Free time is a real commodity these days, which makes how you to choose to spend it that much more important. Things to do in… (insert city name here) is easily my most common search term.
Container Yard
There’s no shortage of interesting activities here in LA, it’s quite the opposite, in fact there is so much going on that it can hard to keep track or keep it straight. I’m here to help, at least where Los Angeles is concerned. Whether you’re after a day in the park, live music, architectural gems or a delicious meal this handy directory created using all the posts I’ve written about the City of Angels should help you find a way to fill your days.
Table of Contents
Museums
Did you know there are over 100 museums in Los Angeles? I haven’t visited anywhere near all of them, but I’ve hit quite a few including: The Broad, LACMA, The Peterson Automotive Museum, The La Brea Tar Pits, The Craft & Folk Art Museum, The Paly Center, The Huntington Gardens and more…
11 Places To Get Your Culture Fix In Los Angeles
The Huntington Library & Gardens
Pop Up “Museums”
Speaking of museums, there are no shortage of pop up “museums” in LA. While these listed below have come and gone, many of them have opened in other cities and countries around the world.
The Museum of Ice Cream Los Angeles
Beyond The Streets Los Angeles
InstaFun
If you haven’t posted it on Instagram, were you really there? Of course you were, but sharing the fun is a big part of any experience, and LA has no shortage of instagrammable spots for you to both share and experience.
InstaLA! 15 Places to Snap Those InstaGood Pics
InstaLA! Part 3: Art Explosion
Shopping
While it’s true I haven’t written a lot about shopping in LA, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it, and there are no shortage of places to get your shop on in Los Angeles, which also happens to be home to the largest Fashion District in the United States.
The Last Bookstore
Shopping the Sample Sales in LA’s Fashion District
24 Hours in Los Angeles HilaryStyle
Dinning
You never have to hit the same restaurant twice in a city the size of Los Angeles, and I got to wondering… Just how many dining choices are there? So I asked Google, and it turns out the answer isn’t completely clear. Though what is clear, are that many of them sell doughnuts! “Seriously though” the most common answer was around 20,000 ish, so for the purposes of this post we’ll go with that.
Speaking of donuts…
Art & Music
If public art and live music are on your list you’re in luck. From the Hollywood Bowl to the Forum, and the Venice Beach Art Walls to Downtown LA we’ve got you covered. Los Angeles, ranked in the top 10 for most instagrammed graffiti, which is no surprise as one can hardly turn a corner, drive down the street, or grab a coffee without running into yet another fabulous work of art.
5 Places to Get Your Groove on in LA
What do you say LA? Messages from the Street (Art That Is)
6 “Los Angeles” Artists & Where to Find Them
Venice Art Walls: Caution Wet Paint
Interview with Urban Canvas: Street Art hilarystyle
Hiking
I’ve just started exploring LA’s many hiking trails, but If you’ve never been to LA before the Hollywood Sign is a great place to start as getting up close to one of LA’s most well known icons is pretty special.
Hollywood Sign Back View
The Hidden Staircases of Silver Lake
Explore a Neighborhood
According to the Los Angeles Times, there are 272 neighborhoods in LA just waiting to be explored.
Things to do in LA’s Koreatown
12 Things To Do With Kids In LA’s Silver Lake & Echo Park Neighborhoods
8 Reasons VENICE Should Top your LA List
Theme Parks
I consider myself something of an expert where Disneyland is concerned and over the years have gathered some helpful tips and tricks. It’s quite possible to enjoy a day out at a theme park as long as you have the right mind set. Yes, there will be crowds, lines and heat, but if you haven’t visited the original Disneyland, or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter I highly recommend.
Disneyland TeaCups
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Guided Tours
Let’s face it as much as exploring on your own can be a great thing, there are times when a guided tour is the only way. Especially, with limited time in a city.
Downtown Los Angeles Graffiti & Mural Walking Tour
The Sweet Tooth’s Walking Tour of Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown LA Arts District Graffiti & BBQ Tour
Haunted Los Angeles: Exploring the Shadier Side of the City of Angels
Beach Life
Everyone has their own version of paradise, but when I think of paradise the first place that comes to mind are the Southern California Beaches. Long wide stretches of soft warm sand dotted with brightly colored umbrellas, perfect for picnicking, body surfing, and sandcastle building.
Santa Monica Beach
Things to do in Malibu California
Tide Pools & More at Leo Carrillo State Park
Holiday Fun
From over the top festive theme parks, Halloween parties and ice skating to neighborhoods dripping with Christmas lights and boat parades there is no shortage of ways to celebrate holidays in Los Angeles.
