Los Angeles vacation guide

Millions of tourists from around the world flock to Los Angeles, aka the Entertainment Capital of the World, each year to enjoy the many entertaining activities that the city offers. Sure there are plenty of T.V. show tapings, theaters, and iconic media attractions to enjoy, however, the city offers much more outside of the Hollywood scene.

A Los Angeles vacation would not be complete without taking time for some outdoor recreation in the beautiful California sunshine! Take a look at some of my favorite recreational, shopping, cultural and entertainment related activities to keep in mind for your next trip to L.A. Be sure to tell me some of your favorite spots in the city!

L.A. area recreational Hot Spots!

Before moving to Los Angeles, I never knew a bike ride could be so much fun. In fact, I took up cycling as one of my main hobbies after my first few weeks in town. The Marvin Braude (South Bay) bike path is an absolutely gorgeous 22 mile path which runs along all of L.A.’s beautiful beaches. This isn’t your ordinary run of the mill path- there is so much to see and do along the way!

Mike starting the path in Torrance – check out that view! Now that’s motivation!

Biking the South Bay bike path in Torrance, CA
The Strand bike path in Los Angeles, CA

This paved path allows you to enjoy the fabulous scenery of the area without any distractions or traffic! Almost the entire path runs along the water, so as you can imagine the views are to die for. This ride is pretty flat & smooth, which makes it accessible to cyclists of varying fitness levels.

One of my favorite stops along the way is the Santa Monica Pier – yes, the roller coaster ride is a must – who cares if it is a bit overpriced! I wasn’t too impressed with Venice Beach, however, everyone should experience the craziness at least once. In addition, you will find more than enough places to stop for lunch or a quick shopping excursion.

Santa Monica PIer

A view of Santa Monica Beach from the roller coaster

Views of Santa Monica Beach from the rollercoaster

Manhattan Beach is an easy contender for most gorgeous of all Southern California beaches (and a great place to stop for a break). The beach is beautifully clean and the photo opportunities by the pier can’t be beat. Plus, I love looking at all the beautiful multi-million dollar houses lining the coast.

Another gorgeous, yet underrated, beach along the route is Will Rogers State Beach (I believe Baywatch was filmed here). This hidden gem marks the end of the 22 mile ride, a nice relaxing break before heading back to complete the return 22 miles.

Overall, you are bound for a sunny adventure filled day, with unique oddball attractions, incredible ocean vistas, and endless people watching opportunities along L.A.’s iconic bike path.

Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades

The Long Beach Bike Path – A shorter, less congested alternative

Don’t have time for a lengthy bike ride? Why not check out the Long Beach bike path (Long Beach is located in LA County about 20 miles or so from downtown L.A.), a 6 mile scenic round trip ride. Because the ride is so much shorter and easier on your body, you should be able to easily squeeze it into your busy itinerary. As an added bonus, this path is pretty isolated on weekday mornings, so get out there as early as possible!

A view of Long Beach from the bike path on a peaceful deserted morning

Views from the Long Beach, CA bike path

Hiking Hotspots – Where to get in a great workout with an even better view!

Don’t worry if biking isn’t your preferred means of transportation. There are plenty of scenic hiking trails to enjoy. Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon are my 2 favorite touristy places in L.A. to hike. Who knew you could get such a rustic experience within the city limits? (that is, if you avoid weekend visits).

Griffith Observatory hiking – Best views of the iconic Hollywood sign

Hollywood sign - Los Angeles, CA

Runyon Canyon – A very steep uphill climb which rewards with the best city views!

Los Angeles skyine views from Runyon Canyon hike

Both these hiking hotspots provide fabulous views of both the city and mountains (and even all the way to the ocean on a clear day!). Unfortunately, the thick layer of smog usually disrupts the view. Nevertheless, these hikes are your best option for a peaceful escape within the city limits.

Griffith Observatory viewed from the hike

Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles, CA

Both locations offer tremendous views of the Hollywood sign, especially Griffith Park where you can get up close and personal. Your legs and butt will be rewarded with an amazing workout, not to mention the amazing views, which easily beat any boring session on a Stairmaster.

