Things to Do in Los Angeles, California

Travel Guide: Perfect Day in Los Angeles

Visiting any big city for the first time can be a little overwhelming, especially if you are like me and have a serious case of FOMO. Los Angeles, California is jam packed full of fun and unique experiences. There are so many adventures and places to explore in the city it can be a daunting task to plan your trip. It is very important to take the horrendous traffic into account when planning anything in Los Angeles. I created this travel guide to help you plan the perfect day in Los Angeles while keeping driving to a minimum.

Grand Central Market

Start the day off with coffee and breakfast at Los Angeles, Grand Central Market. Culture and cuisine are fused together in this dynamic public market. Grand Central Market first opened in 1917 and is LA’s oldest and largest food hall. There are 37 different vendors to satisfy any appetite.

For breakfast try the popular EggSlut, but be prepared to wait. This restaurant consistently has super long lines.

If you aren’t in the mood to wait, try some avocado toast from Clark Street Bread. This is by far the best avocado toast I have ever eaten. Beware, it does have lots of red pepper flakes and packs a mean punch.

Try a Gourmet PB&J from PBJ.LA. This one of a kind stop creates interesting versions of an old classic. Exotic nut butters combined with seasonal jams and superfoods create a unique flavorful experience.

Check out Golden Road Brewing an LA based brewery for a taste of any 20 of their craft beers.

Sarita’s Pupuseria, DTLA Cheese and Wexlers Deli are all high on the list of places you should try.

Know before you go:

Address: 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Hours: 8am-10PM Daily. 

Parking Garage : 308 S Hill Street, Los Angeles, Ca 90013

 $3 for the first 90 minutes and $2 each 15 minutes after that, with a maximum of $25.

 

Angels Flight

Once you have had your fill at Grand Central Market take a quick walk across the street to Angels Flight. Built in 1901, Angels flight is the world’s shortest incorporated railway! Its estimated that this short railway has carried more passengers per mile than any other railway in the world! Say what?

The track is 315ft long and cost $1 per ride!  Located in the Bunker Hill District of Los Angeles this funicular railway is fun for a quick and entertaining ride.

Address: 351 South Hill Street, Los Angeles 90013, across from Grand Central Market

 

The Last Bookstore

Next, take a quick walk to The Last Bookstore. This incredible place happens to be California’s largest bookstore. 22,000 sq. ft of space is filled with new and used books, graphic novels, rare books and even a huge record selection!

 On the upper level you will find numerous shops and even a tunnel made using only books. Without a doubt The Last Bookstore is the coolest bookstore I have ever been to.

Know before you go:

Address: 453 South Spring Street

Hours: 10am-10pm Monday- Thursday

10am-11pm Friday

10am- 9pm Saturday

 

Echo Park Lake

Echo Park is a nice break from the concrete Jungle which surrounds it. Lake and city views will help you relax a bit after running around all day. You can rent a paddle boat and cruise around the lake or just chill on the banks and enjoy the view. If you happen to visit from June-September you will be able to enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers.

Address: 751 Echo Park Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90026

Other Adventures nearby:

OUE SkySpace LA

If you want to see Los Angeles from a different perspective then you should definetly visit OUE Skyspace LA to grab a few drinks and a snack before riding the 45 ft. glass slide. Next, try to spot the Hollywood sign from the terrace with provides 360 degree views of the city. This is California’s tallest observation terrace.

633 W 5th St #840, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (70th Floor)

Open 7 days a week

Hours: 10am – 10pm; last ticket is sold at 9pm

You can purchase tickets here.

The Broad

If you are into contemporary art, general admission to The Broad is FREE! Jeff Koons and Jean-Michel Basquiat are just a few of the contemporary artists whose work is displayed here. Make sure to reserve your tickets ahead of time as they book fast. Every month, new tickets are released on the 1st at noon PST. You may be able to visit without advanced reservations but be prepared to wait up to an hour in line.

221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

CLOSED MONDAYS

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Enjoy the stunning architecture or see a concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Ghery. This project cost an estimated 274 million dollars to complete with 110 million invested in the parking structure alone! In 2005, sections of the structure originally designed with mirror like panels were sanded down after numerous complaints from nearby neighbors and residents. Reflections from the polished panels were causing extreme heat and increased risk of traffic accidents.

111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Still have more time to explore Los Angeles? Check out these other amazing adventures!

The Getty Center

The Getty Center is located atop the Santa Monica Mountains in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. I could spend all day in the amazing gardens featuring a floating azalea maze and waterfall! The views from this hilltop location make it a great way to spend an afternoon. Read more: The Getty Museum and Gardens

Venice Beach and Canals

Take an afternoon walk through the Venice Canals, originally designed in 1095 by Abbot Kinney to recreate the look and feel of Venice Italy.

Read more: Check out these posts from my girl Heather over at thecheapskategirl.com for more ideas of things to do in Venice and Santa Monica.

How to see Venice Beach and Santa Monica in one day with just $40

7 Free things you can’t miss on the Venice Beach Boardwalk

Hike the Hollywood Sign

What trip to Los Angeles, California would be complete without checking out the famous Hollywood sign? Did you know that it used to say Hollywoodland?

There are a few trails that lead up to the famous sign.  I recommend taking the Canyon Drive Trail so you can also walk through the Bronson caves that were featured in the 60’s Batman TV series . On a clear day, you can get great views of the Hollywood sign after walking though or around the caves. If the 6.5 mile hike didn’t wear you out completely, check out the views from Griffith Observatory.

Also located in Griffith Park is the graffiti covered Old Zoo and Bee Rock Trail. Check out my YouTube Video here!

I hope this travel guide gives you a head start in planning your trip to the City of Angels. I highly encourage you to stick to one area a day to avoid being stuck in traffic for hours! Relax, adventure, and enjoy. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Make sure to take lots of photos and use #queenofadventure so I can see your pics! Adventure awaits!

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