You've already seen the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory, walked among the stars on the Walk of Fame, visited Rodeo Drive, gone to Universal Studios, and maybe even taken a studio tour. So what are some unusual things to do in Los Angeles?
Luckily, there is always something to do in Los Angeles. LAist alone puts out a list of 20 things happening in Los Angeles every single week.
Here is my own take on what you should do on your trip of Los Angeles after experiencing the more touristy spots:
1. Experience a touristy landmark in a different setting
So you've already seen the Hollywood Sign (most likely while trapped in rush hour traffic on the 10), but have you hiked it? Hiking up to the Hollywood Sign is a fairly easy trek. I definitely am no hiker by any stretch of the imagination, so if I can do this hike without any issues, you can too.
In addition, one Saturday every month Griffith Observatory has public Star Parties. These Star Parties are entirely free, and volunteers from various astronomy societies set up a telescopes on the lawn of Griffith Observatory focused on different celestial objects. Plus, the view of downtown from the Griffith Observatory at night (or sunset) is stunning. One note? Parking is awful during these Star Parties, so opt for an Uber instead.
2. Explore the great outdoors
From kayaking in Marina Del Ray, to exploring the quirky side of Venice Beach, there is certainly a wide array of beach city activities for getting outside. However, Los Angeles also has a pretty big hiking scene. For scenic views of Los Angeles, you can hike to the Wisdom Tree, Runyon Canyon, or climb the Culver City Stairs. If you like your hikes with a side of history, check out a Shipwreck Hike or visiting the Old LA Zoo. Murphy's Ranch also offered a unique glimpse into a darker history of Los Angeles. This 4 mile roundtrip hike takes you though a self-sustaining compound built by Nazi sympathizers who were waiting the fall of the American government to the Nazis. The compound was raided and shut down in 1941, but many of the structures still exist. While the location was boarded up in 2016, you can still view the powerhouse if you attempt this hike. Hiking Murphy’s Ranch would top my list of most unusual things to do in LA.
If hiking isn't your thing and you are visiting during the summer time, Cinespia hosts outdoor movie screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Make sure to get your ticket early though, as tickets sell out fast.
3. Taste the local cuisine
Los Angeles has phenomenal food (yes I am biased but I am also correct). I could easily write up a blog of all my favorite food places in Los Angeles. [Hint: The blend-ins at Humphrey Yogart are a revelation and you should drop what are are doing and head to Humphrey Yogart immediately. The Stinking Rose also has the best garlic gnocchi I have ever had in my life.]
When one of my recent visitors came, I had the unique opportunity to plan meals for someone who is a vegan, a very different lifestyle than my own. And yet with a quick google we were able to find places that serve both vegan and nonvegan options including Mohawk Bend and Van Leeuwan Ice Cream. We were also able to try vegan donuts at two different locations, vegan Thai food, and vegan comfort food at Doomie's Home Cookin.
If vegan food isn't your jam, make it a point to try a new type of food while you visit Los Angeles. I can honestly say I had never tried Jamaican food before moving here, and it is phenomenal. From Russian to Ethiopian, Tapas to Tacos, I promise you if you want to find a specific type of food then you can find it if you look hard enough in Los Angeles.
One note: If you aren't from the Southern California area, take an opportunity to get some Mexican food while you are here. One summer I traveled to 7 different states for work and every state promised me that their state has the best Mexican food in the country. Do yourself a favor and try it here.
4. Take in a comedy show
In addition to film and television, Los Angeles has a pretty good comedy scene. Take in an evening at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Tickets are cheap and it makes for a super fun night in the city. If you go to UCB Franklin, stop by Birds for a drink after, and get dessert at Van Leeuwan Ice Cream (yes I realize this place has been mentioned twice, it is that good). You also will be able to see the Church of Scientology Celebrity Center which is located across the street from UCB.
5. Experience one of our more unique museums
Los Angeles has a wonderful museum scene including LACMA (aka where you probably took that photo with all the street lamps, an installation that is also known as Urban Light), MOCA, The Getty, and The Broad (If you can't tell, my museum visits tend more towards contemporary and modern art). However, Los Angeles has quite a few more specialized museums.
If you want to visit a non-traditional museum, check out the Museum of Jurassic Technology. I have never visited this museum, but the four people I know that have call it a "must experience" museum, and I am pretty sure none of them were being sarcastic.
If you are feeling macabre, the Museum of Death in Hollywood offers a unique bend on the museum experience. According to its website, "Museum of Death houses the world's largest collection of serial murderer artwork, photos of the Charles Manson crime scenes, the guillotined severed head of the Blue Beard of Paris (Henri Landru), original crime scene and morgue photos from the grisly Black Dahlia murder, a body bag and coffin collection, replicas of full size execution devices, mortician and autopsy instruments, pet death taxidermy, and so much more!"
If you like the idea of different eras which museums often embody, but don't actually want to go to a museum, visit the Time Travel Mart in Echo Park or Mar Vista which raises funds to support 825LA, "a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write." From "5 more minutes on your expired parking meter" to a conquistador helmet, Time Travel Mart has you covered.
You can also check out the Bunny Museum in Pasadena or Angels Attic in Santa Monica which is a museum of antique and contemporary doll houses and more. There is a museum for anyone here in Los Angeles.
6. Go to a speakeasy
Think of it. You walk up to an unsuspecting barber shop. You step inside a room where people are having their hair cut and hand your ID to the individual behind the counter. You are pointed to an unsuspecting door at the back of the barbershop. You open the door and enter into another world entirely: low-lighting, checkered floors, and a gorgeous wooden bar with specialty cocktails. This isn't a spy novel, it's visiting Blind Barber in Culver City. While speakeasy-style bars are popping up all around the country, Los Angeles adds its own flair. Whether it is Blind Barber in Culver City or Lock & Key in Ktown, Thrillist makes it easy by creating a list of how to get into 11 of these bars in Los Angeles.
7. Spend a whole day in a particular neighborhood
Los Angeles is pretty sprawling, so as opposed to driving back and forth across the city and getting stuck in rush hour traffic, make it a point to spend a whole day in a particular neighborhood. Last time I went to Mohawk Bend, my friend and I decided to walk over to the Micheltorena Stairs and not only wandered into some pretty great stores, but got donuts and found our way into a PETA art exhibit. While it is great to go in with an agenda of a few things to knock off your list, sometimes it is fun to just meander.
What are your must-experience recommendations for visiting Los Angeles?