Yep, we said it: this is the only Los Angeles Bucket List you’ll ever need. We’ve spent the bulk of our lives in this f***ing awesome city as born-and-raised Angelenos, and have compiled all of the dopest things we could possibly think of in this Bucket List of things to do in Los Angeles.
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My LA Bucket List
We’ve taken months to assemble this bucket list of things to do in Los Angeles. We dove deep to find not only the classic must-sees of this iconic city, but also the eccentric, unique, and just downright spectacular hidden things to do in Los Angeles.
The result is a monumental Los Angeles bucket list with 133 of the coolest things to do in LA.
A Comprehensive LA Bucket List for Locals & Tourists Alike
My LA Bucket List is a wealth of information for both tourists AND locals. If you’re looking for the coolest things to do in LA whether you’re living here or visiting, look no further!
From nightlife, cuisine, culture, nature, entertainment, to the unique, the bizarre, the grotesque, the once-in-a-lifetime, and just so much more—I HAVE IT COVERED ON MY LA BUCKET LIST.
Written By Born-and-Raised Angelenos
Both of us were born and raised in the City of Angels, leaving us more than qualified to compile the ULTIMATE Los Angeles bucket list.
I was born and raised in LA until age 12, where I moved to Florida but still returned to LA every summer and ended up moving back at age 18, after graduating high school.
Ben, on the other hand, has been in LA his entire life until we moved to Asia together.
Angeleno-Approved Los Angeles Bucket List
And through all the years we’ve explored this amazing city, we’ve been searching for and discovering all the coolest things to do in LA. I’m now, finally, ready to share my LA bucket list with you, complete with 133 of the coolest things do to in LA, all Angeleno-approved.
Without further ado, here is our bucket list of things to do in Los Angeles!
The ULTIMATE Los Angeles Bucket List
Watch a movie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where the movie is projected amongst a timeless LA backdrop
Visit Watts Towers, towers built through loving handmade labor over 33 years from recycled materials by Simon Rodia
Be in the audience of a TV show taping—we’ve been in the audience for The Price is Right, Chelsea Lately, America’s Best Dance Crew, and of course Jeopardy! (but then again, Ben was a contestant for Jeopardy!)
Check out the La Brea Tar Pits, where millions of fossils have been recovered at one of the world’s largest collections of Ice Age fossils — right in the middle of busy LA. Buy discounted tickets here.
See a Broadway play at the Pantages or the Dolby Theater — while the historic Broadway district in DTLA doesn’t host many plays like it did in its heyday, you can still watch Broadway plays elsewhere in LA
Visit LA’s historic theaters in the Broadway district — this downtown neighborhood is home to twelve historic movie palaces dating from the 1910s to the 1930s (the only concentration of such theaters remaining in the US). At its peak, this district hosted the densest concentration of movie theaters in the world.
Take a photo in front of the iconic “JESUS SAVES” neon sign at the Ace Hotel DTLA at the southernmost point of the Broadway District
Crawl through DTLA’s secret tunnels, once home to subterranean speakeasies during Prohibition
Watch the sunset over Downtown LA from Elysian Park
It’s legal—hit up a weed dispensary
Get hazy at Cannabis Cafe, America’s first legal weed restaurant
Or literally get high on a private Hollywood Sign Helicopter Tour (champagne included!)
Munch on Danger Dogs, the semi-illegal yet divine bacon-wrapped hot dogs you’ll find from LA street vendors. You’ll find some of them around Hollywood Blvd and STAPLES Center.
Catch an LA Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium (perfect place to grab a Danger Dog!). Compare ticket prices with this site, as prices fluctuate.
Dine in utter street food glory at one of LA’s HUNDREDS of taco trucks. One bite and you’ll understand why LA is the taco capital of the country.
Chow down on some soul food at the iconic Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles
Sip martinis at Musso & Frank’s, Hollywood’s oldest eatery
Beam yourself into Yuri’s Night at the California Science Center, an out-of-this galaxy “World Space Party” commemorating Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human into space. You might just bump shoulders with astronauts and earthlings from NASA and SpaceX—heck, even Star Trek cast members show up to mingle in cosmic celebration!
