Best things to do near Los Angeles

By Karleen Stevens
Published: July 18, 2024
Seal underwater in the Californian Channel Islands

With long, golden beaches, stylish promenades and an average temperature that rarely dips below 60 degrees, Los Angeles is a dream vacation spot for anyone who loves chasing the sun or life in the chilled lane. And with nearby mountain ranges circling the city to the east, and the pacific ocean brimming with explorable islands to the west, the city of angels really is the ultimate outdoor destination. Whether you prefer island hopping, walking trails or snooping on the rich and famous, these things to do outside Los Angeles will give you plenty of reasons to be ga-ga about la-la-land:

  • Santa Catalina Island
  • Laguna Beach
  • Whale and dolphin watching
  • Ojai Valley
  • Palm Springs
  • Big Bear Lake
  • San Diego

‘Fly’ over to Catalina

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Nestled in the California channel islands south of LA is the small Island of Catalina, where the adventurous can get their adrenalin going with scuba diving, kayaking, parasailing or even jet ski rental. If you’re more of an introvert, you can indulge in a spa day or explore the island’s numerous museums and galleries. Catalina is small enough to walk everywhere, and visitors with families can enjoy glass-bottomed boat rides, mini-golf and walking trails around the island. The best way to get there is on the Catalina Flyer, which docks in the historic port of Avalon. Let the sea breezes wake you up on the trip over in the morning, then relax on the open deck on the way back, sipping a cool beverage as you enjoy views of the glittering LA coastline.

Lounge around on Laguna Beach

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About one hour from the city is Laguna Beach, making it one of the best day trips from Los Angeles if you feel the need for sand at your feet. Beach lovers will be in their element here, with seven miles of coves, caves, tide pools and bluffs to explore. It’s a popular spot for surfers, and animal lovers will relish a visit to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, which rehabilitates seals and sea lions that have been stranded along the shores of the OC. If you prefer to keep your feet dry you can explore the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park or take a self-guided walking tour along the beach past public art spaces, architectural landmarks, coastal wildernesses and several bars. When you need to rest your legs, jump on the iconic blue and gold Laguna Beach Trolley for a free ride along the scenic Laguna Canyon Road.

Go Whale watching from Newport Beach

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Okay, so technically Newport Beach is still in Los Angeles, but once you’re on the boat and out in one of the largest marine sanctuaries in California you’ll feel like you’ve left the city far behind. A two-and-a-half-hour whale and dolphin spotting tour includes a drink and binoculars, as well as commentary from the crew to help you spot any marine life that may be gamboling around in the waters around you. Depending on the time of year you might spot dolphins, orcas, minke, humpback, California gray or even the elusive giant blue whale. Later in the afternoon, swap whale watching for people watching with a stroll along Newport’s historic pier, try a surfing lesson at Newport Beach, or sample some local brews at one of the town’s atmospheric beach breweries.

Sample sauvingnon and sunsets at Ojai

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A slightly more grown-up option for an LA day trip, Ojai is a small, picturesque city nestled in a valley of the Topatopa Mountains. About 90 minutes up the coast from Los Angeles, it’s known for its New Age and ecologically friendly galleries, shops and farmer’s market. It’s bordered by Lake Casitas and the Los Padres National Forest, both excellent for hiking and horseback riding, and the surrounding country is dotted with olive groves and wineries, perfect for sampling! And if you’re still there at sunset you might witness a magical ‘pink moment’, when the entire Ojai Valley glows with stunning peach, pink and lavender hues. Be sure to have your camera and tripod handy!

Spot celebs at Palm Springs

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As the name suggests, this stylish city is dotted with hot springs and spas and is a modern-day lair of luxury with lavish hotels, immaculate golf courses and magnificent mid-century architecture. It’s been a magnet for the rich and famous since the 1930’s, when Hollywood stars needed a place to escape within a couple hours of the city. Shopaholics will love the vintage boutiques and interior design shops on Palm Canyon Drive, while movie fans can get the goss on famous inhabitants of the past on a Celebrity Tour. Before the drive home, take a ride on the Aerial Tramway over the Chino Canyon to Mount San Jacinto State Park, where there are restaurants, theaters, observation decks and a museum.

Survey the seasons at Big Bear Lake

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If the blinding lights of the city are getting you down, escape into the mountains at Big Bear Lake, a small settlement a couple of hours away in the San Bernardino Mountains. Depending on what time of the year you’re visiting you’ll find plenty of activities on offer, from water sports in summer to skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Mountain trails around the lake are particularly stunning in the fall, and anglers can hope for a catch of salmon, trout and carp from spring through summer. The scenic Sky Chair runs year-round, so you can dangle your legs all the way to the top, while the young – and young-at-heart – will love the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, which provides sanctuary for animals that can’t be released into the wild.

Have a close encounter at San Diego

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If you’re not planning a separate stay in ‘America’s finest city’ then it’s worth an early start and a trip down for the day, especially if you’re an animal lover, as the 100-acre San Diego Zoo is famous all over the world. Its rich botanical collection of over 700,000 plants provides lush, natural habitats for more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals, and you can experience unique animal encounters – such as early morning cheetah watching or the Skyfari Aerial Tram – that you won’t find anywhere else. If zoos aren’t your thing, there’s SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California and of course the city’s picture-perfect 70 mile coastline to explore.

