Top Rated Attractions in Los Angeles

Art finds expression, culture finds a solid canvas, and entertainment blooms at Venice Beach, a charming beachfront neighborhood. Stretching two and a half miles along the edge of Los Angeles, Venice Beach is one of the city’s most recognizable strips of seaside real estate. Modeled on the romantic Venice in Italy, this waterfront town is quirky and charismatic, teamed with a thriving music scene. Its boulevards are lined with Californian palm trees, which deeply contrast the cottages resting under charming pastel facades. The neighborhood's expanse is stippled with an array of beachfront hotels, restaurants and open volleyball courts. Its many vibrant murals lend a vibrant hue, and the neighborhood boasts some iconic landmarks like Muscle Beach and the ultra-bohemian Abbot Kinney Boulevard, which is a shopping wonderland. A jewel of the West Coast, 'Venice' is a splendid locus of aesthetics, creativity and an indelible Californian spirit.

Burbank’s answer to the Hollywood Bowl, this marvel is a much-loved and frequented concert venue near Stough Park. A wide variety of concerts, from classical to pop, are held in this stunning setting throughout the summer. This beautiful natural bowl offers ample seating, both on benches and in the grass, where guests may enjoy their favorite performers and amazing acoustics to the transporting views of sunsets gradually superceded by starry skies. Visitors are invited to pack a picnic, including drinks of their choosing with no express restrictions imposed, other than non-interference with other patrons’ enjoyment of the event. Pricing is very affordable, enabling music buffs to get their fill during the summer months, after rationing their patronage of rather more expensive concert halls and arenas during the rest of the year.

This observatory, built in Art Deco style, was built in the early 1930s and is a highlight among landmarks in Southern California. See incredible light shows at the Oschin Planetarium, which puts to use the latest technology. Outside the observatory, you'll find sweeping views of the area that are breathtaking during the day and at night as well. Exhibits and planetarium shows will fascinate visitors. Some visitors might recognize the observatory as the site where the climax of Rebel Without a Cause was filmed. On clear nights take advantage of the free public telescopes to see the stars up close.

The Huntington, the former home of a railroad tycoon, is many things—an extensive library filled with rare books, a large art collection containing numerous European prints and paintings, botanical gardens of almost unmatched splendor and a forum for regular lectures and other activities. You will also find a fine bookstore, cafe and tea room on the grounds. Come and wander through the 150 acres of colorful gardens, lily ponds and beautiful sculptures. The rare books and manuscripts in the library include some of the earliest editions of Shakespeare's works, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible on vellum and the Ellesmere manuscript of one or more of Chaucer's greatest works. Please note reservations are required in order to visit and prices vary depending on the day of the week.

Santa Monica's most prized possession, this Southern Californian waterfront state park is the closest landmark to the iconic Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. Equipped with modern amenities such as volleyball courts, serene picnic spots and scenic swimming zones, this golden-sand landscape houses something that sets it apart from everything else in the vicinity: Muscle Beach, the mecca for bodybuilding exhibitions and gymnastic presentations. A sunbather's heaven, the beach also seems to be a magnet for themed special events like the world-famous Cirque du Soleil, which transforms the place into a dynamo of energy, music and vivid colors. The Santa Monica Ferris Wheel is by far the state park's most noticeable attraction.

If you're an out-of-towner and miss riding the plains, you can cure your equestrian nostalgia by renting a horse and riding through the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park. There are plenty of options here, including one and two hour rides during the day for anyone over the age of seven. A very popular option is the Friday night moonlight ride. Just arrive for a three-hour round-trip ride, which culminates with dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant.