Destination guideCalifornia · United States
30 Things to Do in Los Angeles (2026)
Los Angeles, established on September 4, 1781, as El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, originated as a farming community of 44 settlers under Spanish authority.
Read more
The region was previously inhabited by the Tongva and Chumash peoples. The settlement transitioned to Mexican sovereignty in 1821 and subsequently became part of the United States in 1848 following the Mexican-American War. The architectural landscape includes diverse classifications such as Spanish Colonial Revival, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modernism.
- 30 spots
- 7 must-try dishes
- Researched October 2026
- 19 sources
Must-try in Los Angeles7 dishes
Kosher Smash Burgers Where to order it in Los Angeles
Zhengyalov Hatz Where to order it in Los Angeles
#19 Pastrami Sandwich (Kosher-Style) Where to order it in Los Angeles
Borekas Where to order it in Los Angeles
California-Style Fish Tacos Where to order it in Los Angeles
Matzah Ball Soup (New Deli Style) Where to order it in Los Angeles
Baklava Where to order it in Los Angeles
The short answer
- The top things to do in Los Angeles, from 19 sources researched October 2026, start with:
- 7 must-try dishes are on the map, each with the places to order them.
30 places worth your time in Los Angeles
Things to see and do
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Why it’s on the map
The museum recently debuted the David Geffen Galleries, a landmark expansion designed by Peter Zumthor that spans Wilshire Boulevard.
5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Why it’s on the map
The museum features the newly opened NHM Commons, a $75 million wing that serves as a transparent 'front porch' to the institution.
900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
6th Street Viaduct
Why it’s on the map
Known as the 'Ribbon of Light,' this massive architectural landmark replaced a historic 1932 bridge with a modern sequence of ten pairs of illuminated concrete arches.
E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
Griffith Observatory
Why it’s on the map
This iconic Art Deco landmark offers the most comprehensive panoramic vistas of the Los Angeles basin and the Pacific Ocean.
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Why it’s on the map
This expansive urban oasis offers one of the most iconic panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline framed by the San Gabriel Mountains.
4100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90056, USA
Museum · South Los Angeles
Arena · Inglewood
Non Profit Organization · South Los Angeles
Lake
Park · Central LA
Museum · Central LA
Park · Elysian Park
Business Center · Downtown Los Angeles
Museum · Downtown Los Angeles
Hotel · Downtown Los Angeles
Deli · Pico-Robertson
Where to eat
See the full Los Angeles food guide: where to eat and what to order.
Dessert Restaurant · Downtown Los Angeles
Bagel Shop · Pico-Robertson
Thai Restaurant
Flea Market · Fairfax
Pizza Restaurant · Central LA
American Restaurant · Pico-Robertson
Restaurant · Fairfax
Mexican Restaurant · Mid-City
Hamburger Restaurant
Grocery Store · Encino
Restaurant · Pico-Robertson
Sushi Restaurant · Pico-Robertson
Shops and markets
Shopping Mall
Shopping Mall
25 more places on the map
12 to eat · 11 to see and do · 2 to shop · 7 must-try dishes with where to order each
Start
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
- The best time to visit Los Angeles is during the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) when crowds are thinner and the air is clear. These shoulder seasons offer pleasant temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to high 70s, avoiding the winter rains and the intense summer heat. While summer is the peak tourist season, visiting in the off-peak spring or fall provides better hotel rates and more comfortable conditions for outdoor sightseeing.
How do I get around Los Angeles?
- Air Travel via LAX Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) serves as the primary global gateway, offering extensive domestic and international flights with easy FlyAway bus connections to Union Station and Van Nuys.
- LA Metro Rail and Bus System The city's extensive public transit network includes six rail lines and hundreds of bus routes, utilizing the TAP card system to provide affordable access across the sprawling Greater Los Angeles area.
- Rideshare and Car Rentals Due to the city's decentralized layout, services like Uber and Lyft or traditional car rentals are essential for efficiently navigating neighborhoods not directly serviced by the fixed rail network.
What should I know before visiting Los Angeles?
- Plan your travel around peak traffic hours of 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM to avoid extreme gridlock on major freeways.
- Always check street parking signs thoroughly for permit requirements and street cleaning times to avoid expensive citations.
- Expect to add a standard 18-22% tip to your bill at sit-down restaurants as it is the local social norm.
- Utilize the Metro Rail system to bypass traffic when traveling between major hubs like Santa Monica, Culver City, and Downtown.
- Stay aware of your surroundings in high-density tourist areas and keep your belongings secure to prevent opportunistic theft.
What’s new in Los Angeles in October 2026?
- Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: The futuristic $1-billion museum in Exposition Park just opened on September 22, 2026, featuring George Lucas's collection of visual storytelling and the 'Star Wars in Motion' exhibition.
- Firstborn and Lucia: These two newcomers were just named to Yelp’s 'Best New Restaurants of 2026' list; Firstborn is a viral Chinese-American tasting menu spot in Chinatown, while Lucia in West Hollywood is trending for its Caribbean diaspora-inspired fine dining.
- Hotel Lucile and PUBLIC Hotel: Two major boutique hotel openings are trending this fall; the 1931 church-turned-luxury-retreat Hotel Lucile recently debuted in Silver Lake, and Ian Schrager's PUBLIC Hotel just opened on the Sunset Strip.
- Spacca Tutto: Acclaimed chef Nancy Silverton is opening this highly anticipated Italian-American steakhouse in Pacific Palisades this month (October 2026), blending her Mozza and Chi Spacca concepts.
Research receipt
How this Los Angeles guide was researched
- Live web search, 14 of 14 research areas completed.
- Places verified against real place data — address, hours and coordinates come from the place record, not the article.
- Researched October 2026. A newer build for Los Angeles replaces this page automatically.
Sources checked
Planning questions
What are the top things to do in Los Angeles?
Start with Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 6th Street Viaduct, Griffith Observatory, and Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area: the places Varedelo's research (from 19 sources researched October 2026) puts first, each with its reason in the list on this page. All 30 places are pinned on the Los Angeles map.