Los Angeles is more than just a party in the U.S.A. Once you've hopped off the plane at LAX, you'll soon discover that it's a modern, trendsetting city with diverse residents, a rich global culture, varying landscapes, excellent eats, and circa 300 days of sunshine a year.
Whether you're traveling with kids in tow, planning a romantic getaway, meeting up with friends, or going solo, our travel guides have all the information you need to get into the Cali mindset and plan a memorable trip. From Hollywood thrills and outdoor activities to cultural explorations, Los Angeles has it all.
So, here are some resources and helpful tips to help you enjoy Los Angeles.
Popular Los Angeles attractions
- Universal Studios Hollywood - The Entertainment Capital of L.A, it includes a full-day, movie-based theme park, and Studio Tour plus Universal CityWalk®, an entertainment, shopping, dining complex, and much more.
- Madame Tussauds Hollywood - Enjoy a carefree time posing with the lifelike Hollywood personalities on display at this iconic attraction.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood - Go behind the scenes at a Hollywood studio and ee how your favorite movies & TV shows are made.
- Hollywood Museum - The official museum of Hollywood has the most extensive collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world.
Head over here for more Los Angeles attractions to see during your trip.
How long are you visiting the City of Angels?
Whether you're visiting Los Angeles for 24 hours or staying an entire week, we've put together sample itineraries that include all of the most popular things to do in the city. From all-around-town tours to popular theme parks and activities, these itineraries give you the best LA experience based on your length of stay.
Who's coming to L.A. with you?
No matter who you're traveling with, there are a ton of fun things to do in Los Angeles, particularly for families. We've put together a list of top attractions and activities geared to young kids and teens to help you plan your trip.
What type of L.A. activities are you into?
Whether you're planning on checking out all the top museums or you really just want to go behind the scenes and see the 'movie magic,' our LA locals put together a few 'best of' lists to help you decide what's worth adding to your itinerary.
Which parts of Los Angeles are you interested in visiting?
Explore Los Angeles by neighborhood to make the most of your time sightseeing. We've highlighted a handful of top attractions and places to see by neighborhood in LA so you can maximize your time in each location.
What time of year is your L.A. trip?
Los Angeles is a great city to visit year-round and offers a different experience to travelers with each season and type of weather. Check out our lists of things to do in the city throughout the year to make the most of your itinerary and experience unique, calendar-based LA happenings.
What's the best way to get around Los Angeles?
L.A. is easy to navigate and there are tons of taxis and shared ride services available.
Car: Renting a car is the most popular option for travelers.
Public transportation: the Metro Bus and Rail system is a convenient and affordable way to get around Los Angeles. Consider getting a Metro Day Pass for unlimited rides on the day of purchase.
Tip: get the free moovit app for point-to-point trip planning and real-time updates for both subway and bus routes.
Taxis: taxis are available and easy to hail down and shared ride services such as Uber and Lyft are widely available and easy to use.
Hop-on hop-off tours: a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour (an included attraction option) is a great way to get acquainted with the city and see some popular attractions.
Where should you stay in L.A?
There are plenty of great places to stay in the area. Below are a handful of hotel suggestions located near popular tourist attractions and fun things to do.
- Hollywood Historic Hotel
- Hilton Checkers
- Hollywood Le Bon Hotel
- Sheraton Grand Los Angeles
- Hollywood Hotel-The Hotel of Hollywood
Where are the best places to go shopping in L.A?
In between sightseeing, try and find time to pick up some souvenirs. Here are a few popular areas to get some shopping in.
- Citadel Outlets
- Macy's
- The Grove
- Santa Monica Place
- Rodeo Drive
Where to eat in Los Angeles
Go on a tour of Los Angeles’ foodie scene with our top picks for family-friendly places to eat in Los Angeles.
We’ve included top picks for every appetite so you can sightsee while you taste your way through Los Angeles’ culinary destinations.
Fun info from an L.A. local
- The Hollywood sign originally said “HOLLYWOODLAND” – its intended purpose was as a billboard marketing a housing development.
- Los Angeles is built on the third largest oil field in the country.
- There are more cars than people in L.A.
- Los Angeles has the largest number of female-owned businesses in the country.
- Beverly Hills was originally a Lima bean ranch.
