Ooh, LA. Californ-i-a. What a city. So many fun things to do in Los Angeles. You want glitz? Action? Chill vibes? If you’re headed to visit Los Angeles, it can deliver on all fronts. In this post, I’ll focus on the main non-beach spots you’ll want to experience in the LA area and give you some genuine insights from a local’s perspective. Below I’ve listed out a high level travel guide to get the most out of your time in LA in about a 4 day visit. Check out the Beaches section of my Los Angeles page for the coastlines to get your tan on.
- Chinatown
- Union Station
- Olvera Street
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Crypto.com Arena (Lakers or Kings game)
- Dodger Stadium
- Broadway (Skyscrapers and historic theaters)
- Amoeba Music
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Hollywood Museum
- Guiness Book of World Records
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not
- Madame Tussauds
- Hollywood Wax Museum
- Ovation Hollywood Entertainment Complex
- Dolby Theatre
- TCL Chinese Theatre
- Disney’s El Capitan Theatre
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Warner Brothers Studio Tour
- Paramount Studio Pictures Tour
- Sony Pictures Studio Tour
- Los Angeles Zoo
- Griffith Park
- Griffith Observatory
- Greek Theatre
- Hollywood Bowl
OK, let’s start with the Downtown LA area. First stop, Chinatown. Located near the downtown skyscrapers, Chinatown immediately hits you with its own unique aura as you enter amongst pagoda-style buildings with red lanterns. Take a stroll through the area and stop in and out of its shops, art galleries, and eateries. You can make your first destination the Central Plaza, the iconic heart of Chinatown and see the nearby shops and historic buildings. Then take about a 10 minute walk over to Yale st. to appreciate the elaborate architecture of the Thien Hau Temple. If you’re in the mood for shopping, walk over to the Far East Plaza for a variety of boutique stores, vintage shops, and specialty markets. If you’re interested in learning about Chinese culture and history in Los Angeles and beyond, you can check out the Chinese American Museum on the edge of Chinatown. Depending on the time of year, you may be lucky enough to experience events such as the colorful Lantern Festival, Summer Nights, and the Golden Dragon Parade. And of course, if you get that rumbling in your stomach, be sure to enjoy some dim sum at spots like the Golden Dragon restaurant. You can definitely dwell and soak in this great culture for several hours, but if you have more LA plans, you can get a good taste of Chinatown in a couple of hours. It’s not as immersive as the Chinatown in San Francisco but it has plenty to see and explore.
On your way out of Chinatown, it’s worth a quick stop at Union Station, the art deco / mission revival style train station built in 1939. Walking into this beautiful, elaborate historic Los Angeles landmark makes you yearn for yester-year and how “they don’t make them like they used to.” I dare you to try not to look up and all around constantly (taking pics) as you wander through its majestic architecture. There’s even a couple places to grab a bite or drink if you want to linger longer.
Next, if you’re up for more cultural experiences, head right over to Olvera Street to appreciate the sights, tastes, and sounds of Mexican culture. The non-vehicle street is lined with shops selling traditional Mexican crafts and souvenirs, restaurants serving authentic Mexican cuisine, and historic buildings that are open to the public. If you’re looking for an insta-happy, pop into Mr. Churro for a treat. With your churro in hand, slow walk down the street to take in all the sights and shops. Some photo op spots include the Avila Adobe, the Pico house, and if you’re fortunate, the plaza at the end of Olvera Street may feature traditional Mexican dancers putting on a colorful show to the beat of live music.
Side Note: For you sophisticated music aficionados, book an event at the Walt Disney Concert Hall for a visual and aural feast, typically featuring the LA Philharmonic orchestra. You won’t be disappointed as the artistic exterior and interior design are a mere bonus to the talent gracing the stage.
And for you sports fans, I do highly recommend taking the plunge and purchasing a ticket to either the Crypto.com Arena for a LA Lakers game (or maybe a Kings hockey game), or feeling the energy of the LA Dodger Stadium. You’ll gain a much deeper exposure to Los Angeles culture and its locals, which undoubtedly will carve out a unique core memory of your time in the City of Angels.
If you’re craving to stroll through the concrete jungle of skyscrapers, I suggest heading south down Broadway and parking anywhere between 3rd and 7th street. Though Broadway is littered with unflattering tourist trap and uneventful shops, squint your eyes and use your imagination to picture what this once great strip brought to the heart of LA with its glitz and ornate architecture. Make no mistake, there are still several amazing, historic theaters worth sneaking a peak at along Broadway as well as the beautiful Bradbury Building. And if you’re looking for a wide variety of quick bites to choose from, wander into the Grand Central Market.
