If you’re visiting Los Angeles and wondering what to do beyond the usual Hollywood Boulevard and Rodeo Drive — this video is for you.
In this cinematic city guide, I share my Top 5 must-visit spots in LA — the places I actually recommend to friends and family when they’re in town. From the skyline views at Griffith Observatory to sunset walks on Venice Beach, the architecture and art of The Getty Center, the history and flavors of the Original Farmers Market and Fairfax District, and the coastal beauty of Malibu’s Paradise Cove — these are the experiences that truly capture the spirit of Los Angeles.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local rediscovering your city, you’ll find a mix of culture, food, and those unforgettable moments that make LA one of the most fascinating cities in the world.
Which area are you most excited to visit? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
Intro: 0:00
Griffith Observatory: 1:10
Venice Beach: 3:39
Malibu: 7:33
Original Farmers Market: 10:03
The Getty: 13:27
Take Away: 16:02
Featured Locations:
Griffith Observatory
Abbot Kinney Blvd
The Getty Center & Villa
The Original Farmers Market (Fairfax District)
Malibu Paradise Cove
#LosAngeles #ThingsToDoInLA #LATravelGuide #VisitCalifornia #HiddenGemsLA #TravelVlog #MichaelInTheCity #ExploreLA #LosAngelesTravel #travelcalifornia
Music from: www.epidemicsound.com
Stock film from: www.Canva.com
Filmed using iPhone14pro
All the touristy spots. Ive been living here over 50 years. I avoid all these places. On your first trip go ahead and get it out the way cuz when you come back again you wont wanna go there.
Ill give you the Getty and The grove though. Cool spots for sure.
If you’re not from LA don’t make these videos. Only transplants think that LA only consist of everything west of Hollywood. You need to actually explore all of LA. I know fora fact locals do not love going to Venice Beach! Only people who live within 2 blocks of Venice love it.
Loved your video, great info, thx! I would add: The L.A.Arboretum, Dodger Stadium, Warner Brothers Studio, Disney Concert Hall and The Broad Museum. Thanks again!
Hollywood Bowl – whatever is playing
Thoughtfully and tastefully well done. Here since 1943 and heartily agree with your recommendations. Great stuff for every age and era.
If they have a fondness of Rock n Roll, you know where to send them.
Not in LA but don’t pass up an opportunity to visit the Rosewood Miramar Hotel in Montecito (Santa Barbara). The grounds are magical and such an amazing ing experience.
Hi – native Los Angeles girl here. Born and raised. Wonderful video. I would definitely add Olvera Street to the list for the history buffs as this is where it all began. The Santa Monica pier is also iconic, with lots of history. I would avoid Venice Beach. Too much crime and druggies now, unfortunately.
I live in Brentwood, and love it dearly. The weather is unparalleled. But remind your friends and family to bring a lot of money. Things have gotten completely out of hand expense wise. Thanks again for a great video. 😊
the Getty villa has been modernized, but it's layout still reflects Getty's belief that he was a reincarnation of the roman emperor Nero, and living in a recreation of Nero's villa would bring him closer to his true self. Strangly, no docent at the museum will talk about this. the oral history from the surfers is that Getty built there , a wilderness at the time, because he wanted access to the wave at sunset beach.
Haha, I grew up here and would not take visitors to any of these places other then the GETTY VILLA! The other places are too touristy. I would go to silver lake, echo park area, last bookstore and pine and crane. Palos verdes peninsula ( where I live). Also the Gamble house, cafe gratitude ii Venice after hike or trail run in sycamore canyon. Coffee at lucky lama in carpenteria., gracias Madre, etc… get creative not the usual
Theses Top Five really are fantastic picks. And if you want to make a Top Ten list for visitors, the comments below are right on target.
12:29 MOCA is a good choice.
12:11 the Grove and Americana are esp. nice for X-mas.
5:55 don’t forget 2nd street in Long Beach, and the airplane museum in San Diego are pretty sweet.
Universal Studios, Long Beach farmers market, Petersen Auto Museum. Take a drive to Hearst Castle 🏰
Great video. It’s true. 9 times out of 10 people who come away from an L.A. visit thinking it’s overrated didn’t know which places to go to. There is way more to L.A. beyond the obvious tourist traps.
I would add DTLA, specifically Union Station, Olvera Street, Little Tokyo, and Exposition Park to visit the multiple cool museums there. And all these sites are easily accessible via the LA Metro rail lines. In fact, in 2026, you'll have a subway station at Fairfax and Wilshire making it more convenient to visit the Farmer's Market and the wonderful museums on Wilshire you included in this video.
13:30 An aspect that always impressed me at the Getty is their stream, which is set up so each segment one passes over is set up as a different stream sound, and li'l plaques explaining each.