Street performers at Venice Beach
Join the weirdos at the iconic Venice Boardwalk. Venice has gotten a little less weird over the years, but it’s still a bohemian haven in the LA area. Find a drum circle behind the reefer cloud—or better yet, start your own!
Visit the artful 1940s home known as Mosaic Tile House in Venice, covered inside & out with covered tile and glass mosaics
Surfs up! Catch some surf lessons in Venice
Venice Canal Historic District
Wander amongst the waterways of the Venice Canal Historic District
Put your hands in a star’s handprints in front of the Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, home to nearly 200 pairs of prints from stars both classic and modern
Tour a distillery, including LA’s first one since Prohibition, the Greenbar Disitillery
Go on an epic LA foodie pilgrimage and dine at EVERY restaurant on our epic list of Dope Places to Eat in LA
Highway 138, One of Our Best Scenic Drives in LA
Nobody walks in LA! Cross off every drive on our list of the Best Scenic Drives in LA. You can even rent a car, if you need.
Sing your heart out in a Koreatown noraebang, a private karaoke room. Don’t forget the soju!
Catch the spectacle of a wild Lucha Vavoom masked Mexican luchador wrestling match, one of the coolest things to do in LA
Join the freakshow at the California Institute of Abnormal Arts (CIA), a glowing, clown-centric refuge for the macabre and weird (free candy at the bar)
Light the night on fire with a (literally) FLAMING Kon Tiki bowl at the midcentury tiki bar, LONO Hollywood
Hike to the Hollywood Sign. You can go right up to back of the iconic landmark!
Snag an epic shot of the Hollywood Sign from the palm-tree lined Windsor Boulevard
Get morbid at the Museum of Death in Hollywood
Get spooked by the Cecil Hotel, with the morbid reputation of having at least 16 sudden or unexplained deaths in or around the hotel
Dig in with your hands in Little Ethiopia! Feast on vegetarian medleys or meaty stews using the sour injera bread as your utensil. One of our favorites is Merkato, which you’ll find on our list of dope places to eat in LA.
You might sometimes catch EXTRA being filmed at this Universal Studios Hollywood globe at the entrance of the park.
Grab a friend and run to Universal Studios Hollywood. Don’t miss the tram tour. It’s iconic!
Try sannakji (live octopus) in Koreatown—or just stick with some classic Korean BBQ
Stuff your face with Tom Yum in Thai Town, notably the only Thai Town in the United States. We’ve eaten from Ruen Pair and Boran Thai and have only feasted on yummies.
Be an extra in a movie! While doing this professionally requires at least getting a head shot and possibly an agent, if you just want the experience it’s easy to do with Beinamovie.com. While you won’t get paid, they usually feed you and you’ll get the unique experience of being in a movie! We were extras on Andy Samberg’s Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping through this site!
Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, an essential addition to your Los Angeles Bucket List
Window shop at Rodeo Drive, the iconic luxury shopping mecca including the likes of Dior, Balenciaga, Prada, Versace. Perfect time to recreate a shopping montage from Clueless (Earth to Cher! Come in, Cher!)
Take a guided tour of Greystone Mansion (it’s free!) to appreciate the 1920s LA era opulence of its English Tudor Revival style architecture, characterized by its grand stone façade, intricate woodwork, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
⭐ Find your favorite stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Jimi Hendrix? Marilyn Monroe? Find them on the star directory and star map.
Attend a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony! Get there super early (like at least an hour before the ceremony) to secure a decent spot. The celebrities will usually come to those up front and sign CD’s, posters, magazines, DVD’s, etc. We’ve seen Paul Rudd, Adam Scott, Michael Douglas, Will Ferrell, and Molly Shannon at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies!
Santa Monica Pier
Hit up Santa Monica Pier. Ride the roller coaster and grab some concession stand food. Funnel cakes, fam?
Chow down on the Shrimp Tray at the San Pedro Fish Market, a thriving waterfront seafood eatery and California’s largest restaurant
Go back to Old Hollywood in the Anthony Bourdain-recommended Formosa Cafe, founded in 1925 originally in a Red Car trolley, seen in several movies including L.A. Confidential T.V. series like Euphoria
Play Drag Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s—don’t call a false bingo or you might get spanked!
