30 Los Angeles attractions for tourists and natives alike

The vista from the Griffith Observatory is stunning, particularly at night when the whole of Los Angeles twinkles below you. Inside this hilltop landmark, which celebrated its 90th birthday last year, you’ll find a selection of free exhibits—including a Foucault pendulum and a Tesla coil—as well as ticketed planetarium shows ($12). Give yourself plenty of time before the 10pm closing to line up and gaze through the 12-inch refracting telescope on the roof. Otherwise, don’t worry: You can look through the far less crowded modern, reflecting telescopes often set up on the front lawn.

Time Out tip: Parking in the congested lot and along the hill now costs about $10 per hour—but you can take a DASH bus up there for only 35 cents with a TAP card.

Timed reservations required on weekends (Fri–Sun), holidays and during peak seasons.

Bequeathed by railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington, this splendid library, art collection and botanical garden now makes for one of the most enjoyable attractions in the Los Angeles area. Between the library holdings, the art and the sublime outdoor spaces, there’s easily enough to see at this San Marino space to fill an entire afternoon—indeed, it’s definitely best taken at a leisurely pace rather than any sort of mad dash. From a Gutenberg Bible to an exquisitely landscaped rose garden, from Thomas Gainsborough’s iconic Blue Boy painting to the transporting Chinese garden, pretty much every inch of the estate’s grounds and collection is essential (including newer additions like the renovated tea room and a restored Japanese house).

Time Out tip: Book a visit for tea, then take advantage of the chance to apply your ticket cost toward an annual membership, so you can come back and see the gardens in all seasons. (Visiting in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom is a must.)

Operating on the ground floor of the iconic Homer Laughlin Building since 1917, this European-style food hall is a true Los Angeles mainstay. Even if you’re not hungry, you should definitely still come; people from all corners of L.A. mingle and mix among rows of spices, produce and vintage neon signage. And if you are hungry, then boy have you come to right place: Get yourself some affordable pupusas, carnitas tacos and aguas frescas, or food from trendy eateries like Sticky Rice, Broad Street Oyster Co., Shiku, Eggslut and the Donut Man.

Time Out tip: GCM is the only place outside of Highland Park where you can find a Villa’s Tacos, the onetime roadside stand which is now on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list. Order the Villa’s Trio for some of the best tacos you’ll ever eat.

Since first opening at its prime location in the Hollywood Hills way back in 1922, this stunning open-air amphitheater has been regularly featured on both the big and small screen, and has welcomed most major musical acts of the past century to its stage. When there isn’t a concert on—primarily during winter and spring—members of the public can visit at any time for free. But if you do want to see some live concert action—and really, why wouldn’t you?—we’d strongly advise you to take along a picnic when you go to see the LA Philharmonic or one of the many stellar pop acts that drop by over the summer. But the on-site dining options from James Beard Award–winning chef Suzanne Goin are a pretty great option, as well.

Time Out tip: While you can bring your own alcohol for LA Phil–presented shows, note that it’s not allowed for lease events. And don’t try driving to a show: There are even fewer parking spots now, so you’ll want to opt for a shuttle instead, which makes for an all-around easier experience.

Timed tickets recommended.

It feels like it’s taken no time at all for Chris Burden’s Urban Light (an outdoor art installation made up of 202 cast-iron street lamps that have been sourced from around L.A. and carefully repaired so they work again) to become one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. But it would be a shame if you only visited the museum’s Instagram-friendly installation; step inside and you’ll find LACMA’s collections boast Modernist masterpieces, large-scale contemporary works and consistently terrific special exhibitions. And after nearly two decades of planning, five years of construction and $724 million, LACMA’s eagerly anticipated David Geffen Galleries are finally open to visitors, located inside a massive Peter Zumthor–designed concrete structure that crosses Wilshire Boulevard like a bridge. 

Time Out tip: From May through September, beloved L.A. tradition Jazz at LACMA presents free live music just behind Urban Light every Friday night. Get there (super) early to snag a seat, or you can bring a picnic for the lawn.

What we now call the Getty Villa (which is also absolutely worth a visit) was the decades-long Pacific Palisades home for the J. Paul Getty Trust’s huge art collection. But that all changed in 1997, when the Getty Center opened in Brentwood. It’s a truly distinctive building, a remarkable complex of travertine and white metal-clad pavilions. Inside, you’ll find ornate French furniture, famous Impressionist pieces and a series of rotating exhibitions. It’s not exactly the most accessible of locations (you’ll need to ride a tram up the hill), but when you get there it’s more than compensated for by the astonishing views, which run from the hills and ocean in the west all the way across to Downtown in the east. Pack a picnic (but leave the alcohol at home) and stake out a spot on the lawn next to the labyrinthine Central Garden—it’s the perfect place to watch the sun set over the ocean.

