Los Angeles is a global city that is home to a vast number of different things to see and do. There are beautiful sights such as the Hollywood Sign and the Santa Monica Pier as well as cultural places like the LACMA and entertaining places like the Universal Studios. It is a city of nice weather and a virtually limitless list of entertainment options, which makes Los Angeles an ideal place for a vacation.

It is therefore important to have a comfortable means of transport as one tours this large city during sightseeing. You may want to use a Los Angeles limo service and let a professional driver deal with traffic and directions while you travel between the different neighborhoods of LA. This means that when you are on your LA sightseeing tour, you will be free to just sit back and enjoy the view.

Top Iconic Los Angeles Attractions

Every visitor should visit these popular tourist attractions when in LA. It has been a while since they have become the city’s most famous and recognizable landmarks.

Take in Panoramic Views from Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park

Griffith Observatory looms large on the south face of Mount Hollywood, and provides a breathtaking view of the city of Angeles, from the downtown skyline to the Pacific Ocean. This is a famous structure that has been featured in many movies and thus, it is one of the things that one must do in LA. Go inside to see displays of astronomical and scientific instruments.

Marvel at Art and Architecture at the Getty Center

Located on a hilltop in Los Angeles’ Westside, The Getty Center is an architectural masterpiece that houses great European artworks. The architectural design of the buildings offers continuity between interior and exterior environments, so that the visitors can move through contemporary galleries, courtyards, fountains and gardens with stunning views of Los Angeles.

Walk the World-Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame

No other place in LA can really be said to represent the entertainment industry as much as the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This famous walkway extends from Hollywood Boulevard to Vine Street for fifteen blocks and immortalizes the biggest stars of the movie, television, music, radio, and theater industries, with over 2700 terrazzo and brass stars.

Take a Spin on the Santa Monica Pier

Every visit to the beach must include a visit to the Santa Monica Pier, the most famous attraction on the Los Angeles coastline. This century old pier extends 300 yards into the Pacific Ocean and is home to amusement park rides, arcades, shops, eateries, and performers.

Discover LA’s Cultural and Historical Sites

Beyond the glitz of Hollywood lie Los Angeles attractions that offer a look at more serious and enlightening subjects—especially art and history. These cultural institutions provide context to better understand the city.

Marvel at Art Collections New and Old at LACMA

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the country’s largest art museum west of Chicago. Spread across a 20-acre campus near Beverly Hills, the museum encompasses several buildings showcasing extensive collections spanning ancient times to present day.

Must-see installations include Chris Burden’s “Urban Light” sculpture garden of antique lamp posts and the newly opened Renzo Piano-designed building featuring impressive contemporary and modern art. With so many exhibitions to explore, LACMA is a can’t-miss attraction for art lovers sightseeing in Los Angeles.

Broaden Your Art Horizons at The Broad

Found downtown, this contemporary art museum named The Broad houses an impressive collection featuring pieces from artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Cindy Sherman. The eye-catching building itself makes a statement with its unique honeycomb facade.

Inside, discover two floors of diverse contemporary and modern art installations often dealing with political and socially engaged themes. Be sure to arrive early to beat long lines or book tickets ahead online for this intriguing LA art museum.

Journey Back in Time at La Brea Tar Pits

In the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles lies the La Brea Tar Pits, where natural asphalt pools concealed beneath the Earth’s surface have preserved Ice Age fossils for thousands of years. Today a museum sits alongside the tar pits displaying fossils of long-extinct mammoths, dire wolves, and saber-toothed cats.

Visitors can watch paleontologists work at the Fossil Lab and even help sift through excavated sediment for prehistoric bones. This National Natural Landmark lets you vividly imagine Los Angeles long before it was a bustling global city, making it one of the most fascinating and educational stops for LA sightseeing.

Discover Family-Friendly Attractions

From amusement parks to zoos, Los Angeles overflows with exciting attractions perfect for families traveling with kids of any age. These interactive spots promise entertainment for the whole group.

Experience Movie Magic at Universal Studios Hollywood

No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. This classic movie studio and theme park transports visitors straight into the world of Hollywood with immersive rides, shows, and attractions themed around popular films and TV shows.

Must-do rides include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, and the acclaimed Studio Tour. Families can easily spend a whole day exploring this iconic LA attraction. Arrive early, purchase skip-the-line passes, or book a VIP Experience tour to maximize time in the park.

