What is Los Angeles famous for?

Los Angeles has provided the backdrop to many blockbusters and anthems - but what makes it so special? Find out in our Tinseltown deep-dive.

By Seren Morris

Published: July 18, 2024

Los Angeles, or LA, is one of the most well-known cities in the world. Hollywood stars, the TV & movie industries, and gorgeous beaches all make LA a popular vacation spot.

Check out our guide below on what makes Los Angeles famous. It’s full of tips on how to make the most of your LA vacation and has suggestions for tourist attractions and destinations including...

Hollywood attractions
The best beaches in LA
Theme parks
TV, Movie & Music Industries
LA-inspired pop culture

Top Los Angeles Facts

Los Angeles was founded on September 4, 1781.
The city's original name was El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles (The Town of the Queen of Angels).
In 2018, 50 million people visited Los Angeles.
LA has various nicknames like La La Land and Tinseltown.
Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the USA, after New York.
LA is the largest city on the West Coast.

Hollywood

One of the most famous areas in Los Angeles is Hollywood. It’s the neighborhood synonymous with the glamorous movie industry and where many celebrities call home. More importantly, there are so many things to do in Hollywood, so visiting this area should be at the top of your Los Angeles itinerary.

The Hollywood Sign

An advertising company built the Hollywood sign in 1923 to read "Hollywoodland". Initially, the sign advertised a new housing development but was so popular that it became permanent. However, they dropped the “land” in 1946.

Today, you can hike the Hollywood Hills to see the sign up close or find a spot nearby to pose with the sign. Join the Hollywood Sign Tour for a guided hike through the Hollywood Hills area to learn all about this famous location. You'll be rewarded at the top with the best views over all of Los Angeles, all the way to the ocean!

Walk of Fame

The Walk of Fame was initially completed in 1961 and contained 1,558 stars. But that number steadily grew (an average of two stars is added each month) and now the Walk of Fame has more than 2,600 stars!

While exploring the Walk of Fame you will get to see other famous landmarks like the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre, too.

Hollywood Museum

Explore Hollywood’s history with a massive 3,500-square-foot collection of costumes and props at the Hollywood Museum. You will get to see famous Hollywood artifacts like Marilyn Monroe’s dress and Cary Grant’s Rolls Royce, not to mention fun exhibits like the Dungeon of Doom and Holy Hollywood History. This is a must-see attraction for movie buffs.

Los Angeles Beaches

The gorgeous beaches located on a 75-mile coastline, with stunning spots from Malibu to Long Beach, are one of the many reasons people visit LA. Here are our suggestions for the best Los Angeles beaches to visit...

Malibu

Malibu is famous for its beaches, and the beautiful celebrity homes located along the coast. Take a tour of Malibu's Celebrity Homes and learn all about which stars call the area home. See homes belonging to Leonardo DiCaprio, Cher, and Bruce Willis, among others. You’ll also get the chance to explore the Malibu beach and pier.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica beach is lovely in its own right. But more importantly, the pier is worth a visit. The Pacific Park Santa Monica Pier is full of restaurants, shops, and of course, the Pacific Park amusement park.

With your pass, you can enjoy admission and unlimited access to Pacific Park’s twelve rides. You especially have to ride on Pacific Wheel, Pacific Park’s Ferris wheel, for amazing views of the beach and ocean.

Theme parks

Los Angeles is also known for its theme parks, so LA is the perfect city for thrill-seekers.

Whether you’re traveling with kids or in a group of adults, LA’s theme parks have something for everyone. Can't decide between Disneyland vs Universal Studios? See both!

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park and a working film studio lot in one. Not only does it have tons of movie-themed rides and rollercoasters, it also has an interactive, theatrical Universal Studios Tour, which is partly a guided tour and partly a ride in its own right.

If you do anything at USH, it has to be the Studio tour. Be sure to check out our Universal Studios Hollywood guide before you go to make the most of your visit.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm was originally a family-run amusement park, that originated sometime in the 1920s. It is now one of the most visited theme parks in the USA. Additionally, its seasonal events, like Knott’s Scary Farm and Knott’s Merry Farm, are famous.

Whichever time of year you visit LA, be sure to visit Knott’s Berry Farm, and read our guide to Knott’s Berry Farm before you go.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Thrill-seekers have to visit Six Flags Magic Mountain. The high-thrill rides including the tallest, fastest and longest flying coaster, Tatsu, and the world’s tallest looping coaster, Full Throttle, make this park famous.

Moreover, Six Flags Magic Mountain also has kid-friendly rides, like a carousel and more in a Looney Tunes-themed area. To make the most of your visit, read our Six Flags Magic Mountain guide.

