Choose from 88 Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles
ShowingFilter 21-40 of 88 listings.
Hollywood & Highland
One of L.A.'s most visited tourist attractions, this 387,000 square-foot shopping mall and entertainment center makes an enormous, colorful splash on the sometimes scruffy Hollywood Walk of Fame. The complex includes the Dolby Theatre (formerly known as the Kodak Theatre) which hosts both the Oscars and Cirque du Soleil's Iris, a resident stage show which celebrates the history of film.
The core of Hollywood & Highland is arranged around a three-story courtyard, where soaring, elephant-topped columns evoke the Babylon set of D.W. Griffith's 1916 epic, Intolerance. Fanning out from here, you'll find over a dozen restaurants ranging from food-court outposts to destination dining, two night clubs, a bowling alley and 75+ retail shops, including large national chains like Gap, Build-A-Bear and Sephora.
Adjacent to the main mall is the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, an ornate movie palace festooned with Far East flourishes and featuring a cement-paved forecourt bearing over 200 celebrity hand and footprints. Originally opened in 1927 by movie-house mogul Sid Grauman, the Chinese Theatre is still a popular movie theater with a single large screen and more recently, an additional six-plex. The "Forecourt of the Stars," as well as a slew of character impersonators lingering around it in full costume, attract busloads of out-of-towners and souvenir hawkers each day.
The core of Hollywood & Highland is arranged around a three-story courtyard, where soaring, elephant-topped columns evoke the Babylon set of D.W. Griffith's 1916 epic, Intolerance. Fanning out from here, you'll find over a dozen restaurants ranging from food-court outposts to destination dining, two night clubs, a bowling alley and 75+ retail shops, including large national chains like Gap, Build-A-Bear and Sephora.
Adjacent to the main mall is the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, an ornate movie palace festooned with Far East flourishes and featuring a cement-paved forecourt bearing over 200 celebrity hand and footprints. Originally opened in 1927 by movie-house mogul Sid Grauman, the Chinese Theatre is still a popular movie theater with a single large screen and more recently, an additional six-plex. The "Forecourt of the Stars," as well as a slew of character impersonators lingering around it in full costume, attract busloads of out-of-towners and souvenir hawkers each day.
Address: 6801 Hollywood, Los Angeles, Califronia 90028, USA
Hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 10pm,
Sun: 10am - 7pm
From $ 15
Hollywood Sign
One of LA's most distinguishing icons, the famous Hollywood sign proudly stands on Mt. Lee (Mount Lee) in the Hollywood Hills, overlooking Los Angeles and the California movie industry it has come to symbolize. This LA landmark first appeared on its hillside perch in 1923 as an advertising gimmick for a real-estate development called Hollywoodland. Each letter stands 50 feet (15 meters) tall and is made of sheet metal painted white.
The Basics
The best view of the Hollywood sign is from down below, at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Bronson Avenue. Other top viewing spots include the Hollywood and Highland Center, the top of Beachwood Drive, and the Griffith Observatory. Most Los Angeles and Hollywood sightseeing tours include at least a glimpse of the sign, while some Hollywood sign tours include a helicopter ride or a hike into the Hollywood Hills to see the sign from behind and a visit to the observatory. On hiking tours, a tour guide shows travelers to the optimal vantage points for the best views over Beverly Hills. Tours depart from downtown LA, Anaheim, and as far away as Las Vegas.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The sign hasn’t been lit up since New Year’s Eve of 2000, but its bright white letters often make it seem to glow in the night.
- Guided tours allow for safe photo op stops so there’s no need to make a dangerous stop in the middle of the mountain road.
- Dogs are permitted on hiking trails so long as they arekept on leash.
- Hikers should bring sun protection and water.
- Hiking to the letters themselves is strictly prohibited (you’ll be met with a chain link fence and security cameras), but the Brush Canyon Trail brings hikers to the peak right behind the sign.
How to Get There
You can reach the sign on foot by taking the 6.4-mile (10.2-kilometer) round-trip hike on the Brush Canyon Trail in Griffith Park; the trailhead is at the end of Canyon Drive. Alternatively, visitors can drive into the hills for a closer look, arrive on a horseback riding excursion, or fly in on a helicopter tour for great aerial view.
When to Get There
The sign is always there, you just have to decide when you want to see it. Try a sunrise hike for fewer crowds and some solitude, or take in sunset from the hills while enjoying great views over homes of various movie stars in downtown Los Angeles. Griffith Park and its hiking trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Thanks to Southern California’s warm weather, the hike can be made any time of year.