Time Out tip: Plan a visit to the museum before March 2027, when the Getty Center will close for improvements—including a renovated Welcome Hall, modernized galleries and upgraded tram—until 2028.

Although the rides at Universal Studios Hollywood’s hillside theme park don’t offer Disneyland’s old-time charm or the sheer terror inspired by Six Flags Magic Mountain’s coasters, the resort nonetheless offers some very respectable thrills and an illusion of Hollywood glamour as it brings various blockbusters to life. And there are definitely some real standouts: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter remains a magical experience, and in the lower lot, Jurassic World: The Ride breathes some new life into a dinosaur-filled classic, and more recent addition Super Nintendo World is an immersive, colorful delight. Keep an eye out for progress on the park’s first outdoor roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, due this summer.

Time Out tip: Just outside the gates, you’ll find shopping and dining destination CityWalk, whose tenants include L.A.’s first-ever Hello Kitty cafe, the West Coast’s first NBA flagship and an AMC with an excellent IMAX screen.

Free timed tickets recommended.

Three words: Infinity Mirror Rooms. Downtown’s persistently popular contemporary art museum has two of Yayoi Kusama’s immersive, mirror-laden rooms (and you can book a reservation for its most spectacular one in advance now). Elsewhere in the free museum, Eli and Edythe Broad’s collection of 2,000 post-war works includes artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, Jeff Koons and Kara Walker. The Broad’s permanent collection alone is worth a visit, but the museum also regularly hosts excellent special exhibitions (which require paid tickets, except for on Thursday evenings). And a new museum building is in the works, which will expand gallery space by about 70% and add a rooftop courtyard. That’s due to open in time for the 2028 Olympics.

Time Out tip: If you want a double dose of contemporary art, you can head across the street to the also-free MOCA Grand Avenue.

The focal point of the iconic Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Pier is bursting with fun (and crowded) things to do. Its charming amusement park, Pacific Park, boasts a very photogenic Ferris wheel (the only solar-powered one of its kind), a roller coaster, fairground games, a creepy clown-themed funhouse, an arcade and cotton candy stands. You’ll also find a historic carousel, restaurants and, downstairs, the Heal the Bay Aquarium. On weekends when the weather’s warm, the stretch is busy with families, beach bums and the gym bunnies who do their public workouts at the original Muscle Beach, just to the south of the pier.

Time Out tip: The pier’s popular appeal in summertime is obvious, but from September to May, the boardwalk fills with a free car show, live music and art exhibits every third Thursday for Locals’ Night.

The $274-million crown jewel of the Music Center, Disney Hall opened back in 2003 to wild acclaim. Now, 23 years on, the novelty hasn’t worn off: Inside and out, this is a terrific venue. Designed by Frank Gehry, the hall is the home of the LA Philharmonic and the LA Master Chorale, but the schedule is surprisingly varied throughout the year. The complex also houses the 250-seat Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater, which stages more experimental fare. 

Time Out tip: If you have an hour to spare, spend some time exploring the venue’s serene rooftop garden, which you get to by climbing along the building’s lustrous exterior.

Time Out recently named the TCL Chinese Theatre the greatest movie theater in the world. Nevertheless, that’s not why most people flock there. No, the throngs are out for the hand- and/or foot imprints of around 200 major Hollywood stars immortalized in cement in the forecourt. If you actually are seeing a movie there, then just barge through the crowds of snap-happy tourists measuring their own extremities against the likes of John Wayne’s and Judy Garland’s. It really is worth catching a flick inside, though, since the ornate auditorium is as stunning as the IMAX screen’s projection quality.

Time Out tip: The historic theater is attached to a six-screen multiplex; you’ll want to ignore those and splurge on the main theater (listed online as Auditorium 7), which typically shows a single blockbuster at a time. You should also look across the street to see what’s playing at the El Capitan—it’s the best place to see a Disney movie.

Originally created in 1923, the sign, which back then said “Hollywoodland,” was an advertisement that was only supposed to be up for a year and a half. Yet here it is, over a century later, one of the city’s most iconic sights. Actually getting up close and personal to the Hollywood Sign is not as easy as you might think: It’s often a contentious issue, thanks to the objections of local homeowners. On Beachwood Drive, though, you can catch a dead-on glimpse of the sign, or again farther up the hill close to Lake Hollywood Park.

