Los Angeles, California is a city full of adventure and excitement. With its vast wilderness, iconic landmarks, and unique attractions, it's no wonder why it's one of the most popular destinations for locals and visitors alike. From hiking and biking in the Angeles National Forest to exploring the historic Bradbury Building and the Broad Museum, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Los Angeles. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Angeles National Forest is a must-see.
With over 1,000 square miles of wilderness and 53 starting points, it's easy to find an activity that suits your interests. Whether you're looking for a full-day hike or a leisurely bike ride, there are plenty of options to choose from. Calvo is a great option for those looking for a challenging hike with spectacular views from nearly 10,000 feet. The Devil's Punchbowl and Bridge to Nowhere hikes are also popular choices for those looking for a full-day adventure.
The Bradbury Building is another must-see attraction in Los Angeles. Built by Gold Baron Lewis Bradbury in 1893, this Victorian-style atrium is filled with architectural details such as hydraulic open-cage elevators, marble staircases, and wrought iron balconies. The huge skylight and open balconies create an atmosphere unlike any other building; it's both haunting and magical. Culture lovers will recognize this building from its appearances in films such as Chinatown (1974), Blade Runner (1982), 500 Days of Summer (2009), and some music videos and commercials.
The Broad Museum is another popular destination for art lovers. Housed in a building with a dimpled facade that many say looks like a cheese grater, the Broad houses the collection of Edythe Broad and her late husband Eli. The collection is more pop than academic, which has earned it the reputation of being a stop on tourist lists, if only to take selfies in front of Jeff Koons' balloon dog or Robert Therrien's expanded table and chairs. There are also works of the stature of Ruscha, Warhol, Basquiat, Murakami, and Sherman.
A reservation is required and difficult to get hold of due to the museum's popularity, so plan ahead. It's free and if you hurry, you can see the museum's hits in no time. Downtown Los Angeles often has a bad reputation but there are still plenty of great spots to explore there. My favorites are the Broad Museum for its modern art, Skyspace for its glass slide and stunning views, and the Grand Central Market for all its fun restaurants. The Griffith Observatory is also a must-see spot in Los Angeles with incredible views of the Hollywood sign in one direction and downtown Los Angeles in the other.
Of course, the observatory is also amazing to explore as it's free to enter and has lots of fun exhibits. The Hollywood sign is probably the most iconic part of Los Angeles and something that everyone loves to see when they visit it. There are many great places to see the sign such as Hollywood Lake Park but if you really want to experience it consider hiking to it. The walk is steep if you take the Tree of Wisdom Path but it gives you great views of Los Angeles and allows you to get as close to the sign as you're allowed. As one of the most historic districts in Los Angeles, Olvera Street was founded in 1781 and is a great place to explore. It has some nice restaurants and a fun central shopping area but the main reason to come is for the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) festival every October.
The festival has been running for more than 30 years and is a celebration of life with murals, dancers, a procession, and face painting. The Echo Park area of Los Angeles is an up-and-coming spot with great restaurants, shopping, and a decent-sized lake right in the middle. It's a fun place to hang out on a warm day and you can get out on the water by renting a swan boat if you want to go for a walk. The area also has the Time Travel Mart which is one of my favorite stores as well as excellent food such as Masa's pizza and its fantastic bread pudding with croissant. Like the Hollywood Bowl watching a Dodger game is a must-see attraction in Los Angeles. Just driving through the parking lot to the stadium you'll enjoy iconic views of downtown Los Angeles and the historic stadium has been there for nearly 60 years.
If you come out of season you can pay to take a tour of the stadium or you can visit the store and go out to see the upper deck. Thanks to a city charter that remained in effect until the late 1950s, City Hall was once the tallest building in Los Angeles until 1964. A must-see in California touring the iconic 1.6-mile Sunset Strip is one of the best things to do in West Hollywood not to be missed. Featured in Los Angeles film montages since 1955, The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of Los Angeles's most notable landmarks. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located in downtown Los Angeles and is part of the Los Angeles Music Center Complex. The cult tried to continue without its leader but eventually died out in the 1980s leaving a strange legacy that draws visitors to Box Canyon Los Angeles year after year. If you want to spend a day exploring one of the most popular attractions near Los Angeles there are plenty of fun things to do in Santa Monica next to the beach like visiting ArcLight Cinemas or exploring The Battleship Iowa Museum located near Port of Los Angeles. Like The Walt Disney Concert Hall it's one of best photo spots in Los Angeles.
