30 Ultimate Things to Do in Los Angeles

“The Happiest Place on Earth” continues to delight children and all but the most cynical adults. A visit here can be enchanting, exciting, romantic, or nostalgic, depending on your age. Disneyland, the original vision of Walt Disney, is now paired with Disney’s California Adventure, showcasing more recent Disney characters and Hollywood-oriented attractions. Outside these popular theme parks, Downtown Disney supports a wide range of restaurants, bars, and clubs that appeal to the whole family.

Designed by Frank Gehry, the voluptuous curves of this stainless steel–clad masterpiece located downtown is a signature of the modern metropolis. One of several venues of the Music Center, the 2,265-seat Disney Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. It features unrivaled acoustics and a stunning pipe organ, which is as much a work of art as a musical instrument. For a truly opulent evening, pair a concert with dinner at Patina, located inside the building. Afterward there are plenty of nightlife options within easy reach.

An iconic metaphor for Hollywood, the elaborate Grauman’s Chinese Theatre opened in 1927 with the premier of Cecil B. DeMille’s King of Kings. That’s when the tradition of stars imprinting their hands or feet into the cement began with an “accidental” footprint by Norma Talmadge. More than 160 stars have contributed, and among the more unique prints are the nose of Jimmy Durante and hooves of Trigger. The theater is adjacent to the Hollywood and Highland Center. Then, of course there’s the Walk of Fame that runs a mile along Hollywood Boulevard, with the handprints of more than 1,600 stars.

On a hillside above Brentwood, the $1-billion-plus Getty Center is not only a museum but a statement that L.A. has taken its place in the art world. The Richard Meier–designed complex has a skin of travertine marble, and natural light floods galleries filled with impressionist canvases, Greek antiquities, and jaw-dropping exhibits of furniture and decorative arts from French monarchy. Pedestrian plazas and gardens abound, and a sunset dinner at the restaurant, with its panoramic views, is the stuff of memories.

Dominated by the exclusive names of Gucci, Versace, and Cartier, Rodeo Drive is a shoppers’ paradise. Along the cobblestoned Via Rodeo, you can drop a thousand dollars on python pumps or nosh on a $500 sushi dinner. Fortunately, Rodeo Drive doesn’t cater exclusively to the rich and famous, and more moderate shops and restaurants are interspersed with the iconic boutiques.

Spend a sunny day beside the Pacific Ocean riding the Ferris wheel and playing dozens of games for prizes at this popular family destination. Cotton candy and other hard-to-resist treats are within easy reach. Drop by in the late afternoon to experience the dazzling sunsets.

The bohemian lifestyle of this famous boardwalk is constantly threatened by the rapid gentrification of Venice. Still, the magicians, fortune-tellers, and Muscle Beach weight lifters survive. Struggling artists sell their paintings, infiltrated by tackier purveyors of cheap watches and sunglasses. Rent a bicycle or in-line skates, grab a hot dog, and enjoy the sights and the sunset.

Despite urban myths that claim otherwise, Angelenos do abandon their cars every now and then—especially if it’s to rent an old-school beach cruiser and bike down the 22-mile-long Strand, which stretches from Will Rogers State Beach in Santa Monica to Torrance County Beach in Redondo. The Strand runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean through Santa Monica and Venice. If biking isn’t your thing, there are plenty of rollerbladers and walkers as well.

It’s no secret that the people of Los Angeles love their cars. But what the casual observer may not know is that Angelenos have another passion—for the local burger chain In-N-Out—that, thankfully, is perfectly car-friendly. Of course, Angelenos don’t get out of their cars to make this magical moment happen. Easy directions: Drive up to an In-N-Out window, order from the secret menu (available online), and enjoy your “Animal Style” in the car.

At 3rd and Fairfax, the Farmers Market is pretty much Los Angeles’s version of a community center. Everyone comes here to eat, drink, and, most importantly, people-watch. Founded by a collective of farmers in 1934, the Farmers Market now houses more than 85 shops and restaurants—you can find everything from a Brazilian grill to a French crêperie to a Lebanese kebab stand—in an open-air bazaar ringed by stalls and stands. The Farmers Market and the adjacent shopping area, The Grove, are also low-key places to spot celebrities going about their everyday business.

It seems that everyone in Los Angeles has a taco truck that they swear by. Typically, these taco stands on wheels have a regular corner and semi-regular hours. The only reliable way to find a good one is to ask a local—or do some research on a foodie website. Not all taco trucks are created equal and it pays to know the specialty of the house—or truck, that is. A few things that most taco trucks share in common: tasty tacos, cheap prices, and a locals-only peek into L.A.’s hometown cuisine.

