Los Angeles is sun-soaked Southern California sprawl — Hollywood glamour, Pacific beaches, world-class museums and a food scene as diverse as its neighbourhoods. Base yourself well, embrace the car (or the improving Metro), and it's a gateway to deserts, mountains and theme parks.
- Hollywood, studios and the entertainment-industry mythology
- Beaches from Santa Monica and Venice to Malibu
- Superb museums — the Getty, LACMA, The Broad and the Academy Museum
- A launchpad for Joshua Tree, the desert and California road trips
Region: The Pacific Best time: Mar–May and Sep–Nov (warm, clear); summers are hot inland; the coast stays mild year-round Getting there: LAX is the main gateway; Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB) and John Wayne (SNA) are smaller and often easier. Getting around: A car is the default for LA's sprawl; the growing Metro rail and rideshare help along key corridors.
Neighbourhoods
Hollywood
The Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre and the hillside Hollywood Sign.
Santa Monica & Venice
The pier, beachfront path and Venice's boardwalk and canals.
Downtown (DTLA)
The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Grand Central Market and Arts District.
Beverly Hills & West Hollywood
Rodeo Drive shopping, Sunset Strip nightlife and celebrity spotting.
Griffith Park area
The Observatory, hiking trails and the best Hollywood Sign views.
Things to do
- Griffith Observatory — city and Hollywood Sign views, free exhibits and sunset crowds
- The Getty Center — art, architecture and gardens with a hilltop panorama (free entry)
- Santa Monica & Venice — the pier, a beach-path bike ride and Venice's boardwalk scene
- Hollywood & a studio tour — Warner Bros. or Universal for the behind-the-scenes movie experience
- Grand Central Market — graze DTLA's historic food hall, then The Broad museum
- Theme parks — Universal Studios in town; Disneyland an hour south in Anaheim
A few perfect days
- Day 1Hollywood & the hills
Walk of Fame, a studio tour, then sunset at Griffith Observatory.
- Day 2Beaches
Santa Monica Pier, a beach-path ride to Venice, and an afternoon at the Getty.
- Day 3Downtown & desert
Grand Central Market and The Broad, or drive out to Joshua Tree for the day.
Eat & drink
- Tacos and Mexican food at every level, from trucks to fine dining
- Korean BBQ in Koreatown and dumplings in the San Gabriel Valley
- Farmers-market California cuisine and In-N-Out for the classic road stop
Tickets & tours
Skip-the-line tickets and tours in Los Angeles, booked through our partners.
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Academy Museum of Motion Pictures: Entry Ticket Book → -
Aquarium of the Pacific: Skip The Line Book on Tiqets → -
Broad Museum & Downtown Los Angeles In-App Audio Tour Book → -
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Entry Ticket Book → -
Real Los Angeles: Exploring the City's Charming Vibe Beyond the Entertainment Book → -
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood: Entry Ticket Book →
National parks & day trips
Where to stay
Compare hotels and rentals across Los Angeles.
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