10 Things to Do in Los Angeles (That Aren’t the Hollywood Sign)

Los Angeles is packed with exciting attractions and experiences beyond the Hollywood sign. I mean it is a HUGE landmark and you should definitely take a picture in front of it to mark you were there! However, if you are looking for more than this, here are 10 other cool things to do in while you are visiting LA!

1. Visit Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park

Enjoy panoramic views of the city, including the Hollywood Sign, and explore the observatory’s exhibits on astronomy and space science. You can pack a picnic lunch, hike a little and it is a fun way to spend some time. Who doesn’t love a beautiful view?

2. Explore the Getty Center

The Getty Center is one of Los Angeles’ premier cultural attractions that offers a combination of art, architecture, gardens and views.

You can see an impressive collection of European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and manuscripts. Highlights include works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet and Turner. The museum also has a strong focus on American and contemporary art.

While at the Getty Center you must see the beautifully landscaped Central Garden which is designed by artist Robert Irwin. The garden features a labyrinth of paths, a koi pond and hundreds of varieties of plants. It’s an excellent place for a relaxing stroll and offers many amazing photo opportunities.

The Getty Center is situated on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains and the museum’s terraces offer sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline, the Pacific Ocean, and the San Gabriel Mountains. It’s a beautiful place to spend some time while in L.A.

3. Walk along Venice Beach Boardwalk

A vibrant mix of street performers, vendors, artists and shops. It’s the perfect place to experience LA’s eclectic and laid-back vibe. Once you are done with the main part of Venice, visit the area modeled after the canals in Venice, Italy. This area offers a peaceful escape from the busier boardwalk. Walk along the canals, take in the charming homes and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. The beach offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and watching the sunset here is a must-do!

4. Stroll through the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, featuring an impressive range of art collections, including the iconic “Urban Light” installation. There are 120,000 works of art here including American art, European art, Latin America art and more. LACMA frequently hosts film screenings, many of which are curated to complement the museum’s current exhibitions. There is a restaurant on property and a gift shop. It is truly a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!

5. Take it all in at the Santa Monica Pier

A classic Southern California experience, featuring an amusement park including a ferris wheel that is solar powered, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, family-friendly restaurants, and stunning ocean views. If you visit during the summer you can catch a concert as the pier hosts live performances, shows and events.

The Santa Monica Pier is the official western end of Route 66, the famous historic highway that stretches across the United States. Take a photo with the sign marking this iconic spot at the entrance to the pier.

This area is an iconic site and another great thing to check off the L.A. bucket list.

6. Tour the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

Home to fascinating exhibits, including dinosaur fossils, ancient artifacts, and more. The museum is both educational and visually stunning and is one of the oldest museums in LA. A few areas in the museum include the California History Hall focuses on the natural history of California and includes the state’s landscapes, animals and unique plants. It also covers the history of human habitation in California, from Native American tribes to modern-day inhabitants. The museum features beautiful outdoor gardens, including a nature garden with butterflies, native plants and wildlife. It is kid friendly museum including a dinosaur dig, an IMAX and junior scientist programs. Whether you’re into science, a family looking for an educational outing, or wanting to inqiure about the natural world, National Museum of LA is a fantastic way to explore and learn.

7. Walk Around the Grove

This trendy outdoor shopping center is home to high-end stores, dining options and the LA Farmers Market. It’s also known for its large fountain and vibrant atmosphere. You will find luxury and popular retail stores such as Nordstrom, Apple, Sephora, Zara and restaurants and there is an AMC movie theater.

The Grove has been designed to feel like an open-air shopping village with tree-lined walkways and beautiful landscaping. Its mix of traditional and modern architecture creates an upscale and pleasant shopping atmosphere. This area is a must-visit if you’re looking for an all-in-one shopping, dining and entertainment experience in Los Angeles.

8. Explore the Walk of Fame & TCL Chinese Theater

Take a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and see the famous stars embedded in the sidewalk. There are over 2,000 stars and it spans over 15 blocks so take your time walking and seeing all the celebrity names. Once a new star is added a ceremony takes place with speeches and a presentation. It’s a lot of fun to see this area and it’s at the top of my list!

One of the most iconic features of the Chinese Theater is the forecourt (which is the area in front of the theater), where you’ll find the handprints, footprints, and signatures of famous movie stars pressed into the concrete. These are some of Hollywood’s most cherished pieces of film history. You can find prints from stars like Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne and even more recent stars like Tom Hanks, Emma Stone, Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Nicholson, Julia Roberts and more!

The TCL Chinese Theatre offers tours where you can learn about its fascinating history, the stars who have visited, and the behind-the-scenes of the theater. The tour includes access to the forecourt with the famous hand-prints and footprints, the lobby, and the IMAX theater, offering insights into the architectural design and cinematic history.

9. Hike to Runyon Canyon

One of LA’s most popular hiking spots, offering great views of the city, including downtown and the Hollywood Hills, plus the chance to spot some local celebrities. It is located in the heart of Hollywood and provides a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty and is an excellent spot for both beginners and more experienced hikers.

10. Visit Universal Studios Hollywood

A must for fans of huge blockbuster films going to Universal Studios offers thrilling rides, shows, and tours, including behind-the-scenes access to working film studios. It’s pretty easy to get a tour, simply visit Viator.com or download the Viator app and you can start booking it! If you use Viator you also will earn credits towards future bookings. I use this app all the time!

I think these activities are a good combination of culture, outdoor adventure, and classic LA experiences, perfect for visitors looking to explore beyond the Hollywood sign (but still stop over there and take a classic pic!). I did it and it is a great memory to look back on!

Get a Travels Rewards Credit Card

At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga. Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat facere possimus, omnis voluptas assumenda est, omnis dolor repellendus.

Viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed blandit. Aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing enim. Rutrum quisque non tellus orci ac auctor augue mauris. Maecenas volutpat blandit aliquam etiam erat velit. Quisque non tellus orci ac auctor augue mauris augue neque. Augue lacus viverra vitae congue eu consequat ac felis. Sit amet risus nullam eget felis eget nunc lobortis.

Viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed blandit. Aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing enim. Rutrum quisque non tellus orci ac auctor augue mauris. Maecenas volutpat blandit Viverra orci sagittis eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris sit. Facilisi cras fermentum odio eu feugiat pretium. Aliquam purus sit amet luctus. Euismod quis viverra nibh cras. Sed faucibus turpis in eu mi bibendum. Turpis tincidunt id aliquet risus feugiat in ante.

Volutpat maecenas volutpat blandit aliquam etiam. Arcu odio ut sem nulla pharetra diam sit. Sit amet nisl suscipit adipiscing bibendum est ultricies.

Ornare aenean euismod elementum nisi quis eleifend quam adipiscing. Morbi leo urna molestie at. Tempus urna et pharetra pharetra massa massa ultricies mi. Massa sed elementum tempus egestas sed sed risus

Tellus integer feugiat scelerisque varius morbi. Augue mauris augue neque gravida in fermentum et sollicitudin ac. Diam ut venenatis tellus in metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis. Commodo sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus.

Congue eu consequat ac felis donec et. Turpis tincidunt id aliquet risus feugiat in ante metus dictum. Leo vel orci porta non pulvinar neque. Diam volutpat commodo sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus scelerisque. Vitae tortor condimentum lacinia quis vel eros. Ac orci phasellus egestas tellus rutrum tellus pellentesque. Id neque aliquam vestibulum morbi. Hac habitasse platea dictumst quisque sagittis purus sit amet.