In Partnership with Original Travel
Los Angeles in California is the home of both Hollywood and the original Disneyland, and is a vibrant and exciting destination that has something to offer for everyone.
Whether you are a beach-lover, a culture enthusiast, or a foodie, you will find plenty of things to see and do in this bustling metropolis.
First-time visitors to LA shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The Hollywood Sign, for instance, is an absolute must-see, as is one of the many studio tours, and the famous LA beaches.
One thing to consider is that Los Angeles is not a walkable city and has terrible public transport, so you’ll need to either hire a car, or get Uber’s everywhere.
Although, if the thought of doing it all by yourself makes you nervous, Original Travel have the best itineraries for a visit to Los Angeles – they’ll plan everything for you and handle all of the transportation if you don’t want to drive or use ride-share apps.
As a bespoke travel agency, they tailor the trip completely to you so you can switch out things you’ve already seen and done, and add in the more interesting things you might never have thought of on previous trips!
Griffith Observatory
If you want to learn more about the history of Hollywood, a visit to the Griffith Observatory is a great option.
Located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the observatory is a popular tourist attraction that offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding area. You can even see the Hollywood Sign from here!
Inside, you will find a range of fascinating exhibits and displays, as well as a planetarium and an impressive telescope.
Visitors can also attend live shows and presentations in the observatory’s state-of-the-art planetarium.
In addition to its scientific and educational activites, the Griffith Observatory is also a popular location for filming and has been featured in many movies and TV shows!
Explore Hollywood and see the Walk of Fame
Hollywood is a neighborhood in Los Angeles known for its association with the film industry.
The area is home to loads of iconic landmarks, such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Dolby Theatre where the Academy Awards are held, and the TCL Chinese Theatre, which is where the big movie premieres are celebrated.
There are also lots of museums and attractions in Hollywood, such as the Hollywood Museum, the Guinness World Records Museum, and the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum.
Overall, there’s no shortage of things to do and see in Hollywood, however, what I would say is to be careful and only visit during peak summer season when the weather is good.
I recently visited in the winter and it felt very different to the summer months when I visited before – I didn’t feel overly safe walking around by myself, and it was completely empty as it was raining so I was the sole tourist outside the Chinese Theatre and just had lots of random people approaching me and making me feel uncomfortable.
Of course, the most famous attraction in Hollywood is the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Stretching for over two miles along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, the Walk of Fame features more than 2,600 stars dedicated to some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
As you walk along the stars, you will come across some of the most famous names in showbiz, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson.
Santa Monica Beach
For beach-lovers, a trip to Santa Monica is a must.
I much preferred it to Venice Beach – I found Venice Beach very dirty, but Santa Monica is a little cleaner and nicer.
Located just west of downtown LA, Santa Monica is also home to the famous Santa Monica Pier, which is a great spot for enjoying the fun amusement games, and enjoying the laid-back beach culture of LA.
Once you’ve enjoyed the beach and the pier, go and grab food at The Bungalow or Elephante, two of the hottest foodie spots in Santa Monica.
There are also lots of luxury hotels around to enjoy a drink or bite to eat. Shutters on the Beach is one of the most famous, and there’s also boutique Santa Monica Proper.
Getty Center
If you want to experience the vibrant arts and culture scene of LA, a visit to the Getty Center is a must.
On my recent trip to Los Angeles I visited it for the very first time, as we didn’t visit it the previous time I was in LA.
Located in the Brentwood neighborhood near Bel-Air, the Getty Center is a world-class art museum that features an impressive collection of European and American art, as well as beautiful gardens and stunning views of the city.
I absolutely loved visiting The Getty museum, and would recommend a visit to every first-timer.
You park at the entrance, and then get a free shuttle train up to the main museum. Definitely get the train instead of walking, as it’s pretty far up a very big hill!
The museum is just incredible, I loved seeing Van Gogh’s Irises and as well as a number of paintings by Turner.
Even the design and architecture of the museum is breathtaking, and I loved how they have lots of water features dotted around the outside.
I found it super soothing and peaceful there and wish I had more time there as I could easily have spent hours just wandering around!
