Visiting Los Angeles – the city of angels, was a dream I had for a long time. But when I arrived in California, I couldn’t believe how big the city is, how crowded, and especially how different it is comparing with the image I had in my head. To be honest, Los Angeles is completely different than it is presented in the American movies and TV shows, but this is not necessary a bad thing. Just visit it with your mind open, and you will find a lot of fun things to do in Los Angeles.
The famous Hollywood sign – a symbol of Los Angeles
We visited Los Angeles during a long trip around the US, and we stayed there around five days, during August 2012. From the day we arrived there, I was worried I will not have enough time to discover the city. I knew there are a lot of fun things to do in Los Angeles, so as soon we left our luggage to the hotel, we went to Hollywood. You simply cannot visit the city without admiring the famous sign, but I have to admit it is not a very special experience. However, it is a must do, and you will see it anyway while visiting the area.
The Walk of Fame
The next thing to do on my list was to see the Walk of Fame, the very popular street where all the famous actors and singers got their own star. The street is long and crowded, full of shop and tourists, and you can easily spend a great day there. I spend minutes searching for my favorite artists, so when I found the start of Michael Jackson I was incredibly happy. On the other hand, I couldn’t find Angelina Jolie’s star or Brad Pitt’s.
Fun things to do in Los Angeles – Searching for stars on the Walk of Fame
The Tour of Beverly Hills
Once you arrive in Hollywood, you will be approached by street sellers who offer tours of Beverly Hills, where you can admire the houses of the most famous Hollywood actors and actresses. Usually I do not like this type of tourist traps, but since we didn’t have anything better to do in that afternoon, we took a tour. Be aware you can negotiate the price with the guys; we got ours for half price. Even if I didn’t have big expectation, the tour was awesome: we saw the luxurious area of the city, we heard gossips, stories and legends about the Hollywood stars and their lives, and we admired some of the most beautiful houses in the world, in a very luxurious neighborhood, including the Playboy Mansion.
Fun things to do in Los Angeles – A tour of Beverly Hills is a must
Santa Monica, Malibu, or Venice Beach
There are many other fun things to do in Los Angeles, and the city is also famous for its beaches. Less than half an hour drive from the city, you will find some of the most famous beaches in the world: Santa Monica, Malibu, or Venice Beach. Don’t expect luxuriant beaches, but crowded places, with lots of people who go there to have fun and relax. The ocean is usually calm and not too cold, so you will definitely enjoy a day there.
Fun things to do in Los Angeles – If you dare, you can try surfing, or you can simply lay down on the hot sand all day long
In Venice Beach, I strongly recommend you to admire the street art, buy souvenirs, and discover the local culture. One of the many fun things to do in Los Angeles is to relax on a walk on the Venice Beach’s canals. You will be surprised that right behind the crowded beach, a small paradise is hidden. Get lost on the canals, and just dream about living there!
A small Venice hidden in Los Angeles
Universal Studios, Disneyland, or Six Flags?
You can find a lot of fun things to do in Los Angeles area. But you simply cannot visit Los Angeles city without spending a day in (at least one) of their most famous adventure parks. While in Universal Studios you can visit the stages and go behind the scenes of your favorite movies, Disneyland California and Six Flags have so many rides you will not have time to try them all in one day. No matter what you choose, you will definitely have fun there!
Fun things to do in Los Angeles – Californian fun at Disneyland
Tips and tricks for LA
You can visit Los Angeles any time during the year, because it is always sun there. You will have a lot of fun things to do in Los Angeles, but expect the city to be quite expensive. I recommend you to rent a car, and explore it by yourself. It is quite crowded, and you need to watch for pickpockets, but otherwise it is an incredible experience!
