One of the most beloved cities worldwide, Los Angeles will hold the 2028 Olympics. It’s a place filled with thrilling attractions and activities for all.¹ You can visit the famous Hollywood Sign or explore its world-class museums. The sunny weather and legendary beaches make it perfect for all. No wonder artists from around the globe consider it a top spot to create their work.

Key Takeaways

Los Angeles is a diverse city with a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors, from iconic landmarks to outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
The city boasts a thriving arts and entertainment scene, with world-class museums, historic theaters, and a vibrant music and performance calendar.
Los Angeles offers numerous free and budget-friendly options for travelers, including summer concerts, scenic hikes, and museum visits.
The city’s diverse neighborhoods, from Downtown LA to the beaches, provide unique opportunities to immerse oneself in the local culture and culinary offerings.
Los Angeles celebrates its LGBTQ+ community with a vibrant Pride Month, featuring parades, festivals, and other events throughout June.

Immerse Yourself in the Huntington Library’s Breathtaking Gardens

The Huntington Library, Museum, and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place with stunning gardens. It includes the newly expanded Chinese garden.² These gardens are known for being among the most beautiful in Southern California.² The library and museum also have amazing collections, like rare books, manuscripts, and art.

Explore the Distinctly Themed Gardens

There are 16 gardens with different themes, and they hold 83,000 living plants. Among these are rare and endangered species.² You can enjoy the peaceful Chinese Garden, the colorful Rose Garden, or the Desert Garden’s dry landscapes.

Visit the Historic Tea Room

Be sure to check out the historic tea room. It’s a great place to relax and experience the place’s traditions.

Attend the Twilight Garden Strolls

The separate Twilight Garden Strolls are a magical way to see the gardens. You get to visit just before sunset and see the light change in an enchanting way.

Escape to the Wilderness of Griffith Park

Griffith Park is a huge, 4,000-acre wilderness in Los Angeles, away from the hustle and bustle.³ It has tough hiking paths, amazing views of Downtown LA, and sometimes you hear coyotes.⁴

Hike the Rugged Trails

When the Griffith Observatory is shut, you can still go up to its area by driving or walking.³ With 53 miles of trails,⁴ Griffith Park is perfect for exploring and enjoying nature.

Enjoy the Views of Downtown LA Skyline

Visitors can see the stunning views of Downtown LA from Griffith Park. The mix of city and nature makes this park special.

Experience Ellen Reid’s Soundwalk

Here, you can try something different. Download composer Ellen Reid’s “Soundwalk”. As you walk, the music changes, adding to your adventure in the park.

Things to do in Los Angeles: Attend Free Summer Concerts

Los Angeles is filled with free summer concerts, making it easy on your wallet to enjoy the city’s culture. You can find these concerts in many places like parks and streets across Downtown LA.⁵

One famous event is Grand Performances at California Plaza, where you can listen to music for free. Chinatown Summer Nights is another highlight. This event in Chinatown offers live music, tasty food from trucks, and traditional performances. Let’s not forget Divercity Pershing Square. This spot hosts a variety of local artists during the summer. Head over to Grand Park for their Sunday Sessions – a chill way to wind down the weekend. To catch live acts in many music styles, Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park is your spot.⁵

Enjoy Museum Concerts at the Getty and LACMA

Los Angeles hosts a lot of free summer concerts, not just in Downtown but across the city. Venues range from parks to cultural hubs and public spaces. Getty Center, Peter Strauss Ranch, and La Plaza de Cultura y Artes are just a few places you’ll find music.⁶

Concerts also happen in local community centers. These include Conejo Community Center, La Cañada Memorial Park, and more. They aim to make music accessible to everyone.⁶

Check Out Grand Performances Series

Some key free summer concerts in the city are Off the 405, KCRW Summer Nights, and Jazz at LACMA. Grand Performances, Summer of Salsa, and Sunset Concerts at the Skirball are also great options. Don’t miss the music at the Original Farmers Market during summer.⁶

Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park and Wilson Park Amphitheatre in Torrance welcome a mix of music lovers. LACMA and The Original Farmers Market join as popular venues to enjoy live acts.⁷

Grand Performances stands out, offering various live shows at the California Plaza stage in DTLA.

Marvel at the Academy Museum’s Cinematic Treasures

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures warmly welcomes you to discover the magic of movies.⁸ Set in a grand 250,000-square-foot former May Company department store, it’s the dream place for movie lovers.⁸ The museum treasures over 13 million cinematic objects⁸. It takes you on a journey through film history, from evergreens like the Godfather to future classics like Boyz N the Hood.⁹ You can see real film props and costumes from famous series such as Star Wars and the Marvel movies.

