Avish 
Los Angeles ain’t just a city—it’s a whole vibe. From palm-lined streets to crazy Hollywood dreams, LA is where glitz, beaches, food, art, and culture all come together. Tourists hit it up for the celebs and movies, but locals know the real deal: it’s a mashup of everything cool.
If you’re planning your first LA trip, buckle up. I’m breaking down the 20 best tourist places to visit in Los Angeles you just can’t miss. And I’m not just dropping names—I’m sliding in travel tips for each spot (best time to roll through, how to get there, and ways to not blow your budget). Let’s ride.
20 Best Tourist Places To Visit in Los Angeles, California
Hollywood Sign
No lie—the Hollywood Sign is the crown jewel of LA. Sitting up on Mount Lee in Griffith Park, it screams “you made it to Hollywood, baby!” You can’t drive right up to it (sorry, no selfies hanging off the letters), but you can hike trails that’ll get you killer views.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon. You’ll dodge the crowds and score golden hour shots.
- Getting Around: Park at Griffith Observatory or Beachwood Drive, then hike up. Don’t Uber right to the top—they don’t allow it.
- Safety & Budget: Trails can get hot as heck—pack water. Totally free, so save your bucks for tacos later.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Love it or hate it, the Walk of Fame is tourist central. Over 2,700 brass stars line Hollywood Boulevard, honoring celebs from film to music. Sure, it’s crowded and kinda cheesy, but hey—it’s iconic.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings are mellow. Nights get sketchy with hustlers.
- Getting Around: Take the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland. Parking? Forget about it—it’s a nightmare.
- Safety & Budget: Keep your wallet close. Don’t pay shady characters for “celebrity tours.” Totally free stroll though.
Griffith Observatory & Griffith Park
Science nerd or not, Griffith Observatory is a must. You get insane views of the LA skyline, telescopes to peek at planets, and exhibits about space. Griffith Park itself is massive, with trails, a zoo, and even the old LA zoo ruins.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Sunset—skyline plus twinkling lights = chef’s kiss.
- Getting Around: Drive up and pray for parking. Or take the DASH Observatory shuttle from the Metro Red Line.
- Safety & Budget: Observatory is free. At night, stick to the main paths in the park—it can get dark fast.
The Getty Center
The Getty ain’t just a museum—it’s an art palace on a hill. From Renaissance paintings to modern sculptures, plus gardens and crazy city views, it’s like stepping into another world.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings. Weekends get jammed with tourists.
- Getting Around: Free tram ride up from the parking lot ($20 to park though). No Metro nearby.
- Safety & Budget: Admission’s free, just pay parking. Bring snacks—the café is overpriced.
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Santa Monica Pier & Beach
Ferris wheel, roller coasters, cotton candy, and ocean breeze—Santa Monica Pier is straight-up classic Cali vibes. The beach itself is wide, sandy, and perfect for chilling or biking along the boardwalk.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for beach time + sunset on the pier.
- Getting Around: Metro E Line runs straight from Downtown LA to Santa Monica. Parking is expensive and fills fast.
- Safety & Budget: Watch your stuff—pickpockets love tourists here. Free beach access, pier rides cost extra.
Venice Beach & Boardwalk
Venice is pure chaos in the best way—street performers, muscle dudes lifting at Muscle Beach, skaters flying at the skatepark, and artists hustling their work. It’s funky, artsy, and a little gritty.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Afternoons when the boardwalk’s buzzing.
- Getting Around: Easy bike ride from Santa Monica, or take the bus. Parking’s brutal.
- Safety & Budget: Don’t wander too deep into alleys. Boardwalk itself is free entertainment.
Malibu Beaches
If Santa Monica is the loud party kid, Malibu is the chill surfer dude. Zuma Beach and El Matador Beach are the real stars—cleaner, quieter, and more Instagram-worthy than other LA beaches.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Summer mornings—less fog and fewer crowds.
- Getting Around: Car required. PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) gives you that movie-scene drive.
- Safety & Budget: Parking’s free at some beaches, but not all. Don’t leave valuables in your car.
Runyon Canyon
Want celeb sightings while sweating? Runyon Canyon is LA’s hotspot for hikers, influencers, and dogs in strollers. The views of Downtown and Hollywood are insane if you make it to the top.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Early mornings before the sun fries you.
- Getting Around: Street parking’s a pain. Uber or Lyft drops you right at the entrance.
- Safety & Budget: Free, but bring sunscreen and water—it’s basically desert heat.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Movies + rides + shows = the ultimate theme park. From Harry Potter World to Jurassic World rides, it’s an all-day adventure. The Studio Tour is the real gem—you’ll cruise through movie sets.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays outside summer. Avoid weekends unless you love waiting.
