Everyone tells you the same three things when you ask about the best things to do in LA. Go to the Walk of Fame. See the Hollywood Sign. Maybe hit Santa Monica Pier. Honestly? If that’s all you do, you’ve basically just spent three days in a very expensive, very sunny gift shop.
Los Angeles is weird. It’s huge. It’s a collection of seventy-two suburbs in search of a city, as the old saying goes. If you want the real version—the one that actually makes you want to move here and pay $3,000 for a studio apartment—you have to look past the neon.
The 2026 Shift: Why the Old Lists are Outdated
Look, the city is changing fast. With the World Cup matches coming to SoFi Stadium this June and July, the "best things to do in LA" isn't just about old movie sets anymore. There’s a massive energy shift happening.
For starters, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is finally opening its doors in Exposition Park this September. George Lucas didn’t just build a Star Wars museum; he built a $1-billion spaceship-looking landmark dedicated to visual storytelling. Then there’s DATALAND in Downtown. It's the world's first museum of AI arts, opening in the Frank Gehry-designed "Grand LA" complex. It’s trippy, immersive, and feels very 2026.
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But you didn't come here just for new buildings. You came for the vibe.
The Sunset Hike That Isn't Runyon
Stop going to Runyon Canyon if you hate crowds. Yes, you might see a celebrity, but you’ll mostly see influencers filming TikToks in matching spandex. Instead, head to Griffith Park—specifically the Innsdale Drive trailhead.
It’s an easy, winding path that gets you a face-to-face view of the Hollywood Sign without the "scenic" backdrop of five hundred other tourists. If you want something more rugged, try the Burbank Peak Trail. It leads to the "Wisdom Tree," a lone pine that survived a massive fire in 2007. The view from the top makes the sprawling chaos of the San Fernando Valley look almost peaceful.
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The Food Scene: Strip Malls and Secret Spices
Forget the white-tablecloth spots on Sunset Boulevard for a second. The real heart of LA is found in strip malls. I’m serious.
If you haven't been to Sushi Sonagi in a Gardena strip mall, you’re missing a 19-course omakase that puts Beverly Hills to shame. Or Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks. On "Taco Tuesdays," they turn the alleyway into a street-food party that feels more like Bangkok than the Valley.
- Holbox: Located inside Mercado La Paloma. It’s Michelin-recognized seafood served in a food court. Get the scallops.
- Grand Central Market: It's a classic for a reason. Grab a coffee at G&B, then wait in the absurdly long line for Eggslut—or skip it and go to Sari Sari Store for Filipino rice bowls.
- Koreatown (K-Town): You can’t leave without doing late-night BBQ. Sun Nong Dan is legendary for their galbi jjim (short ribs) covered in melted cheese. They torch the cheese at the table. It’s a spectacle.
The Arts District and the "New" Downtown
Downtown LA (DTLA) used to be a place people fled at 5:00 PM. Not anymore. The Arts District is now a playground of converted warehouses.
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You've got Hauser & Wirth, which is part art gallery, part garden, and part restaurant (Manuela). It’s free to walk through. Just a few blocks away is The Last Bookstore. It’s housed in an old bank and has a labyrinth of books on the second floor. It's a bit of a cliché for Instagram, sure, but it actually smells like old paper and history, which is rare in this town.
Beyond the Beach: Water and Culture
Everyone goes to Santa Monica. It’s fine. It’s iconic. But if you want to actually breathe, drive twenty minutes further north to Zuma Beach in Malibu. The water is cleaner, the sand is wider, and you won’t get hit by a stray volleyball every five minutes.
For a weird, quintessentially LA experience, check out the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City. I can’t even explain what it is. It’s a mix of actual science, total fabrication, and artistic mystery. Stay for the tea and crackers on the roof garden afterward. It’s one of the most quiet, meditative spots in the city.
Practical Tips for the 2026 Traveler
- Traffic is the Boss: Don't try to go from Santa Monica to Silver Lake at 4:30 PM. You will live in your car. Use the Metro E Line (Gold) if you’re going between Santa Monica and DTLA.
- Reservations: For places like The Getty or The Huntington Library, you often need to book your entry time in advance, even if it’s free.
- The "Secret" Stairs: LA is full of hidden public staircases (like the Music Box Steps in Silver Lake). They were built before everyone had cars, and they offer incredible, tucked-away views of neighborhoods you’d otherwise never see.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake? Trying to do it all. You can't "do" LA in a weekend. You have to pick a side. Are you doing the Coastal Westside? The Artsy Eastside? The Valley?
Pick one or two neighborhoods and actually walk them. Get a coffee. Sit in a park like Vista Hermosa Natural Park and look at the skyline. The best things to do in LA aren't always the things you pay for; they're the moments where the smog clears, the bougainvillea is blooming, and you realize you’re in a place that’s constantly reinventing itself.
Start by picking your "anchor" destination—maybe it's the new West Harbor complex in San Pedro or a classic night at the Hollywood Bowl—and build your day around that single zip code.