25 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles 2026: Beaches, Studios & More

The best things to do in Los Angeles in 2026 mix iconic beaches, hilltop hikes, world-class museums, and theme parks you can’t get anywhere else. We’ve sorted the 25 experiences that actually earn a spot on your itinerary, with real 2026 prices, timing tips, and booking links. Here’s how to spend your days without wasting a single one.

Key Takeaways

– Los Angeles welcomed 49.1 million visitors in 2024, its strongest year since 2019 (Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, 2024).

– Griffith Observatory is free to enter and draws roughly 1.6 million visitors a year (Griffith Observatory, 2024).

– Universal Studios Hollywood single-day tickets start around $109 in 2026 (Universal Studios Hollywood, 2026).

– The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring eight matches to nearby SoFi Stadium, so book lodging early (FIFA, 2025).

– A rental car remains the most practical way to cover LA’s 469 square miles (LA City Planning, 2024).

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How Many Days Do You Need in Los Angeles?

You’ll want at least four days to see LA without rushing, and a week if you’re adding day trips. The city sprawls across 469 square miles, so distances eat into your time. We recommend grouping attractions by neighborhood — Hollywood one day, the beaches another — to cut down on driving. Three days covers the headliners; five lets you breathe.

Watch the Sunset at Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory is the single best free thing to do in LA, full stop. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday, entry costs nothing, and the planetarium shows run about $10 in 2026. Come 90 minutes before sunset to grab parking, then watch the city lights flick on below the Hollywood Sign. The 0.6-mile walk up from the lower lot is steep but quick.

We think the rooftop terrace beats any paid viewpoint in the city. Bring a jacket — it cools off fast once the sun drops. Check out our /los-angeles-itinerary-5-days/ for the best timing.

Hit the Beaches: Santa Monica, Venice & Malibu

LA’s coastline is free, and it’s where the city actually relaxes. Santa Monica Pier anchors the strip, with its 1922 carousel and Pacific Park rides (about $5–$12 each in 2026). Venice Beach, a short walk south, delivers the boardwalk, skate park, and Muscle Beach. Malibu’s Zuma and El Matador beaches sit 30 minutes up the coast for quieter sand.

You can rent bikes along the Marvin Braude path that links Santa Monica to Venice. Book a coastal cruiser or guided ride through GetYourGuide to skip the rental-shop lines.

Tour Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is the only working movie studio you can ride through, and that World-Famous Studio Tour is genuinely worth it. Single-day tickets start near $109 in 2026, but buying online days ahead usually shaves $20 off the gate price. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World pull the biggest crowds, so hit them first thing.

Arrive at opening — the park fills fast by 11 a.m. We’d add the Express Pass only on summer weekends. Reserve dated tickets via Viator to lock in cheaper inventory before peak season.

Explore Hollywood Boulevard & the Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is free and runs about 1.3 miles along Hollywood Boulevard, with more than 2,700 stars embedded in the sidewalk. The TCL Chinese Theatre’s handprints and the Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars) sit on the same block. It’s touristy, sure, but you’ll want the photo by the Hollywood Sign viewpoint up the street.

Skip the costumed characters asking for tips. Morning visits are calmer and cooler. Pair this with the beaches or Griffith Park to fill out a full Hollywood-area day.

Wander Through the Getty Center

The Getty Center is free to enter, and its hilltop tram ride, gardens, and art collection make it one of LA’s best half-days. Parking runs $25 in 2026, or $20 after 3 p.m. The Central Garden alone is worth the trip, and the views stretch from downtown to the ocean on clear days. It’s closed Mondays.

We’d budget three hours minimum. The European paintings — including Van Gogh’s “Irises” — anchor the galleries. Reserve a timed parking slot online during busy holiday weeks.

See the Stars at the Hollywood Sign Hikes

You can’t walk up to the Hollywood Sign, but several trails get you close for free. The Mt. Hollywood Trail from Griffith Park delivers the classic profile view in about 3 miles round-trip. The Wisdom Tree hike is steeper and quieter. Bring water — there’s little shade, and summer temps top 90°F.

Parking near trailheads is limited and tightly enforced. Start before 9 a.m. to beat the heat and the crowds. Our /los-angeles-travel-guide/ maps the wider area.

Visit Disneyland Resort in Anaheim

Disneyland sits 40 minutes south in Anaheim, and it’s still the day trip most families build their LA trip around. Single-day, single-park tickets start around $104 in 2026 with date-based pricing climbing to $206 on peak days. Add Park Hopper for roughly $65 more. The newer Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land remains the must-book reservation.

Buy tickets in advance and use the Disney app’s virtual queue. Driving beats rideshare for the early-morning rope drop. Compare dated ticket prices through GetYourGuide before you commit.

Discover Downtown LA & the Arts District

Downtown LA packs museums, murals, and food into a walkable core. The Broad museum is free (timed reservations recommended), the Grand Central Market dates to 1917, and the Arts District’s warehouse murals are free to photograph. The Walt Disney Concert Hall’s Frank Gehry exterior is a stop in itself.

We’d start at Grand Central Market for lunch, then walk to The Broad. Parking is pricey downtown — $20–$40 — so consider Metro’s B Line from Hollywood instead.

