Los Angeles is widely recognized as the global center for the film industry. The City of Angels is famous for its film, theater, and musical output, which is widely admired around the world. Many people visit Los Angeles because of its rich entertainment industry past and the possibility of rubbing shoulders with a star, but the area’s beaches, theme parks, and year-round sunny weather also play a significant role.
Thanks to its world-class museums, stadiums, and theaters, Los Angeles is a great destination for culture lovers, history enthusiasts, and sports fans alike.
Those who prefer the great outdoors will also be satisfied. This family-friendly vacation spot has a wide variety of outdoor pursuits and scenic sights to offer. There’s always something thrilling to do in sunny Southern California, from sailing on the azure Pacific to whale viewing to casual volleyball games on the shore.
Discover the Best of LA: 22 Must-See Tourist Attractions
If you are still wondering whether Los Angeles will suit your expectations for a perfect holiday or not, here’s a list of the best tourist attractions in Los Angles. Hope you can find your answer in this article.
- Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory
- Getty Center
- Disneyland
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Venice Beach
- Santa Monica Pier
- Rodeo Drive
- La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
- Hollywood Sign
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Sunset Strip
- Beverly Hills
- The Grove
- Original Farmers Market
- Petersen Automotive Museum
- The Broad
- Battleship USS Iowa Museum
- Malibu
- California Science Center
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory
Located on the eastern side of the Santa Monica Mountains, the 4,210-acre Griffith Park is the biggest urban park in the city, and it is one of the best attractions in LA. It contains the Los Angeles Zoo, the Grecian Theater, the Griffith Observatory, and an observatory.
There are riding stables, a golf course, tennis facilities, hiking paths, and a tennis facility, all located here, all of which were built for the Olympic Games of 1984. Plus, there are beautiful drives and hiking paths through the foothills that provide breathtaking panoramas of the city below.
One of Los Angeles’ best free attractions, the Griffith Observatory offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the universe around them. There are telescopes and displays on the grounds. One of the most exciting parts is peering through the Zeiss telescope at the moon and planets. Each evening that the center is available, anyone can use the binoculars for free. There are also solar observatories available for use on-site.
- Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, LA, CA 90027.
- Timings:
- Tuesday to Friday from 12 PM to 10 PM.
- Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 10 PM.
- Closed on Mondays.
Getty Center
When oil tycoon Jean Paul Getty created the J. Paul Getty Foundation in 1953, he was one of the world’s wealthiest people. The world’s richest art establishment now supports multiple museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions, including the Getty Center in Los Angeles’s Brentwood Hills, which cost an estimated $1 billion to build.
Art from the Middle Ages to the present, including works by van Gogh and Monet and Rembrandt’s “The Abduction of Europa,” is on display at the museum, which is reached by a futuristic hover-train lift that transports tourists to the upper floors. Expansive vistas of the Los Angeles Basin can be seen from the outdoor grounds, which are decorated with sculptures. The Getty Center is surely one of Los Angeles’s top attractions.
- Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049.
- Timings:
- Tuesday to Friday plus Sunday from 10 AM to 5:30 PM.
- Saturdays from 10 AM to 8 PM.
- Closed on Mondays.
Disneyland
Disneyland, located just outside of Los Angeles, is the most popular tourist attraction in Los Angeles and California. Most people’s mental image of Disneyland is of Disneyland Park, with its attractions and encounters in meticulously built theme sets. One of the additions was the Disneyland California Adventure Park, which features seven different areas based on different films.
The resort has everything you need for an unforgettable holiday, from thrilling attractions to strolls with Disney characters. Disneyland Park has everything you could want: lodging, dining, retail, and fun.
Disneyland Park isn’t the only reason to spend a weekend in Anaheim. From the park, visitors can reach a number of Anaheim’s outdoor eating and retail locations, including Central City, the city’s original downtown.
- Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802.
- Timings:
- Tuesday and Thursday from 8 AM to 8 PM.
- Wednesday and Monday from 8 AM to 11 PM.
- Friday to Sunday from 8 AM to 12 AM.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a huge complex in the San Fernando Valley that is best known for its family-friendly amusement park but is also home to one of the earliest still-operating film studios in the world. This theme park is one of the best attractions in all of Los Angeles.
Guests can fully immerse themselves in the worlds of their favorite films, from “King Kong” to “Waterworld,” thanks to the park’s many thrills and attractions based on these and other popular movies.
