The 11 Best Attractions in Los Angeles (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 11 picks

The best things to do in Los Angeles in 2026 are Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, Universal Studios Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier and the Venice Boardwalk, followed by the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, LACMA, The Broad and the Hollywood Bowl. Two of the top picks, Griffith Observatory and the Getty, have free admission, though parking costs extra.

Los Angeles attractions are spread across a huge area, so group them by neighborhood: Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the east, the Getty and LACMA in the middle, and Santa Monica Pier and Venice on the coast. Universal and Warner Bros. sit in the Valley, so give each its own day.

Two things shape every itinerary here: traffic and reservations. Several of the best free sights need a timed ticket, and parking can cost as much as an admission ticket. Planning where to sleep? See the best hotels in Los Angeles, then pair this list with our best museums and best beaches guides.

The list at a glance

Griffith Observatory Griffith Park, Silver Lake & Los Feliz
The Getty Center Brentwood, Westside
Universal Studios Hollywood Universal City, San Fernando Valley
Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica
Venice Beach Boardwalk Venice
Hollywood Walk of Fame Hollywood
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Burbank, San Fernando Valley
LACMA Miracle Mile, Mid-City & Fairfax
The Broad Downtown, Downtown LA
Hollywood Bowl Hollywood
Grand Central Market Downtown, Downtown LA

1. Griffith Observatory — Griffith Park, Silver Lake & Los Feliz

Free hilltop observatory with skyline views and a view of the Hollywood Sign.

Best for First-timers · Families · Couples · Budget

Griffith Observatory sits on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park and is a free-admission facility. The building and grounds are open to all visitors, with exhibits inside and sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign outside.

The grounds and roads are generally open the same hours as Griffith Park, from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily, and trailheads on the grounds lead to Mount Hollywood and the Greek Theatre area.

Good to know: The building is closed Mondays and busiest on weekends and at sunset. Paid parking is closest to the Observatory; arrive early or use rideshare.

2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Google Maps Website

2. The Getty Center — Brentwood, Westside

Free art museum on a hilltop, with gardens, architecture and city views.

Best for Couples · First-timers · Budget

The Getty Center is a hilltop museum campus above the 405 with art galleries, architecture and the Central Garden. Admission is free but requires a timed-entry reservation, and you get there by a tram from the parking structure.

Plan about half a day. The views over the city, the garden and the architecture are as much of the draw as the collection.

Good to know: Reserve free timed entry online first. Parking is $25 per car, $15 after 3pm and $10 after 6pm, and free on Saturdays after 6pm.

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Google Maps Website

3. Universal Studios Hollywood — Universal City, San Fernando Valley

Theme park and Studio Tour with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Families · First-timers

Universal Studios Hollywood combines a working studio backlot tour with rides and themed lands, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is one of the few LA attractions that fills a full day.

It is also the one most likely to cost a lot once you add tickets, parking and food, so decide early whether Express access is worth it.

Good to know: Buy tickets online ahead of time, arrive before opening, and check the official parking page for current rates and garage levels.

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Google Maps Website

4. Santa Monica Pier — Santa Monica

1909 beach pier with Pacific Park's Ferris wheel and ocean views.

Best for Families · First-timers · Beach · Couples

Santa Monica Pier is a National Historic Landmark that dates to 1909. Pacific Park has the Pacific Wheel and the West Coaster, and the pier has food stands, carnival games and shops.

Walking the pier is free. Pair it with the beach and the Third Street Promenade a few blocks inland.

Good to know: Come at sunset for the best light, and park in a Santa Monica lot or take the Metro E Line to downtown Santa Monica.

200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Google Maps Website

5. Venice Beach Boardwalk — Venice

A people-watching walk with street performers, Muscle Beach and skate park.

Best for First-timers · Families · Beach · Budget

The Venice Boardwalk runs along Ocean Front Walk with vendors, street performers, murals and Muscle Beach. The skate park and the canals a few blocks inland are also worth a detour.

It is free, casual and best walked in the morning or late afternoon. Pair it with Abbot Kinney Boulevard for restaurants and shops.

Good to know: Parking is tight and lots fill by midday. Walk or bike along the beach path from Santa Monica.

1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

Google Maps

6. Hollywood Walk of Fame — Hollywood

The famous sidewalk of stars along Hollywood Blvd and Vine St.

Best for First-timers · Families · Budget

The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street with more than 2,800 stars embedded in the sidewalk, according to recent counts. New stars are added regularly at public ceremonies.

It is free and busy, and the stretch near Hollywood & Highland is the most crowded. The Dolby Theatre and TCL Chinese Theatre are close by.

Good to know: Go in the morning for fewer crowds. Metro B Line stops at Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine.

