Los Angeles is known as a place for all kinds of entertainment. This, is the reason why many people from the United States and other parts of the world want to visit it. The beautiful scenery, the astonishing architecture, fine restaurants, world-class museums, theaters, high-end boutiques and shopping centers, and the chance to rub elbows with a celebrity. It’s good to say that Los Angeles has something for everyone. Start your Southern California journey with these recommended destinations:
#1 – Hollywood Bowl
Are you up for live music? If yes, then spend some time at the Hollywood Bowl. It is one of the preferred destinations for live music venues in the United States. Located in the rolling Hollywood Hills near the hillside of the popular Hollywood Sign, the Hollywood Bowl holds concerts every year, including musicals, orchestras, and operas. It’s indeed a perfect destination for music buffs. It was built in 1922 and is known for its huge outdoor amphitheater, which explains why it is a favorite spot to hold concerts by some of the biggest music icons in the world like Queen, Cher, and The Beatles, to name a few. Aside from these big names in the music and entertainment scene, Hollywood Bowl also welcomes emerging artists. When attending an event at the Hollywood Bowl, make sure you come early to ensure a parking spot.
#2 – Madame Tussauds Hollywood
Madame Tussauds is a place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Hollywood. It is where you get to see a huge collection of wax figures of Hollywood’s famous celebrities from different eras. It is one of the top tourist attractions in the city, suitable for visitors of all ages. It is located along Hollywood Boulevard, and once you get to the destination, you will be able to explore
Different rooms with wax figures of pop icons and movie stars. There’s also VR technology for that fully immersive experience. Some of the lifelike wax models are those of Leonardo DiCaprio, Barack Obama, Snoop Dogg, Spider-Man, and Taylor Swift, to name a few. Feel free to snap photos of your favorite celebrities’ wax figures. After which, move to the theater area and watch the Marvel Universe film. Just a few tips when visiting Madame Tussauds Hollywood, make sure you check their website to plan your visit accordingly. Look for discounted tickets. You have two ticket options: An all-in inclusive pass and build your own pass. If you don’t want a huge crowd, it is best to visit in the morning, as the place gets crowded in the afternoon. A wonderful experience.
#3 – Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum features an extensive and amazing collection of vehicles, including four-wheelers and motorcycles. Its showroom is filled with classic cars, especially the ones that played a huge part in the automobile industry’s history and evolution. It has a total of 300 cars, including Ferraris, Porsches, limousines, and Rolls-Royces. Basically, you will see cars that appeared in some blockbuster films, including those owned by famous Hollywood celebrities. If you are fond of cars, visit the Petersen Automotive Museum. It’s like Disneyland for car lovers. It was built by Robert and Margie Petersen in 1994, hence the name Petersen Automotive Museum. It was closed temporarily to make room for major renovations and opened once again in 2015. Come and visit the Petersen Automotive Museum, open daily from 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. More fun here!
#4 – Santa Monica Pier
Two piers in one—that’s Santa Monica Pier. This free attraction is open daily and filled with a gathering place, a pier-end restaurant, and a bait shop—truly a great place to create memories of a lifetime. The shorter pier was built in 1916, where most visitors gather, while the longer section was built in 1909. The two piers are linked by an elevated plaza that serves as an old-fashioned amusement park. It has a wooden carousel, a vintage roller coaster, and a solar-powered Ferris Wheel. Yes, that huge Ferris Wheel is the sign that you are at Santa Monica Pier, and your visit will not be complete without taking a picture of that iconic symbol. The view is more spectacular at night because the Ferris Wheel sparkles with changing LED lights. Getting around Santa Monica Pier is easy because it is filled with friendly people.
