What to Do in Los Angeles: Your First-Time Adventure Checklist

So you’re heading to Los Angeles for the first time and want to know what to do?

Buckle up because Los Angeles is more than just palm trees and movie stars—this city is packed with iconic spots and experiences you won’t want to miss.

Whether you’re soaking up the California vibes at the beach, grabbing some of the best food in the country, or trying to spot celebrities in Hollywood, there’s something for everyone.

Here's guide to help you make the most of your LA adventure:

Santa Monica

3rd Street Promenade

I always tell people when they visit Santa Monica to start at the 3rd Street Promenade. It’s a lively open-air stretch of shops and restaurants one block from Santa Monica Beach.

On weekends and evenings, the Promenade is packed with shoppers and live entertainment, including singers, dancers, and musicians. It’s also one of the most common areas for a company or brand to host a fun pop-up experience when releasing a new product line or collaboration.

In the mornings, it’s honestly a really peaceful place for a stroll or a relaxing place to sit and unwind.

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is an icon – full of energy and always busy with people. It’s the heart of Santa Monica, kinda like the “pole” of the North Pole.

If you’re in the mood to tap into your inner child, you can play games at the end of the pier’s arcade or ride the Ferris wheel for views of the city. It’s so a fantastic place to people-watch.

If fishing is your thing, then towards the end of the pier, you can join the fisherman waiting for their next big catch.

Surfing the Pacific

I’m not sure that there is anything more “California” than catching waves in the Pacific.

If you’re not a surfer, no worries – you can book a surf lesson!

I lived in Los Angeles for 7 years before I finally tried it because I was scared of the water—and I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner. It made me want to go buy a surfboard right away. I booked my group surfing lesson through GetYourGuide using FunSurfLA and I really felt like the instructors were super helpful and made me feel safe the whole time.

Venice Beach

Bike to Venice

Biking the boardwalk between Venice and Santa Monica feels like stepping into every 90s California show—it’s one of the best ways to get around town.

There are plenty of bike rental options from e-bikes to beach cruisers, or jump on a guided bike tour.

As you cruise, you can stop by spots like the Venice Beach Sign, the Venice Canals, Arnold’s Muscle Beach, and the Venice Beach skate park to soak in the vibe. Finish the evening with a sundowner at the rooftop of The Venice Whaler or Hotel Erwin as you watch the sun dip behind the ocean.

Abbot Kinney

Abbot Kinney is one of my favorite spots on the west side. It’s way less touristy than downtown Santa Monica or the main hub of Venice. This area is packed with cool restaurants, luxury shops, and bars, and it’s also a hotspot for brand PR events. I’ve seen plenty of celebrity sightings here, so if you’re hoping to bump into someone famous, this might be the place to do it. I also highly recommend getting an ice cream at Salt & Straw. Trust me, you won’t be sorry.

Malibu

If you have the time while in Los Angeles, a trip up to Malibu is a must. Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway (or as people from California call it, the 1) will make you feel like you’ve entered into a California daydream.

Point Dume State Park

If you aren’t sure where to go, one of my favorite Malibu hideaways is Point Dume State Park—a small park with short hiking trails and just beautiful ocean views.

Don’t miss Pirate’s Cove, a secluded beach that’s perfect for relaxing. You can also pop over to do a beach day at Zuma Beach.

On your way to Point Dume, stop by Malibu Seafood for some clam chowder. Trust me – I often dream about that soup.

Hollywood

Hollywood Sign

Did you even visit Los Angeles if you didn’t snap a photo with the Hollywood Sign?

While you can spot it from plenty of places like Lake Park Hollywood or just around Hollywood itself, I recommend getting up close and personal. You can hike to it—or even behind it—or see it on a horseback ride or a helicopter tour!

If you are going to opt for the hike behind the Hollywood Sign, my favorite trail to take up is the Wisdom Tree, Cahuenga Peak, and Mount Lee Summit Loop starting at Wonderview Drive. It’s one of the shorter routes up, but it is difficult. The hike up to the Wisdom Tree is a steep verticle climb and the hike over to behind the sign does require some scrambling. Take extra water and snacks with you as it does get hot up there.

Discover Los Angeles's Best Hiking Trails

And while you’re up there, a stop at the Griffith Observatory is a must. Griffith Observatory is one of the only major facilities in the world that still produces exclusively live planetarium shows. Over 100,000 shows have been presented since the building opened in 1935. Plus, it’s just gorgeous and a great place to take photos.

You can either hike over to it, or I might suggest just driving up to check it out.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hollywood is a must-see at least once. Stroll down Hollywood Blvd to check out the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For a closer look at celebrity life, hop on a celebrity bus tour that takes you past some of the top celebrity mansions—plus, it’s a great way to see the iconic Hollywood Hills.

