Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city of about 3.9 million people between the Pacific coast and the San Gabriel Mountains, known for Hollywood, beaches, museums, mountain viewpoints and some of the most varied food in the United States.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Los Angeles.
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1
Griffith Observatory
Free hilltop observatory with public telescopes, space exhibits, planetarium shows and sweeping views of the city and Hollywood Sign.
Tip: Take the LA DASH shuttle from Vermont/Sunset Metro to avoid the crowded hill parking · Arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset on clear weekends to claim a good viewing spot · Buy planetarium tickets online or on arrival early, since popular shows sell out · Remember the observatory is closed Mondays · Bring a light jacket because the hilltop is windy and cool after dark · Weekday afternoons are the quietest time to explore the exhibits
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2
The Getty Center
Hilltop Richard Meier campus with European paintings, illuminated manuscripts, photography, gardens and city views; admission is free.
Tip: Reserve a timed-entry slot online in advance, especially for weekends · Take Metro Line 761 to skip the roughly 25 dollar parking fee · Visit on Saturday evening for sunset views and lighter crowds · Pick up the free audio guide or app to follow highlights · Wear comfortable shoes since the grounds involve plenty of walking · Picnics are allowed in designated areas to save on food costs
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3
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Roughly 2,700 bronze-and-terrazzo stars set into the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street honoring entertainers.
Tip: Visit early in the morning for empty sidewalks and clear photos · Take the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland to avoid pricey parking · Politely decline costumed characters if tips are not wanted · Keep belongings secure in crowded stretches · Check the walk of fame website for upcoming ceremonies · Wear comfortable shoes for the long, flat walk
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4
Santa Monica Pier
Historic 1909 pier with Pacific Park amusement rides, a Ferris wheel, arcade, aquarium and beach access.
Tip: Take the Metro E Line to Downtown Santa Monica and walk to avoid expensive parking · Buy a Pacific Park wristband if planning several rides · Visit on weekdays or in the morning to avoid summer crowds · Bring a jacket since ocean breezes cool the evening · Guard food from seagulls on the pier · Stay for sunset for the best photographs
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5
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Largest art museum in the western United States, spanning ancient to contemporary art, with the new David Geffen Galleries across Wilshire Boulevard.
Tip: Buy timed tickets online to skip the queue at busy times · Photograph Urban Light at dawn or dusk for fewer people · Check the museum calendar for the weekly closed day · Look for free or discounted hours for County residents · Combine with the neighboring La Brea Tar Pits for a full day · Use Metro Line 20 or 720 to avoid parking fees
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6
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Bohemian oceanfront promenade with street performers, vendors, Muscle Beach outdoor gym, skate plaza and murals.
Tip: Arrive on a weekday morning for thinner crowds and easier parking. · Beach-area lots cost roughly $15-25 per day; Metro Line 33 or Big Blue Bus 1 avoids parking. · Keep phones and wallets secured in crowded stretches. · Ask performers before filming close-ups; many expect a tip. · Combine the walk with the Venice Canals, about ten minutes inland on foot.
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7
Universal Studios Hollywood
Movie-studio theme park with the Studio Tour, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and thrill rides.
Tip: Buy tickets online in advance for the best prices · Arrive at park opening and ride headline attractions first · Consider Front of Line passes on peak days · Use the Metro B Line to avoid 35 to 40 dollar parking fees · Download the official app to monitor queue times · Bring a refillable bottle and sunscreen for hot days
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8
The Broad
Contemporary art museum in downtown LA with the Infinity Mirrored Room by Yayoi Kusama; general admission is free.
Tip: Reserve free timed tickets online well ahead of the visit · Join the Infinity Mirrored Room virtual queue as soon as you arrive · Use the standby line if no reservations remain · Visit on a weekday morning for smaller crowds · Remember the museum is closed on Mondays · Take the Metro B or D Line to avoid downtown parking costs
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9
Grand Central Market
Historic 1917 food hall with 30-plus stalls selling tacos, pupusas, ramen, sandwiches and coffee.
Tip: Visit late morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays to avoid lunch lines · Split the group so each person queues at a different stall · Check stall hours since many close earlier than the building · Use Metro B or D Line to Pershing Square instead of paying for parking · Bring small bills as some vendors prefer cash · Pair the visit with the Bradbury Building and Angels Flight nearby
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10
TCL Chinese Theatre
1927 movie palace with the famous forecourt of celebrity handprints, footprints and signatures, and an IMAX auditorium.
Tip: Arrive early in the morning for photos without crowds · Take the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland to skip parking costs · Check the website for premiere closures before visiting · Book movie tickets online for IMAX screenings · Decline paid photos with costumed characters if not wanted · Combine with the Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre in one outing
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmark
Griffith Observatory
Free hilltop observatory with public telescopes, space exhibits, planetarium shows and sweeping views of the city and Ho
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Roughly 2,700 bronze-and-terrazzo stars set into the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street honoring entertain
Santa Monica Pier
Historic 1909 pier with Pacific Park amusement rides, a Ferris wheel, arcade, aquarium and beach access.
