Visiting Los Angeles for the First Time? Here’s What To See and Do
Soaking up the sun in Santa Monica, strolling down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and spotting stars in Beverly Hills are rites of passage that should be on any Los Angeles first-time guide. This one’s no different. Linger a little longer, though, and you’ll see that there’s much more to this Southern California city than beaches and Hollywood glamour.
With endless hiking trails, renowned museums, and one of the most exciting food scenes in the US, this is one city that always has something new to offer. But if you’re overwhelmed by the sheer variety of things to do in LA, start with these top first-timer activities—from movie tours to Malibu day trips, these experiences will give you a winning first impression of LA.
1. Check out the star sights in Hollywood
Hollywood attractions include 20th-century movie theaters and the star-studded Walk of Fame.
Besides perfect weather and maddening traffic, LA is also known for the entertainment machine that is Hollywood. Get an intro to the industry on Hollywood Boulevard, where you can look out for your favorite actors’ names on the Walk of Fame, then step back in time to the golden age of cinema at historic venues such as the TCL Chinese Theatre.
If you’re more of a film buff, take a Hollywood movie tour to see the real-life locations used in major motion pictures. For the best chance of celebrity sightings, cruise through Hollywood on an open-top bus ride that also takes you around Beverly Hills and past Mulholland Drive mansions.
2. Take a hike for the best LA views
Year-round, hiking in Griffith Park is one of the best things to do in LA.
If you ask a local where to go in LA, they’ll likely tell you to head to Griffith Park. The city’s largest park has more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) of hiking trails, with views stretching all the way to the Pacific on a clear day.
Work up a sweat climbing the steep Runyon Canyon, or join a guided group hike that gets you up close to famous LA landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory. If you didn’t pack your hiking shoes, Griffith Park is still well worth a visit for attractions including the LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens and Autry Museum of the American West.
Related: 9 of the Best Views in Los Angeles and Where To Find Them
3. Eat your way through downtown LA
Some of the best LA cultural experiences can be found in the downtown’s multicultural cuisine.
Home to Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Grand Central Market—where you can get Oaxacan mole, German sausages, and other global specialties under one roof—downtown LA is essentially one big multicultural food hall. This makes the neighborhood a perfect choice for a LA food tour that not only includes tastings of everything from tacos to doughnuts, but also an overview of downtown’s Historic Core and architectural highlights, such as the 19th-century Bradbury Building.
If you’d rather choose your own restaurants, first learn about local history on a downtown walking tour, then grab a bite in the mural-filled Arts District or on Olvera Street, a Mexican-style marketplace.
Related: Food in Los Angeles: 10 Quintessentially LA Dishes and Where To Eat Them
4. Go shopping in the sunshine
From the Grove to Rodeo Drive, there’s no shortage of scenic places to shop in LA.
Rodeo Drive is one of the best-known shopping districts in the world, but its concentration of ultra-luxury brands makes it a better place for window shopping and people-watching than stocking up on souvenirs. Anyway, once you’ve snapped an obligatory photo on the palm tree-lined street, you’ll find plenty of other outdoor shopping destinations nearby.
For vintage shops and sidewalk cafés, stroll along Melrose Avenue, ideally when the weekly Melrose Trading Post is going on (typically every Sunday). Families, meanwhile, love the Grove for its variety of stores and restaurants, landmark dancing fountain, and proximity to the LA Original Farmers Market.
Related: Where To Go Shopping in Los Angeles
5. Hit the beach
Exploring Venice and Santa Monica is a must on your LA sightseeing itinerary.
With Malibu to the north and Manhattan Beach to the south, there’s no shortage of beaches to hit while you’re visiting LA. Venice Beach and Santa Monica, however, are the easiest ones to reach from central LA—and they provide plenty of things to do even if you don’t get in the water.
Case in point: the oceanside cycling path that runs between the two beaches, which you can experience like a local on an e-bike tour that takes you past the Venice Canals, boardwalk, and skate park. Or, spot Santa Monica highlights—including the Ferris wheel–topped pier—on a surf lesson with all the equipment included.
6. Appreciate LA’s art scene
Works range from classical to contemporary at LA’s top art museums.
No matter which part of LA you’re visiting, you’re likely to find an interesting museum. Downtown, the highlight is the Broad, which is just as well known for its dramatic architecture as it is for contemporary art by Jeff Koons, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Yayoi Kusama.
On Miracle Mile’s Museum Row, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has the largest art collection in the western US, including the Instagram-famous Urban Light installation of more than 200 antique street lamps. While in Brentwood, don’t miss the Getty Center, which has everything from Roman sculptures to Impressionist paintings, plus sweeping gardens with views over the city.
Insider tip: Admission to both LACMA and the Getty Center is free, but be sure to make a timed-entry reservation in advance.
7. Tour real Hollywood studios
Go behind the scenes of your favorite films and TV series on LA’s many studio tours.
You don’t need to be a film buff to enjoy a glimpse behind the curtain of big-time movie studios. Book the popular Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood to step into Central Perk from Friends and Sheldon’s apartment from The Big Bang Theory. You’ll also learn about the history of Warner Bros. and the techniques behind the movie-making process, from sound-mixing to visual effects.
While Warner Bros. is in Burbank, Paramount Pictures Studio is the last major studio at work in Hollywood proper, with daily cart tours of its backlots and soundstages. Look out for actors and crew members on your ride around the lot, then continue exploring Hollywood on a private bus tour.
8. Visit world-famous theme parks
Disneyland® Park and Universal Studios Hollywood™ are some of the best places to go in LA with kids.
Located about an hour outside of LA in Anaheim, Disneyland® Park makes a worthwhile day trip for families visiting Southern California. From kid-friendly character parades to the speedy Incredicoaster, the impressive park has something for all ages.
You’ll find just as much variety at Universal Studios Hollywood™, with rides, games, and restaurants themed around Harry Potter, Super Mario, and Jurassic Park, plus a Hollywood studio tour by tram. For fast-track access to the park and popular attractions, grab skip-the-line tickets.
Insider tip: To get a taste of these theme parks without buying tickets, head to the Downtown Disney® District or Universal CityWalk™—both have free admission and plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment to keep you occupied.
9. See a show in a historic venue
You can always count on LA for live entertainment, from music to comedy.
To experience LA as it was in the ‘60s and ‘70s, there’s no better place than the Sunset Strip. Originally an Old-Hollywood haunt, the Strip became known for its rock venues in the later half of the 20th century, when legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Led Zeppelin were regular performers. You can still rock out at Whisky a Go Go today, or head to the Comedy Store, where many comedians launched their careers in the 1970s.
Alternatively, for an outdoor concert with excellent acoustics and views of the Hollywood Hills, book tickets to the Hollywood Bowl. In the summer months, the venue fills up with picnickers watching the LA Philharmonic and major artists.
10. Take a California day trip
Surf in Malibu or sip wine in Santa Barbara on easy Los Angeles day trips.
To feel a world away from LA without driving too far from the city, Malibu is your best bet. On a half-day tour from Santa Monica, you’ll catch coastal highlights including Point Dume State Beach, the Getty Villa, and Malibu’s notable pier. For a more active outdoor experience, book an e-bike tour in the Malibu mountains, or choose a leisurely vineyard hike that ends with wine.
If you’re willing to take a farther-flung day trip, Santa Barbara tours include everything from wine tasting to kayaking with harbor seals, while upscale Newport Beach is a popular departure point for whale-watching and dolphin cruises. For an inland adventure, Joshua Tree National Park provides otherworldly views of desert trees and rock formations.
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