Downtown Los Angeles often has a bad reputation, but there are still plenty of great spots to explore there. From the iconic Griffith Observatory to the historic Olvera Street, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city. The Hollywood sign is probably the most iconic part of Los Angeles and something that everyone loves to see when they visit it. There are many great places to see the sign, such as Hollywood Lake Park, but if you really want to experience it, consider hiking to it.
Olvera Street is one of the most historic districts in Los Angeles and a great place to explore. It has some nice restaurants and a fun central shopping area, but the main reason to come is for the Day of the Dead festival every October. The Echo Park area of Los Angeles is an up-and-coming spot with great restaurants, shopping, and a decent-sized lake right in the middle. It's a fun place to hang out on a warm day, and you can get out on the water by renting a swan boat if you want to go for a walk.
Watching a Dodger game is also a must-see attraction in Los Angeles. Just driving through the parking lot to the stadium, you'll enjoy iconic views of downtown Los Angeles, and the historic stadium has been there for nearly 60 years. The Angeles National Forest is one of the most popular day trips for locals and visitors alike. Whether you're hiking, biking, running, boating, or even skiing, there's something here for every type of outdoor activity.
Calvo is nice and results in spectacular views from nearly 10,000 feet. The Devil's Punchbowl and Bridge to Nowhere hikes are some of the best full-day options in the region. Culture lovers will know the Bradbury Building from its appearances in films such as Chinatown (197), Blade Runner (198), 500 Days of Summer (200) and some music videos and commercials. Housed in a building with a dimpled facade that many say looks like a cheese grater, the Broad houses the collection of Edythe Broad, who amassed a formidable stash of contemporary art with her late husband Eli.
The collection is more pop than academic, which has earned it the reputation of being a stop on tourist lists, if only to take selfies in front of Jeff Koons' balloon dog or Robert Therrien's expanded table and chairs. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a popular thing to do with children in Los Angeles or for any marine life enthusiast. If you're looking for family activities in Los Angeles or even romantic things to do in the city, I'd also recommend renting a pedal boat on Lake Echo Park. One of those secret spots in Los Angeles that's a favorite with locals, Galco's Soda Pop Stop is where you'll find every flavor of soda imaginable.
In addition, it shares a block with LACMA, another of Los Angeles's main museums, and home to Urban Lights, which is one of the favorite places for tourist photos. One of the strangest things to do in the Los Angeles area is visit the Museum of Death which focuses on the topic of death for the purpose of making people happy to be alive. Little Tokyo is also a historic neighborhood in Los Angeles worth exploring.