When you’re ready to continue your journey to Hollywood, either jump on the 101 north or head west on Cesar E. Chavez Ave. which becomes Sunset Blvd. Whichever route you take, you’ll want to find your way to Hollywood Blvd. before crossing Gower St. so you have a chance to stop by the Amoeba Music store, a music lover’s paradise. From here, if you got your sneakers on and your blood sugar revved, you can start the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Keep in mind, the Walk of Fame runs 1.3 miles on Hollywood Blvd. plus a couple small add-on segments on Vine Street. You’ll have no shortage of sights and stimulation as you venture down Hollywood Blvd. As you approach Highland Ave. you’ll have your choice of interesting museums and exhibits to scratch that “Hollywood itch.” Frankly, there are several in this area and you’ll want to keep an eye out for any temporary pop-up exhibits that often bring an extra flare to the selection. You can check out the Hollywood Museum, Guinness World Records Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Madame Tussauds, and the Hollywood Wax Museum. If you’re trying to decide which wax exhibit to do, the Hollywood Wax Museum is more of a nostalgic Hollywood experience while Madame Tussauds is more of a “next level” attraction, though I very much enjoy both (bonus points to Hollywood Wax Museum for their Horror Chamber).
For more shopping and eateries, head over to the Ovation Hollywood entertainment complex and you’ll find plenty to do. You can even catch a glimpse of the famous Dolby Theatre where the Academy Awards are held. Right outside Dolby Theatre along the staircase leading down to Hollywood Blvd, all the Academy Award best picture winners are displayed in chronological order, which is a fun little blast to the past remembering all the great films through the years.
As you approach the sidewalk on the street, you’ll be surrounded by several costumed street performers eagerly accepting tips for photo ops. Maneuver your way through the performers and crowds to the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theatre) and marvel at the handprints, footprints, and well wishes engraved in cement from about 200 celebrities, past and present.
To cap off the day and give your feet some rest, walk across the street to Disney’s El Capitan Theatre to catch a movie. Built in 1926, this elegant theater in Spanish colonial revival style provides you a truly unique movie-going experience, complete with a pre-show pipe organ performance.
For an all day attraction, you’ll want to plan a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s definitely worth the price tag and time dedication, though it is more of an amusement park than a true movie tour experience. It can get quite crowded with long wait lines, so if you’re able, I suggest purchasing the Universal Express ticket to have quick access to each attraction (with a couple ride exclusions). As of February 17, 2023 the new Super Nintendo World opened so as much as that may excite many folks (including me), you can imagine how much busier the park will be. As your park adventure draws to a close that day, I do recommend walking through Universal City Walk right outside the park for eye-candy storefront facades and dining.
If you’re looking for a more authentic movie studio tour, you can check out the Warner Brothers studio tour, the Paramount Pictures studio tour, or the Sony Pictures studio tour. Each has its own charms though they are not a full day experience like Universal Studios. ana
A great “full day” to plan includes a morning to the Los Angeles Zoo, followed up by lounging around Griffith Park and the Griffith Observatory, and ending with an unforgettable night concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The LA Zoo has diverse landscapes with several must see exhibits including the gorillas, chimpanzees, a Sumatran tiger, and reptile display. Just walking through the elaborate decor of the zoo grounds is a peaceful joy in itself. After lunch, you may want to mosey over to Griffith Park which offers beautiful green spaces to explore or simply relax in. If you have little ones with you, you can keep them entertained at the Travel Town museum or the carousel. No matter what, you must venture up the hill to the Griffith Observatory for the views, the intriguing exhibits inside, and my personal favorite, the planetarium. Be aware there are different shows offered in the planetarium, all of which are worth the price and your time, but I must say I’m personally moved each time I view the “Centered in the Universe” show.
As the evening begins, you’ll want to find your way over to the Hollywood Bowl for whichever concert you’ve pre-purchased. Side note: You should know that the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park is also an amazing outdoor music venue worth experiencing if you’re not self-obligated to check the Hollywood Bowl off your LA visit list. Or you can indulge and do both venues on two different nights!
For a nice little bonus to your evening, I suggest bringing some food and drink to the picnicking areas outside the Hollywood Bowl. It really adds that extra charm to the whole event, and could save you some pennies. Once inside the Hollywood Bowl, you will be delighted with the surreal backdrop of the Hollywood Hills and infamous Hollywood sign. Then you’ll be able to sit back in your seat with a smile and sense of satisfaction knowing you have made it to a quintessential Los Angeles moment.
Though there are so many other great things to do and see in Los Angeles, these are the spots to check off your LA visit bucket list. I do believe you can squeeze in most of the 27 attractions I’ve listed above in a few days with your “travel adrenaline” in full gear. More importantly, you’ll be blessed with incredible memories of your time in La La Land.