Los Angeles Neighborhoods Guide - Where to Go & What to Visit for Tourists

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? We highlighted a handful of the top attractions, places to see, and which neighborhoods in Los Angeles to visit during your vacation.

The Beach Communities

Los Angeles County’s 60-mile beachfront boasts a myriad of distinct beach communities stretching from Malibu in the north to Palos Verdes in the south. No trip to L.A. is complete without some time spent exploring the beach communities, so be sure to check them out. Four of the area's most popular beaches are Santa Monica, Malibu, Long Beach, and Venice Beach.

Santa Monica

Image of Water, Waterfront, Pier, Head to Santa Monica to explore its bustling ocean pier, beautiful ocean-front hotels, artsy vibe, and abundant shopping.

Things to Do in Santa Monica

  • Santa Monica Pier: No trip to LA is complete without experiencing the Santa Monica beachfront. Enjoy some classic, ocean-side fun. Take a spin on the thrilling rides at Pacific Park, check out the spot where the iconic Route 66 meets the ocean, explore all things sea life at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, try your hand at fishing, and more.
  • Hop on a tour bus and get the inside scoop on a Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour for a breezy ride up the Pacific Coast Highway and a chance to spot a celebrity.
  • Walk along the iconic Santa Monica State Beach and check out the unique architecture of its beachfront properties.
  • Pick up a souvenir and get some shopping in at the Third Street Promenade downtown.
  • Visit The Getty Center, L.A.’s visual arts mecca and a gorgeous sight in itself designed by Richard Meier with beautiful gardens, open spaces, and one of the best views of the city.

Malibu

Malibu is best known for its celebrity residents and their ocean-side mansions. The 27-mile coastline is considered the most beautiful rural landscape in L.A. Plus, surfers love the big waves. Head to Santa Monica Pier to pick up a guided tour of the celebrity homes and prime real estate.

Long Beach

Image of Boat, Vehicle, Appliance, Device, Electrical Device, Steamer, Watercraft, Water, Waterfront, Yacht, Ship, Famed for a number of top attractions from museums to cruises and beyond, Long Beach is a great family destination. It's located south of Los Angeles and is easily reachable by car.

Things to Do in Long Beach

  • Visit the supposedly haunted and definitely historic vessel Queen Mary, which offers plenty of special seasonal events and tours.
  • Explore the fascinating Aquarium of the Pacific, which focuses exclusively on the marine life of the world's largest ocean.
  • Take a whale watch cruise or harbor cruise to explore the beautiful waters of the Pacific.
  • Indulge your creative side with a visit to the Museum of Latin American Art or the Long Beach Museum of Art.
  • Get your shop on at the Pike Outlets.

Venice Beach

Famous for its Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach is home to some of the most bizarre and eclectic characters in L.A.

Things to Do in Venice Beach

  • There’s nothing like a little people-watching on Ocean Front Walk where you’ll find street musicians, fortunetellers, and hundreds of skateboarders.
  • Visit the world-famous Venice Beach Skate Park and spend some time scoping out the talent.

The Westside and Beverly Hills

Image of Landmark, Hollywood Sign, By Scott Catron (Sunset on HollywoodUploaded by zaui) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The area known as the Westside, located between the beach communities and Hollywood, contains some of the most well-known neighborhoods in Los Angeles such as Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, and the ever-trendy West Hollywood.

Things to Do in Hollywood

Below are few fun ideas, but check out our post on things to do in Hollywood for even more!

  • Take a tour of the famous Dolby Theatre®, the home of the Academy Awards®, and get an insider’s look at this iconic Hollywood institution.
  • Tour the famed TCL Chinese Theatre (home to the world's largest IMAX screen).
  • Snap photos with your favorite celebs (or at least their life-like wax representations) at Madame Tussauds Hollywood and see memorabilia from your favorite movies at the Hollywood Museum.
  • Go behind the scenes on a guided walking tour that hits all the highlights of Hollywood or hop on a bus and see the Movie Star Homes of Hollywood A-listers.
  • Get a workout in with a hike up Runyon Canyon Park for some fresh air and breathtaking views of the city and surrounding area.
  • Walk along Hollywood Boulevard and check out the star-studded tiles along the famous Walk of Fame.

