Los Angeles is sprawling, overwhelming, and absolutely worth exploring. Finding the best things to do in LA starts with a visit to Griffith Observatory for panoramic city views and free astronomy exhibits. This guide covers iconic must-sees, free attractions, hidden gems, and sample itineraries. Everything is updated for August 2026 with current pricing, hours, and reservation info.
Top 10 Things to Do in Los Angeles
- Griffith Observatory: Explore free space exhibits and view the city from above.
- Getty Center: Walk through stunning art galleries and beautiful outdoor gardens.
- Santa Monica Pier: Ride the historic roller coaster and walk over the Pacific Ocean.
- Venice Beach Boardwalk: Watch street performers and skateboards near the sand.
- Universal Studios Hollywood: Ride movie-themed roller coasters and tour movie sets.
- The Broad: View modern art collections in a unique downtown building.
- LACMA: Walk through the glowing Urban Light installation after dark.
- Hollywood Sign: Hike local trails to get a great look at the famous letters.
- Grand Central Market: Eat local food from dozens of historic food stalls.
- Griffith Park Hike: Walk dirt trails up to high mountain overlooks.
Iconic LA Landmarks You Can’t Miss
Griffith Observatory & Griffith Park
Griffith Observatory is a free public building featuring planetarium shows, space science exhibits, and large telescopes. You go there because it gives you the best panoramic views of the Los Angeles basin. General admission is free, but planetarium tickets cost $12 and parking costs $8–$10 per hour.
The best time to visit is on weekday mornings or right before sunset to avoid heavy weekend crowds. You can also hike from here up into Griffith Park trail networks. [2026 UPDATE] Parking fills up by 10 AM on weekends, so you should arrive early, take the DASH bus, or park for free near the Greek Theatre and walk uphill.
Getty Center
The Getty Center is a world-class art museum known for modern architecture and quiet gardens. You visit to see rare European paintings and enjoy open views of the mountains and ocean. Admission is free, but parking costs $25 standard, $15 after 3 PM, $10 after 6 PM, and free on Saturdays after 6 PM.
The best time to visit is during weekday mornings before tour buses arrive. You can combine your trip with lunch nearby in Brentwood at places like Pizzana. Do not skip the Central Garden or the photography wing.
Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign is a massive white landmark sitting high on Mount Lee. People go there to capture a famous bucket-list photo. Viewing the sign from public trails or parks is completely free.
The best public viewpoints are Griffith Observatory and Lake Hollywood Park. [Tourist Trap Warning]: You cannot walk right up to the sign because it sits on private property. Respect local neighborhood rules and stay on public paths.
Santa Monica Pier & Beach
Santa Monica Pier is a wooden structure featuring Pacific Park rides, a small aquarium, and ocean views. You visit for the classic California beach experience and the old-school carnival atmosphere. Walking on the pier is free, but individual rides start at $5.
The best time to visit is during golden hour before sunset on a weekday. You can rent a bicycle here and ride down the paved path to Venice Beach.
Best Free Things to Do in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has an unusually strong free offering for a major city. You do not need to spend a fortune to have a great time on your trip.
- Griffith Observatory: View free space exhibits and peer through large telescopes.
- Getty Center: Walk the museum grounds and gardens for free admission.
- Venice Beach Boardwalk: Watch street performers and check out the skate park.
- The Broad: View contemporary art for free with a reserved ticket.
- LACMA: Walk through the outdoor Urban Light installation at any hour.
- Runyon Canyon Park: Hike dirt trails that welcome dogs and walkers.
- Grand Central Market: Walk through the historic downtown food hall.
- Original Farmers Market: Browse old market stalls and historic food vendors.
- Walt Disney Concert Hall: Walk around the wavy steel exterior architecture.
- Exposition Park Rose Garden: Smell over 15,000 rose bushes in a sunken garden.
[2026 UPDATE]: The Academy Museum offers a free admission day on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 10 AM to 6 PM without requiring a ticket. Descanso Gardens no longer offers free admission on the third Tuesday. Free entry is now available for LA County residents with EBT cards.
Best Museums & Art in Los Angeles
The Broad
The Broad is a contemporary art museum holding works by artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. General admission is free, but you must reserve timed entry tickets online.
The best time to visit is on a weekday morning. You should book your slot two to three weeks in advance. [2026 UPDATE]: The famous Infinity Mirror Rooms require a separate special reservation.
LACMA
LACMA stands for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and holds thousands of years of art history. General admission is $30 for non-residents, $25 for LA County residents. Free for LA County residents weekdays after 3 PM with ID.
The main outdoor attraction is the Urban Light installation, which is free and open twenty-four hours a day. [2026 UPDATE]: Check the official schedule for live music events.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
The Academy Museum explores film history through real movie props, costumes, and interactive exhibits. General admission is unverified; standard adult admission price should be verified on the official website.
[2026 UPDATE]: A special free day takes place on August 16, 2026, (10 AM–6 PM, no reservation required).
| Museum Name | Cost | Best Time to Visit | Neighborhood |
| The Broad | Free (Res. Required) | Weekday mornings | Downtown LA |
| LACMA | $30 non-resident / $25 LA resident (Free weekdays after 3 PM) | Weekday afternoons | Miracle Mile |
| Academy Museum | Unverified | Morning hours | Miracle Mile |
| California Science Center | Free general admission | Weekdays with kids | Exposition Park |
Best Beaches & Coastal Experiences
Santa Monica State Beach & Pier
Santa Monica State Beach offers wide sand, volleyball courts, and easy pier access. Activities include riding roller coasters, visiting the aquarium, and renting bikes.
The cost is free, though rides cost $5 and up. Visit at sunset on a weekday for smaller crowds and warm lighting.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Venice Beach Boardwalk is a lively path filled with street performers, spray-paint artists, and muscle lifters. Activities include visiting the skate park, looking at murals, and watching basketball games.
Admission is completely free. Local tip: Walk a few blocks inland to the Venice Canals Historic District for a quiet, picturesque neighborhood stroll.
Malibu Beaches
Malibu features rugged coastal cliffs and clear water. Top beach picks include Zuma Beach and El Matador State Beach.
Visiting the sand is free, but parking lots cost $10 to $20. These beaches are best for scenic coastal drives and fewer crowds than Santa Monica.
Best Neighborhoods to Explore in Los Angeles
Hollywood
Hollywood highlights include the Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre, and Amoeba Music. Walking down the street is free, but guided tours cost $40 and up.
[Tourist Trap Warning]: The Walk of Fame is crowded, dirty, and overrated. You should visit early in the morning or skip it entirely in favor of Griffith Observatory views.
Downtown LA (DTLA)
Downtown LA features Grand Central Market, The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and The Last Bookstore. The area mixes free attractions with paid museum tickets.
The best time to visit is on weekdays, as weekends can feel very quiet. Local tip: This is a walkable cluster, so park your car once and explore the area on foot.
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills highlights include Rodeo Drive for luxury shopping and Beverly Gardens Park. Window shopping is free, but retail prices are very high.
This neighborhood is best for looking at fancy storefronts and taking photos near manicured gardens.
Best Things to Do in LA with Kids
Los Angeles is surprisingly family-friendly with many free and low-cost options.
- California Science Center: See the real space shuttle and touch hands-on science exhibits.
- Griffith Observatory: Look at space models and peer through giant telescopes.
- Santa Monica Pier: Ride small roller coasters and walk on the sandy beach.
- The Grove: Ride the outdoor trolley and watch the dancing water fountain.
- Natural History Museum: Walk past giant dinosaur skeletons and shiny gems ($18 for adults).
[2026 UPDATE]: The Getty Center hosts free Garden Concerts for Kids during August 2026. Many local museums also offer free days for area residents, so check schedules before you arrive.
Hidden Gems & Local Favorites
Beyond the main tourist trail, these are spots locals actually love to visit.
- Watts Towers: View a tall folk art sculpture built from scrap metal and tile from the perimeter for free.
- The Huntington Library & Gardens: Pay $34 for adults on weekends to walk through massive botanical gardens, art galleries, and a rare book library.
- Exposition Park Rose Garden: Walk through 15,000 rose bushes in a sunken garden for free.
- San Antonio Winery: Visit Los Angeles’s last surviving downtown winery, offering tastings since Prohibition.
- Runyon Canyon: Hike dirt trails that offer great views and early morning puppy sightings.