Hollywood Sign History
Once aglow with 4,000 light bulbs, the sign once had its own caretaker, who lived behind the letter L until 1939. Originally constructed to spell Hollywoodland, the sign’s last four letters were removed in the 1940s as they started to crumble. In the late 1970s, celebrities Alice Cooper and Hugh Hefner joined forces with fans and other stars to save the famous symbol.
Address: Mount Lee Drive, Hollywood 90027, USA
Hours: Open daily 24hrs
Admission: Free
From $ 20
La Brea Tar Pits
Many a saber-toothed tiger, dire wolf, mammoth, and ground sloth had the misfortune of “discovering” the La Brea Tar Pits some 40,000 years ago. Excavation on the ice age fossil site—formerly the city’s natural history museum—began in 1915 and continues to this day right in the heart of Los Angeles.
The Basics
General admission to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum includes access to the Fossil Lab, Lake Pit, Observation Pit, Project 23, and museum areas, where you can watch scientists at work pulling fossils from the pits and studying them in a lab setting.
Admission to the Titans of the Ice Age 3D experience and multimedia Ice Age Encounter are separate. Many sightseeing tours of LA and a multi-attraction discount card include a visit to the tar pits.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The La Brea Tar Pits are a must-visit for history buffs and families traveling with kids.
- All exhibits within the museum are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available to rent.
- Don’t forget to bring sun protection, as some areas of the museum are outdoors.
How to Get There
The easiest way to reach the museum is by car; park in the paid lot or along the street (be sure to read parking signs carefully). The tar pits are a stop on the Red Line of the Los Angeles hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus.
When to Get There
The museum and pits are open daily throughout the year, with free admission on the first Tuesday of every month, except July and August. Try to visit from March to May or September to November when temperatures are comfortable and crowds thinner.
Fossils of Rancho La Brea
Since excavations of the tar pits began, more than a million bones have been recovered, including fossils from a coyote dating back 46,800 years. The fossils recovered to date represent more than 231 species of vertebrates, 234 species of invertebrates, and 234 species of plants. Dire wolves, saber-toothed cats, and coyotes are the three most common animals that have been found in the pits.
Address: 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 15
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Only in Hollywood are stars so common that they can even be found on the sidewalk. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, arguably the most famous stretch of pavement in the world, is studded with over 2,600 brass stars on 18 city blocks as iconic to Hollywood as the celebrities whose names grace each mini-monument. This California landmark can be easily squeezed into your Los Angeles vacation as a tip of your hat to Tinsel Town.
The Basics
Aside from the thousands of stars studding the sparkly black sidewalk, the Walk of Fame is a totally normal public thoroughfare accessible 24/7 every day of the year. Most Los Angeles city tours and Hollywood tours include a stop along the Walk of Fame, providing geographical context as you descend past the famous Hollywood sign and the celebrity homes of Beverly Hills or sweep in from industrial downtown Los Angeles. You'll also be treated to a historical narrative as scandalous as the film industry itself.
When to Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Los Angeles is known for its pleasant year-round weather. Check the Hollywood Walk of Fame's official website for an up-to-date calendar of public induction ceremonies that could make your visit extra memorable.
Gene of All Trades
The Basics
Aside from the thousands of stars studding the sparkly black sidewalk, the Walk of Fame is a totally normal public thoroughfare accessible 24/7 every day of the year. Most Los Angeles city tours and Hollywood tours include a stop along the Walk of Fame, providing geographical context as you descend past the famous Hollywood sign and the celebrity homes of Beverly Hills or sweep in from industrial downtown Los Angeles. You'll also be treated to a historical narrative as scandalous as the film industry itself.
If you look up from the sidewalk, you'll see Grauman's Chinese Theatre and El Capitan Theatre.
How to Get to the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Getting close to celebrities is difficult; getting close to their names isn't. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a stretch of public sidewalk extending along Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Gower Street and along Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard. Drive, walk, or take the Metro Red Line to Highland or Vine.
Some tours of the area also include stops at other nearby landmarks such as Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, Warner Bros Studio, Disneyland and Universal Studios, and the Dolby Theater, home of the Oscars.
- Ideal tour options are available for every type of traveler.
- Bring your camera to take a picture with your favorite celebrities' stars.
- The Walk of Fame is easily accessed independently or by guided tour.
Getting close to celebrities is difficult; getting close to their names isn't. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a stretch of public sidewalk extending along Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Gower Street and along Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard. Drive, walk, or take the Metro Red Line to Highland or Vine.
