Your complete guide to Los Angeles
Verified itineraries, honest advice, and no-fluff tips on Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Downtown LA, plus day trips across the region, from Disneyland to Joshua Tree.
Top-rated activities in Los Angeles
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Top destinations in and around Los Angeles
From Hollywood and Santa Monica to the Getty Center and Downtown LA, plus day trips to Disneyland and Catalina Island further afield.
Hollywood: Inside the Myth of the Movies
A guide to Hollywood's film history, its studios and boulevard, and why the Hollywood Sign is best seen, not approached.
Griffith Observatory & Griffith Park
Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park: the hiking trails, viewpoints and sunset timing for LA's best panorama and Hollywood Sign views.
Downtown LA
Downtown LA is the region's vertical, office and cultural core, and one of the few areas where the Metro genuinely works.
West Hollywood
West Hollywood travel guide: nightlife, design shops and LA's LGBTQ+ scene, plus how to plan an evening-first visit between Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
Catalina Island & Avalon
Plan a Catalina Island day trip or overnight stay in Avalon: ferry times, no-car logistics, seasonal tips and things to do on the island.
Long Beach
Long Beach travel guide: the LA area's working port city, reachable by Metro, with an aquarium, waterfront and Catalina Island ferry.
Things to do in Los Angeles
A hike up to the Hollywood Sign, a walk on Santa Monica Pier, a visit to the Getty Center, and more — the best activities in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Walking Tours
Guided walks through Hollywood, Downtown's historic core and Venice, covering history, architecture and local stories, from short introductions to in-depth small-group tours led by local guides.
Boat Cruises
Harbor cruises and sunset sails out of Marina del Rey, Long Beach and Newport Beach, plus the ferry crossing to Catalina Island.
Day Trips
Bookable day trips out of LA to San Diego, Santa Barbara, Temecula wine country and Joshua Tree, most run with round-trip transport included.
Food Tours
Guided food walks through neighborhoods like Downtown's Grand Central Market, Koreatown and the Original Farmers Market, sampling multiple stops in a few hours.
Essential travel guides
Our most popular guides to help you prepare.
Los Angeles Museums and Landmarks: A Scattered City's Best Sites
How LA's museums and landmarks spread across Downtown, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and beyond, and how to group visits without wasting a day in traffic.
Celebrity Homes Tours in Los Angeles: Beverly Hills and Bel Air
Los Angeles celebrity homes tours explained: Beverly Hills and Bel Air routes, formats, what you'll actually see and what's never guaranteed.
Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory: How to See Them
How to actually see the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory: viewpoints, hikes, tours, parking and what's not possible.
Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame: A Practical Guide
Plan a visit to Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame, with the Dolby Theatre, nearby activities and honest notes on the Hollywood Sign.
Day Trips in Los Angeles: Downtown, Hollywood and the Hills
Guided day trips covering Downtown LA, Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills and Pasadena in small-group or combined formats.
Food Tours in Los Angeles: Downtown, Hollywood and Beyond
Food tours across Downtown LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Pasadena — what's on offer, how booking works, and how to plan around LA's.
Suggested itineraries
Tested routes to make the most of your time.
One Day in Hollywood and Griffith Park
A one-day plan for Hollywood Boulevard in the morning and Griffith Observatory at sunset, with driving times and parking tips.
Three Days in Los Angeles: The Classic Itinerary
A 3-day Los Angeles itinerary balancing Hollywood, Universal Studios, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica and Venice Beach.
Seven Days in Southern California: The Grand Tour
A 7-day road trip linking Hollywood, Santa Monica, Disneyland, Laguna Beach, Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, with realistic driving times.
Why trust Los Angeles Trip?
Every guide is written independently from first-hand research, with tours and activities booked through our partners — when you book through our links, you pay the same price and we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.