Los Angeles
Sunshine, cars, celebrities... these are just a few of the things that define Los Angeles. But as any visitor to this expansive Southern California city will tell you, it's a place with seemingly infinite possibilities. There's downtown, with Crypto.com Arena, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Olvera Street. There's Hollywood, with its Walk of Fame, maps to the stars' homes and palm-tree lined boulevards. There's Santa Monica, with its pier, shopping and ocean breezes. There's Los Feliz, with Griffith Park and its famous observatory. Head slightly north over into the San Fernando Valley, and another world awaits, with Universal Studios and the lengthy Ventura Boulevard stretching into Sherman Oaks, Encino and Woodland Hills. Head south to Orange County, and arrive in Anaheim to partake of the Disney empire. Go Northeast to Pasadena, home of the Rose Bowl and Rose Parade.
No single visit to Los Angeles will ever cover it all, so it's best to focus and decide what version of Los Angeles works for you. Into the beach life? Head down to Hermosa and Redondo. Like amusement parks? Disney, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood are all right here. Into dining? It's everywhere you look (don't miss the Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax). Into museums? Check out LACMA and the Getty Center. Want to shop? Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive await (or you could go to Beverly Center or the Grove for less stress on your wallet). Into sports? There's Dodger Stadium for baseball, Crypto.com Arena for the Lakers, the brand-new Intuit Dome for the Clippers, and SoFi Stadium, home to the Rams and Chargers. (Advance notice: The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles as well.) Want to party like a rock star? Get pizza and beer at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip, then catch a show at the Whisky a Go Go. Arts and entertainment? Every night of the week brings scores of concerts, events and screenings that fit all ages and interests.
Los Angeles, with its near-constant sunshine, car lifestyle, and film and TV industries, is a place like no other. There's so much to do here, that travelers are well-advised to choose their own adventure.
No single visit to Los Angeles will ever cover it all, so it's best to focus and decide what version of Los Angeles works for you. Into the beach life? Head down to Hermosa and Redondo. Like amusement parks? Disney, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood are all right here. Into dining? It's everywhere you look (don't miss the Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax). Into museums? Check out LACMA and the Getty Center. Want to shop? Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive await (or you could go to Beverly Center or the Grove for less stress on your wallet). Into sports? There's Dodger Stadium for baseball, Crypto.com Arena for the Lakers, the brand-new Intuit Dome for the Clippers, and SoFi Stadium, home to the Rams and Chargers. (Advance notice: The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles as well.) Want to party like a rock star? Get pizza and beer at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip, then catch a show at the Whisky a Go Go. Arts and entertainment? Every night of the week brings scores of concerts, events and screenings that fit all ages and interests.
Los Angeles, with its near-constant sunshine, car lifestyle, and film and TV industries, is a place like no other. There's so much to do here, that travelers are well-advised to choose their own adventure.
Learn More About Los Angeles
Griffith Park Observatory
Get a truly panoramic view of Los Angeles, including the Hollywood sign, at this Los Feliz observatory, which includes a planetarium and science exhibits in its indoor facility.
Santa Monica Pier
This giant pier boasts an amusement park, concessions and areas for fishing. Be sure to see it at night when the Ferris wheel is illuminated!
Hollywood Boulevard
It's a very "touristy" experience, but for anyone fresh to Hollywood, it's still worth looking down at the Walk of Fame stars on the sidewalk and finding your favorites. Be sure to see the celebrity hand and footprints in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, and walking up the steps that take you to the entrance of the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards. The Hollywood & Highland shopping center is also right there, and has walkways where visitors can see the Hollywood sign.
The Getty Center
This majestic museum in Brentwood has a world-class art collection and is notable for its beautiful gardens, architecture and views.
Olvera Street
This historic area in Downtown Los Angeles features a pedestrian mall and Mexican marketplace.
The Original Farmers Market
Food and produce vendors, a wide variety of restaurant stalls and enjoyable sit-down dining are all part of the Farmers Market experience at Third and Fairfax. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities having a bite, as well as contestants from "The Price is Right" (fresh from walking over from a taping at CBS Television City) with their nametags still on their shirts.