When to Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Los Angeles is known for its pleasant year-round weather. Check the Hollywood Walk of Fame's official website for an up-to-date calendar of public induction ceremonies that could make your visit extra memorable.
Gene of All Trades
In addition to movie stars, the Walk of Fame honors performers who have made history in television, music, radio, and theater. Gene Autry is the only celebrity to have a star in every category.
Address: Hollywood Blvd at Vine Street, Hollywood 90028, USA
Hours: Open 24 hrs daily
Admission: Free
From $ 0
Los Angeles Zoo
With its 1,200 finned, feathered, and furry friends, a visit to the Los Angeles Zoo is a must for kids of all ages (parents will love the zoo, too). Even on a hot day the zoo is a welcome respite, thanks to the shady garden-like grounds. Meerkats are the current squeezables of the Disney set and one well-placed, big-eyed Timon wows kids entering the zoo. From there, undisputed crowd-pleasers include swinging gibbons, frolicking sea lions, posturing chimpanzees, and cuddling koalas.
Cleverly designed habitats highlight a visit here. The chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains has plenty of primate activity, while orangutans lumber about in the Red Ape RainForest. The Campo Gorilla Reserve provides a habitat for six African lowland gorillas that closely resembles their native West African homeland, and at the Pachyderm Forest, elephants and hippos relish in a climate-controlled environment, complete with an underwater viewing area. Tots gravitate toward Adventure Island with its petting zoo and hands-on play stations as well as the Children's Discovery Center.
Practical Info
The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park. Access to the park is easiest via the Griffith Park Drive or Zoo Drive exits off Interstate 5. Parking is plentiful and free. The Zoo has plenty of restaurants and cafes, as well two gift shops: the International Marketplace and Safari Station. The Los Angeles Zoo is deceptively larger than it appears from outside; you'll need at least 3 to 4 hours to see everything.
Address: 5333 Zoo Drive, Griffith Park, 90027, USA
Hours: Open daily 10am - 5pm
Admission: Adults: US$14
From $ 72
Hollywood Hills
Whether it’s hiking or horseback riding, biking or busing, there are plenty of ways to explore the well-heeled neighborhood of Hollywood Hills. Its famous bright white Hollywood sign has become an iconic California image and its panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley have made it worth venturing outside the city for tourists hoping to capture the perfect sunset picture.
Travelers can climb to the top of Mt. Hollywood or wander through scenic Griffith Park. John Anson Ford Theater, the Hollywood Bowl, the Hollywood Reservoir and Forest Lawn Memorial Park are also popular sites on a visit to this famed high-rent neighborhood, but visitors would do just as well to drive around the quiet streets taking in some of the most classic (and impressive) residential architecture in California.
Practical Info
Hollywood Hills is part of the Santa Monica Mountains. The neighborhood borders Studio City, Burbank, Griffith Park, Los Feliz, and Universal City.
Address: Los Angeles, California, USA
From $ 35
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam (originally known as Boulder Dam) is an inspiring symbol of American engineering, built during America’s Great Depression as the then-largest dam construction project in the world. Travelers have flocked here for decades to see picturesque views of Lake Mead and the Colorado River, and today, the dam receives more than 1 million annual visitors.
The Basics
The dam is a popular day trip destination from Las Vegas. Visitors can tour the power plant, learn how the dam generates and distributes electricity, and see stunning views of the surrounding riverways, canyons, and valleys. Tour options cover a wide range of interests—visit on a comedy bus, cruise in a Hummer, or even pair the trip with a stop at an outdoor shooting range. For an epic adventure, take in the sites on a helicopter tour or opt for a mountain biking excursion along the waterway. It’s also possible to visit on a combo tour along with the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, or combine a visit to Hoover Dam with a boat cruise on Lake Mead.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring sun protection, comfortable shoes, and plenty of water.
- A concession stand at the base of the dam’s parking garage offers a variety of food and drink options.
- The Hoover Dam Visitors Center and power plant tour are wheelchair accessible, but the dam tour is not accessible. Complimentary parking is available for wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Hoover Dam is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Las Vegas, or 45 minutes by road, near the Arizona–Nevada border. The nearest airport is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Parking can be found near the visitors center.
When to Get There
Because of the stifling desert heat in summer, spring and fall are the best times to visit the Hoover Dam. Expect long lines and heavy traffic on summer weekends; opt for an early morning visit to avoid crowds.