No doubt you’ve seen the iconic dome in movies, but nothing compares to spending a summer evening in a bleacher seat (or, better yet, one of the coveted boxes) at the Hollywood Bowl. To really get your local on, pack a picnic complete with bottle of wine and wicker basket and don’t be afraid to share goodies with your neighbors. Performances run the gamut from reggae night to rock concerts to Los Angeles Philharmonic performances. But as most Angelenos would agree, the experience is as much about sitting outside under the night sky as it is about the music.

The park, extremely accessible from the city, offers a 53-mile network of trails, roads, and bridle paths. One of the most popular routes is up Mount Hollywood, which boasts panoramic views of the Los Angeles basin, the Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign along the way. Don’t feel like working up a sweat? Although riders must stay on specially marked trails, much of the park can be seen on horseback. Private stables are located in the park’s northwest and southwest boundaries.

There may be nothing that epitomizes Los Angeles more than a drive down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, as locals call it. After taking in the sweeping views and turquoise waters, stop at a seafood shack, such as Malibu Seafood or the Reel Inn, for some ahi burgers or fish and chips. Afterward, check out one of Malibu‘s most beautiful beaches: Topanga State Beach, Zuma Beach, or the small and secluded La Piedra, El Pescador, and El Matador beaches.

One way to blend in with the locals is to surround yourself with them—literally. Get out to Dodger Stadium for a baseball game, and don’t forget to dress in all blue and eat a Dodger Dog while you’re there. Unless it’s a big game, Dodger tickets are easy to come by—especially if you’re willing to sit in the cheap bleacher seats. You can also spend a bit more to sit in one of the special sections such as the All-You-Can-Eat Pavilion. It’s much harder to procure Lakers tickets when they play at Staples Center, but if you plan ahead, a Lakers game is a surefire way to see big celebrities and even bigger feats of aerodynamics.

It would be an understatement to say that Angelenos take their movies seriously. Considering that the entertainment industry is many locals’ bread and butter, it’s no surprise that moviegoing ups the ante here, too. Look no further than the ArcLight in Hollywood for a signature L.A. moviegoing experience. Each movie is introduced by a live announcer schooled in movie trivia. If you’re super lucky, you might catch the directors as they frequently make appearances to discuss their work. If you want to really do it like a local, catch a flick in the middle of the day—remember, Angelenos have sunny days to burn.

The talk of the Los Angeles art world when it opened in fall 2015, this museum in an intriguing, honeycomb-looking building was created by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad (rhymes with “road”) to showcase their stunning private collection of contemporary art amassed over five decades and still growing. With upward of 2,000 pieces by more than 200 artists, the collection has in-depth representations of the work of such prominent names as Jean Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, Cy Twombly, Kara Walker, and Christopher Wool.

Without a doubt, this is the focal point of the museum district that runs along Wilshire Boulevard. Chris Burden’s Urban Light sculpture, composed of more than 220 restored cast-iron antique street lamps, elegantly marks the location. Inside you’ll find one of the country’s most comprehensive art collections with more than 120,000 objects dating from ancient times to the present. The museum, which opened in 1965, now includes numerous buildings that cover more than 20 acres.

One of the most fabled avenues in the world, Sunset Boulevardbegan humbly enough in the 18th century as a route from El Pueblo de Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean. Today, as it passes through West Hollywood, it becomes the sexy and seductive Sunset Strip, where rock and roll had its heyday and cocktail bars charge a premium for the views. It slips quietly into the tony environs of Beverly Hills and Bel Air, twisting and winding past gated estates and undulating vistas.

Universal is more a theme park with lots of roller coasters and thrill rides than a backstage pass, though its tour provides a good firsthand look at familiar TV and movie sets. Despite the amusement park clichés, many first-timers consider this studio a must-see. The favorite attraction is the tram tour, during which you can experience the parting of the Red Sea; duck from dinosaurs in Jurassic Park; visit Dr. Seuss’s Whoville; see the airplane wreckage of War of the Worlds and the still-creepy house from Psycho; and be attacked by the killer shark of Jaws fame.

Revel in terrific views of the city and Hollywood sign from Runyon Canyon. Located just off Hollywood Boulevard, the trails here are popular and easily accessible, which means it can get crowded at times. That being said, you should be fine if you visit in the early morning.

This is the only major studio from film’s golden age left in Hollywood—all the others are in Burbank, Universal City, or Culver City. For decades director Cecil B. DeMille’s base of operations, Paramount offers probably the most authentic studio tour, giving you a real sense of the film industry’s history. You can take a two-hour studio tour or a four-and-a-half-hour VIP tour, led by guides who walk and trolley you around the back lots. As well as gleaning some gossipy history, you’ll spot the sets of TV and film shoots in progress.

