🎬 Hollywood & The Movies
You can't visit LA without paying homage to the industry that built it.
- The Walk of Fame: It's crowded and kitschy, but finding your favorite star is a rite of passage. Don't miss the handprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
- Studio Tours: For a real behind-the-scenes look, Warner Bros. Studio Tour is excellent. You'll see real sets (like Friends or Gilmore Girls) and working soundstages. Universal Studios is more of a theme park but offers the famous tram tour.
- The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures: A newer addition, this museum is a dream for film buffs, featuring props like Dorothy's ruby slippers and the shark from Jaws.
🏖️ Beach Cities: Sun, Sand, and Surf
The coastline defines the LA lifestyle.
- Santa Monica: Famous for its pier with the solar-powered Ferris wheel. The 3rd Street Promenade offers great shopping and street performers.
- Venice Beach: Bohemian and gritty. Walk the boardwalk to see Muscle Beach, the skate park, and eclectic street vendors. The Venice Canals nearby offer a peaceful, scenic walk.
- Malibu: Drive north on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) for dramatic cliffs and celebrity homes. Zuma Beach is great for families, while Surfrider Beach is iconic for... well, surfing.
🎨 Art & Culture
LA has quietly become one of the world's great art cities.
- The Getty Center: Perched on a hill in Brentwood, it offers stunning architecture, gardens, and views of the whole city (on a clear day). Entrance is free (you just pay for parking).
- LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art): The largest art museum in the west. Don't miss the "Urban Light" installation outside—a forest of vintage street lamps perfect for photos.
- The Broad: A contemporary art museum in Downtown LA (DTLA) housing works by Warhol and Koons. The "Infinity Mirror Rooms" by Yayoi Kusama are a must-see (book in advance).
🌮 A Foodie's Paradise
LA's diversity makes it one of the best food cities in America.
- Tacos: From street trucks like Leo's Taco Truck (try the Al Pastor) to Guisados for stewed fillings, tacos are a religion here.
- Koreatown: The largest K-town in the US. Go for 24-hour Korean BBQ at Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong or tofu soup at BCD Tofu House.
- Grand Central Market: A historic food hall in DTLA. Try the egg sandwiches at Eggslut or pupusas from Sarita's.
- In-N-Out Burger: The California classic. Order a "Double-Double Animal Style." It's fast food, but it's *our* fast food.
🌄 The Great Outdoors
- Griffith Observatory: Offers the best view of the Hollywood Sign and the city basin. It's a great spot for sunset. Admission to the building is free.
- Runyon Canyon: The place to hike if you want to see celebrities walking their dogs. It offers great views and a good workout.
- Mulholland Drive: A classic scenic drive along the ridge of the Santa Monica Mountains. Stop at the overlooks for breathtaking night views of the city grid.
💎 Hidden Gems
- The Last Bookstore: A whimsical bookshop in DTLA located in an old bank building, famous for its book tunnel and vault.
- Greystone Mansion: A stunning estate in Beverly Hills with public gardens. It's often used as a filming location (seen in movies like "The Big Lebowski" and "There Will Be Blood").
- Time Travel Mart: A quirky shop in Echo Park selling "dinosaur eggs" and "robot milk," which actually supports a non-profit literacy center.
