Things to Do in Los Angeles, California

Griffith Observatory

Perched on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood within Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory combines Art Deco architecture, public telescopes, and a small but layered set of exhibits. Opened in 1935 as a civic gift, its terrazzo rotunda and rooftop terraces offer sweeping views across the Los Angeles Basin and direct sightlines to the Hollywood Sign.

Visitors can use rooftop telescopes and attend live Samuel Oschin Planetarium presentations that translate modern astronomy into accessible storytelling.

The Observatory pairs indoor exhibits on observational tools and space history with staff‑led demonstrations; because programming and events sometimes require reservations, check the official site before your visit and consider park shuttles or transit to avoid limited parking.

Official Griffith Observatory website →

The Getty Center

Sited on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains, The Getty Center brings together art, architecture, gardens, and conservation work across an 86‑acre campus designed by Richard Meier. The complex’s pale travertine pavilions and landscaped terraces frame wide city and ocean views and are reached by a short tram from the entry level.

The permanent collection emphasizes pre‑20th‑century European painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and a significant photography collection. Outside, the Central Garden—designed by Robert Irwin—functions as a living artwork with seasonal plantings and water features.

Allow time to see both galleries and gardens; the architecture and hilltop setting reward a deliberate, unhurried visit.

Official The Getty Center website →

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Anchoring Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile district, LACMA is the region’s largest art museum and presents an encyclopedic collection that spans ancient through contemporary works. In 2026 the museum opened a major new central building with continuous galleries conceived as a flowing sequence of rooms that encourage discovery across millennia of artistic expression.

The campus includes notable outdoor commissions—most famously Chris Burden’s “Urban Light” and Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass—that act as public thresholds. Collection strengths include ancient and non‑Western arts, substantial Asian and Latin American holdings, and a broad survey of modern and contemporary art.

Because the site is layered and large, plan which buildings and special exhibitions you want to see in advance.

Official Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) website →

The Broad

Located on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, The Broad is a compact museum devoted to postwar and contemporary art, housed in a distinctive veil‑and‑vault building by Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

The museum’s collection—roughly two thousand works—emphasizes Pop Art, Neo‑Expressionism, Conceptual art, and other post‑1950 movements, often displayed so the collection itself reads like an active, working archive.

Highlights include high‑impact pieces by well‑known contemporary artists and immersive installations such as Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms, which are capacity‑limited and commonly require separate timed reservations. The Broad sits beside Walt Disney Concert Hall, making it easy to combine visits within the cultural corridor—check the museum’s visitor information for reservation and accessibility details.

Official The Broad website →

Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a ground‑level public artwork along Hollywood Boulevard and nearby streets, where bronze‑inlaid stars set into pink terrazzo honor entertainers across film, television, music, radio, and theater.

Managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the project dates to the late 1950s and continues to add honorees and host public star ceremonies.

The route sits beside historic theaters and tourist attractions; street performers, costumed characters, and souvenir vendors commonly animate the sidewalks. Expect heavy pedestrian traffic and occasional ceremony closures that can affect movement.

For current ceremony notices, accessibility guidance, or visitor information consult the Hollywood Chamber’s official resources before you go.

Official Hollywood Walk of Fame website →

Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign, perched on the southern face of the Hollywood Hills above Beachwood Canyon, originated in 1923 as a real‑estate billboard reading “HOLLYWOODLAND” and later became an enduring symbol of the film capital. The sign is maintained by the nonprofit Hollywood Sign Trust, which oversees preservation, maintenance, and educational work around the landmark.

Direct access to the letters is restricted—nearby private property and protected parkland prevent close approaches—so visitors use designated public viewpoints and park trails in Griffith Park, Lake Hollywood Park, and Mount Hollywood for photos. Neighborhood roads and parking near popular overlooks are limited; follow official trail guidance and verify conditions before hiking to viewpoints.

Official Hollywood Sign website →

Venice Beach Boardwalk

The Venice Beach Boardwalk (Ocean Front Walk) runs along Los Angeles’s western shore and condenses decades of seaside culture into a continuous public promenade.

Founded as a seaside resort promenade by Abbot Kinney, it now features street performers, vendors, Muscle Beach outdoor fitness, murals, and the concrete Venice Skatepark alongside lifeguarded swimming areas and volleyball courts.

The Marvin Braude Bicycle Trail runs parallel to the boardwalk, making it easy to include a longer seaside ride. Expect heavy pedestrian traffic, limited street parking, and lively vendor rows; transit and bicycles are practical alternatives.

A short walk inland reveals the Venice Canals and Abbot Kinney Boulevard’s boutiques, which add historic and architectural context to the beachfront experience.

Official Venice Beach Boardwalk website →

Olvera Street

Olvera Street occupies the heart of El Pueblo de Los Ángeles and recreates a Mexican marketplace amid some of the city’s oldest buildings.

The short brick‑lined lane is flanked by adobe facades, stalls selling handcrafted goods, family‑run restaurants, and historic sites such as the Avila Adobe—the city’s oldest surviving residence—plus small museums and the preserved 19th‑century church façade.

The marketplace mixes living commerce with interpreted history; folklórico dancers and musicians frequently perform in the plaza. Managed as El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historic Monument, the site balances preservation with daily market life and cultural programming.

Visits pair well with nearby Union Station and Chinatown; check official El Pueblo sources for museum hours and special programs before you go.

Official Olvera Street website →