Visiting Los Angeles (for the 1st time)

By: Gina Dewar

Griffith Observatory

Every time somebody mentions Los Angeles, I automatically think about this amazing city that I will never get to finish visiting. Not only because of the size of the city, but because of the numerous activities you can do when you are there.

It is such a vibrant city that it never disappoints when looking for entertainment (especially for the whole family). It has beautiful weather all year round and it is a city that is full of dreamers and creative personalities. It can be a little bit overwhelming because you don’t know what to do or visit first. That is why we are giving you a list of things to do when you visit Los Angeles for the first time.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

1. Amusement Parks. Disneyland Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knotts Berry Farm are all withing the Los Angeles area. These are worldwide known parks that offer the best there is when it comes to entertainment and fun times for the whole family.

Universal City Walk

2. Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive. Just like the movies, Rodeo Drive is the ‘it’ place to experience shopping in a luxurious way. Whether you do shop there, window shop or just enjoy a latte in one of the beautiful cafes, experiencing it is something a first-time visitor must do.

3. Beaches. Venice Beach is filled with outdoor activities that make you enjoy the beach life vibe. It also has the Venice canals in the neighborhood that are always nice to look at or photograph. Zuma Beach and Malibu are also nice beaches where you can relax and watch the Pacific sunsets while you say goodbye to another day.

4. Museums. Los Angeles has the best museums in the world, ranging from modern art to history and science. Not only is it fun to be in museums, but it can also be a learning experience.

5. Hollywood Walk of Fame. Walking by the famous Chinese Theater looking for your favorite actor’s star is something you must do at least once when visiting LA. Hollywood is also home to many restaurants and café bars you can enjoy with the whole family.

6. Admire the Hollywood sign. It is one of the city’s landmarks, you can see it from afar or hike near it. There are parks at the foot of the mountain where it is located, so a family picnic near it is always a good idea.

7. Grand Central Market. Exotic foods, mouth-watering snacks and drinks and vendors from all ethnicities make this market a ‘must-visit’ place. Right in the downtown area, there is something here for the whole family. A very cool place to visit.

8. LA Dodgers Stadium. Sitting alone in the middle of Elysian Park of Los Angeles, this ballpark has its very own charm. It makes you feel you traveled back in time for a baseball game. It has a capacity of 56,000 making it the second largest stadium in the United States (with Oakland Coliseum jut beating it by 780 seats). It is a must-see park filled with the history of the king of sports.

9. Griffith Observatory. If you like stargazing, then this place is for you. You will be mesmerized with breathtaking views at nighttime.

10. Street Food. Don’t be afraid of eating food in the streets. With so many vendors from so many different countries, you are in for a culinary experience of your life. We recommend the Mexican food trucks, especially those that offer tacos al pastor.

I hope this list makes your visit a pleasant one. We are sure here in California that it won’t be your last time you come here. Just make sure you consider the traffic when planning your day. It can take hours off your planned day getting around. So, just plan with that in consideration. Other than that, Los Angeles really is the city of angels.

Disneyland Park