Los Angeles is one of the most famous cities in the USA and the world, primarily due to Hollywood and the entertainment industry.
Los Angeles is the second-largest agglomeration in the United States. It’s an important economic and cultural center, and one of the world’s most significant entertainment industry hubs. Geographically, the city is large, spanning over 1,200 km², making it bigger than New York and Chicago.
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Los Angeles attractions
Hollywood
Known as the center of the American film industry. Essentially, this refers to Hollywood Boulevard.
Its biggest attraction is the Walk of Fame. On the Hollywood Walk of Stars, you can find the names of the most famous people in the entertainment industry on a star. It can be a fun game to search for your favorite celebrity! 🙂
Over 2,000 names are already on the walk and continue to be added. If a star has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry, they receive a star on the walk.
Other nearby attractions include Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Guinness World Records Museum, and star hand and footprints in concrete next to the Chinese Theatre.
Unfortunately, there are quite a few homeless people in the area, which can be a bit degrading. Be prepared that not everything will be glamorous!
Access: Red metro to Hollywood / Vine Station.
Rodeo Drive
Located in Beverly Hills, this street is lined with luxury brand stores like Gucci, Prada, etc. It’s considered one of the world’s most expensive streets.
Even if not for shopping, it’s worth taking a walk. Who knows, you might run into a celebrity! 🙂
The Original Farmers Market
The city’s most famous and most touristy market. You can find everything here: fruits, hot food, souvenirs, etc.
You can try various cuisines: Mediterranean, Japanese, Israeli, Mexican, and more.
Beverly Hills
Los Angeles’ prestigious neighborhood where many celebrities live. Take a walk here – there’s a chance you might encounter a celebrity on the street!
Santa Monica
The city’s, and perhaps the West Coast’s, most famous beachfront area. This is the official end of Route 66, marked by a sign.
You might recognize this beach area from the Baywatch TV series. You’ll see many sports enthusiasts: surfers, soccer players, beach volleyball players.
It’s always bustling with numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants for tourists. The pier features an amusement park (Pacific Park) and an aquarium (Heal the Bay Aquarium).
Access: „E” (Expo) metro to Downtown Santa Monica terminal.
Venice
South of the Santa Monica beachfront, you’ll find Venice Beach.
I definitely recommend walking from the Santa Monica pier along the Venice boardwalk! Though it’s about 4 km, the atmosphere and scenery make it worthwhile!
A few streets inland, you’ll find the Venice Canals. Walk among the canal system – it’s a beautiful neighborhood!
Long Beach
The city’s southern coastal area with beautiful beaches and skyscrapers. This was one of my favorites in Los Angeles.
Its biggest attraction is the Queen Mary, the most famous luxury ship from the first half of the 20th century, anchored in the harbor.
Access: „A” (blue) metro to Downtown Long Beach stop.
OUE Skyspace
A downtown observation deck located on the 70th floor of the US Bank Tower. It offers a complete panoramic view of the city.
Unlike Griffith Park, you’ll see the city up close here, but if you want to see the entire city, go to the Griffith Observatory. Plus, that one is free, while this is paid.
Another attraction is the glass slide (skyslide), which lets you slide from the 70th to the 69th floor. Unfortunately, it’s quite short, so there’s not much chance to get scared.
All information can be found here!
Griffith Park and Observatory
Los Angeles’ best viewpoint, which is also a planetarium. It’s worth going before sunset to watch the city light up. A truly amazing experience!
Entry to the building is free, but planetarium shows are paid.
Access: From Vermont / Sunset metro station (red metro), take the DASH Observatory/Loz Felix bus to the final stop.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
An iconic building in downtown Los Angeles, home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Similar to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. No wonder – the same architect designed both. It’s one of the world’s best acoustic concert halls.
An imposing building definitely worth seeing. It has five concert halls, one of which is outdoors. You can enter and view the building for free during the day.
