16 Best Things to Do for Your Los Angeles Bucket List
Los Angeles mixes glam Hollywood moments with laid-back beach vibes, serving A-list attractions that belong on every bucket list.
Our guide rounds up the top must-do activities that’ll have you living your best West Coast life!
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1. Hike to the Hollywood Sign via Griffith Park
The Hollywood Sign hike dishes up pure California magic with panoramic views of the sprawling city below.
Starting from Griffith Park’s official lot, this beginner-friendly trail winds through chaparral-covered hills, leading you straight to the iconic 45-foot-tall letters.
The 6-mile round trip rewards hikers with killer photo ops and a close-up peek at Hollywood’s most recognizable landmark.
2. Ride the Pacific Wheel at Santa Monica Pier
The Pacific Wheel spins 130 feet above the beach, flaunting the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel.
From your climate-controlled gondola, catch stunning views of the Pacific coastline while the sun dips into the ocean.
After dark, 174,000 LED lights turn the wheel into a dazzling light show against the night sky.
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3. Tour Warner Bros. Studios
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour pulls back the velvet rope of Tinseltown, letting you roam actual working movie sets where Hollywood magic happens daily.
You’ll walk through the same backlots where countless blockbusters came to life. The tour changes daily based on active filming, so each visit offers something new!
4. Visit The Broad Museum
The Broad Museum‘s honeycomb exterior is just the start of its architectural wow factor.
Inside, over 2,000 contemporary masterpieces await, including the mind-bending Infinity Mirror Rooms by Yayoi Kusama.
General admission won’t cost you a dime. Just book your spot about a month ahead – this place stays packed for good reason.
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5. Watch a Concert at the Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is an LA institution where music meets nature in perfect harmony. Since 1922, this outdoor amphitheater nestled in the Hollywood Hills has hosted everyone from The Beatles to Lady Gaga.
The natural acoustics, backed by those iconic white arches, create pure musical magic under the California stars.
6. Visit the La Brea Tar Pits
The La Brea Tar Pits stand as Earth’s richest Ice Age fossil site, where active excavations still uncover prehistoric treasures daily.
Watch paleontologists dig up sabertooth cat and dire wolf bones from the same sticky asphalt that trapped them thousands of years ago.
The bubbling tar lakes and life-sized recreations of mammoths in their final moments transport you straight back to prehistoric Los Angeles.
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7. Catch a Movie at Melrose Rooftop Theater
The ultra-hip Melrose Rooftop Theatre transforms E.P. & L.P.’s open-air space into a magical movie spot with LA’s glittering skyline as your backdrop.
Snuggle into comfy beanbags with wireless headphones while savoring a three-course dinner menu featuring spicy ahi tuna and internet-breaking Basque cheesecake.
The show kicks off at sunset, letting you soak up those golden LA moments before diving into cult classics and new releases.
8. Visit The Getty Center
The Getty Center offers triple delights: world-class art collections spanning medieval triptychs to impressionist masterpieces, cutting-edge architecture by Richard Meier, and stunning seasonal gardens.
On clear days, you can catch breathtaking views of the city and ocean. Must-see pieces include Van Gogh’s Irises and Monet’s Wheatstacks.
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9. Explore Grand Central Market
Since 1917, Grand Central Market has been LA’s culinary heartbeat, hosting 39 vendors serving everything from authentic Mexican tacos to artisanal coffee.
Villa’s Tacos crafts handmade blue-corn masterpieces, while The Donut Man creates towering fruit-filled confections that drip with sweetness.
For pizza lovers, Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria dishes up perfect slices topped with creamy burrata and crispy prosciutto.
10. Visit the Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory stands as LA’s celestial gateway, offering free admission to explore 67,000 square feet of space and science exhibits. Don’t miss the Tesla Coil demonstration!
The observatory has starred in countless films, from Rebel Without a Cause to La La Land, making it both a scientific landmark and Hollywood icon.
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11. Experience Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood delivers movie magic across 400 acres of thrills and behind-the-scenes peeks.
The legendary Studio Tour, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, whisks you through 13 blocks of working movie sets.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter brings Hogwarts to life with immersive rides and magical experiences, while Super Nintendo World’s Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge puts you right inside the beloved video game.
12. Have Drinks Aboard the Queen Mary
The Queen Mary’s Observation Bar serves up pure 1930s glamour with its restored Art Deco lounge, complete with vintage murals and bright red accents.
This former first-class lounge dishes out craft cocktails while offering killer views of the Long Beach waterfront through its wall of windows.
Catch live jazz on Thursdays or join the Tuesday night party scene when the ship buzzes with special events and drink deals.
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13. Visit Crumbs And Whiskers Cat Cafe
Crumbs & Whiskers turns cat cafes into an Instagram dream with dark walls, fluffy pink pillows, and white faux-shearling rugs.
Around 25 gorgeous rescue cats lounge around this modern space on Melrose, ready for cuddles and photo ops.
14. Take a Horseback Ride through Hollywood Hills
Saddle up beneath the Hollywood sign for a horseback adventure through Griffith Park’s trails.
Trot alongside expert guides as you ascend scenic paths, revealing breathtaking panoramas of the sprawling Los Angeles cityscape.
This intimate journey combines the charm of an authentic ranch setting with the grandeur of LA’s most iconic vistas.
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15. Visit the Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen’s stunning stainless-steel ribbon facade houses over 100 rare and iconic vehicles across 25 galleries.
The ground floor showcases automotive eye candy, while the second floor geeks out on engineering and racing.
For next-level car spotting, book a tour of The Vault – a basement collection of 250+ vehicles including Hollywood stars’ personal rides and head-of-state cars.
16. Watch Sunset from Venice Beach Boardwalk
The Venice Beach Boardwalk transforms into pure magic at golden hour when street performers, artists, and food vendors create an electric atmosphere against the backdrop of spectacular sunsets.
Grab a spot by the Venice Skate Park or near the iconic V-Structure at Windward Avenue to watch the sky explode in oranges and pinks over the Pacific.
For bonus points, pedal along the beach bike path toward Santa Monica as the sun dips below the horizon.