Time Out tip: To truly get up close and personal with the sign, you can go horseback riding at Sunset Ranch or lace up for a hike along the dirt road on Mt. Lee Drive—eventually you’ll find yourself standing directly above the Hollywood Sign, with a jaw-dropping 360-degree view of the city.

People the world over know Rodeo Drive from Julia Roberts’s famous shopping spree in the film Pretty Woman. And they’ll probably have learned from the movie that not many people can afford to buy from its dazzling array of high-end designers. Window-shopping, then, is the order of the day for most on this famous Beverly Hills street. Along picturesque Two Rodeo—the $200-million faux cobbled walkway—browsing tourists mingle with serious spenders.

Time Out tip: Just a hop away from Rodeo is Anderton Court, the only shopping center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his last Los Angeles project. It was recently restored and now houses Givenchy’s West Coast flagship.

Timed tickets recommended.

The history of moviemaking finally has a home in Los Angeles with the arrival of the Academy Museum. The collection includes a rotating display of the sorts of cinematic treasures you’d expect from the people who put on the Oscars (and yes, you can hold one of the statuettes yourself): the sole surviving shark from Jaws and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, among many others—plus a photo op behind the Godfather desk. And thanks to the consistently exciting exhibition schedule, you just might catch a show dedicated to one of your favorite films, filmmakers, movie stars or studios. Check out our full guide to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Time Out tip: In addition to its collections, the museum is also home to two movie theaters—including the 1,000-seat Geffen Theater in that giant glassy sphere you drive by on Fairfax. Screenings are often supplemented by talks from famous filmmakers. And the best part? Tickets are only $10, way less than you’d pay at AMC. 

Venice Beach is actually a pretty good beach: The sand is soft, the beach big, with postcard views of the mountainous coastline. However, people-watching is unquestionably the raison d’être here. Expect attention-grabbing street performers along the sort-of-grimy Venice Boardwalk, skateboarders practicing tricks at the skatepark, and pumped-up gym obsessives working out at Muscle Beach. Street parking is usually jammed, but there are several beachside lots.

Time Out tip: For a completely different side of Venice, take a stroll through the idyllic, Italy-inspired Venice Canals (hence the neighborhood’s name). And nearby, Abbot Kinney offers some of the best shopping and dining in Los Angeles.

Book a Segway tour of the beach.

It’s very easy to forget you’re in Los Angeles when venturing through Griffith Park. Where else could you encounter canyons, caves and coyotes in the middle of a city, as you get lost in the mix of native chaparral and landscaped paths? The formidable Griffith is a point of pride for L.A. natives, a park to rival all others. In addition to the aforementioned Observatory, its 4,210 rugged acres also include hikes and trails, a zoo, picnic areas, the Greek Theatre, the Autry Museum, a trailside cafe…and even a bit of haunted history.

Time Out tip: Head to the Fern Dell Trail for a shady, easy stroll that feels more like you’re in a fairy tale forest than a mere stone’s throw from Los Feliz Boulevard. For a more immersive experience, download composer Ellen Reid”s “SOUNDWALK” app, which will provide a site-specific soundtrack to your Griffith Park saunter.

Putting in the extra miles for your beach trip is well worth it: You’ll be rewarded with a clean, wide patch of sand and surf at Zuma. This Malibu beach can hold crowds, with plenty of on-site parking (pay at the lot or for free along PCH) and lifeguards on duty. It’s a popular spot on weekends and holidays for both locals and destination beach-goers. Visiting surfers can catch some waves at this sandy beach break, however the waves tend to close out, making this a perfect spot for boogie boarders and body surfers. 

Time Out tip: While you’re out here, head over to nearby Point Dume for idyllic hiking and repelling on its iconic rock face—as well as wildflowers during the spring.

Reservations required.

The venerable resort is actually comprised of two main parks: the 71-year-old Disneyland Park and the much newer Disney California Adventure, which opened its doors in 2001. Semantics aside, this themed resort is a winner with tourists and locals alike. You’ll find all your favorite characters here—including at Star Wars-themed Galaxy’s Edge (which recently welcomed Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke and Leia) and the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus—along with a clutch of super fun rides and pricey food and drinks. There’s not really a good time to go to avoid the crowds—it’s always busy, especially around Christmas—so you might need a bit of patience to appreciate the magic.