Funded by the Disney family. In gratitude, the rooftop garden features the Lillian Disney Garden, with a mosaic „Blue Ribbon” fountain built in Lillian Disney’s honor.
Union Station
Los Angeles’ main railway station, built in art deco style in the 1930s. It has an impressive hall and has been a filming location for several movies.
Dodger Stadium
Los Angeles’ baseball team is world-famous, as is its stadium. Free buses from Union Station take fans to the stadium.
If there’s a baseball game during your visit, don’t miss it! You’ll experience a true American show! I attended a game against San Diego – though I didn’t understand the game, the atmosphere was fantastic!
Angels Flight Railway
Connecting Hill Street and Grand Avenue in downtown since 1901. It’s also known as the world’s shortest railway.
It has two historical cars named after former Los Angeles residents: Olivet and Sinai. Both cars have a traditional wooden design in dark orange and black.
Although the ride is very short, it’s worth trying for the nostalgia and atmosphere!
Runyon Canyon Park
One of Los Angeles’ most popular outdoor locations near Hollywood Boulevard.
The park’s biggest draw is its spectacular panorama. From the heights, you’ll have a stunning view of downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean, and on clear days, even Catalina Island.
You can choose from three main hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. Runyon Canyon Road is perfect for easier walks. The Star Trail is of medium difficulty, while the Hero Trail is the steepest and most intense route.
Los Angeles programs
Universal Studios Hollywood
The most famous park of the famous film studio, a true high-tech amusement park. There are so many attractions that a full day is just enough to explore it.
Some shows include: Harry Potter Castle and 4D show, Waterworld film giant pool show, Krustyland: Simpsons family park, Jurassic Park adventure tour, Transformers 3D roller coaster.
Its most popular attraction is the studio tour. During the approximately half-hour trip, a live guide takes you through massive studio buildings and sets (you can’t get off the train).
To make it less boring, they’ve incorporated some attractions into this trip: Through 3D glasses, you can experience dinosaurs attacking the train and King Kong saving you, or a subway tunnel collapsing during an earthquake, or even dropping into a car chase from Fast and Furious.
One section displays famous vehicles side by side. You can see Magnum’s red Ferrari, the Back to the Future car, the Flintstones family vehicle.
A large area is dedicated to the Harry Potter film. Around the castle, you can spend time in shops and cafes from the movie.
To be honest, I didn’t plan to stay the whole day. However, I enjoyed myself so much that I left after dark. There were some shows (like the Harry Potter castle) that I sat through multiple times.
Access: Red metro to Universal City/Studio City stop, with a free shuttle bus to the entrance.
All information can be found here!
Disneyland
The amusement park created by Walt Disney in 1955 in Anaheim, 40 km from downtown. It was the world’s first entertainment-themed amusement park.
Disneyland Park is divided into 8 different „continents”: Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Mickey’s Toontown, Frontierland, Critter Country, New Orleans Square, and Adventureland.
The park has nearly 100 attractions, including Alice in Wonderland, Autopia, Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse, Disneyland Railroad, Goofy’s Playhouse, Indiana Jones Adventure, Mickey Mouse House.
Access: From Union Station, take the Metrolink Orange County Line or Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, then take bus 14 or 15.
All information can be found here!
Aquarium of the Pacific
Located on the Long Beach waterfront, it’s one of the USA’s largest aquariums.
The institution offers over 20 galleries and more than 12,000 marine creatures. The aquarium showcases marine life from three major ocean regions:
- North Pacific: Cold-water animals like sea otters, puffins, and jellyfish, plus a seabird zone.
- Tropical Pacific: Colorful coral reefs and tropical fish. Partly an outdoor exhibition showcasing reef ecosystems.
- Southern Pacific: An interactive shark and ray tank where visitors can touch these special animals. Also featuring turtles and exotic fish species.
Access: „A” (blue) metro to Downtown Long Beach.
Information can be found here!
Best museums in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, as one of the most important cities in the USA, has numerous excellent museums.
