Since the City of Angels has world-class food, entertainment, museums, nightlife, and, of course, multiple award-winning theme parks, it’s no surprise that nearly 50 million eager tourists visit every year. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles
Get a look behind the scenes at Hollywood studios and inside the homes of your favourite stars in the most expensive parts of Los Angeles. The thrill rides at Santa Monica Pier will give you a rush. From Griffith Park, you can see Downtown Los Angeles from above and watch a planetarium show at the observatory.
Some of the most advance virtual reality art shows, theatre shows, and games in the country let you get lost in them.
The museums are interesting, and you can go out for a supper theatre show in the evening. LA is the only place where you can eat on a pirate ship or watch a joust in a castle.
Besides the obvious, there are also some unexpecte things to do… Head out to sea for a great whale-watching trip, or walk around Little Tokyo and you’ll feel like you’ve been transport from the United States to Japan.
Los Angeles has Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles.
[lwptoc]
Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles
There are books about the thousands of places to see and things to do in Los Angeles, but you don’t have to stick to the famous streets and top attractions. You have to dig deeper to find the real soul of the city. You don’t just want to see the city, you want to feel it.
And if you want to do more than what’s written in a travel guide, you’re in the right place.
So, I made a list of the things to do in Los Angeles that you can only do once. Because there are many exciting things to do in this city. So keep reading to find out how to make the most of your trip to this great city.
You Can Also read our Article 20 BEST CITIES IN FINLAND TO VISIT IN 2023
You can walk to the Hollywood Sign.
When you go to Los Angeles, you have to get a picture in front of the Hollywood Sign. There are many trails with views of the sign (head to Griffith Observatory for easy views! ), but only one trail consistently leads to the back of the Hollywood Sign.
The only way to get close to the sign is to stand behind it and look up. It’s not clear online which trail leads there.
The best way to see the Hollywood Sign and get as close to it as possible is to take the Innsdale Trail and Mount Lee Drive. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles.
Even though the trail isn’t too hard, you should leave early enough to avoid the hot California sun.
It’s also not too hard to find a place to park. Near the trailhead, you can park on the street.
Find out what it’s like to work on a movie set
Have you ever wish you could be in movies? If so, good for you! You can have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be on a real Hollywood movie set in Los Angeles.
There are a few great studio tours, but the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is the best one. Not only does it have props and sets from shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, DC, and Harry Potter that a lot of people like, but it’s still a working set, so you might see some stars or people filming!
Or, if you go to Universal Studios Hollywood, make sure to take the Studio Tour Ride.
The ride goes through film sets with props and recreated scenes from old movies like Jaws. It also goes through a working film studio with different film sets.
WATCH THE STREET ARTISTS ON THE BOARDWALK IN VENICE
The world-famous Venice Ocean Front Walk, also known as “the Boardwalk,” is one of the best places in Los Angeles to watch people, from interesting locals to tourists from all over the world. On the concrete boardwalk, there is something for everyone. one side, there are specialty shops, restaurants, and homes with unique designs. On the other side, there are street performers, artists, fortune tellers, and much more. Read our Local’s Guide to the Venice Ocean Front Walk to find out how to get the most out of this feast for the eyes and ears. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles
Head to nearby Abbot Kinney Boulevard for shopping that is truly unique. GQ called Abbot Kinney “the coolest block in America.” It has both one-of-a-kind local goods and brands that are known all over the world. Smart shoppers go to Abbot Kinney on the first Friday of every month, when the street turns into a street festival with live music, food trucks, and more.
AT THE THEATER AT ACE HOTEL, YOU CAN STEP INTO HISTORY
The Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles was built in 1927 as the United Artists Building. It is on the corner of Broadway and 9th Street. The architect C. Howard Crane made the 13-story building in a Spanish Gothic style that was based on the Segovia Cathedral in Spain. United Artists was a movie studio started by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith.
The United Artists Theatre was the studio’s most famous movie theatre. The beautiful movie palace has 1,600 seats and takes up three floors of the building. The old UA Theatre is now called The Theatre at Ace Hotel. It is showing movies again, as well as concerts, dance performances, stand-up comedy, live readings, and special screenings. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles.
