What Locals Love About Los Angeles: Insider Favorites You'll Adore Too
As longtime Los Angeles residents, we know the city transcends its iconic beaches and Hollywood allure—where over 100 film crews operate daily. Spanning more than 80 diverse neighborhoods from Malibu to Long Beach, West Hollywood to Downtown, LA brims with unique experiences. Discover our top local highlights to enrich your visit:
Elevate Your Experience: LA's Premier Rooftop Attractions
Los Angeles innovates outdoor spaces with breathtaking high-altitude venues. Downtown's Wilshire Grand Center boasts the nation's highest rooftop bar on its 73rd floor, while OUE Skyspace in the U.S. Bank Tower offers California's highest open-air observation deck, featuring a thrilling glass sky slide. Both rank among America's tallest buildings.
Additional gems include the free rooftop garden at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Mama Shelter's rooftop foosball, movie screenings, and DJ parties, plus Pacific Ocean sunsets from Hotel Erwin or Hotel Shangri-La rooftops.
LA's Vibrant Art Scene Extends Beyond Cinema
With over 300 museums and theaters—more than any other U.S. city—Los Angeles is a cultural epicenter. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the West's largest art museum, showcases millennia-spanning collections next to the La Brea Tar Pits. The Broad features an acclaimed contemporary collection with artists like Basquiat and Cindy Sherman; free tickets vanish quickly—reserve on the month's first day at noon or join standby.
Catch top theater productions, including Hamilton, at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre.
Urban Hiking That Rivals Mountain Destinations
With 300 sunny days yearly and varied trails, LA is a hiker's paradise. Griffith Park leads to the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory, the world's most visited public observatory. Runyon Canyon offers skyline vistas, accessible paths, and free 10:30 a.m. yoga (donations appreciated). Malibu's Temescal Canyon and Solstice Canyon deliver stunning ocean views.
Coast Along the 22-Mile Beach Bike Path
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail (The Strand) connects LA's prime beaches over 22 flat miles from Will Rogers State Beach in Malibu to Torrance County Beach—about two hours one way, longer with stops. Rent bikes at coastal shops and fuel up at Back on the Beach Cafe or Perry's. Pedal to Santa Monica Pier's solar-powered Ferris wheel, Venice Beach's Muscle Beach, the U.S.'s largest yacht marina at Marina del Rey, and South Bay gems: Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach.
Culinary Scene Far Beyond Superfoods
Angelenos savor green juices and acai, but tacos reign supreme—from trucks and family spots to upscale eateries. Indulge in al pastor, carne asada, or innovative Korean tacos by Roy Choi.
Grand Central Market, revitalized from its 1917 origins, offers diverse stalls downtown. Try Smorgasburg's open-air Sundays at Alameda Produce Market or SteelCraft's container-based haven near Long Beach. For celebrity vibes, savor tableside A5 Miyazaki Wagyu at Catch LA or yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño at Nobu Malibu.
