If you're wondering which Los Angeles attractions you really shouldn't miss out on, look no further. I've lived in the city for two decades, and I'll show you the very best things to see and do when you're in town, from the more famous spots to the lesser known places that most people miss out on.
Griffith Observatory
Los Angeles is an incredibly diverse city in every sense, from the amazing coastline to the towering mountains, from Chinatown to Disneyland, there is just so much to see and do here if you only know what to look for.
Of course you can spot celebrities in Beverly Hills or even Hollywood and you can have a blast at Universal Studios or catch the taping of a show at CBS Television City. But did you also know that you can visit the observatory where other galaxies were first discovered or visit historic missions that are older than the United States itself?
Los Angeles is the one city in the world where you can enjoy a sunny morning at the beach and then skip off to the mountains to hit the slopes - all without leaving the county.
And for nature lovers, the hiking trails are nothing short of spectacular, ranging from quiet walks along babbling streams to technical climbs on rugged peaks - all within about a half hour drive from the city.
The Getty Museum
Los Angeles arts and culture
Believe it or not, L.A. has a thriving artists and cultural scene, with dozens of great museums, countless art galleries, all sorts of great music, theater, and, of course, the magnificent Disney Hall in downtown and the world-famous Hollywood Bowl.
The art museums really are fantastic, from the stunning and enormous Getty Museum atop a hillside overlooking West L.A. and the Pacific to the campus of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), with it's 5 museums and frequent traveling exhibits, you can find world-class art in L.A.
And that's really just the tip of the iceberg. From the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Hammer Museum, and the great museums in Exposition Park - the huge Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Science & Industry, you could spend an entire vacation just visiting the museums.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Theme parks and other attractions
Of course no trip to Los Angeles would be complete without visits to Disneyland (about 40 minutes south of downtown) and Universal Studios (about 10 minutes north of downtown).
For thrill seekers, there is Magic Mountain, with its world-class roller coasters and dozens upon dozens of other great rides. Another great option is Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, about a 10 minutes ride from Disneyland, with it's Old Western theme and rides ranging from mild to wild.
For water park lovers, there are some really great options, from Soak City near Knotts to Raging Waters in San Dimas a half hour east of downtown and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor next to Magic Mountain.
Via Rodeo, Beverly Hills
It's all about the stars... and shopping like one
Now when you think L.A., you probably think of movie stars, mansions, and limousines. And you'll find all those things here too in abundance.
Rodeo Drive in downtown Beverly Hills is still a great place to window shop and star gaze, but if you want to shop in stores where you can buy something without maxing out your credit cards, look a block east on Beverly Drive, where you'll find many of the best mall stores.
Just east of Beverly Hills, the Grove shopping center is an outdoor mall with a great open public space, including water fountains and the original L.A. Farmer's Market. It's a great place to visit, shop, eat, catch a movie, and even look for stars.
For more intense star gazing, check out Doheny Drive, especially north of 3rd Street around the Ivy restaurant. It can get a bit nuts with the paparazzi there, but they also make it easy to spot an arriving or departing celeb.
For a totally different shopping experience, check out Old Town Pasadena, with its renovated storefronts and great, trendy restaurants. While you are there, check out the nearby Simon Museum or spend an afternoon on the amazing grounds of the Huntington Gardens (also home to a great little museum that houses some famous paintings, including Blue Boy and Pinky).
Santa Monica coastline
Don't forget the beach
The Pacific Ocean is stunning, and you can see a wide range of coastal areas in L.A., from the miles of wide open beaches from Santa Monica to Redondo to the rugged, rocky coastline of Palos Verdes and the mountainous, remote beauty of Mailbu.
The Santa Monica Pier has some fun, old fashioned boardwalk rides, including a roller coaster and brand new ferris wheel. the nearby Third Street Promenade has great stores and shopping, so you can park at the pier, enjoy the beach, rent bikes and ride along the magnificent bike path, then catch dinner and a movie along the Promenade - a perfect Southern California beach day.
Or if you want to take a drive, head up the PCH through Malibu, enjoy the stunning coastal scenery, and stop at one of the beautiful, remote beaches the El Matador and El Pescador - they feel a world away from the city.
There really is an endless amount to do in Los Angeles, far too much to cover in the page. So have a poke around the site and have a wonderful trip!
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