Ultimate Los Angeles Bucket List
Are you looking for the best things to add to your Los Angeles bucket list?
The City of Angels is packed with fun things to do and see.
Whether it is trying to spot a celebrity or sunning yourself at Venice Beach, there is something for everyone on this L.A bucket list.
Read on for the best things to do in Los Angeles.
Whether you live in LA or are just visiting, there are honestly more things to do in the city than you could ever accomplish in a lifetime. But who says you can’t try?!
I lived in Los Angeles for a few years and I put this ultimate LA bucket list together based on my own experiences, and the many things I want to do the next time I visit.
You’ll find ideas related to famous sights, the best food, cultural events, and seasonal activities.
Make the most out of Los Angeles with this LA bucket list!
The Ultimate Los Angeles Bucket List
Activities
Los Angelenos love to get active and the beautiful weather makes it easy to spend lots of time doing fun stuff outdoors.
Hike to the Hollywood sign
Visit Griffith Observatory
Drive from Malibu Canyon to the PCH
Check out Dodger Stadium
Walk along Santa Monica Pier
Cruise the Hollywood walk of fame
Take the cheesy but must-do celebrity homes tour
Walk down the Sunset Strip
Visit Beverly Hills
Have a drink at the Viper Room
Have a drink at Tiki-ti
Take the train downtown and visit China Town and Little Tokyo
Grab lunch at the Original Farmer’s market
Check out Echo Park Lake
Have a drink at the Hotel Roosevelt
Go up Mulholland Drive and take in the views
Take in the shopping on Rodeo Drive
Walk along the Venice Canals
Watch a movie at the Arclight Cinemas
Be part of a live studio audience
Check out the scene at Venice Beach
Visit Universal Studios Hollywood
Trawl the fashion district downtown for bargains
Check out a game at the Staples Center
The Los Angeles Zoo
Seasonal
There might not be snow on the ground at Christmas but there is always a reason to celebrate in Los Angeles.
The city comes alive year round with special events.
Check out these great bucket list ideas to inspire you.
Attend the West Hollywood Halloween street party
Take in one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations outside of Mexico
Watch the Hollywood Christmas Parade
Go ice skating at the outdoor rink downtown
Holiday Sing-along at Walt Disney Hall
Don’t miss the Disneyland Christmas Fantasy
Do some rides at the Knotts Merry Farm holiday event
Check out the Christmas tree at The Grove outdoor mall
Cultural
Who said Los Angeles has no culture? This is the city of movies, TV shows and theatre and there is always lots going on.
Visit Warner Bros. Studios
Be shocked at the Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum
Visit the artwork at the Getty Center
Get romantic at the Museum of Love
Catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl
Visit the Getty Villa
Feel hip at the Museum of Selfies
Visit LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
Get your history fix at the La Brea Tar Pits
Learn about cars at the Petersen Automobile Museum on Wilshire
Visit the Hollywood Forever cemetery
See the stars’ undergarments at Frederick’s of Hollywood lingerie museum
Food
Some of the best food in California is found right in L.A. From dive bars to fancy eateries, there really is something for everyone and every budget.
Have dinner and a show at the exclusive Magic Castle
Find out why Pink’s Hot Dogs is worth the line
Take in a bit of history at Hollywood’s Musso and Frank’s steakhouse
Make like Ice Cube and grab a Fatburger
Head south of the border at Mariscos Jalisco
Grab some dessert at Pink Berry
Eat on the beach at Neptune’s Net in Malibu
Eat like a Kardashian at Carousel Restaurant
Enjoy some Italian food at the famous Dan Tanas
Brunch like a hipster at Home in Los Feliz
Try the iconic In n Out burger
Check out the iconic Randy’s Donuts
Feel a piece of history at Canter’s Restaurant
Get some of the best Korean food outside of Korean
Have dinner on a train at Carney’s
Enjoy some outdoor dining at Republique
Have an intimate meal at The Little Door
Get your seafood fix at Broad Street Oyster Company
Reminisce about the movie Swingers at the Dresden
Day Trips
Los Angeles Bucket List Ideas
Los Angeles has an amazing location in Southern California making it the gateway to dozens of other destinations. These Los Angeles day trips should definitely go on your bucket list for when you’re ready to get out of the city and spend a day exploring somewhere new!
Escape to the picturesque Santa Catalina Island (1 hour by car plus 1 hour by ferry)
Spend the day making memories at Disneyland (45 minutes by car)
Relax in the scenic beachside town of Santa Barbara (1 hour and 45 minutes by car)
Go south of the border and visit Tijuana, Mexico (2.5 hours by car)
Enjoy the stylish desert oasis of Palm Springs (1 hour and 45 minutes by car)
Go for a hike in Joshua Tree National park (2 hours and 15 minutes by car)
Enjoy wine tastings or golfing in Temecula (1.5 hours by car)
Chill out on the beautiful beaches of Malibu (1 hour by car)
Spend the day in the sunny city of San Diego (2 hours and 15 minutes by car)
Have an afternoon of fun and sun at Laguna Beach (1 hour by car)
Explore the artsy, rustic town of Ojai (1.5 hours by car)
Relax for an afternoon on Balboa Island in Newport Beach (50 minutes by car)
Check out the historic mission at San Juan Capistrano (1 hour and 15 minutes by car)
Get back to nature at Big Bear Lake (2 hours by car)
Enjoy the beautiful white-sand beaches of Coronado (2 hours and 15 minutes by car)
Visit the unique Danish-inspired village of Solvang (2.5 hours by car)
Los Angeles Bucket List Ideas
I hope these LA bucket list ideas gave you some inspiration!
No matter what you’re interested in, Los Angeles has something to offer for everybody. Now go out there and make the most of the city with your own bucket list!
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