Southern California in the United States is full of top things to see. There’s much to see and do in Los Angeles, whether it’s in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, The Strand, or Venice of America. This is your go-to list to carry with you at all times if you’re planning your next vacation.
The entertainment industry, huge beaches, a wonderful culinary scene, and famous nightlife are just a few of the reasons why Los Angeles is so well-known.
However, if you want to distill LA down to its most fundamental elements, you must see the attractions that make it the wonderful metropolis it is.
You can go swimming in the water, hiking up a mountain, seeing a celebrity, and shopping till you drop on any given day.
As you prepare to go on your ultimate LA journey, make sure your bag is stocked with swimsuits, hiking boots, and plenty of room for mementos.
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive is the epitome of opulence and wealth. Though the Beverly Hills roadway is two miles (3.2 kilometers) long, Rodeo Drive is a considerably shorter segment bordered to the south by Wilshire Boulevard and to the north by Santa Monica Boulevard.
This neighborhood is home to high-end boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Dior. Visitors should also pay a visit to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, whose facade was featured heavily in the film Pretty Woman. Honorable mentions here include Mulholland drive and Greystone mansion.
Venice Beach
The bizarre, amazing, zany, and wild may be found on the Venice Boardwalk. The world-famous Muscle Beach, hard-top basketball courts, a skate park, and much more can be found along this famed stretch of seashore streets.
Buskers abound, singing and dancing for money, while other vendors hawk their creative and holistic items. On the boardwalk, you’ll discover every element of LA culture, and you’ll find yourself gawking at once-in-a-lifetime spectacles of sheer crazy people.
If you want to see the sites of Venice Beach and Santa Monica like a local, get on an electric bike and follow your guide around the streets. As you stroll down the beachfront, take in the sea air. If you have any queries, you may ask your native LA guide, who will gladly answer them. Honorable mentions here are Zuma beach and State beach.
Griffith Observatory
The Observatory, perhaps one of the greatest observation spots in Los Angeles, also provides a variety of activities while inside. The Observatory not only offers free public telescope use virtually every clear-sky evening, but it also hosts public star parties once a month, when visitors may peer through a variety of telescopes alongside knowledgeable amateur astronomers.
There are a variety of walks that go from Griffith Park to the Observatory, ranging from the well-known Firebreak path to the lesser-known Western Canyon loop. The Berendo Stairs, situated at the corner of Berendo Street and Cromwell Avenue, are also a viable option for getting to the Observatory (there are even benches at either end and the midway point of the 181 stairs).
Worthy of mention attractions you should visit are also the Ferris Wheel, to see the unique architecture and the Wilshire Boulevard.
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier, which was built in 1909, was long known as the end of Route 66, which spanned from Chicago to Los Angeles.
The pier is now Santa Monica’s most scenic location, with amusement park rides, tacky eateries, and a schedule of events that includes big-name concerts, fireworks displays, and massive Christmas celebrations. It features a steel structure and a lot of acres of land.
You can drive there on the Pacific Coast Highway and enjoy the sites. On this Pacific Ocean point, Instagram addicts will find lots of selfie places to get the most likes. Honorable mentions here are the Los Angeles National Forest and Huntington library.
Hollywood Walk Of Fame
E.M. Stuart, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, came up with a concept in 1953 that would lead to the creation of one of the world’s most renowned sidewalks: the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Walk was completed in 1961, following many heated disputes about which luminaries should be honored with a star.
There were 1,558 stars back then; now there are over 2,600, with more being added every year. The Walk of Fame runs between Gower Street and La Brea Avenue on Hollywood Boulevard, between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard on Vine Street, and between Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue on Marshfield Way.
Guests will also pass by the historic Hollywood Roosevelt hotel and the famed TLC Chinese Theater, which has hosted countless significant film premieres as well as the Academy Awards for the last three years.
