Los Angeles

Legendary Icons, Coastal Culture, and Hollywood Glamour

Los Angeles is a city of contrasts, where glamorous enclaves and creative neighborhoods stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Hollywood Hills. World-class museums and an extraordinary culinary scene share the spotlight with legendary beaches and a thriving entertainment industry. Its sprawling geography rewards exploration, with each neighborhood revealing a different side of L.A.

Downtown Los Angeles & Koreatown

Downtown Los Angeles has reinvented itself as a destination for art, architecture, and culinary innovation. On Bunker Hill, The Broad showcases contemporary art near Frank Gehry’s striking Walt Disney Concert Hall. The historic Grand Central Market has been feeding Angelenos since 1917, while the nearby Arts District brings new life to industrial warehouses through street art and inventive restaurants.

Just west of downtown, Koreatown buzzes well into the night. Its celebrated Korean barbecue restaurants share the neighborhood with karaoke lounges and lively bars. For a distinctly L.A. wellness experience, unwind at a traditional Korean spa, where 24-hour bathhouses offer saunas and rejuvenating treatments.

Hollywood

Steeped in cinematic history, Hollywood celebrates the glamour of the silver screen. Follow the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre, where generations of movie stars have left their mark. Beautifully restored movie palaces recall Hollywood’s golden age, while the Hollywood Bowl hosts unforgettable concerts beneath the stars.

Los Feliz & Silver Lake

East of Hollywood, Los Feliz and Silver Lake are the creative, bohemian heart of Los Angeles. In Los Feliz, independent bookstores and historic cinemas lend character to the neighborhood’s walkable streets. Nearby Griffith Park offers scenic hikes with views of the Hollywood Sign. Visit the park’s iconic Griffith Observatory for spectacular sunsets, sweeping city views, and evening stargazing.

In Silver Lake, Sunset Junction draws a stylish crowd to its trendy shops and neighborhood cafés. Modernist homes dot the surrounding hills, while the Silver Lake Reservoir provides a popular setting for a leisurely walk.

West Hollywood

West Hollywood is a trendsetting destination with a vibrant LGBTQ+ community and legendary nightlife. Along the Sunset Strip, iconic venues like the Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy preserve the city’s rock-and-roll heritage. The West Hollywood Design District attracts visitors with its galleries and influential design showrooms. After dark, rooftop bars and acclaimed restaurants offer a glamorous taste of L.A. nightlife.

West Los Angeles & Beverly Hills

Along Wilshire Boulevard’s Museum Row, visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and its famous Urban Light installation. In Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and the Golden Triangle remain the epicenter of luxury fashion, while nearby Beverly Gardens Park offers a peaceful retreat. Continuing west, Westwood Village features historic movie palaces and the collegiate atmosphere of UCLA. Explore the university’s beautiful architecture and gardens or visit the Hammer Museum for contemporary art.

Santa Monica

Heading toward the coast, the Getty Center rewards visitors with remarkable art collections and sweeping views from its hilltop setting. Beyond, Santa Monica pairs coastal sophistication with classic Southern California beach culture. Ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel at the famous Santa Monica Pier, or cycle the beachfront path known as the Strand, which stretches for miles along the coast. For a quieter experience, Montana Avenue offers a charming collection of upscale boutiques and neighborhood cafés.

Venice Beach & Playa del Rey

Just south of Santa Monica, Venice Beach embraces its famously eccentric personality. Street performers and skateboarders animate the oceanfront boardwalk, while Abbot Kinney Boulevard attracts a design-conscious crowd. Nearby, the historic Venice Canals offer a peaceful walk past picturesque homes and arched pedestrian bridges.

Farther south, Playa del Rey is a laid-back coastal enclave with a distinctly local vibe. Its quieter beaches offer an escape from the crowds, while nearby Dockweiler State Beach is a favorite for sunset bonfires.

Hermosa Beach

In the South Bay, Hermosa Beach embodies Los Angeles’s laid-back surf and volleyball culture. Beach volleyball courts line the broad sandy shoreline, while Pier Plaza buzzes with casual restaurants and lively bars. Follow the Strand on foot or by bicycle for a taste of Southern California beach life.

Sherman Oaks & Valley Village

North of the Hollywood Hills, Sherman Oaks offers a relaxed alternative to Los Angeles’s busier neighborhoods. Ventura Boulevard is known for its excellent sushi, gastropubs, and vintage shops. Nearby Valley Village provides a quieter residential setting with easy access to Universal Studios Hollywood and other L.A. attractions.

For more trip planning inspiration, visit Discover Los Angeles.