The Most Amazing Things to Do in LA
Oh Los Angeles – you are a world of contradictions and glitz, glamour and grit, but we certainly love you! Los Angeles is well-known for Hollywood, the movie/TV industry, famous people, never-ending sunshine and being over the top. It’s also a vegan’s paradise with likely the most delectable vegan food you’ll encounter in the United States. I’ve been to LA many times, starting back when I was a wee kid going on road trips with my family.
LA has a lot to offer – sunshine, city, beaches, hills, rich people’s playgrounds, museums, super fun events and of course, fantastic vegan restaurants. Make sure you save up for this trip so you can enjoy it to the fullest! Of course, there are plenty of free things you can do, which I will include below, but many activities cost some money and accommodations and food are pretty expensive. This blog post is all about what to do in LA, where to eat delicious vegan food and where to stay in LA.
WHAT TO DO IN LA
Griffith Observatory – Open Thursday-Sunday from 12-10 p.m. FREE ENTRY. This observatory opened in 1935 and is the most visited public observatory in the world. It boasts one of the best views of LA and the Hollywood sign. The observatory is incredibly entertaining and informative. As soon as you walk in, you’ll be mesmerized by the Foucault Pendulum which demonstrates the earth’s rotation. Allow yourself plenty of time to check out all of the different areas of the observatory, including the rooftop views. HOT TIP: Go on Thursday during the day, if possible. They are busiest on the weekends and at sunset. If you drive, there is a paid parking lot. RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE: GUIDED TOUR
Getty Center – this marvelous modern work of art is FREE, including the verdant garden! The gardens alone are spectacular and worth the drive. The Getty Center is near Beverly Hills and has fantastic views of Century City from the huge patio.
can’t miss activities in hollywood
Hollywood Blvd, Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre – you MUST go here. You cannot visit LA without going to Hollywood Blvd and checking out the hands and feet at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Some of the famous people memorialized here have shockingly small hands and feet! It’s fun to compare your hands. RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE: BEST OF LA BUS TOUR
Disney Concert Hall – from the outside, this concert hall looks like a shiny, steel marvel designed by the uber-noteworthy Frank Gehry. FREE ENTRY to explore the concert hall, but I highly recommend you see a concert there, home to LA Philharmonic Orchestra.
fun things to do in downtown la
The Broad – 2 minute walk from the Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. It’s a cool contemporary art museum with free entry.
DTLA/Olvera St/Koreatown – it’s super fun to explore this area. You will definitely see the grittier areas of LA, but you will also come across the adorable Olvera Street, which is like a little Mexican village in the middle of DTLA. Koreatown is also a short distance from DTLA and offers many exciting restaurants and shops. RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE: DTLA BICYCLE TOUR
Universal Studios – I’ve been to Universal Studios 3 times and each time, we’ve found new things to do and explore. Our kids greatly enjoyed the visit here last time we were in LA. Definitely go first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and if you can, splurge on express tickets as you will get to skip the line and have a more enjoyable overall experience. RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS VIP TICKET
my favorite neighborhoods in los angeles
Silver Lake – I love this hipster neighborhood. This is where many of the millennial celebrities live. It’s a very walkable area and is very diverse and eclectic. This area definitely has a special aura to it and if you can, I highly recommend staying in this neighborhood while visiting LA. You never know who you might run into.
Echo Park – last time we were in LA, we happened upon a Filipino festival in Echo Park and it was incredibly exciting to take part in this event. This park is absolutely captivating and bonus points for being within walking distance of one of my favorite vegan restaurants in LA – Sage Bistro. For something unique, you can rent a little paddleboat for the large pond. It’s also enjoyable to walk around the pond and appreciate the views. RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE: SWAN BOAT RENTAL
best places to see the hollywood sign
Sunset Strip – this is a super entertaining street, a 1.6 mile strip. You can find all sorts of hole-in-the-wall bars, nightclubs and upscale rooftop bars in this area of West Hollywood. It’s the place to see and be seen. You may even catch some celebrities hanging out or even performing at one of the venues, such as The Laugh Factory. RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE: HOLLYWOOD AND BEVERLY HILLS BUS TOUR
Hiking in Runyon Canyon – this is probably one of the best hiking areas in LA. with sweeping views of LA and the coastline (on a good day). The exercise is legit and you’ll see lots of beautiful people and their dogs. Keep in mind that this is one of the most popular hiking spots in LA, so if you go, I highly recommend going during the workweek and going early in the day. RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE FOR ADVENTURE SEEKERS: PARAGLIDING TOUR
hunting for celebrities
Celebrity tour – we went on a celebrity tour last time we were in LA and it was a BLAST! We couldn’t stop laughing and still remember some of the things the tour guide said to us during the tour, suchs as “look at the nose.” Meaning, that’s how you know somebody is likely a celebrity. Although, there are A LOT of wealthy people in LA so I would say that if your nose shape is perfect, it just means that you have a lot of money. Check out this awesome tour: Celebrity Tour
one museum you cannot miss
LA County Museum of Art (esp outside with the lamps) – definitely visit here at night, if possible. With the illuminated lamps on display, it’s such a fun time to meander through the lamps and get some artistic photos. They frequently have fun events here as well so check the calendar to see if there’s an outdoor concert or some type of performance while you’re in town. If you like automobiles, then after visiting the museum, you can cross the street and visit the Petersen Automotive Museum. The architecture outside is stunning! RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE: PETERSEN AUTO MUSEUM TICKET
RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE: 1 HOUR PRIVATE HELICOPTER TOUR OF LA AND BEVERLY HILLS
what to do at la beaches
Venice – oh Venice, what can I say about you? There’s something special about Venice. It’s hippie-ish, bohemian-like, a little rough around the edges, but also upscale. It’s quite the contradiction. At any rate, it’s a lot of fun to walk, skate or ride bikes on the boardwalk. Also, check out the skatepark for some sick moves and the nearby outside workout gym to check out the muscular set. Abbot Kinney Blvd is a great place to eat and check out the nearby canals. FUN SURF LESSON
Santa Monica Pier – when I think about LA’s beaches, this pier always comes to mind. It’s emblematic of an enjoyable, kid-like experience. You’ll usually find street performers on the pier which makes the experience even more pleasurable.
far but gorgeous beach area
Malibu – if you want to see how some of the richest people in LA live and you have a car, then definitely check out Malibu and their fantastic beaches. We’ve been to El Matador Beach and Carbon Beach aka Billionaire’s Beach. They were absolutely stunning, but any of the beaches in Malibu along Hwy 1 are delightful.
WHERE TO EAT in la
With over 150 fully vegan restaurants in LA, you are absolutely spoiled with amazing choices! Now, to only choose your favorites! Here are my favorites:
Crossroads Kitchen: this is our absolutely FAVORITE restaurant in LA. We still talk about the Hasselback potatoes and other dishes that we devoured here. The dining area is sexy, cozy and alluring, while the food is inspiring and delectable. It’s a must visit in LA!
Cafe Gratitude: this restaurant is very “LA.” You’ll know what I mean when you visit. The food is ultra fresh and the way you have to order your food is a bit silly, but definitely LA bohemian/free-spirited style. While pricey, like most LA restaurants, the food is fresh and you feel great after eating it.
Sage Bistro: this is probably one of my favorite LA restaurants. It’s adorable and unassuming, while serving fantastic plant-based food. The location near Echo Park is perfect for spending half the day at the park and eating lunch or dinner at this cozy bistro.
Little Pine: the location is fantastic in the adorable Silverlake area and the food is so delicious. As most places in LA, it’s a bit pricey, but you can rest assured that the proceeds are going to animal shelters, which makes you feel great about spending money here.
more must eat vegan restaurants in los angeles
Pura Vita: this restaurant is highly rated for its homemade Italian plant-based food. It’s the first 100% Vegan Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar in the United States! The innovative offerings are fantastic and the ambience is alluring.
The Butcher’s Son: If you’ve been missing out on deli-style sandwiches, have no fear, just go to The Butcher’s Son for the most amazing vegan deli-style “meats and cheeses” and deli-style sandwiches. And don’t miss out on their weekend brunch menu – delicious!
Vromage: This is the first dairy-free cheese shop in the US. This place is eclectic and the owner is a bit eccentric, but so proud of his handcrafted artisanal vegan cheeses. You can try each of the cheeses and order sandwiches from the menu. We devoured everything we got on our last visit.
Vegan Thai: Don’t miss this place if you love flavorful Thai food. It’s 100% vegan and absolutely delightful!
Veggie Grill: if you can’t find a vegan restaurant near you, chances are, there’s a Veggie Grill nearby. Veggie Grill is a chain with many restaurants in the LA area. The food is consistent and more affordable than many of the other options.
** If you don’t want to go out and spend a ton of money, another great option is to get a vegan meal delivery. My favorite is Vegin’ Out. **
WHERE TO STAY in la
- The Big Bungalow Room – super affordable + amazing location in Silverlake
- The Metric – downtown LA location + extremely affordable
- Fashion Loft 2 bedroom apartment – amazing location + super spacious
- The Prospect Hollywood – very unique splurge-worthy hotel in Hollywood
- Hollywood Hills Homestay – very affordable home in the hills
FUN PAID EXPERIENCES in la
- Universal Studios tickets – amazing chance to buy your tickets ahead of time
- Warner Brothers Studio Tour – get a behind the scenes look for WB shows
- Celebrity Tour – find out where your favorite celebrities live and you might even see one of them
- Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tour – I always recommend one of these tours for your first day to get a lay of the land.
- Venice Surf Lesson – take a fun surfing lesson at Venice Beach
- Epic private helicopter tour – this is pricey, but would be an amazing way to see LA and Beverly Hills
WHEN TO GO TO LA
My favorite time to visit LA is in the Fall (especially October and November) or in the Spring (in March, April). The summer gets quite hot and extremely busy with tourists. The shoulder seasons mentioned above are the perfect time to experience LA without so many people and with amazing weather.
RENT A CAR OR USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
That’s the million dollar question! Personally, I feel like it’s not super easy to get around LA without a vehicle. I will preface this with saying that driving in LA is NOT for the faint of heart. And, the parking situation isn’t exactly ideal, unless you stay at a place that offers parking. However, the easiest way to get around to all the places you might want to go are via vehicle. My favorite rental car aggregator is DISCOVER CARS. Click here for car rentals.
This blog post was all about what to do in La, where to stay in LA and where to eat amazing vegan food in LA. Have you been to LA? What did you think?
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend items that we truly love!
THE 5 ITEMS WE WERE SO HAPPY TO HAVE FOR ALL OF OUR TRIPS:
- Merrell women’s light hiking shoes – these are amazing because they are lightweight, but are extra grippy and helpful! I also have this pair that I always get compliments on: Merrell Rainbow shoes. Fernando loves his Asics trail runners which are also grippy and perfect for walking on cobblestone streets.
- Thermoflask water bottle – like a Hydroflask, but more affordable! We don’t go anywhere without these water bottles full of purified water.
- North Face Aphrodite 2.0 capris – Seriously, I wear these pants every.single.day! I couldn’t live without these ultra-comfy, lightweight pants that dry so quickly. They are 100% worth the money!
- Osprey Day Pack – this is an awesome lightweight backpack that we can easily put the belongings we need at hand for traveling around the city and on public transportation.
- Vegan Sunscreen – don’t forget to put on your vegan, all-natural sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ITEMS:
The best credit card – we use the Chase Sapphire rewards credit card for all of our purchases and it definitely helps save money on travel. If you sign up with our link, you and I will both get extra points as a reward. Click here for more info.
SURFSHARK VPN – truly the best for our VPN needs!
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