The Broadway Theatre District is on South Broadway between 3rd and 9th Streets in Downtown L.A. It is made up of 12 movie theatres that were built between 1910 and 1931. At its peak, the neon-lit district had more movie theatres than anywhere else in the world, with enough seats for more than 15,000 people. Find out about the historic Broadway Theater District, which is the only place in the United States with a large number of movie palaces left.
Go straight to the Dolby Theater
The Dolby Theater is a Tinseltown landmark. It is close to the famous corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles
Rich and famous people from Hollywood walk through its halls every year to get their Academy Awards. The pillars that line the red-carpeted entranceway have plaques with the names of all the Oscar winners from the last 50 years.
The Oscars are held at the Dolby, but blockbuster movies and popular shows like “America’s Got Talent” also have their world premieres there. The theatre shows off Dolby’s advances in entertainment technology by giving very clear pictures and sounds that sound like they are coming from real life. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles
Walk on the red carpet and you’ll feel like you’re on the stage with the Oscar nominees. Get into the Dolby Lounge, which is only open to famous people, and look at an Oscar statuette up close. If you like movies, you can’t miss the movie-themed tour.
Raging Waters Water Park is a fun place to get wet and have a wild time
Raging Waters is the largest (60 acres) waterpark in California. It has activities for people of all ages, like the Aqua Rocket, which is the only hydromagnetic water coaster in California, and the Speed Slides, which have a peak that is eight stories high.
Try the Lily Pads obstacle course for a different kind of challenge. Use the ropes above to walk across the lily pads, and try not to fall as you cross the lagoon. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles.
If you want a more exciting ride, get in a tube that drops you at 26 feet per second straight down.
You can also choose to go through loops to the pool on Bombs Away, starting from 300 feet up.
There are a lot of activities for kids, like Volcano Fantasea, and a family can take a 550-foot-long raft ride through a channel together.
You can take a selfie with a famous person at Madame Tussauds.
You could spend hours on tour buses looking through the fences of famous people, or you could go to Madame Tussauds’ Wax Museum and see Jamie Foxx, Nicole Kidman, and Denzel Washington all at the same time!
This famous attraction is right in the middle of all the action on Hollywood Boulevard, so it’s a great stop on any tour of Tinseltown.
The wax museum has figures of more than 100 Hollywood movie stars, as well as Michael Jackson and pop stars like Lady Gaga who are still alive.
Its newest features include immersive experiences, like music from the 1990s and TV shows that everyone knows. There is also a 4D movie with famous Marvel superheroes that you can watch.
In the 1800s, wax sculptor Marie Tussaud started the museum in London. Since then, it has grown to include more than 20 museums all over the world.
Watch beautiful Candlelight concerts
Imagine walking into a room filled with hundreds of candles, like a scene from a fairy tale… During these spectacular Candlelight concerts, you can enjoy an evening of music and magic in the most surreal setting.
Don’t miss the chance to go to one of these special concerts while you’re in LA. They take place in different cities around the world every few months, and each one is set in a different, dramatic place.
For example, you could listen to a tribute to famous composers like Hans Zimmer or more modern artists of our time, or you could spend the night listening to sweet jazz.
Check out the stars at the Griffith Observatory
At the top of Griffith Park, 1,134 feet above sea level, the famous Griffith Observatory is the best place in Los Angeles to see the Milky Way.
The 290-seater The Samuel Oschin Planetarium is thought to be one of the best in the world. The big telescopes are impressive, and the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater shows a lot of educational films.
The Wilder Hall of the Eye has displays that show how people’s views of the sky have changed over time. Find out how myths and scientific theories overlap and how we are connected to the universe. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles. Outside the observatory, you can step on a lawn model of our solar system to learn how the sun and moon move. Look around and take in the views of the city, the Hollywood Sign, and the Pacific Ocean. It’s also a great place in LA to watch the sun set.
TOUR A BACKLOT
Touring a studio backlot is another great way to see what happens behind the scenes of your favourite movies and TV shows. In Los Angeles, there are a few ways to do this.
When you go to Universal Studios Hollywood, there is a “ride” that takes you on a tour of the backlot. It takes you right onto the Universal backlot, where you can see original sets like the Psycho house, a crashed plane from War of the Worlds, Whoville from The Grinch, and even Jupiter’s Claim from Nope, which just opened recently.
