Visiting LA for the first time? Considering putting Hollywood Boulevard at the top of your to-do list? Many tourists feel compelled to check off this famed attraction right away. Let me begin by saying that seeing the stars on the Walk of Fame can be thrilling at first, until you realize you might only recognize about 15% of the names—unless you’re either a film/music aficionado or nearing ninety years old.
Hollywood Boulevard can feel akin to Times Square, bustling with crowds and a pervasive aroma of urine and street food. If that sounds like your idea of a good time, or you’re eager to compare your shoe size with George Clooney’s or Daniel Radcliffe’s outside the TCL Chinese Theatre, you can navigate through the throngs. However, I’d strongly advise steering clear of this tourist hotspot.
Check out Griffith Observatory for the absolute best views of Los Angeles.
The Griffith Observatory is a must-visit not only for its educational value but also for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and the iconic Hollywood sign (which, no, you can’t actually climb). If that isn’t enticing enough, the observatory offers unparalleled vistas of the entire city skyline.
Once you’ve gotten your fill walking the circumference of the building and admiring the views and the vaguely Grecian architecture, I suggest satisfying your scientific curiosity by venturing inside. Who wouldn’t want to explore what the observatory has to offer beyond its stunning exterior?
You can spend either half an hour or three hours inside the observatory, depending on how much time you have, in addition to your level of interest in astronomy. You can do a quick walk through of the exhibits before heading out, or you can spend time learning about the mass of the Sun and then book a ticket for one of the 45-minute shows at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.
Personally, I always loved those IMAX planetarium movies when I was a kid where, after planting yourself in one of the leather reclining chairs, you’re launched into a landscape of planets and galaxies and told about the formation of black stars through the silky voice of Morgan Freeman.
After your visit to the observatory, make time to explore or hike around Griffith Park.
Although you might not want to go on a 5-mile hike in heels and a sundress after your visit to the observatory, I would definitely recommend walking a little down the ways from the main observatory building to a secret trail entrance (okay, it’s not so secret, there’s a sign close to the left side of the observatory entrance that directs you to the trailhead).
You only need to follow the dirt path for about 30 seconds before stumbling upon a park bench placed front and center in front of the L.A. skyline. I only went on a weekday so I’m not sure about weekend crowds, but I wouldn’t describe the trail as crowded by any means. I managed to finish my breakfast burrito (purchased from a small streetside store called “Wake and Late” in downtown, which I highly recommend) on the park bench, listen to some music, and relax on my own for close to twenty minutes without any disturbances.
Now, if dealing with the crowds and lack of parking at the top of the observatory isn’t for you, there are numerous other options in the park for hiking/walking trails. You can see the signs for these trails verge off the main road that winds through Griffith Park. Some of these trails only lead 0.6 miles into the park, while others can hit up to the 4-5 mile mark, so it really depends on what outfit you chose for the day.
AllTrails.com is a really handy website/app that not only shows you all the trail options in a certain area (i.e. Griffith Park), but filters them by difficulty, length, popularity, etc.
Check out Runyon Canyon Park for both celebrity spotting opportunities and more hiking trails.
Now, I know not everyone loves the outdoors enough to visit two hiking destinations during one trip, but would this be a genuine post about LA if I didn’t make this recommendation? (I’ll make sure to leave out all mentions of Erewhon to compensate.) While Runyon Canyon is a little more crowded than Griffith Park, it offers even better and closer up views of the Hollywood hills, in my opinion.
Runyon holds the spot for most impressive view in Los Angeles when you get to the very, very top. Most visitors never reach this point since it requires some extra effort. Here’s how to do it: Hike up either side of the canyon to the center of the rear wall — where the trails from the two sides run into one another. Perpendicular to these trails, heading further back into the canyon, is another trail. Take it for the 10 minutes it will require. You’ll pass some private homes within the park, including one with farm animals.
At the end of this trail, Mulholland Drive (a major road that runs along the ridgeline of the Hills) will cross your path. Before stepping onto Mulholland when you exit the gates of Runyon, turn left to see another trail that heads upward. Take this 8 minute trek to a point with true “jetliner views” of the city, including downtown LA to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the West.
After finishing your LA fitness routine, enjoy a drink (or three) at a rooftop bar.
Scattered around the city are many fantastic outdoor bars, a few dozen floors up and high above the cacophony of city happenings. After taking an elevator (or the stairs, if your legs are still functional after all that hiking) all the way up to the deck, you experience a revelation: a view of the city you’ve never seen unfolds before you, courtesy of a previously unknown vantage point.
My personal favorites vary depending on the vibe you want to go for. Perch was the recommendation I heard from everyone for the classic “best views of the city and expensive drinks” spot – worth it for a tourist, but mostly not populated with seasoned locals. The Broken Shaker, while located in the heart of downtown, offers oceanside fish shack vibes for those who long for a more casual spot. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown holds Spire 73, a rooftop bar atop the 73rd floor that claims to be the highest open-air bar in the entire Western Hemisphere.
After taking your pick, make sure to follow up all those margaritas with a few tacos. I’m not even going to try to write down any recommendations – mainly because I mostly got tacos from food trucks who’s names I can no longer recall, but also because I don’t believe that bad tacos can exist in LA.
I tried save the best for last: hit up the Santa Monica beach, preferably with supplies from the nearest In-n-Out Burger already in your bag.
Now, is Santa Monica touristy? Yes. Is it generally overpriced? Yes. Is it full of attractive people and also a fun roller coaster and Ferris wheel that you just can’t hate no matter how hard you try? Also yes.
That gorgeous water, paired with gorgeous people along the beach, is the number one thing Westsiders have on Eastsiders. Yet, despite the overload of tourists, Santa Monica manages to keep its foldhold as one of the city’s most beautiful beaches, year after year. Grab a book, a burger, (and a beer in a closed container, if you so choose), and enjoy soaking up the LA sun from one of the most famous beaches in the world.
For tips on where you should stay when you visit LA, you can read my post here: