If you’ve never been to Los Angeles, these are some tips from myself who once traveled to LA for the first time and now I am a permanent resident.

Some of these places will be tourist-y, and others will be more low key. Depending on what type of person you are, there’s something here for (almost) everyone.

It’s also impossible to see everything LA has to offer in one trip. I’ve lived here for a year and I’ve hardly scratched the surface.

But for the sake of packing it all in one trip, there are lots of great options for everyone in your family.

The one thing I will say is that if you are able to fly into the Burbank airport instead of LAX, it’ll save you a huge headache! The downside to this option is that flights to the Burbank airport can be more expensive. 

Explore The Coast – Best Things To Do in Los Angeles

There are lots of amazing beaches and shops and restaurants along the long stretch of the coast!

Whether you’re looking for iconic spots or something less crowded, check out some of these places to visit.

The Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is one of the most popular tourist destinations in southern California.

More iconically known as the end of route 66, the pier has everything from rides and arcade games, local undiscovered talent, and quite a few food options.

One of the greatest things about being at the pier is watching the sunset at golden hour. 

During this time, the pier lights up and becomes alive at night with all the people exploring.

From the pier, you can access the beach as well as the bike path. This bike path is what most people imagine southern California to look like – people biking and skating.

There’s also a nice trail that stretches down ocean avenue with views of the pier and the beach. This is a good place to catch some photos or to just go on a walk

Venice Beach

So I personally have mixed feelings about Venice…however, if you’re visiting for the first time, I’d say it’s worth checking out.

The iconic Venice sign on Windward Ave is worth seeing, and if you want the perfect photo of the sign, be prepared to do a complete circle through the crosswalk to find the best angle.

Another sight to see in Venice is the famous Venice Skatepark. Legends like Tony Hawk have made appearances here, and there’s lots of other great talent of all ages. If you’re not into skating that’s okay, it’s definitely a place to people-watch and observe the culture.

It’s also a great way to meet some new people.

There are lots of sports courts in the surrounding area, which makes it a really popular place for people to gather around and be active together.

Abbot Kinney Blvd has about a mile long stretch of different bars and restaurants, which are great to explore if you enjoy local food.

There’s a restaurant called NightHawk – and it’s actually considered a breakfast bar. Their food is breakfast-inspired, with selections like spiked milk and drunken french toast.

I had the drunken french toast, and my partner had the benedict fries – both were so delicious!

Malibu Pier & Malibu Farm

If you have some time and can make the drive to Malibu, it’s a whole different kind of beautiful.

Driving along the pacific coast is gorgeous! You’ll see the mountains meet the coast, and some of the most amazing homes tucked into the side of the mountain.

The Malibu Pier is much more laid back than the Santa Monica Pier in my opinion. It’s much smaller, and feels less tourist-y.

Don’t get me wrong, there are still quite a few people who visit this spot, but it’s not overwhelming. And in my personal opinion, this is one of my favorite places to visit, and I may be a bit biased but I believe it’s one of the best things to do in Los Angeles.

When you visit the Malibu Pier, you have to grab a quick bite to eat at Malibu Farm Cafe. 

They have a main restaurant at the beginning of the pier with outdoor seating, and then they have a smaller cafe at the end of the pier.

Both of them serve similar items, but the restaurant you have a server and the cafe you have to order at the counter and they bring it out to you.

I should also mention that their food & drink is organic and has a farm-to-table concept.

Really excellent food and awesome vibes.

There are a couple of great spots to catch photos at Malibu’s cliffs.

While they’re really popular spots, they’re still worth visiting if it’s your first time.

If you’re a photographer or just want to explore some amazing views, check out Point Dume and El Matador.

Santa Barbara

If you have enough time for this (or if you’re local to LA), you’ve gotta check out Santa Barbara. It’s a bit of a drive from LA but it’s completely worth it!

Santa Barbara has its own pier as well, but I would honestly explore the area itself. It has such a different vibe to it and feels vastly different from LA.

This is also home of UCSB (University of California, Santa Barbara), which means you can experience a college campus feel with lots of bars and restaurants and shops to explore.

If you are looking for a great beach experience in the SB area, I actually recommend making a stop in Carpinteria.