The price of a ticket to Universal depends on how many people are going, but you do need a ticket to the theme park to go on this tour. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles
You could also go on a Warner Brothers Studio Tour. You ride an open-air tram through the studio, which is a lot like the Universal tour. You’ll see famous sets like the Friends fountain, the gazebo from Gilmore Girls/Pretty Little Liars/Hart of Dixie, and more! On this tour, you can also see the only jungle set that still exists.
There are also two museums on the Warner Brothers Tour. One is about how movies are made and has a lot of props and costumes. The other is a whole museum for DC and Harry Potter, which has a lot of fun interactive parts.
WALKING BETWEEN THE STARS
The Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre are two more places you can visit to get a look behind the scenes of the movie business (now called the TCL Chinese Theatre).
Let me tell you the news before we talk about this. Hollywood is no longer all glitz and glam. It’s dirty, full of weirdos and tourists, and con artists are always around. Still, the Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and the El Capitan are all historic places in Hollywood that you should visit if they’re on your list.
Keep an eye out for thieves, hide your valuables, and get used to saying “no” (it is a complete sentence after all).
On a rainy day, a view from above of Robin Williams’ star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Seeing Robin Williams’ star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is very close to the Chinese Theatre
The next stop is the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theater. Outside the Chinese Theatre are the handprints of all your favourite stars, like Judy Garland, Abbott and Costello, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Julie Andrews, Tom Hanks, and even some fun ones, like Darth Vader, C3PO, R2-D2, Donald Duck, and Alvin and the Chipmunks! Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles.
For each famous person, the Walk of Fame has a star in the sidewalk with a symbol that shows what they did. There’s a classic film camera for making movies, a TV receiver for watching broadcast TV, a phonograph record for making music, a radio microphone for making radio broadcasts, and comedy and tragedy masks for acting on stage!
Check out a complete list of the stars on the Walk of Fame to make sure you don’t miss the one you’re looking for. It’s fun to just walk around.
Enjoy a Malibu Hills Wine Hike
It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to hike through the Malibu hills and drink wine at the same time. The Malibu Wine Hikes tours take you through their large property, where you can stop for a drink and see beautiful views of the Santa Monica Mountains. Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles
You can also go on wine tours in a 4×4 or a cute yellow VW bus that gives you a view of the ocean.
On your tour of the property, you might see llamas, miniature donkeys, miniature horses, alpacas, and cows. Also, just outside the property is a beautiful bar and dance area that you can use when you’re done.
Take a Helicopter Ride Over Los Angeles
An amazing thing to do in southern California is to take a helicopter ride over Los Angeles. Not only do you get to see the city from a completely different angle, but you also get to enjoy the benefits of a private ride.
Since there are no crowds or lines, you can take your time and enjoy the city at your own pace. And, of course, the views are breathtaking! Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles
From up high, you can see the Hollywood Sign, the Pacific Ocean, and everything in between. Some helicopter tours fly over the beach towns of South Bay and Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles.
Or, you can start in Los Angeles and go north to Malibu to see more of the area. No matter what you choose, you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget!
Learn about the real beach culture of southern California
Los Angeles is a big city with lots of interesting places to see and things to do, but you have to spend some time at the beaches!
Go to Venice Beach to take in the weird people and busy life of LA. Artists, street performers, and strange shops line this beach, and you can bike or roller skate down the strand.
Or, you can take beautiful pictures by wandering through the city’s canals. Or learn how to surf there!
Santa Monica, with its busy pier, is just north of Venice. Take a ride on the huge Ferris Wheel to float above the ocean and look down on the sights of Los Angeles.
At night, go to The Bungalow, a famous bar where many young celebrities and people who work in the film industry hang out.
The “South Bay” is a group of small beach towns to the south of Los Angeles. South Bay Los Angeles is a real hidden gem that not many tourists get to see. There are lots of great things to do there.
Watch the amazing surfing in El Porto, enjoy the busy nightlife on the Hermosa Beach Pier, or go to the Redondo Beach Harbor to take a surf lesson or rent a stand-up paddleboard (SUP).
Catch one of the many amazing events that happen in Hermosa Beach for a truly unique southern California experience. Fiesta Hermosa, the Fourth of July, and St. Patrick’s Day are all great times to hang out on the pier and enjoy the sun and lively party.
