Best things to do in Los Angeles

Experience everything from high-octane thrills to slow-paced activities to rest and unwind on your trip to LA. We’ve got you covered from right-of-passage excursions to off-the-beaten-track treasures.

Whether you’re a lifelong Angeleno or just dipping your toes in the glitz and glamour central, there’s never a dull moment in the heart of California. Read on to uncover how to see the best of the City of Angels with Hertz.

Enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Open to both muggles and magical folk, Universal Studios Hollywood is a truly magical immersive experience for the whole family. Just under a 15-minute drive away from Downtown Los Angeles, venture over the Hollywood Hills to uncover one of the best things to do in Los Angeles.

Encounter dragons and dementors as you soar above Hogwarts on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ adventure. Or visit Hagrid’s Pumpkin Patch, learn how to approach a Hippogriff, and embark on the Flight of the Hippogriff™.

Uncover the best of the Wizarding World. Stroll through Hogsmeade’s favorite shops, head to Ollivanders to find your wand, and try Butterbeer at the famous Hogs Head Pub.

Plan your visit to Universal Studios Hollywood

Hike to Eaton Canyon

1750 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a scenic hike to LA’s best natural wonder. Just a 25-minute drive from Downtown, Eaton Canyon Falls is a nature-lovers piece of heaven.

The official hike is just over seven kilometers and starts and finishes near Pasadena, California. During your journey, you can expect to see mountain views, waterfalls, and wildflowers. While it’s classed as family-friendly, it includes rugged areas and multiple stream crossings, so sensible footwear is essential.

For those that fancy a shorter hike, park at the entrance gate closest to 2273 Pinecrest Drive. From here, you can get to the waterfall and back within an hour.

This is a popular hike so for the best experience try to visit during the week to avoid the crowds and fully enjoy the sound of running water.

Plan your trip to the Eaton Canyon Trail

Take the Perfect Selfie with the Hollywood Sign

Los Angeles, CA 90068

No best things to do in Los Angeles itinerary is complete without mentioning the famous Hollywood Sign. Proudly perched on Mount Lee, the Hollywood Sign is visited by thousands of tourists, appears in countless movie scenes, and remains a symbol of possibility to every generation.

The global symbol of glamour is a must-see while you’re in the city and makes for the perfect vacation photo. Snap a selfie with the grand letters at viewing points at The Hollywood and Highland Mall and Griffith Observatory.

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can hike to the sign. Choose between three trails, each varying in difficulty, to best experience the Hollywood Sign – just be sure to stick to authorized paths.

Read more about The Hollywood Sign

Reach for the stars at Griffith Observatory

2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Enter the gateway to the cosmos at Griffith Observatory, just a 20-minute drive outside central Los Angeles. Feast your eyes as you explore exhibitions, catch live shows and enjoy spectacular views of the Hollywood Sign and the rest of Los Angeles.

The observatory has welcomed over 85 million guests since it opened in 1935 and it’s the most-visited public observatory worldwide. It has developed into a fusion of exhibition space, public observatory, and planetarium.

Use the free public telescope to see what’s in the sky and make the most of your visit with the astronomy resources on offer at the center.

Plan your visit to the Griffith Observatory

Embrace your creative side at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art

5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit the largest museum in the western United States with a collection of almost 149,000 objects – from historic pieces to modern exhibitions on display at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art (LACMA). Join tours to learn more about the exhibitions and harness your creativity conversing with artists and taking part in other events at the museum.

Discover thought-provoking artwork, including the Afro-Atlantic Histories and Pressing Politics: Revolutionary Graphics from Mexico and Germany exhibitions. With collections spanning from Greek ceramics to Spanish colonial art and Islamic contemporary art, experience the fusion of design, culture, and history in this wonderful creative space.

Art lovers cannot miss a visit to this extraordinary facility, only 20 minutes drive from the center of LA.

Find out more about the exhibitions at LACMA

Dine at Grand Central Market

317 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Get a slice of history with your meal at the Grand Central Market in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.

The European-style food hall has been operating since 1917, and is worth a visit alone, even if you’re not in the mood for food. From neon lights and rows after rows of spices to an unbeatable atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to live like an Angeleno.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, from breakfast burritos to tasty tacos, you won’t be leaving the market hungry. If the delicious menus don’t tantalize your tastebuds enough, the delicious smells and mesmerizing sights of the market are a treat to all of your senses.

Find out more about the Grand Central Market

Walk in the footsteps of your favorite stars

Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA

Take a stroll down the glittering galaxy of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and look out for your favorite stars. Tick the moment off your bucket list and take a look at the over 2,600 names for yourself.

Snap a selfie with street entertainers along the way and make sure you pack comfy shoes – the Walk of Fame spans a whole 15 blocks!

Look out for the biggest names in Hollywood, including Bob Hope, Walt Disney, and Marilyn Monroe. You can even compare your hand and feet size to Robert De Niro or John Wayne, just a stone’s throw away at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

Plan your visit to Hollywood Boulevard

Relax in Santa Monica

Santa Monica, California

Topping off our list of the best things to do in Los Angeles is spending time in spectacular Santa Monica. With enviable views over the Pacific Ocean, sandy beaches, and a laid-back vibe – Santa Monica is the coastal city that keeps on giving.

Known as Los Angeles’ coolest neighbor, Santa Monica fuses Southern Californian charm with a modern cityscape. Embrace the energy of the main street or take it easy on the beachfront.

Watch street performers on the Third Street Promenade, ride Pacific Park’s ferris wheel, and experience the laid-back surfer culture of this vibrant area.

Plan your escape to Santa Monica

Whether you’re in LA to see the stars, relax with family, or hit the town with friends, there’s something for everyone in this metropolitan city. Now that you know our list of the best things to do in Los Angeles, you’re ready to start your adventure in the City of Angels.

Learn more about Los Angeles

Before embarking on your journey to living like an Angeleno, get up to speed with everything you need to know about staying, eating, and traveling around California’s favorite city with Hertz.

• Best hotels in Los Angeles
• Best restaurants in Los Angeles
• Los Angeles neighborhoods
• Los Angeles driving guide