There is no way to fully experience Los Angeles without dedicating a good chunk of time to it. You can go to the beach, enjoy art on the streets, and indulge in some high-end shopping. Or, you can check out a few studios and hit some museums. There’s no right way to do a trip to LA, but you shouldn’t try to see every attraction, find a few things you enjoy, and spend some time enjoying them.
If you are making your first trip to Los Angeles you will likely start by hitting some of the popular theme parks. If you choose to go to Universal Studios Hollywood, you can experience attractions based on The Walking Dead, The Mummy, Transformers, Jurassic park as well as Minions. Make sure to plan some time for the studio tour, as it is the only place that you will see real movie sets and learn how different special effects and stunts are created. The whole day is packed with plenty of rides, live shows, character encounters, and movie memorabilia.
Families with young children will also enjoy visiting Disneyland Resort, which is located in Anaheim. Disneyland Resort includes Disneyland Park, as well as Disney California Adventure, and each park can be bought as a separate admission. There are lots of rides and shows in each park, and Disneyland also has character events and fireworks so you will want to plan a day at both. It is one of the few places to visit in southern California where adults and children can play together without judgment.
Traveling across Los Angeles, one can visit The Getty Center and etch art into Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive, then onto Santa Monica’s shoreline and the historical downtown. This combination best showcases the diversity of the city compared to any one particular attraction. This city has art and architecture, high-end retail shopping, great Mexican food, important civic structures, and the ocean all in one massive city.
A significant outlet shopping destination for Los Angeles residents is Desert Hills Premium Outlets, situated just outside Palm Springs. This open-air outlet offers several name-brand designer stores and food service, and can easily be integrated into other adventures to the Palm Springs area or Joshua Tree National Park. It is best approached as a desert excursion as opposed to a quick stop from Los Angeles.
Especially for those traveling with children, San Diego SeaWorld is another option that would merit a day trip. At SeaWorld, visitors can see marine mammals and their exhibits featuring penguins, sharks, dolphins, sea lions, and other sea creatures. Like any long outing in Southern California, you will be spending quite a while there.
If you are a family that is looking for a theme park alternative, you have some excellent choices in this area. Out-of-the-waters whale watching cruises from Orange County is a great option. Cruises are usually 2 to 2.5 hours long and offer the chance to see blue whales during late Summer and Fall. Additionally, sea lions, dolphins, and seabirds are often encountered. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the experience of the unknown is part of the adventure.
What Is Universal’s VIP Experience?
If you’re one who would prefer paying for a Universal Studios experience rather than waiting in lines for attractions, you can consider Universal’s VIP experience. As part of this experience, guests are provided with a personal tour guide, all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, and access to attractions with no waiting. For this experience, there are age restrictions, and children under 5 years old will not be permitted to attend. In addition, children who are not accompanied by an adult must be 17 years or older to attend. Although this experience comes at a price, guests will be able to efficiently cover the entire park, skipping lines, and will be able to avoid the same long, tedious waits that so many other families will have to experience.
Where To Look For Griffith Observatory Griffith Observatory offers the best views of Los Angeles. Located in the hills near the iconic Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory has the best views of the city. When the sun goes down, and the dark sets in, the incredible grid of city lights are visible and showcase the beauty of Los Angeles. In addition to the views, the planetarium offers an introduction to astronomy that is immersive and captivating. Griffith Observatory is closed on Mondays, and hours each day can be confirmed online. They are open Tuesday to Friday from 12 PM to 10 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 10 PM, so be sure to visit the website to confirm hours before visiting.
Where To Look For California Science Center Another great stop for families is the California Science Center, which features exhibits with aircraft and spacecraft, weather simulations, and hands-on science displays, and also has a dedicated exhibit for the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Traditionally, general admission has been free, but with exceptions of certain exhibits and IMAX movies, which visitors must pay for. A visit to UCLA, which is a more aspirational kind of outing, is also available nearby. A campus visit can take in Royce Hall, libraries, and academic buildings while giving younger visitors a glimpse of life at a major university.
Malibu surfing provides a spectacular experience with fewer crowds than located than central beaches. However, beginners should be cautious because the conditions can be tough due to ocean winds, rocky terrain, and chilly winds during the morning and evening. Currently, the 534 bus provides public transport access to Malibu Cove Colony, but riders should check the bus schedule prior to traveling.
Riders can see a different side of Hollywood by horseback riding in Griffith Park. From here, they will be provided with beautiful views of the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory, and the city. Many guided rides are suitable for novices. However, some operators may have special requirements. For some extreme excitement, you could try tandem skydiving near Lake Elsinore. At a height of about 14,000 feet, you will free fall at a high speed, which is followed by a parachute descent. Due to the length of parachuting, a lot of time needs to be dedicated to this skydiving activity.
At Santa Monica, you can walk on the beach and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. You can also rent a bike and ride along the beach to Venice Beach, where there is a lot of energy in the form of street performers. If you want a more relaxed experience, head to Manhattan Beach. As Los Angeles's western side is where the city starts to slow down, visitors should take time to relax as opposed to just using the beach as a quick stop in a busy schedule.