Stroll the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western US, and its “Urban Light” lamppost installation out front is free to photograph day or night. General admission runs about $28 for adults in 2026, with discounts for LA County residents after 3 p.m. weekdays. The collection spans 150,000 works across cultures and eras.

Pair it with the neighboring La Brea Tar Pits, where Ice Age fossils still bubble up. Both sit on Museum Row along Wilshire Boulevard.

Catch a Game at SoFi Stadium

SoFi Stadium hosts the Rams and Chargers, plus eight matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Stadium tours run about $40 in 2026 when no event is scheduled. The translucent roof and 70,000-square-foot Infinity Screen make it the most advanced venue in the country. It opened in 2020 at a reported $5 billion.

Book World Cup lodging months ahead — rooms near Inglewood spike during match weeks. Search rates early on Booking.com to lock in fair prices.

Shop & Eat on the Sunset Strip

The Sunset Strip blends nightlife, record shops, and rooftop bars across 1.5 miles in West Hollywood. The Comedy Store and Whisky a Go Go still book live acts nightly. Cover charges run $20–$40 in 2026, and rooftop cocktails average $18. It’s the city’s after-dark heartbeat.

We’d start with dinner on Sunset, then bar-hop on foot. Rideshare home — parking and DUI checkpoints make driving a bad bet here.

Take a Day Trip to Santa Catalina Island

Catalina Island sits 22 miles offshore, reachable by a one-hour ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro. Round-trip ferry fares run about $80 in 2026. The town of Avalon has no chain stores, golf-cart taxis, and clear coves for snorkeling and kayaking. Day trips work, but an overnight beats the ferry rush.

Book the ferry ahead in summer — sailings sell out. A glass-bottom boat tour or zip-line course makes a solid half-day. See our /best-day-trips-from-los-angeles/ for more escapes.

Renting a Car & Getting Around

A rental car is the most practical way to cover LA’s 469 square miles, since Metro doesn’t reach every attraction. Economy rentals average $45–$70 a day in 2026, before the airport fees that add roughly 25%. Picking up away from LAX often saves money. Traffic peaks 7–10 a.m. and 3–7 p.m. — plan around it.

We compare rates across agencies on Discover Cars to find the lowest all-in price with insurance included. For a few central days, you can skip the car and lean on Metro plus rideshare. Our /los-angeles-travel-budget/ breaks down the full daily costs.

More LA Experiences Worth Your Time

Here’s a quick hit-list of the remaining standouts that round out the 25:

That’s 25 with the headliners above. Mix two or three per day, group them by area, and you’ll cover the best of LA without burning out. For lodging near these clusters, browse neighborhood-specific rates on Booking.com and read our /where-to-stay-in-los-angeles/ guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the number one thing to do in Los Angeles?

Griffith Observatory tops most lists because it’s free, open year-round, and delivers the city’s best skyline-and-Hollywood-Sign view in one spot. Come 90 minutes before sunset, walk up from the lower lot, and stay for the planetarium show. It’s the single experience we’d never skip on an LA trip.

How many days do you need to see Los Angeles?

Plan four days minimum to cover the beaches, Hollywood, downtown museums, and a theme park without rushing. A week lets you add day trips to Catalina Island, Disneyland, or Malibu. Group attractions by neighborhood each day, since LA’s 469 square miles make cross-town driving slow during rush hour.

Is Los Angeles expensive to visit in 2026?

LA runs mid-to-high on cost, but plenty is free. Beaches, Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, and The Broad cost nothing to enter. Expect $45–$70 a day for a rental car and $200+ for mid-range hotels. You can offset theme-park tickets by booking dated entries online in advance.

Do you need a car in Los Angeles?

A car is the most practical option for covering LA’s spread-out attractions, since Metro doesn’t reach every beach or canyon trail. Economy rentals average $45–$70 daily in 2026. If you’re staying central — Hollywood or downtown — you can manage a few days on Metro plus rideshare and skip the parking hassle.

What is the best time to visit Los Angeles?

March through May and September through November bring warm, dry days and thinner crowds than summer. July and August are peak and pricey, plus 2026 adds World Cup match weeks at SoFi Stadium that spike lodging. Winter is mild and cheapest, though ocean swimming is chilly.

Is the Hollywood Sign free to visit?

Yes — viewing the Hollywood Sign costs nothing. You can’t walk up to the letters, but free trails like the Mt. Hollywood Trail from Griffith Park get you a clear photo in about 3 miles round-trip. Start before 9 a.m. to dodge heat and limited trailhead parking, which rangers enforce strictly.

Can you do Disneyland as a day trip from LA?

Yes, Disneyland is a popular day trip 40 minutes south in Anaheim. Single-day tickets start around $104 in 2026 with date-based pricing. Drive rather than rideshare for early rope-drop arrivals, buy tickets online ahead, and use the Disney app’s virtual queue to minimize wait times in the parks.

Plan Your Los Angeles Trip

LA rewards travelers who plan around its geography — group your days by neighborhood, mix free icons with one or two paid headliners, and you’ll see the best of the city without the burnout. Start by locking in lodging near your priority clusters and your rental car before 2026 summer and World Cup demand drives prices up. Compare hotel rates on Booking.com, grab the lowest car rate on Discover Cars, and book skip-the-line attraction tickets through GetYourGuide today.