Los Angeles Travel Guide: What to Do?

As outdoor travelers, we usually skip the big cities. However, we made an exception for Los Angeles. So, what’s there to do in LA? In this Los Angeles travel guide blog, we’ve got everything you need to know for your visit to LA!

1. Santa Monica Pier

An amusement park on the beach? You bet – it’s America, after all! The Santa Monica Pier features a small but quite famous theme park where you can take a ride on the roller coaster.

USA California Santa Monica Pier
USA California Los Angeles Travel Guide Blog Santa Monica Pier

2. Venice Beach

Just a short distance from Santa Monica Pier, you’ll find Venice Beach, a vast stretch of sandy shoreline. We even spotted dolphins swimming in the distance! Along the beach is a boardwalk where vendors sell various souvenirs.

USA California Venice Beach
USA California Los Angeles Travel Guide Blog Venice Beach

3. Hollywood Walk of Fame

It’s fun to check out the Walk of Fame, but honestly, it’s not that impressive. Or at least we were a bit disappointed. It is quite sad to see the amount of homeless people in the area, but on the other hand shows the realism of this city (rich vs poor) really well.

USA California Los Angeles Travel Guide Blog Walk of Fame
USA California Los Angeles

4. Griffith Observatory & Hollywood Sign

Hike to Griffith Observatory to get a great view of Los Angeles from above. From here, you can also spot the famous Hollywood Sign. Take the Firebreak Trail hike up to the Griffith Observatory – this way, you can avoid taking a bus or taxi. The trail is well-marked, and we also pinned this route in our Google-Maps itinerary.

TIP: For the best view of the Hollywood Sign, take a walk around the Hollywood Reservoir. You can even park your car here for free!

USA California Los Angeles
USA California Los Angeles Travel Guide Blog Hollywood sign

Curious about what to do after Los Angeles? Check out our complete winter road trip through the United States West. This route takes you from Los Angeles to several national parks and major cities like Las Vegas and San Francisco.

More Travel Tips about the United States

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