#5 – Hollywood Walk of Fame
Your visit to LA will not be complete without visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is run by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. It is where people take a snap of their favorite Hollywood star’s name embedded in sidewalks. It is a way of memorializing Hollywood stars and keeping Hollywood glamour alive. It is located at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street, and since its installation in 1960, it has had over 2,500 stars. Millions of people from the United States and other parts of the world visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame every year. By the way, the Hollywood Walk of Fame does not only feature actors but also directors, producers, musicians, and other significant people in the entertainment industry. Come and experience the Walk of Fame Star ceremony. The public viewing area is free and does not have assigned seating. The ceremony starts at 11:30 in the morning and ends at 12:15 in the afternoon.
#6 – Venice Beach
Don’t you know that there is a place similar to Venice in America? That is the Venice Beach. Abbot Kinney, a tobacco magnate is a person behind Venice Beach. Through his efforts, he was able to transform a marshy stretch of shoreline into Venice of America. Abbot Kinney turned drainage channels into scenic canals and built a Venetian-inspired arcade on the beach. Since then, the canal became one of the most loved tourist attractions in LA. Aside from making you feel like you are in Venice even though you are in LA, there are plenty of things to love about Venice Beach. It’s a 3-mile of coastline with 238 acres of beach. It hosts artists from different mediums such as palm readers, belly dancers, bikini-clad roller skaters, bodybuilders, street performers, and vendors. It’s the best place to shop, eat, and enjoy the calming breeze. It’s a good way to relax after a tiring week.
#7 – Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Who would want to visit a cemetery? Sounds morbid, right? But if you are up for a thrilling adventure, then visit Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It’s also a chance to rub elbows with some of the best celebrities in Los Angeles. It is where you get to see the resting places of the stars who used to work at the Paramount Pictures Studios including Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, and Rudolph Valentino. If it’s your first time visiting Hollywood Forever Cemetery and your purpose is to see the resting place of Hollywood stars, then go to the cemetery’s flower shop section. There’s a map detailing celebrities’ gravesites. The entrance gate is on Santa Monica Boulevard and it opens at 8 in the morning and closes at 5:30 in the afternoon. Feel free to include Hollywood Forever Cemetery on your visit to Los Angeles.
#8 – Angeles National Forest
If you are already fed up with the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Angeles and want to have some time to relax in a quiet environment close to nature, then visit Angeles National Forest. It’s almost 700,000-acre forest and it’s easily accessible. It is a perfect spot for nature-filled activities such as biking, hiking, fishing, swimming, horse riding, and camping. It consists of the San Gabriel Mountains with Mount Baldy as the highest peak, and the most visited one. The terrain is perfect for hiking and biking ranging from desert to dense forest. Hikers will truly love the 28-mile Gabrielino National Recreation Trail as it offers trails for all types of hikers, from moderate to challenging trails. Purchase a National Forest Adventure Pass and it costs $5 for a daily pass. For the annual pass, the cost is $30 and you can use it for another national forest in the area.
#9 – Hollywood Home Tours
You probably have gone to spots where the rich and famous dine, shop, and relax, now it’s time to know where they reside. Of course, you can’t go inside their homes, but you can see from the view from the outside including the entire neighborhood. There are minibus tours providing the chance to spot the homes of the rich and famous personalities in Beverly Hills. You can snap photos of the homes of Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, and Bruno Mars. When planning to include this in your visit, make sure you choose the best tour guide, although you can visit on your own. Well, the guided tour is more convenient because they know Hollywood well. They know which spots have the most number of Hollywood celebrities’ homes.
#10 – Hollyhock House
The Hollyhock House is the centerpiece of Barnsdall Art Park. It’s at 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and was originally used as a home for Aline Barnsdall, an oil heiress. It is open every Thursday to Saturday from 11 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. The last entry is at 3:40 in the afternoon. The admission fee is $7 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Children below 12 years old are free. Here are some things you should know when visiting Hollyhock House: you’re not allowed to take photos inside. Sketching is allowed but only with a pencil. Markets and ink pens are not allowed. You will be allowed to bring food and drinks inside. There’s a designated eating area at Barnsdall Art Park.