LA Bucket List: 20 Things to Do in Los Angeles 

Los Angeles Bucket List

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Looking for the ultimate LA bucket list challenge? Los Angeles is the city of stars and angels, of the rich and famous, a place that is undoubtedly on many people’s bucket lists.

And there is a reason for this. The city features in many movies and is an important hub in the US for business, entertainment, and culture. So, let’s dive into the things to do in Los Angeles, the City of Angels. 

You may also like our California bucket list.

Fun Things to Do in LA 

Walk on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Walk of Fame is an iconic landmark for Los Angeles. With over 2500 stars, you’ll certainly find your favorite celebrities here. 

Walk of Fame Star Los Angeles California

Enjoy the Garden at the Getty Center

The museum hosts a comprehensive art collection and is considered one of the best in the United States.

The center also features a superb garden, an oasis for relaxation. 

Enjoy the Street Art on Venice Beach

Venice Beach is one of the most popular beaches in LA and a gathering place for different types of street performers.

Here, you can enjoy seeing painters, musicians, and sculptures at work and get amazing souvenirs. 

You may also like our San Francisco bucket list challenge.

Venice sign

Visit the Botanical Gardens at the Huntington Library

The Huntington Library is one of the most impressive research libraries in the world.

With over 120 acres of botanical gardens, plan to spend at least two or three hours here. 

Go to the Griffith Observatory

With spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean and the city’s center, Griffith Observatory is an essential cultural sight in Los Angeles.

Griffith Observatory view over LA skyline

Universal Studios Hollywood

If you want to see the sets of famous movies and enjoy some rides, Universal Studios Hollywood is the place to be.

Spend a day on the rides, avoiding The Walking Dead and hanging with the Minions in LA. 

Potterheads will want to go to Hogwarts, buy a wand at Diagon Alley, and drink butterbeer at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

Reserve your ticket with free cancellation options here

Harry Potter glasses and book

Take a Selfie with the Hollywood Sign

You can hike to the Hollywood Sign or just take a selfie with it from afar.

This will undoubtedly get a lot of likes on your social media profile!

This 5/5 star tour transports you to Griffith Park and the Hollywood sign while sharing the stories about the city of dreams. 

Go Shopping on Rodeo Drive

Or just go window shopping on Rodeo Drive, depending on your budget!

Either way is a memorable experience. If luxury goods are your thing, you’ll have a blast here!

Visit Queen Mary, the Floating Hotel

About half an hour south of Los Angeles, you can find Queen Mary, now a floating hotel.

It deserves a place on your LA bucket list with all the legends about it being haunted and the spectacular interiors!

Go to Santa Monica Pier

Featuring an amusement park (Pacific Park), an aquarium, and great places for seaside shopping, Santa Monica Pier is positioned in the west part of the city.

The big Ferris wheel will confirm you got to the right place. 

Santa Monica Pier at night

Go For a Drive in Beverly Hills

The area is just as famous as the people here, so it’s a must-do if you get to Los Angeles.

Hang Out in Echo Park 

Head to the Echo Park on the Eastside for street art, nightlife and live music. 

Feed the hangover at Sunset Boulevard food trucks and get your sweat on doing water sports or tanning at Echo Park Lake.

Aerial view of Echo Park Lake in LA

Have Dinner at Fig and Olive on Melrose Place

If you watched and enjoyed the TV series, you should know that Melrose Place is a real place.

The Fig and Olive Mediterranean restaurant will give you a taste of the French Riviera lifestyle.  

Eat Sushi in the Valley

A trip to the Valley is an experience; however, to feel like a local, you should also stop for lunch and eat sushi there.

There are lots of restaurants to choose from, and you can’t go wrong with any of them as the standards are pretty high.

Grab Lunch at the Restaurant of the Chateau Marmont Hotel 

Located on Sunset Boulevard, the restaurant of Chateau Marmont Hotel is among the best places to be if you want to have lunch just a few tables away from celebrities.

But more than celebrity sightings, the restaurant has a lush, legendary interior garden and a spectacular menu. Remember to make reservations way in advance!

Eat Pasta at Felix

The Italian food served here is out of this world, but you might need to book your table months in advance.

If you want to pop in for a look, you can always get something quick at the bar.

Ice Cream from Salt & Straw

For many of us, ice cream is pretty good anywhere, but Salt & Straw offers an entirely different ice cream experience.

Forget about your two scoops of vanilla and chocolate, and go for a scrumptious banana, peanut butter, and tofu pudding or another one of their signature flavors.

Get Spooky on Hollywood Halloween Carnaval

Each year, on the 31st of October, you can participate in one big Halloween party.

Concerts, contests, shows, and thousands of participants make this an unforgettable event.

So, plan your trip to LA around this date to experience a real Halloween party!

Celebrate Love and Acceptance at the LA Pride Festival

LA Pride Festival used to be known as the LA Gay Pride Parade and is famous worldwide.

It is held in June, every year, in West Hollywood. 

Run in the LA Marathon

If running is your thing, you might want to participate in the LA Marathon held every year in March.

Probably the best thing about this marathon is that you’ll get to discover most of the city’s iconic places before getting to the finish line in Santa Monica. 

Pin to your LA planning board

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Final Words

Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood is a popular choice on USA bucket lists but there’s more than just the Walk of Fame. 

Get high at the Observatory, stroll around Echo Park, and hit the Harry Potter experience at Universal. 

How many of these places to visit in LA have you been to so far? Tell us in the comments below.

About the Author

Anne is a big fan of the USA with its vast landscapes, captivating culture, diverse cuisine, and thousands of activities. Read more of Anne’s travel guides here.  

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