Tours & excursions

Evening visit to view the city and universe through public telescopes at this free hilltop observatory. Best at sunset to catch Hollywood Sign, downtown towers, and coast views, followed by planetarium shows ($6–$10).

Explore 4,210 acres of hiking trails in Griffith Park with guides who lead you to iconic viewpoints and the historic Observatory. Multiple trails range from easy to moderate, with options for sunrise hikes and sunset views of the city and Hollywood Sign.

Gustavo Dudamel conducts a complete cycle of Beethoven piano concertos at Walt Disney Concert Hall, December 5-6 and beyond. Free events available at 1pm December 5, with ticket options for evening performances.

Free viewing of illuminated vessels parading through Marina del Rey on December 12, 2026. A festive seasonal experience showcasing decorated boats in the holiday season.

Los Angeles' premier seafood festival featuring fresh catches, coastal cuisine demonstrations, and local seafood vendors. A day-long celebration of the region's fishing heritage and marine bounty.

A 1.4-mile coastal hike in Malibu offering sweeping Pacific Ocean views with frequent dolphin and migrating whale sightings. One of LA's most rewarding outdoor excursions combining scenery and marine wildlife viewing.

Ride the paved 3.5-mile path along Santa Monica's white sandy shoreline, accessible by Metro E Line. Perfect for families and casual cyclists who want ocean views without committing to a full-day excursion.

Departing from Santa Monica Pier, these guided boat excursions offer seasonal whale watching opportunities and coastal views along the Pacific. December through mid-April is peak gray whale migration season, with marine naturalists providing expert commentary on cetacean behavior and ocean ecosystems.

Watch the sunset from this iconic pier where the amusement park meets the Pacific Ocean. This quintessential LA beach moment brings locals and tourists together naturally, with rides, games, and unobstructed ocean views.

Descend a steep cliffside trail to reach Malibu's most photogenic beach, flanked by dramatic sea stacks, arches, and caves. Best at sunset and low tide for exploring the rock formations.

A 2.1-mile round-trip hike from Fern Dell Drive up West Observatory Trail offering 540 feet of elevation gain and spectacular views of the entire Los Angeles Basin. Ends at the free-admission Observatory with its iconic architecture featured in 'Rebel Without a Cause' and 'La La Land'.

This bluff-top headland trail in Malibu climbs to a viewing platform offering some of the best shore-based whale watching in Los Angeles. Gray whales pass exceptionally close during their December to mid-April migration, making winter the ideal season for this excursion.

Explore the Santa Monica Pier's aquarium featuring interactive exhibits and marine life viewing. The pier itself offers the iconic solar-powered Ferris wheel and Pacific Park amusement rides with ocean views.

Three-day outdoor music festival in Highland Park celebrating the legendary local record label's 30th anniversary with performances from Automatic, Los Retros, J Rocc, Sudan Archives, and Aloe Blacc. A deep dive into LA's independent music scene.

A 7.5-mile moderate guided walk along the iconic Southern California coast from Venice's eclectic beach culture and skatepark through to the classic amusement park charm of Santa Monica Pier, with continuous ocean views and dynamic beach life backdrop.

The 7.5-mile Venice Beach to Santa Monica Pier loop features historic landmarks and the lively Venice Beach Boardwalk. Moderate difficulty with only 69 feet of elevation gain, ideal for family-friendly coastal exploration.

Expert-led tours of Malibu's most dramatic state beach featuring sea caves, golden cliffs, and tide pools. Guides ensure early arrival before lots fill and share geological and marine ecology insights.

Guided experience at Point Dume's dramatic cliffs with seasonal whale watching December through April and tide pool exploration. LA's most spectacular coastal geology with fewer crowds than city beaches.

The most popular urban hike in LA—a 3.5-mile moderate trail through packed dirt and paved paths that ascends to the Santa Monica Mountains with views of Los Angeles, the Hollywood sign, and on clear days, the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.

