Join us as we venture across once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles. There are plenty to see and discover in this wide city. It might overwhelm you with all the choices. This is why we made this list for you.
We added a list of the best things to do in LA once in a lifetime, so you can easily make up your mind and decide what is the thing you want to explore, try, or discover.
Whether you choose to visit the Koreatown in LA or the famous Hollywood walk of fame, I am sure whatever you choose, you would enjoy it. At Los Angeles there is a taste for everyone.
Once In A Lifetime Things To Do In Los Angeles
As already mentioned, planing your next vocation in Los Angles can be challenging because there are limitless list of activities that you can do. This means you have endless opportunities to make memories that last a lifetime.
To make the choice easier for you, with a research and from experiences, we gathered some unique options of things to do in LA. Your vocation in this amazing city is awaiting you, so let’s began with the list.
1. Hike To Hollywood Sign:
To hike to the Hollywood Sign, you have three choices of hike trails. The Mt Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail.
The Mt. Hollywood Trail easy and takes about 2h and 28 minutes to finish. It is 5.3 miles of a hikeable trail with mesmerizing view of Lake Hollywood. It has the most beautiful view of the sign out of the 3 trails.
The Brush Canyon Trail is considered as easy and takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. It is approximately 6 miles, which allows having a beautiful view of LA’s skylines.
Finally, the Cahuenga Peak Trail is considered as the shortest and hardest of the trails. It takes 1 hour and 45 minutes, which is only 3 miles.
The best places to see the Hollywood sign are at Griffith Observatory and Hollywood & Highland. Therefore, there are many photo opportunity to undertake. You can clearly take some pictures at the Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood.
Located in Griffith Park at Mt. Lee, the sign holds a significance value about the economy of LA. It signifies a dream and an important American landmark and cultural icon.
2. Warner Brothers Studio:
The Warner Brothers Studio can get you closer to the entertainment you love and adore, from Harry Potter To Batman, and so forth.
The storytelling showcase highlights 100 years of the work of Warner Bros’ history and work. It shows some stages, settings, scripts, outfits and much more of your favorite TV shows and movie’s characters.
I visited the studio in 2017, and I was able to take some pictures at the Central Park Cafe in the TV show Friends. I also witnessed the outfit of the characters in Aquaman, Rich Asians, and Harry Peter.
Furthermore, I saw a pile of scripts of the TV Show Shameless. It was a lot. It is no wonder that it took 11 seasons to file the series.
I can assure you that you will enjoy a visit to the studio because I enjoyed it, too. The whole studio is 110 acres of land that made some of the most iconic performances in Hollywood history come to life.
3. Disney California Adventure Park:
At Disney California Adventure Park (DCA), you can watch your favorite Disney Characters come to life. There are many attractions that kids and adults can enjoy alike.
You can ride some rollercoasters and slides that are Disney themed. This creative realm catch the eyes of people from all over the world, making it one of the most visited landmarks in LA.
In this part, we will cover what is new, what’s hot, and what is worth your time, so keep on reading. For starter, you can visit the dark ride monster INC, which contains animation, sound, music and special effects.
You can also ride the guardian of the galaxy ride and web slingers Spider-Man adventure. Both are interactive screen rides that feature physical sets and virtual environments.
You can also visit San Francisco Square for some dinning and shopping options. The snacks and eats from the Pacific Warf are quite satisfying, so make sure to pay it a visit.
The Disney California Adventure Park has some of the most modern theme parks with thrilling rides that adults and kids can enjoy.
It divided into 7 different lands includes: Avenger Campus, Pixar Pier, Photo Land and Car Land. Those four theme parks are my favorite.
It is a72-acre (29 ha) of lands that honors the California’s culture, history, and sense of adventure. Therefore, it offers the latest Disneyland shows and Marvels in thrilling rides, so you got to experience your favorite Disney characters and shows in a whole new level.
Out of the three Diseny Resorts in LA, this is my second favorite after Universal Studio. I can assure that you will have an amazing experience like no others, specially if you have kids.
4. Roam Around The Hollywood Walk Of Fame:
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is the most famous landmark in the world. People from all walk of earth flock to it, making it the most visited sidewalk in the world.
It has around 2,783 five pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars that are located in the Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.
The stars are made to honor the name of famous actors, produces, musicians, directors, theatrical groups, and fictional characters.
The sidewalk stretches approximately 1.3 miles (2.1 km), and it is an important factor in terms of tourism. It attracts more than 10 millions visitors each year.
The walk of fame is also the home of the Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre, where you can watch the latest plays and movies come to live.
There are many shopping areas and restaurants that call the Hollywood Walk of Fame Home. You can visit the South Coast Plaza for some delicious food and shopping options.
5. Universal Studio Hollywood:
It is one of the Disney Theme Parks located in San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, California. I visited it in 2013, and it was one of the most memorable experience that I have ever had.
It contains some of the most thrilling rides, shows, and exhibits of Hollywood Characters. The best ride that I ever had is the Transformer Dark Ride.
It contains a 3D animation combined with a roller coasters ride. You need to wear a special glasses that makes you feel like you are in the middle of a movie.
I also enjoyed the Jurrestic Park ride. My favorite part of the ride is when the building catch fire and raptors attacking while you are in a bus trying to escape. It is a thrilling adventure like no other.
6. Santa Monica Beach And Pier:
Santa Monica Beach is one of once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles because it contains some attractions that you won’t find in any other places.
It is a 3.5 miles sandy beach that you can walk, bike, or rent a scooter from your hotel. It is totally worth it, if you ask me, specially if you visit the pier.
Situated in the center of Santa Monica Beach, the Santa Monica Pier features an amusement park, Ferris wheel, aquarium, shopping areas and restaurants.
My favorite part about the pier are the street art performances. There are many talented artists that bring the pier to life with their acts, such as dancing, magic shows, and much more.
You can also surf, take a surfing lesson or parasail with Marina del Rey Parasailing. It is a thrilling ride that allow you to see Santa Monica Coastline in the bird’s eye.
7. The Getty Center And Museum:
There are many things that you can experience at the Getty Center, but the modern architecture pictureaque terrains and lush gardens are by far my favorite.
It is also located on a top hill that offers a panormaic view of Los Angeles. This beautiful museum attracts millions of visitors each year.
It offers worldwide paintings, drawings, sculptures, decorative arts, and ilustrated manuscripts, making it a hot spot for those who appreciate art.
There is also a museum store, where you can buy some goodies, souvenirs, and gifts for arts enthusiasts. Therefore, you can shop until you drop at the Getty Museum Store.
You can also visit the Getty Villa, which is a carfully crafted sophisticated building with beauiful landscapes that is home to relics of another time and place. I am sure you will enjoy it.
8. Venice Beach:
If you are looking for fun things to do in Los Angles, then you should visit Venice Beach. You can lay down and soak the pleasant sun or swim at the beach.
After that, you can head down to the Venice Boardwalk for some art and street performances. There are also restaurants and food venue that you can visit if you ever get hungry.
There is also the iconic Muscle Beach Outdoor Gym, where you can work out and meet other travelers from all walk of earth. After working out, you can visit the Turn Dough for some delicious ice cream.
Not to forget, the Venice Canals, where you can take a relaxing walk and enjoy its peaceful surrounding from boats in duck and lush greenery that makes it a natural oasis in the middle of the city.
You can also visit the Venice Skatepark for skate and skateboarding. You can simply watch skateboarders doing some tricks. There are many more recreational activities to enjoy at the such as beach volleyball, surfing, and boogie boarding.
9. Griffith Observatory And Griffith Park:
The Griffith Park overlooks Mount Hollywood and the Los Angeles Basin. Therefore, it offers a beautiful view that is mesmerizing photo opportunity, so do not forget to bring your camera.
There are also more photo-ops in the observatory. It features exhibitions and hosts a beautiful planetarium. Therefore, you can roam around the Griffith Observatory for some photo opportunities.
There is also the Griffith Park, which is 4,200 acres of land that has more than 50 miles of hiking trails, biking trails and horseback riding trails.
There are also some beaches that you can visit to soak the sun and swim. You can also visit the Old LA Zoo and Los Angeles Zoo for wildlife photography and getting to know the animal that calls the zoo home.
You can also try the historical ride Griffith Park merry-go-round. It is a fun experience, specially if you have kids. So bring the kids within you and try it at least one in a life time.
The Autry Museum and Greek Theater are other attraction that you can visit. The Greek Theater hosts many well known concerts, so it is worth checking their calendar before visiting.
10. Disneyland Amusement Park:
Disneyland Amusement Park is a must-visit place in LA. It is located in Anaheim city that takes around 40 minutes driving from LA. However, it is totally worth the drive.
Buying a ticket to Disneyland is the best ticket that you ever give your kids. I can assure that it is money worth spent.
It features many Disneyland characters, rides and shows, such as The Sleeping Beauty Castle, which is a Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle. This beautiful landmark will blow your minds away.
It features the Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Each has their own rides and theme, so make sure to explore them all.
There are more to see and explore at Disneyland to keep you busy for 2 to 3 days. I would recommend you to buy the VIP ticket, so you can explore it faster.
Conclusion:
There is no doubt that Los Angeles is one of the best places to visit in California not in the United States, making it on top of the list of attractions worldwide.
Some of the reasons are that it is the central point of movie industries and Hollywood Starts, but it is also filled with natural beauty, thrilling rides, and adventures. At Los Angeles, there is a taste for everyone.
However, Los Angeles is big and wide with so many choices, making it your ultimate getaway destination. You might not have the time or money to explore it as a whole, so we make this list of once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles.
We also have a blog about the Rose Garden At Exposition Park In Los Angeles, and about LeBron James’ house.
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