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Things to do Los Angeles
March 31, 2021

Things to Do Around Los Angeles

Nothing to do here! Kidding. Los Angeles is a massive international city that attracts tens of millions of people every year to visit, live, and make their dreams come true. While L.A lives up to its famous reputation with plenty of glitz and glam, the city’s beauty is more than skin deep.  Los Angeles’ prime location and interesting history give it an incredible amount of character once you push past the showbiz façade. Vibrant neighborhoods filled with world class cuisine, geologic oddities, and beautiful landscapes are just some of the reasons so many folks flock to L.A. from all over the world. Here are our top picks on things to see and do in Los Angeles, Californ-I-A.

Eat You Way Through the Arts District

Yes, it does have plenty of art, but L.A.’s downtown Arts District has some of southern California’s best restaurants, breweries, and food trucks. From late night bites to chic, reservation-only spots, the arts district has something for everyone. While you’re in the area, make sure to stop by Little Tokyo or ‘Japanese Village Plaza’ for an amazing culinary experience. Whether you want to grab some fresh-caught fish to cook on your own or sample some of the best sushi you’ll ever have, you can’t go downtown without sampling a little bit of the Pacific. Looking for local restaurant recommendations? Check out our list for some of the best foods in L.A.

Los Angeles Arts District Graphic

Get Sticky at the La Brea Tar Pits

Decades before Los Angeles was a sprawling urban mega-city, developers drilled for oil on the outskirts of town. And eons before developers drilled for oil, Los Angeles was covered in tar pits that trapped prehistoric megafauna like Mammoths, Saber-tooth cats, and massive Ground Sloths. The Tar Pits are now surrounded by high rises, making for a unique setting in the middle of Hancock Park. Many tar pits and exhibits can be seen for free from inside the park, but if you want to get an up-close look at a lot of the fossils, you should buy a ticket for the museum. No matter what you do, the La Brea Tar Pits are definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared to hold your nose!

La Brea Tar Pits Graphic

Take in the Panoramas at Griffith Park & Observatory

Named for wealthy, double-named Ostrich farmer, Griffith J. Griffith, Griffith Park is an L.A. staple and one of the largest urban parks in the country. At over 4,300 total acres, Griffith Park contains numerous L.A. landmarks like the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign. If the more touristy spots of Griffith aren’t your thing, go for a hike up in the mountains to take in amazing views of Los Angeles, Glendale, Angeles National Forest, and even the Pacific Ocean (on a clear day). Be sure to bring plenty of water and watch out for rattlesnakes!

Tip: Make sure you have a Griffith Park map, as you can easily be inside the park but pretty far from both the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory!

Griffith Park Observatory Graphic

Cruise Along the Coast the PCH through Venice & Santa Monica

If you’re coming to Southern California, you’re going to want to dedicate at least a day to driving along the coast (if not the entire trip)! The Venice Boardwalk, Venice Canals, and Santa Monica Pier are quintessential L.A. destinations with amazing people watching, concessions and fun amusement. From there, drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to take in sweeping coastal and mountain views. Just an hour or two of driving will send you through Malibu and up to Point Mugu State Park in Ventura county. Along the way are countless secluded beaches and parks that are incredible to explore year-round.

Pacific Coast Highway Graphic