- Getting Around: Metro Red Line to Universal/Studio City + free shuttle. Parking costs a fortune.
- Safety & Budget: Tickets ain’t cheap. Grab online deals. Skip-the-line passes save sanity.
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Disneyland Resort (Anaheim)
Technically in Anaheim, but no LA list is complete without Disneyland. It’s where dreams, churros, and Mickey ears come alive. Perfect if you’re traveling with kids—or if you’re a kid at heart.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: January–March or September–November. Less crowd, better weather.
- Getting Around: Car or shuttle from LA. Public transit is a headache.
- Safety & Budget: Tickets = $$$. Bring your own snacks to save cash.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Ever wanted to sip coffee on the Friends set or see Batmobiles up close? Warner Bros. Studio Tour is perfect for movie buffs. You get behind-the-scenes magic, props, and maybe a live taping peek.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings—smaller groups.
- Getting Around: Best by car or rideshare. Parking’s $15.
- Safety & Budget: Ticket prices are mid-range. Book online early.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
That famous Urban Light installation with all the lamp posts? Yeah, that’s LACMA. Inside, you’ll find art from all over the world and every era.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Evenings when the lights turn on outside.
- Getting Around: Bus-friendly spot on Wilshire. Limited parking.
- Safety & Budget: Free outdoor lights, but museum entry costs. Check free museum days.
The Broad Museum
This one’s modern art with attitude. Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Rooms are Insta-famous. The best part? General admission is free—if you snag a ticket in time.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings with pre-booked tickets.
- Getting Around: Metro stops nearby. Downtown parking is pricey.
- Safety & Budget: Admission free, but book early online.
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Natural History Museum of LA County
Dinosaurs, gems, creepy crawlies—you name it. Perfect for families or nerdy adults. The dino skeletons are massive and jaw-dropping.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays during school hours = no field trip chaos.
- Getting Around: Metro Expo Line to Expo Park/USC. Easy access.
- Safety & Budget: Tickets are cheap. Pack a lunch for the park outside.
California Science Center
Home of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Kids go nuts here, but honestly, adults geek out too. Hands-on science exhibits keep it fun.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Mornings before families flood in.
- Getting Around: Same Expo Line stop as Natural History Museum.
- Safety & Budget: Admission free (yes, free!). Just pay for special exhibits.
Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills)
Luxury central. Even if you’re not dropping thousands on a handbag, strolling Rodeo is an experience—spotting celebs, flashy cars, and window shopping boujee brands.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Afternoons for people-watching.
- Getting Around: Parking garages nearby (expensive). Bus routes work too.
- Safety & Budget: Window shopping’s free. Resist blowing rent money on Gucci.
The Grove
Outdoor mall with fairy lights, fountains, and a farmer’s market next door. It’s shopping meets entertainment. Celebs legit shop here.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Evenings when it’s all lit up.
- Getting Around: Valet parking or Metro + bus.
- Safety & Budget: Farmer’s Market is great for cheap eats. The Grove shops? Not so cheap.
Melrose Avenue
Graffiti walls, thrift shops, and trendy boutiques—it’s Instagram heaven. Perfect if you’re chasing edgy LA vibes.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Midday for pics, evening for nightlife.
- Getting Around: Street parking tough. Take a rideshare.
- Safety & Budget: Thrift stores = deals. Designer shops? Brace your wallet.
Downtown LA & The Arts District
Murals, food trucks, breweries, and live music—DTLA has come alive. The Arts District especially is a haven for creatives and craft coffee lovers.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Weekends for events, weekday mornings for peace.
- Getting Around: Metro Gold/Red Line drops you in DTLA. Street parking sucks.
- Safety & Budget: Stay in well-lit areas at night. Many murals and galleries are free.
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Chinatown & Little Tokyo
Wanna eat your way through LA? Hit these neighborhoods. Chinatown’s got dim sum and lanterns; Little Tokyo’s got ramen, mochi, and anime shops.
Travel Tips:
- Best Time to Visit: Evenings when lanterns are glowing.
- Getting Around: Metro Gold Line stops in both.
- Safety & Budget: Food prices vary. Street food = cheap eats.
Final Thoughts
Los Angeles ain’t just one thing—it’s 20 things, 200 things, a million things. From beaches to mountains, from Hollywood lights to quiet art galleries, LA’s got something for every type of traveler.
Plan smart, use the travel tips, and don’t stress about seeing it all in one go. LA isn’t a checklist—it’s a vibe you soak up.
So, which LA spot is first on your list? 🌴
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