LEGOLAND California

LEGOLAND California is guaranteed to be a hit with the kids. There’s no kid-area in this park – instead, little ones can enjoy access to more than 60 rides. Furthermore, to celebrate their 20th anniversary, there will be special events happening throughout the park all year round.

TV, movie & music industries

LA is the ideal destination for movie fans, as there are so many studio tours you can take. Music lovers will thrive on exploring the attractions dedicated to music-themed attractions located around the city. Here are some of our favorites. TV, movie, and music-themed attractions.

Sony Pictures Studio Tour

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Sony Pictures and see the sets of famous films like The Wizard of Oz and Spider-Man. Your guide will tell you everything you need to know about the studios as they take you around real, working sets. With this in mind, keep an eye out for actors!

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

madame-tussaud-outside-view — The images shown depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood is your chance to get up close to the stars. Take a selfie with Marilyn Monroe, and mingle with movie stars like Robin Williams and Nicole Kidman. Pop fans will love ‘meeting’ Beyonce, Madonna, and Lady Gaga. Plus, see stars of the small screen like Jane Lynch and Selena Gomez.

Dolby Theatre Tour

Movie fans have to visit the Dolby Theatre Tour, where the Academy Awards are hosted. On this 30-minute guided tour, you will see an Oscar statue, the Dolby lounge, and exclusive photos from past ceremonies.

The Hollywood Movie Experience

This 90-minute walking tour will take you to famous movie locations, as seen in films like La La Land and Ghostbusters. Firstly, your guide will tell you everything you want to know about the film industry and your favorite Hollywood A-listers. Secondly, you’ll get to ride on the Angels Flight Railway and see famous LA landmarks along the way.

GRAMMY Museum

This is a must-visit attraction for music fans. First of all, The GRAMMY Museum’s exhibits take place over four floors and teach you everything about the LA music industry. Secondly, you can see the Clive Davis Theater, where stars like Ringo Starr and Taylor Swift have performed.

Additionally, the GRAMMY museum often hosts events and concerts, so check their schedule before your visit to see what’s on.

Pop culture

As Los Angeles is such a famous city, it's no surprise that lots of movies and TV shows have been set here. Additionally, there are hundreds of songs with LA as their muse. Check out some of the most popular...

Movies: Loads of films are set here. Why not watch one to get in the LA spirit before your trip?:

La La Land
Clueless
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
The Artist
Blade Runner
Pulp Fiction
Pretty Woman

Songs: There are endless songs about Los Angeles, too. Here are some you might consider adding to your LA playlist:

West Coast by Lana Del Rey
Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty
California Girls by the Beach Boys
California Dreamin' by the Mamas & The Papas
I Love LA by Randy Newman
Malibu by Miley Cyrus
Hollywood by Madonna
Tiny Dancer by Elton John

TV Shows: Lots of popular TV shows are set in LA – here are a few to watch before your vacation:

Modern Family
NCIS: Los Angeles
New Girl
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Baywatch
Beverly Hills, 90210
The Big Bang Theory

Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®

Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.

Whichever Los Angeles pass you pick, you'll be able to see LA's best!

Seren Morris

Go City Travel Expert

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10+ Things to Do in Los Angeles for Adults During Your Vacation (Ideas for Couples & Groups of Friends)