There are also opportunities to see the studio’s inner workings. Also part of the complex is the outdoor retail and entertainment complex known as Universal CityWalk, where guests can watch movies, witness live acts, and even rub elbows with Hollywood A-listers.
- Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal city, CA 91608.
- Timings:
- Tuesday to Friday from 9 AM to 7 PM.
- Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 10 PM.
- Mondays from 9 AM to 9 PM.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
It was in the 1950s that the concept of honoring Hollywood’s finest with stars set into pavements was created. Since the first fixed installation at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street in 1960, more than 2,500 stars have been installed. Success has been widespread for this Hollywood Chamber of Commerce-run initiative.
Around ten million people annually make the mile-long trek along the street in pursuit of their beloved movie stars, musicians, directors, and television hosts. The renowned Chinese Theatre, which has hosted some of Hollywood’s glitziest movie stars and openings, is located right in front of a section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
This place is more than a typical boring street. If you look down while walking, you can see a list of history-making celebrities! This street is one of Los Angeles’s top attractions.
- Address: Hollywood Boulevard, Vine St, LA, CA 90028.
Venice Beach
Abbot Kinney, a tobacco magnate, is credited with changing a marshy stretch of coastline south of Santa Monica into the “Venice of America.” In 1904, Kinney transformed a network of drains into picturesque waterways and built a Venetian-style promenade along the shore which is now known as one of the top attractions in Los Angeles.
Even though the canals are still a major draw for visitors to this Los Angeles neighborhood, the majority of tourists flock to the beach’s renowned promenade, where wacky street entertainers square off against the beach’s many vendors. Volleyball areas, a skating plaza, and a dedicated place for bodybuilding and fitness are also popular features of the shore.
Santa Monica Pier
Two separate piers make up the world-famous Santa Monica Pier. The longer section, constructed in 1909, is typical of piers in Southern California; it features a bait shop and a restaurant at the pier’s end. The lower pier next to it, built in 1916, is the main attraction in the city of Los Angeles.
Vintage roller coasters, wooden carousels, and one of Los Angeles’ most familiar attractions solar-powered Ferris Wheel that dazzles with a different LED light display every night—are all located on the elevated promenade that connects the two piers. The wharf also features a small aquarium, a trapeze school, and a variety of delicious food options.
- Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
- Timings: every day from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles’ most renowned shopping thoroughfare, is located in the Golden Triangle, a 16-block area in the posh community of Beverly Hills. Despite the fact that few visitors can afford the high-end fashions and accessories offered on Rodeo Drive, the street remains a popular tourist attraction in Los Angeles.
This street is known for its high-end designers, making it a great place to people-watch in the hopes of finding a famous face in the crowd. At Two Rodeo Drive, the mini-mall is a popular destination. It appears more like an amusement park than a shopping center, what with its “faux-European” architecture and cobblestone street.
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
La Brea Tar Pits, located in Hancock Park, provides visitors with a rare chance to observe active fossil digs and gain insight into the field. Approximately forty thousand years ago, the oil began seeping through the limestone and trapping passing creatures. After that, the tar protected the relics from the elements, and they’ve lasted through the centuries, providing a fascinating look back in time.
The museum at the la Brea Tar Pits, formerly known as the George C. Page Museum, displays reconstructions of fossilized prehistoric creatures and explains how the relics were unearthed. Discover what goes on behind the scenes in order to get corpses ready for public viewing by observing the preparation of bones. This place is one of Los Angeles’s top attractions for everyone traveling to the city.
- Address: 5801 Wilshire Blvd, LA, CA 90036.
- Timings: every day from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.
Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood sign, which was built to promote property in the Hollywood Hills, has become a symbol of the glamour of the film business as a whole. Of course, you want to take a photo of the famous Hollywood sign as it is one of the top attractions in Los Angeles. When you visit Los Angeles, obtaining a good close-up view of it can be challenging.
Nowadays, obstacles and a security system keep people from getting too close to the 45-foot-tall (14-meter-high) characters atop Mount Lee. Although the sign can be seen from anywhere in Tinseltown, the best locations to stop and take photos are at the Griffith Observatory, Lake Hollywood Park, and the Hollywood and Highland Center.
