Things to Do in Los Angeles

1. See L.A. from above at Griffith Park: What could be more stunning than a 4000 plus-acre park right in the city’s center? Well, the hilly wilderness of the Griffith Park is unparalleled. Thus, one of the most gratifying things to do in Los Angeles is to hike up to the park’s grounds and be amazed by the Downtown’s twinkly lights, the flora, the trails and the coyotes’ howls at night. Do not miss visiting the Griffith Observatory or the Art Deco dome to capture the exceptional views of the city.

Location: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, 90027, United States

2. Take a drive around Palos Verdes Peninsula: One of the most satisfying things to do in Los Angeles is to take a breezy drive around the ten miles of streets along Palos Verdes Peninsula. The first third of this scenic drive promises you sweeping views of the spectacular, inland real estate blocks. However, the minute you take a round of Point Vicente, this drive transforms dramatically to something else altogether. As you drive past Terranea, you only soak in views of golden-hued bluffs, winding roads and oceanfront hillsides.

3. Visit Universal Studios Hollywood: If you are planning on exploring America’s west coast then do not forget to add a visit to the exemplary Universal Studios Hollywood. Here you get to enjoy Jurassic World –The Ride that lets you survive a whole new epic adventure motivated by the marvelous films. Juliet, the fully interactive Triceratops puppet will impress and blow your mind with an array of revitalized interactive experiences as she walks, breathes, and blinks around the Jurassic Area. Lastly, you can relish a complete Latin-American inspired affair in the Jurassic Café Food and Isla Nu bar by gorging on chorizo, potato empanadas and roasted Mahi Mahi with Mai Tai or Pina Colada.

Location: 100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 91608, United States
Timing: 9 AM – 7 PM
Price:
1 Day general admission: 109 USD - 129 USD ( Online as well as front gate range)
1 Day anytime admission: 133 USD/child and 139 USD/adult
VIP Experience: 369 USD

4. Visit Korean Bell of Friendship: Visiting the beautiful structure of a bronze ball at the Park of Angel’s Gate is one of the most stirring things to do in Los Angeles. The location inside the Park, set out in the midst of a grassy field overlooks the ocean. Therefore, you can come to this spot and enjoy sweeping views of the Catalina Channel and Harbor of Los Angeles. Also, if you have resisted romance for a bit, then you can always have your first date here, by simply lounging with your partner in the grass, or fly a kite in the grassy patch. Another important thing to keep in mind for those that want to hear the bell ring is to plan a trip during New Year’s Eve, or 4th of July, August 15 and during constitution week (September). That is because it is during these 4 events the bell rings, four times every year.

Location: 3601 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731, United States, Los Angeles
Timing: 7 AM – 7 PM

5. Hike the Silver Lake Stairs: There are dozens of outdoor, public stairways scattered around the verdant hillsides of Silver Lake. Thus, you must come here to WPA era staircases that make for a perfect addition for fitness or workout-included tour. As you hike 2.5 miles you get an incredible preview of the extensive stairway network that features Laurel and Hardy’s music steps. There is nothing more therapeutic than participating in a 6.7 mile walk that visits as many as 14 striking stairways in the neighborhood of Silver Lake.

Location: Vendome, St Los Angeles

6. Watch the sunset from El Matador: One of Malibu’s most stunning beaches, El Matador is the perfect place to park on bluffs and saunter down a trail to reach rock towers made of sandstone. You will absolutely love the emerald cove here as well as the coastline’s scenic stretch. It feels surreal to come here and watch the sun go down against the backdrop of big waves lapping against the rocks. Do not miss the moment when the high tide rolls in here.

Location: 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
Timing: 8 AM – 5PM

7. Stroll at Descanso Gardens: A stroll through Descanso Gardens feels like a walk in paradise. This bounteous botanical garden is enriched with 600 varieties of camellias, meandering paths, woodland streams, a rosarium of 5 acres, a tea house and Japanese Garden. If you are a fervent anthophile, the sight of blooming lilacs, daffodils, tulips, and azaleas, in spring will stir you beyond measure.

Location: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, United States
Timing: 9 AM – 7 PM
Price: $15 adults
$11 seniors (65 and older)
$11 students with ID
$5 children (5–12 years old)
Free for children 4 years and younger

8. Visit California Science Center: The California Science Center deserves a visit at least once to view Endeavour, the space shuttle. This final ship that was built to be in the space shuttle program of NASA will give a whole new meaning to your ambition of reaching the stars. In this museum you can come to explore the space and air exhibits that explore human innovation, powered flight and life sciences. You can also visit the Kelp tank here that is populated with an incredible assortment of marine life and 1500 live fishes.

Location: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037, United States
Timing: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: Adult: USD 7.95 · Child: USD 5.75 · Student/Senior: USD 6.95 · School (grades K-12): USD 5.00.