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Los Angeles is probably best known for being the home of the movie industry, and you can find out more about this by going on one of the studio tours.
It can be difficult to choose which studio tour to do as there are a few of them, but on our first visit to Los Angeles we chose The Warner Bros. Studio Tour and absolutely loved it!
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Los Angeles is a hugely popular attraction for fans of television and film.
The tour takes you behind the scenes of the world-famous Warner Bros. Studios, where you can see real sets, costumes, and props from your favorite movies and TV shows (we saw the set of Big Bang Theory, Pretty Little Liars, and Friends).
In addition to these displays, the tour also offers the opportunity to see how movies and TV shows are made, with demonstrations of special effects, stunts, and other aspects of production, and then there’s also more of a museum part of the tour as well which has costumes and cars and things on display.
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a must-see for anyone interested in the magic of moviemaking, and offers a unique and fascinating look at the inner workings of the entertainment industry!
I personally found it super interesting seeing the fake sets of various towns and cities, like the one in the photo below…
Visit Beverly Hills
I really like the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles.
It has great bars and restaurants, amazing shopping, feels very safe, and also has some of the most iconic sights in the city!
Visit the iconic Beverly Hills Sign, go shopping on Rodeo Drive, drink cocktails at The Polo Lounge, go for a walk around the Virginia Robinson Gardens, and see the Beverly Wilshire, which is where Pretty Woman was filmed.
Beverly Hills is also the home of celebrities. Walk down the street and you’ll spot at least one celeb (this last time I visited I casually walked past Harry Hamlin).
The best thing you can do in Beverly Hills (aside from stay at one of the luxury hotels here – I loved my stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel and still pinch myself that I actually stayed there), is take a ride on a celebrity homes tour.
It’s a guided/narrated tour that takes you around current celebrity homes as well as older homes of celebrities that have passed.
It sounds kinda stalkerish, but is weirdly fun – I loved seeing Gene Kelly’s old house! I recommend you book online with Starline Tours, which is the original celebrity homes tour company, that first started taking visitors on tours in 1935!
Spend a day at Disneyland Anaheim
I’ve been to Walt Disney World in Orlando, but I still haven’t been to the OG Disneyland Park as I’ve always been in LA for too short a time.
But if it’s your first time in LA and you have 4-5 days there, definitely spend a day at the original Disneyland!
It’s super close to the city and perfect for both thrill seekers and littler Disney fans.
Like the other Disney parks around the world, the park is divided into several different areas, each of which offers a unique theme and set of attractions.
Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, from thrilling rides and shows to more relaxing experiences, such as strolling through the park and taking in the sights and sounds, parades and fireworks.
Disneyland is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the magic of Disney in a fun and exciting way, and I am desperate to visit the next time I’m in Los Angeles!
Enjoy a night out on the town
You all know I love a night out and a cocktail bar, and in addition to its many attractions, LA is also home to a thriving nightlife scene.
Whether you want to dance the night away at a trendy nightclub or enjoy a more laid-back evening at a cozy bar or restaurant, you will find plenty of options in LA.
Some of the best places to go out at night in LA include the Rooftop Bar at the Standard Hotel, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city while you party, and The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
A favourite of mine though, is South Beverly Grill, a celebrity hotspot that serves genuinely good food and incredible cocktails, and frequently has live music playing.
I recommend going there for dinner and cocktails, then heading to The Polo Lounge for dessert – their hot fudge sundae is unbelievably good!
Los Angeles has something for everyone
Los Angeles is a vibrant and exciting city with no shortage of things to see and do.
From its world-class museums and attractions to its beautiful beaches and parks, L.A. has something for everyone.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage, soaking up the California sunshine, or experiencing the magic of Hollywood, Los Angeles has something to offer.
I’ve visited the USA a couple of times this year, and am planning to do a big trip next year to Utah, Montana, Idaho, and Nevada. I just love how each state is so different and varied – it feels like you’re visiting a different country each time.
Anyway, I have loads more content to share with you about my recent visit to LA, so keep an eye out for that over the coming weeks!
Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of Content Marketing at Amazon by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.
