Looking for once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles on your next trip to this vibrant city? There are so many bucket list experiences that are unique to this magical city. From the dazzling lights of Hollywood to the luscious greenery of Griffith Park, there are so many memories to be made.
If you have limited time in the city, it can be tough to narrow down what experiences are most important to check off while visiting. For that reason, I have compiled a list of places and experiences that I think are unique to Los Angeles and relatively easy to access.
These experiences are for all types of visitors to Los Angeles: the celebrity-enthusiast, the nature-lover, the parents-with-kids, and everyone in between.
Visit Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is a must-see staple of Los Angeles that you need to see at least once in your lifetime when visiting the city. From its stunning architecture to rich history, I promise that a trip to this landmark will not be one you regret. You can pretend you are James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause or Emma Stone in La La Land while exploring one of the world’s leading astrological sites. And the best part? It’s free!
The observatory is situated atop a series of winding roads through Griffith Park. Griffith Park is a beautiful, protected municipal park with over 4,000 acres of wilderness. You have the option to drive all the way up the winding hills to the observatory where you can park along the road or in one of the lots at the top of the hill, or you can choose to park in one of the parking lots further down and hike up. During busier times, you may have to park in one of the lots further down the hill, but there are free buses that will take you to the top. For more information on you arrival, read on here.
Given its higher altitude, you will be greeted by breathtaking views of downtown LA, the ocean, and the Hollywood sign. In my visits to Los Angeles, I have found these to views to be among the best out of all the places I have visited. If you are looking for a great picture taking spot, this is it!
Once within the observatory, you will find a small museum that is great for learning more about the history of Griffith and general astrology knowledge. The museum is geared more towards older kids and adults, but there are a few interactive exhibits that smaller children may enjoy.
Along the outside of the observatory, there are a number of marked staircases allowing you to climb to the roof of the building. If you are visiting in the evening, you may find the telescope to be open, allowing visitors to peer up at the night sky. I highly recommend waiting in line to look through for this once in a lifetime view.
If you are interested in getting the full observatory experience, there is a planetarium with shows running every hour throughout the day. I attended a show on my first visit to the museum and it was incredibly entertaining and informative. Definitely worth the $10 I paid! They offer discounts for children, teachers, seniors, and others as well.
Hike to the Hollywood Sign
Feeling adventurous? Want to enjoy the beautiful Los Angeles weather? Then maybe a hike to the Hollywood sign is exactly what you are looking for. This is truly a once in a lifetime thing to do in Los Angeles that you can’t find anywhere else.
There are a number of different trails that wind through the Los Angeles wilderness to the Hollywood Sign. Fair warning, none of the hiking trails would be considered quick little jaunts. However, if you are up for adventure, these are all easily achievable!
There are three primary trails you can take are:
- Mt. Hollywood Trail: 5.3 Miles round trip
- Brush Canyon Trail: 6 Miles round trip
- Cahuenga Peak Trail: 3 Miles round trip
Pack a water bottle and throw on your sneakers and get ready for some incredible views!
Stroll Down Santa Monica Pier
Visiting Santa Monica Pier has to be on your checklist for once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles. The pier comes alive with shops, food stands, rides, and games: it’s nearly impossible not to feel the heart of Los Angeles while strolling the boardwalk.
Santa Monica Pier is great for kids and adults alike because there is a little bit of everything for everyone. Make sure you check out Pacific Park, the amusement park situated at the end of the pier. There are a number of rides including a roller coaster and ferris wheel. You can buy a limited number of tickets to go on rides, or there are options to buy unlimited wristbands if you want the full experience!
Beyond the amusement park, you can find other attractions such as the Playland Arcade, Heal the Bay Aquarium, and a number of shops and food stands to stroll through. This makes for both a great daytime or evening activity!
Read on for more detail about Santa Monica Pier’s boardwalk here.
Check Out Hollywood Boulevard
Hitting up the Hollywood Boulevard is another quintessential, once in a lifetime thing to do in Los Angeles on your next visit. For those who have visited New York City, I would consider Hollywood Boulevard to Times Square: a little grungy and a lot touristy, but a must-see when you are there.
First and foremost, you can take a walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and check out the stars of your favorite celebrities! Then you can pop over to Ovation Hollywood, the shopping/dining center that is also home to the famed Dolby and TCL Chinese theatres.
Other finds along the boardwalk include Dolby Theatre (where the Academy Awards are held), Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, and Madame Tussauds wax museum.
If you want to fully immerse yourself into the world of Hollywood and celebrities, perhaps you may want to take a bus tour out of Hollywood. You can find all types of tours including Los Angeles history tours, celebrity home tours, hop on/hop off bus tours, and more! Read on more about bus tours here.
Join a Live Studio Audience for a Show Taping
What better way to immerse yourself into Los Angeles than to see Hollywood magic being created up close? There are a number of different shows that offer free tickets to live tapings of shows every week. Depending on the time of year you visit, there are different shows available.
Each show has a slightly different way in how they offer tickets. Some shows you have to apply for tickets weeks/months in advance while others will have availability up until the day of. To read more about how to get tickets to a live show taping, I highly recommend utilizing the On Camera Audiences website. Here you can find more detailed information on how to get tickets to the shows you are interested in.
In my experience, older, less “popular” shows tend to be easier to get tickets to such as the Price is Right. However, I was able to get free tickets to America’s Got Talent and the Masked Singer up until the week of my visit as well!
Don’t Stop Exploring Here!
Check out my other itineraries for more travel inspiration!
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