Things to See and Do in Los Angeles

photo by free-photos from Pixabay

When it comes to traveling, unless our aim is to plop ourselves on a beach and forget about the world for a few days, we're all looking for somewhere that has plenty to offer, fun things to do, and fascinating things to see, right? With that in mind, here's a look at one of America’s most interesting cities, Los Angeles. The home of the stars and the movies has so much to see and do that you could spend just a few days here getting to know it or a take a trip for a few weeks to understand it. Let’s take a look at what makes LA a special place to visit.

Hollywood

I think any conversation about Los Angeles starts with one of the hottest tourist spots in the world, Hollywood. If you have even the smallest interest in film, then you've got to make your way to Hollywood, right? For starters, there is the infamous Walk of Fame where you can see homages to stars such as Michael Jackson, Amy Adams, and Mickey Mouse. The Walk of Fame stretches out over 18 blocks and takes you on tour not just through media history but also of the sights and sounds of Hollywood. You’ll pass the Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Museum, and the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards. I'm big on tours that get me around to the touron spots quickly, especially if I'm only in town for a day or two to sight see.

You can also take a bus tour into Beverly Hills to see the houses (or gates of them, I guess) of stars  and up to the Hollywood sign that overlooks LA. I don't have much interest in the homes but I'd love to see the sign up close.

Photo by BKD from Pixabay

Santa Monica

If you’re in the Los Angeles and looking for the beach, Santa Monica is a good choice. This coastal city west of downtown LA provides a little escape from the city life. Any visit to Santa Monica should include a walk on its pier where you can enjoy its amusement park, Pacific Park after walking through the iconic entrance that sits at the head of the pier. There is also an aquarium and the original Muscle Beach. I love photos of the pier and amusement park here - quite a few friends have shared them on Instagram.

Disney

Just as the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia argument will never be settled, the argument over which is better -  Disneyland or Disneyworld - will never be settled. Los Angeles’ Anaheim is proud of its over 60-year-old theme park that welcomes visitors from around the world all year. You’ll be able to meet all of your favorite characters as well as take on some of the famous rides like Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Similar to Orlando, Anaheim doesn’t just boast Disneyland but also other theme parks such as Universal Studios. As a Disney lover, I will definitely visit the Anaheim park if I get a chance, if only to compare it to my many trips to Disneyworld.

Other Things To Do

These are just a few options that you can explore in Los Angeles, but the city has so much to offer from a mafia escape room to catching a game in the NBA at the Lakers or the Clippers. If sports are your thing then LA is a great choice with two teams each in the NFL, MBA, & MLS - Rams, Chargers, Angels, Dodgers, Galaxy and Los Angeles FC - as well as the previously mentioned basketball teams and their NHL team, the LA Kings.

Have you been? Or are you planning to go? What did I miss?