9. Explore Echo Park Lake: Flanked by the hipster neighbors namely Silver Lake, Elysian Valley, Chinatown and Elysian Park the Echo Park Lake is a secret gem that you cannot miss. This lake feels like a natural haven where you can cruise on a photogenic swan boat, take in the indigenous art scene and stroll amidst native plants and wildlife. You must visit this park lake to enjoy the views of lush foliage, swans, wild geese, expansive beds of lotus flowers and to nosh on savory and sweet treats from the Beacon Café

Location: Los Angeles, CA 90026
Price: USD 4 for adults; USD 2 for children; USD 6 per vehicle carrying 8 people

10. Visit Warner Bros. Studio: If you are looking forward to an unforgettable vacation, you need to have an inside look and tour at the Warner Bros Studio. The studio features some of the most outstanding attractions where you get access to interactive exhibits, renowned sound stages and locations of your favorite TV and film shows. Do not miss the two-hour tour that includes a stop at the sets of DC Universe: The Exhibit, and the ever popular sitcom Friends.

Location: 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505, United States

Timing: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Price: 70.35 USD

1. Go Scuba Diving at the LA coast: Meander through the kelp forests of Catalina Island by indulging in one of the most delightful activities to do in Los Angeles. You get to take multiple dives off LA’s coastline with the playful sea lions for company.

2. Bring out the inner batman in you and go paragliding at Malibu: If you have not tried skydiving yet, then you have reason enough to try its slightly gentler cousin. No, you will not have to jump off a plane or glide off a mountain, but tied to a parachute you get to indulge in one of the fearless things to do in Los Angeles, and that’s paragliding. The 30-minute ride over iconic mountains and beaches will make you dumbstruck.

3. SkyDive near Bakersfield: If you are a fervent thrill seeker, you simply cannot miss one of the most savage things to do in Los Angeles and that is skydiving. You get to chase your ultimate adrenaline high near Bakersfield with one of the best skydiving centers.

4. Belay and climb rocks at Stoney Point Park: One of the bravest things to do in Los Angeles is to head to the popular location of Stoney Point Park and to hike, boulder and rock climb the natural rock outcrops.

5. Blast clay with skeet shooting: One of the most action-packed things to do in Los Angeles is to mount shotguns and shoot at moving clay targets. Unless you try this sport you will never understand the joy of obliterating your first flying clay disk, just like a movie star.

1. Hydrobiking: One of the most Los Angeles things to do is to experience the hydrobiking thrill. You will feel like you are riding a bike but in water. What’s more fun is that you can halt and set out to picnic on the Bay of Alamitos before continuing your hydrobiking.

2. Snorkeling: One of the most fun activities to do in Los Angeles is to experience and witness aquatic life. All you have to do is jump down Catalina Island’s waters to watch exotic and stunning fishes swim past you. Your snorkeling instructors can dive further down to catch sightings of lobsters and starfishes from close.

3. Parasailing: Parasailing is one of the superb activities to do in Los Angeles as you get to make the most of the bird’s eye views of soaring above the waters, attached to a parachute. The feeling of rising 500 feet above the ground, and soaking in the sweeping views of the city, is a whole new adventure in itself.

4. Dragon boat ride: Paddle away in the LA waters by undertaking one of the most powerful activities to do in Los Angeles. The exciting sport of dragon boating requires you to row the boat with all your strength and explore the lake of Castaic.

5. Surfing: For those that love to take a dip whenever they see stunning beaches, one of the most enticing Los Angeles things to do is hop on a surfboard, and ride the truly epic waves of the Windansea Beach. The inviting waters of the LA beaches let you make the most of the peaky waves and the balmy shore.

By Air: You can reach Los Angeles by boarding a flight from any of the metropolises. The quickest one-stop flight will take around 19 hours while some airlines with multiple stopovers and varying waiting durations can take 43 hours. Therefore, after traversing a distance of 13,663 kilometers from an Indian airport, you reach the Los Angeles International Airport.

The best time to visit Los Angeles is from March-May as the temperature is pleasant during this time. You must avoid the summer season (June-August) as it gets extremely crowded during this time. However, the months after August, that is September-November is also an ideal time to visit because the air is breathable and there are less oppressive crowds.

The ethnic diversity, cultures, festivals, freeways, beaches, hillside living and Hollywood make LA supremely famous. You will love Malibu and Manhattan beaches for the endless sunshine they receive. The Hollywood Halloween Carnival is one of the iconic festivals that make people flock to LA. LA is hugely popular for the scene it has to offer, right from burgers to ribs as well as Beverly Hills where you can engage in some high-end window shopping.

LA is completely worth visiting for the sunny skies, a vibrant cultural scene, iconic landmarks, hiking trails and for the art at Getty Center. The film and cultural festivals, and the incredible live music scene also make LA worth visiting.

Los Angeles is one of the safest places to visit because it is well policed, clean and rich. The plenty of museums and beautiful beaches make it a safe and clean holiday destination. However, you must still exercise precautions by not walking around streets after dark wearing jewelry or carrying too much cash.

Five days would be perfect for an LA trip. If you are a beach baby then the first day you could explore the beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu. Welcome the second day with a happening visit to Hollywood and Melrose Place. To feel the cultural buzz you can explore the fantastic suburb of Downtown LA and enjoy the thrills of a Theme Park like Pacific Park. If you would like to feel the “glamorous” vibe then a visit to Hollywood Boulevard would be perfect besides the popular destination of Runyon Canyon. On the fifth and final day you can indulge in some shopping before you head back home.