Sample Los Angeles Itineraries
3-Day LA Itinerary (First-Time Visitors)
- Day 1: Hollywood & Griffith Park
- Morning: Visit Griffith Observatory and arrive by 9 AM to beat the crowds.
- Afternoon: Hike the Griffith Park dirt trails toward the Hollywood Sign viewpoints.
- Evening: Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame quickly and eat dinner nearby.
- Day 2: Beaches & Westside
- Morning: Walk the Santa Monica Pier and relax on the beach.
- Afternoon: Rent a bike and ride three miles down the coast to the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
- Evening: Watch the sunset in Santa Monica and eat dinner on Third Street Promenade.
- Day 3: Museums & Downtown
- Morning: Visit The Broad using a reserved timed-entry ticket.
- Afternoon: Walk past LACMA’s Urban Light and grab lunch at Grand Central Market.
- Evening: See the Walt Disney Concert Hall exterior and browse The Last Bookstore.
5-Day LA Itinerary (Deep Dive)
- Days 1 to 3: Follow the 3-day itinerary listed above.
- Day 4: Beverly Hills & Miracle Mile
- Morning: Window shop along Rodeo Drive and walk through Beverly Gardens Park.
- Afternoon: Tour the Getty Center and eat lunch in Brentwood.
- Evening: Shop at The Grove and eat dinner at the Original Farmers Market.
- Day 5: Day Trip or Hidden Gems
- Option A: Drive the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and visit local beaches.
- Option B: Explore the plant collections at The Huntington in San Marino.
- Option C: Visit the Watts Towers and the Exposition Park Rose Garden.
Practical Tips for Visiting Los Angeles
Do I Need a Car in LA?
Yes, most visitors need a car because attractions spread out across a massive area. The main exceptions are if you stay entirely within DTLA or Santa Monica and use rideshare apps. Public transit covers some lines, but buses take a long time to reach the beaches.
Best Time to Visit Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a mild climate year-round. Summer brings warm weather from June to August, while winter brings cooler temperatures. The best months to visit are April through May or September through October for nice weather and fewer crowds.
Parking Tips
- Griffith Observatory: Costs $8–$10 per hour at the Observatory lot; paid parking hours are noon–10 PM weekdays and 10 AM–10 PM weekends. Free parking available near Greek Theatre.
- Getty Center: Parking costs $25 standard, $15 after 3 PM, $10 after 6 PM, and free on Saturdays after 6 PM, and no direct public transit drops you off at the top.
- Santa Monica Pier: Downtown parking structures charge $1 for first 90 minutes, then hourly rates (beach lots $7–$18). Arrive early or use the Metro Expo Line.
- DTLA: Street parking is very rare, so use paid garages that charge $10 to $25 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best thing to do in Los Angeles?
Griffith Observatory offers the best combination of iconic views, free admission, and cultural experience. Visit at sunset for panoramic city views and astronomy exhibits.
What are the top 10 tourist attractions in Los Angeles?
Griffith Observatory, Getty Center, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Universal Studios Hollywood, The Broad, LACMA, Hollywood Sign, Grand Central Market, and Griffith Park.
What can you do for free in Los Angeles?
Visit Griffith Observatory, Getty Center, walk the Venice Beach Boardwalk, explore The Broad, see LACMA’s Urban Light, hike Runyon Canyon, and enjoy all public beaches.
How many days do you need in Los Angeles?
Plan for at least 3 days to see the main highlights. Take 5 to 7 days if you want a complete trip that includes museums, beaches, and day trips.
What is the best area to stay in Los Angeles for tourists?
Santa Monica and Venice work best for beach access. Hollywood works well for iconic landmarks, and DTLA is great for museums and walking.
What are the best things to do in LA with kids?
Take kids to the California Science Center, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, The Grove trolley, Natural History Museum, and La Brea Tar Pits.
Is the Hollywood Walk of Fame worth it?
It is usually crowded and overrated. Visit early in the morning if you are curious, or skip it and view Hollywood from Griffith Observatory instead.
Final Tips & Checklist
- Reserve timed entry tickets for popular spots like The Broad.
- Check museum free days for places like the Academy Museum and LACMA.
- Download offline maps on your phone because cell service can drop near canyons.
- Pack layers of clothing because coastal mornings are cool and inland afternoons get hot.
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