Los Angeles attractions

Since it opened in 2001, the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood has become best known as the annual home of the Academy Awards, but the 3,400-seat theater—where the grandeur of an old European opera house meets the high-tech capabilities of the Dolby company—also hosts concerts, TV specials, comedy shows, movie premieres, and many other events.

Universal CityWalk is the 3-block entertainment epicenter of Universal Studios Hollywood—the place to be after a day at the theme park for dining, shopping, and live shows (including Howl and the Moon). Visitors here will find 30 restaurants, a multiscreen movie theater, 30 shops, indoor skydiving, and a live concert venue.

On a busy downtown street corner, the Walt Disney® Concert Hall's twisted-metal landmark building bursts from the Los Angeles cityscape. Designed by Frank Gehry and acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, the building’s interior features walls and a ceiling finished with Douglas fir and unparalleled sound, making it a must-see attraction for lovers of music and architecture.

Many a saber-toothed tiger, dire wolf, mammoth, and ground sloth had the misfortune of “discovering” the La Brea Tar Pits some 40,000 years ago. Excavation on the ice age fossil site—formerly the city’s natural history museum—began in 1915 and continues to this day right in the heart of Los Angeles.

The Capitol Records Building has been one of the most recognizable features of the Hollywood skyline since its construction in 1956. Distinguished by its cylindrical shape, the 13-story skyscraper hosts the Capitol Studios, where the likes of Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, and Nat King Cole have all recorded music.

One of Los Angeles’ most popular shopping destinations, The Grove is an open-air retail and entertainment complex. Stretching across 575,000 square feet (53,419 square meters), the mall hosts dozens of shops, restaurants, and even a movie theater. A trolley serves the complex—ride it for fun or just to rest your feet.

One of Los Angeles’ most storied music venues, Whisky a Go Go has welcomed rock ‘n’ roll fans since 1964. Located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, the nightclub is often called “the first real American discotheque.” Over the decades, it has hosted legends ranging from Jimi Hendrix and the Doors to Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), set within Hancock Park beside the La Brea Tar Pits, is an exciting place to explore the world of art. Here you can view the latest big-budget show, from Monet to Tim Burton; take a seat in the busy lecture/movie hall; or immerse yourself in rare and varied collections.

Comprising a series of manmade canals located just steps from Venice Beach, the Venice Canals are one of LA’s loveliest attractions. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1980s, the Venice Canal District dates to 1905 and was built by a local developer seeking to recreate the romantic ambiance of Italy.

Inspired by Harlem’s 1920s jazz clubs, the Viper Room is one of Los Angeles’ most legendary music venues. Once partly owned by Johnny Depp and long a magnet for Hollywood stars, the Sunset Strip nightclub has earned its place in rock ‘n’ roll lore: legends like Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, and The Strokes have all taken to its stage.

Perched high above the city of Los Angeles, the J. Paul Getty Museum (The Getty) is home to a stellar art collection—with pieces spanning the ages from Renaissance to Pop Art—as well as Richard Meier’s cutting-edge architecture and serene, seasonally changing gardens. On clear days, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of LA and the Pacific coast beyond.

Hollywood’s Golden Age still glitters at this historic theater on Hollywood Boulevard. After opening in 1930, the Art Deco landmark went on to host Academy Awards, glittering galas, and other star-studded Tinseltown events. Now it’s a top venue for musicals and theater in Los Angeles, frequently drawing big-name performers and shows.

One of Los Angeles’ most famous shopping destinations, this colorful West Hollywood street offers an eclectic mix of highbrow and punk rock fashion. Trendsetters and tourists alike flock to the retail hub, where couture storefronts stand alongside vintage boutiques, jewelry shops, and tattoo parlors.

Perched in the Santa Monica Mountains north of Hollywood, the well-heeled neighborhood of Hollywood Hills offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Los Angeles, with plenty of nature, open spaces, and panoramic views. It’s also home to the rich and famous, and features some of the most impressive architecture in the city.

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a Harry Potter book, look no further than the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. Explore Hogwarts Castle, stroll around Hogsmeade, and even cast your own spells with a magic wand at this family-friendly attraction perfect for fans of the series.