- Address: Los Angeles, CA 90068.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Another great attraction to visit in Los Angeles is the famous Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Although the Natural History Museum is home to a wide variety of exhibits and artifacts, its dinosaur hall is where the majority of visitors spend their time.
The 14,000-square-foot Dinosaur Hall houses an impressive collection of fossilized dinosaur bones, including a “growing sequence” of three complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons that span the species’ life cycle from infancy to adulthood. A Stegosaurus and Triceratops are also on exhibit.
The museum features several exhibits about the natural heritage of California and other regions. Another must-see display is Becoming Los Angeles, which covers 500 years of Southern California history. Children will enjoy the interactive exhibits at the Exploration Center and Insect Garden.
- Address: 900 Exposition Blvd, LA, CA 90007.
- Timings: every day from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles County Museum of Art is an absolute must-see for any art lover because of its incredible collection of works. Featuring photographs, paintings, carvings, ceramics, and sculptures, this Los Angeles museum is the largest in the western United States, taking up a large section of the Miracle Mile neighborhood.
It was established in 1961, and since then, its impressive collection has grown to over 150,000 objects, some of which are dedicated to ancient Greek and Egyptian artifacts, others to Islamic art, and still others to Renaissance paintings and contemporary pieces from Latin America.
Visitors can expect to see works by Degas, Magritte, Rembrandt, and countless others throughout the museum’s seemingly endless galleries. This museum is one of Los Angeles’s top attractions, where you can witness a great collection of artifacts from different time periods.
- Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, LA, CA 90036.
- Timings:
- Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11 AM to 6 PM.
- Fridays from 11 AM to 8 PM.
- Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 7 PM.
- Closed on Wednesdays.
Sunset Strip
The absolute crown jewel of Los Angeles’s nightlife and one of its best attractions is the Sunset Strip, which is home to numerous eateries, music places, and nightclubs. One of the city’s major arteries, Sunset Boulevard, is lined with chic shops and flashy signs, all of which are framed by palm trees.
Celebrities as diverse as mafia leaders, Marilyn Monroe, and today’s megastars of the rock and glam metal scenes have all called the hip neighborhood home over the years. Many movies, TV programs, and even video games have used Sunset Strip as a setting because of its instantly recognizable appearance and legendary locations.
In addition to taking in the views and soaking up the city’s exciting yet relaxed vibe, visitors can also visit world-famous locations like the Comedy Store and Whisky a Go Go.
Beverly Hills
The 5.7 square mile area of Beverly Hills lies to the west of Los Angeles, at the foothills of Santa Monica Mountains, and it is one of the attractions in Los Angeles. And within this compact area, you’ll find some of the most opulent avenues in the United States, including the famous Rodeo Drive.
The “Golden Triangle” of high-end shopping and eating in Beverly Hills can be found at the intersection of Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Boulevard, and Wilshire Boulevard. Even if you have no intention of buying, a stroll down this opulent boulevard is worthwhile because you are sure to see at least one celebrity or see a fleet of expensive automobiles. At Beverly Hills, you can get a glimpse of the American dream and the luxurious life of celebrities.
And the neighborhood of Beverly Hills offers a wide variety of entertainment options apart from its upscale retail and culinary establishments. Several gardens, historic structures, and public artworks can be found throughout the city, making it ideal for strolling. Enjoy one of these world-class public places by spending some time in Beverly Gardens Park.
The Grove
The Grove is a fantastic buying destination, and it is a favorite of many famous people. Over fifty shops, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Anthropologie, Apple, and Barney’s New York, can be found in the mall’s open-air setting. The spectacular dancing waterfalls and nostalgic trolley trips contribute to the attraction’s rise to “must-see” status and top attraction among Los Angeles visitors.
Adjacent to The Grove, the long-standing and venerable Original Farmers’ Market (which first opened in 1934) sells everything from local fruit to exotic delicacies from around the world. Bring your camera because the view of the city from the parking garage’s roof is spectacular.
- Address: 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
- Timings:
- Monday to Thursday from 10 AM to 9 PM.
- Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 10 PM.
- Sundays from 11 AM to 8 PM.
Original Farmers Market
During the Great Depression, the Los Angeles Farmers Market got its start as a small, humble event in 1934. Eighteen farmers banded together during the Great Depression and put up stands on a vacant lot near Wilshire Boulevard to market their goods to the public.
