LA is not the easiest city to plan for when everything looks worth visiting. It’s easy to think that you can just pick the most popular spots. But then a few ideas later, your itinerary is suddenly packed with places you “absolutely can’t miss.”
With so many landmarks in Los Angeles, fitting everything into one trip isn’t always the best idea. It’s often more helpful to focus on the places that match the kind of experience you’re really looking for.
To help you narrow it down, we’ve put together this list of LA’s key landmarks and the kind of experience each one can offer on your next visit.
1. Griffith Observatory
Visitors gathered outside Griffith Observatory on a sunny day
Sitting on the slopes of Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory gives you a clear look over the city, including famous buildings in Los Angeles and the ever-famous Hollywood Sign. Inside, you’ll find a mix of space exhibits and displays that walk you through both science and the observatory’s past, making it feel more like a personal experience than just a quick stop.
It’s also a spot you might recognize from films like La La Land or Rebel Without a Cause, but seeing it in person is a different experience. And if you’re planning to spend more time here, you can catch a show at the planetarium or look through one of the public telescopes when the skies are clear.
Klook tip: For a more guided experience, you can book a Griffith Observatory tour to make your visit feel more complete.
2. Hollywood Walk of Fame
Friends posing on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
As one of the most iconic landmarks in Los Angeles, the Hollywood Walk of Fame will give you the fun of spotting familiar celebrity names and snapping photos along Hollywood Boulevard. It also lets you take in the energy of a place that feels closely connected to the entertainment world that LA is known for.
Even better, you can also book a personalized Walk of Fame experience in Los Angeles and get a star-style photo of your own. After all, what better souvenir is there than seeing your own name shine on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame!
3. Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park
Disneyland castle lit up with fireworks at night
Disneyland Resort California is one of the biggest landmarks in the Los Angeles area, especially for entertainment and family trips. The kind of experience it offers really depends on which park you choose.
Disneyland Park is the better fit if you want the classic Disney side of things, with themed lands, familiar characters, well-known attractions, and iconic spots like Sleeping Beauty Castle.
On the other hand, Disney California Adventure® Park has a stronger focus on Marvel, Pixar, and more thrill-based attractions like Avengers Campus and the Incredicoaster. Visiting this park is definitely a fun thing to do in LA especially if you prefer something that feels a little more fast-paced and modern.
Since the two parks are separate, planning ahead helps you decide whether you want to keep things simple with one park or see both with a general Disneyland Resort theme park ticket.
4. Walt Disney Concert Hall
Walt Disney Concert Hall’s modern curved exterior | Photo credit: Pedro Szekely on Wikimedia Commons
Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of the easiest LA landmarks to recognize, thanks to its curved steel exterior designed by Frank Gehry. Opened in 2003, it’s home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and is known as much for its architecture as for its music. Even from the outside, it feels like a must-see stop in downtown LA.
Inside, the space feels warmer, with natural light, wood details, and an auditorium designed for excellent acoustics. The seating brings the audience close to the stage, which makes performances feel more intimate. Even if you’re not seeing a concert, it’s still worth visiting for the design alone.
Klook tip: If you’re interested in architecture, the Bradbury Building in Los Angeles is just about a 15–20 minute walk from Walt Disney Concert Hall. Known for its historic charm, it features a unique interior with ironwork railings, open-cage elevators, and a skylit atrium.
5. Hollywood Sign
Friends jumping with the Hollywood Sign in the background
Last but not least, the Hollywood Sign is one of those landmarks in Los Angeles that almost everyone wants to see at least once, and it still lives up to the hype. It started in 1923 as a real estate advertisement and eventually became one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. It’s a great stop if you want classic LA views with the kind of photo that instantly feels tied to the trip.
If you want help finding strong photo angles while also getting a quick introduction to LA’s history, culture, and famous filming locations around Griffith Park, then you might want to consider joining a Hollywood Sign express walking tour instead of doing a DIY visit.
It also pairs well with a longer city tour if you’re planning to see more of LA in one day, since many full-day guided bus tours include a stop near the Hollywood Sign.
FAQs about the most iconic landmarks in Los Angeles
What is the #1 attraction in Los Angeles?
There isn’t a single answer that fits everyone, but Griffith Observatory is often considered one of the top attractions because it combines city views, access to the Hollywood Sign in LA, and a historic building with exhibits. It gives a well-rounded introduction to Los Angeles in one stop.
What are the top 3 most interesting landmarks in LA?
A good mix would be Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood Sign. Together, they give you a balance of views, entertainment history, and that classic LA identity most visitors are looking for.
What is LA best known for?
Los Angeles is best known for the entertainment industry, especially Hollywood, along with its film studios, celebrity culture, and iconic landmarks tied to movies and television. It’s also known for its mix of city views and cultural attractions.
What are the most famous hotels in LA?
Some of the most well-known stays in the city include Hotel Bel-Air, Sofitel LA at Beverly Hills, The Langham Huntington in Pasadena, and The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. For travelers looking into LA's best resorts, places like Terranea Resort and Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Westlake Village also stand out for their privacy, luxury, and more relaxing resort-style experience.
Making the most of your LA trip
If you’re looking for a simpler way to organize your visits, a Klook Pass Los Angeles can help bundle several of these iconic landmarks in Los Angeles into one plan. It gives you access to multiple attractions and tours, including options like Disneyland California, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Griffith Observatory tours, and even the Hollywood Sign walking experience.
With the flexibility to choose a few activities and use them over several days, it’s a practical way to cover some of LA’s most iconic landmarks without overcomplicating your itinerary.
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