The Culver Hotel is a national landmark built by the founder of Culver City, Harry Culver, in 1924, and boy is it gorgeous. (Related: Fodor’s Review of the Culver Hotel) Live piano or jazz music and old black and white movies projected on the wall set the atmosphere for this lovely, classic dining or drinking experience. Cuddle up in a sofa or grab a seat on the patio and clink your crystal cocktail through the golden afternoon. Can’t make it for happy hour? Don’t miss the weekend brunch.

(Related: The Best Hotels in Los Angeles)

This designer boutique is so LA-iconic it’s worth a stop on your vacation just to see what turns up. Shopping at Fred Segal is more than just buying clothes, it’s sifting through pieces of art-as-fashion. A wide range of styles, goods, and prices means that everyone can have fun searching for wares. Don’t miss the opportunity to obtain a pair of their iconic jeans, and keep your eyes peeled for celebs sizing up the goods.

(Related: The Best Shopping in Los Angeles)

Wander through Little Ethiopia and find yourself transported to the markets and eateries of North Africa. A block-long stretch of Fairfax Avenue (from Whitworth to Olympic) has a high concentration of Ethiopian businesses and restaurants, most of which serve Ethiopian cuisine staple injera: a spongy bread in place of utensils used to scoop and mop up the spicy food. Pair with honey wine and luxuriate in the festive décor and fragrant incense. Go in for the coffee ceremony at Little Ethiopia Restaurant for beans roasted right at your table–Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, after all. Shop the funky vintage, reggae outlets, and furniture thrift along the strip.

(Related: Fodor’s Los Angeles Neighborhood Guides)

Open since 1917 and ever changing in vendors and featured cuisines, the Grand Central Market is LA’s premier food emporium and dining experience. Over 30,000 square feet showcases almost 40 vendors with hot and cold dishes to eat-in or take-out. Don’t miss Fodor’s favorite: Egg Slut.

(Related: Fodor’s Restaurant Guide to Los Angeles)

Way back in the 1970s, artists looking for giant warehouse spaces from which to create studios began to develop Los Angeles’ current hippest neighborhood, the Arts District. Skid Row-adjacent, property developers scooped up the real estate after the artists “revived” the area. Today, it’s a happening, walkable neighborhood filled with trendy watering holes and art galleries (what else?).

The Arts District has loads of great places to eat. Zinc Café & Bar on Mateo, an indoor/outdoor bistro with incredible vegetarian/vegan options and an adorable patio, is a great place to start your day. Pick up a coffee from Blue Bottle and meander the streets and pop into galleries and museums—our favorites include the A+D Museum,  which showcases local architecture and design artists, and the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, which pushes emerging art forms such as performance art, video art, digital art, and installations complemented by education initiatives. If you’ve worked up an appetite, go casual at charming “outdoor” Manuela for new American cuisine, or treat yourself to modern Italian Bestia (open only for dinner and reservations recommended). Stop for a drink and an arcade game at Eighty-Two, play analog board and yard games at gigantic brewery-bar Angel City, or get boozy and listen to live music at Villains Tavern.

(Related: The Most Instagrammable Walls in Los Angeles)

Part historical monument, part street fair, El Pueblo de Los Angeles showcases the oldest section of Los Angeles with the city’s oldest historical structures (11 of the 27 are open to the public), a plaza for festivals and celebrations (live music, dancing, and theatrical processions daily), and a marketplace bustling with food and goods. Check out the art at El Pueblo Gallery or the history at the Chinese American Museum, or simply stroll around and eat elote and drink agua frecsa. El Pueblo de Los Angeles is an excellent opportunity to buy handmade goods or participate in various traditional events presented by the Olvera Street Merchants. Don’t miss the mural Father Hidalgo Rang the Bell of Dolores on Alameda Street—painted on 300 one-inch tiles, depicts the key figures in Mexico’s early Wars of Independence.

Probably the most beautiful commercial space in Los Angeles (and one of the world’s most amazing bookstores), The Last Bookstore is a two-story independent book seller, art installation, performance space, and generally nice place to hang out. With an art book annex, a suspense and mystery vault, and multiple sculptures literally formed of books, there’s plenty to discover at what feels like the very last (and best) non-chain bookstore on earth.

Marked by the dragon gate, the neighborhood of Chinatown offers many food and entertainment options. Try Full House Seafood Restaurant for an authentic experience complete with traditional dishes or for a hipster-fusion appeal, try Chego, celebrity-chef Roy Choi’s “LA in a rice bowl” brick and mortar restaurant. Want a uniquely LA experience? Try Foo-Chow Restaurant, which boasts an appearance in Jackie Chan’s Rush Hour on the sign, menu, merchandise…you can’t miss the reference. While you are digesting, wander through Chinatown’s many art galleries on Chung King Road.