15 Immersive Things to Do in LA as a First-Time Visitor

When visiting Los Angeles for the first time, the Hollywood Walk of Fame probably comes to mind, right? Moving along the sidewalk, eyes locked on the ground, looking for familiar names on the stars.

That’s exactly what I do NOT recommend doing.

And don’t get me wrong. I arrived in LA 11 years ago as a film fanatic. I did exactly that, multiple times in the first month. Looking back today, I honestly think it’s one of the most underwhelming and surface-level experiences you can have in the city.

There are so many other activities that are worth your precious first visit. The Hollywood Bowl, the Warner Bros. studio tour, and a lot of good food are some of them.

So from an Angeleno to you, here are the things to do in LA that I’d actually prioritize as a first-time visitor.

Things That Are Worth Your First Visit in Los Angeles

Don’t worry. I’m not discounting the movie magic part of LA at all. I was a filmmaker once myself, so I have a deep appreciation for it. I just don’t see sense in taking selfies with names carved in a star… on the ground.

I do, however, highly recommend taking the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. That’s a much more fun way to get closer to your favorite shows and movie stars.

Outside of the movies, I’m also recommending several things the LA locals enjoy doing, myself included. Now let’s take a look at my favorite things to do!

1. Visit the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Can’t talk about LA without an ode to the industry that puts the city on the map.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened after I had already left the industry, but every time I went there, I was reminded of why I loved filmmaking. (Now I love traveling more 😆)

Every exhibition is insanely well-done and serves both the filmmakers and the fans. There’s one that’s all about Marilyn Monroe, another about the production design of Barbie, another about the history of the Oscars, and many more that showcase the work and expertise behind the films you love.

• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Admission Ticket: US$25
• Location: 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Once you’re done, cross the street to Petersen Automotive Museum for some cool car-related exhibitions (There are famous prop cars, too!), or walk a block over to LACMA for contemporary art exhibitions.

Not in the mood to go into another museum? Stroll around the outdoors and take some cool photos with “Urban Lights” and “Levitated Mass” for free!

2. Hike to the Hollywood Sign

Filmmakers don’t care much about the sign, and it took me 11 years before I decided to give this trail a try. But hey, it really is just as nice a stroll as people have been saying.

I say a stroll because it is quite chill. There’s only one very short section that gets a bit steep. Otherwise, you’re just taking a walk along the hills. There are limited shades on the trail, so bring a hat and put on sunscreen. Make sure to have a liter of water with you if it’s summer.

The trail goes in and out of neighborhoods so it can be a bit confusing if you’re not used to it. I recommend joining Hollywood Hikes for some guidance and company. They have dogs!

3. See the Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory

You get one of the best views of LA from up here. Plus, the observatory itself is pretty iconic.

The building is free to enter and features space and science exhibits, including a Foucault Pendulum, historic telescopes. You can also see shows inside its planetarium for US$12.

• Weekday Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
• Weekend Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Location: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

If you didn’t bring a car to the Hollywood Sign hike and you love hiking, then you can follow the Mulholland trail from there to the Griffith Observatory! It’s less than 3 miles away.

Otherwise, I recommend getting an Uber up to avoid the crazy parking fees up there. (It’s $10 per hour 😅)

4. Join a Warner Bros. Studio Tour

This was my favorite experience when I first moved here in 2015. Back then, it was only a small, intimate tour on a golf cart to look at working studios and back lot sets from Gilmore Girls and a bunch of other shows.

Today, it has grown into a system of hourly tours, still on golf carts, but done much more frequently. And of course, you get to see so much more than what I did a decade ago.

I did the tour again just this past August and was blown away by how many cool things you get to see and do now. There are green screen experiences, or you can sit on a forced-perspective table used to make Gandalf look huge in The Hobbit, and more.

Tickets sold through their site are non-refundable, so I recommend buying through a third party site for the flexibility if your schedule is not yet set in stone. It’s the same price, I’ve checked!

5. Enjoy Art and Architecture at the Getty Museums

Are you really in LA if you haven’t been to one of the Getty Museums?

The Getty Center and Getty Villa are both operated by the world’s wealthiest art institution, with ongoing research and conservation. This means the exhibitions never disappoint.

Go to the Getty Center for Middle-Age European art and modern architecture. For ancient artifacts and a stunning Roman-style formal garden, the Getty Villa.

6. Watch a Show at the Hollywood Bowl

Yes, you absolutely should see the Hollywood Bowl, but not on the city tour where you go into the empty stadium to take pictures. Instead, book a show and go then.

The Bowl comes alive at night when there’s a live show, and the vibe is quite something. My favorite memories were from The Sound of Music sing-along, and watching Harry Potter movies with a live orchestra.

If you’re renting a car in LA, don’t bring it to park at the bowl parking lots. They’re crazy expensive and cars are parked bumper-to-bumper, so you have to wait hours to get out after the show ends.

I recommend parking at Hollywood & Highland (Ovation… but I don’t like the new name, sorry) and walking up.

7. Spend a Few Hours at The Grove

If you plan for shop in LA, forget all the other malls and go to The Grove. I used to think it’s such a touristy place, but after all these years, I still love going back once in a while, mainly for the Farmer’s Market.

The place is fun and chic, and the Barnes & Noble there is one of my favorites in the city.

