What Are Some of Los Angeles, CAs Top Attractions To Visit?

Whether you’re visiting Los Angeles for the first time or you’ve lived here your whole life, there’s much to do and explore in this great city. When you’re here in the spring or summer, you can take advantage of the warm weather to visit a beach, take a hike, or watch a ballgame. Here are some of the top attractions to visit in Los Angeles.

Santa Monica Pier

A trip to the Santa Monica Pier is an experience in itself. The iconic boardwalk includes amusement park rides, arcade games, street performers, and tasty treat carts. Ride the Pacific Park Ferris wheel for stunning views of the Southern California coastline, or take a spin on the pier’s historic merry-go-round. There’s even a trapeze school on the pier if you want to try something new.

Underneath the pier, you can visit the Heal the Bay Aquarium, home to over 100 species like moray eels, jellyfish, and swell sharks. You can also fish on the pier, with a bait and tackle shop available. While the pier can be busy, it’s also fun to walk along the boardwalk and simply enjoy the ocean air and warm breeze. Treat yourself to a hot dog, cotton candy, or milkshake while you people-watch in this fun, bustling environment.

• Location: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Getty Villa Museum

Take a trip to ancient Rome when you visit the Getty Villa Museum, part of the Getty. The museum building recreates the appearance of a Roman country home, complete with peaceful gardens and a 450-seat outdoor theater. The art on display in the museum spans the Neolithic and Bronze Ages in ancient Greece to the height of the Roman Empire. Two floors of galleries include sculptures, jewelry, portraits, and even a Roman-era mummy.

Outside the museum, you can explore four gardens on the grounds. Plants and herbs in the gardens are the same ones grown in the ancient Mediterranean. Open-air spaces, tranquil fountains, and a reflecting pool offer quiet places for contemplation and reflection. Plus, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

• Location: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Closed on Tuesday

Griffith Observatory

For the best views of Los Angeles, don’t miss a chance to visit Griffith Observatory. The free observatory offers exhibits, shows, and telescopes for you to explore the cosmos. Walk through the Ahmanson Hall of the Sky to learn more about the relationship between the sun, moon, and Earth, or explore a scale model of the solar system outside the observatory. Each day, the observatory hosts various programs, like a Tesla coil demonstration and a planetarium show.

If possible, it’s worth visiting the Griffith Observatory at sunset for stunning views of the glittering Los Angeles landscape. You can use the free public telescopes to gaze up at the stars. Before the sun sets, the observatory is also the perfect place for a view of the iconic Hollywood Sign.

• Location: 2800 E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles
• Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Monday

Hollywood Sign

Speaking of the Hollywood Sign, it’s a must-do attraction in Los Angeles, whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re a native Angeleno. The sign, originally erected in 1923, has come to symbolize the city’s status as the entertainment capital of the world. Located in Griffith Park, the Hollywood Sign is visible from 10 to 15 miles away, but it’s worth getting an up-close look at this iconic landmark.

There are three hiking trails you can take to get to the sign, ranging in length from 3 to 6 miles. Two of the three trails are rated as easy, while the third one is best for more experienced hikers. Make sure you bring plenty of water for your hike, especially in the summer months. Once you summit, you’ll be directly above the sign, enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the city below.

• Location: Griffith Park on Mount Lee
• Hours: Hiking trails open from sunrise to sunset daily

Venice Beach

You won’t be bored with a trip to Venice Beach, one of the top destinations in Los Angeles. You can relax on the sandy beach or go fishing along the pier. Stroll along the 2-mile boardwalk to grab some food or watch the street performers. Visit the Venice Beach Recreation Center to play a pickup basketball game or check out the Muscle Beach Venice gym, where professional bodybuilder and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used to frequent. Venice Beach also has a world-famous waterfront skate plaza, biking paths, and play areas.

If you need a break from the crowds, you can check out the Venice Canals. The city’s founder, Abbot Kinney, designed the canals to represent those in Venice, Italy. You can take a leisurely walk or pose for the perfect photo-op on one of the bridges.

• Location: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice
• Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. October through April and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. May through September

Dodger Stadium

What’s a better spring or summer pastime than catching a ballgame at Dodger Stadium? Home to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the stadium has a celebrated history as the third-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. Murals adorn the sides of the stadium to honor its 60th anniversary and the great Jackie Robinson. When you’re not watching the game, you can also wander through memorabilia exhibits, including the Legends of Dodger Baseball display.

On game days, you can take a tour before the first pitch and watch the Dodgers’ batting practice. Even if you can’t catch a game, you can still visit the stadium on a 90-minute tour. The tour allows you to go onto the field, visit the Centerfield Plaza, view the 2020 World Series trophy and other team awards, and sit in the Vin Scully Press Box for a full-stadium view.

• Location: 1000 Vin Scully Ave., Los Angeles
• Hours: Check the website for team schedule and tour times

Now you know more about six of the top attractions to visit in Los Angeles in the spring and summer. What’s on your must-do list in LA? Did we miss one of your favorite attractions? Contact us and let us know so we can add it to our list. Like the Hollywood Sign and Dodger Stadium, Longo Toyota has a long history in the Los Angeles area, and we’re proud to share our local knowledge with others.

Tags: LA, Locals, Los Angeles, Not Just Locals
Posted in Local | No Comments »