Things to Do in Los Angeles

Culture, sports, fashion and fun-and-sun are all part of the package. Fascinating and diverse neighborhoods wedge beside one another, with famous landmarks, entertainment venues or just eclectic charm. Dip into these areas at least once during your trip to Southern California.

Westside Wonders

The Westside spans 101 square miles of Los Angeles' most fabled attractions, including all those golden beaches. Cruise the coast with sunshine on your shoulders and old Beach Boys songs on the radio for the quintessential So-Cal adventure. Stop to stroll along Santa Monica Pier, skate Venice Beach's Ocean Front Walk and surf in Manhattan Beach or Malibu.

When you've had enough sand in your shoes, plunge into the Beverly Hills world of drama and wealth. Window shop along the palm-lined sidewalks of Rodeo Drive. Explore Wilshire Boulevard's Museum Row, including the fabulous Los Angeles County Museum of Art, then pick up a picnic lunch at the historic Farmers Market. Tour UCLA's Franklin Murphy Sculpture Garden to admire works by Henry Moore and Gaston Lachaise.

Downtown Delights

Downtown L.A. isn’t one neighborhood, it's a group of walkable enclaves—some glamorous, some gritty—with a dizzying array of can't-miss experiences for your family to enjoy. Savor the diversity of cultures as you nibble your way through Downtown's neighborhoods: Chinatown, Little Tokyo and El Pueblo de Los Angeles.

In a different section of Downtown, the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA offers the best of modern art collections, while architecture buffs will gasp at the geometrical beauty of the massive Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. If you head down Broadway, you'll find faded, golden-years glory only in the majestic buildings and their marquees. The famous theaters are gone, making way for a bustling Latino shopping area complete with mariachi music blaring from stores.

What to Visit in the Valley

Ready for a 3-D King Kong adventure? Jurassic Park dinosaurs spouting fire? Head to Universal Studios in San Fernando Valley, arriving early enough to beat the crowds. From the tour tram, catch glimpses of productions in progress plus staged scenes from "King Kong," "Jaws," "Psycho" and "Jurassic Park."

Next walk the Universal CityWalk—a three-block entertainment promenade full of Southern California architecture in caricature. Its 5,000 LED lights and powerful sound system create the buzzing energy that yells "L.A." Admire the Great Wall of Los Angeles, one of the world's longest murals, created by artist Judith Baca and hundreds of high school students. It offers an underdog's view of California history.

Eastside Happenings

If you’re looking for a break from museums or historic landmarks, you’ll love the Eastside. Hip Silver Lake is home to artists, writers and musicians. Catch a show at the Satellite, a sprawling dive considered the leading L.A. shrine to all things indie. Jog around the Silver Lake Reservoir and, if you arrive in late summer, catch the Sunset Junction Street Fair for a rollicking time with incredible music, art and food.

Enjoy the friendly neighborhood feel of Los Feliz, home to early movie studios. Take a walking tour to ogle some of the county's best-known residential architecture, including two homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

What do writer Ayn Rand, actor Leonardo DiCaprio and film director John Huston have in common? They all lived in the Echo Park neighborhood of LA. Rent paddle boats to traverse the park's central lake, or catch live music at any of the great venues like the Echo or Echoplex.

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