If you don’t want to shop much, then I recommend parking in the Farmer’s Market lot instead of in The Grove’s structure. You can enter right on Fairfax. A validation from one vendor in the market and you’re good to park for two hours free.

8. Eat Good Food Around the City

Speaking of food… the Farmer’s Market isn’t the only place with amazing food in LA. It is such a diverse city, and every cuisine is done insanely well. So take advantage of it!

For REAL Thai food, nobody beats Jitlada in East Hollywood. They cook for Thai people, so be careful when asking for spicy because you will get it.

If you love fresh pasta, cooked the purist Italian way, then Uovo is the spot. Best sushi in town? Kazunori. Both these places have multiple branches across LA, so search for one that’s closest to you!

There’s more to that list, including insanely great brunch spots. Check out my favorite places to go, gathered from my decade eating around LA!

9. See Rare Items and Plants at the Huntington Library

If you have half a day to spare, drive out to South Pasadena and spend it here. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is as many things as its full name says.

Rare items from its research library, like early editions of Shakespeare’s plays, are sometimes displayed in exhibitions. You can see European and American arts in its museum buildings.

From my point of view, the gardens are the highlights. There are so many of them, and it’ll take you a few hours to stroll through them all. One’s Japanese-themed, one’s Chinese, one is all roses, and another’s all desert plants. You get the idea.

• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Admission Fee: US$29 on weekdays, US$34 on weekends
• Location: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108

10. Watch Your Favorite Film on a Rooftop

Yes, watch a film projected onto a building wall, surrounded by the night lights and buildings of Downtown LA. That already sounds like a mood, doesn’t it?

Rooftop Cinema actually isn’t just an LA thing. They have screenings in a few other big cities in the country, but it’s a waste not to watch movies in style when in Los Angeles, right?

Their calendar is packed with fan-favorite films from the 1970s to present-day. Over the years, I’ve seen The Princess Diaries, Two Weeks Notice, Casablanca, and several more I can’t even remember, right on this rooftop.

They have hot dogs and Doritos. Heh.

11. Let Your Inner Child Out at Universal Studios

It’s hard to get tired of Universal Studios.

There’s the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Super Nintendo World, the Mummy ride, Jurassic Park, and new things are always coming. The new Fast & Furious roller coaster is set to open in a week or so as I’m writing this.

You could say I used to haunt this place. I lived ten minutes away in Burbank during grad school and I had a gold pass, which meant I didn’t have to pay for parking. Literally went there just to do homework sometimes.

Buy your ticket in advance to avoid the line at the park. Again, it’s non-refundable on the official website, so buy here for a chance to cancel free of charge if your plans change!

Oh, one more thing. Skip the studio tour. The Warner Bros. one is better.

12. Tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House

Nearly 40 years before he built the Guggenheim Museum in NYC, Frank Lloyd Wright had built an iconic home for the heiress Alice Barnsdall in East Hollywood.

This house was his first work in Los Angeles, and you can tour it.

What I love most about this house is the idea behind it. Wright was tired of colonial architecture in the city, so instead, he pulled inspirations from pre-hispanic architecture, like the Maya Civilization.

Even if you’re not that into architecture, the place is quite fascinating.

Don’t forget to book the timed entry before going. It sells out!

13. Watch Sunset on the Beach

When in California, watching the sunset over the Pacific is a must, especially in LA, where there are minimal clouds. Stunning, fiercely golden sunsets is what you get for enduring scorching cloudless heat during the day.

There are a few good places for sunset. If you don’t like to be in the crowd, then Sunset Beach, a few minutes drive down the highway from Santa Monica Pier, is secluded and much cleaner. It’s just you and the few surfers. There are free parking spots along the highway.

Venice Beach is another great spot. There will be a lot of people, but it doesn’t feel as suffocating as Santa Monica, and the vibe is much more laidback.

14. Tour a Vineyard and Taste Some Wine

California wine has gained its popularity very quickly over the past decade, and for good reason. I love some California Cabernet Sauvignon myself. So… why skip a vineyard tour when you can get some wine?!

I love this particular experience because it’s not just visiting a vineyard, drink some wine and be done with it. You get to first hike through some trails in the wine country while learning more about Native American history.

15. Have Brunch on the Malibu Pier

And if you’re already planning to visit a vineyard in Malibu, then why not stop by the pier for brunch?

I really love brunching at Malibu Farm. The food isn’t special enough to be on my foodie list, but just having brunch there is strangely relaxing. Maybe it’s the view.

Sadly, I never took any photos of the food no matter how many times I went… (pre-blogging days, you know) Just of me on the pier.

Visiting the United States

Many people need a visa to enter the US, and those who don’t will need to apply for an ESTA authorization a few days before their trip. So check the travel documents you need in advance!

Make sure you have travel insurance as well. I always use SafetyWing or Heymondo, depending on which is cheaper for each trip.

Extra Tips to Optimize Your Experience

Los Angeles has no single center and is VERY spread out. It’s impossible to base yourself in “the most convenient” area to easily get everywhere. I recommend renting a car to best maximize your time and energy.

Don’t forget to pack layers. LA is HOT during the day but gets surprisingly chilly at night!

Use My Template to Help You Plan

To make sure you have everything organized and in order, I’ve decided to share the very template I created and personally use to plan my own trips… for FREE. Just download and make a copy!

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