As you’re walking down Hollywood BLVD, you’ll see some iconic staples like Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the TLC Chinese Theater, with the original star signatures and handprints.

Hollywood Rooftop Bar Scene

The Hollywood rooftop scene is actually quite the vibe. Grab drinks at a rooftop bar like Mama Shelter, the Highlight Room, or Desert 5 Stop.

Finding Show Premieres and Concerts

One of the questions I always get asked is how I score tickets to movie and TV premieres, concerts, and more. Well, here’s my secret: it’s called 1iota. It’s a booking site that alerts you about upcoming events in Los Angeles, like the MTV Movie Awards, where they need seat fillers or people to join the crowd. Thanks to 1iota, I’ve been able to attend some insane premieres, comedy shows, and award shows—for free! You’ll need to sign up in advance, and I recommend following them on social media for updates.

Another tip: check the show’s website directly. If you know your travel dates, you can apply for tickets ahead of time and see if you get lucky!

Hollywood Bowl

Nothing beats a night at the Hollywood Bowl. If you are visiting Los Angeles in the summer, the lineup is packed with incredible musical performances that vary from classical music, reggae, hip-hop, and even some EDM. Even if you are traveling solo, you can make friends easily at the Hollywood Bowl.

Also, depending on what show you go to, you are allowed to take in your food and sometimes alcohol – which is a total win!

Beverly Hills

Rodeo Drive

Talk about a place to see fancy cars and celebrities. Rodeo Drive is the mecca of rich Los Angeles. If you want to spend some dolla dolla bills, this is the place. If not, it’s a really nice place to walk around or grab a glass of wine. At the end of Rodeo Drive, you’ll meet up with the Beverly Hills Sign, and a street that’s lined with palm trees, which makes a pretty great picture spot.

West Hollywood

The Grove

You can’t leave Los Angeles without a stop in West Hollywood—aka Weho. It’s like the trendy, woke side of Hollywood, and it’s always buzzing. There’s plenty to do but start by hitting up The Grove, home to the Original Farmer’s Market. It’s the perfect spot to walk around, grab a bite, and soak up some LA vibes.

Art In WeHo

Once you’ve gotten a bite to eat, if you’re feeling artsy you can check out the LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) like the magical street lights or the tar pits. Or snap selfies at West Hollywood’s iconic spots like the Paul Smith Pink Wall.

Nightlife in WeHo

If you are looking for something fun, head to Sunset Blvd. You will find everything you are looking for in more, but Sunset is a staple in the history of Los Angeles with places like The Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv, or The Roxy.

Or, if you are LGBTQ+, West Hollywood is the place to connect. Start at The Abbey and make your way down Santa Monica Blvd for a night of fun!

Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA)

Grand Central Market

Downtown Los Angeles is probably comparable to other large cities, and while it’s great and has its pros and cons, it’s not somewhere that I would necessarily tell someone to go when they are solo traveling without having a plan.

So if you are eager to check out the city, I recommend going to places like the Grand Central Market, or maybe even going for a ride on the Angel’s Flights Railway.

Otherwise, right outside DTLA, you can check out:

Arts District

The Arts District or the brewery hub of Los Angeles, is mixed with tons of exciting new restaurants, arcade bars, street art, and shopping. Arts District Brewery and Angel City Brewery are the two main spots, both with fun outdoor patios and games. This is a cool place to go if you are looking for something social, but still fun and not overwhelming.

Chinatown and Little Tokyo

Diving into these fun subparts of the city will really transport you to other parts of the world. You should kinda know what you are getting with these. You try some of the best food in these districts, and feel like you’ve almost completely left Los Angeles. I love visiting both of these places at night because the atmosphere is just more lively, and if you stay on the main streets, they feel relatively safer.

Sports in LA

Sports are a big deal in Los Angeles and capture the essence of the city. If you have the time, definitely catch a game while you’re in town.

One thing I love about going to a Dodgers game, for example, is that there are hangout sections like bars and other spaces where you can still watch the game without being stuck in your seat. Perfect if sitting in the stands isn’t your vibe!

East LA

You can also venture a little further and check out the hipperser areas like Echo Park, Silver Lake, and Highland Park – especially if you are in the mood for some vintage shopping. Or if you are interested in a hike that’s close downtown with some great views, especially at sunset – check out Ascott Hills Park, and hike up until you see the broken fence. This is one of my favorite semi-secrets spots around

By the time your first trip to LA wraps up, you’ll already be planning your next visit—trust me! Whether you’re taking in the views from the Santa Monica Pier or living out your Hollywood dreams on the Walk of Fame, Los Angeles has a way of making every moment feel like a movie scene.

So, pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to experience all the magic LA has to offer.

PrettylilTraveler