10 Essential LA Highlights
Los Angeles is a city of Hollywood glamour, sun-soaked beaches and iconic neighbourhoods, with unforgettable highlights for film fans, nature lovers and foodies alike.
1. Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard is one of the most famous streets in the heart of Los Angeles. It offers 2.2 miles of museums, shops, restaurants and cafés.
The true highlight, however, is the Walk of Fame, with more than 2,760 stars honouring celebrities from the worlds of film, television, music, theatre and radio. Look out for the star of your favourite celebrity. It is also home to the famous Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are awarded every year.
Take the chance and book a guided tour of the premises of these venerable halls. Directly opposite is the TCL Chinese Theatre. It impresses not only with its imposing architecture but also with its famous hand and footprints of the stars on the square in front of it.
The TLC is not only a historical landmark but also a popular cinema that still hosts regular film screenings. Here you have the opportunity to see current films while experiencing the unique atmosphere of the theatre.
Our tips: The Walk of Fame is a very popular place for tourists, so we recommend visiting early in the morning if you’d like to have more of the area to yourself. From here, you can walk to another highlight away from all the hustle and bustle.
The El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard is the venue where the famous late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is recorded. Here, you have the unforgettable opportunity to sit in the audience, but you should be sure to reserve your place at least three weeks before departure.
2. Runyon Canyon
Within walking distance of the bustling Walk of Fame is a true oasis of tranquillity and nature – Runyon Canyon. Here you will find both accessible asphalt walking trails and more challenging natural trails. They all wind through the breathtaking hilly landscape for which Los Angeles is so famous.
No matter which path you choose, you will be rewarded at the end with a unique view. Only here do you realise the enormous size of the city. From here you can see Hollywood, the skyscrapers of downtown and the beaches of Venice and Malibu.
You can also catch a glimpse of the Hollywood Sign and the impressive mansions of the Hollywood Hills from certain corners of the park.
Our tip: In Runyon Canyon, you’ll mainly meet locals jogging or walking their dogs. A visit to the park is particularly beautiful in spring, when the hills are still green, and the wildflowers are beginning to bloom.
Between the palm trees and chirping birds, this is the perfect spot to recharge your batteries.
3. Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory is an impressive landmark and educational centre, perched high above the city in the Hollywood Hills. Here, you can admire interactive exhibitions on astronomy and a huge telescope in its dome, all with free admission.
The site’s outdoor area is also picturesque, offering breathtaking views of the city as well as the famous Hollywood Sign. At sunrise or sunset in particular, it’s a true spectacle, with thousands of city lights below. Take a taxi or Uber up the winding streets, then walk back down to Griffith Park.
4. The Hollywood Sign
Just about every visitor to LA would love to have a picture of the iconic Hollywood Sign as a souvenir. It’s perfectly understandable, after all, it’s the symbol of the entertainment industry as we know it today, shining brightly after its renovation in the 1970s.
There are numerous places and hiking trails from which you can see the white letters. However, the distances are often too great for a good view, which can make getting the perfect photo tricky. As already mentioned, Runyon Canyon and Griffith Observatory are good starting points, but you can get even closer.
Our tip: An absolute insider tip is to take Mulholland Drive. However, as it is a small road and residents may be disturbed, we recommend Lake Hollywood Park. Located near the city’s picturesque reservoir, this small, unassuming park in the Hills offers the perfect photo opportunity.
For a change of perspective, you can also hike through Bronson Canyon to the Canyon Drive car park. From here, a steep climb will take you behind the Hollywood Sign. You can’t get any closer than this to the famous letters!
5. Go to a classic diner
For a snack or a relaxing end to the day, visit a typical American diner for a culinary journey through time. Here it seems as if time has stood still. For example, visit Mel's Diner in West Hollywood, where you can enjoy American delicacies in a retro-inspired atmosphere.
For comparatively low prices, you get large portions and delicious desserts like chocolate cake or pumpkin pie. What's more, each table has its own little jukebox. Throw in a quarter and pick your favourite song.
6. Beverly Hills
If you want to see how the rich and famous live in Los Angeles, we recommend a walk through the residential areas of Beverly Hills. Here, no two houses are alike, with a wide variety of architectural styles to admire, from Mediterranean homes and romantic cottages to neoclassical mansions.