The most popular hike in LA—a 3.5-mile moderate loop in the Hollywood Hills offering panoramic views of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, and on clear days, the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Dogs allowed off-leash in designated areas.

A 3.5-mile moderate hike in the Santa Monica Mountains offering views of the Hollywood Hills and the Hollywood Sign. Popular with locals; arrive before 9am to secure free street parking.

A 2.5-mile easy round-trip hike through a shaded riparian canyon past ruins of an old estate and a dramatic waterfall. One of the most accessible and beautiful hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains.

A 22-mile paved bikeable path from Santa Monica toward Venice Beach offering the best way to experience LA's famous coastline and understand the premium California beach lifestyle. Free and accessible for self-guided exploration or guided group rides.

This 7.5-mile moderate coastal walk transitions from the eclectic energy of Venice Beach—with street performers and the Venice Skatepark—to the classic amusement park charm of Santa Monica Pier. Continuous ocean views and dynamic beach life backdrop make this an essential LA experience.

A guided exploration of the most beautiful beach in Malibu—a dramatic cove with towering sea stacks, caves, and golden cliffs accessed via a steep path from parking. Ideal for photography and dramatic coastal scenery.

An iconic Art Deco landmark offering unparalleled panoramic views of Los Angeles from the dome, plus planetarium shows and stargazing opportunities. Open daily except Mondays with free admission and available ranger-led tours.

This 1.5-mile coastal exploration at Leo Carrillo in Malibu reveals sea caves and a natural arch, best visited at negative low tide. The adventure combines geology, marine life discovery, and stunning coastal scenery in a less-crowded Malibu setting.

An easy coastal walk at Malibu's northwest end with unbelievable 360-degree views of Santa Monica Bay, the Malibu coast, Santa Monica Mountains, and Catalina Island on clear days.

Departing from Santa Monica Pier, these sunset cruises offer views of the coastline, marine wildlife spotting, and the iconic pier and Ferris wheel from the water. Weather-dependent but highly photogenic.

A 4.1-mile guided loop from Pacific Palisades into the Santa Monica Mountains with steady ascents and ridge views spanning downtown to the ocean. More challenging than Runyon with fewer crowds and superior payoff.

A 1.5-mile bohemian boardwalk stretch packed with street performers, eccentric characters, muscle beach, volleyball courts, and a skate park. This is peak people-watching and essential LA weirdness with unfiltered local culture.

Richard Meier-designed complex with free admission featuring ornate French furniture, Impressionist pieces, and rotating exhibitions. Panoramic views from the hills to Downtown LA compensate for the hilltop location; parking available at $25 ($15 after 3pm, $10 after 6pm).

Perched high in Griffith Park, this iconic landmark offers free evening telescope viewing and demonstrations of the Tesla coil inside the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, with unparalleled city views.

Guided hiking and outdoor activities through one of North America's largest urban parks, offering ridge walks with city views, horseback riding options, and proximity to the Griffith Observatory for morning or evening combinations.

This hike through Griffith Park's 4,210 acres culminates at the Observatory with unbeaten city views. The chaparral-covered hills feel genuinely wild despite being 3 miles from Hollywood Boulevard, with 53 miles of trails offering varied difficulty levels.

LA's most popular urban hiking destination offering multiple trail options with panoramic views of downtown, the Hollywood Hills, and the Pacific Ocean. Popular with locals and visitors seeking quick, rewarding city hikes.

130-acre dog-friendly park in Hollywood with overlapping hiking loops and excellent views over the Hollywood Sign and surrounding mountains. Easy to moderate trails; often crowded but popular for good reason.

Guided exploration of Venice's charming residential canals and the famous bohemian boardwalk. Tours cover street art, local history, and the eclectic mix of vendors, performers, and beach culture.

This easy 3.1-mile urban hiking route navigates iconic Hollywood staircases while providing views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. A manageable introduction to LA hiking that connects urban exploration with mountain views.

