With roughly 19 million people living in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, LA is a big city. For any first-time visitor, figuring out what to do and see can be a daunting task! So we’ve compiled a list of fun things to do and places to see to make your first visit to Los Angeles memorable. Bonus? These 10 things promise to be so much fun, that even if you’re meeting local Angelenos friends, they’ll want to tag along. Enjoy!
How to get to LA?
If you’re planning to visit Los Angeles, the best way to get there is by bus! You’ll save precious dollars on travel so you can spend more on fun and you won’t go through the nightmare of trying to park your car.
Check out our bus routes today!
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1. Hit the LA food trucks
First order of business: food! But not just any food. Try the best food trucks in LA, starting with a delicious taco truck.
LA Food Truck #1: Marisco Jalisco Food Truck
- Why? Because they’ve got THE best shrimp tacos in town! We don’t want to spoil the surprise, but they serve their tacos with fried shrimp and let’s be honest, you just can’t go wrong with fried shrimp.
- Other specialties… If you’re not a fan of tacos (really?), you can have some refreshing cocteles and delicious cold Mexican seafood dishes such as ceviche. The food truck also serves aguachile, yummy tostadas, mixtas and oysters—shucked in half shell or in a cup. Yes, you got that right: oysters in a food truck that are perfectly safe to eat. Bon appétit !
- Where? The Mariscos Jalisco Food Truck actually has three locations (three trucks!) in the LA area, to welcome you:
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- Food Truck #1: 3040 E. Olympic, CA 90023 LA
- Food Truck #2: 10th and Towne Ave. CA 90021 LA
- Food Truck #3: 753 Holt Ave., Pomona 91767 LA
LA Food Truck #2: Prince of Venice Food Truck
- Why? For a taste of truly authentic Italian cuisine (tastier than Nonna’s pasta!)
- Specialties… Feast on authentic, hand-made fresh pasta from various regions across Italy. Prince of Venice changes it up constantly, so even if you’re staying in LA for a couple of days, you can keep coming back for new things to try. And, if you’re renting out an Airbnb, you can even take some delectable pasta dishes and homemade sauces home with you rather than eat on the go.
- Where? Check out the Prince of Venice Food Truck website for an exact location—as their spot changes on a weekly basis!
LA Food Truck #3: Yeastie Boys Food Truck
- Why? Did anyone say “bagels”?
- Specialties… Yeastie Boys is the first food truck of its kind in Los Angeles! They serve delicious homemade bagels with classic toppings such as lox, and other spreads for every taste. And, if you’re not into bagels, they also have various yummy sandwiches that will leave you feeling just stuffed enough to move on to Fun Thing #2.
- Where? The Yeastie Boys Food Truck roams the streets of LA daily. You’ll want to check out their Instagram account before heading their way to find their exact location for the day.
2. Bring on the booze
Once you’re full from sampling the local food trucks, you’ll be in top shape to head to a brewery or wine tasting event.
Wine Tasting in LA 🍷
No need to travel to Napa, LA’s got a vast selection of wine stores that can offer you a fun experience. Here are four of the best spots to wake up your palette and get your buzz on.
The Los Angeles Wine House in West LA
The Wine House is a great place to kick off your wine tasting expedition. Spread out over some 18 thousand square feet, this awesome place holds over 6000 domestic and imported wines, spirits and beers. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned connoisseur, we’re convinced you’ll find something new and exciting to drink.
- What to do: try the LA Wine House in-store tasting. The venue offers some 30 delicious wines to taste, and they update their menu on a monthly basis to keep you coming back.
- Where to go: The LA Wine House is located at 2311 Cotner Ave. You can get in touch with them at (310)-479-3731.
The Blending Lab Winery
Located in the heart of LA, the Blending Lab Winery offer a different experience. They source their grapes from various vineyards in California and make their own wines on the premises.
- What to do: Learn how to blend wine in the Winery’s special classes! They’ll teach you about the various grapes you can work with and you can even create a unique blend to take home with you.
- Where to go: The Blending Lab Winery is located at 7948 W 3rd St., LA. You can get in touch with them at (323) 424-4051.
Beer Tasting in LA 🍻
Like most big cities nowadays, Los Angeles has a burgeoning craft beer scene. Here are two places beer lovers won’t want to miss out on.
Angel City Brewery
Praised by beer fans since 1997, the Angel City Brewery is a staple of the local beer scene.
- What to do: get a taste of the in-house brews and discover their limited edition beers! The venue offers a rotating lineup, so you can try something new every time you hit the brewery.
- Where to go: The Angel City Brewery is located at 216 S Alameda St., LA. You can get in touch with them at (213) 622-1261.
