Fun Facts About Los Angeles: Your Essential Trivia

Published: July 18, 2024
Palm Trees

How much do you know about Los Angeles? Before you head to L.A. on vacation check out our guide to essential Los Angeles trivia. 

Test your knowledge with these fun Los Angeles facts below...

Top facts about L.A.

Beverly Hills
  • 1. Universal Studios Hollywood combines a theme park and a real working studio. CityWalk, the attached shopping and dining area, is free to explore.
     
  • 2. Out of American cities, Los Angeles is second only to NYC in terms of population.
     
  • 3. Madame Tussauds Hollywood is the only American location of this famous wax franchise featuring an entire section devoted to MARVEL© characters.
     
  • 4. The Hollywood Walk of Fame includes more than 2,600 stars.
     
  • 5. Warner Bros. Studio features a replica of Central Perk Café from the Friends series that serves real coffee and treats.
     
  • 6. The Pacific Wheel at Pacific Park is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel.
     
  • 7. The US Bank Tower is the third-tallest building in California and the 15th-tallest in the United States.
     
  • 8. OUE Skyspace L.A. located in the US Bank Tower, provides views as far as the San Gabriel Mountains, Catalina Island, and the Pacific Ocean.
     
  • 9. Downtown L.A. is home to the largest concentration of government buildings and institutions after Washington, DC.
     
  • 10. In addition to hosting the Academy Awards®, the Dolby Theatre also plays host to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the Daytime Emmys, and the American Idol finals.

More fun facts about L.A.

Hollywood sign viewpoint
  • 11. The Hollywood Museum is home to the most expansive collection of Hollywood props, objects, and artifacts.
     
  • 12. Griffith Park at the Hollywood Hills sign has one of the best vistas of Los Angeles and can be easily reached by hiking. Griffith Park is also the second-largest urban park in California.
     
  • 13. The RMS Queen Mary is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the official Historic Hotels of America.
     
  • 14. Los Angeles is the only North American city to have hosted the Olympics twice.
     
  • 15. The Los Angeles Zoo also encompasses a substantive botanical garden with a renowned collection of native plant species.
     
  • 16. Los Angeles is home to the largest historic theatre district on the National Register of Historic Places.
     
  • 17. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles is the largest such institution in the Western United States and its collections cover 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history.
     
  • 18. Approximately 50 million people visit Los Angeles County each year.
     
  • 19. The Huntington Library — in addition to being one of the best research libraries in the world and boasting gorgeous rose gardens — has been used as a set for nearly 30 different film projects from television to the big screen.

Even more interesting L.A facts

Santa Monica pier
  • 20. Los Angeles is home to the state’s only remaining wooden lighthouse, at San Pedro’s Fermin Park.
     
  • 21. The La Brea Tar Pits is an excavation site with the largest number and most diverse selection of Ice Age fossils in the entire world.
     
  • 22. The USS Iowa is now a floating museum known as Battleship IOWA and is made of 45,000 tons of steel.
     
  • 23. The Autry Museum of the American West was founded by iconic actor Gene Autry and encompasses significant collections of artwork and cultural artifacts.
     
  • 24. The Los Angeles area is home to more than 100 museums of varying sizes and purposes.

Save on admission to L.A. attractions

You'll save on admission vs gate price to many popular Los Angeles attractions with Go City®

Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect! ☀️Compare Los Angeles passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️

Share your trip with us – follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your adventure with us. Tag us at @GoCity on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Blog