Inside Hoover Dam
A Hoover Dam tour features much more than just a 726-foot (221-meter) wall. Explore tunnels that were bored directly into the mountainside, hear the harrowing tales of workers who carved them out by hand, and tour the power plant. The Hoover Dam Visitors Center offers even more info about America’s most famous dam.
Address: Hwy. 93, Boulder City, USA
Hours: Daily 9am - 5pm
Admission: Adults: $15
From $ 50
Laugh Factory
One of the most popular, influential comedy clubs in L.A., the Laugh Factory bills itself as being in Hollywood – but is actually a few blocks shy of that neighborhood. First opened in 1979, the club was a then 16-year-old’s enterprising answer to a comedian’s strike just up the street at the Comedy Store; young Jamie Masada got a loan from a family friend, bought a building, and started the city’s first comedy club that paid all of its performing comics for their work.
Masada would go on to become a comedian, manager and producer, helping the cast of 1990s TV comedy “In Living Color” achieve fame, and continuing to support minority comics via the Laugh Factory. The club is an ideal place to see emerging acts, watch showcases headlined by Kevin Nealon, Tim Allen and Tom Arnold, and witness comedy stars like Dane Cook and Dave Chappelle test their endurance by vying for the title of longest one-person comedic performance – presently longer than seven hours.
Masada would go on to become a comedian, manager and producer, helping the cast of 1990s TV comedy “In Living Color” achieve fame, and continuing to support minority comics via the Laugh Factory. The club is an ideal place to see emerging acts, watch showcases headlined by Kevin Nealon, Tim Allen and Tom Arnold, and witness comedy stars like Dane Cook and Dave Chappelle test their endurance by vying for the title of longest one-person comedic performance – presently longer than seven hours.
Practical Info:
There is plenty of lot parking around the club, but street parking is
scarce and generally via local permit only. There are several
restaurants within walking distance of the Laugh Factory, making it easy
to combine dinner and an evening of comedy; a two-drink minimum is
observed at the club. Online-pre-sale tickets average $17-27, while
tickets at the door tend to range from $20-30.
The best route to take by transit: Bus: 2/302, 217, 780, 218.
The best route to take by transit: Bus: 2/302, 217, 780, 218.
Address: 8001 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046, USA
Hours: Open Daily: 7pm - 2am.
Admission: Prices vary per event.
From $ 89
iFLY Hollywood
If you’ve ever wanted to skydive, you may have this image of jumping out of a plane with a parachute strapped to your back. iFLY takes the experience indoors, allowing for the adrenaline rush and sensation of flying in a controlled, safe environment. The indoor wind tunnel is controlled by professional operators, who create a current of 150 mph using fans at the top of the flight chamber. It is the only wind tunnel in Los Angeles, and no experience is necessary to jump in and enjoy the thrill.
Lasting just over a minute, it is a realistic simulation of the free fall feeling one gets while skydiving. Flyers are horizontal for the duration of the flight, and with additional training can learn to do turns and other maneuvers. Each person is outfitted with a flight suit and helmet and given professional instruction. It’s also fun just to watch as others float suspended in the air current.
Practical Info
iFLY Hollywood is located on the Universal CityWalk beside Universal Studios Hollywood. The CityWalk area has endless options for entertainment and refueling post-flight. There is a height/weight ratio limit and full equipment is provided. It’s suitable for children 4 and up and it’s open Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm. Two flights with instruction is $59.95. It’s recommended to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled flight time.
Address: 1000 Universal Studios Blvd #1, Universal City, California, USA
Hours: Mon-Thurs from 9 am - 9 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am - 11 pm, Sun 10 am - 10 pm
Admission: $59.95 and up
From $ 60
Hollywood Wax Museum Los Angeles
The original Hollywood Wax Museum was, as the name suggests, in Hollywood - which is where it still is today. It’s now known as the Hollywood Wax Museum Los Angeles, and has been entertaining visitors on Hollywood Blvd since 1965.
The incredibly lifelike wax reproductions of Hollywood celebrities changes on a regular basis. One of the popular sections of the museum is the “Chamber of Horrors,” with a collection of monsters from various films, both classic and modern.
One of the appeals of the Hollywood Wax Museum is that visitors can get up close to the wax figures, posing for photographs with the life-size models. You can even get into costume yourself before you snap a photo. The exhibits also include bits of trivia about some of the stars on display.
Practical Info
The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre (with all the celebrity foot and handprints) are both about a block away from the Hollywood Wax Museum.
