Look, I've lived in LA for twelve years now, and let me tell you - most "top places to go in Los Angeles" lists are garbage. They send you to overcrowded tourist traps without warning you about the $40 parking or two-hour lines. Today we're doing this different. I'll give you the real deal on where to actually spend your time in this sprawling city, including some spots most visitors completely miss.
The Non-Negotiable LA Icons
Okay fine, some touristy spots ARE worth it. But here's how to do them right:
Griffith Observatory
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, LA 90027
Hours: Tue-Fri 12pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm
Tickets: Free entry ($10 for planetarium shows)
Parking Tip: The shuttle from Greek Theatre lot saves headaches
Yeah yeah, the Hollywood sign view. But honestly? The real magic happens after sunset when you see the city lights sparkle like somebody dumped a diamond mine across the valley. Last time I brought my niece, we got lucky and caught a free telescope viewing night. Pro tip: The exhibits inside feel kinda dated, but skip those and head straight to the rooftop.
Santa Monica Pier
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica 90401
Hours: 24/7 (rides open 11am-9pm)
Parking: Nightmare alert! Use Parking Lot 9 ($10 weekends)
Look, it's crowded and overpriced. But riding the solar-powered Ferris wheel as the sun dips into the Pacific? Pure California magic. Avoid weekends unless you enjoy human traffic jams. That taco stand near the carousel? Absolute fire. Worth the $18 for two tacos? Debateable.
| Iconic Spot | Best Time to Visit | Money-Saving Tip | Skip If... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Griffith Observatory | Weekday evenings | Free admission + free shuttle | You hate crowds |
| Santa Monica Pier | Sunset on weekdays | Park at city structures 3 blocks inland | You dislike tourist zones |
| Walk of Fame | Early morning (6-8am) | Find free 90-min parking on side streets | You expect glamour |
| The Getty Center | Weekday afternoons | Free entry (parking $20) | You only care about Instagram |
Local's Honest Take: These spots earn their hype for good reason, but timing is EVERYTHING. Show up at 2pm on Saturday and you'll hate your life. Come at golden hour on a Tuesday? Magic.
Beaches That Don't Suck
Newsflash: Not all LA beaches are created equal. Some feel like dirty bathwater with aggressive seagulls. Here's the scoop:
El Matador State Beach
Address: 32215 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu
Parking: Tight cliffside lot ($8 all day)
Best For: Photography, romantic sunset picnics
Those sea caves you see on Instagram? Yeah, they're actually this cool in person. Rocky and not great for swimming, but unbeatable vibes. Went last month and almost twisted my ankle climbing down the stairs though - wear real shoes!
Venice Beach Skatepark
Address: 1500 Ocean Front Walk, Venice
Best Time: Weekday afternoons
Parking Tip: Lots between Navy & Sunset cost $10 less than others
Forget Muscle Beach unless you want to watch roided-up dudes grunt. The skatepark is where real Venice energy lives. Grab a juice from Sunny Blue (best omusubi in LA, fight me) and watch the chaos. Sundays get wild but in the best way.
Beach Hack: Want to avoid parking hell? Take the $1.75 Metro Bus 733 from downtown straight to Santa Monica. Transfer to Big Blue Bus to reach Malibu beaches.
Neighborhood Deep Dives
LA's real magic happens in its neighborhoods. These spots deliver authentic flavor:
Arts District Murals
Start at: Hauser & Wirth (901 E 3rd St)
Walking Tour: Free self-guided maps online
Fuel Up: Best coffee at Blacktop Coffee (826 E 3rd St)
Most people rush through here to dine at fancy spots, but the street art changes weekly. Found this insane octopus mural behind Wurstküche last month that wasn't there when I went for sausages two weeks prior. Wear comfy shoes - it's industrial concrete everywhere.
Koreatown Spa Day
Wi Spa: 2700 Wilshire Blvd
Cost: $35 weekday entry (open 24hrs)
Don't Miss: Sikhye rice drink in the cafe
After my car got towed last year (long story), this place saved my sanity. Five floors of saunas, hot tubs, and weirdly comfortable nap rooms. Yes, you get naked in gender-segregated areas. No, nobody cares what you look like. Pro tip: Their body scrubs remove approximately three layers of skin. In a good way.