5:32 From Venice, Abbott Kinney Boulevard is also an easy route to LAX airport…
As somone who's lived in LA for decades, I think you did a great job in highlighting some of the best places in the area; I love them all. I would also add "El Pueblo", the birthplace of Los Angeles, which also includes Olvera Street, as well as several museums. Oops, one more — the Walt Disney Concert Hall showcasing the architectural genius of Frank Gehry.
hello
You are right on with your top 5 picks. I would add to the Farmers Market/Fairfax area, with additional museums. La Brea Tar Pits and Peterson Automotive are awesome choices, especially for those who yawn when you talk about art. Something for everyone. If it's summer time, a Dodger game and the Hollywood Bowl are not to be missed.
Grand Central market and Duh ELA, El Tepeyac, ELA Mercado and Long Beach . And the taco trucks. Huntington Library, Pasadena. I love LA!!
Looks quiet I remember LA being much busier some of the restaurants looked pretty empty.
Locals don't love Venice, Getty, nor Farmer's market.
I like your choices, I live here and have been to all multiple times and enjoy it each time I go. There are parts of Pasadena that are also nice to visit, and if you are visiting during the summer, the Hollywood Bowl is a great place to see a performance especially if you can get a box.
Okay, I grew up in the Long Beach area, and with the exception of your first option, which is a great choice, the rest of them seem weak to me, as they're all in West Los Angeles? C'mon dude… you need to explore a little more. Venice… really? Yeah, maybe back in the 1970s, sure… but that place is just nothing but a polished Santa Monica anymore. And sure, Malibu was a beautiful place before the fires, but even that is almost a cliché place to take people from out of town. And The Getty, yeah, okay, I guess? I'd say La Brea Tar Pit over that place, but that's just me.
This would be my list (in no particular order):
1. Griffith Observatory: Yeah, that's a great choice, and you laid out why… no problems with that pick.
2. Grand Central Market (Downtown): I'm sorry, but this place beats the crap out of "Original Farmer's Market," which looks highly gentrified, by the way. The choices you get at the GCM can't compare to OFM.
3. Philippe's: The Original: Not only does this place offer a great-tasting French Dip sandwich, but it's a literal museum that displays L.A.'s history. The clientele includes pretty much every social group in the city. Their deli-type environment where you order at the counter is also wonderful, and they still serve a five-cent cup of coffee, the same price it was when they first opened their doors to the public in 1908. And if it's baseball season and the Dodgers are at home, you may run into many fans who want to grab something quick to eat or just get a few beers that aren't fifteen dollars a pop.
4. Cabrillo Beach/Pt. Fermin Lighthouse/Korean Friendship Bell: Those three places have much to offer. Cabrillo Beach is a quaint beach that feels as though you're not near a large city. And just up the road, at the Pt. Fermin Lighthouse and cliffs, the views are spectacular, and you can see where both The Dude and Walter spread Donny's ashes if you head down into those cliffs, among where the old road used to exist; there are sea urchins in tide pools below that spot as well. And lastly, the Korean Friendship Bell, which is located just up the road from Pt. Fermin, and the views from that spot are even more spectacular. And this is also where they filmed a scene from the classic thriller, The Usual Suspects. And if you're hungry or want to shop, just around the corner, on the way back towards downtown Long Beach, is a place called Ports O' Call Village.
5. The Queen Mary/Shoreline Village: Of course, if you drove across the Vincent Thomas Bridge from the Long Beach side and over towards San Pedro to see our #4 on the list, you probably noticed a huge ship stationed in the Long Beach harbor on your way over. That's obviously the Queen Mary, which has daily tours. And across from the QM sits a place called Shoreline Village, where you can shop or purchase various food items if you're hungry from a journey through the QM's extensive walkthrough.
I would have added some Orange County locations, but this subject is about Los Angeles, so I didn't, if people wondered why that was the case.
Thanks for the video drop anyway… it gave me some ideas, since I was born and raised in the area and felt that this list could use some additions to it. Hell, people can come out here and see all 10 of those spots, only again, Malibu won't be much to look at any longer, sadly. But then again, you could always drive up the coast a bit and head to Santa Barbara and State Street? 😝
I wouldn't go to Venice or Santa Monica. It is dangerous and dirty. The water there in Santa Monica and Venice is polluted. And I have lived here for all my life. I will be seventy in two months.
Go to OC and see Huntington Beach, Newport, or Laguna Beach.
There are so many cool things to see and do in Los Angeles and Venice beach is NOT one of them. That whole place is an overated tourist trap just as crappy as Hollywood Blvd. Farmers Markets are a dime a dozen, who cares. I agree Griffith Observatory and the Getty are cool.. I really wish people could be more creative with these "must-visit" spots in LA. Id rather walk around UCLA campus and go see a basketball game at Pauley Pavillion then visit venice beach.
Great video, however, there will be a lot of driving visiting all 5 places. Well worth it though.
Great video & excellent choices, but instead of Venice, I'd go to Pasadena & The Huntington (S. of Pasadena) in San Marino. And instead of instead of the Farmer's Market, which was my mom's favorite (since the 1940s, I think) I'd tour a working, non-theme park studios like WB, Sony, or Paramount.
Very informative. Thank you. Maybe a bit more entertaining and it would get more traction? Just a thought 😊
As a near 30 year LA resident I’d say you’ve nailed this !! Well done!