Stop near Sunset Boulevard and Bronson Avenue for an excellent glimpse of the Hollywood Sign in the distance. Expect a swarm of visitors as well as street entertainers jostling for attention and tips on these streets. Additionally, take a Warner Bros Studio Tour, or watch some movies of choice.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the most famous attractions in the Los Angeles region, including rides and attractions based on some of the most well-known moments and characters from cinema and television. Take the famed tram trip past the eerie Bates Motel from “Psycho” and join the characters of “Fast & Furious” in a high-speed pursuit.
Cartoon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Scooby-Doo may be shaken hands with. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as Jurassic World – The Ride, are both great hits. If you’re looking for a thrill, there are plenty of thrilling coasters and rides to choose from.
Riders may join Optimus Prime in his struggle against the Decepticons on Transformers: The Attraction-3D; in the meanwhile, kids can enjoy the 3D ride Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (complete with a Minion dance party).
Every day, thousands of visitors visit Universal Studios; to avoid lengthy lines, travelers should purchase an Express ticket (previously Front of the Line pass) online, which costs $179 to $279 per person. This brings up yet another annoyance: the cost.
A family trip to Universal Studios costs $109 to $129 for adults and $103 to $123 for children ages 3 to 9 (when bought online), which some tourists find prohibitive. Honorable mentions here aside from the Paramount Pictures studios which are similar to Universal include the Warner Bros studio.
California Science Center
At the California Science Center, children and inquisitive adults will find a world of fun and adventure. Interactive exhibits in the permanent “Ecosystems” exhibit teach visitors about anything from islands to rivers to forests across eight distinct zones.
In “Creative World,” technology takes center stage, with a focus on transportation and architectural innovation. But what’s the biggest appeal for recent visitors? The Gemini 11 capsule flown by Dick Gordon and Pete Conrad, as well as a unique exhibit about the Endeavor space shuttle, are on display in the museum’s “Air & Space” area.
There is also an IMAX cinema on the premises. Recent visitors have described the facility as “amazing,” “a lot of fun,” and “particularly terrific for youngsters.” The facility is free to visit, although there are fees for special exhibitions and IMAX films.
An IMAX or special exhibit ticket grants access to the Endeavor. A timed ticket is needed to access Endeavor on weekends and holidays. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
The cost of parking is $12. You may also walk five minutes from the center by taking the Metro Expo Line to Expo Park/USC Station. For further information, go to the center’s website.
Natural History Museum
This legendary Downtown LA museum is a must-see for dinosaur enthusiasts. The Natural History Museum, which is located in Exposition Park, first opened its doors in 1913.
It now contains over 35 million artifacts, including a T-Rex triple and a Triceratops fossil in the Dinosaur Hall, gigantic fossilized mammoths in the Age of Mammals, and more than 600 plant species in the Nature Gardens.
Sometimes it works extended hours. Honorable mentions here include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art founded by Philanthropists Eli and Edythe and TCL Chinese Theatre.
Petersen Automotive Museum
It is close to the third street promenade. When it comes to automobiles, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a must-see for vehicle aficionados of all ages.
There are changing exhibitions to guarantee that no two excursions are the same, and a variety of activities to keep your attention stimulated while driving.
The Vault, where an additional 250 rare and unusual automobiles are on show, is one of the most intriguing aspects of the museum. Honorable mentions here are the LA Brea Tar Pits, Santa Monica Mountains, and Los Angeles Basin as they are places you should visit also.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
One of the more sound stages in terms of popularity. The curving, stainless steel façade of this Frank Gehry-designed performance venue is an outstanding edifice in downtown Los Angeles. The hall aided in the revitalization of a sector of downtown that was formerly dominated by uninspiring office buildings and a lack of entertainment choices.
The music hall is now at the forefront of the area’s nightlife and culture. Visitors who like music should attend a concert by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. (Visit the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s website for ticket and pricing information.)
You don’t have to buy concert tickets to see this performance venue, though: A docent-led tour or a self-guided audio tour of the exterior and interior are available (though the actual concert auditorium is off-limits).
Free hourlong guided and audio tours are provided Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 to 5 p.m., respectively, although guided tour hours vary by day and are normally available on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visit The Music Center’s website for a complete tour itinerary.
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