Address: 6767 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028, USA
Hours: Sun-Thurs 9am-midnight; Fri-Sat 9am-1am
Admission: Adults: $20; Children: $10
From $ 21
Hualapai Village
The Hualapai have been living in the Grand Canyon area for generations, and today the tribe offers some of the area’s best experiences at Hualapai Village. Enjoy cowboy shows, cookouts, and wagon rides; visit Indian Village to learn fascinating history; and brave the Skywalk, a platform extending 70 feet (21 meters) out over the canyon.
The Basics
Since Hualapai Village is on tribal lands outside the bounds of Grand Canyon National Park, visitors are afforded experiences not available on the south and north rims of the canyon. Walk 4,000 feet above the canyon, float along the Colorado River, hike to the ruins of an old guano mine at Guano Point, or soar high above the canyon on a helicopter tour, with a landing on the canyon floor.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Hualapai Village offers an alternative look at the iconic Grand Canyon.
- The village is a must for thrill seekers.
- Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of drinking water.
How to Get There
The West Rim location of Hualapai Village sits about 250 miles (400 kilometers) from the South Rim of Grand Canyon Park and about two hours from Las Vegas. Most visitors arrive at Hualapai Village as part of a guided tour.
When to Get There
March through May and September through November represent the best times to visit the Grand Canyon, including Hualapai Village. Expect peak season crowds from June to August, and be ready for short afternoon rainstorms in July.
Accommodations at Hualapai Village
Due to the considerable distance between Hualapai Village and the nearest commercial airport, some visitors choose to overnight in the area. The Hualapai tribe operates 26 cabins facing the canyon rim, as well as Western-style dining, horseback riding, and guest-only activities like lasso lessons or s’mores by the bonfire.
Address: USA
From $ 340
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Founded in 1899, this is Hollywood's oldest cemetery, a burial ground for some of L.A.'s most historically important and famous citizens. Today, it's a gathering place for community events, like a huge celebration of Dia De Los Muertos (the Mexican Day of the Dead) and a popular summer-Saturday series of outdoor movie screenings.
Its original owners, San Fernando Valley developers Isaac Lankershim and son-in-law Isaac Van Nuys (whose names, respectively, are lent to a major boulevard in North Hollywood and a town in the northwest Valley), sold much of the cemetery in 1920 to Paramount Pictures, RKO Studios and the Beth Olam Synagogue. As a result, many entertainers (like Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, and two of the Ramones) and prominent Jews (like gangster/entrepreneur Bugsy Siegel) are buried here.
In 1939, the entire cemetery was bought by morally-challenged ex-con Jules Roth, who proceeded to sell off dozens of acres of the cemetery's land (now used as adjacent strip malls) and embezzle millions from the business, allowing the grounds and graves to fall into complete disrepair for about 60 years. In 1998, the Cassity Brothers, a pair of Missouri funeral home owners, took steep advantage of bankruptcy proceedings and re-named their new bargain purchase the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The Cassity Brothers have since authorized a 2000 documentary on the cemetery called The Young and the Dead, and introduced the Cinespia Series, where, on Saturday nights during the summer, classic films like Sunset Boulevard are screened against a mausoleum for large crowds of gourmet picnickers.
Throughout the year, various musical acts perform at the cemetery's on-site Masonic Lodge, and on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, guided tours are given by film historian Karie Bible, who also serves as the "Lady in Black," responsible for putting a fresh rose each day on the resident grave of Rudolph Valentino.
Its original owners, San Fernando Valley developers Isaac Lankershim and son-in-law Isaac Van Nuys (whose names, respectively, are lent to a major boulevard in North Hollywood and a town in the northwest Valley), sold much of the cemetery in 1920 to Paramount Pictures, RKO Studios and the Beth Olam Synagogue. As a result, many entertainers (like Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, and two of the Ramones) and prominent Jews (like gangster/entrepreneur Bugsy Siegel) are buried here.
In 1939, the entire cemetery was bought by morally-challenged ex-con Jules Roth, who proceeded to sell off dozens of acres of the cemetery's land (now used as adjacent strip malls) and embezzle millions from the business, allowing the grounds and graves to fall into complete disrepair for about 60 years. In 1998, the Cassity Brothers, a pair of Missouri funeral home owners, took steep advantage of bankruptcy proceedings and re-named their new bargain purchase the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The Cassity Brothers have since authorized a 2000 documentary on the cemetery called The Young and the Dead, and introduced the Cinespia Series, where, on Saturday nights during the summer, classic films like Sunset Boulevard are screened against a mausoleum for large crowds of gourmet picnickers.
Throughout the year, various musical acts perform at the cemetery's on-site Masonic Lodge, and on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, guided tours are given by film historian Karie Bible, who also serves as the "Lady in Black," responsible for putting a fresh rose each day on the resident grave of Rudolph Valentino.
Address: 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90038, USA
From $ 20
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles’s Coliseum gets its name from the historic coliseum of ancient Rome — and with nearly 100,000 spectator seats it upholds the tradition of mass entertainment. It is the home of the University of Southern California’s Trojan football team, and is the only stadium in the world to have hosted two Olympic games. While football is its main attraction, there are also concerts and special events held in the stadium on occasion. It is also a center of athletics history, having hosted a number of Super Bowl and World Series games.
Until 2015 the Coliseum was only available to visit by holding a ticket to one of its hosted events. It is now open to the public, with many of the medals and trophies won by teams that have played here on display. The stadium is well-maintained and its sheer size is impressive. It is soon also to be the temporary home of the new Los Angeles Rams team.
Practical Info
The Coliseum is located in downtown Los Angeles, within walking distance from the USC campus. Tours are given Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Traffic from other parts of Los Angeles can make for longer driving times, especially around games or events. Parking can be challenging as well, though various lots run by the university offers spots starting at $20. It is also accessible via the Metro Silver Line.
Address: 3911 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, California, USA 90037, USA
Hours: Open by guided tour only; Tues-Sat 10am-4pm
Admission: $10 self-guided; $20 guided tour
From $ 72
Los Angeles Convention Center
Designed in 1971 by Charles Luckman, architect of Madison Square Garden and LAX’s famous Theme Building (now known as Encounter Restaurant & Bar), this largely featureless behemoth of a convention complex sprawls over several blocks’ worth of Downtown and plays host to dozens of industry showcases, genre expos and special events each year. Expanded in the mid-1990s (with a design by Ingo James Freed) and updated in the early 2000s, in 2008 it became the first U.S. convention center (and large building in Los Angeles) to be awarded LEED certification for its energy efficiency.
One of the largest convention centers in America, the LACC long seemed marooned in an increasingly-fading swath of Downtown, but in the late 1990s, it received a huge commercial boost from the creation of Staples Center and the adjacent L.A. Live entertainment/dining/hotel complex. The area surrounding the LACC is now booming with revitalization efforts which have rippled across the whole of Downtown.
Convention attendees are now spoiled for choice when it comes to lodging, high-end chain restaurants and bars, concert and sports venues, and a multiplex movie theatre. A popular coffee-meeting spot is the lobby of the J.W. Marriott Hotel, which features an Illy coffee café, and a Metro Rail station on the Red Line right beneath L.A. Live means that conventioneers can easily travel to other sections of Downtown, as well as Hollywood and Culver City.
One of the largest convention centers in America, the LACC long seemed marooned in an increasingly-fading swath of Downtown, but in the late 1990s, it received a huge commercial boost from the creation of Staples Center and the adjacent L.A. Live entertainment/dining/hotel complex. The area surrounding the LACC is now booming with revitalization efforts which have rippled across the whole of Downtown.
Convention attendees are now spoiled for choice when it comes to lodging, high-end chain restaurants and bars, concert and sports venues, and a multiplex movie theatre. A popular coffee-meeting spot is the lobby of the J.W. Marriott Hotel, which features an Illy coffee café, and a Metro Rail station on the Red Line right beneath L.A. Live means that conventioneers can easily travel to other sections of Downtown, as well as Hollywood and Culver City.
Practical Info:
Anything longer than one-hour street parking is essentially nonexistent
near the Convention Center, so drivers should take advantage of the
multiple lots surrounding the building. Parking rates vary and are
posted outside or in front of each area, and average a one-time fee of
$15.
Address: 1201 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA
From $ 125
Los Angeles Theater District
Los Angeles’s Broadway Theater and Commercial District is the first and largest theater district in the United States. Los Angeles has always been a performing arts and entertainment hub, and the artistic area was listed and entered into the National Register of Historic Places. It consists of twelve historic movie theaters lining six blocks of Broadway Street. The theaters were built as early as 1910, when Los Angeles was comparatively quite small in population. By 1931, when a few of the theaters were completed, Los Angeles had the highest concentration of cinemas in the world.