Or, go to the International Surf Festival in August, when all three beach cities in the South Bay come together to hold competitions and parties about LA beach culture.
Have a party on a rooftop bar with a view of Los Angeles.
After a long day of exploring the amazing city of Los Angeles and all it has to offer, what better way to relax and enjoy the nightlife than at one of the popular rooftop bars? At places like the Perch, Wayfarer Downtown LA, and E.P. & L.P., you can watch the city lights.
Any of the rooftop bars in downtown Los Angeles or West Hollywood will have great drinks, cocktail foods, and views of the city that are hard to beat. Finish off your once-in-a-lifetime trip by dancing the night away at one of the rooftop bars.
How do you get Los Angeles. ?
When you get to Los Angeles, you’ll land at Los Angeles Airport (LAX), which is outside of the city centre.
Set up airport transfers for when you land in Los Angeles before your vacation starts. When you get off the ship, get your bags, and are ready to go to your hotel, look for your private driver waiting for you with a sign in hand to make you feel like a real star.
Get to where you want to go in Los Angeles by getting into an air-conditioned car, whether you’re staying in Hollywood or Downtown.
Where should I stay in Los Angeles?
In the state of Los Angeles, places like Beverly Hills, Venice, and Downtown LA can be found. Here are some of the best (and most famous) hotels to choose from if you want to be treated like a celebrity.
Starting off with a bang, and an iconic one at that, check into the super-luxurious, five-star The Beverly Hills Hotel and take pictures all over its famous pastel pink halls. The design of the Santa Monica Proper Hotel was inspired by some of the most beautiful places to go on vacation around the world. The concept and design of the hotel are beautiful.
Since 1955, the five-star Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills has been making its guests happy with its classic, high-end style. The 1 Hotel West Hollywood is right in the middle of everything on Sunset Boulevard. It has a great location, very stylish rooms, and views of Hollywood.
If you want to get away from the crowds and stay near the beach, book a room at the elegant Shutters On The Beach in Santa Monica. At the Chateau Marmont, you can go back in time to old Hollywood. The hotel opened in 1927 and has luxurious rooms, suites, and bungalows.
The Hollywood Roosevelt is right next to the Walk of Fame. It has host some of the biggest stars of all time, like Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin. The Ritz-Carlton is everything you’d expect from a hotel with a name like “Ritz-elegant, Carlton”—it’s well-designed, and has nice touches. Casa Del Mar is a beautiful oceanfront place to stay that gets a lot of natural light.
Best Hotels in Los Angeles
With so much to do and see in LA, it makes sense to save money where you can so you have more cash for shopping or travel. A Go City Explorer Pass is one of the best ways to save money on a trip to the City of Angels.
When you buy a ticket, you get free entry to between two and seven of the dedicate picks. These picks include more than 30 must-see city attractions, monuments, tours, and cruises.
Some of these are the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, the TCL Chinese Theatre, a Harbor Cruise around Long Beach, the Grammy Museum, and many more.
What should I do next?
Even though there is a lot to see and do in Los Angeles, there are many other great places to visit in California, which is the third-largest state in the country.
If you’ve had enough of Hollywood, move on to places like Long Beach or Santa Barbara that are less busy (a 1.5-hour drive from Downtown LA). From Los Angeles to Palm Springs is also the same distance, and since Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Los Angeles, it’s a great place to go for a weekend getaway.
If the show “The O.C.” made you fall in love in the early 2000s, or if you just want to feel good, head to Orange County, which is a 30-minute drive from Los Angeles. On the way, you’ll pass through Long Beach.
If you leave Los Angeles and head south, San Diego will give you a very different feel of California. It takes less than two hours to drive there from Los Angeles, and Joshua Tree National Park is in between.
If you only have a short amount of time in Los Angeles but still want to see places outside the city, multi-day trips are a great choice. For example, the California coast can be seen in three days, or you can go on a longer five-day tour.
Las Vegas is only four hours away from LA, and you can take a two- to seven-day tour from LA to Las Vegas.
Last things to say
You can get treat like a celebrity in Los Angeles, or you can have an adventure-focus vacation in the sunny city. There are plenty of things to do in Los Angeles for all kinds of travellers.
What’s your favourite thing about the City of Angels? Are there any landmarks or attractions that you have to see? Tell us what you think in the comments.