Highland Park Brewery
Last but not least, try the Highland Park Brewery. Watch out—the brewery has two locations but one is dedicated to production and does not welcome any guests. Head to the Chinatown brewery to visit the tasting room.
- What to do: enjoy the 20 beers on tap—with your children or even your dog. The tasting room is equipped with a patio and a full-food menu to ensure you have a great time and stand upright long enough to sample all the beers.
- Where to go: The Highland Park Brewery is located in 1220 N Spring St., LA. You can get in touch with them at (213) 878-9017.
3. Go wild
Outdoor buffs, Los Angeles is a great destination if you’re into hiking. And once you’ve fully discovered the food trucks and booze scene, you’ll be happy to walk off the extra pounds. Here are two great spots you shouldn’t miss while you’re in LA.
Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon is one of the most popular hiking spots in LA. With a 130-acre dog-friendly area, it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re travelling with a furry friend (after the Highland Park Brewery, of course). The hiking trails are wide and there are both paved fire roads and dirt roads to walk on.
- Perks: As you’re hiking, enjoy the view on the Hollywood Sign!
- Insider Tip: Runyon Canyon is a very popular destination, so if you’re looking for peace and quiet, you might want to reconsider.
- Where: Runyon Canyon Park is located on the east end of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Angeles National Forest
Heaven for hikers, mountain bikers, and even campers, the Angeles National Forest is a great place to head to enjoy some time out in the wilderness. And, it’s easily accessible, since it’s located a quick 30 minute from downtown LA.
- Perks: the LA National Forest has with endless trails and breathtaking views of the San Gabriel Mountains.
- Insider Tip: make sure you check the difficulty level before picking a route. The Angeles National Forest offers both leisure and expert trails, so you’ll find happiness whether you’re looking for a leisurely walk or a challenging exercise.
- Where: located in the heart of the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, just 30 minutes North of Los Angeles and Pasadena.
4. Cheer on local teams
Sports fans, be sure to check out the action in LA, with no less than 11 major league sports team. Indeed, LA offers a lot of pro sports entertainment throughout the entire year. The Staples Centre, which is located in Downtown LA, hosts the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers & Los Angeles Clippers as well as the NHL’s LA Kings. You can also catch a baseball game at Dodger Stadium, the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The city is also the home to the LA Galaxy, the winningest franchise in Major League Soccer. If you love pro sports, you’re going to love LA! Pick your favourite sport and go cheer on the local team.
- Basketball Lover? Check out the Clippers or the Lakers at the Staples Centre! Regular season runs from October to April and if you’re lucky and one of the teams makes the playoffs, you might be able to catch a game even in June. The Basketball Scene in LA also features a women’s team playing in the WNBA. Be sure to give some love to the LA Sparks if you’re around between May and September.
- Hockey Supporter? Again, options are on your side. Pick a team and cheer on the Los Angeles Kings or the Anaheim Ducks between October and April… And perhaps even June if they make the playoffs.
- Football Freak? Yes, you got that right: NFL Football is back in Los Angeles! Check out the Los Angeles Chargers, newly returned from San Diego in 2017. Season runs from September to January.
- Baseball Buff? Plenty to see for baseball fans in LA! Choose from two teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers or Los Angeles Angels and follow up to 162 games (per team!), from March to September.
- Soccer Groupie? The LA Galaxy and new addition Los Angeles FC are now both playing in the MLS. Don’t miss out!
5. Lounge on the beach
Simply put, visiting Los Angeles without hitting the beach is missing out on one of its best features. LA’s got many beaches to choose from, starting with these three gorgeous spots.
Venice Beach
Best for: people watching, sampling the local food scene, roller skating, skateboarding and playing hoops.
Yes, Venice Beach is quite the tourist attraction but still worth a visit. There are so many things to do and the people-watching scene is quite exquisite. The beach is definitely busy and crowded, which at times can seem chaotic—but it has a fantastic boardwalk with an amazing food scene.
Manhattan Beach
Best for: family time, easy access from LA’s centre, ideal for swimming and surfing.
Located in the middle of the city, Manhattan Beach is quite urban. Filled with restaurants, cafés and bars, the area is lively. The beach benefits from plenty of beach volleyball courts and is awesome to surf or go for a swim!
El Matador State Beach
Best for: a secluded and natural setting, exploring the trails and taking magical pictures that will surely make your friends jealous.
Located a bit further up the coast from LA, the El Matador State Beach is definitely one of the most picturesque beaches in the region. If you need a little shade from time to time, you’ll enjoy resting near the massive rocks or exploring north towards the secret sea caves.
6. Fuel your inner geek
If you’re a culture addict, you’ll be happy to know that Los Angeles has an abundance of museums, galleries and exhibitions for you to wander. Explore these three venues to sample a little bit of everything.
Getty Centre
Art aficionados rejoice! The Getty Center hosts an outstanding collection of classic and modern art, along with photography and stunning architecture.
Good to know: admission is free—but parking is not, so best get there via public transport.
California Science Centre
The Science Centre in LA is a great destination for the whole family. The space is divided into four sections with different exhibits: one on ecosystems, another on the creative world, one on the world of life and best of all, one on air and space.
Good to know: the venue is open seven days a week, 362 days per year and admission for the permanent exhibits is free!
The Broad
Contemporary art from the 1950s is definitely worth the detour. Located in downtown Los Angeles, the Broad presents an extensive collection of contemporary art featuring some 2000 pieces from 200 different artists.
Good to know: general admission is free, but it’s best to book your tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in line. You may also have to pull out your wallet to access temporary exhibitions or special events.
7. Jolt your senses
If you’re an adventure junkie, you might be craving more than a hike and some beach fun. Not to worry, LA’s got plenty of exciting things for you to get your quota. Start with these two fun things to get your blood flowing.
Rock Climbing @ Rock N Rope Adventures
Whether you’re flying solo or with some friends, you can experience rock climbing at Rock N Rope Adventures! Their playground is spread out over the Los Angeles area and destinations include Malibu, Joshua Tree National Park, Alabama Hills and much more.
Insider Tip: book a half-day or full-day tour depending on your schedule.
Exploring @ the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Looking for a different kind of thrill? Get spooked at one of the oldest cemeteries in LA! You might even encounter some celebrities… Underground.
Insider Tip: To liven up the scene, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts community events, with live music and even summer movie screenings. Check out their events calendar.
8. Go glamorous
If you really want to get to know LA, you’ve got to check out the bar scene. Rock out in the best bars and get your glitz on in local clubs. To party it up, your best bet is to hit West Hollywood—or head downtown.
Wild Wild West Hollywood Spots
West Hollywood is a trendy area known for its nightlife and party scene. Enjoy live music or immerse yourself in the LGBTQ+ community in one of the numerous bars and clubs to choose from.
- Where to go? If you’re overwhelmed, simply stroll down Santa Monica Boulevard. The stretch between La Cienega and Doheny houses a good number of fabulous party places to stop by. You can also head north of Sunset Boulevard to WeHo Heights, where you’ll find the coolest gay bars and clubs.
- Good to know: Don’t dwell on when—these places will be packed with party people any night of the week!
Nightlife in Downtown LA
Like most big cities, much of the nightlife scene is happening downtown. Los Angeles is no exception to the rule, with a selection ranging from super casual bars to chill with your friends to riotous clubs to dance the night along. Our favourite addresses include:
- The Bootie LA @ 428 S Hewitt St—a Bootie Mashup spinoff originated in San Francisco in 2003. Their LA Venue hosts the best all-mashup dance parties with awesome mixing and matching songs.
- The La Cita Bar @ 336, S Hill St, between 3rd and 4th—for some Latin flavour and live music or DJ. Open seven nights a week, this hot location features daily happy hour specials and promises to keep you on your toes all night long!
9. Live it up with some live music
If you enjoy live music, LA has multiple venues you’ll want to check out. Among these, the usual bars and clubs, but also theatres and arenas to get the full experience. Be sure to discover these two:
- El Rey Theater @ 5515 Wilshire Blvd—an art-deco theatre located in the heart of the Miracle Mile, one of Los Angeles’ must-visit districts. This standing room is general admission, so all ages are welcome—and they have shows almost every night. Check out their calendar to see what they’re playing when you’re in town!
- The Sayers Club @ 1645 Wilcox Ave—never before experienced live entertainment featuring a diverse program, in an intimate setting with a living room vibe. Events take place Thursday through Saturday and you can take a look at their calendar online beforehand.
10. Spot your favourite celebrities
You just cannot experience LA without gawking at the celebrities. Do a classic celebrity spotting tour with a group, or play paparazzi on your own.
Celebrity Spotting Tours
You’ve guessed it—there are hundreds of organized tours dedicated to celebrity spotting in LA. If you go that route, try the TMZ Tours or the Ultimate Hollywood Tours.
Go Rogue
If you’re not a fan of organized tours, there are three places where you’re almost sure to spot a celebrity.
- #1—The LAX Airport—didn’t think of that one, did you? But yes, celebrities are always travelling so your chances of running into a hotshot are pretty good.
- #2—The Jimmy Kimmel Live Studios @ 6840 Hollywood Boulevard—as they arrive or leave the studio to film shows, celebrities are often spotted, waving at the crowds. Join the lot!
- #3—The TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX—check out a movie premiere or attend a red carpet event at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX! Just make sure you arrive early since the best spots are taken fast.
Inspired? Let us know what fun things we missed out on by commenting below!