8 Best Sights in Los Angeles, California

Home of the Dodgers since 1962, Dodger Stadium is the third-oldest baseball stadium still in use and has had quite the history in baseball, including Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965 and Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series home run. Not only has it played host to the Dodgers’ ups and downs and World Series runs, it's also been the venue for some of the biggest performers in the world, including the Beatles, Madonna, and Beyoncé. The stadium can be tough to get into on game day, so consider getting dropped off in the park and walking up. Alternately, you can arrive early, as locals tend not to roll up until the third inning. If you have the opportunity to take in a Friday night game, make sure to stick around for the fireworks show that follows—if you’re patient, you can even wait in line and watch it from the field.

Most visitors barely skim the surface of this gorgeous spot in the Santa Monica Mountains, but those in the know will tell you there’s more to the Griffith Observatory than its sweeping views and stunning Greek Revival architecture. The magnificence of the cosmos and humankind's ingenuity to explore the deepest depths of the universe are in the spotlight here, with its space-focused exhibits, the free public telescopes, and shows at the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater and the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. For visitors who are looking to get up close and personal with the cosmos, monthly star-viewing parties with local amateur astronomers are also on hand. In the early mornings, the extensive trails of Griffith Park are the perfect venue to partake in L.A.'s favorite pastime: hiking.

For a fantastic view, come at sunset to watch the sky turn fiery shades of red with the city's skyline silhouetted.

One of the country’s largest municipal parks, the 4,210-acre Griffith Park is a must for nature lovers, the perfect spot for respite from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding urban areas. Plants and animals native to Southern California can be found within the park’s borders, including deer and coyotes. Bronson Canyon (where the Batcave from the 1960s Batman TV series is located) and Crystal Springs are favorite picnic spots.

The park is named after Colonel Griffith J. Griffith, a mining tycoon who donated 3,000 acres to the city in 1896. As you might expect, the park has been used as a film and television location for at least a century. Here you’ll find the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Greek Theater, two golf courses, hiking and bridle trails, a swimming pool, a merry-go-round, and an outdoor train museum.

The panoramic view of Hollywood alone is worth a trip to this hilltop cultural center. On the grounds you’ll find the 1921 Hollyhock House, a masterpiece of modern design by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It was commissioned by philanthropist Aline Barnsdall to be the centerpiece of an arts community. While Barnsdall's project didn't turn out the way she planned, the park now hosts the L.A. Municipal Art Gallery and Theatre, which provides exhibition space for visual and performance artists.

Wright dubbed this style "California Romanza" (romanza is a musical term meaning "to make one's own form"). Stylized depictions of Barnsdall's favorite flower, the hollyhock, appear throughout the house in its cement columns, roof line, and furnishings. The leaded-glass windows are expertly placed to make the most of both the surrounding gardens and the city views. On summer weekends, there are wildly popular wine tastings and outdoor movie screenings. Self-guided tours are available Thursday through Sunday from 11 to 4.

If this charming little park and its lake of swan boats looks a little familiar to you, it’s most likely because you’ve seen it in one L.A.-shot movie or another (Chinatown, for instance). After a major overhaul, the park has blossomed into a beautiful urban landscape, set against the backdrop of the Downtown skyline. Weekends are always bustling, as are mornings when joggers and early risers take laps around the lake.

Looking like a prop street set up by a film studio, Heritage Square resembles a row of bright dollhouses in the modest Highland Park neighborhood. Five 19th-century residences, a train station, a church, a carriage barn, and a 1909 boxcar that was originally part of the Southern Pacific Railroad, all built between the Civil War and World War I, were moved to this small park from various locations in Southern California to save them from the wrecking ball. The latest addition, a re-creation of a World War I–era drugstore, has a vintage soda fountain and traditional products. Docents dressed in period costume lead visitors through the lavish homes, giving an informative picture of Los Angeles in the early 1900s. Don't miss the unique 1893 Octagon House, one of just a handful of its kind built in California.

The sweeping grounds of the Los Angeles Zoo are a terrific place to introduce young minds (and all minds) to threatened species of animals from all over the world and to encourage empathy for them at an early age. This accredited zoo's main focus is cultivating a connection to nature in the community, while educating, advocating, and creating action around animal welfare and conservation. The zoo is home to more than 2,100 mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles representing more than 270 different species, of which more than 58 are endangered. While coordinating with different organizations around the world, the L.A. Zoo also has its own in-house conservation programs, including innovative breeding strategies for reptiles, a successful Masai giraffe breeding program, and participating in efforts to restore the pronghorn species population. The care of the adorable residents of this 133-acre zoo is priority number one, and every effort is made to allow animals plenty of space and the agency to roam in their enclosures, to create environments that mimic their wild habitats, and to make enrichment toys available for play. The sprawling, 6.56-acre Elephants of Asia habitat boasts more than 3 acres of outdoor space, deep bathing pools, a waterfall, sandy hills, enrichment opportunities, and care facilities for elephants of all sizes and ages. The enjoyment of visiting humans is considered, too. In summer, the Zoo Friday Nights program allows visitors an opportunity to witness the more nocturnal residents. The sustainable wine and dinner series (21-plus) features gourmet farm-to-table menus, expert wine pairings, and conversations with a curator or keeper. 

You'll need at least three hours to explore this zoo, but a full day is even better. Amenities include several restaurants, free solar-powered charging stations, water-refilling stations, and electric shuttles that can take you around the zoo for a small fee. Passionate and knowledgeable docents are also available to tell you more about the animals.

Located in the heart of the famed Griffith Observatory, the 290-seat Samuel Oschin Planetarium may be on the modest side as far as planetariums are concerned, but the shows held here are no less epic and electrifying. This state-of-the-art theater has an aluminum dome and a Zeiss star projector that plays awe-inspiring multimedia exhibitions that address the mystery of the cosmos. There are typically three 30-minute ticketed shows in rotation, so be sure to allow time to catch one while spending a day at the park. Be sure to sit in the back for the best experience.