Los Angeles is a sprawling city. Its enormous size means it has a plethora of neighborhoods, which now begs the question of which ones are worth visiting. Well you’re in luck! In this post I’m going to go over which Los Angeles neighborhoods are worthy of your time. From Downtown LA to Santa Monica, LA has some unique and interesting neighborhoods just waiting to be explored. So let’s go through them!
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Downtown LA
Probably the neighborhood with the most to do, Downtown LA is chock full of sights and activities to sink your teeth in. Enjoy the world class modern art on display at the Broad, or watch the Lakers play at Crypto.com Arena. Take in a show at the music centre, and while you’re there, marvel at the grandiose design of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
You can also take a ride on Angel’s Flight railway and visit one of the most famous markets in LA: The Grand Central Market, which is one of LA’s most iconic food places. Peruse the interesting shelves of the Last Bookstore and immerse yourself in Mexican culture at Olvera street. No matter what you choose, you’re bound to have a great time here. Just make sure not to head to Skid Row as it can get quite sketchy.
Griffith
Home of the famous Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Observatory, and the Zoo, Griffith is a hiker’s paradise. Located right in the middle of the county, Griffith has miles upon miles of trails for every hiking enthusiast. There’s even one that gets you close to the Hollywood sign (although you can’t go right up to it as it’s located on private property).
It’s also home to the previously mentioned Griffith Observatory, with one of the nicest planetariums in the country. It also houses some great exhibits on space and the solar system. This is also the location of venues like the Greek theater where you can catch a show if it interests you. The LA Zoo is also here which, while it pales in comparison to the San Diego Zoo, is still fun to visit.
Beverly Hills
Among all of the Los Angeles neighborhoods, this is probably the one whose reputation precedes it the most. Beverly Hills is associated with Los Angeles’ upper class and celebrity culture, and for good reason. Drive past the iconic Beverly Hills sign and you’ll be immersed in rows upon rows of mansions with resplendent architecture and the now-iconic LA palm trees.
If you’re in the area, be sure to visit Rodeo Drive, the high-class boutique capital of the world. It’s filled with stores such as Gucci, Prada, and Hermes, to name a few. Be sure to look at the ground as you walk through Rodeo Drive to see the Walk of Style plaques that line the pavement, a development inspired by the next neighborhood in this list.
Hollywood
This Los Angeles neighborhood is dedicated to LA’s most notable industry: the movie business! A lot of people find Hollywood seedy, but a trip to LA isn’t complete without a visit to this neighborhood. One of the top things I recommend doing here is seeing a movie! You can catch a show at the Egyptian theater, the Chinese Theater, or the El Capitan Theater.
But there’s a lot of other fun things to do without seeing a movie. Admire the handprints and footprints located in the concrete outside the Chinese Theater. You can also take a tour of the Dolby Theater where you can actually stand on the stage where people accept their Oscars every year. Admire the lobby of the Dolby theater as well, which contains pillars that have the name of every Best Picture winner affixed to them. Of course, a trip to Hollywood requires a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard as you go celebrity star hunting on the Walk of Fame.
La Brea and Fairfax
Home to several excellent museums, La Brea and Fairfax might be the most underrated neighborhood on this list. It’s a tiny neighborhood, but there’s so much to see within its borders. Visit the Grove to get the quintessential Los Angeles outdoor mall experience. The adjacent Farmers Market is also worth visiting as it is filled to the brim with delectable food choices. My personal favorite restaurants or stalls are Dupar’s and Pampas.
But the big thing to do here are the three museums at the La Brea side of the neighborhood. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a triumphant celebration of Cinema, with exhibitions that shed light on the art of filmmaking. LACMA, with its famous “LACMA Lights” out front, is a well-curated modern art museum. And for those of you interested in prehistoric animals, the La Brea Tar Pits Museum is fun for all ages, especially those who love fossils.
Santa Monica and Venice
I’m combining these two because I always recommend visiting them together when you’re on the West Side. These Los Angeles neighborhoods are for those whose peak form of relaxation is walking along the beach. Have a walk down Venice beach, admiring the various shops while taking a peek at Muscle Beach and the shoreline. While you’re here, ply the banks of the interconnected waterways of the Venice Canals, flanked on all sides by cute homes.
But the main thing to do here, in my opinion, is the Santa Monica Pier. The western end of Route 66, the pier is classic Americana on full display. There’s an endless number of things to do here. Head to Pacific Park and try some of the rides, or watch the various artists and street performers at work along the pier. Play some games at the arcade or better yet, walk to the end of the boardwalk for uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. This is the perfect place for sunsets too, and the view is unbeatable.
Conclusion
No matter where you go in LA, you’ll find plenty of things to do that will help you feel the pulse of the city. The Los Angeles neighborhoods are the beating heart of the city. So many other neighborhoods, like Silverlake and Echo Park, are also worth your time if you’ve got some. If you need more help planning your trip, I have some LA posts below that might be worth your time.
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