Hollywood sign

Do these palms make me look short?

Palm trees at Griffith Park

Views are dramatic on both hikes, although Runyon Canyon is the better workout of the 2 as the trails are extremely steep (I did some of my training for my half marathon here). Also, be sure to check out the daily free yoga sessions offered to the public. This is a great opportunity to connect with nature in a beautiful setting.

An off-the-beaten path adventure: Hiking the Santa Monica mountains

If you are looking to avoid the touristy crowds, you are in luck as there are hundreds of great hikes located within the Santa Monica mountains. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the world’s largest urban park. A great moderate hike for most abilities is the Los Liones trail. Located within gorgeous Topanga State Park, this trail features grand views of both the coast and surrounding mountains. Hike just 1.5 miles to the first overlook for out-of-this-world scenery!

Hot Beaches!

Out of all the beaches in the area, I would have to say Manhattan Beach is my favorite. I found this beach to be a bit less congested than many of the others, which makes it an ideal choice for a lazy afternoon of sunbathing and beach walking. The sand is impeccably clean and the views are incredible. What better way to spend a summer afternoon?! And, the beautiful pier provides endless opportunities for photographers.

Manhattan Beach Pier

Manhattan Beach Pier

Hermosa is another fantastic option especially for active beachgoers. This one features a lively sporty vibe and plenty of volleyball games to watch or partake in. As I said before, Will Rogers is another gorgeous beach featuring a beautiful mountain backdrop, fewer crowds, and clean sand.

Volleyball at Hermosa Beach, CA

Shopping Hot Spots!

In my opinion, The Grove is the best place within the city for shopping. While you will not find an overwhelming number of shops, you will be treated to a beautiful outdoor mall with an antique trolley ride and L.A.’s Original Farmers Market. This mall is clean, features beautiful architecture, and an upscale vibe. The ongoing special events and al fresco dining make The Grove so much more than your ordinary mall experience.

The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles, CA

The fun doesn’t stop with shopping – you will also find a movie theater, plenty of great restaurants, and even live film tapings (Extra!). Don’t forget to make room for a visit to the Original Farmer’s Market, which features dozens of restaurants and vendors , including ethnic specialties and fresh produce.

Rodeo Drive & the iconic Beverly Hills sign

Rodeo Drive is a must see for first time tourists to the area. Who hasn’t seen the iconic Pretty Woman scene where Vivian goes on a massive Beverly Hills shopping spree? Grab a coffee and window shop some of the best shops in the country, from Gucci to Prada to Bijan, the world’s most expensive store!

The architecture and palm tree lined streets are beautiful. Of course, this is where you will also find the famous Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills signs (you are sure to see dozens of tourists snapping pictures so you couldn’t possible miss either!). If anything, you can say that you walked one of the most popular streets in the world!

Rodeo Drive shops = Beverly Hills, CA
Rodeo Drive sign - Beverly Hills, CA
Classic Beverly Hills sign

Another great shopping district, 3rd Street Promenade, an upbeat dining, shopping, and entertainment complex in downtown Santa Monica, is the perfect place to stop either before or after your day of fun-in-the-sun. There is no shortage of great restaurants and shops here! A truly exciting place with lots of events going on throughout the year – they even have an ice rink during the winter months!

Cultural Hot Spots!

Griffith Observatory is a wonderful free attraction located on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. The planetarium itself is great, however, the real reason you come here is for the incredible views of Los Angeles (especially at night!). Griffith is also the best place in town for dramatic views of the Hollywood sign (I don’t think you can get any closer!). The on-site hiking trails are short, yet provide some of the best views the city has to offer.

Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles, CA

Views of the L.A. skyline on a (less) smoggy day!

LA skyline view from the Griffith Observatory

Long Beach Museum of Art is a hidden gem located on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The museum is small, yet interesting and never overwhelming. There is a beautiful outdoor restaurant situated on a patio overlooking the ocean.