Walking along Broadway Street, with the many marquees and lavishly decorated exteriors, one gets a true sense of the era frozen in time. Routine efforts are made to ensure the conservation of the area architecture and cinematic palaces and to keep the history alive in the district. Though these days, most of the theaters are used for special events or markets rather than showings of films.
Practical Info
Located in downtown Los Angeles, the Theater District runs from 3rd to 9th Street along Broadway Street.
Address: Los Angeles, California, USA
From $ 22
Japanese American National Museum
Located in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles, the Japanese American National Museum tells the story of Japanese Americans. Opened in 1992, it is the first museum in the United States dedicated to the topic.
The Japanese American National Museum hosts many changing exhibits, but Common Ground: The Heart of Community is its ongoing central exhibition. Using an assortment of objects, documents and photographs, the exhibition covers 130 years of Japanese American history. It begins with the early days of the Issei pioneers, and continues through the World War II incarceration to present day. The museum’s calendar of events is loaded with all sorts of events and programs, so be sure to check the schedule when you visit.
Practical Info
The Japanese American National Museum is open six days a week. It is closed on Monday, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The use of public transportation is encouraged. If you’re in Downtown Los Angeles, you can take the DASH bus. Visitors can also take the Metro Gold Line to the Little Tokyo/Arts District stop. Metro riders get $2 off any adult admission. Free general admission every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and all day every third Thursday of the month.
Address: 100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles 90012, USA
Hours: Tues-Wed, Fri-Sun 11am-5pm
Thursday 12pm-8pm
Admission: Adults $9, Seniors $5, Students and Youth $5, Children 5 and under Free.
From $ 49
Los Angeles Farmers Market
A historic Los Angeles landmark, the Los Angeles Farmers Market is a bustling market of food stalls, eateries, prepared food vendors, produce markets, and much more. You can easily spend a morning or afternoon here browsing the more than 100 restaurants, grocers and tourist shops.
Opened in 1934, the Farmers Market is a popular destination for foodies in search of the market’s wide assortment of flavors and cuisines. The market started when a dozen nearby farmers would park their trucks on a field to sell their fresh produce to local residents. It quickly grew in popularity, especially when CBS Television City opened next door and began providing those working or visiting that television studio a convenient place to shop or eat.
You’ll find more than just food here. Buy bath and bodyworks, get a shave and a haircut at the Barbershop Club, find exotic candles, browse children’s clothes, find gifts and toys, browse designer and one-of-a-kind fashions, and bring home teas and jewelry. When a break from shopping beckons, you can marvel at some of the historic displays including Gilmore History Kiosk, Earl's Service Station, and the Farmers Market Clock Tower.
Practical Info
The Farmers Market and is located just south of CBS Television City, at the corner of 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue in the Fairfax District. It is also adjacent to The Grove outdoor shopping mall; an electric-powered trolley runs between the two sites. The market is also close to the myriad galleries of Museum Row, at Fairfax Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard.
Address: 6333 West 3rd St, at Fairfax Ave, 90036, USA
Hours: Open daily 9am - 9pm (weekends to 7pm)
Admission: Free
From $ 49
Hollywood Bowl
Tucked into the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles, with the Hollywood sign in the background, the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater has been a favorite venue for outdoor live music since it opened in 1922. It’s home to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and it hosts the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the summer months.
The Basics
The Bowl's main performance season runs from June to October, featuring acts from a variety of musical genres. An enormous movie screen allows for popular events like movie-musical sing-alongs (The Sound of Music is a perennial favorite). If you’re not interested in seeing a concert, some Los Angeles sightseeing tours include a stop at the famous amphitheater.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Children ages 2 years and up must have their own ticket; you may be asked to check your stroller or baby carrier at the operations office.
- You may purchase food and beverages at the Bowl or bring your own, including wine and beer for some events (alcohol is not allowed to be brought in during other events but can be purchased).
- Selfie sticks and audio/video recording devices are prohibited.
- There are several wheelchair-accessible seating locations with space for a limited number of companions.
How to Get There
The Hollywood Bowl is located just off Highway 101 in the Hollywood Hills. On performance nights, the main roads outside the venue (Cahuenga Boulevard and Highland Avenue) are typically bottlenecked with traffic. Parking at the Bowl is limited, so many guests either take a ride-share vehicle or leave their cars at the nearby park-and-ride lots or shuttle bus locations (for a fee; available to purchase online).
When to Get There
Depending on the event, the gates open 90 minutes to 2.5 hours before start time. Particularly popular is the Fourth of July event, when a fireworks display tops off the concert.
The Hollywood Bowl Museum
First opened in 1984 and rebuilt in 1996 as the Edmund D. Edelman Hollywood Bowl Museum, this multilevel site features artifacts and media about the Bowl’s century-long history. Admission is free. Group tours and self-guided tours are also available from the museum.
Address: 2301 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90068, USA
From $ 79
Los Angeles Cruise Port
The City of Angels, La La Land, Tinseltown – whatever you want to call it, Los Angeles is America’s playland, where tanned sun-worshippers frolic on the beach in Malibu, surfers catch waves down in Huntington, families meet Mickey Mouse in Anaheim, well-dressed ladies shop for designer goods in Beverly Hills, and movie stars (and wannabees) make their fortunes in Hollywood.
The sprawling city offers more than you could ever see in a day (or five), so if your cruise starts or ends in LA, it’s worth your while to extend that vacation by a few days and see what all the fuss is about (who wants to go back to work, anyway?).
How to get to Los Angeles
Most cruise ships dock at the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, about 20 miles (70 km) south of downtown LA. Most Carnival ships, however, dock at the terminal in Long Beach. Los Angeles is not a walking town, nor is public transport very prevalent, so you’ll want to rent a car if you’re exploring the city on your own.
One Day in Los Angeles
Gas up your rental car (it’s going to need a full tank) and hit the freeway for a day of LA’s greatest hits. Start in Hollywood with a walk down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, looking for the stars of your favorite actors. Then drive to the Farmer’s Market for a snack, keeping your eyes out for famous faces.
Enjoy a ride through Beverly Hills, marveling at the mansions and perfectly manicured lawns, on your way to the Getty Center, one of the city’s best places to see art. The architecture of the building itself is just as impressive as the work on the walls, as is the view.
Now you deserve to relax, so head to Santa Monica. Take a few spins on the Ferris wheel and try your hand at vintage carnival games before finishing your day with a stroll on the beach.
The sprawling city offers more than you could ever see in a day (or five), so if your cruise starts or ends in LA, it’s worth your while to extend that vacation by a few days and see what all the fuss is about (who wants to go back to work, anyway?).
How to get to Los Angeles
Most cruise ships dock at the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, about 20 miles (70 km) south of downtown LA. Most Carnival ships, however, dock at the terminal in Long Beach. Los Angeles is not a walking town, nor is public transport very prevalent, so you’ll want to rent a car if you’re exploring the city on your own.
One Day in Los Angeles
Gas up your rental car (it’s going to need a full tank) and hit the freeway for a day of LA’s greatest hits. Start in Hollywood with a walk down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, looking for the stars of your favorite actors. Then drive to the Farmer’s Market for a snack, keeping your eyes out for famous faces.
Enjoy a ride through Beverly Hills, marveling at the mansions and perfectly manicured lawns, on your way to the Getty Center, one of the city’s best places to see art. The architecture of the building itself is just as impressive as the work on the walls, as is the view.
Now you deserve to relax, so head to Santa Monica. Take a few spins on the Ferris wheel and try your hand at vintage carnival games before finishing your day with a stroll on the beach.
Port Information
The language is English and the currency is the
US dollar. You’ll find ATMs around the city. Enterprise offers rental
car pickup at the World Cruise Center.
Address: World Cruise Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
From $ 18
L.A. Live
L.A. Live is at the heart of the action in downtown Los Angeles. It is the sports, music, and entertainment hub surrounding venues like the Staples Center and Los Angeles Convention Center. The energetic collection of nightclubs, restaurants, venues, movie theaters, and even museums truly has something for everyone. A few highlights include the iconic Conga Room, the Nokia Theater, and Lucky Strikes and Lounge bowling center. L.A. Live is also home to the GRAMMY Museum and its decades of music industry history.
With more than twenty restaurants there plenty of dining options. Some of Los Angeles’s best luxury hotels can be in surrounding skyscrapers. Live entertainment and special events are frequent, and award shows and red carpets can also be seen here on a regular basis. The ever-modern structures and lights of L.A. Live are set to continue to expand, so we can expect much more entertainment to come out of this cultural center in years to come.
Practical Info
LA Live is situated in downtown Los Angeles beside the Staples Center and Los Angeles Convention Center, at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street. Parking is abundant, or take the Metro Blue Line or Expo Line to the Pico Stop. From there it’s a two minute walk.
Address: 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, California, USA 90015, USA
From $ 49