Los Angeles has a well-deserved reputation as a popular adult vacation destination. With everything from sunny, sandy beaches to top-notch attractions in Hollywood and beyond, L.A.'s got plenty to appeal to travelers. In addition to many museums, amusement parks, gardens, monuments, and more, you’ll also find award-winning cuisine and exciting nightlife to enjoy as a couple or with a group of friends. If you’re looking for things to do in Los Angeles for adults, check out our list of the top activities that couples and groups of friends will enjoy, including... Universal Studios Hollywood GRAMMY Museum Madame Tussauds Hollywood Aquarium of the Pacific Knott's Berry Farm Hollywood Tours Whale Watch L.A. Zoo & Botanical Gardens and more! Universal Studios Hollywood You can’t visit Hollywood without spending some time at Universal Studios Hollywood. It combines the best of an awe-inspiring studio tour with a dizzying theme park. Go behind the scenes of one of the most famous movie studios in all of Hollywood, and keep an eye out for celebs wandering about on their way to work. Then, head to the theme park! Whether you’re a fan of Harry Potter, The Simpsons, or the Fast & Furious franchise, you’ll find a ride to delight and thrill you. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is especially popular with those of us who grew up with the books. GRAMMY Museum Madame Tussauds Hollywood Another top attraction for the fans of celebrity culture is Madame Tussauds Hollywood. One of the most expansive instances of this franchise, this Madame T’s features over 100 lifelike wax figures. Different themed areas include “Movie Stars,” “Hollywood Icons,” “Pop Stars,” “Sports Stars,” and the special Marvel Superheroes 4D Experience. Get that perfect Insta snap with your favorite celebrity, from Kylie Jenner in her Met Gala dress to Zac Efron in his role as a Baywatch lifeguard. Aquarium of the Pacific This is one for the animal lovers in your party. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has both a beautiful location and an astonishing collection of marine life. Although the focus of this aquarium is specifically on the ocean life of the Pacific, you’ll find tremendous variety between the warm waters of Baja California and the chilly waters of the Northern Pacific and more. Shark Lagoon is a particularly cool exhibit, which allows you to come face-to-face with these awe-inspiring predators. Amusement parks Thrill-seekers have plenty of options in addition to Universal Studios if they’re looking for more fun in Los Angeles. For example, Knott’s Berry Farm is the original theme park (America’s first, in fact!), and has a bunch of history but plenty of modern rides and flair. They also host frequent special events themed around holidays, including their own Boysenberry Festival, so keep an eye on the Knott's Berry Farm event calendar before you visit. If you’re in Santa Monica, Pacific Park is another top option, with the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel – perfect for a romantic moment. Hollywood tours If you want to see more of the city with a specific focus on Hollywood and celebrity culture, check out a themed tour. The Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour focuses on the lesser-known spots and hidden gems of Hollywood, as well as the top destinations like the Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre. Whale Watch by Newport Landing Take the opportunity to encounter some of the world’s most majestic creatures on a Whale Watch Tour at Newport Landing. Head out to a nearby marine sanctuary for an almost guaranteed glimpse of these amazing animals, with a wide variety of other ocean life sure to be around as well. Keep an eye out for California Gray Whales, Giant Blue Whales, Orcas, Minke Whales, and the iconic Humpback Whales. Don't forget to bundle up, though — even with the temperate weather it will be cooler out on the water. Planning to visit lots of Los Angeles attractions? With Go City® you won't miss a thing, plus with a pass you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do - winning! ☀️Compare Los Angeles passes☀️ L.A. Zoo & Botanical Gardens Exploring Griffith Park makes for a romantic afternoon or a fun daytime trip with friends. Head to the LA Zoo & Botanical Gardens if you’re interested in more animal encounters, and be sure to check out the accompanying Botanical Gardens for a tour of the world’s flora. You could also pop by the famed Griffith Observatory, picnic, bike, or generally enjoy the park as you’d like. Los Angeles area museums Culture buffs will find much to love that stretches beyond Hollywood people and things. Especially if you appreciate natural history and the outdoors, there are plenty of top-notch museums for you to explore. The La Brea Tar Pits are most famous as one of the richest Ice Age excavation sites in the entire world, with a vast array of the known plants and animals from the period having been discovered right in those tar pits. The Natural History Museum is a great accompaniment, featuring mammal and dinosaur fossils, plus striking gems and minerals, and archaeological artifacts from Latin America. Other popular museums include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Petersen Automotive Museum. Additional studio tours If you loved the behind-the-scenes studio aspect of Universal, then take the opportunity to tour some other active studios, like Warner Bros. or Sony Pictures. At Warner Bros. Studio, you’ll get to enjoy an excursion around a massive backlot where famous flicks such as Casablanca were created, and TV shows like Friends and The Big Bang Theory were made. With the Sony Pictures Studio Tour, you’ll get a guided two-hour trek through the studio that brought you such a variety of art from The Wizard of Oz to Jeopardy! Los Angeles bike rentals Get active with your partner or friends and hop aboard a bike. L.A. may seem pretty sprawling, but there are plenty of great places for bike rides, including the expansive and gorgeous Griffith Park in Santa Monica. Spend some time pedaling along the boardwalk past the ocean waves and beachy crowds, too. You could also opt for some rollerblade rentals and go old school. A fun opportunity to be competitive with your friends to see who can remember how to rollerblade the best! L.A. dining With so many celebrities in town, you have to know that the dining scene in L.A. is killer. Because the city is so spread out, you’ll find multiple neighborhoods with distinct culinary identities, and there's so much to explore on your own. Some of the most popular areas for dining include DTLA/Arts District, Venice, Hollywood and San Gabriel/Pasadena. Want to save money on those bucket-list attractions? Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect! So go grab an LA pass and make the most of it! ☀️Compare Los Angeles passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️

Katie Sagal

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Best Art Galleries in Los Angeles

The City of Angels: of course, the skies are blue and the beaches are picture-perfect. Still, Los Angeles is much more culturally-inclined than non-Angelenos are willing to admit. For those who can manage to tear themselves away from the city’s sun-kissed shorelines, there are countless cultural amenities well worth checking out. Whether you’re into fine art, sculpture, photography or contemporary works, Los Angeles has a gallery to satisfy your cultural cravings. Trust us when we say that L.A. is a total haven for creative types. So, if you’re planning to make the trip and still aren’t sure where would be the best places to visit, have a read through our list of some of the top art galleries in the area. However you choose to explore Los Angeles, we’re sure you’ll have a blast! Get Cultured Whilst New York has The Met, LA has the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Affectionately known as LAMCA by LA locals, this spot is one of the city’s most popular galleries - and with good reason. Spanning around 400, 000 square feet, it is the largest art museum in the western United States. Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy an impressive and expansive collection of over 150, 000 works going way back to ancient times. Walking around the museum, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of works, from intricate historic carvings and drawings to impressionist paintings and modern installation pieces. There’s a heck of a lot to see here, so we recommend putting aside a good few hours so that you’re able to take everything in. A great stop for history and art geeks alike, this place is a total must-see. If you’re looking for a gallery that has history and art all rolled into one, the Huntington Library would be the perfect choice. There are several sites making up the institute: the Main Library, which houses over 430,000 rare books and millions of manuscripts; the Art Gallery, with a fantastic collection of permanent and rotating exhibitions, and its sprawling Botanical Gardens. We suggest taking time to see it all; in the library, you’ll find everything from early prints to historic maps and medieval manuscripts. The gallery is known for its extensive art collection with a focus on 18th- and 19th-century European art and 17th- to mid-20th-century American art. And perhaps the institute’s most famous feature, the botanical garden, is known to contain over 150,000 plant varieties on 120 acres - so don’t skip it! A triple whammy, this place works to provide a fun and enthralling educational experience for those of all ages. Learn Something New Whilst Los Angeles is chock-a-block with modern and contemporary art galleries, that’s not all there is to see here. For photography enthusiasts and lovers of captured light, the Fahey/Klein Gallery is the place to be. Since opening to the public in 1986, the institute has grown to become one of the most popular institutes of its kind in the city. With an impressive collection of over 10,000 photographs spanning over the 19th and 20th centuries, there’s most certainly a lot to see here. If you’re a true photography buff, you might recognize some of the famous pieces wandering around this bright and sophisticated space. Even if you aren’t so well-versed in the realm of photography, this place is still a great stop, with each work more breathtaking than the last. Another museum that certainly doesn’t disappoint is The Broad, located just downtown. Though the gallery is young, it houses one of the city’s most popular collections of contemporary art. This spot in particular is known for its sleek and commanding facade, as well as its dimpled interior. The institute’s collection is friendly for a wide audience, housing big-name artists like Jeff Koons and Robert Therrien. Whilst the museum leans more pop than academic, there are still a lot of seminal pieces by influential modern artists. In addition, this spot is known for its Yayoi Kusama Infinity Room, a mirror room where visitors gather for selfies. Oh, and the best part? The institute offers free general admission to its permanent collection galleries, making it the perfect attraction for those travelling on a budget. Try Something New If you’re looking for something a little different, don’t worry - we’ve got you covered! Combining the wonderful natural attributes of California with the artistic vibe of the city, the Hollywood Sculpture Garden is a fantastic break away from the typical gallery experience. This spot brings together fantastic artists from all over the globe, with over 100 works all in one space. Walking through the garden, you’ll notice a lot of diversity throughout the collection, since this spot welcomes all types of sculpture and installation art. We love this space because the pieces here are totally one-of-a-kind. Whilst you walk, take time to appreciate the wild flourishing greenery and carefully-cultivated flower beds. Visitations are made by appointment only, so make sure to book before you go. With its beautiful location and breathtaking views, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny afternoon in Los Angeles. As the technological world has flourished, its approach has spilled over into all sectors of life - including but not limited to the art world. Whilst there are a number of digital art spaces in LA now, one of our favorites has got to be the Museum of Dream Space for its one-of-a-kind illusions. The institute is known for being the first museum mainly exhibiting computerized art in the United States. Inspired by the art of Yayoi Kusama (known for her Infinity Mirror Rooms), the space is filled with spectacular large-scale light art installations to blow visitors away. All of the exhibits are immersive, with the intention to blur the boundary between the artwork and the viewer. Whilst this spot is popular with the Instagram crowd, you don’t have to be an influencer to enjoy the splendid pieces on display here. Some of the best days on vacation are those spent inside of the walls of a gallery. Explore Los Angeles to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.

Sarah Harris

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Rainy Day Fun: The Best Indoor Adventures in LA

Don’t let the drizzle dampen your LA dreams—here’s where to play inside!

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