Question:
Interesting things to do in Los Angeles?
anonymous
2013-07-09 02:50:05 UTC
I'm spending a portion of my summer in LA and I'm looking for some fun things to do while I'm there. I'm looking for things to do/places to go to that aren't touristy, mainly because I've actually been to LA a couple of times already and I find that doing things locals do tend to be a lot more fun for me.
Thank you!
Four answers:
John
2013-07-09 03:21:13 UTC
Do the hike up to Griffith Observatory and hang out enjoying the view over the city.



Get familiar with any local bicycle paths.
Dresden Rose
2013-07-09 12:51:04 UTC
Try having a picnic, going through the Observatory, and enjoying the fantastic views from Griffith Park.

Here's information on the activities and attractions available in the park.

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/griffithpk/activities.htm





Santa Monica Beach and Pier is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike during the summer months. What's a trip to L.A. without a day at the beach! Enjoy the sand, surf and the attractions on the Pier.

http://santamonicapier.org/



Do as the locals do and shop the more than 120 shops and stores in Santee Alley, a fun shopping venue where knock-offs and copies of high-end merchandise is on sale at low prices.

http://www.thesanteealley.com/



Take the ferry from Long Beach to Avalon on Catalina Island and enjoy a day relaxing in an island resort without leaving L.A. County.

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/



Go to Olvera Street on a Saturday and enjoy the fiesta like atmosphere with music, dancing, authentic Mexican food, great souvenirs from Mexico, and take the free walking tour of the site where L.A. was founded by the Spanish.

http://www.calleolvera.com/



Go to the former ultra-luxury liner, the Queen Mary, for a tour of the fabulous ship and lunch/dinner in what was the art deco ship's dining room. The Sunday Champagne Brunch is a must do!

http://www.queenmary.com/



Attend Sunday morning Mass in the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, or just stop by to spend some quiet time with the incredible artwork. Even the windows (6000 panes of alabaster) and the 25,000 lb. bronze doors are works of art.

http://www.olacathedral.org/
anonymous
2013-07-09 09:55:12 UTC
Just hanging out downtown in LA can be fun looking around sight see. Or going to Venice Beach can be fun lots of people in Venice beach but still fun and can be low key if you hangout near the beach. Vintage shopping also can be fun and relaxing as well! :)
Capt. Obvious
2013-07-09 13:07:36 UTC
Why is it that some people don't like "touristy" things. Most of us LOVE the "touristy" things. People here kill each other trying to get free Disneyland tickets from radio stations. I myself go to Disneyland 40 times per year.



There are literally hundreds of things to do here in LA. Here is my list of “must sees”. Visit as many as you have time for:



Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Half a billion visitors can’t be wrong. #1 Destination.

Universal Studios: A theme park that grew out of a studio tour. #2 Destination.

Even if you don’t visit Disneyland or Universal Studios Tour, Downtown Disney District and Universal City Walk are very fun places to visit for shopping and eating. And they’re free to visit. If you’re adventurous, try the indoor skydiving (www.iflyhollywood.com). It’s a blast!



Hollywood: Enjoy the Walk of Fame, Entertainment Museum, Chinese Theatre and more. The Hollywood & Highland complex has lots of shops and restaurants, and the Kodak Theater. The El Capitan theater, right across the street, is where Disney shows their movies. And the Hollywood Bowl is a GREAT place to listen to concerts outdoors.



Other theme parks include Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain, which are both more geared towards the fast-ride teen crowd.



Olvera Street/Union Station: Olvera Street is the birthplace of LA, and it emphasizes our Mexican heritage. In addition to the Avila Adobe (oldest building in LA), you can eat at some pretty good Mexican Restaurants, do a little shopping, and taste a churro. If you don’t want to go to Tijuana, this is as close as it gets without going there



Rodeo Drive, 90210: Packed with exclusive shops, full of gawkers. They all came to enjoy the excess. Free, unless you intend to buy something.



Venice Beach: Here you'll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore. Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste.



Santa Monica: Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach.



Farmers Market and The Grove - A new shopping complex right next to a Los Angeles landmark, It is right next to CBS. They are currently shooting “Extra” here, M-F 9:00-2:00, so stop by and you might see a celebrity.



Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage.



Hike to the Hollywood sign: http://www.hollywoodsigntrip.com



Getty Museum - The Getty's architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art, architecture, or view better, the Getty is sure to please. Free.



Attend a TV taping - You can get free tickets at audiencesunlimited.com, tvtix.com, or see the booth at Universal City walk. It's very interesting to see a show being taped. The most popular, by far, is the Tonight show.



Places to eat:

In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.

Pink’s Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. You might even see a celebrity. Maybe.

Tommy’s Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. The original location is at Beverly & Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.

Canter’s Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly & Melrose. Near CBS, you might spot a celebrity.

Phillippe’s: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station and Olvera Street.

Tito’s Taco’s: Voted best tacos in LA, even though it’s in Culver City. King Taco is a good alternate if you can deal with East LA.

The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close, GREAT steak and eggs.

Medieval Times and/or Pirate’s Dinner Adventure: Dinner and an adventure show, both are on Beach Blvd in Buena Park, you get to eat with your hands.



Places to Stay:

Since LA is so spread out, there is no single place that is close to EVERYTHING. Most people who come here tend to stay in Hollywood, Santa Monica, or Anaheim. In Hollywood, I recommend the Orchid Suites, Hollywood Celebrity Hotel, or Hollywood Heights (formerly Holiday Inn Walk of Fame), all near Hollywood and Highland. In Santa Monica, the Holiday Inn Santa Monica is close to the pier and reasonably priced. In Anaheim, I recommend the Howard Johnson (HoJo) Anaheim, and the Candy Cane Inn. There is also a nice place in Burbank called the Best Western Media Center, very close to Warner, NBC, and Universal Studios.



Places to Shop:

Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica

The Grove, Los Angeles

Americana @ Brand, Glendale

Beverly Center, Los Angeles

Citadel Outlets, Commerce

Brea Mall, Brea

The Block at Orange, Orange

South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa

Fashion Island, Newport Beach

Santee Alley, Los Angeles


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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