Explore Exhibitions on Hollywood History

The Stories of Cinema exhibition covers three levels at the Academy Museum. It gives an in-depth look at the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s past.⁸ The Saban Building, where the museum is, got a special makeover. One third of its sparkly gold tiles were replaced.⁸ Don’t miss Richard Balzer’s 9,000-item collection. It’s a lifetime of work, representing more than 40 years of film history.⁸

Visit the John Waters Retrospective

Right now, the Academy Museum features a special look at John Waters. This filmmaker is famous for his daring and unique films.⁸ His showcase is a chance to see how he’s shaped the movie world. It’s a must-visit for fans of his bold and unconventional films.

Indulge in Culinary Delights at Grand Central Market

In the heart of Downtown Los Angeles sits the Grand Central Market, buzzing with life since 1917.¹⁰ It’s a place where you can dive into a world of flavors. Walking along, you’re surrounded by colorful spices, fresh produce, and old neon signs.¹⁰ This area invites you to try new foods from various sellers.

Try Tacos Tumbras a Tomas

Tacos Tumbras a Tomas is known for its top-notch carnitas and al pastor tacos.¹⁰ People just can’t get enough of these authentic Mexican bites, making the place popular with everyone, from locals to tourists.

Savor Delicacies from Trendy Eateries

Grand Central Market doesn’t just offer traditional meals. It’s a hub for trendy spots serving up unique dishes.¹¹ Here, you’ll find eateries like Shiku, Fat + Flour, and many more. They cater to a wide range of tastes, ensuring every food lover finds something to enjoy.¹⁰

With its dynamic vibe, diverse food options, and a prime spot in Downtown LA,¹⁰ visiting Grand Central Market is a food lover’s dream.¹¹ It’s the perfect place for those looking to explore the city through its vibrant food scene.

Celebrate DTLA’s Grand Movie Palaces

There’s something special about the grand movie palaces in downtown Los Angeles.¹² These historic theaters host the “Last Remaining Seats” series by the L.A. Conservancy.¹² Visitors can enjoy classic films, plus special talks and Q&A sessions.¹² You can catch films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and From Russia with Love at venues like the Orpheum and Palace Theatre.¹²

Attend the Last Remaining Seats Screening Series

For over 30 years, the LA Conservancy has been bringing the magic of cinema to these old theaters.¹² The series began in 1987 and has featured eclectic venues like the United Artists and the Wiltern.¹² This year, it’s back at the iconic venues in DTLA – the Palace, Orpheum, and Los Angeles Theatre.¹²

Explore the Historic Theaters

Each theater has a unique history in downtown Los Angeles.¹² The Palace, the oldest, was built in 1911.¹² The Orpheum, with its luxurious details, opened its doors in 1926.¹² The Los Angeles Theatre, inspired by Versailles, was made by architect S. Charles Lee in 1931.¹² Don’t miss out on their stunning architecture and decor.

¹² This year, you can watch movies like The Seven Year Itch and Gaslight.¹² There’s also Mi Vida Loca, which turns 30 this year.¹² The Last Remaining Seats events are put together by a group of film buffs, working since last September.¹² They hope to save LA’s historic venues and promote their importance.¹² Interested in preservation can join the LA Conservancy or help with the film committee.¹²

Strike a Pose at LACMA’s Urban Light Installation

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) features the famous Urban Light by Chris Burden. It includes 202 antique street lamps, making it a top photo spot in the city.¹³ These street lamps have a total of 309 light bulbs. Some of them even have two bulbs.¹³ By changing to LED bulbs, the museum cut its power use by 90%.¹³

Discover LACMA’s Modernist Masterpieces

Besides the Urban Light, LACMA has a lot more to offer. It has everything from modern masterpieces to traditional Japanese art and contemporary exhibitions.¹⁴ This means you can see 152,000 pieces of art from the last 6,000 years there.¹⁴

Attend Jazz at LACMA on Friday Nights

On Friday nights in summer, you can enjoy Jazz at LACMA for free. This is a great way to dive into LA’s rich culture.¹⁴ Nearby, The Broad has 2,000 pieces of postwar and contemporary art. It’s a must-see.¹⁴

Bike or Walk Along the Iconic Strand

The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, or the Strand, follows Los Angeles’ 22-mile coastline. It’s a great path to explore the city’s well-known beaches. Starting from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance Beach, you’ll see various attractions. This area is popular for those who love to bike, jog, skate, or just enjoy the beach¹⁵.

