What To Do On A First Time Visit To Los Angeles

Visiting Los Angeles for the first time? Check out some of the essential sights to see and the five best areas to explore!

Having visited Los Angeles twice, I’ve felt like it’s a pretty unusual city. It’s got some really amazing things to see, do, eat and drink. I love it’s quirkier sections and rough edges, and I love the iconic spots that make you think of real Hollywood glamour. The one thing I struggle with, though, is how bloody BIG it is.

On both of my trips to L.A, I quickly worked out that public transport isn’t the best there. I mean, it exists. But it’s slow, spread out and not particularly convenient. Especially if you’re not visiting for long.

I actually found one of the best ways to explore if you don’t have a car is by hop-on, hop-off bus. Otherwise, consider sharing taxis if you’re in a group or use a ride sharing option like UberPool.

Whichever way you choose to explore the city, there are loads of great neighbourhoods and fun places to explore. For a first time visitor to Los Angeles, these are my must-visit locations…

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1. Griffith Park Observatory

If you want to get THE view over L.A. that shows off just how immense and sprawling the city is, Griffith Park Observatory’s your spot. Perched on a hilltop, walking up here might take a while (and some super comfy shoes) – so we took the easy route, and drove up.

Also, if those views aren’t spectacular enough for you, it’s one of the best sightlines of the infamous Hollywood sign you can get without hiking the paths of the Hollywood hills.

Things to do in Griffith Park

• Go inside Griffith Park Observatory itself – you can learn more about the science and design with a guided observatory tour.
• Hike around the hills for a more adventurous way to see the city. There are plenty of trails to choose from, with most being a moderate difficulty and taking anywhere from 1.5hrs to 3-4hrs.
• Take a horseback ride through Griffith Park to see the Hollywood sign and LA basin.

2. Hollywood Boulevard & The Walk of Fame

Kinda stating the obvious here, but the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a must when visiting Los Angeles. It’s massive, stretching across 1.3 miles along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Find your favourite famous names!

As well as the walk itself, it’s also worth dropping into the exterior area in front of The Chinese Theatre. Featuring the well-known hand and footprints of some of the biggest names in Hollywood history, you can see if you share the same size hands of your fave movie stars…

Things to do on Hollywood Boulevard

• Take a walking tour of the Boulevard’s top spots to learn more about the starry history of one of America’s most famous streets.
• The Hollywood Wax Museum is one of the oldest wax museums in the USA, and offers a more historic alternative to nearby Madam Tussauds.
• For a taste of the macabre, true crime enthusiasts should check out the Los Angeles Museum of Death; a disturbing but fascinating deep dive into human depravity.
• Have a drink in an all-American dive bar with a dark shadow in its history. We befriended the bartender at Frolic Room, the last place the ‘Black Dahlia’ Elizabeth Short was seen alive before her infamous murder.

3. Beverly Hills

Another area that it’s much easier to see by car. Skip the pricey guided tours, get yourself a map and tour the homes (well, front gates) of stars past and present.

Once you’re done celeb-hunting, take a walk down Rodeo Drive to look at clothes you probably won’t be leaving with. Unless you do a Winona…but I’m definitely not advising that!

Things to do in Beverly Hills

• If you want to do some Hollywood shopping but your budget doesn’t stretch to designer boutiques, grab a sweet treat at one of Sugarfina’s flagship stores. A handful of sugared almonds from here was my only Beverly Hills purchase – but they were DELICIOUS.
• Visit the ‘Witch’s House’, aka Spadena House – a fairytale-looking abode straight out of a storybook.
• Take a two hour walking tour of Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive to explore the area on foot with a local guide.

4. Venice Beach & Boardwalk

The first time I checked out Venice Beach, I wasn’t particularly excited by it. Probably because I decided it’d be a good idea to walk there, with a suitcase, during a layover. Worst idea ever. Do not do this.

My second visit was a lot better, and I fell for the area in the way I’ve read about. My experience was a lot more chilled – and that’s exactly the Venice vibe.

I could have laid back and watched the street performers and skaters all day, with the sun on my face and sand between my toes. It’s the ultimate California beach day – and the sunset was one of the most beautiful I’ve experienced.

Things to do in Venice Beach

• Go all-in on the California beach vibes with a two hour surfing lesson. After my previous experience learning to surf, I was tempted to give it another try!
• Learn about the area’s surf, skate and art history on a two hour Venice Beach walking tour.

5. Santa Monica

Santa Monica is one of the first areas I visited on my original trip to Los Angeles, and I have a big soft spot for this seaside suburb! By day, there’s plenty of fun beach activities to be had – but night is my favourite time to go there.

The pier glows with neon lights as the fairground rides whirl around. Along it’s quarter-mile length, you’ll find retro carnival games, arcade machines, and traditional seaside eats. It’s lively, exciting and laid-back – the perfect place to end your day as the sun goes down on this vibrant city.

Things to do in Santa Monica:

• Play games and ride the carousel at Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier. I gave myself a $20 budget to have as much fun as possible, and it’s where my lifetime obsession with the ‘Down The Clown’ game was awakened…
• Explore Santa Monica’s vibrant street art with a self-guided mural tour.
• I LOVE exploring the spooky side of cities! Take a Santa Monica ghost tour to learn more about the area’s paranormal activity.