Party at LGBT-friendly The Abbey in West Hollywood (WeHo), acclaimed by some as the best gay bar in the world
West Hollywood Halloween Carnival
Let out your inner Halloween queen at the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival
Get racy and channel your inner vampire while sipping on absinthe at Bar Sinister, a gothic nightclub on Saturday nights in Hollywood. Be forewarned—we’ve definitely seen (consensual) whippings there!
Grab possibly the most expensive hot dog of your life at the iconic 1946-founded hot dog-shaped stand Tail O’ the Pup
Cruise down the iconic Sunset Strip of Hollywood, a street frequented by everyone from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Johnny Depp
Ride the mechanical bull at Saddle Ranch on Sunset Boulevard — where we’ve bumped into Sam Smith and given actor Ron Livingston a peck on the cheek!
Griffith Observatory
Catch the sunset while taking in views of the city and the heavens at Griffith Observatory. Also check out the Tesla Coil!
Watch a flick at the vintage theater, the Cinerama Dome, an icon of modern architecture
Hang out at the Hollywood Roosevelt, LA’s oldest continually operated hotel, the home of the first Academy Awards (and Marilyn Monroe’s ghost)
Explore the abandoned LA Zoo at Griffith Park, one of the hidden things to do in Los Angeles
Grab a cold one at Good Times at Davey Wayne’s
Enter through the fridge and have a good time at the 70’s house party speakeasy known as Good Times at Davey Wayne’s
Do you have a furry friend? Take them to all of the best dog-friendly hikes in LA!
Embark on a couples road trip in Southern California
Echo Park Time Travel Mart, one of the hidden things to do in Los Angeles
Stock up on supplies for your trip to the fourth dimension at The Echo Park Time Travel Mart, one of the quirkiest hidden things to do in Los Angeles
Pedal on a rental swan boat on Echo Park Lake
Scope some vinyl at Amoeba Records in Hollywood. Also check out Live at Amoeba for free live shows!
Find a puppet in your lap at a Bob Barker Marionette Show in Highland Park
Hit up Smorgasburg LA, a foodie street eats festival in Downtown LA (at the ROW DTLA) every Sunday
Sip on Something Wicked at Clifton’s Republic, a bar built around a giant redwood and one of the last vestiges of DTLA’s Old Broadway
Take a day trip to Joshua Tree. And while you’re at it, go glamping out there.
| Discounts to LA Restaurants
DON’T miss out on these LA Food & Drink discounts, as we’ve managed to score some FANTASTIC deals for some of these restaurants (and many many others)! If you’re traveling to LA, you should just make a habit of checking out these local LA deals, as they have discounts on almost EVERYTHING like amusement parks, whale-watching, sporting events, concerts, and so much more, ya girl can’t even type it all out. LA Transportation Remember, Los Angeles is notorious for its less-than-stellar public transportation, so you’re DEFINITELY going to want to rent a car. |
Pineapple Boat from Shrimp Daddy
Get to Shrimp Daddy early enough to score their craveable shell-on garlic butter shrimp pineapple boats before they sell out. Learn more about this food stall on our list of the best places to eat in LA
Check out the former Nazi camp at Murphy Ranch
Embark on a Neon Cruise to learn more about LA’s historic neon signs
Hop on Angel’s Flight, a landmark 118-year-old funicular in Downtown LA
Visit the Korean Friendship Bell, a 17 ton bronze bell cast in Korea and gifted to the US in celebration of the US bicentennial
The Last Bookstore
Browse through the Last Bookstore, an iconic bookstore located in a former bank full of unique titles and quirky decor
Catch views of the Malibu coast from Point Dume — on a clear day you can see all the way to Downtown LA, Catalina Island, and maybe some seals, whales, and dolphins
Imbibe alcohol on the beach (legally) at Paradise Cove
Malibu
Spend the day on one of Malibu’s many beaches — we love the beaches like El Matador and El Pescador on the far end of Malibu
Spot bison, alpacas, zebras, and even a giraffe as you sip wine with Malibu Wine Safaris in the Santa Monica Mountains
Eat seafood on the beach in Malibu at Malibu Seafood, Moonshadows, or Neptune’s Net. Learn more on our list of the dopest spots to eat in LA
Visit No Vacancy, a speakeasy in the last Victorian home in Hollywood, complete with tightrope walkers, fire dancers, burlesque dancers, and secrets galore. Be forewarned—the line to get in can be long and the doormen notoriously choosey. Helps to have a group with more women than men (sucky, but true).
