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Reality TV shows highlighting celebrity romps and the lives of the super-rich give a superficial glimpse of what it’s really like to work and play in Los Angeles. Locals know it as the West coast epicenter of creativity, diversity and inspiration.
You won’t have to look hard to stay entertained in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles has a plethora of hands-on activities and exciting places for the kiddos to explore. Here are some ideas:
If you’re looking for an offbeat LA experience, you don’t need to run for the hills — these thrills exist in the heart of the city:
Let loose and let the LA good times roll:
On a budget? Keep your cash with these free LA activities:
Newcomers could start with LA’s most popular stops and classic eats.
Few landmarks are as iconic as those nine block letters rooted above the Los Angeles skyline. See for yourself by hiking the Mt. Hollywood Trail in Griffith Park. The beginner-friendly three-mile loop is free to hike, and you’ll be rewarded with priceless views.
Take a guided hiking tour
Rent a pedal boat or walk the path around Echo Park Lake, a man-made oasis in the heart of La La Land. Grab a sandwich at Beacon and pay respects to the Lady of the Lake statue before taking it easy beneath the palms.
View LA tours and activities
Since 1917, this grand emporium has hosted local food, floral and craft vendors in the heart of DTLA. Shop delicacy groceries and fresh produce or fill your belly with hot ready-made fare. Sights and smells are free.
Go on an LA food tour
Open to everyone for free, Griffith Observatory sits on Mount Hollywood’s south slope and offers a planetarium, telescopes, and a breathtaking view of the Los Angeles basin.
Book a private tour of Griffith Observatory
The Getty, an art-lover’s oasis, has two locations to visit. See Van Gogh and Monet masterpieces, plus 20th century sculpture from Isamu Noguchi and Henry Moore. Admission to the Getty Center is free, though you’ll need to pay for parking.
And the Broad, founded in 2015, is packed with Insta-worthy contemporary art for an at times surreal and always stimulating experience. Admission is free.
Book a Getty Center tour
Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping rides or a family-friendly day trip, Los Angeles’ amusement parks cater to big and little kids alike.
Universal Studios is a dream for movie buffs, while Disneyland offers a magical escape.
For the kids, head to Legoland. Or go seaside at Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier — admission is free.
Hollywood Bowl
Explore hundreds of restaurants and grocers at the Original Farmers Market. An LA fixture as historic as it is delicious, the market first opened in July 1934. Don’t miss the hot sauces at Light My Fire.
View LA farmers market tours
Spend a night under the stars and catch a concert at the renownedHollywood Bowl. Tucked into the concave hillside of Mt. Hollywood, this natural amphitheater has hosted everyone from Bob Dylan to The Beatles.
And watch a dance or musical performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Designed in the deconstructivist style by tastemaker Frank Gehry, it’s just as thrilling to view from the outside.
Free self-guided audio tours and guided tours are available for both venues.
Get show tickets for the Hollywood Bowl
As an LA native, the Hollywood Bowl has been a scene my whole life. I even worked as an usher there two summers just to catch the shows. And if I had to choose one event in all of Los Angeles never, ever to miss, it’d be the Sound of Music sing-a-long at the Hollywood Bowl.
It’s as magical as it sounds. Thousands of people dress up as characters from the musical — yes, I dressed up as the hills one year — and everyone sings together as the film plays on a massive screen. I usually go with friends and family, and we bring a picnic and at least two bottles of wine.
The best part is how interactive the whole experience is. Every time the Baroness comes on screen, expect to hear 17,000 people hiss in unison. When Maria sings “I must’ve done something good,” you’ll see 17,000 lighters swaying. It’s pretty amazing.
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While seasons may be less clearly defined in Los Angeles than other parts of the country, it’s still an easy way to organize annual events. No matter when you travel, you can leave your parka at home.
There’s no shortage of sites to see — and places to eat — in sunny Los Angeles. After you’ve set your itinerary, find the most effective routes to hop from place to place in LA.