A view of the Long Beach artificial islands

Views from Long Beach (artificial islands)

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, located at California State University Long Beach, is an oasis in hectic Long Beach. This beautiful hidden gem includes dozens of bonsai trees and a koi pond. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, and regrettably do not have any pictures to share.

Take my word for it, this garden is absolutely stunning. Everyone needs a little quiet reflection time – this Japanese garden is the ultimate place to rejuvenate while enjoying nature.

TV show tapings

Attending a live taping of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno was a blast. After watching the show for all those years, it was interesting to see some behind the scenes action. The studio is pretty small, enabling everyone in the studio audience the same fantastic view. The taping was quick, fun, and the live music performance was fantastic (we got to see The Script (famous for “Hall of Fame” before they became famous!).

NBC taping of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Extra! with Mario Lopez was another fantastic studio audience experience. I appreciated the quick filming as opposed to sitting through an 8 hour sitcom taping. Great opportunity for those interested in what goes on behind the scenes of popular news entertainment shows. Staff was friendly and even handed out free Fuji Polaroid cameras to the public. We saw a taping at The Grove shopping center, although taping has moved on to Universal Studios.

Update: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno aired its’ final episode in 2014. Check out more fun TV tapings you can attend while visiting LA.

Misc. Entertainment

A trip to Hollywood would not be complete without looking for your favorite stars at the iconic Walk of Fame. Although I probably wouldn’t go back (extremely crowded even on weekdays), it is just one of those things that every entertainment buff needs to check off their bucket list!

Grauman's Chinese Theater at the Walk of Fame in Holllywood, CA

I wouldn’t make a special trip just to walk around, however, shopping at Hollywood and Highland (now called Ovation Hollywood) and dining at Hard Rock Cafe are fun add on activities, as are special events such as movie premieres and Nokia Theater performances. We recently were in town during a Green Lantern premiere and got to see Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively walk the red carpet!

Tip: skip the overrated Hollywood Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe It or Not attractions.

As you can see, there is a little bit of something for everyone in Los Angeles. No matter what your interests are, you are sure to find plenty of activities to keep yourself more than occupied. Too many tourists head right over to Hollywood and forget about the wonderful natural attractions in the city.

Where should I stay?

Fortunately, there are hotels and resorts to suit every budget. From 2 star chains like La Quinta, to 5 star beach properties such as the iconic Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. For a luxury stay that will not break the bank, I recommend staying at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar. Kimpton Properties are gorgeous and modern, the amenities great, and the price is right.

Feel free to comment below on some of your favorite Los Angeles area attractions!

FAQ

Where is the Beverly Hills sign located?

There are 2 locations: W. Sunset Blvd and N. Sierra St. and the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Moreno Drive.

Do I have to pay to park at the beach?

It depends on what time/day you visit. During the busiest parts of the day, you will need to find a parking meter. If you get there early enough you may be able to find street parking (check the signs for street cleaning!).

Where should I stay?

Where do I find studio audience tickets to my favorite shows?

Check On Camera Audiences for free tickets to your favorite show.

Is there a charge to attend TV show tapings?

No, they are completely free! Some even give out freebies, especially longer sitcom tapings. Parking is free as well. On a taping of the Melissa and Joey TV series, the entire audience received pizza.

Where does the Marvin Braude bike path start and end?

You can park in a parking lot or on the side streets near Torrance State Beach (387 Paseo de la Playa in Torrance) or Will Rogers State Beach (Pacific Coast Highway & Temescal Canyon Rd in Pacific Palisades).

Where’s the best spot to see celebrities?

Your chances of actually bumping into a celebrity are slim to none. Your best bet is attending star ceremonies at the Walk of Fame or watching stars walk the red carpet for movie premieres at Grauman’s Chinese theater. On the odd occasion, sightings have occurred at everyday locales like Whole Foods and Starbucks – go figure!

Where can I take the best picture of the Hollywood sign?

Head over to the Griffith Observatory and hike early in the morning. Enjoy fantastic up close pictures without hoards of tourists around. There is also a great view at the main overlook.

Best view of the Hollywood sign at the Griffith Observatory