Top 10 Things To Do LA
Updated: Dec 29, 2022
I was born in LA
& it feels to be home. Ever since the day my family moved to Utah, I've been a gypsy roaming Earth until finally rooting back to the Gold Coast.
With 80 degree weather year round and sea salt in the air, I feel like I can really let my hair down. Every day, I live life to the fullest in LA and explore without any limitations.
There's "Hollywood" LA. Then, there's Los Angeles, California.
You may be surprised to find that there's no "Hollywood". It's
In this guide, we're going Hollywood baby and giving you the hottest thing to do in LA. If you've never been here before, here's everything you want to see and do in LA.
As a natural born Angelino & Hollywood Location Scout, I'm excited to share my favorite places in the City of Angels with you!
Top 10 Things To Do
- LA Edition -
10.
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is #10 because it’s boojie and low-key superficial. I don't like to pretend I'm so rich I can spend stupid money on Rodeo, BUT I do like to get inspired. I get inspired by the art and landscaping. The gardens, greens, and roses are all immaculate. The palm trees are so lush and the burger joint cushions are softer than my bed at home.
Popular & Iconic Sights (as seen on Instagram)!:
Rodeo Drive
Mullholland Drive
Beverly Hills Sign @ Beverly Gardens
Polo Lounge @ Beverly Hilton Hotel
Spago
Val's Favorite Beverly Hills Places:
Will Rogers Memorial Park
The Witch's House
I like to get my makeup done at Sephora, grab a cupcake from the Sprinkles ATM and drive the palm tree lined streets to Greystone Mansion. Reservations required.
There‘s a high concentration of celebrities, and even higher concentration of people pretending to be rich. *The safest place for the middle class in Beverly Hills is Greystone Mansion, The Beverly Hills Library, The Beverly Hills Sign park, and Coffee Bean.
9.
City Hall
Aka: The Superman Building
This federal building has one of the best views of LA, but beware, people are actively working here and you have to move with a purpose.
Here's how to navigate to the roof top like a boss:
Enter the building on Main St.
Pass through security (leave your knives and metal in the car)
Tell them you’re there for the 26th floor.
Take one elevator to the 22nd floor.
Change elevators (across the hall)
Take that elevator to the 26th floor.
Hike one flight of stairs
Open the doors & You're on top of the world!
360 views of downtown, Hollywood and Greater Los Angeles County. Compared to the observation deck at OUE Skyspace with tickets that cost $20-45, this is a nice free option to fly solo or impress a date. The views seen here make it easy to realize why Los Angeles is one of the most iconic cities in America.
8.
Flower District
LA Flower Mart
Who doesn't love flowers?!
BETTER YET, who doesn't love flowers at wholesale prices?! YAY!!!
Flowers! Flowers! Flowers!!!
The Flower District is a burst of color and creativity. You can really wow your wife with a dozen 18“ roses from Guatemala for $12.99 or a badass bouquet for $7-10. Ever wonder where to get a crucifix of flowers for a funeral arrangements?!
This is the place.
I love to shop at Lee's Orchids, The Los Angeles Flower Mart, or search the little side shops for $1 succulents. I’m a simple gal ; ) My patio is filled with money trees from the flower distinct and against my husband‘s better judgement, I’m looking for an excuse to go back!
7.
DTLA
The views, the shopping districts, cultural neighborhoods & City Sights
Grand Central Market. Who doesn't love food?! Grand Central Market is the “mezcla“ of food. That’s mixture for all the Gringos. You'll find every genre and smell every savory scent under the sun. I’m all for Egg Slut and any place serving cupcakes.
In the same city block, you'll find Angel's Flight (historic landmark) to the west, and the Bradbury Building (legendary film location - Bladerunner) on the east.
Olvera St. is home to the best Mexican food in Los Angeles. It's the oldest and most vibrant neighborhood in Los Angeles full of Mexican culture. Eat, shop, and enjoy the music. Come on a Saturday and be prepared to dance in the town square! There's so much color, life, delicious Mexican food and culture on Olvera St!
Watch our adventure here!
6.
Exposition Park
The California Science Center. African American Museum. Natural History Museum. Olympic Memorial . Rose Garden.Coliseum
This place is a gold mine for every one. Singletons, families, dates - every one. If you have a fascination for science, arts, and culture, this is the spot. The California Science Center offers so much to the imagination and learning of children and adults. Best of all, it's free. Right there's the King Tut exhibit that costs money, but girl I'm payin' for it! The Endeavour Spacecraft is parked here and it's home to the '88 Olympics.
5.
Hollywood Walk of Fame I'd make Walk of Fame #1, but the boulevard is crowded with stink meat carts, CD hustlers and a dark energy in desperate need to bring back Golden Era Hollywood. I like the original artists and energy, but the golden era to make a comeback. I honestly don't know what's worse... The stink meat sausage carts, the emotional trace music, or the dirty Mickey Mouse that just ruined my childhood dreams.
Go for the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Chinese Grauman's Theatre (with the cement hand and foot prints) Pantages, and El Capitan (kid friendly screenings Tuesdays at 10am).
Get lost in the magic of the stars by finding your favorite entertainer.
4.
LACMA
Los Angeles County Museum Art
There's a lot of incredible art collections in LA from The Getty, Broad, to MoCa, but I've got to give it up to LACMA. It captures the pulse of our city's expression and brings in world class exhibits.
LACMA is a mix of everything from classic to modern to contemporary works of art. The exhibits are always changing. Their permanent collections you'll find the iconic " Urban Lights". Friday nights in the summer boast free Night Jazz concerts @ The Lights.
3.
Griffith Park
Griffith Park is where Michael Meyers buried a body. It’s a film location for Halloween saga and a park named after famous Hollywood filmmaker D.W. Griffith. This park is massive and has something for everyone. There's hiking trails, the observatory, the Hollywood Sign, pony rides, playgrounds, a golf course, baseball diamonds, and even a trail with a waterfall that reminds me of Hawaii.
It's a great place to absorb Hollywood and take in the massive spread of Greater Los Angeles.
There's so much to do! There's a train and pony rides! You can take your kids to the Griffith Observatory, Travel Town Museum, Live Steamers Railroad Museum, on a pony ride, train ride or horse ride! There's so much to see and do here.
Free and open to the public.
2.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is the best place to get a firsthand look at the movie making industry. It's home to legendary film sets and Harry Potter World Hollywood!!! It's magic here.
The studio tour is a classic behind-the-scenes adventure. It has the movie sets from Back to the Future, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, War of the Worlds, Jaws and all the hit new NBC shows.
There's a replica of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade in Harry Potter World and it's just as magical as the book describes it. Tickets are $100/day and are worth it. I go here at least 1-2xs a week.
Val's Favorites:
Food:
$6 Churro
Lad-o-Lard Pink Frosting Donut
Fish & Chips @ Three Broomsticks Harry Potter World
Mother of Nature Burger & Fries @ Krusty Burger, Springfield
I'll warn you: There's something different about the rides at Universal Studios. They use this robocoaster technology that highjacks your senses. I never get sick on thrills, but here, it just makes me sick. I like to keep a low profile, people watch, take my youngin' to the playground, and visit Hello Kitty.
Hello Kitty is so cute!
You'll find classic Hollywood characters here like Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, The Simpsons, Shrek, Puss in Boots, Dora the Explorer, Beetlejuice, Frankenstein, Dracula, the cast from Despicable Me, Kung Fu Panda, Hello Kitty & more! They're everywhere!!!
1. Lay on the Beach
1. Point Dume
2. Paradise Point
3. Leo Cabrillo
4. El Matador
5. Point Mugu
#1 is always a unique geographic location, and in Los Angeles, the one thing you can't get everywhere is the beach. My favorite thing to do is lay in the sunshine and absorb the sound of the waves. I love to smell the fresh salty sea air and gaze at the horizon like nothing else exists. sunset.
Of all beaches in Los Angeles, Malibu has the most gorgeous, pristine beaches in LA. Zuma and Point Dume ($7-10 parking) are great for families. El Matador is where all the "fine art photographers" and plein air painters go. Paradise Cove has a Mediterranean beach club vibe with built in umbrellas, chairs, and cafe ($20 parking + entrance fee). It's a private beach with a nice exclusive feel.
If you want to see and be seen in a quintessential LA experience, walk the Santa Monica Pier, grab a churro and ride the Ferris Wheel at Pacific Park. It's the amusement park on the pier and the end of America's Classic Route 66. Near this beach, you'll find one of LA's Hidden Gems the Annenberg Community Beach House. It's a public space for families with a playground, picnic tables and amenities you'll find helpful at the beach. It's a great place to refresh.
Thanks for reading all the way to the end!
Here's My Google map of all the locations (hidden treasures included)!
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for more fun tips and & adventures!
Thanks for reading!
Val Douroux