Best Nature Spots in Los Angeles

By Go City Expert

Are you heading to Los Angeles on vacation but don't want to spend all your time in the city? Fortunately, there are plenty of nature spots in and around LA. While on vacation in Los Angeles, make sure to soak up the beautiful weather and spend some time in the great outdoors.

There are so many fun attractions that involve being outside in the best nature spots in Los Angeles, including...

LA Zoo
Santa Monica Beach
Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour
Whale Watching and Dolphin Cruises
Hollywood Hills Hike by Hikes & Bikes LA
Sunset Cruise by Newport Landing
And many more!

LA Zoo

The LA Zoo has so much to see and do, with over 1,000 animals from across the world, including endangered species. When visiting the LA Zoo, you'll get up close and personal with king vultures, wallabies, desert bighorn sheep, Komodo dragons, Colombian rainbow boas, and a Madagascar hissing cockroach.

You also have the chance to learn about conservation. The zoo works in conjunction with organizations across the world to educate about the decreasing populations, habitat destruction, and hunting. Be sure to check out the animal shows and demonstrations!

Top tip: visit the zoo in the morning, as they begin putting animals away around 4PM.

Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica Beach is a must-visit for anyone vacationing in LA. Pacific Park is an amusement park built directly on Santa Monica pier in 1996. It has tons of rides, games, and so much more. Use your pass for unlimited access to the 12 rides at Pacific Park.

Ride the world’s only solar-powered Ferris Wheel, or ride a simulator that makes you feel like you’re actually surfing. Then, ride a roller coaster at 35 miles per hour with an ocean view before tackling a 9-story tower that takes you 150 feet over Santa Monica Bay and then drops you.

You should definitely consider adding Santa Monica Beach to your LA itinerary – be sure to check out our Pacific Park guide for top tips.

Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour

The Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour is a two-hour guided tour around the beaches of Malibu and the vast beachfront properties, including celebrity homes. The tour takes place in an open-air tour bus that starts at the Santa Monica pier. Your onboard guide will point out top attractions and will give you the inside information on all the stars. This tour makes two stops along the way – Malibu Beach and Malibu Bluffs.

You'll stop at Malibu beach first, then explore the homes around Malibu pier. Malibu Bluffs looks over the Malibu Colony Estates and has an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. You can see the homes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Willis, and Cher, just to name a few. Also on the tour, you'll be able to see locations for films such as Planet of the Apes, Iron Man, Baywatch, and more.

If you enjoy sightseeing tours with the chance of catching a celeb or two, check out our guide to LA tours for more suggestions!

Perry’s Beach Café and Rentals

Another great opportunity to spend some time outdoors is Perry's Beach Café and Rentals. It has been a part of the beach scene in Los Angeles for over 35 years. Rent a mountain bike or skates for the entire day from Perry's, then head to the beachside café for a bite to eat after biking or skating.

You can explore the Santa Monica beach, Venice Beach, and Venice Canals by bike. Start as early as you wish and bike all day. There is so much to see around here and you never know what you might come across. It's a great way to travel and explore the area – the canals are beautiful and close by.

Whale Watching and Dolphin Cruises

whale-watching-boat-tour-tourists-people

The Whale Watching and Dolphin Cruises is a 2 hour 30-minute marine tour that includes information and commentary from the captain and crew. You'll have the chance to see humpback whales, orcas, and blue whales. The cruise takes you to a marine sanctuary that has 75 miles of protected water teeming with whales and marine life. You can also see dolphins, seals, and even rare whales.

The boat is a 65-foot double-decked ship with a sundeck, indoor and outdoor seating, and a snack bar. The whale and dolphin cruise comes with free use of binoculars and one complimentary drink. The cruise ship was designed specifically for watching marine life, and the captain and crew have been educated in marine biology so will provide you with top insights.

You also have the chance to see the California grey whale, which can weigh as much as 36 tons and be 52 feet long.