A 1.4-mile moderate hike in Malibu rewarding hikers with sweeping Pacific Ocean views and frequent sightings of dolphins or migrating whales. One of Southern California's most scenic coastal hikes.

A 3-mile loop in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area near Malibu that descends to a scenic waterfall. Less crowded alternative to coastal trails with lush canyon scenery.

Explore world-class masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, and Cézanne in a lavish postmodern complex, then relax in beautifully manicured gardens. Free admission with timed-entry reservation; parking fee applies.

Self-guided or organized walking tour of Venice's legendary bohemian boardwalk with street performers, Muscle Beach gym, and Venice Skate Park. Abbot Kinney Boulevard nearby offers boutique shopping and dining.

A self-guided walk through century-old canals that recreate the dreamy landscape of Venice, Italy, with waterside walkways and picture-perfect bridges ideal for photography and peaceful exploration.

This 7.9-mile trail through Hollywood Hills is the most popular hiking route in Los Angeles County, taking approximately 3 hours 45 minutes. The hike provides intimate access to one of LA's most iconic landmarks with varying vistas of the city below.

Expert-led tours of East LA's vibrant arts district covering murals, galleries, vintage shops, and industrial-chic architecture. Guides provide context on local artists and gentrification narrative.

LA's most photographed beach featuring dramatic sea stacks and rock formations. 45-minute drive from downtown but worth the pilgrimage for stunning geology, tide pools, and significantly fewer crowds than city beaches.

Explore an active Ice Age excavation site in the middle of a city park where thousands of fossils are still being preserved in natural asphalt. Witness the ongoing scientific process that continues to surface new discoveries.

Observe the actively bubbling Lake Pit with methane gas and the beloved fibreglass mammoth family installed in 1968. The George C. Page Museum ($20 admission) houses comprehensive natural history specimens; the outdoor tar pits and park are free.

The iconic pier features amusement park rides, street performers, and ocean views; the adjacent walkable promenade connects to restaurants and shops. A free-to-explore classic California beach experience combining nostalgia and modern amenities.

Spend hours exploring multiple trails with sweeping ocean views at this Palos Verdes gem, with opportunities to swim, wade, and explore tide pools at low tide. Perfect for combining coastal hiking with marine exploration.

Guided culinary walk through LA's Arts District exploring contemporary galleries, murals, and award-winning restaurants like Bestia and Damian. The neighborhood showcases industrial-chic dining and creative energy.

Walk through the Arts District sampling contemporary dining at acclaimed restaurants like Damian (Mexican fine dining) and Bavel (upscale Middle Eastern). Explore gallery spaces and street art between courses.

Explore Koreatown's best seafood restaurant known for an unforgettable banchan spread and raw marinated crab. The haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) and braised dishes showcase authentic Korean cuisine at its finest.

Explore LA's vibrant Korean neighborhood with its signature Korean BBQ experience, karaoke bars, and energetic nightlife. This multicultural hub represents LA's patchwork of distinct communities, each with its own cuisine and personality.

Guided exploration of Koreatown's dense strip malls and restaurants, the most diverse and highest-quality selection of Korean restaurants in the United States. Learn about Korean culinary traditions while sampling banchan spreads, braised dishes, and regional specialties from neighborhood institutions.

The largest art museum in the western US featuring Islamic, Asian, and Latin American collections, plus the famous Urban Light installation of 202 antique street lamps. Guided tours available to explore the museum's extensive galleries and outdoor spaces.

Half-day or full-day guided tour along Pacific Coast Highway visiting Malibu's dramatic coastline, scenic overlooks, and coastal wine tasting venues. Includes stops at secluded beaches and sunset viewpoints.

Walking tour along Venice's most celebrated shopping and dining boulevard, home to locally-sourced restaurants like Gjelina and independent boutiques. The heart of Venice's contemporary dining renaissance.

Guided sampling tour through downtown's 1917 marketplace with stops at Mexican, Italian, Asian, and American vendors. Guides share market history, vendor stories, and neighborhood evolution.