I discovered a beach that has free street parking and seems to be mostly filled with locals. Never too crowded, and doesn’t feel tourist-y.

It’s the greatest place for a low-key, relaxed beach experience in my opinion.

Santa Claus Beach is what it’s called believe it or not. 

Long Beach

If you have additional time, it’s worth making the drive to Long Beach to visit the Queen Mary.

On sundays, they actually have a massive all you can eat buffet and it was absolutely amazing!!

It was pricey, but a great way to spend time with my family while they were in town.

Also, you can explore the ship on your own for free if you wish, or you can take paid guided tours. They also offer a “ghost tour” which is interesting for people who are into that.

Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach

All three of these beaches are further down in Orange County, but totally worth the drive. When people imagine southern California beaches, this is usually what comes to mind.

There are lots of many great places along the OC coastline to capture great photos or to just pull up a beach chair and relax.

I personally have only been to Huntington Beach so far, but it’s on my list to make it to Laguna & Newport!

In Huntington Beach, check out a restaurant called Olá Mexican Kitchen. They have really great food and the restaurant is actually on the 2nd floor of a mall with amazing views of the coast (make your reservation for the patio if you can.)

The vibe of these places in OC is so much different than LA. It feels cleaner, newer, more tropical, and maybe feels more like vacation.

Explore Beverly Hills – Best Things To Do in Los Angeles

Beverly Hills is home to the iconic and infamous Rodeo Drive. All of the most luxurious fashion designers are featured here, and it’s definitely a sight worth seeing.

This might be another one of my favorite places to hang out as I think it’s another one of the best things to do in Los Angeles.

Rodeo Drive

You can drive your car down Rodeo Drive, but I actually recommend parking and walking it by foot.

All of the shops are open for business, although it seems to be more of a tourist attraction these days.

If you do decide to visit these shops, just remember to be respectful of the property (especially if you have no intention to purchase anything).

There are also quite a few luxury cars that make an appearance along Rodeo Drive. In fact, some of them are parked which makes for a good photo opportunity.

If you are looking for places to eat in Beverly Hills, here are a few suggestions:

Ocean Prime 

Ocean Prime is an upscale restaurant known for its steak & seafood menu and its lengthy selection of wines.

Definitely a more expensive option, but extremely delicious food.

If you are familiar with the Cameron Mitchell’s chain, this restaurant is owned by them – and I have never once had a bad experience at a Cameron Mitchell’s restaurant.

The service was above & beyond, and we were there for probably almost two hours just enjoying food and wine and good company.

The Honor Bar

If you’re looking for a place to stop and have drinks, check out the Honor Bar. They have a limited food menu, but they have perfected every single item. 

It’s a great place to have lunch and a drink after walking around Rodeo Drive.

Driving along Santa Monica Blvd, you’ll see the iconic Beverly Hills sign over the fountain. While you’re out walking around BH, make a pit stop here to grab a quick photo.

Westfield Mall – Century City

Another one of my favorite places to shop is the Century City Westfield Mall. It’s a huge outdoor mall with a very unique food court and a wide variety of shops.

I frequent this mall a lot, and I always enjoy walking around and grabbing a bite to eat at the food court.

West Hollywood

 WEHO (West Hollywood) is the neighbor to Beverly Hills. When driving along Santa Monica Blvd and Sunset Blvd, you’ll see lots of shops, restaurants, and bars.

This community welcomes the LGBTQ+ community with open arms…there are lots of gay bars and places where community members can gather and exist safely.

I also recommend driving along the infamous Sunset Blvd as it’s unlike anything you’ve probably ever seen.

Bars, restaurants, record shops, and lots and lots of billboards advertising Hollywood’s latest creations.

A few places I recommend checking out in WEHO are:

The Abbey

The Abbey is an iconic gay bar & restaurant with lots of outdoor seating and music. They’ll often have performers and different events happening in the evenings too.

They do serve food and they have an extensive bar menu as well.

Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre is a delicious vegan Mexican restaurant that is difficult to get into, so I definitely recommend making a reservation in advance. 

If the weather is nice, request a table on the patio to enjoy outdoor vibes while dining.