Sleeping Beauty Castle Holiday
10 Family Friendly Ways to Celebrate the Festive Season in Los Angeles
Halloween Fun in the City of Angels
Things to do in Los Angeles
In a city as vast as Los Angeles, on any given day, there are countless opportunities for tourists and non tourists alike. So many, in fact, it wouldn’t really be reasonable to try and list them all in one list, or would it?
The Hollywood Sign Hike
50 Things To Do in Los Angeles
50 MORE Things To Do In Los Angeles
22 MORE things to do in Los Angeles
Toddlers to Teens 10 Things to do in Los Angeles
12 Iconic Film Locations in Los Angeles
Los Angeles! The Hollywood Sign!
Day Trips from LA
I LOVE LA, and with so much to see and do its hard to imagine ever needing a break, but thanks to my wanderlusting soul, there are days when “getting out of town” seems like a good idea. The good news is you don’t have to go far to satisfy the wanderlust. There are a number of nearby beach cities just waiting to be explored and all, depending on traffic, within a very manageable driving distance.
Victoria Beach
Day Trip: Laguna Beach California
6 Day Trips from LA: The Beach Cities
Day Trippers: Joshua Tree National Park
Pin for later:
Phoebe | Lou Messugo
I think you’d need a lifetime to do all this, I’m so impressed that you’ve written so much about your home town and collated it all so well for others. Great post! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you! Sometimes it feels like a lifetime has passed and then I realize it’s only been three years. Ha ha! Thankfully I love to keep busy.
Mellissa Williams
Great post as I am ending my Route 66 road trip in LA in July. We have been to LA a few times and will be visiting Santa Monica and Venice Beach this time. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Oh fun! Don’t forget to take your photo at the Route 66 sign on the Santa Monica Pier!
Clare Thomson
This is such a useful post, Hilary! I’ve been thinking of doing something similar with all my London posts. It’s a great way of finding everything all together. You do a great job of making LA seem like the best place on earth. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you. I’ve been wanting to do this, as I feel many posts get lost in the depths of the blog.
Hilary
I do my best! It is a pretty great place.
Angie
This is brilliant Hilary. You are defiantly my go to person for any LA travel needs and ideas! Such good idea to collate posts in this way. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you!
California Globetrotter
I love this! It’s like an all inclusive guide to all of your amazing posts!! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Thank you! It seemed liked it was time to group them in some way or another.
Allison
This is an awesome post. I don’t go to LA very often anymore but I used to spend every other summer there as a kid visiting my grandparents. Now the only time we go is if we’re going to Disneyland. I’d love to visit again and explore some of the other things LA has to offer. #farawayfiles
Hilary
We love Disneyland too!
Lydia C. Lee
Love that rainbow!!! The Getty museum looks fabulous too. Good tips….#Farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you!
Bright Lights of America
I don’t think you realise just how much you’ve written about a place until you put it all together in one blog post. I can’t believe that LA has 100 museums! I’ve at least been to the Museum of Ice Cream.
Hilary
So true! It’s amazing how many posts and ideas any one person can have.
Cultural Wednesday
Only 200! I really really want to visit the Getty #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Ha! I know, there are just a few things to do here.
Trish @ Mum's Gone To
LA seems to have everything I love – art, bookshops and even hiking! I think I need a visit. 🙂 #farawayfiles
Hilary
Yes! Come visit!
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Wow, what a cool guide Hilary – you’ve covered everything a visitor could want. I didn’t really fall in love with LA when I visited (work trips) but this makes me want to back – so much I didn’t see! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
I think LA is one of those places that one needs time to really get to know and love.
bavariansojourn
We haven’t been yet, but it looks so incredible! So very picturesque too! 🙂 #farawayfiles
Rhonda Albom
I have been to L.A. so many times and always find something new to do. Your list has a lot that I have not done. I’ll be using it next time I go to L.A to explore.
Hilary
Yes! So much to see and do in the City of Angels. Happy to know I’ve been able to share some fun things you don’t already know about.
beatravelling
I can’t keep reading your posts, because every time I want to go back 😀 Looks like I’m heading “your way” come fall. Will be visiting a friend in Vancouver, the closest I’ve been in a while 😀 #farawayfiles
Hilary
Ha ha! Sorry about that. 😂 do let me know if you find yourself in my neck of the woods.
Janis
In such a big city like LA it’s great to break it down a bit, particularly the different regions and neighbourhoods, I didn’t realise there were 272 in LA, that’s incredible. When we visit London we often pick different regions and aim to discover them more in depth. #farawayfiles