Hidden Gems in Los Angeles: How to Get off the Beaten Path
Thanks to year-round sunshine and spectacular natural scenery, Los Angeles is synonymous with laid-back living. For vacationers, though, it can be hard to embrace that California sense of calm with an itinerary full of crowded tourist attractions including the Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood Walk of Fame. Fortunately, there are plenty of hidden spots in Los Angeles where you can escape the masses and feel like a local—even if you’re only in town for a few days.
From peaceful parks to niche museums, these secret places in LA will give you a perspective of the city beyond its busiest beaches and Beverly Hills (and help you understand why nearly 4 million people choose to call sunny LA home).
1. Get a different perspective on the Hollywood Sign
Skip the packed hiking trails and take your Hollywood Sign photos from these unusual viewpoints.
While Griffith Park trails are often congested with visitors hiking up to the Hollywood Sign, you can get a lovely, unobstructed view of the instantly recognizable white letters from plenty of other spots in the city.
One option is the Hollywood Reservoir, which has a flat paved trail surrounding an artificial lake and views of the Hollywood Hills rolling in the distance. When you’re ready for lunch, bring a picnic to the nearby Lake Hollywood Park, which has tables, a lawn, and Hollywood Sign views that won’t be blocked by fellow picture-takers.
Insider tip: If you don’t want to walk the full 3 miles (5 kilometers) around the Hollywood Reservoir, head straight to Mulholland Dam for the best view of the Hollywood Sign.
2. Browse under-the-radar museums and art installations
Once you’ve visited LA’s top art museums, head to these quieter spots.
It’s no surprise that major museums such as The Broad and Getty Center—which both offer free admission and world-class artwork—draw big crowds. But if you’re looking for LA art and culture spots beyond the obvious, you can drive to neighboring Pasadena for the Norton Simon Museum. This private art collection features precious pieces by the likes of Picasso and Van Gogh, plus a tranquil sculpture garden.
Other historic hidden LA sites include Watts Towers, tucked off the tourist track in South LA. Built more than three decades ago by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia, the 17 towers consist of recycled materials such as shells and broken ceramics, and you can learn about the beloved folk-art structure on a guided tour.
3. See a puppet show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater
The historic Bob Baker Marionette Theater is a go-to for whimsical live performances in LA.
Many Los Angeles local favorites are on the city’s East Side, including the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. The country’s longest operating live puppet theater has a collection of around 3,000 handmade marionettes, many of which you’ll see during the venue’s weekend shows.
The performance program is ever-changing, but the shows are kid-friendly and set to live organ music. Plus, Bob Baker is located in hip Highland Park, one of the most unique neighborhoods in Los Angeles for non-residents to explore. After the show, browse walkable York Boulevard’s vintage shops, indie boutiques, and a variety of bars and restaurants.
4. Ride bikes toward the South Bay
Outdoor adventures in LA aren’t limited to hiking—ride a bike along the beach instead.
LA may be built for cars, but you don’t have to drive to explore the city. Rent a bike or join an e-bike tour to take advantage of the city’s 22-mile (35-kilometer) beachfront cycling path. The busiest section of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which runs from Pacific Palisades to Torrance, is along Santa Monica and Venice Beach.
Start your ride in Marina del Rey, though, and you’ll get a more local feel with equally stellar ocean views. Biking south from Fisherman’s Village, it takes about 40 minutes to reach Manhattan Beach, which has a vast stretch of sand for sunbathing, tons of patio dining, and a landmark pier with a small aquarium.
5. Appreciate art and architecture at Barnsdall Art Park
Barnsdall Art Park is best known as the site of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House.
LA has just one UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Hollyhock House designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright for Aline Barnsdall, an oil heiress and theatrical producer who loved hollyhocks. Search for floral motifs peppered throughout the modern California home, completed in 1921, on a self-guided tour before exploring the rest of Barnsdall Art Park.
More than a century after Barnsdall conceived of the public space dedicated to the arts, the park remains a hub for creativity, with a gallery, theater, and art workshop program. The lawn, perched on Olive Hill overlooking Griffith Park, is even used for community events—such as sunset wine tastings on summer evenings.
Related: An Art Lover’s Guide to Los Angeles
6. Dive into downtown’s history and culture
See many of LA’s most important historical sites while touring downtown.
Though full of historical landmarks such as Angels Flight Railway (the world’s shortest railway which dates back to 1901) and beloved businesses including The Last Bookstore, Downtown LA doesn’t get nearly as many tourists as Hollywood does.
Learn about LA beyond its movie stars, and cover sights that visitors often miss, on a downtown walking tour. Better served by public transportation than other LA neighborhoods, walkable downtown is easy to explore without a car, which means you can see architectural gems such as the Bradbury Building and key cultural districts—from Little Tokyo to the Arts District—in just a couple of hours.
Insider tip: Buy a Metro TAP card to access downtown’s Union Station and Angels Flight Railway like a local.
7. Snap pictures of the city from the Stahl House
The stunning Stahl House—which offers architecture tours—has some of the best views in LA.
“Nobody famous ever lived here” is the unofficial tagline of the Stahl House, which offers an architecture-focused alternative to LA’s ever-popular celebrity homes tours. Completed in 1960 for a post–World War II housing project by Arts & Architecture magazine, the Hollywood Hills structure is an emblem of mid-century modern architecture, with glass walls affording views from West Hollywood to downtown.
Guided house tours sell out far in advance, so plan ahead to arrange a visit. Perched just above Sunset Boulevard, the Stahl House is also easy to pair with a true-crime tour of the Sunset Strip or a visit to local institutions such as the Comedy Store and Whisky a Go Go.
8. Watch the LA Phil rehearse at the Hollywood Bowl
You don’t need a ticket to see the LA Phil prep for shows at the Hollywood Bowl.
The backdrop for performances by everyone from the Beatles to Billie Eilish, the Hollywood Bowl is by no means a secret. However, the world-famous concert venue is still home to local LA experiences that even longtime Angelenos don’t know about.
When performances aren’t scheduled, head to the amphitheater to see the Hollywood Bowl Museum, climb the stairs with local run clubs, or listen to live classical music for free. During the summer concert season, the LA Philharmonic meets for morning rehearsals a couple of times per week, which you can watch with no reservations needed.
Insider tip: Rehearsals typically take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but check the Bowl’s weekly practice schedule that comes out on Mondays.
9. Pay your respects at historic cemeteries
Those looking for offbeat LA attractions can head to the city’s scenic cemeteries.
Hiking isn’t the only way to find peace and quiet in the heart of LA. Just north of the tour groups schlepping around Paramount Pictures Studio is the serene Hollywood Forever Cemetery. With its manicured lawns and pretty backdrop of palm trees, the cemetery—where many famous figures are buried—is an antidote to the traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Visit in the morning for the calmest experience, or join locals on the lawn for popular summer movie nights. A short drive north toward Griffith Park, Forest Lawn Memorial Park is also known for its celebrity gravesites, and its hillside surroundings provide a beautiful setting for tranquil reflection.
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