Visiting Los Angeles and wondering where to go? We’ve got five of the best places to visit in Los Angeles, from Hollywood to Santa Monica and beyond.
Want a personalized itinerary and VIP perks at the best hotels in LA? Connect with Fora to plan and book your trip. We’ll provide expert-sourced itinerary suggestions, help you find accommodations that best match your travel preferences and hook you up with all sorts of cool extras, from complimentary daily breakfast to spa tickets and more.
5 of the coolest places to visit in Los Angeles County
Read on for a breakdown of five of the best places to visit in Los Angeles.
1. Hollywood Walk of Fame: a fun trek with plenty of cool sights beyond the stars
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is so much more than a monument to celebrities past and present. There are cool museums, neat bars, clubs and, of course, the city’s best theaters. Many of the best luxury hotels in Los Angeles are near Hollywood, too, making it a great base for exploring the city at large.
Connect with Fora to level up your stay at great hotels like Palihouse West Hollywood.
(P.S.: if you’re a lover of all things geek culture — especially from a galaxy far, far away — Scum and Villainy Cantina is a fun place for cocktails and mingling.)
Fora Perks at Palihouse West Hollywood:
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
2. Griffith Observatory & Griffith Park: check out the (real) stars from one of the most iconic places to visit in LA
Since 1935, Griffith Observatory — one of the first public observatories in the world — has provided guests a chance to glimpse the cosmos. All the telescopes and museum exhibits are free to use and see, but there’s also a ticketed planetarium show with live narration, among other shows, that are family friendly.
On clear days, the view of Los Angeles from the observatory’s surrounding cliffs is stellar, as well. Outside of the observatory, Griffith Park hosts scenic hiking trails and the LA Zoo.
(Curious about LA culture? Read our Los Angeles culture guide.)
For an excellent place to stay nearby, we love Sunset Tower Hotel.
Fora Perks at Sunset Tower Hotel:
$100 food / beverage credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
3. Santa Monica Pier & Beach: Los Angeles’ world-famous pier
Exploring Los Angeles often starts with a visit to the world-famous Santa Monica Pier — you know, the one with a Ferris wheel and roller coaster at the end of it. You’ll also find plenty of casual eateries, street performers and shops both on and off the pier.
Sidenote: if you’re not into crowds, Huntington Beach in Orange County and many of the beaches in Malibu are slightly less busy in summer (and practically empty in colder months).
Like Hollywood, you’ll find excellent hotels in Santa Monica, like Santa Monica Proper Hotel. And if you book your stay with Fora, we can hook you up with A+ hotel perks and status.
Fora Perks at Santa Monica Proper Hotel:
Breakfast daily.
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
4. Universal Studios Hollywood: one of the best places to visit in Los Angeles for families, couples…
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Super Nintendo World and more all make Universal Studios Hollywood one of the most fun places to visit in Los Angeles. The studio tour is one of the park’s coolest attractions and actually takes you through Universal’s film studios, where popular movies and TV shows are regularly filmed (in addition to a few extra stops).
(BTW, while it’s not technically in Los Angeles, Disneyland is less than an hour away in Anaheim, California. Never been? Check out our first-timer’s guide to Disneyland and California Adventure.)
5. Getty Center: an incredible museum showcasing American & European art (plus scenic botanical gardens)
If you’re looking for something more laid-back, The Getty is one of California’s foremost museums. Throughout its contemporary corridors you’ll encounter an expansive collection of European and American art. The exhibits are — for the most part — divided between three eras: the 20th century, the 19th century and a span from the BCE era through the 13th century.
Best of all, The Getty is free to visit (but you do need to reserve a time). For a luxe home base nearby, opt for Hotel Bel-Air.
Fora Perks at Hotel Bel-Air:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade whenever possible.
Want more recs for places to visit in Los Angeles? Ask Fora
There are so many sights and hidden gems in Los Angeles, we couldn’t possibly include all the best places to visit here.
Instead, why not connect with Fora to plan and book a trip consisting of the best places to visit in Los Angeles that interest you specifically? Booking costs no more than what you’d pay directly. Plus, you’ll unlock VIP hotel perks and status at no additional cost. It’s the best way to travel.
Unsure about L.A. as the setting for your next vacation? Check out these fun West Coast travel guides, too:
The Best Hotels in San Francisco: 5 Unique & Exciting Choices
5 Luxe Hotels in Santa Barbara, California’s Ritzy Coastal City
This article has been fact checked by Pro Fora Advisor Katie Gooding, an expert on travel to Los Angeles, California.