Los Angeles is a city of dreams, and it's no surprise that it's one of the most popular destinations for travelers. From watching stars on the big screen to seeing stars in the sky from the Griffith Observatory, this West Coast city has it all. You can relax on a warm beach, browse the main art galleries and watch a show starring celebrities, all on the same day (if you synchronize it well with traffic, of course). With more than 1,000 square miles of wilderness and 53 starting points, it's no surprise that the Angeles National Forest is one of the most popular day trips for locals and visitors alike.
Whether you're hiking, biking, running, boating, or even skiing, there's something here for every type of outdoor activity. Calvo is nice and results in spectacular views from nearly 10,000 feet. The Devil's Punchbowl and Bridge to Nowhere hikes are some of the best full-day options in the region. The Bradbury Building's Victorian-style atrium, built for Gold Baron Lewis Bradbury, 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 know this from his appearances in films such as Chinatown (197), Blade Runner (198), 500 Days of Summer (200) and some music videos and commercials. Housed in a building with a dimpled facade that many say looks like a cheese grater, the Broad houses the collection of Edythe Broad, who amassed a formidable stash of contemporary art with 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. The Grove is a one-stop shop where you'll find some of the best stores in Los Angeles (and every type of store imaginable). If you really want to immerse yourself in the history of this iconic Los Angeles venue, I recommend taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the Dolby Theater. A few miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, Echo Park is a great neighborhood in Los Angeles to experience local life in the Los Angeles area. One of those most unique things to do in Los Angeles, the Mosaic Tile House is probably unlike any house you've ever seen before.
Here are some fun places to eat in Los Angeles, as well as my top picks for getting your caffeine enthusiasm and satisfying your sweet tooth. This is another one of those fun and inexpensive things to do in the Los Angeles area if you like architecture. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located in downtown Los Angeles and is part of the Los Angeles Music Center Complex. Located in the Exposition Park, the California Science Center is an interactive museum and one of those things to do in Los Angeles for free. You can also relax in the Rose Garden in Los Angeles or watch a football game of FC Los Angeles at the Banc of California Stadium. Jokes aside, watching the Dodgers play at Dodgers Stadium should definitely be on your Los Angeles to-do list, because it's a very classic Los Angeles experience to have.
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. Get your FREE Los Angeles trip planner to get everything you need to plan the perfect trip to the City of Stars (including printable checklists). Located in the historic Rose Bowl Stadium, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is one of the best places to shop in Los Angeles for an eclectic mix of antiques, clothing, crafts and other random items. Considered one of the best museums in Los Angeles, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States and attracts around one million visitors each year. Exposition Park is a massive 160-acre urban park located in downtown LA where you'll find some of Los Angeles's best museums, sports facilities and entertainment venues.
Even longtime Angelenos will find something new to add to their to-do list among this city's iconic attractions that are still accessible as well as an ever-changing inventory of some of LA's best restaurants.
