When visiting or exploring Los Angeles, deciding what to see can be difficult. There are plenty of neighborhoods and destinations, all with a separate vibe and charm.
Here are some of the top LA attractions that both locals and tourists will enjoy.
1. Griffith Park
Griffith Park offers a variety of attractions including spectacular views of the historic Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory, with great views of the city and hiking or biking on the park’s 53 miles of trails, golf, and horseback riding.
Griffith Park is one of the top Los Angeles attractions that both locals and tourists will enjoy.
2. Venice Beach
With a unique vibe and culture all it’s own, Venice Beach is the perfect place for people watching and a beachside stroll. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and street vendors along with jugglers, performers, and artists. Be sure to walk along the famed Venice Beach Boardwalk, check out the Venice skate park or relax on the beach as local surfers hit the waves offshore.
3. Venice Canals
A lesser-known and more serene alternative to the Venice Boardwalk is the network of waterways between the areas of Venice Blvd. and Pacific Blvd. known as Venice canals. The waterways, originally designed in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney to bring a small slice of Italy the city in California, are connected with small bridges and walkways, home to plenty of ducks and geese. The canals are perfect for a stroll and exploration of a hidden and peaceful part of the city.
4. Rodeo Drive
A favorite shopping destination for starlets and fashionistas, Rodeo Drive is home to designer outlets that are worth the visit for window-shopping alone. Here you can find red carpet favorites, such as Versace, Dior, Armani, Chanel, Manolo Blahnik and more. The palm-tree lined are perfect for an iconic LA a photo-op and there might even be a celebrity or two.
5. The Getty Center
For those wanting some more art and culture, The Getty Center is one of the most impressive museums in Los—and admission is free, excluding parking. The Getty Center houses classic art including European and American art, notably a large collection of impressionist work including Van Gogh’s Irises. The grounds of the Getty Center are also a work of art, home to an outdoor sculpture garden, waterfalls and fountains and views of the city (on clear days) and the Pacific Ocean.
6. Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Walk of Fame is a hard sell for locals, with it’s a mess of traffic, pedestrians and costumed buskers—but that alone makes it a required stop for visitors and out-of-town guests. Surrounding the tourism epicenter of Hollywood tourism at Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St., iconic celebrities are celebrated with their own “star” plaques that line the sidewalk. Nearby, the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater features a variety of celebrity signatures and foot and handprints from Hollywood’s golden era.
7. Angel’s Flight Railway
Located in downtown Los Angeles, the Angel’s Flight Railway is one of LA’s most quirky destinations with the self-proclaimed “shortest railway in the world.” The track-only stretches between South Hill and South Grand Streets. Established in 1901 and later refurbished and reopened in 1996, this cable car ride is a step into the past and only costs 50 cents for passengers.
Do you want to add anything to this list? Feel free to post a comment.
