16 Reasons Why You Should Visit Los Angeles at Least Once in Your Lifetime
![Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/h93r1k.webp)
With iconic landmarks, a vibrant cultural scene and sunny skies throughout the year, there is no shortage of reasons to visit Los Angeles. From art at the Getty Center to hiking in Malibu, our top picks highlight why LA should be at the top of your travel bucket list.
1. For the weather
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Sunny day at Santa Monica Beach, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cedric-dhaenens-fottnne7ak-unsplash.webp)
2. For the diversity
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![a person walking in front of a oriental-style red building, China Town, Los Angeles](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ace-maxwell-xlm1l29lnbg-unsplash.webp)
3. For the beaches
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Surfers running on Venice Beach, Los Angeles](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/riccardo-tuninato-gdpmeoc0fny-unsplash.webp)
4. For the comedy scene
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
5. For the live theater
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Los Angeles theatre chairs, South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shengnan-gao-qdsjehvcshq-unsplash.webp)
6. For the food
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Mexican restaurant in the sun, Los Angeles, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zac-meadowcroft-5lmm37bnhp4-unsplash.webp)
If you want discover LA through its diverse cuisine, check out our specially curated Food Tour of LA which combines things to do and a place to stay – all with food the firm focus.
7. For the cocktails
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Garnished orange cocktail on top of table, Los Angeles, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/deepthi-clicks-6etgamzralq-unsplash.webp)
8. For the magic
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Universal Studios, Harry Potter, Hogsmeade, Los Angeles, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mauro-lima-wmknnha_uls-unsplash.webp)
9. For the music
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Silhouette of people watching on stage with lights at the Echoplex, Los Angeles, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/julian-lozano-x_huigpuzbk-unsplash.webp)
10. For the hiking
Hiking Trail
![Aerial view from Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, CA, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/richard-james-ljdefbx3hug-unsplash.webp)
People in Los Angeles love to hike, and they don’t have to leave the city to do it. Locals and visitors alike flock to Runyon Canyon or Griffith Park, a 4,000-plus-acre park in the middle of the city, where there are numerous trails and recreational opportunities to take advantage of Los Angeles’ stellar weather. For those seeking more urban hikes, there are staircases scattered throughout LA that allow adventurers to work up a sweat without diving deep into nature. For those looking for a more remote experience, it’s a relatively short drive to explore Malibu State Park, the Angeles National Forest and Eaton Canyon. With so many state parks and forests, visitors can either go on short hikes and be cleaned up by dinner time, or spend three days out in the wilderness.
Our go-slow tour of LA includes a guided hike through Griffith Park, plus the chance to ride an e-Bike through Hollywood and explore the Venice Beach area.
11. To nerd out
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![shutterstock_397458499](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/shutterstock_397458499.webp)
Visitors can enjoy video games at a number of bars, including EightyTwo in the Arts District, the One Up in Sherman Oaks, Blipsy in Koreatown and Button Mash in Echo Park. Comic book stores such as Golden Apple Comics, Secret Headquarters and A Shop Called Quest offer games, comic books, graphic novels, apparel and more. It’s also worth checking to see what special studio tours are available at Universal Studios and Warner Brothers, or if there are any good exhibits on at the Paley Center for Media.
12. For the festivals
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/jermaine-ee-krhghnrcddm-unsplash.webp)
13. For the art
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Getty Center, Los Angeles](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/todd-jiang-lbpk06ct47m-unsplash.webp)
You can check out the best of LA’s art scene by taking our specially curated Art Tour of LA, which combines unique experiences and an arty hotel which showcase local artists in the city.
14. For the history
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Universal Studios Arch, Los Angeles](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ingrid-martinussen-ffqxjlhnd5s-unsplash.webp)
15. For the architecture
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Eastern Columbia Building amongst other sky scrapers, Los Angeles](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/joel-muniz-pl94mdripl8-unsplash.webp)
16. To see things you recognize from the movies and TV
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
![Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, United States](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/christian-joudrey-tblym_vcike-unsplash.webp)
If you’re in town for the first time, scratching beneath the surface of LA’s movie-making history is a must. We’ve curated this film-themed tour of LA to help you do exactly that.