6541 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Google Maps Website

7. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood — Burbank, San Fernando Valley

Behind-the-scenes tour of a working studio lot with sets and props.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Families · First-timers

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank is a 3-hour experience that mixes a guided and self-guided look at the lot, sets and props. Longer options include a tour with lunch at Central Perk Cafe and a six-hour Deluxe Tour.

The Studio Tour starts from $79 per person on the official site. Special seasonal tours also run, so check what is on for your dates.

Good to know: Book a timed tour in advance. Studio Tour hours run 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with occasional closure dates posted on the site.

3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

Google Maps Website

8. LACMA — Miracle Mile, Mid-City & Fairfax

The county art museum, with Urban Light outside and the new Geffen Galleries.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for First-timers · Couples · Families

LACMA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, sits on Wilshire Boulevard in Miracle Mile, near the La Brea Tar Pits. The David Geffen Galleries opened in May 2026 and are included with general admission.

Urban Light, the streetlamp installation at the Wilshire entrance, is a popular outdoor stop that you can see without a ticket.

Good to know: Closed Wednesdays. Buy timed tickets online, and check Metro D Line service notices before taking the train.

5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Google Maps Website

9. The Broad — Downtown, Downtown LA

Free contemporary art museum with Infinity Mirror Rooms.

Best for Couples · Budget · First-timers

The Broad is a contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue with free general admission and the Infinity Mirror Rooms, the most popular draw. It sits next to Walt Disney Concert Hall and Grand Avenue's museums and restaurants.

It is a good half-day stop for contemporary art lovers and a free alternative to paid museums.

Good to know: Reserving a timed ticket in advance is recommended, though walk-ups are available daily. Closed Mondays.

221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Google Maps Website

10. Hollywood Bowl — Hollywood

Outdoor amphitheater for live music since 1922, under a concentric-arch shell.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · Families · First-timers

The Hollywood Bowl has hosted live music since 1922 beneath its iconic band shell, from classical orchestras to rock acts. It is the most atmospheric big venue in LA for a summer or fall evening.

Bring layers because it gets cool after dark, and many people bring a picnic.

Good to know: Check the event calendar for the show you want, and plan parking or shuttle options in advance as traffic around the Bowl is heavy.

2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Google Maps Website

11. Grand Central Market — Downtown, Downtown LA

Historic food hall, open since 1917, with dozens of vendors.

$ BudgetBest for First-timers · Budget · Families

Grand Central Market is a downtown landmark since 1917 that brings together vendors and cuisines from around Los Angeles. It is open daily from 8am to 9pm and sits across from the Angels Flight funicular.

It is an easy, casual lunch stop on a downtown day with the Broad, the Biltmore and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Good to know: Go for a weekday lunch to avoid weekend crowds, and walk or take Metro to avoid downtown parking costs.

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What are the top attractions in Los Angeles for first-time visitors?

Griffith Observatory for the skyline and Hollywood Sign view, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier, the Getty Center and one studio experience, either Universal Studios Hollywood or the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Add Venice Boardwalk if you have a beach day.

Which Los Angeles attractions are free?

Griffith Observatory and the Getty Center both have free admission, though the Getty requires a timed-entry reservation and both charge for parking. The Broad also has free general admission. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier and Venice Boardwalk are free to walk.

How many days do you need in Los Angeles?

Plan three to five days. A theme park or studio tour takes most of a day, and driving between neighborhoods takes more time than visitors expect. Group sights by area to avoid crisscrossing the city.

Is parking expensive at LA attractions?

Often. The Getty Center charges $25 per car, dropping to $15 after 3pm and $10 after 6pm, and Griffith Observatory has paid parking closest to the building. Universal Studios Hollywood parking is also a significant add-on, so check the official parking page before you go.

What is the best time of day to visit Griffith Observatory?

Sunset is the most popular time and the busiest. Go on a weekday afternoon for a quieter visit, and remember the building is closed Mondays while the grounds stay open.

Do I need tickets in advance for LA attractions?

Yes for Universal Studios Hollywood, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, the Getty Center (free timed entry) and busy days at The Broad, where advance timed tickets are recommended. Walk of Fame, Venice and Santa Monica Pier need none.

1. Griffith Observatory — Griffith Park, Silver Lake & Los Feliz

2. The Getty Center — Brentwood, Westside

3. Universal Studios Hollywood — Universal City, San Fernando Valley

4. Santa Monica Pier — Santa Monica

5. Venice Beach Boardwalk — Venice

6. Hollywood Walk of Fame — Hollywood

7. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood — Burbank, San Fernando Valley

8. LACMA — Miracle Mile, Mid-City & Fairfax

9. The Broad — Downtown, Downtown LA

10. Hollywood Bowl — Hollywood

11. Grand Central Market — Downtown, Downtown LA

Frequently asked questions

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