Hollywood Hills Hike by Hike & Bike LA

This is a walking tour of the Hollywood Hills that takes up to three hours to complete with a local guide to point out all of the top sights. You'll see the famous Griffith Park Observatory along with some amazing views and photo opportunities. The tour starts in Griffith Park at the Greek Theater, and your guide will tell you all about the glamorous history of Los Angeles.

Along the way, you'll also see the Hollywood sign, downtown LA, Mount Hollywood, and the Forest Lawn Mausoleum. Plus, you'll also hear about the history of the Hollywood Sign and watch videos from movies and TV shows that were filmed in the exact spot you're standing.

The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Garden

The Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Garden has been in operation since 1919 and has a foundation in conservation, to protect the art, books, manuscripts, and other materials. It is an institution that has collection-based research and serves scholars, as well as the general public.

Plus, it's home to a massive 8 million manuscripts, over 400,000 reference books, over 400,000 rare books, and over 700,000 pictures. The Huntington Art Collection collection spans over 500 years. It displays sculptures, decorative art, and drawings, and hosts temporary exhibits focusing on masterworks.

Sunset Cruise by Newport Landing

The Sunset Cruise by Newport Landing leaves Newport Bay and sales along the coastline of Newport Beach for 90 minutes. This cruise leaves at sunset while you snack on complimentary chips and salsa. The cruise ship is complete with a full bar so you can enjoy the drink of your choice while sailing along the coast. While the sun is setting, you can see the bonfires twinkling along the sand.

Save on admission to LA attractions

So there you go! There are plenty of outdoor attractions that allow you to make the most of the beautiful LA weather. We hope you consider adding a few of these LA attractions to your vacation itinerary. Also, why not make the most of the sunshine and take a day trip out of the city? Check out our best day trips from LA guide for some ideas.

Remember, using your pass for Los Angeles means you can save on admission vs gate price.

Be sure to share your snaps with us on Instagram and Facebook and follow @GoCity for top tips and itineraries.

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One Week in Los Angeles Itinerary - 7 Day Itinerary for Your Vacation