Drive a Ferrari around Hollywood…because, why not?
Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland
Hit up Disneyland, the happiest place in the world. Don’t miss riding Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge!
Visit the Getty Center and the Getty Villa for stunning architecture and masterpieces of art — as well as city views from the Getty Center
If you’re visiting in the summer, check out the schedule of the Getty Museum’s Summer Sessions concerts
Find peace at the Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine, a spiritual oasis in the Pacific Palisades complete with lush gardens, lakeside paths, meditation areas, shoreline docks and a Windmill Chapel. Entrance is free, but reservation required.
Stroll through or spend a night aboard the classic 1930s ambiance of the Queen Mary, which is also one of our top date ideas in Long Beach
Marvel at the futuristic yet retro Bradbury Building, best known from movies like Blade Runner
Venice Beach Skatepark
Skate (or watch others skate) at the Venice Beach Skatepark
Shop on Melrose, a trendy LA neighborhood known for its quirky independent shops and fashionably creative culture
Get your photo at the Instagram-beloved pink Paul Smith Wall in Melrose
Cheer on the Lakers at a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game.
And while you’re at it, catch an LA Clippers basketball game.
Hit the red carpet with the celebs for a movie premiere! You’re gonna have to get lucky with timing, but you can score tickets to premieres through Gofobo, SeeItFirst, and AdvanceScreenings. In our experience attending premieres, drinks and popcorn are free, and if you’re lucky, you can get up close to the film stars! But get there EARLY, as the lines are LONG.
Angeles Crest Highway
Drive through the San Gabriel Mountains on Angeles Crest Highway — reaching almost 8000 feet over its 66 miles, offering stunning views of the LA cityscape, the rugged mountains, and the Mojave Desert
Get a taste of Japan in Little Tokyo, home to delicious Japanese eateries and trendy shops in the heart of DTLA
Chinatown, Los Angeles
Explore LA’s Chinatown, where you can find bargain shopping, tasty dim sum, and cultural events like Chinatown Summer Nights. Consider a Chinatown & Little Tokyo Walking Tour!
Get hoppy on an LA beer hop
Go on an LA mural scavenger hunt around the city — it’s a good reason to visit new neighborhoods! Lots are concentrated in up-and-coming Arts District near downtown.
Climb up (or down) some of LA’s hidden stairs, like the rainbow Micheltorena stairs in Silver Lake
Walt Disney Concert Hall
See a performance at the Frank Gehry-designed Disney Hall, home to the LA Philharmonic as well as other world-class acts. Or just enjoy the amazing building from the outside!
Have a picnic (and wine) at a Hollywood Bowl performance
🤑 Peek into the lifestyles of the rich & famous on a Celebrity Homes Tour
See a comedy show! LA is a world center of comedy and has several major venues. Our favorite spot is Hollywood Improv on Melrose, where you can get up-close-and-personal to comics both on the rise and established, but also check out The Comedy Store and Laugh Factory. You’ll also find the new and outdoors club, The Whitley, as well as comedy shows at some more indie venues such as The Dynasty Typewriter and The Virgil.
Comb through the Rose Bowl Flea Market, the most-visited flea market in the country with over 2500 vendors
Grab guava pastries and potato balls at the Angeleno-beloved Porto’s Bakery
El Capitan Theater in Hollywood
Catch a flick at the historic and fully-restored El Capitan Theater, where most Disney films premier!
Shed off your muggle friends and join the Potterheads at Nimbus Coffee, a Harry Potter-themed cafe
Do goat yoga! Doing yoga with goats is said to increase yoga’s calming and relaxing effects
Check out free museum days at some of LA’s awesome museums, including the Natural History Museum
Visit The Autry Museum, dedicated to exploring an inclusive history of the American West
Indulge your inner garlic monster at the Stinking Rose, the one LA restaurant where GARLIC IS LITERALLY KING, even in the desserts
Seafood Medley Chowder from Anarchy Seafood
Experience the stuff of street seafood dreams by plunging headfirst into Anarchy Seafood‘s seafood medley chowder topped with fried oysters, bacon, and chives
Do it animal style at In-N-Out. We’re talking about fries, ya perv!