Once the most expensive residence in California, the stately Greystone Mansion is now owned by the City of Beverly Hills. Though the 55-room home is typically closed to visitors, you can still stroll the well-tended grounds and admire the mansion’s marvelous exterior.

Originally built as a theatrical venue in 1926, the El Capitan Theatre is one of Los Angeles’ most famous cinematic landmarks. Restored to its original splendor, the stately Hollywood theater now hosts Disney movie screenings and premieres, many of which are accompanied by performances, Q&As, and other special events.

The historic core of Downtown Los Angeles has several architectural gems, and the turn-of-the-century Bradbury Building ranks among the most striking. Opened in 1893, this landmark building is a draw for visitors not so much for its facade, but its ornate interior. Highlights include the ironwork, intricate staircase, and glass skylight.

One of the world’s most recognizable arenas, Crypto.com Arena is home to several sports teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. Entertainment buffs also flock to the multipurpose stadium for concerts and other events.

A bustling Mexican marketplace since 1930, Olvera Street is part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, a US historic district considered the “birthplace of Los Angeles.” Tucked away in downtown LA, the marketplace is home to small eateries that serve Mexican fare as well as stalls that sell souvenirs, clothing, art, and crafts.

Set in Los Angeles, California, the Petersen Automotive Museum portrays the history of cars and their influence on American life. The building spans three floors and 25 galleries, with seasonal exhibits and a diverse collection of more than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

One of Los Angeles’ pre-eminent shopping and entertainment complexes, Hollywood & Highland boasts two heritage movie theaters—the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre—and dozens of shops and restaurants. It’s also located steps away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and hosts the annual Academy Awards,

A testament to the evolving cultural landscape of downtown Los Angeles, Union Station is both transit hub and arts destination, featuring everything from live music to eateries. Despite the updated image, the station still serves travelers first. Find regional trains, bus and car sharing services, and even car rental agencies on site.

Early 20th-century architecture is typically the main draw of LA’s Historic Core, a storied stretch of Downtown Los Angeles centered around Pershing Square. Visitors can tour art deco buildings, cover more ground in less time with a sightseeing tour, or admire downtown views with a ride on the historic Angels Flight funicular.

Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is Hollywood's oldest cemetery, and serves as a burial ground for some of the city’s most famous citizens, including Rudolph Valentino, Judy Garland, and Mickey Rooney. Today, it's also a gathering place for community events such as its Dia de los Muertos (the Mexican Day of the Dead) celebration and summer outdoor movie screenings.

Once the flagship of the Cunard Line, the elegant ocean liner RMSQueen Mary sailed between Southampton, England, Cherbourg, France, and New York City from 1936 to 1967. Now permanently moored in the port of Long Beach,the Queen Mary serves as a floating hotel, restaurant, special event venue, and tourist attraction.

Housed in the historical Max Factor Building, the Hollywood Museum is a popular destination for visiting cinephiles and Old Hollywood enthusiasts. Home to thousands of objects, from costumes and photographs to movie props—and even a Rolls-Royce once owned by Cary Grant—it also features makeup rooms once used by Max Factor himself.

This 26.4-acre (1-hectare) park located along Ocean Avenue is perched above sandstone bluffs in Santa Monica. The waterfront Palisades Park offers guests the opportunity to explore the coast in a delightful outdoor setting. Whether it’s meandering along its paved paths, stopping to smell the roses in the rose garden, or admiring the Pacific Ocean from atop the promenade, the park is a welcomed respite.

The original Laugh Factory opened on Sunset Boulevard in 1979, and today this storied club remains a go-to destination for some of the best stand-up comedy in Los Angeles. Comedy legends and rising stars grace the club's stage almost every night, offering travelers a place for outrageous live acts, right in the heart of Hollywood.

One of the most-visited Madame Tussauds in the world, Madame Tussauds Hollywood stands on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Highlights include wax figures of entertainment icons; film directors such as Alfred Hitchcock; movie characters such as E.T. and the X-Men; as well as pop stars, infamous criminals, and athletes.