Spending one week in Los Angeles but aren’t sure how what to do and how to make the best use of your time? Maximize your vacation with this Los Angeles 7 day itinerary, filled with a wide variety of attractions, activities, and dining options that will truly showcase the best of L.A. Visit each of the included attractions with a 7-Day pass for Los Angeles and save on combined admission costs vs. paying at the gate. This 7-day itinerary includes: Universal Studios Hollywood The Queen Mary Aquarium of the Pacific Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Los Angeles Zoo Whale Watching Cruise Knott’s Berry Farm LEGOLAND® California and much much more...! DAY 1 Stop #1: Universal Studios Hollywood What better way to start off your L.A. vacation than with a day spent at Universal Studios Hollywood? This entertainment megaplex has something for the entire family. Begin with a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the country’s most prominent working studios, then spend the rest of your day enjoying their thrilling theme park options. You’ll love their totally immersive experiences and rides that bring your favorite movies to life. Some of their most popular rides and attractions include: "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," "Fast and Furious: Supercharged," "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem," and more. We recommend reserving between 5-6 hours for this attraction, so plan to spend the whole day here. If you are inclined to drive a bit, Disneyland isn't but a few hours away. If you have time, we suggest doing both. Stop # 2: Universal CityWalk (free!) One of the most charming parts of Universal Studios is their Universal CityWalk, a free area that offers dining, shopping, and more attractions to visitors. Take a little time after lunch to stroll the CityWalk and soak up the atmosphere. You’ll love how festive and invigorating everything feels, and it’s fun to window shop, too. We recommend reserving about 1 hour for this attraction. You might also want to have lunch and/or dinner at this destination, which will make it easy to enjoy all that Universal has to offer without venturing too far from the park. Stop # 4: The Pike in Long Beach (free!) This waterfront entertainment complex and dining center is the perfect place to stroll around after your tour. It’s located near a number of waterfront parks and is filled with shops, restaurants, and more attractions, so there’s a lot of exploring to be done. Stop #3: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium True lovers of the sea will relish the chance to explore this charming aquarium. The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium particularly specializes in marine life of this region and is operated by the environment organization Heal the Bay. You’ll see more than 100 species of organisms, from octopi to sea urchins, all of which call the Santa Monica Bay home. It’s the perfect introduction to the natural diversity of this beautiful beach community. If you don't want to see two different aquariums on your week-long trip to L.A. but still love science and nature, consider subbing in a visit to the California Science Center plus IMAX. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Stop #4: Santa Monica State Beach (free!) Spanning three miles and 245 acres, this gorgeous and iconic beach is a must-see Santa Monica destination. It’s perfect for sunbathing, swimming, strolling, and even biking (along the nearby trails). It’s easy to rent beach equipment, too, if you haven’t been able to bring your own. Depending on what you want to do at the beach and how you want to fit this into your day, we recommend reserving between 1-3 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: Huntington Library and Gardens The Huntington Library is like a super attraction – it’s actually four magnificent things all rolled into one. It’s part library (home to such textual artifacts as the Gutenberg Bible and some Shakespeare folios), part botanical garden, part art museum, and part research facility. Depending on which time of year you visit, you’ll be able to view a wide variety of lush, gorgeous plant life in their temperate gardens. Rotating special art exhibits and permanent collections in the art galleries provide a new experience each time you visit, and the library always has something fascinating to see. We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction. DAY 5 Stop #1: Madame Tussauds Hollywood Today is your day to enjoy all that Tinseltown has to offer visitors, from museums and tours to all sorts of unique attractions. Start off your day with a visit to the iconic Madame Tussauds Hollywood, the one-of-a-kind wax museum that has been dazzling visitors for ages. This is your best chance to “meet” your celebrity crush and snap a few photos with that musician or actor you’ve been dying to see. With multiple exhibits across several floors, this attraction has something to offer everyone from classic cinephiles to lovers of reality T.V. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Stop #3: Hollywood Museum Now that you’ve seen the sites, come to the Hollywood Museum to scope out the props, artifacts, and costumes that your favorite celebrities used in their most iconic roles. With four floors of paraphernalia, you’ll be able to spend hours just wandering through these exhibits. Some of the highlighted objects you’ll be able to see on your visit include a few of Marilyn Monroe’s gowns, Rocky’s boxing gloves, Indiana Jones’ whip, and more! Don’t forget your camera (and a bit of money for souvenirs at the gift shop). We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Stop #4: Dolby Theatre® Guided Tour Take the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the home of Hollywood’s most famous award ceremony – the Academy Awards®. A tour of the Dolby Theatre®, where the ceremonies are held each year, will take you to all of the important locations within the theater itself, from the center stage to the gorgeous spiral staircase. You’ll also see the beautiful architecture of this classic building, tour a gallery containing images of some of the most iconic Academy Award® winners, into the intimate audience chamber, and more. Of course, other awards ceremonies are held here, too, including the American Idol finals, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and the Daytime Emmys. This tour lasts approximately 30 minutes. Stop #3: Anaheim Gardenwalk Take a quick drive southeast to the Anaheim Gardenwalk area, a fun and charming shopping space with plenty of dining options. Be sure to check out the architecture. DAY 7 Stop #1: LEGOLAND® California This is the place where everyone’s favorite toys come to life. LEGOLAND® California is also the place where your kids’ dreams come true, as they can ride, slide, build, and immerse themselves in the world of LEGO® for hours on end. Young children will enjoy the DUPLO® areas, where older kids will best enjoy the exciting roller coasters and Miniland USA. If you’re looking for the complete LEGO® experience, check out the new LEGOLAND® Hotel! We recommend spending the entire day at LEGOLAND®. Plan to eat lunch here. Let’s Recap Get the most enjoyment out of your one week in L.A. by following this itinerary. This Los Angeles 7 day itinerary is specifically designed to maximize your time, energy, and money, in addition to providing you with a great variety of what to do in Los Angeles for a week and its surrounding neighborhoods. Visit each of these included attractions with a 7-day pass for Los Angeles and make great savings on combined admission costs vs paying at the gate. Share your adventure with us We love to see your holiday snaps. Tag @GoCity to be featured on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, travel inspiration, and much more. If you saw the city on the metro, take some pics near your favorite stations.

Katie Sagal

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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

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Top Los Angeles Theme Parks - A Quick Guide for First Timers to Southern California

Los Angeles County is home to more than 10 million people, and the sunny locale boasts more than its fair share of theme parks. If your vacation will take you to Los Angeles this year, you'll want to add a day or an afternoon spent at one of Southern California's most exciting destinations. The ideal theme park awaits your family whether you're traveling with wee ones and need some gentle rides or you're vacationing with teenagers who love whirling, twirling roller coasters. Need some help selecting your Los Angeles theme park s and other fun destinations? Here's all the information you need to arrange an exciting and one-of-a-kind Los Angeles vacation at theme parks near Los Angeles. Admission to Los Angeles Theme Parks A number of these popular Los Angeles theme parks, plus other great Los Angeles area attractions, are included on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Universal Studios Hollywood Known for its slogan as the "Entertainment Capital of L.A.," Universal Studios is an expansive historic landmark that sits north of Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley. The world famous studio first opened in 1919, and the amusement park came along in 1951. (we also recapped some of the best Hollywood Studio Tours - if that interests you) The property is home to a slew of working television stations and a busy movie studio, and it also welcomes more than 6 million visitors each year to its thrill rides, shows, and the famous studio tour. The attractions at Universal often feature flight simulations and 3D technology, so you won't see a park full of traditional roller coasters when you visit this place. The park recently opened its "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" to much acclaim. Getting In: Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are available as a premium option on the 3- ,5-, and 7-Day Go Los Angeles® Cards. Knott's Soak City Water Park Located just a half mile from the entrance of Knott's Berry Farm, Knott's Soak City is one of Southern California's popular water parks with rides and attractions that cater to all ages. Some attractions, like the six-lane race ride "Banzai Falls" require riders reach a height of at least 42", and other attractions like Gremmie Lagoon are designed for children and have no height requirement. The park operates from May until September, and visiting Knott's Berry Farm one day and Knott's Soak City the next is a fun and easy way to spend a few days of your Los Angeles visit. Getting In: Knott's Soak City Water Park tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles® Card. Disneyland A Southern California landmark since 1955, Disneyland Park lures a whopping 16 million visitors each year to its sunny Anaheim location. Disneyland is located in Anaheim, which is south of Los Angeles in Orange County. The size of Disneyland, as well as its proximity to Disney California Adventure Park (right across the street), means an overnight stay in an Orange County hotel is an excellent way to make sure you get to the park early. Most of the rides at Disneyland are appropriate for children, and there are only a few rides that have a strict height requirement and a recommendation on age. The "big kid" rides are usually found across the street at Disney California Adventure Park. Getting In: Disneyland admission is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Los Angeles® Card. For more information about this attraction and to purchase tickets, please visit the attraction website. Disney California Adventure Families often choose to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure at the same time since the park entrances are right next to one another. While the rides at Disneyland cater mostly to very young visitors (and the young-at-heart), Disney California Adventure offers some genuine thrill rides. The park opened in the not-too-distant past in 2001, but it wasn't as popular as Disneyland until the park's designers began adding extra attractions and thrill rides. A massive expansion of the park occurred in 2012 with the addition of Cars Land, which is based on the popular series of Pixar "Cars" features. Disney California Adventure features traditional rides like the California Screamin' coaster, as well as 3D rides like the kid-friendly Toy Story Midway Mania. Thrill-seekers will like the Tower of Terror and the Grizzly Rapids water ride, which is a must-see in the summer. Getting In: Disney California Adventure admission is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Los Angeles® Card. For more information about this attraction and to purchase tickets, please visit the attraction website. Let's Recap Remember, you can save on admission to a number of the Los Angeles area's most popular theme parks with the Go San Los Angeles® Card. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 55% off combined admission vs paying at the gate.

Go City Expert

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