Getting Around
Subways, buses and light rail serve every corner of Los Angeles, and public transportation via the Metro system has improved markedly, depending on where you're headed. However, it is still highly recommended to rent a car or use rideshare services to navigate this sprawling city. Avoid rush hours when possible!
Smorgasburg Los Angeles
From 7/27/2025 - 12/26/2027
As the largest open-air food market in the country, Smorgasburg features culinary gems from roughly 100 small businesses that are changing the food and beverage landscape in Southern California. Offering a family-friendly beer garden and more, it's the ultimate spot for a day of indulging with friends or loved ones.
Fierce: The Story of Cats
From 11/29/2025 - 2/18/2026
Fierce: The Story of Cats invites attendees to delve into the fascinating world of felines, from sabertooths to domesticated companions. This immersive, hands-on experience explores their unique behaviors, evolution, biology, and enduring bond with humans, making it a must-see for all ages.
Reframing Dioramas: The Art of Preserving Wilderness
From 11/29/2025 - 9/14/2026
The Natural History Museum's largest exhibitions, the historic diorama halls, feature over 75 intricately detailed habitats, from arctic tundra to tropical rainforest. To mark the 100th anniversary of these dioramas, the museum is reopening a long-closed hall with immersive new installations by a team of artists, which highlight the unique blend of art and science in dioramas and delve into topics of biodiversity, ecology, conservation, colonialism, and evolving museum display techniques.
Shen Yun
On 1/22/2026
Shen Yun Performing Arts is a non-profit performing art and entertainment business established in the United States that produces dance shows and symphonic concerts that travel abroad. The Falun Gong new religious movement is in charge of it. Shen Yun is made up of seven different performing arts organizations.
Dan Deacon
On 1/23/2026
Daniel Deacon is an American composer and musician who lives in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been active since 2003, exploring experimental pop and playing the keyboard and the trombone. His 2015 album, "Gliss Riffer," was released by Domino Records. He appeared in the 2014 film, "Song One."
JMSN
On 1/23/2026
Christian Berishaj, aka, JMSN, is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who hails from Texas. In addition to his albums like Priscilla and It Is, he is also known for performing on the TV show, So You Think You Can Dance.
Fuzz
On 1/23/2026
Fuzz is a rock band from California formed in 2011 known for their sludgy metal riffs. Their most popular songs are "What's In My Head?," "Say Hello," and "21st Century Schizoid Man."
Welcome To Night Vale
On 1/23/2026
Welcome To Night Vale is a podcast in the style of community updates for the small desert town of Night Vale. During this live event, the hosts will take you even deeper into the mysterious happenings.
Cosmic Gate
On 1/24/2026
Cosmic Gate is a trance duo from Germany who has performed more than one thousand gigs in some of the biggest clubs on earth. Since their formation in 1999, they've released popular EDM albums and top tracks like "Fire Wire" and "Exploration of Space."
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks
On 1/13/2026
Basketball is fast-paced, high-scoring, and full of highlight-reel moments. Nothing compares to the live experience — being there in person is way more exciting than watching on TV.
Cate Le Bon
On 1/31/2026
Cate Timothy, now known as Cate Le Bon, is a musician from Wales who sings in both Welsh and English. Apart from going on tours with artists like St. Vincent, John Grant and Perfume Genius, she releases singles like "Are You with Me Now?," "Home to You" and "Daylight Matters."
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
On 1/31/2026
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is a six-piece band led by Grammy award winner Jason Isbell. The band name comes from the 400 Unit, a name for one of the psychiatric wards in an Alabama hospital. His second studio album and the band's first album were released for charity.
Boombox Cartel
On 1/31/2026
Boombox Cartel is an LA-based DJ act consisting of producer Americo Garcia and writer Jorge Medina. Knowing each other since high school, the duo garnered attention from artists like Skrillex and Diplo with their breakout track, "B2U," in 2015. With more hit tracks like "Moon Love" and "Whisper," they have gained over a million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Vista Makers Market
On 2/1/2026
The monthly indoor Vista Makers Market is a vibrant hub for independent artisans, crafters, designers, musicians, and producers of small-batch food and beverage products. This event, a collaborative effort between the City of Vista's Economic Development Program and a local venue, aims to foster community engagement through creative activities and events.