Offbeat Places to Go in Los Angeles
These spots rarely make lists but always impress:
Museum of Jurassic Technology
Address: 9341 Venice Blvd, Culver City
Hours: Thu-Sun 12pm-6pm
Tickets: $12 adults (cash only!)
Weirdness Level: 11/10
Part art installation, part bizarre cabinet of curiosities. You'll see microscopic sculptures inside needles and inexplicable Soviet space dog exhibits. The rooftop tea garden feels like stumbling into Narnia. Went with my skeptical cousin who now calls it "the most LA thing ever."
Wat Thai Temple Market
Address: 8225 Coldwater Canyon Ave, North Hollywood
Hours: Weekends 8am-2pm
Cash Only: ATMs on site but fees are brutal
Forget overpriced brunch - come here Saturday morning instead. Legit Thai street food for under $10. That grilled squid with chili sauce? Life-changing. Saw a monk blessing someone's new iPhone last month. Only in LA, man.
| Hidden Gem | Vibe | Cost | Don't Leave Without |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook | Sweaty urban hike with payoff views | Free | Watching planes land at LAX |
| Heritage Square Museum | Creepy Victorian time capsule | $10 tour | Photographing the octagon house |
| Bob Baker Marionette Theater | Nostalgic puppet magic | $20 show | Meeting the puppets post-show |
Practical Survival Guide
Let's get real about LA logistics:
Transportation Truth Bomb: You basically need a car. Ride-shares add up fast. BUT... parking enforcement is vicious. Read signs TWICE. Got a $93 ticket last month because I missed "No Parking Tue 1-3pm" in tiny letters.
Hotel Hack: Stay near a Metro line instead of paying premium for Downtown/Westside. The LINE Hotel in Koreatown has pool views of the Hollywood sign for half the price of Santa Monica hotels.
Food Budget Reality: Yes, you can find $15 avocado toast. But the $1.50 tacos at Avenue 26 Tacos (cash only truck) are infinitely better. Go before 11am or prepare Disneyland-length lines.
FAQs About Places to Go in Los Angeles
What are cheap places to visit in Los Angeles?
Hit the beaches (free!), Grand Central Market ($5 pupusas), Getty Center (free entry, $20 parking), or Hollywood Forever Cemetery (free movie nights in summer). The Broad Museum has free contemporary art but book timed tickets months ahead.
Where should first-timers go in LA?
Do one beach (Santa Monica/Venice), one landmark (Griffith Observatory), one quirky neighborhood (Arts District or Thai Town). Don't try to "do it all" - traffic will destroy your soul. Trust me.
What places to go in Los Angeles with kids?
Natural History Museum dinosaur halls, La Brea Tar Pits (outside is free!), Travel Town trains in Griffith Park, and Huntington Library gardens. Avoid theme parks unless you enjoy spending $250 for melted ice cream and rage.
Where to go in Los Angeles at night?
Griffith Observatory until 10pm, rooftop bars like Perch downtown, the magic show at Black Rabbit Rose, or comedy clubs like Largo. Avoid Hollywood Boulevard after dark unless you enjoy dodging sketchy Elmos.
What's overrated?
Rodeo Drive (it's just stores), Pink's Hot Dogs (45-min wait for mediocre dogs), Walk of Fame (dirty and crowded). That "Instagram Museum"? Absolute tourist trap. Save your $38.
Seasonal Considerations
July-August: Coastal fog burns off by noon but inland hits 100°F. Hydrate!
December: Rainy season but empty attractions. Pack layers.
June gloom is real - don't expect sunny beach photos before 2pm.
Locals know: October is LA's secret perfect month for places to go in Los Angeles.
Final thought? LA rewards explorers. That random taco truck, hidden bookstore patio, or neighborhood jazz night often beats any "must-see" spot. My best LA memory? Accidentally stumbling into a mariachi mass at Olvera Street on Sunday morning. You won't find that on any official list of places to go in Los Angeles.
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