Time Out tip: If you haven’t been to the pair of parks in a while, you should consult our updated guides to the best Disneyland rides and best Disneyland food, and brush up on some of our essential Disneyland tips before your visit.

Oil heiress and philanthropist Aline Barnsdall purchased this charming little hill shortly after the First World War, and—as wealthy people did back then—engaged Frank Lloyd Wright to build her some buildings at its summit. Though the full intended complex was never actually completed, the handsome Hollyhock House was. A century later, the site still hosts exhibitions in a variety of different gallery spaces, as well as tours of Wright’s structure (which is now the city’s sole UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Time Out tip: In the summer, the park hosts Friday Night Wine Tastings, which are one of the most pleasant ways to spend a sunny evening in L.A. Sip offerings from Silverlake Wine till sunset, and buy a ticket and tour the house while you’re there.

Site of both past and future Olympic Games (in 2028, the L.A. Memorial Coliseum will become the first venue to host the opening ceremony and track and field events in three different Olympics), Exposition Park still stands as one of L.A.’s most significant institutions. You’ll find green spaces scattered around the USC-adjacent property, but the most charming section is the fragrant Rose Garden. If you’re up for the museum shuffle, scope out the California African American Museum and kid-friendly California Science Center (both free), as well as the excellent Natural History Museum. 

Time Out tip: The long-awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will join the array of institutions in September, and in November, the California Science Center will open its Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center expansion, where you can see Space Shuttle Endeavour in launch position.

Book an admission ticket for the Natural History Museum and more local attractions here.

The very term “L.A. mall” might seem synonymous with bland, air-conditioned structures that you probably have no real desire to seek out as a shopping destination. But this upscale open-air center is no ordinary mall. There are only around 50 retailers, but the selection is strong (Apple, Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble, lululemon, Ray-Ban, Gucci, Vince and Revolve), and there’s also a decent AMC movie theater, a dancing fountain and restaurants including a second location of steakhouse American Beauty and its Win-dow smashburger stand. 

Time Out tip: Make sure to head next door to the Original Farmers Market, a beloved L.A. attraction that’s hosted mom-and-pop eateries and food vendors since the ’30s.

Yes, you have to fight through massive crowds, suspect superheroes and never-ending gift shops, tattoo parlors and lingerie stores to actually get to it. But there’s genuinely a lot of old Hollywood history and glamour (along with some head-scratchers) to discover along the Walk of Fame. The veritable constellation of names immortalized on those famous five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars run from the Walk’s western end at the Hollywood and La Brea Gateway right up to the Pantages Theatre at Gower, and additionally on Vine from the Capitol Records Building down to Sunset, near where the original movie studios sprang up a century ago. 

Time Out tip: While you’re here, walk in the footsteps of A-listers at the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards (through 2028, at least). Or give yourself a break from the commotion and duck inside the historic Hollywood Roosevelt for a drink.

Originally built in 1909 for David B. Gamble, one of the heirs of the Procter & Gamble fortune, this elegant house remains one of the finest examples of both the Arts and Crafts movement and architects Charles and Henry Greene’s masterful handiwork. Now open to the public as a National Historic Landmark, the Gamble House offers exceptional programming, with guided tours that focus on things like the art of glass or the details and joinery in the house.

Time Out tip: Guided tours of the house start at $20, and while they’re well worth the price of admission, during two annual events—ArtNight Pasadena and Museums of the Arroyo Day—the house is typically open for free self-guided tours.

Running down Third Street from Wilshire Boulevard to Colorado Avenue, the three-block pedestrianized stretch that makes up Third Street Promenade is a pleasant parade of mostly familiar brand names (with more noticeably vacant storefronts in recent years). But there are a few recent highlights: Holey Moley Golf Club, a mini-golf lounge designed to help you embrace your inner child, is a fun way to spend an evening. And the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Pizzeria is serving up ’90s nostalgia and surprisingly great pizza. There’s also now an ordinance in effect that’s created an “Outdoor Entertainment Zone” at the Promenade, meaning you can stroll around freely with cocktails in the evening.

Time Out tip: The Wednesday-morning farmers’ market, a favorite of local chefs, is legendary—well worth a visit if you can possibly make it. At the Promenade’s southern end is the open-air Santa Monica Place shopping center, which now boasts a location of Din Tai Fung.

Note: The indoor museum is closed for renovations through 2028. The outdoor pits remain open and free to visit. 