Exploring the trail on a bicycle can take under two hours¹⁵¹⁶. But if you want to go slow, there are walking sections in Santa Monica, Venice, and Manhattan Beach. These areas let you enjoy the beautiful ocean views at your own pace. You’ll pass by places like the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. There’s also a part that runs by Marina del Rey, covering about four miles of coastline¹⁵.

Bike Trail Highlights	Distance	Time
Entire Marvin Braude Bike Trail	22 miles¹⁶¹⁷	Less than 2 hours (brisk pace)¹⁵¹⁶
Will Rogers State Beach to Santa Monica Pier	Approximately 3.5 miles¹⁵	N/A
Venice Pier to Playa del Rey	About 4 miles¹⁵	N/A
Redondo to Torrance Beach	2 miles¹⁶	N/A

Whether by bike or on foot, the Strand is an amazing adventure along LA’s coast. Remember to bring sunscreen, water, snacks, and a bike lock if needed¹⁵. The path gets busy, especially on weekend days¹⁵. If you don’t have a bike, you can rent one easily.

Paint the Town Rainbow During Pride Month

Los Angeles goes big for Pride Month. It hosts many events to support the LGBTQ+ community.¹ These include festivals, parades, and shows. In fact, LA Pride Parade & Festival has seen its crowd grow from 50,000 to over 400,000 attendees.

Attend WeHo Pride and LA Pride Celebrations

WeHo Pride and L.A. Pride are huge celebrations, being free to attend. They show the lively and welcoming spirit of the city.¹⁸ West Hollywood has its Pride event from June 3 to 5. It features artists such as Lil Kim and Jessie J.

¹⁹ The WeHo Pride Street Fair spans June 3-4. It’s on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. This fair offers fun and is free to enter. LA Pride in the Park, from June 9-10, includes top acts like Megan Thee Stallion and Mariah Carey. The event’s prices range from $139 to $589 for the weekend.¹⁹ The 53rd Annual LA Pride Parade on June 11 features Margaret Cho and runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunset Boulevard.

June isn’t the only time to celebrate. There are many events throughout the month. They include talks, concerts, and more, letting everyone enjoy LA’s LGBTQ+ culture.¹⁸ Santa Monica City Hall celebrates Pride all month long from 7 pm to 11:30 pm. And¹⁸ UCLA’s Royce Hall shines brightly each night in June.¹⁹ On June 24-25, ‘Disney Pride in Concert’ at Walt Disney Concert Hall will happen. It features the Gay Men’s Chorus and tickets cost between $50 and $130.¹⁹ OC Pride has a parade and a party in Santa Ana on June 24. It includes Ninel Conde and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars, and it lasts from noon to 10 p.m. with many activities.

Conclusion

Los Angeles is captivating, offering a variety of experiences. You can enjoy top-notch museums, outdoor fun, and tasty food. It has iconic places, free concerts, and a rich LGBTQ+ scene for everyone to love.²⁰

Don’t miss the chance to dive into LA’s lively scene. It’s more than just glitz and glamour. Expect to find a strong art culture, vibrant LGBTQ+ life, and deep cultural roots.²¹

There’s always something amazing to do in Los Angeles. You’ll long to come back. Visit the stunning Huntington Library gardens or the Academy Museum’s film history. The city has activities for all interests and budgets.²²

FAQ

What are some of the top things to do in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a lot to offer. You can see the beautiful gardens at the Huntington Library. Griffith Park lets you escape into the wild. There are also free summer concerts to enjoy. Don’t miss the Academy Museum’s movie wonders. Grand Central Market is perfect for food lovers. And, join in the fun of the city’s Pride Month celebrations.

What are some unique things to do in Los Angeles?

Want unique experiences? Visit Downtown LA’s historic movie palaces. Strike a pose at Urban Light in LACMA. Or, enjoy the city’s coast on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail.

What are some free or budget-friendly things to do in Los Angeles?

Looking for free or cheap fun? Check out the city’s summer concerts. Enjoy the Getty and LACMA for free. Griffith Park is great for nature lovers. Don’t forget to join the Pride Month celebrations.

What are some family-friendly things to do in Los Angeles?

There’s a lot for families too. Visit the gardens at the Huntington Library. Enjoy Griffith Park’s open spaces. Catch some free concerts in the summer.

What are some must-see attractions in Los Angeles?

Iconic sites include the Hollywood Sign and the Huntington’s gardens. Don’t miss the museum at the Academy. Or the Urban Light at LACMA. And, the coast is a must-see on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail.