Los Angeles — the largest city in Southern California and probably one of the most popular. If you’re not used to its busyness, it might be a little overwhelming trying to navigate the city yourself. Where exactly do you start? If you’re a student looking for time away from those books or simply a tourist trying to get a feel for the city, this is my list of where I’d rather be right now:
1. LACMA
If you’re an art lover, then LACMA should be your number one stop in LA. Located on Wilshire Boulevard, it features more than 150,000 artworks and attracts millions of visitors annually! Oh, and did I mention the beautiful street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s? These lights that illuminate the entryway to the museum cannot be missed, especially for pictures!
2. Solstice Canyon
This place is not just a must-go-to hiking trail, it also takes you back to a little bit of history. This hiking trail features one of the oldest existing buildings in Malibu, year-round waterfalls, and more! If you’re into hiking and stopping along the way to admire ruins, then this is the place for you!
3. Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach
Are you a beach lover? Or enjoy long walks at the beach? Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach are the places to be! The famous Santa Monica Pier actually has an amusement park! Amusing, right? What’s better than going to the beach and an amusement park all at the same time? If you’re not an amusement park kind of person, then that’s okay, because Venice Beach is just straight down Santa Monica. (This is where enjoying long walks comes in handy.)
4. Rodeo Drive
Are you a fan of luxury shopping, or maybe just window-shopping? Then you should probably consider a trip to Rodeo Drive. And what else makes this place better? It’s in the heart of Beverly Hills! With its beautiful European inspired buildings, who needs shopping when you can just admire the beautiful view? And maybe cross your fingers that you’ll see a celebrity! After all, it is Rodeo Drive.
5. Hollywood
Let’s face it: did you really visit LA if you didn’t go to Hollywood and hike up to the Hollywood sign? Hollywood has probably got to be your first stop when coming to LA; you simply cannot miss it! It is the home of the U.S. film industry and many historic studios, not to mention the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Stroll along more than 2,500 stars embedded on the sidewalk and see if you can put a face to all those famous names! Oh, and don’t forget that picture in front of the iconic Hollywood Sign!
Los Angeles is such a vast city that you simply cannot go to all the attractions it has to offer. While these five places definitely do not depict the great city of Los Angeles, it really is a start! Visit at least one of these places and you’ll finally have a grasp of what makes LA a really popular tourist destination!
