Los Angeles, or the city of angels as it’s commonly referred to, is a wildly popular travel destination for domestic and international visitors, alike. It is the home to Hollywood. The center of the film universe in America. Many celebrities live there, as do many young aspiring artists with high hopes and even higher dreams. No matter what brought you to LA, there is so much to do once you’re there, it can be hard to decide where to start. Making the most out of your trip to LA though is easy enough when you take the time to learn about a few of the top destinations that are available to visit.
LA is a city full of hope, aspiration, and possibility. It also has a lot of direct access to nature, and a wide variety of outdoor activities. This also makes it a popular tourist destination, as visitors can come and partake in any number of activities.
Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park
The Griffith Observatory is one of the most iconic buildings in all of Los Angeles. It resides on the southern slope of mount Hollywood, and offers visitors grand views of the city. It also offers its patrons the best view in the whole city of another LA icon; the Hollywood sign itself. The Griffith observatory opened its doors to the public in 1935 and has seen over 85 million visitors since.
Because of its appeal to locals and tourists alike, the Griffith observatory is known for bringing a notably diverse crowd. You can find people from all over the world by making time for a stop at the Griffith observatory. This is a must for anyone who wants to see Hollywood in all its glory.
The Getty Center
The Getty center is world renowned for its collection and its architectural beauty. It is a destination for millions of visitors each and every year and offers those who pass through a whole array of different ways to interact and engage with the Getty. For art lovers, this is an obvious destination as the collection of masterpieces that has been curated is breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and truly invaluable. However, the Getty offers much more than a spectacular collection of master artwork.
The Getty also puts on free music concerts and occasional free theatre performances for attendees to enjoy. Not only that, but they also have plenty of places to set up a picnic with gorgeous views. One of the best selling points for a trip to the Getty is that it’s free. Pay for parking, or take an uber, and you won’t have to pay a dime.
Zuma Beach (Or Any Beach)
Zuma beach is one of the cleanest beaches by water-condition year over year in Los Angeles County. This, alongside the gorgeous views that will be sure to have you taking selfies, makes Zuma beach an incredibly popular beach among locals and tourists. Zuma beach offers its visitors a great location for surfing, windsurfing, and of course swimming and sunbathing as well. Though it can be known to have rough tides from time to time.
Furthermore, Zuma beach specifically is a great place to see gray whales make their winter migration each year. If you’re going to be in California, it doesn’t really matter which beach you go to, as long as you go to one.
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset boulevard is a world-famous location in Los Angeles. It connects the streets of downtown Hollywood to the private and exclusive neighborhoods of Beverly Hills. It has been featured in countless films, and there is even a film with the street’s namesake.
Sunset Boulevard is almost synonymous with the streets of Los Angeles. A trip down Sunset Boulevard is an absolute must for anyone visiting Los Angeles. It won’t even take up your full afternoon. Alternatively, if you take any tours through downtown Los Angeles, Sunset Boulevard is sure to be a featured stop due to its tourist appeal and wide fame.
Paramount Pictures Studios
Paramount Pictures studios are another very popular tourist destination in Los Angeles. Visitors can come for a tour and see any number of iconic pieces from fim history. This can be one of the coolest experiences you’ll go on if you’re a movie buff and a paramount fan in general.
Be sure to check the availability for tours before showing up though, especially in the wake of COVID-19.
Wrapping Up on Visiting LA
Even if you’re just going to be in LA for a long layover, you should consider taking advantage of the luggage storage in LAX and get out about town to see some sites. There are endless fascinating things to do in the city of Los Angeles, and it makes for a wonderful vacation city for couples, families, and even solo travelers.