10+ Things to Do in Los Angeles in Spring - April to June Activities & More

Everybody loves a good trip to L.A. From Hollywood to Santa Monica, there is something for all visitors who come to the City of Angels. Spring is an especially good time to visit, with more reliably warm weather (although Los Angeles never gets very cold), noticeably shorter lines, and easier admission into top attractions. If you’re looking for things to do in Los Angeles in Spring, check out our list of some of the best activities and attractions, including... Knott's Boysenberry Festival at Knott's Berry Farm Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier Huntington Library and Gardens Newport Landing Whale Watch Explore Griffith Park and more! Save on Springtime Activities in Los Angeles Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all available Los Angeles attractions, passes, and prices. Please note, some of these special spring events may be separately ticketed and not available on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Knott's Boysenberry Festival at Knott's Berry Farm Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum From March to September, the Natural History Museum in L.A. opens up their famed Butterfly Pavilion to the public. See these delicate little beauties flit and flutter around, and perhaps even land on you! The best time to visit is about mid-morning. Due to its popularity, you'll need a timed ticket to enter the pavilion. Getting In: Natural History Museum tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles Card. Commune with Whales Enjoy Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Studios Hollywood is one of those magical places that delight kids and adults in equal measure. There's the fascinating behind-the-scenes studio tour, then dozens of rides and attractions to enjoy afterward. Some of the popular areas of the park include the newer "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" (beloved by all), several Simpsons attractions, and the wonderful "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem" ride. Don’t forget to explore Universal CityWalk after you’re done with all the rides and attractions – it’s a great evening activity with food, dining, and entertainment options. Getting In: Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood is included with the 3-, 5-, and 7-Day Go Los Angeles® Cards. Soak up Celebrity Culture Explore Griffith Park Visit Santa Monica Roam Seasonal Gardens While it is a little bit of a hike from downtown Los Angeles (you can actually get there via mass transit, however, it’s just a longish ride), the Huntington Library is a fabulous attraction that combines the appeal of a historic research library, an art gallery, luxurious gardens, and literary artifacts all into one inspiring destination. Be sure to explore the gardens in particular this time of year – the roses are spectacular. Visitors might also enjoy the "Orbit Pavilion," a garden art installation that echoes the shapes and sounds of the International Space Station and 19 Earth satellites. It was even designed by people who work at NASA! Getting In: Admission the Huntington Library and Gardens is included with the Go Los Angeles® Card. Local EventsLA Times Festival of Books USC Campus April This is one for the book lovers. The LA Times Festival of Books is a fantastic free event that promises tons of bookish fun and excitement. In addition to dozens of famous author readings and signings, you’ll also enjoy special workshops, professional talks, and of course, plenty of books for sale. Getting In: Admission to the LA Times Festival of Books is free. Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Santa Clara April PPLA Food Fare Santa Monica Known for being the oldest culinary event in Los Angeles, the PPLA Food Fare brings together over one hundred restaurants, chefs, caterers, wineries, bakeries, and more. From high-end cuisine to inventive food trucks, you’ll be able to sample cuisine from all across the city at this fantastic event. Getting In: Admission to the PPLA Food Fare is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Los Angeles® Card. For more information, please visit the event website. Cherry Blossom Festival Monterey Park April Few things signal the onset of spring quite like the fragrant blooming of the delicate cherry blossom. This year in Los Angeles, the Cherry Blossom Festival in the nearby city of Monterey Park will be the place to celebrate these delightful natural wonders. Enjoy musical performances, guided nature walks, delicious food, and even origami classes. Getting In: Admission to the Cherry Blossom Festival is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Los Angeles® Card. For more information, please visit the event website. Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Various locations May Remember to Save on Admission Did we miss anything? A few things to do in Los Angeles in the spring, including some special events, other seasonal activities in April, May, and June. Please note, the spring events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not available with the Go Los Angeles® Card. We hope you consider adding some of these fun ideas to your spring vacation itinerary.
Katie Sagal
Black Friday Giveaway
Blog

Win a 2 Night Stay at the Sheraton Universal this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. Make yourself at home in the Hollywood Hills in the AAA 4-diamond Sheraton Universal Hotel. The Sheraton’s ideal location puts you moments away from Universal Studios (with their free shuttle) and with the Metro Red Line a short walk away you’ll be easily in reach of top central LA attractions like the Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Rather unwind? They’ve got that covered too. Relax by the pool, grab a drink in the glamorous hotel bar, or just chill out in your room looking out of floor-to-ceiling windows over stunning views of the San Fernando Valley. For an even more magical view, head up to the roof top Starview Room for 270° panoramas of Hollywood. You’ll also get a delicious breakfast at The California’s Restaurant. Enjoy regional American fare and a full menu of breakfast options in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, all with friendly and accommodating service. Park hopping or putting your feet up, you’re in for a getaway made for the movies! How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our Los Angeles passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions
Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.