The industry kept growing as a result of this experiment’s success. It was originally intended as a market for fresh produce, but the market has expanded to include other goods and services over time. As of now, the market is home to eateries, boutiques, and culinary stalls and is one of LA’s top attractions. You can buy anything from jewelry and fragrances to cookware and children’s games.
- Address: 6333 W 3rd St, LA, CA 90036.
- Timings: every day from 9 AM to 9 PM.
Petersen Automotive Museum
The amazing collection of automobiles at the Petersen Automotive Museum is not to be missed by any car enthusiast. More than 300 cars and motorbikes, some dating as far back as 1886 and others from the cutting edge of 21st-century design, are on display across the museum’s four levels in a rotating lineup of permanent and temporary displays, making it one of LA’s top attractions.
After extensive updating, the museum now stands as one of the most cutting-edge of its kind in the world. The front facade is a stunning work of architecture. Guided tours of the Vault, lasting either 90 or 120 minutes, are available for an additional charge and offer additional information about the museum’s collection of uncommon and unusual automobiles.
The museum also features a rotating roster of temporary exhibitions that showcase both historical and futuristic automobiles.
- Address: 6060 Wilshire Blvd, LA, CA 90036.
- Timings: every day from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The Broad
Another one of LA’s top attractions is, without a doubt, the amazing museum called The Broad. Upon its opening in late 2015, The Broad was met with instant and continued success. Big, impressive displays are the museum’s specialty, and they feature a wide range of modern and postwar art. With its innovative “veil-and-vault” design, this museum houses over 2,000 precious artworks.
General entry tickets are free, but they sell out quickly because of high demand. There may be a delay in line for standby tickets on the day of entry, especially on the weekends, but they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Some specialized displays do charge an entry fee.
- Address: 221 S Grand Ave, LA, CA 90012.
- Timings:
- Tuesday to Friday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
- Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
- Closed on Mondays.
Battleship USS Iowa Museum
A visit to the Battleship Iowa Museum, located on the ocean near the Port of Los Angeles, is an impressive site and fun outing for the whole family as it is one of LA’s best attractions. Explore this massive warship and put yourself in the shoes of the sailors who served on board.
If you want to see the ship’s inner workings, including the engine room, boiler room, and Combat Engagement Center, among other restricted areas, you can pay extra for the Full Steam Ahead Guided Tour. It’s important to plan ahead for this trip because there are only a certain number of spots available and a set schedule of dates available.
- Address: 250 S Harbor Blvd, LA, CA 90731.
- Timings: every day from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Malibu
Malibu, at the county’s extreme western end, is where the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean meet. Many of Malibu’s sights and activities are best experienced against this dramatic background, which is also complemented by the abundance of beachfront homes and the odd glimpse of a Hollywood A-lister.
One of the greatest things to do in Malibu is to check out the different beaches the city has to offer. Each can be reached from Los Angeles in under an hour (give or take due to gridlock), and all feature distinctive beachfront settings.
Both peaceful and exciting day trips can be had along the coast, which features everything from the wide sands of Zuma Beach to the wild terrain near El Matador State Beach. Malibu is one of LA’s top attractions located within a small distance of the city.
California Science Center
The California Science Center, found in Exposition Park, is a cutting-edge facility jam-packed with engaging and informative displays. Some chapters explore the animals of different ecosystems, while others investigate topics like electricity, transit, and even space travel. This museum is another one of LA’s top attractions.
The museum, which first opened its doors in 1951, has undergone tremendous growth since then and now features incredible planes and space vehicles. Although the Endeavour is the main attraction, both the World of Life and the Creative World exhibits are well worth your time. It also features an IMAX theater where visitors can view informative videos and temporary displays.
- Address: 700 Exposition Park Dr, LA, CA 90037.
- Timings: every day from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The stunning Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, making it one of the city’s many exceptional and remarkable music locations and one of LA’s top attractions. If you find yourself in the area, you should definitely check out one of the many activities being held at this venue.
Stainless steel construction and a curving façade were hallmarks of this building’s design by famed architect Frank Gehry, making it stick out beautifully from the rest of the city’s utilitarian architecture. The music hall’s elegant auditorium is just as attractive, thanks to its beautiful arrangement and ‘vineyard-style’ seating, both of which ensure excellent sightlines and sound quality for all in attendance.
- Address: 111 S Grand Ave, LA, CA 90012.
