Los Angeles is not only the largest city in California, it is one of the most well-known cities in the world. This is a great destination for couples, families and groups alike. If you’re in search of some sunshine in the winter, this might also be the place for you. The city offers beaches and mountains plus many historic attractions to see.
The city of Los Angeles offers public transportation in the form of buses and light rail offerings. That said, having a reliable rental car in LA is still one of the quickest ways to get from place to place. Keep in mind that traffic can be chaotic at times, and there are always traffic jams, so plan trips accordingly. Booking an SUV is a great idea so you can take a group on a tour of some of the city’s many attractions. This is also a great vehicle to keep your group comfortable on sometimes time-consuming trips on freeways in the area.
- 1. Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- 2. Disneyland Park
- 3. Griffith Observatory
- 4. Santa Monica Pier
- 5. Universal Studios Hollywood
- 6. Hollywood Sign
- 7. Hollywood Walk of Fame
- 8. The Queen Mary
- 9. Dodger Stadium
- 10. Crypto.com Arena
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in LA
Must-see attractions in Los Angeles
1. Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art specializes in visual arts. You will find Japanese and Islamic art, as well as many other modern and contemporary pieces. The museum offers all manner of textiles, photography and paintings to take in, and it also manages a large library of music and film events. Visitors will also find plenty of items for purchase highlighting the works contained here.
Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: You should plan on about a 2-hour visit to this museum.
2. Disneyland Park
Disneyland, in Anaheim, is one of the most popular and well-known amusement parks in the world. The park is a short drive to the southeast of the center of Los Angeles. This is a fantastic destination for kids of all ages, and the park contains both Disneyland and The California Adventure Park. You’ll find several rides, exhibits, and multimedia presentations, as well as live shows and plenty of food choices.
Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: You should plan on spending at least one full day or more at the park.
3. Griffith Observatory
You are unlikely to find a better view of the Los Angeles area than from the Griffith Observatory. From here you can see downtown, Hollywood and the Pacific Ocean in one majestic view. Millions of people have visited the observatory to view space through the observatory’s massive telescope. The observatory also offers many daily shows and exhibits about the planetarium. Because of its location in the foothills outside Los Angeles, this is a great place to take your rental car.
Address: 2800 E. Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan on about 2 hours to see everything here.
4. Santa Monica Pier
For starters, this pier has a great location right over the Pacific Ocean. It sits adjacent to the city of Santa Monica, west of downtown Los Angeles. The pier itself offers a carnival-like atmosphere with several county fair-type rides, games and food choices. Even if that is not your thing, this is still a great place to stroll and people watch. Ride the Ferris Wheel to get a breathtaking view of the coastline.
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Depending on how much you want to try the rides and games, plan on at least 1-2 hours here.
5. Universal Studios Hollywood
If you want to visit a real movie studio, this is a great attraction for you. The studios also incorporate several themed amusement park rides and movie-themed exhibits. Universal Studios is the home of several local TV stations, and adjacent to the park you will find Universal CityWalk. This offers all kinds of shops and restaurants, as well as an 18-screen cinema.
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan on a full day at the studios.
6. Hollywood Sign
There is nothing more iconic in Los Angeles than the Hollywood sign. The sign is 350 feet long with letters that are 45 feet high, located prominently on a hillside. There are several locations where you can see the sign in Los Angeles. As such, this makes a great reason to hop in your rental car to explore the sign from several angles.
Address: You can see it from various points in northern LA.
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 30 minutes
7. Hollywood Walk of Fame
This is a landmark containing more than 2,700 brass stars set in the sidewalk along around 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard. The names on the stars run the spectrum of entertainment, ranging from actors and musicians to producers and directors. Millions of visitors flock to this part of Hollywood every year to soak in the stars.
Address: Hollywood Boulevard, Vine St., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Accessible 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 30 minutes to 1 hour
8. The Queen Mary
A short drive to the south of Los Angeles is the port of Long Beach. Here you will find the iconic Queen Mary luxury cruise liner docked. The ship offers a hotel, plenty of tour options, as well as dining options. The area of Long Beach where the ship sits is also a great place to walk along the water.
Address: 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90802
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
9. Dodger Stadium
Baseball lovers will enjoy spending an afternoon at this iconic stadium, which is a short drive to the northeast of downtown Los Angeles. This is one of the oldest stadiums in baseball, although it has gone through many renovations. This gives the stadium a classic feel with many modern touches. Be sure to check the schedule for home games well ahead of time if you’re visiting during baseball season.
Address: 1000 Vin Scully Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: Varies based on the event
Time required to see the attraction: 3-4 hours
10. Crypto.com Arena
If you are more of an indoor sports fan this is the place for you. The arena is home to two NBA teams and an NHL team. You will also find a variety of other sporting events as well as all sorts of other entertainment events happening here. Across the street from the arena, you’ll find L.A. Live, and the area offers plenty of dining and entertainment options, all in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
Address: 1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 900150
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: Varies based on the event
Time required to see the attraction: Depends on the event
Best Places to Eat & Drink in LA
It should come as no surprise that there are plenty of places to eat and drink in Los Angeles. You will find great locations right in the downtown area. You can also find choices along the water in many of the beach communities around the city.
Musso & Frank Grill: This restaurant is an icon of the Hollywood neighborhood. It is a fantastic place to cozy up to the bar and order one of their signature martinis. What makes it even better is all the great people watching you can do while you sit at the bar.
Drago Ristorante: If you are visiting Museum Row in the Wilshire district this is a great spot for pizza, a pasta dish or something like a steak or pork chop. It’s open for lunch or dinner 7 days a week.
71Above: If you are looking for great dining with an even better view, head here. The restaurant sits 71 floors above downtown Los Angeles in the US Bank Tower and offers 360° views of the city below. On top of that, they pair wonderfully plated dishes to match the ambiance.
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