TCL Chinese Theatre
1927 movie palace with the famous forecourt of celebrity handprints, footprints and signatures, and an IMAX auditorium.
Museum
The Getty Center
Hilltop Richard Meier campus with European paintings, illuminated manuscripts, photography, gardens and city views
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Largest art museum in the western United States, spanning ancient to contemporary art, with the new David Geffen Galleri
The Broad
Contemporary art museum in downtown LA with the Infinity Mirrored Room by Yayoi Kusama
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
Active Ice Age fossil site in the middle of the city, with a museum of mammoths, saber-toothed cats and dire wolves.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Large 1913 museum with dinosaur halls, gems and minerals, a butterfly pavilion and Southern California habitats.
Petersen Automotive Museum
Four-floor car museum with Hollywood vehicles, supercars, motorcycles and rotating exhibits, in a striking ribbon-clad b
Beach
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Bohemian oceanfront promenade with street performers, vendors, Muscle Beach outdoor gym, skate plaza and murals.
Theme-Park
Universal Studios Hollywood
Movie-studio theme park with the Studio Tour, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and thrill rides
Market
Grand Central Market
Historic 1917 food hall with 30-plus stalls selling tacos, pupusas, ramen, sandwiches and coffee.
The Original Farmers Market and The Grove
Open-air market since 1934 with produce, bakeries, food stalls and a clock tower, next to the outdoor Grove shopping cen
Viewpoint
Lake Hollywood Park (Hollywood Sign viewpoint)
Public park with one of the most direct, legal and free views of the Hollywood Sign
Performing-Arts
Hollywood Bowl
1922 outdoor amphitheater, summer home of the LA Philharmonic, with picnic-friendly concerts under the stars.
Shopping
The Last Bookstore
Sprawling downtown bookstore in a former bank with a book tunnel, vault of horror titles and art studios upstairs.
Rodeo Drive
Three-block luxury shopping street in neighboring Beverly Hills known for flagship boutiques and the Rodeo Drive sign.
Architecture
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Frank Gehry's stainless-steel concert hall, home of the LA Philharmonic, with free self-guided audio tours and a rooftop
Outdoors
Runyon Canyon Park
Popular Hollywood Hills hiking park with moderate trails, city views and an off-leash dog area.
Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Landmark 1899 cemetery with memorials to Hollywood icons, a Cinespia outdoor movie series and the Day of the Dead festiv
Family
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
133-acre zoo in Griffith Park with Asian elephants, a gorilla reserve, a Rainforest of the Americas and native Californi
Neighborhood
Venice Canals Historic District
Residential canals built in 1905 by Abbot Kinney, with footbridges, ducks and gardens within walking distance of the bea
Tour
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Behind-the-scenes tour of working sound stages, backlots and the Stage 48 Script to Screen exhibit in neighboring Burban
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums close one weekday (often Monday or Wednesday) and open about 10:00-11:00 AM to 5:00-6:00 PM; Griffith Observatory opens noon on weekdays. Confirm on each attraction's website before traveling.
- Fees
- Many headline sights are free: Griffith Observatory building, The Getty Center (parking about $25), The Broad, the Walk of Fame, Venice Beach and Grand Central Market entry. Paid highlights are Universal Studios Hollywood (from about $140), the Warner Bros. tour (about $80-90) and LACMA (about $28-30).
- Best Times
- September-November and March-May bring comfortable 70-85 F days; June gloom often covers the coast until noon. Summer evenings suit the Hollywood Bowl.
- Booking
- Reserve timed entry for the Getty Center (free), The Broad, Universal Studios Hollywood and the Warner Bros. tour. Use a TAP card (taptogo.net, $1.75 per Metro ride) and rideshare for hilltop sights where parking is limited.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
LA is spread out: group sights by area (Hollywood, Miracle Mile, Downtown, Westside, beaches) and allow 45-90 minutes between areas by car in traffic.
Metro B Line (Red) links Hollywood, Universal City and Downtown; Metro E Line (Expo) links Downtown, Exposition Park and Santa Monica.
Check Hollywood Sign and Getty parking rules in advance; Getty parking is about $25 per car and a tram runs from the garage.
Carry water and sunscreen; Griffith Park trails and Runyon Canyon have little shade.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free attractions in Los Angeles?
Griffith Observatory, The Getty Center, The Broad, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Venice Beach, Grand Central Market entry and Lake Hollywood Park are free. Getty parking costs about $25 per car.
How many days are needed to see Los Angeles?
Three to four days cover the main sights: one for Hollywood and Griffith, one for Downtown, one for Westside museums and beaches, and one for a studio or theme park.
Is a car needed to visit LA attractions?
A car helps but is not required. Metro rail reaches Hollywood, Universal City, Downtown, Exposition Park and Santa Monica; rideshare fills gaps to hilltop sights such as the Hollywood Sign viewpoint.