Get Back to Nature at the Los Angeles Zoo

Over 1,400 exotic animals call the Los Angeles Zoo home. Traversing this 133-acre zoo in Griffith Park allows visitors to safely view creatures from around the world in thoughtfully designed habitats including an Asian elephant exhibit with a swimming hole, the chimpanzee-filled Campo Gorilla Reserve, and the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles) complex showcasing frogs, snakes, insects, and more.

Special zoo experiences like camel rides and VIP wildlife tours take family fun to the next level. The onsite botanical gardens additionally provide quiet spaces to enjoy nature’s beauty.

Admire LA’s Natural Landscapes

Between the beaches, mountains, canyons, and valleys, Los Angeles enjoys a diversity of natural landscapes that make for postcard-perfect backdrops for outdoor adventures.

Take in Panoramic City Views on a Hike through Runyon Canyon Park

One of LA’s most popular hikes leads through Runyon Canyon Park in the Hollywood Hills. Trekkers are rewarded with awesome perspectives of Los Angeles thanks to the park’s prime location and elevation.

Multiple trails of varying difficulty levels wind through 160 acres of rugged terrain, passing landmarks like the Hollywood Sign. Hit the trails early in the day then fuel up with a fresh-pressed juice or breakfast burrito afterwards at one of Hollywood’s many trendy cafés nearby.

Wander the Colorful Canals of Venice Beach

The scenic Venice Canals transport visitors to an Italian-style waterfront right in vibrant Venice Beach. Stroll across the charming bridges and admire the eclectic canal-front homes painted in bright pastels.

The canals connect out to the bustling Venice Beach Boardwalk where street performers, local artists, bodybuilders, and more eclectic characters congregate as waves crash in the background. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak to fully immerse yourself in the beach scene. As the sun sets behind the Santa Monica Mountains, hop between hip bars and eateries to continue soaking up Venice’s one-of-a-kind vibe.

Explore LA’s Top Shopping and Dining Destinations

When your feet need a break from the nonstop LA sightseeing, refuel at these premier shopping and dining districts around the city.

Feel Like a Star while Shopping on Rodeo Drive

No trip to Los Angeles is complete without strolling the famed Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The mere mention of this chic street conjures images of luxury boutiques, flashy sports cars, and paparazzi chasing down celebrities. Even window shopping offers fabulous people watching!

Iconic stores lining the Rodeo Drive sidewalks include Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Harry Winston, and the original Prada boutique. After working up an appetite, pop into nearby restaurants like The Grill or Via Alloro for exclusive star sightings over California cuisine with Mediterranean inspiration.

Dine and Shop ‘til You Drop at The Grove

Across from the iconic Original Farmers Market lies one of Los Angeles’ premiere shopping complexes—The Grove. This vibrant outdoor mall dazzles visitors with a central fountain surrounded by 50 popular stores like Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble, and Apple. Movie enthusiasts will appreciate the vintage trolley connecting The Grove to the nearby TCL Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Walk of Fame.

When hunger calls, choose from restaurants like the legendary Cheesecake Factory or celeb hot spot Joan’s on Third. With free summer concerts and celebrity sightings, The Grove promises a quintessential LA shopping and dining experience.

Tips for Sightseeing in Los Angeles Like a Pro

With so many things to see and do in Los Angeles, planning ahead helps maximize your time to fully experience the top attractions.

Avoid Crowds by Visiting in Shoulder Season

Skip the peak summer months when hotels and attractions burst with tourists. Instead, target April/May or September/October to enjoy Los Angeles’ famously sunny weather with smaller crowds and often discounted hotel rates.

Use Multiple Transport Options for Easy Access to Sights

LA’s endless grid of highways and roads connects every attraction, so having a rental car makes sightseeing efficient. When traffic gets crazy, use rideshares, transit, or organized tour buses to minimize stress. And always ask your hotel concierge for the best neighborhood parking tips!

Save Time By Purchasing Tickets in Advance

From museum entry to theme park passes, snag tickets online ahead of arriving to bypass long box office lines. Look into discounted attraction passes like the Go Los Angeles Card or Southern California CityPASS to save money while seeing the top LA sights.

Conclusion

From the Hollywood Hills to the Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles is packed full of sights, undiscovered local areas, activities and glamorous shopping and eating destinations. There are so many unique things to do in LA that every traveler can create their own dream Southern California vacation. But do not forget to travel in style across the city roads by hiring a professional Los Angeles limo service! Their expertise and transportation services assist you in spending more of your time visiting all the great attractions rather than being trapped in traffic. Here’s to an amazing and truly Los Angeles experience!