Salt & Straw

Salt & Straw is an amazing ice cream shop with unique flavors.

When walking in, you’re immediately greeted and asked if you’d like to sample any flavors.

This is super helpful so that you know if you like something before you buy.

All of their flavors are so delicious though, so you can’t really go wrong.

There are SO many more places to visit, but you’d probably be reading this for hours if I included every possible thing to visit.

So we’ll just leave it at that for now.

Explore Hollywood – Best Things To Do In Los Angeles

Okay, so the one thing I’m going to tell you about Hollywood is that it’s…probably not what you would expect.

I think a lot of people expect it to be dreamy and amazing from how it’s portrayed in the movies. But you’ll quickly realize that Hollywood isn’t so glamorous.

In fact, Hollywood isn’t even where the major film studios are located.

It has just become a huge tourist destination, and it’s honestly run down and kind of dirty. 

Nonetheless, it’s neat to explore for the first time and some people enjoy it, but it’s not necessarily one of my favorites.

Here are a few of the good parts about Hollywood that you should definitely visit!

Hollywood Walk of Fame

All along Hollywood Blvd you’ll see stars beneath your feet.

These feature some of the most legendary stars in the areas of radio, motion picture, television, live theatrical performance, and recording.

Many people love taking their photo with their favorite stars, and you can find a map of all the stars here.

Dolby Theatre

Dolby Theatre is home of the annual Oscars ceremony and many other iconic events, such as American Idol and America’s Got Talent. 

You can take a tour of Dolby Theatre which I strongly recommend, because the inside is just breathtakingly beautiful.

The theatre is also tucked in the Hollywood & Highland shopping center, which is an outdoor mall worth exploring.

Hollywood Wax Museum

I admittedly have not been to the Hollywood Wax Museum before, but I do know that this is a popular thing to do in Hollywood.

You can walk through and see all the celebrity wax figures that make an uncanny resemblance to the real people.

If you enjoy pop culture, this might be a fun activity for you (and probably the closest thing you’ll get to actually seeing these people.)

This is also a fun activity if you have kids!

Capitol Records

If you’re a fan of the recording industry like me, welcome to the home of the historic and iconic Capitol Records.

While the inside is closed to the public, you can still walk and drive around the outside and snap some cool shots.

If you are a music fan, keep reading to learn more about the Grammy Museum.

Mama Shelter

For all you rooftop bar fans out there, this is the perfect place to have a drink and enjoy some amazing food.

The Rooftop at Mama Shelter is by far one of my favorite spots and one of the best things to do in Los Angeles. I’ve had a lot of burgers in my life, and Mama Shelter takes the cake for the best burger I’ve ever had.

Also – if you are vegetarian, they have an amazing impossible burger that tastes strikingly similar to the real thing. You really cannot go wrong here.

Another thing I love about Mama Shelter is that they also offer mocktails for those who don’t drink (way to go, Mama Shelter!) This is great for making sure everyone is included, and giving options to people like me who don’t drink.

I’ve had lunch and dinner here, and I would say the best time to go would be during golden hour when the sun goes down.

Did I also mention that the rooftop gives you a direct view of the Hollywood Sign?

Mama Shelter is actually a hotel and also has a restaurant on the ground level, so if you’re looking for a unique hotel stay, book your next visit here.

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Park is your gateway to the galaxy!

If you’re a fan of Astronomy and learning about outer space, this is the right place for you. 

There are lots of things to explore, and could also be a fun activity for the family. 

The telescopes are available at specific times to view, but last time I was there they weren’t working.

Griffith Park also boasts sprawling views of Los Angeles from DTLA to the pacific coast. 

 Hollywood Bowl & Overlook

If there are any shows while you’re in town, you can check out the iconic Hollywood Bowl.

Many of the most iconic musicians have performed here, as well as many films and TV shows have filmed here.

If you don’t make it into the Hollywood Bowl, don’t fret!

There’s actually a really cool overlook spot on Mulholland drive.

But beware: there is a VERY small parking lot…I mean enough for like 5 cars.

It can get crowded and difficult to find a place to park as there is usually a parking services officer circling to make sure no one is illegally parked.

However, if you do manage to snag a spot, go check it out!

There are some steps that will lead you up to a higher lookout point.

This little spot does close at dusk, so I don’t think it is accessible at night unfortunately.

However, there are lots of spots along Mulholland drive where you can pull off to the side to grab a view of the city.

Just be sure to pay attention to where those designated areas are, the restrictions are enforced.

Explore Hiking Trails – Best Things To Do In Los Angeles

Want to get away from all the action in the city?

There are lots of great hiking trails in the LA area.

The closest you can get to the Hollywood Sign is to actually hike to the top of it (or technically behind it).

There are three main trails that will take you to the Hollywood Sign:

1. Brush Canyon Trail – 6.4 miles round trip with 1,050 feet of elevation change.
2. Hollyridge Trail – 3.5 miles round trip with 750 feet of elevation change.
3. Burbank Peak Trail – 3 miles round trip with 875 feet of elevation change.

I would give yourselves about 2-3 hours to do this hike, depending on how experienced you are.

Obviously the Brush Canyon Trail is twice as long as the other two, but that doesn’t mean it’s more difficult.

The Burbank Peak Trail is more difficult, so I would only recommend this if you are an experienced hiker.

Runyon Canyon

Runyon Canyon is a popular trail situated in the Hollywood Hills. This trail also boasts views of DTLA and the surrounding Los Angeles area.

This hiking trail is popular and typically crowded, so I would recommend avoiding peak times.

I would also recommend doing your hikes early in the morning as it gets very hot during the day.

Remember to drink plenty of water and take care of yourself when going on these hikes.

Lake Hollywood

Okay, so this one technically isn’t a hike because you can drive to it…but this is a great place to take your photo beneath the Hollywood sign.

This place can also get crowded as there is only street parking and a limited number of spots, so I would try to get there earlier on in the day.

If you do visit Lake Hollywood, just remember to be courteous of the people who do live in the surrounding area. This is a residential neighborhood so we want to be respectful of that.

Explore Burbank – Best Things To Do In Los Angeles

Time to cross over into the San Fernando Valley!

Burbank is home to three of the major film studios:

Universal, Warner Brothers, and Disney. 

A fun activity that I do recommend for your first time visiting is to go on a studio tour.

If you’re able to do more than one, I would recommend taking a tour of the Universal lot and the Warner Brothers lot. Disney does not offer public tours at this time.

If you’re a big fan of film and TV, this is definitely something for you!

Warner Brothers Studio Tour

If you are a fan of Friends, the Warner Brothers Studio Tour is a must for you. You can take your picture with the replica of the Friends set!

This tour takes you through the lots and even some of the soundstages where they film their productions. 

I won’t spoil it for you, but they give you an inside look at the movie magic and how some films are made.

If you’re into movies and pop culture, this is another one of the best things to do in Los Angeles.

Universal Studios Tour

I also recommend taking the tour for Universal Studios.

It’s the same concept as Warner Brothers, but obviously they both create vastly different content.

Universal Studios also has Universal Theme Park which is amazing for families! 

You can ride the rides, take a stroll down the Universal City Walk, and could pretty much spend an entire day here.

I recommend visiting the Universal City Walk to have dinner, and don’t forget to check out Voodoo Doughnuts while you’re there!

Attend A Show Taping As A Live Audience Member

Another thing to consider prior to your visit is if you want to participate in the audience of any taped show.

Lots of shows offer a live audience and are completely free to attend!

However, the challenge is actually being selected to attend those shows. 

Let’s say Ellen for example. Her show is wildly popular and very difficult to get to.

I was very fortunate to have been selected to attend a taping (which happened to also be on my birthday.)

In order to apply for being in the audience, you’ll need to visit the studio website to get started.

If you want to attend the Kelly Clarkson Show for example (great show, by the way), here‘s where you would start the process of entering for tickets.

I believe you can only apply to one date, so choose wisely!

You’ll receive an email letting you know if you have been selected to attend the taping. 

If you want more info on this feel free to reach out to me – I’ve attended tapings like Ellen, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Voice, Fuller House, The Talk, and probably a couple of others that I can’t remember.

Explore Downtown LA – Best Things To Do In Los Angeles

DTLA has so much to see it’s overwhelming!

If you’re looking for a place to grab a bite to eat, or a rooftop bar overlooking Los Angeles, there’s something for everyone here.

Let me remind you that there are TONS of different bars & restaurants to explore, but I’m just going to name a couple here based off of my personal experience. I don’t spend a lot of time in DTLA, but I plan to explore more of it.

There are also a few opportunities to check out sporting events for all the sports fans out there.

The Ace Hotel

For those of you into the rooftop bar scene, check out Upstairs At Ace Hotel. 

The vibe is cozy and rustic, and I highly recommend visiting at sunset. Watching the sun paint the sky and seeing the city go from day to night is beautiful!

You can also check out the hotel’s restaurant called Best Girl. They have a very unique menu and eclectic vibe with great service. 

We made a reservation as it was show night at the Ace Hotel Theatre, which was definitely the right move.

With any restaurant you go to in LA, I always recommend making a reservation if possible.

The Grammy Museum

A great activity for families! The Grammy Museum offers interactive and educational history on all of the Grammy Award Winners and memorabilia.

For all of you music fans out there – this is a must see. So much great history and pop culture to explore here!

There are several floors of different things to see, so make sure to give yourself 1-2 hours to go through everything.

LA Lakers & LA Dodgers

Another perfect family event…if you’re a basketball fan, make sure you visit Staples Center to catch the Lakers basketball game.

With the late and great Kobe Bryant (Rest In Peace), this is the perfect way to honor him and cheer on the Lakers.

There are also several murals around town honoring Kobe and GiGi, so those are cool photo spots as well.

If you’re a baseball fan, head over to Dodger Stadium to catch the LA Dodgers in action. 

I’ve been to a few Dodgers games myself, and this is also the perfect opportunity to snag a LA hat (which is what I ended up doing.)

These are great family events, especially if you have kids who are into sports.

But, I also realize not everyone wants to go to sporting events on their vacation to LA.

So that brings me to my next activity…

Explore Disneyland – Best Things To Do In Los Angeles

Another great family idea or for a gathering of friends (really no matter how old you are), if you’ve never been to Disneyland you can take a drive down to Anaheim to visit.

If you’ve been to Disney World in Orlando, obviously this is a smaller version of it, but nonetheless still a great experience if you love theme parks and you love Disney.

If you are traveling during the summer months, just be prepared that it will be very hot and you’ll need to drink plenty of water. The heat can get miserable!

If you’re traveling in the winter months (November-March), it’ll be much more tolerable.

What Not To Do:

Now these are just merely suggestions, but after living here for a year, I would say maybe avoid some of these things.

The main one – please try to avoid taking tours of the star’s homes. This is usually a waste of money, and the homes they take you to are not only inaccurate, but also a huge invasion of privacy.

Celebrities are people just like us, and their privacy should be respected.

If you do happen to see a celebrity out in public, the best thing you can do is to let them be. More than likely, they do not want to be confronted and they don’t want their photo taken.

For the year I’ve lived here, I hardly ever see them – they’re not easily spotted. They blend in on purpose, and I would encourage you to not spend your efforts looking for them.

As I touched on a bit earlier, don’t go to any restaurant without a reservation.

More than likely it will be completely full and will have long wait times.

Don’t get on the 405 Freeway. Ever.

Just kidding – it’s almost necessary. But be aware of the best times and worst times to travel on it. You’re going to hit traffic no matter what, but I would suggest anytime between 11am-2pm, and then anytime after 8pm.

Given the current situation with COVID, traffic has been substantially less and I can actually get to places in a reasonable amount of time.

But when everything goes back to normal, keep this in mind.

And honestly, there’s traffic everywhere in LA, not just the 405. But I’m sure you knew that already!

Wrapping Up

Hopefully this was a helpful guide for anyone visiting LA for the first time or even returning to explore something else.

I’ve only lived here for a year, but I will definitely be posting more as I discover new places. Also check out my recent blog post “My First Year Living In Los Angeles.“

If you’re planning a trip in the near future, this is a great guide to give you some of the best things to do in Los Angeles for everyone in the family.

Share your thoughts in the comments below: Have you been to LA before? What was your favorite thing to do?