s a top venue for musicals and theater in Los Angeles, frequently drawing big-name performers and shows.

Set in Los Angeles, California, the Petersen Automotive Museum portrays the history of cars and their influence on American life. The building spans three floors and 25 galleries, with seasonal exhibits and a diverse collection of more than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Perched in the Santa Monica Mountains north of Hollywood, the well-heeled neighborhood of Hollywood Hills offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Los Angeles, with plenty of nature, open spaces, and panoramic views. It’s also home to the rich and famous, and features some of the most impressive architecture in the city.

A drive on at least one portion of this iconic road should be a part of any first-time visit to Los Angeles. Built largely in 1924 as the scenic highway it remains today, Mulholland (as it’s locally known) offers unparalleled views of the L.A. Basin, San Fernando Valley, the Hollywood Sign and more.

One of the world’s most recognizable arenas, Crypto.com Arena is home to several sports teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. Entertainment buffs also flock to the multipurpose stadium for concerts and other events.

The historic core of Downtown Los Angeles has several architectural gems, and the turn-of-the-century Bradbury Building ranks among the most striking. Opened in 1893, this landmark building is a draw for visitors not so much for its facade, but its ornate interior. Highlights include the ironwork, intricate staircase, and glass skylight.

A bustling Mexican marketplace since 1930, Olvera Street is part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, a US historic district considered the “birthplace of Los Angeles.” Tucked away in downtown LA, the marketplace is home to small eateries that serve Mexican fare as well as stalls that sell souvenirs, clothing, art, and crafts.

Originally built as a theatrical venue in 1926, the El Capitan Theatre is one of Los Angeles’ most famous cinematic landmarks. Restored to its original splendor, the stately Hollywood theater now hosts Disney movie screenings and premieres, many of which are accompanied by performances, Q&As, and other special events.

Hailed as one of Southern California's most beautiful beaches, Newport Beach beckons with miles of wide-open, sandy shores that make Los Angeles traffic feel a world away. Despite being fringed by multimillion-dollar real estate, the beach maintains a laid-back vibe thanks to an endless summer surf culture and tourist-friendly amenities.

Once the most expensive residence in California, the stately Greystone Mansion is now owned by the City of Beverly Hills. Though the 55-room home is typically closed to visitors, you can still stroll the well-tended grounds and admire the mansion’s marvelous exterior.

Spanning eight states and 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers), Historic Route 66 has become a cultural icon, immortalized in song and on the silver screen. This romanticized road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica offers drivers an inside look at classic America—kitschy roadside attractions, diners, historic motels, and plenty of 1950s nostalgia.

One of Los Angeles’ pre-eminent shopping and entertainment complexes, Hollywood & Highland boasts two heritage movie theaters—the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre—and dozens of shops and restaurants. It’s also located steps away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and hosts the annual Academy Awards,

Just over the hills from coastal Santa Barbara lie the Santa Ynez Valley and the Danish-style town of Solvang. Founded in 1911 by a group of Danish teachers, small Solvang (Danish for "sunny field") is now a bustling cultural destination, ripe with wine-tasting rooms, bakeries turning out aebleskivers, and all sorts of quirky shops. Downtown's windmills and half-timbered buildings give it a fairy-tale look—fitting since the Hans Christian Andersen Museum is a top attraction.

Once the flagship of the Cunard White Star Line, the elegant ocean liner RMS Queen Mary sailed between England's Southampton, France's Cherbourg, and New York City from 1936 to 1967. Now permanently moored in the city of Long Beach, California, the Queen Mary has since been transformed into a floating hotel, restaurant, special events venue, and one of the area's key tourist attractions.

The original Laugh Factory opened on Sunset Boulevard in 1979, and today this storied club remains a go-to destination for some of the best stand-up comedy in Los Angeles. Comedy legends and rising stars grace the club's stage almost every night, offering travelers a place for outrageous live acts, right in the heart of Hollywood.

Early 20th-century architecture is typically the main draw of LA’s Historic Core, a storied stretch of Downtown Los Angeles centered around Pershing Square. You can visit art deco buildings and admire downtown views with a ride on the historic Angels Flight funicular, whether touring independently or with a guide.

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a Harry Potter book, look no further than the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. Explore Hogwarts Castle, stroll around Hogsmeade, and even cast your own spells with a magic wand at this family-friendly attraction perfect for fans of the series.

A testament to the evolving cultural landscape of downtown Los Angeles, Union Station is both transit hub and arts destination, featuring everything from live music to eateries. Despite the updated image, the station still serves travelers first. Find regional trains, bus and car sharing services, and even car rental agencies on site.

A U.S. National Historic Landmark District, Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo was founded in the early 1900s and is one of just three Japantowns in the country. The compact neighborhood in downtown LA is home to cultural attractions, shops selling Japanese goods, and dozens of restaurants serving sushi, ramen, and other Japanese and Asian fusion cuisine.