Los Angeles, California, is known by many as the creative capital of the world. This a great destination for tourists as it features Hollywood studios, oceanfront boardwalks, art galleries, museums, scenic gardens, amusement parks and so much more.
But with so much to do and see in such a large megacity, it’s important to have a plan. Use our interactive map to highlight the city’s most important landmarks. Click on each one to learn more about other popular sites nearby including recommended hotel stays. Our map is free to download, and its the perfect solution in case you ever need to go offline. Print off a copy and take it with you next time you are exploring in this city of angels.
Where to find tourist attractions in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a huge city so as a tourist you will need to plan accordingly. Located to the north of downtown Los Angeles is where you will find the world-famous Hollywood district. This is home to the Universal CityWalk Hollywood, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and so many other iconic sights including the famous sign of Hollywood itself. Head north and into the hills and you will also find Griffith Observatory with its stunning views along with the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
Traveling southeast on the Hollywood Freeway from Hollywood will take you directly into the heart of downtown Los Angeles. This is another part of the city that is full of things to do as a tourist. Popular places to check out here include the Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Central Market, Union Station, and The Broad. Or take in a game at Crypto.com Arena. There is so much to keep you going in downtown L.A.
Heading south out of downtown L.A. and you will pass by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, next to the California Science Center. Or take a trip west to get to the district of Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills is famous for its upscale shopping and frequent celebrity sightings. It’s also home to the Petersen Automotive Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits.
There are even more great neighbourhoods to visit further beyond the main city area. Santa Monica and Venice Beach are two of these such spots. Santa Monica is best known for its stunning beachfront properties, shops, dining and entertainment. Venice Beach, a little further south along the Pacific Coastline, is better known for its laid-back atmosphere, street performances and boutique shops. Or travel north up the coastline to get to the Pacific Palisades. This is another beautiful place to sit and relax, and is home to The Getty Center, a world-famous museum dedicated to the study of arts and culture.
Getting transportation in Los Angeles
Getting around in Los Angeles and which method you choose will ultimately depend on your budget and where you are headed. For example, the Hollywood district and Downtown L.A. are both relatively easy to explore on foot. But traveling outside and beyond these districts will likely require something more.
Los Angeles has a variety of transportation options, thankfully. These include the Metro Rail system, the Metro Bus, DASH Buses, taxis and ridesharing services. The Metro lines will be able to connect you with most parts of the city at an inexpensive rate, often under 2 USD per ride.
Taxis and ridesharing services can provide more convenient options in getting to exactly to where you need to be going. This does come at an added cost, however. Taking a taxi, Uber or Lyft between Hollywood and Downtown L.A. for example, could be expected to cost you between 25-35 USD or more, depending on how busy traffic is and the time of day.
Many tourists will prefer renting a car while in Los Angeles, for these reasons. This can be a particularly rewarding experience when making longer excursions outside the city including trips to Venice Beach and Santa Monica, or simply going for a drive along the Pacific Ocean coastline.