Enjoying luxury in Los Angeles can be more enjoyable when you treat it with a little humor. At their Porsche Experience Center, you can sign up for personal car introductions, complete with track driving lessons with a professional. If you’re interested in shopping, you can also enjoy a sunset cruise out of Newport Beach with a quieter option. This lasts around an hour and a half, and gives you a chance to take in the evening light over the harbor and shoreline. Just remember that departure times can change with the season, so check with the cruise company to see what times are offered.
Cultural activities across the city’s landscape are as important as the stories attached to the celebrities living there. The Getty Center is a must-visit for those who enjoy art and its architecture, as it is considered one of the best private art centers in the U.S. When there, take time to join a guide to see some of the best pieces of the collection and hear their stories. In addition to the Getty Center, you can see vintage automobiles as well as motorcycles and trucks at The Petersen Automotive Museum.
In addition to the Getty Center and Petersen Museum, you can also see an NBA game at the downtown arena (formerly called Staples Center). Watching a game is one of the best ways to experience entertainment in Los Angeles. The action happens on the court, but be prepared for a lot of action in the crowd and during the time-outs as well.
Travelers interested in modern visual culture will find no shortage of picturesque streets in Los Angeles. The pink wall on Melrose Avenue is a landmark location for street photography during the age of social media and is located near some trendy shopping areas. The Arts District has Murals, industrial streetscapes, cafes, and brunch spots that create a more thoughtful and interesting blend of elements. The Springs area of downtown features colorful murals and painted store fronts. In contrast, Salvation Mountain is located in the Southern California desert and is further out than most Los Angeles attractions but is a unique artistic structure made from a hill and creates a devotional message rather than a routine urban backdrop.
For travelers in Los Angeles, transportation will play a vital role in the planning of their trip. This makes car rentals a good option, especially for travelers looking to explore the coastline, mountains, suburbs, or deserts. Rental cars can be obtained directly from Los Angeles International Airport. For a personalized travel experience, hire private vehicles as they are most effective for larger groups or those who prefer not to drive. For getting across the selected parts of the different cities, take the metro rail, buses, rideshare services, or taxis. Public transportation is not as available as one would hope for in a region this vast, so use your time and efforts wisely when planning.
Selecting a hotel location is activity based on each traveler's intention. Hollywood and Beverly Hills are all activity hotels that are great for nightlife and shopping as well as being close to the major attractions. Some hotels near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have shuttle services that offer travel a little less expensive, but don't have the charm of hotels by the beach or in the center of town. For Disneyland, Anaheim is the best option. Santa Monica and Venice along with the beach towns are more suitable for a beach destination. In addition to offering a more relaxing beach experience, Long Beach and Manhattan Beach are close to attractions like the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, harbor cruises, and waterfront restaurants. For Chinese food visitors and east Asian communities, Rowland Heights is a more affordable option than central Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is home to many different world cultures and its restaurants show that. Downtown’s Water Grill serves American seafood and other American classics. Philippe the Original is one of the oldest Southern California places and he is famous for French dips and has an antique dining room. Pizzeria Mozza is a famous pizza place created by Mario Batalli, Joe Bastianich, and Nancy Silverton. There you can have some California inspired pizza and a really big selection of wine. Toast Bakery Cafe is a more casual option where you can get brunch and, grilled cheese and macaroni meals. In Koreatown, The Boiling Crab provides a big shared seafood experience where you can get shellfish served in bags and the guests wear bibs and gloves. These are only a few choices in a place where Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, South East Asian, Spanish, French, and many other foods exist together.
A thoughtful seven-day visit could begin in downtown at Union Station and Olvera Street, then City Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the California Science Center on the second day Universal Studios Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, Madame Tussauds, then Griffith Observatory after sunset. On a third day go to the Getty Center, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and the Original Farmers Market.
On Day 4, visit the Getty Villa and the Santa Monica Third Street Promenade. Then, go to Venice Beach and Manhattan Beach. If you want to explore the South Bay on Day 5, you can visit the Wayfarers Chapel, do some coastal dining, or visit the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Day 6 can be spent at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Then, you can have afternoon tea and spend time at a bookstore. Spend Day 7 at Disneyland Resort. Your plan is good because you grouped activities by geographical location. The quickest way to ruin a vacation is to spend time in traffic.
There are also several attractions in proximity to LA. From LA, you can take several-day trips, traveling east through the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Grand Canyon. You can also go north toward Santa Barbara and Solvang to the San Francisco Bay Area, Golden Gate Bridge, 17-Mile Drive, Yosemite National Park, and Silicon Valley. Longer western routes will also include Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is a large city that can't be seen in just three days. You really need to plan out your time to make sure you can see the attractions, the neighborhoods, the museums, and the beaches. Los Angeles offers all the best attractions and activities in California.