Back in 1875, a group of amateur paleontologists discovered animal remains in the tar pits at Rancho La Brea, which bubbled with asphalt from a petroleum lake under what is now Hancock Park. And they never really left: A century and a half later, paleontologists (professionals now) are still working away here, having extracted many millions of fossils from the mire in the intervening years. A lot of these specimens can typically be seen in the delightfully old-fashioned on-site museum—though that’s now closed for renovations until 2028, when it will reopen with the brand-new Samuel Oschin Global Center for Ice Age Research.

Time Out tip: In the meantime, the pits will still be bubbling with black goo outside—and it is absolutely free to watch paleontologists toiling away at the fossils waiting to be found as part of Project 23. Areas of Hancock Park will remain open during the renovations as well.

Visit more Los Angeles attractions.

Note: Runyon Canyon’s West Trail is closed, but all other areas are open.

Buff trainers, sweaty locals and the odd celebrity can be spotted at Runyon Canyon, the only L.A. hike that can truly be said to have its own scene going. The main loop of the bevy of hiking trails in this 160-acre park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains can get pretty crowded during peak hours (that is to say mornings and weekends). But brave the workout traffic—or simply come at a quieter time of day—and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of the city.

Time Out tip: If you’re after the panoramic vista but are absolutely determined to avoid exercise, skip the main entrance on Fuller Avenue and instead try the higher-elevation northern gate off the 7300 block of Mulholland Drive.

Speak the secret phrase to the owl sculpture in the lobby of this private club (we’re serious here), and the rest—well, we don’t want to ruin the surprises in store for visitors at this magical institution. The mansion that houses the Magic Castle is over a century old, but since 1963 it’s been the home of the Academy of Magical Arts, an exclusive organization made up of roughly 2,500 American magicians. Sorry to be cryptic, but if you can bag yourself an invite, you’re guaranteed to have a night you’ll never forget (just make sure you follow the dress code). 

Time Out tip: If you can’t find a member of the Academy to tag along with, you can stay at the adjacent Magic Castle Hotel for access. And keep an eye out for periodic Magic Castle Live on Stage shows, which are held off-site but give ticketholders a future invite to the mysterious mansion.

Italian-born tilesetter Simon Rodia lived in Watts for three decades, moving to the neighborhood when it was already ethnically mixed. By the time he left, it was widely seen as the heart of L.A.’s African American community. He left behind a remarkable legacy, having constructed Watts’s one truly iconic building: an extraordinary piece of folk art that Rodia made from nothing but found objects (salvaged metal rods, cast-off pipe structures, broken bed frames) and, as it grew upward, steel and cement to prevent interference from both neighbors and the authorities. There are 17 of them in all, the tallest stretching 99 feet into the Los Angeles sky.

Time Out tip: Peek into the adjacent Watts Towers Arts Center, cofounded in 1961 by L.A.-based artist Noah Purifoy, which still offers workshops, exhibitions by local artists and tours of the towers that will take you inside the gates (Thu–Sat 11am–noon, 2–3pm; $12 cash).

Get an up-close glimpse at the industry that made this town’s name with a peek into the sets and soundstages of L.A.’s many movie studios. Take a walk through cinema history at Sony Pictures Studios—the former MGM backlot—that’s housed productions from The Wizard of Oz to Breaking Bad. Or you can take a tram ride through the expansive faux city streets and soundstages of the Paramount and Warner Bros. studio lots—you can even step into the Friends Central Perk set at the latter. You might even get lucky and see some filming in action.

Time Out tip: Some studios, like Disney, don’t offer public tours, and for Universal Studios’, you’ll have to pay for a theme park ticket to take their tour-slash-ride. At the same time, simply being in L.A. means you’re never far from iconic locations that you’ve seen onscreen, from the Bradbury Building of Blade Runner fame to the Brady Bunch house.

If you like to have some laughs out on the town, then boy is L.A. the right place for you. On any given night, you can see a great show in one of the city’s many superlative comedy clubs. Even better, on most nights you’ll be able to track down at least one famous face testing out some new material. Whatever your taste, there’s a club for it: big-name stand-ups at the Laugh Factory, TV comics at the Comedy Store, future SNL stars at the Groundlings Theatre, rough-and-ready improv at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, unexpected drop-ins at the Improv and thriving alt comedy at Largo.

Time Out tip: A handful of relative newcomers to L.A.’s comedy club landscape are offering some of the most creative programming from buzzworthy names; check the calendars at Dynasty Typewriter, the Elysian and Baby Battista.