LACMA
Dive into LA’s art museums, including The Broad, LACMA, Hammer Museum, and MOCA
Visit DTLA Art Walk, a self-guided art experience of local galleries, studios, and events
Drive a few laps in a NASCAR Nationwide and Cup Style racecar around a racetrack. Must be 18 or older with a valid driver’s license to drive; 14 or older for ride-along.
Lobster Nest at Lobsterdamus
SEND NOODS. Feast on the Lobster Nest at Lobsterdamus at Smorgasburg (thank me later) — a juicy grilled lobster on garlicky noodle bedding that will leave you in a delightful food coma.
Light a bonfire at Dockweiler Beach. It’s first-come, first-served, so one sad sucker in your group is gonna have to go early to claim a spot. Weekdays are easier (showing up at 3 pm could do the trick), but weekends are Darwinian (i.e. the earlier you show up the better)!
Enter through the armoire! Hit up La Descarga, a Cuban-themed speakeasy with burlesque-style salsa dancers
Find your way out of one of LA’s escape rooms such as MagIQ Room or Horror Escapes LA
Cruise out to Catalina Island and spend the day lounging around Avalon Harbor. You can book Catalina boat rides from Newport Beach here.
Eat as much Asian food as you can in the San Gabriel Valley, home to Southern California’s most populous Asian American community. You’ll find everything from Chinese, Filipino, Southeast Asian, Japanese cuisines and more!
Tour a movie studio such as Warner Bros (discounted tickets here), Sony Pictures, or Paramount Pictures.
Get tattoo on Hollywood Blvd (Or a piercing if you’re feeling less-committal). The iconic boulevard is lined with tattoo and piercing parlors that are often affordable (but arguably, not the best quality). Still, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t stumbled into California Tattoo on many a sloshed evening and offered myself up as a pin cushion, myself!
Grand Central Market
Experience all kinds of cuisines for lunch at the Grand Central Market. You can even take a Grand Central Market food tour.
Get invited to the Magic Castle, an iconic clubhouse for magic lovers and magicians. If you’ve seen every episode of the Netflix original series, Love, you should recognize it!
Grab a chili cheese dog at Tommy’s ORIGINAL Stand at Beverly and Rampart
See Los Angeles by air on a private LA plane tour
Shops at Olvera Street
Shop and eat at Olvera Street, a historic mexican marketplace in the oldest part of DTLA
Get him to the Greek! See a show at the outdoor historic Greek Theatre
Catch a magic show at the Black Rabbit Rose
Sunday Bloody Sunday! Check out the Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar & Michelada Station on La Cita’s El Patio
Cool down at the beachfront city of Hermosa Beach, one of the top small beach towns of California
Grab a date and head to Long Beach to tick off as many of these top Long Beach date ideas
View from Mulholland Drive
Photo Credit: Douglas Tofoli
Check out the city view from Mulholland Drive, the namesake of David Lynch’s surrealist neo-noir mystery film. This is also on our list of the best scenic drives in LA!
Take a free Art & Architecture tour of Union Station, an iconic LA landmark and transportation hub symbolizing DTLA’s renaissance
Hunt for vintage finds at the eclectic Hidden Treasures Vintage shop in Topanga
Haggle for some bargains at Santee Alley, LA’s Premiere Outdoor Shopping District
Bucket List of Things to Do in Los Angeles: Final Thoughts
So there you have it: my LA bucket list of all the coolest things to do in LA!
With all there is to do here, this Los Angeles Bucket List easily gets more and more gargantuan every time we work on it—and we’d like to keep it that way! This list is ever-evolving, so feel free to reach out on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or COMMENT ON THIS POST if you ever have any epic LA bucket list suggestions.
Heading to Orange County next? You can check out the top things to do in Orange County, the new Rise of the Resistance ride at Disneyland, stay at the best hotel walking distance to Disneyland, and try luxury bowling at Downtown Disney.
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Did we miss anything essential for our bucket list of things to do in Los Angeles?
Let us know in a comment below!