Explore Los Angeles with Go City

From crags to coast, zoos to ziplines, there’s a day trip from Los Angeles for every kind of adventurer. Get the most out of your stay in the city of angels and save money on popular attractions with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass.

Karleen Stevens
Go City Travel Expert

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Los Angels in March

Springtime in L.A. is full of excitement. When the flowers begin to bloom, the city awakens with a myriad of fantastic activities and events of all kinds. From the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame and Santa Monica Pier to funky Venice Beach, L.A. has much to offer its visitors. Coming out of the wintertime, daytime high temperatures range from the upper 50s to the low 70s, so you’ll only need a light jacket. March is one of the best times of the year for exploring L.A. since the crowds are minimal, the days are longer, and you’ll be able to find easier admission into the city’s top attractions. So, without further ado, here is our roundup of some of the best things to do in L.A. for springtime. How many of these great springtime activities will you try? See the Sites Whilst L.A. can be pretty beautiful in the springtime, the West Coast is also susceptible to the odd rainy day. Still, just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all that the city has to offer. Though L.A. has a lot of fantastic indoor attractions, one of our favorite spots has got to be the Huntington Library. This place is actually a three-pronged attack, with a jaw-dropping main library, a fantastic art gallery and stunning botanic garden. The institute’s library houses over 430,000 rare books, original manuscripts, and historic documents. Meanwhile, the gallery is a total dream for art lovers, with 1,200 pieces dating way back to the 15th century. And as if that wasn’t enough, the Huntington Library’s botanic garden is known for showcasing 150 plant varieties on its 120 acres. A thoroughly one-of-a-kind experience, this one is a total must-see. No doubt Los Angeles has a lot to offer for cinephiles and pop culture lovers. Still, no attraction could be quite as iconic as the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This spot draws in around 10 million visitors each year - and it’s easy to see why! Established way back in 1960, this attraction now spans over 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard, with over 2,000 stars and counting. If you’re going to find a particular star of your favorite celebrity or artist, use the Walk of Fame’s online Star Search tool to help you. We recommend checking out some of the other fantastic attractions in the area whilst you’re there, such as the TCL Chinese Theatre, El Captain Theatre, and Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a camera! Explore the City If you’re looking for a total crowdpleaser, look no further than Santa Monica Pier. Since opening to the public in 1909, this historic attraction has been drawing in visitors from near and far. Perhaps the pier’s most popular attraction is Pacific Park, a theme park complete with shopping, restaurants, as well as an arcade. Or, if you’re looking to just relax a little, why not head over to the Santa Monica farmers’ market? A great stop for all foodies, we love this spot for its delicious eats and laid-back atmosphere. This place works to showcase California’s rich agricultural heritage through a wide array of local vendors. And of course, it wouldn’t be a pier if you couldn’t try your hand at a little bit of fishing. With so much to see and do, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny day in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is a sprawling seaside metropolis, made up of countless exciting neighborhoods to explore. Still, when the sun comes out, one of our favorite places to check out has got to be Venice. Well-recognized for its bohemian spirit, nowhere quite says ‘’California’’ like this famed beachfront neighborhood. One of the most popular things to do here is hit the beach - that is, Venice Beach, of course. Still, that’s far from all that Venice has to offer. Another great activity in the area is the Venice Canals, where you can take a scenic stroll along charming beach houses, bunches of ducklings and romantic bridges. There’s also The Mosaic Tile House - once a rather simple and drab space, this spot has now been alchemized into an undoubtedly unique attraction now open to the public. As quirky as it is fun, we love Venice for its laidback and unassuming atmosphere. Soak Up the Atmosphere One of the best things about travel has got to be exploring the local food scene. Thankfully, you won’t have much trouble with that in L.A. - as one of America’s biggest food cities, Los Angeles comes to life in the springtime, with a whole host different events to choose from. Standing out as one of our favorites, Knott’s Boysenberry Festival kicks off right in the middle of March each year, with a unique lineup of seasonal dishes to take your fancy. To highlight the berry that started it all, the dishes focus on boysenberries in some way. There are also local crafters, live music and shows to be enjoyed. In addition, there are special activities and games for younger guests - so nobody feels left out! We love this event because it offers something a little different from your typical food festival. Of course, it just wouldn’t be an article about things to do in March without mentioning St. Paddy’s Day. There are a heck of a lot of ways to celebrate this traditional Irish holiday, but if you’re looking for a parade, we recommend heading down to Hermosa Beach, where you’ll find an exciting celebration of Irish culture. Other family-friendly activities include the St. Patrick’s Day Market and the Original Farmers’ Market. Still, there’s no shame in partying the day away on March 17th. For the best way to let loose, we suggest checking out the annual block party and pub crawl. Or, check out Tam O Shanter’s can’t miss event, with live music, green beer and plenty of fun and games. So as far as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations go, I guess you could say that Los Angeles has it covered. Los Angeles is an exciting city any time of the year; still, our favorite season has got to be the springtime. Explore the area 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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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.
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