Things to Do in the Westside and Beverly Hills

  • Check out the Museum of Tolerance, a fascinating institution dedicated to promoting tolerance and understanding.
  • Travel back in time to the Ice Age and check out the world’s largest and most diverse collection of extinct Ice Age animals and plants at the La Brea Tar Pit and Museum.
  • Don’t even think about leaving L.A. without a visit to a working studio. The 2-hour guided Sony Pictures Studio Tour lets visitors step inside the gates and explore the place where movie magic happens.
  • Cruise along palm tree-lined Sunset Boulevard from downtown to the Pacific Coast Highway and make a stop at Rodeo Drive, the famous 2-mile strip of high-end shopping in Beverly Hills.

Downtown

Image of Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Microphone, Male, Man, Lighting, Urban, Unlike most cities, Downtown is not the center of attention in Los Angeles but its many attractions make it worth a visit.

Things to Do in Downtown L.A.

  • Visit the GRAMMY Museum®, one of L.A.’s best pop culture museums.
  • Get the best views of the city at OUE Skyspace, an open-air observation deck with a famous glass Skyslide.
  • Shop, dine, and browse through the eclectic Grand Central Market.
  • Participate in popular local events like the monthly art walk.
  • See a show at the Disney Concert Hall, a site to see in itself, designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry.
  • Browse through exhibits at the Japanese American National Museum, located in the heart of downtown L.A.’s Little Tokyo historic district.
  • See if your favorite band is in town or catch a local sports game at the Staples Center multi-purpose sports arena.

The San Fernando Valley

Image of Amusement Park, Fun, Roller Coaster, Person, Nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains, the San Fernando Valley is home to lots of entertainment and prime shopping.

Things to Do in San Fernando Valley

  • Be sure to get in a day of theme park fun and thrills at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
  • Visit the impressive historical Mission San Fernando, which was first opened in 1797!
  • Scope out the murals on the Great Wall of Los Angeles.

Glendale & Pasadena

Image of Glove, Book, Comics, Publication, Just north of the city are Glendale and Pasadena, two large cities in Los Angeles County and home to some of L.A.’s top attractions.

Things to Do in Glendale & Pasadena

Save on Attraction Admission in Los Angeles Neighborhoods

While you're out there exploring all that L.A. has to offer, we're sure you'll want to pop into an attraction or two or four. Consider picking up a Los Angeles attractions pass to help you save up to 50% on combined attraction admission versus paying at the gate.

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Top 10 Things to Do in Los Angeles for First Time Visitors - Must See & Do Attractions

