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Los Angeles is a city like no other: this is where blockbusters are born, roaring crowds pack legendary venues, and cinematic skylines meet rugged mountains. Home to multicultural flavours and over-the-top glamour, Los Angeles is uniquely its own.
These are the experiences you simply cannot miss for a true taste of LA.
Go behind the scenes of Hollywood magic
1. Take a studio tour
Los Angeles is hypnotising, with famous film and television moments at every turn. At the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, you’re invited into this cinematic world, where you can sip coffee on the Friends Central Perk set and explore the DC Universe and world of Harry Potter.
At Sony Pictures Studios, visit historic sets once home to The Wizard of Oz and Spiderman. The Universal Studios Studio Tour pulls back the curtain on its famed working lot, revealing the movie magic behind blockbusters still in the making.
2. Relive classic Hollywood moments
Feel starstruck and follow the footsteps of Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn down Hollywood Boulevard, where Walk of Fame stars glitter on the sidewalk. Visit the Dolby Theatre, host of the Academy Awards, and marvel at the handprints and footprints of celebrities at TCL Chinese Theatre.
Experience LA’s biggest sporting moments
3. Cheer along to only-in-LA live sports
In LA, sport is religion. At the Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers and Clippers basketball teams compete in a high-energy ballet of skill and athleticism, while the Kings light up the ice with lightning-fast NHL action. Dodger Stadium echoes with the crack of the baseball bat as fans cheer. SoFi Stadium hosts NFL clashes with the Rams and Chargers, delivering bone-crushing tackles beneath a soaring roof.
4. Catch a global sporting event
This year, eight FIFA World Cup matches play at SoFi Stadium, including the highly coveted U.S. Men’s National Team opening match on 12 June 2026. Over 39 action-packed days, fan will spill into the streets with celebrations and activations citywide. The Super Bowl returns here in February 2027, transforming the city into a week-long celebration of one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.
Some behind-the-scenes stadium tours allow fans to walk through player tunnels still echoing with pre-game energy and explore interactive exhibits showcasing sporting dynasties. During major tournaments, premium upgrades offer unprecedented access to the city’s sports world.
Discover LA’s cultural richness
5. Get lost in a museum or gallery
Los Angeles has one of the highest concentrations of museums and galleries of any city in the world — with 841 showcasing centuries of art. The Broad houses the psychedelic polka dot pumpkins of Yayoi Kusama, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art boasts more than 140,000 pieces, and the Getty Center presents art from the Middle Ages to today.
6. Navigate diverse neighbourhoods
From the famous to the lesser-known, LA’s neighbourhoods give a taste of just how culturally rich the city is. Highland Park is vibrant, lined with independent galleries and boutique shops. Venice Beach and Abbot Kinney Boulevard exude bohemian charm with street performers and murals.
Silver Lake is known for its indie-rock, hipster roots. Fairfax thrives with Jewish deli culture, and Los Feliz and Larchmont Village enchant with their charming small-town feel.
Coastal & beach experiences unique to LA
7. Take a Pacific Coast walk
There are endless activities on the Pacific Coast shoreline; cycle the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail, explore scenic Venice Canals emulating Venice, Italy and catch surfers at Malibu’s First Point.
8. Enjoy ocean adventures
For a uniquely LA experience, rent a paddleboard in the calm waters of Marina del Rey or join locals at Newport Beach for seasonal whale-watching, best at sunrise.
LA’s food scene
9. Tuck into global fusion & street food
Korean-Mexican fusion is a defining LA flavour profile – think kimchi quesadillas and Korean BBQ tacos (Kogi BBQ is a go-to). Iconic taco trucks serve authentic regional Mexican dishes across the city, from carnitas to al pastor. Bowl-based Californian cuisine at the likes of Poke Delish blends fresh, seasonal produce with global influences.
10. Indulge at classic LA institutions
Musso & Frank Grill, courtesy of Tina Whatcott Echeverria.
Philippe the Original stakes its claim as the birthplace of the French dip sandwich (a title hotly disputed by Cole’s, equally worth visiting) where a freshly baked French roll is dipped in the natural gravy of its roast meats, making for a juicy sandwich. Musso & Frank Grill, serving Hollywood since 1919, is the city’s oldest eatery. Its red leather booths still witness industry deals over filet mignon and lobster cocktails. Pink’s Hot Dogs has drawn devoted lines since 1939 for its celebrity-named creations piled with toppings from its famous chilli con carne to spicy Polish sausage.
11. Meet the locals over neighbourhood dining
Family-run Mexican eateries anchor nearly every corner of the city, from East LA to the Valley, serving recipes passed down through generations. Fairfax’s Jewish delis and bakeries thrive with matzo balls, pastrami sandwiches and challah, while Koreatown pulses with Korean BBQ, hot pot and late-night dining that rivals Seoul.
12. Browse markets & food halls
Los Angeles is proudly defined by its diversity, so it’s no wonder that the food is unique and experimental. Grand Central Market brims with multicultural vendors, from Oaxacan tlayudas (Mexican pizza) to sizzling Thai street food and freshly shucked oysters. On the first Friday of each month, food trucks descend on Abbot Kinney Boulevard for a street festival atmosphere. The Original Farmers Market, operating since 1934, remains a local favourite for fresh produce, prepared foods and international cuisines.
LA glamour & pop-culture moments
13. Ramp up the glitz with iconic encounters
Rodeo Drive’s glossy boutiques, from the likes of Louis Vuitton and Gucci, are the go-to for the well heeled or those who simply enjoy window shopping. Vintage treasures and cutting-edge streetwear line Melrose Avenue, a gritty, punk-rock pinnacle of West Coast cool, where fashion-forward locals hunt for one-of-a-kind finds.
Historic Hollywood institutions like the Frolic Room, Chateau Marmont and The Aster host star-studded lunches that have been the set of several movies and shows like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Beverly Hills 90210.
14. Visit legendary venues
The Hollywood Bowl, an iconic open-air entertainment venue whose silhouette is a statement piece of Los Angeles, has hosted greats since 1922 like The Beatles. 2026 has a packed lineup; Andrea Bocelli, The Beach Boys and My Chemical Romance are some of the many performances that will light up the skies over the Hollywood Hills.
Walt Disney Concert Hall is a Los Angeles staple and home to the LA Philharmonic. Sit in its architectural wonder under 6,000 stainless steel panels, and let a world-renowned orchestra take your breath away.
The Greek Theatre, tucked into the rolling hills of Griffith Park, is one of Americas most beloved venues, with performances from legends like Sir Elton John, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Nicks framed by oak trees and panoramic city views.
Your gateway to the rest of California
15. Explore beyond LA
A drive up the Pacific Coast Highway promises breathtaking coastlines, with the Spanish-colonial charm of Santa Barbara only a 1.5-hour drive away.
Central California has charming towns like San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Monterey and Paso Robles, where world-class wineries and ranches are plenty.
Further north, Big Sur boasts dramatic cliffs and perfect hikes. San Francisco and Yosemite National Park are the perfect conclusion to a California road trip — a six-hour drive from Los Angeles.
1.5 hours south of Los Angeles, Temecula is a worthy visit: think championship golf courses and award-winning wineries, including South Coast Winery, known for its prestigious Sauvignon Blanc. If you’re seeking pristine beaches on a new coastline, San Diego’s irresistible sunshine is two hours away.
Feature image: Shutterstock / Chones.