What they all have in common, however, is magnificent front gardens and a touch of luxury. The streets of Beverly Hills are lined with avenues of giant palm trees reaching for the sky, making for a beautiful photo opportunity.
Take a quick souvenir photo in front of the large neighbourhood sign, visit the Spanish-style police station where “Beverly Hills Cop” was filmed, and stroll along Rodeo Drive, where luxurious boutiques await.
Fun fact: Did you know that the palm tree became the iconic symbol of LA in the 1930s?
7. Malibu and El Matador Beach
Away from the hustle and bustle, in the north-west of the city, is Malibu. This part of town is rarely visited by tourists and is therefore a retreat for many celebrities who live here. Travellers looking for less touristy places with some peace and quiet are in the right place.
Our tip: El Matador Beach is a real local spot. Its dramatic rock formations and arches on the beach will leave you in awe. Walk along the beach, dip your feet in the wild Pacific Ocean and enjoy the silence.
8. Warner Bros. Studios
Los Angeles offers numerous museums and tours for film lovers, such as the Hollywood Museum, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Icons of Darkness and the famous studio tour at Universal Studios.
However, while Universal Studios is a very popular theme park, a visit to Warner Studios is less well-known and a great insider tip.
The experience includes an approximately one-hour tour through the large grounds and famous film sets from movies such as Jurassic Park and Batman. The tour takes place in small groups, with passionate guides sharing fascinating insights into the tricks used in filming.
During the tour, there are several stops and exits to see certain sets from the inside. The tour also includes the famous stages that can be seen in the opening credits of every Warner production.
Keep your eyes peeled here, because productions take place here every day, and one or two famous people might be taking a break. Photos are not allowed in this part, however.
The guided tour is followed by an independent tour through halls where you can marvel at numerous costumes, vehicles and memorabilia. There are also numerous interactive stations, such as dubbing your own film sequences. Furthermore, you can take great souvenir photos in sets from Harry Potter, Big Bang Theory or Friends. Great fun for big and small film fans!
9. Venice Beach and the Venice Canals
Immerse yourself in the colourful and creative atmosphere of Venice Beach. Here you'll find street performers, musicians, fortune tellers and quirky shops.
The beaches here are lined with graffiti-covered palm trees, and athletes show off their skills on Muscle Beach, where legends such as Arnold Schwarzenegger once trained. While here, treat yourself to a hearty breakfast burrito and watch the tricks of the many skaters and roller skaters in the skate parks.
Not far from the seafront, yet a complete contrast in landscape, are the Venice Canals. Here you can see why the district was named after its Italian model: numerous canals and charming little bridges characterise this residential district.
The alternative houses with their beautiful gardens are a sight in themselves. There is a scent of the many flowers in the air, and the tranquillity that this place exudes makes it something very special.
Our tip: Rent a bike and ride along the beach while feeling the sea breeze. That way, you'll be at our last highlight in just 15 minutes' ride.
10. Santa Monica Pier
You can already see it on the horizon from Venice: the Santa Monica Pier. The pier is a popular place for families and visitors of all ages. Attractions such as a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster, amusement arcades, restaurants and a dreamlike view of the Pacific Ocean await you.
The Santa Monica Pier is also the endpoint of the legendary Route 66, which is marked with a sign and is a popular photo spot. Enjoy the leisure activities and walk along the pier to experience its distinctive atmosphere.
Whether you are exploring and shopping along Hollywood Boulevard, or relaxing by the seaside in Malibu, Los Angeles offers something for every traveller.
FAQs
The best first-time LA highlights are Hollywood Boulevard, Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Sign, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier and taking a studio tour. We would balance the famous sights with quieter stops such as Runyon Canyon, Venice Canals or El Matador Beach so the city feels more personal and less rushed.
We recommend spending at least 3 nights in Los Angeles; this gives you time to see the main highlights and take some time to slow down and soak in the Hollywood glamour. As well as visiting Hollywood, Griffith Observatory and Santa Monica, three nights gives you time for Venice, Malibu, a studio tour or a slower beach afternoon.
Our favourite times to visit Los Angeles are April to June and September to October, when temperatures are usually comfortable for sightseeing, walking and beach time, and crowds are fewer. July and August can still work well, especially for families, but popular places such as Hollywood Boulevard, Santa Monica and studio tours are busier.
