In our City Guide Los Angeles, we want to give you a quick walkthrough to some of its most exciting things to see and do. Glamour, thrill, joy and the unique Cali vibe is waiting for you in LA, the second largest city in the US. The iconic Southern California destination. If you think you have seen it all in Los Angeles, think twice: this city is all about endless amusement.
The best things to do in Los Angeles
- Visit the Griffith Observatory to get some of the best views of the city while you learn the secrets of the Universe.
- Do some “beachploration” and spend the day in one of the best beachfronts in the city and its surroundings.
- Explore its most iconic neighborhoods: Koreatown, Echo Park, Hollywood/West Hollywood, Boyle Heights and more.
- Plan a food tour around the city: In-N-Out burgers, Korean BBQ, vegan options, Michelin-stars restaurants and much more.
- Experience the magic of its theme parks with your family and friends and spend an unforgettable time.
Traveling to LA
LAX is the most important hub in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area, connecting the city with hundreds of cities all across the country and in the 5 continents, being in the top 10 of the busiest airports worldwide. However, if you want to avoid the usual LAX crowds, you have plenty of secondary airports to choose from:
- Hollywood Burbank, only a few minutes away from the Los Angeles film and television studios.
- Long Beach, in the southern part of the city, ideal if your destination is in the SoCal shore.
- John Wayne, this Orange County airport is ideal if you’re staying in the Disneyland area.
- Ontario International, nope, not the Canadian city, but the one west of LA with easy access to the Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
One major drawback about secondary airports is the difficulties you may have to get proper ground transportation to and from them. Elife offers the most complete set of airport transportation solutions in Los Angeles, so the airport ride won’t be a matter during your visit.
What to do in Los Angeles?
Griffith Observatory: Explore the universe with a view
Located in the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood, this building and its neighboring park has some of the best views of the famous Hollywood sign, the city’s downtown and even the snowy peaks of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains in clear days.
Inaugurated in 1935, the Observatory has a telescope from which more than 7 million people have gazed at the skies, an impressive exhibition showing the secrets of the space, an operating Tesla coil, amazing paint works and much more you can discover in its six sections.
Vitamin Sea at LA
You can call it a “Trip to LA” until you dip your feet in one of its multiple world-famous beachfronts, that you have definitely spotted on TV shows and movies.
- Santa Monica.An iconic amusement pier, soft sand beaches, a nearby open-air mall and some great restaurants.
- Huntington Beach. A must destination for surfers that includes a museum, a retail district and a relaxing vibe, this town south of LA will delight you.
- Venice Beach. Its artsy walkway is filled with shops, street artists, tattoo parlors and more unique sites give this place a cool vibe.
- Manhattan Beach. One of the most exclusive beachfronts in the area, offering extraordinary food places, a small aquarium and easy access to LAX.
- El Matador state Beach. A perfect place for a photo shoot, this “pocket beach” offers a unique landscape in the area for you to get the most of it.
LA City exploring
The best way to feel LA is by exploring its most representative neighborhoods, where you will find a piece of the city’s vivid history that makes it one of the most vibrant capitals not only in the country but in the whole world.
- Koreatown. West of LA’s downtown, K-town was once the heart of Hollywood’s golden age and now is the epicenter of the city’s nightlife, a culturally rich borough where you can find amazing Korean BBQ places along with Mexican food form all over the country, bars and galleries.
- Echo Park. A quiet neighborhood where you can have a relaxing time exploring its parks, streets with Victorian manors, vintage antique shops and even try some of the best tacos in the city.
- Hollywood/West Hollywood. Tinseltown is the place to be for the film enthusiasts: museums, theaters and even the famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery are part of this neighborhood’s charm.
- Boyle Heights. This latino-influenced borough close to LA’s downtown offers several activities: street art tours, great coffee shops, art centers and even karaoke bars uniquely dedicated to Morrissey and The Smiths songs, this lowkey neighborhood will let you discover a different face of LA.
Theme (and water) Park time in LA
5 theme parks and 4 water parks in LA equals to hours of magic, thrill and fun for everyone. While Disneyland & Knott’s Berry Farm are located in Anaheim, Universal Studios and Six Flags are in the LA valley less than an hour away from the city.
Plan your magic time discovering the full list of parks in Los Angeles and SoCal and get ready to be amused!