Hollywood, Universal Studios, Walk of Fame’s collection of the stars, palm trees and idyllic weather full of sunshine. Those are the pictures popping up in our heads when we hear about Los Angeles (LA).
LA is the entertainment capital of the world with more than 100 museums, 75-mile coastline with one of the greatest beaches in Southern California, endless dining experience (LA accommodates 44 Michelin Star restaurants, so you won't go hungry, with more than 13k restaurants for every wallet). No matter what kind of holiday you are looking for, you can find things to do with kids, friends, partners and all.
Klook experts have curated the top 10 activities that will keep you entertained during your stay. Buckle up and brace yourself for an adventure of a lifetime...
1. Dive behind the curtains of your favorite movies and TV shows
Enjoy a guided tour of the real Hollywood studios set and discover the production secrets behind your beloved movies and TV-shows. The tour will guide you through the historical “Central Perk” cafe from Friends, you will have an opportunity to touch upon the magical world of Harry Potter and ride the Batmobiles used in the Batman film series. Immerse yourself in the enormous world of Hollywood production and see how greenscreen works in action.
Comic book fan? Explore a diverse variety of props and costumes of your DC universe idols such as Joker, Batman, Harley Quinn, Deadshot and many more. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to step into your favourite scenes and explore Warner Bros Studio together with Klook.
2. Challenge the Gravity at Six Flags Magic Mountain Park
Like the feel of adrenaline rushing through your blood? Then you might consider going for a day trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park. Over 100 rides on 260-acre park, this place is made for adrenaline junkies! Take the craziest thrill rides in the whole of LA. Goliath will disperse you to high speeds and drop from 255-ft height. Crazanity will rapidly spin you at a 17-story tall pendulum ride. Traveling with kids? No worries, visit Bugs Bunny World and explore the family rides. You can also take a break and listen to the live music show or watch with the kids the show of the heroes from Justice League and Looney Tunes. Six Flags Park can charge your batteries with all kinds of foods: from flavourful Asian to spicy Mexican, or boost the energy of little ones with delicious ice cream. You can even calm down the nerves at the Metro Park Pub on site. Just make sure to not go to Apocalypse ride right after 😀
3. Hop on the tour bus and explore LA from the upper deck
Feel like exploring LA highlights without rushing from one place to another? Then the hop on tour bus might be an option for you. Book through Klook and discover LA in the next 24 or 48 hours. Blue and red routes will drive you through Paramount Studios, Rodeo Drive, famous Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Pier and Walk of Fame. Educate yourself and get familiar with the city with on-board multilingual audio guides. If you want to take your time and spend longer at certain locations, you’ll always have an opportunity to hop off, explore and take the next bus every 10-30 minutes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
4. Enjoy a panoramic view of Los Angeles from the 70th floor OUE skyscraper
Absorb the power of buzzy Los Angeles from the 1000 feet high platform at OUE skyspace. Here, you can catch the most iconic downtown views, take a glimpse of surrounding mountainscapes and majestic Pacific Ocean. If you are brave enough, you can also take a Skyslide down the 45 foot glass chute. OUE panoramic platform is a true find for both beautiful view hunters and thrill seekers.
5. Step into sailor shoes and go on board a USS IOWA Battleship
Ranked as one of the TOP 10 Regional Attractions in Southern California, USS IOWA battleship is the perfect attraction for the whole family. Get on board to learn striking facts about World War 2, Korean War and the Cold War in an interactive way using augmented reality. The exhibition provides opportunities for kids to learn and live through the life of a thousand US Navy sailors. Kids can go on a popular scavenger hunt with USS Iowa’s dog-mascot. Take a fun and educational tour for the whole family and find out why this museum has a certificate of excellence from Tripadvisor for yourself!
6. Chase the whales, dolphins, sea lions and many more
Grab a pair of binoculars and head towards the sea to watch the whales. Whale watching is considered as one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Pacific ocean. So if you’re tired strolling around, why not take a cruise onto the ocean? Davey’s Locker Whale Watching Cruise is the perfect opportunity to explore the sea creatures close to the LA shore. Departing from Balboa Pavilion Building you’ll have 2-2.5 hours to see plenty of sea animals: from finback, gray, humpback, minke and blue whales to a variety of dolphin species swimming around your cruise ship. Get special insights and witness the process of locating mammals as well as inside knowledge from Davey’s Locker team.
7. Experience one of the world’s biggest entertainment venues and home of the Oscar award
The home of the performances and events of famous artists such as Alicia Keys, Celine Dion, Prince, Elvis Costello, Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder and many more. Become a celebrity for one day and go along the red carpet with a guided tour that takes you around the theater, showing you the huge Oscar® statuette and the Dolby Lounge. During the tour, you will even get to see images from previous Academy Awards® ceremonies, and most importantly, you will get to see the grand theater in all its glory.
8. Learn more about dinosaurs
If you’re interested in history, culture and animals, then you might consider visiting the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Country (HMA). At HMA you’ll be able to educate yourself on dinosaurs, gems and minerals, gardens, Latin American treasures, and beloved dioramas to name a few. The museum contains 35 million specimens which cover around 4.5 billion years of history. Walk through the museum's five large-scale exhibits, including Dinosaur Hall and the outdoor Nature Gardens. The 3D theater on site will introduce you to the life of the ocean or immerse you into the world of dinosaurs. Your little ones can participate in a live show with animals and play with over 100 harmless species. Check this activity on Klook and learn about the world before humans.
9. Visit the homes of Hollywood stars
Your trip to Los Angeles wouldn’t be complete without visiting the homes of famous celebrities. From a professional guide you’ll learn about the lifestyle of celebrities, the facts, trivias and gossip as you go on an open top bus tour or air-conditioned mini bus. Along the tour you’ll visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Egyptian Theatre, and the Dolby Theatre. Besides this, you’ll be able to take some photos of the 40-foot long Beverly Hills sign, located in Beverly Gardens Park. This 2 hour tour is an experience of all the must-sees in Hollywood, and you might even spot a star or two!
10. Go on an Instagram walking tour
Fancy having a photoshoot in the area where all of the celebrities go shopping? Then you should take an Instagram tour and visit Melrouse Avenue - one of the most photographed streets in LA. This long street is one of the most Instagrammable areas in the City of Angels because of its street art, coffee shops, and couture boutiques. Along the tour you’ll encounter dozens of graffiti paintings and will have an opportunity to take selfies and learn more about the cultural heritage of this place. This is an essential tour for adventurers who are interested in design and aesthetics.
So, there you have it, our top 10 recommended things to do in Los Angeles! Of course, this is only an overview of what there is to do, check the Los Angeles activities on Klook to find out more.