The first images that come to mind when you think of Los Angeles probably include the iconic Hollywood Sign, surfers riding the waves in Malibu, and lots of sunshine covering legions of palm trees. While you'll hear the occasional wisecrack about traffic on the freeways, millions of people make Los Angeles their home because it's an amazing place to live, work, and play. Los Angeles offers its visitors an incredible array of world-famous attractions and iconic venues, and you can party like a local if you know where to go. If you and your family are looking for the top things to do in Los Angeles during your trip, check out our list of some of the best attractions, including... Universal Studios Hollywood Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Madame Tussauds Hollywood Knott's Berry Farm Six Flags Magic Mountain and more... Save on Admission to Top Things to Do in Los Angeles Many of these must-see attractions are available on the Go Los Angeles Card. Choose as you go from dozens of popular Los Angeles attractions and save up to 50% off combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available LA passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Please keep in mind that some of the attractions listed in this post are separately ticketed and may not be currently included with the Go Los Angeles Card. Universal Studios Hollywood As one of the top amusement parks in the world, Universal Studios Hollywood got even better in 2016 when it added The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to its lineup of famous attractions. If your vacation includes a visit in October with your rowdy teenagers, don't miss the park's one-of-a-kind Halloween Horror Nights event. If you decide to make an entire day out of your visit to Universal Studios Hollywood (very easy to do), don't forget to explore the area outside the park, Universal CityWalk, which is filled with places to shop and tons of restaurants. You can even experience indoor skydiving at iFly Indoor Skydiving. Tip: Check out our tips and guide to visiting Universal Studios Hollywood to make the most of your day there and get the most value out of your ticket! Getting In: Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are included on 3, 5, and 7-Day Go Los Angeles Cards. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Are you vacationing with movie lovers? The Warner Bros. studio tour is a terrific way to see a real, working movie studio in action and one of the best studio tours in Los Angeles. The famous Warner Bros. backlot covers more than 110 acres, and you might even see a real Hollywood movie in the middle of filming during your tour. A few of the memorable sets you might see include the Central Perk coffee shop set from the television show "Friends" and a display of costumes from recent Warner Bros. films. You might want to check out the tour's "Stage 48: Script to Screen" feature, which is an interactive soundstage that shows you all the steps necessary to get a film from initial concept to the silver screen. Check out our post on other popular Hollywood Studio tours to visit. Getting In: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Madame Tussauds Hollywood The Hollywood movie stars, music icons, and internationally renowned celebrities that greet you within this iconic wax museum on Hollywood Boulevard will never decline a photograph or refuse to pose with you for a quick picture. The Hollywood location of Madame Tussauds is a movie lover's dream and a photographer's delight. A few of the displays you might see include the Spirit of Hollywood, Legends of Country Music, and Marvel Superheroes. If the kids love superheroes like Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Wolverine, they'll love having their picture taken with wax superhero statues that look so real you expect them to move and speak. Getting In: Madame Tussauds Hollywood tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Hollywood Museum No visit to Los Angeles is complete without appreciating a little Hollywood history. With a history that stretches back more than 100 years, the film industry has captivated fans and audiences with thousands of films over the years. The Hollywood Museum is one of the top things to do Los Angeles to see all those awesome movie treasures you remember like Marilyn Monroe's actual movie dresses and a Rolls-Royce driven by Cary Grant. The curators of the collection at the Hollywood Museum boast that there are more than 10,000 "showbiz treasures" from every facet of Hollywood's Golden Era. The museum regularly hosts special exhibitions, so you never know what might be on display when you visit. Getting In: Hollywood Museum tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour (Yellow Loop) Make sight-seeing easier by taking a ride on a StarLine sightseeing tour. A bus pass allows you to board the bus and hop off at your leisure whenever the bus stops at one of the attractions you'd like to visit. Whenever you ride the bus, you'll hear pre-recorded tour narration in your choice of one of nine languages. The yellow loop is ideal for traveling between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills and offers you stops between a variety of shopping venues including the Brentwood Country Mart, the 3rd Street Promenade, and Westside Pavilion. The bus will also take you to the Santa Monica Pier so that you can add Pacific Park to the day's activities. Getting In: Hop On Hop Off Los Angeles Bus Tour tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Scheduling Your Vacation for Maximum Fun in Los Angeles The size and scope of Los Angeles and all its attractions might make you wonder if you can see everything you want to experience during your vacation. Los Angeles County is comprised of many well-known cities like Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Long Beach, and it helps to concentrate your efforts in a particular region each day. For example, you might devote a day to Hollywood to take the Hollywood Movie Star Homes Tour and visit Madame Tussauds Hollywood, as well as stroll along Hollywood Boulevard to see the Walk of Fame. Another day might find your family visiting the beach cities to see the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and the Newport Landing Whale Watch further south. Using the Starline Tours: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is an excellent way to tour an area. You'll easily reach a few of your chosen destinations for the day without fighting the traffic and packed boulevards with your rental car. However, some of the best experiences in Los Angeles are worthy of an entire day. Attractions like Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and Six Flags Magic Mountain are activities that can provide your family with entertainment for an entire day. Let's Recap So there you have it. Our picks for some of the most popular and top things to do in Los Angeles for first-time visitors during their vacation. Plan to visit some of these top attractions during your trip. Whether you are traveling with kids, teens, or just adults, we're sure you and your family will have a great time. Pick up a Go Los Angeles Card and save up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate.
Go City Expert
Los Angeles
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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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