Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles for Young Adults (2023)
In today’s blog, I’m going to review with you all the fun things to do in Los Angeles for young adults. However, really anyone all ages can participate in these activities too!
8 Things to Do in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is such a fun and exciting place to visit, it’s the location where all your favorite movies and television shows are made, and you might just stumble upon your favorite celebrity while exploring the city!
1. Hike the Hollywood Sign
The infamous Hollywood sign is shown in so many movies and television shows, and is one of the top tourist recommendations. It is a highly visited attraction available for visitors to hike to the top of the sign or sight the sign from a common viewpoint. There are three hikes to see the top of the sign with different attributes depending on your preference:
- Mt. Hollywood Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- EST. Time: 2 h 28 min
- Distance: 5.3 miles
- Brush Canyon Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- EST. Time: 2 h 45 min
- Distance: 6 miles
- Cahuenga Peak Trail
- Difficulty: Hard
- EST. Time: 1 h 45 min
- Distance: 3 miles
Maybe you don’t want to hike to the top of the sign, and that’s okay too, there are many viewpoints to see a breathtaking view of the Hollywood sign. Below are the some recommendations:
- Ovation at Hollywood and Highland
- On the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood, combines views of the Hollywood Sign with the glamour and fun of Hollywood itself.
- Griffith Observatory
- The Griffith Observatory provides excellent views of the Hollywood sign and the city of Los Angeles. The Observatory also provides free parking, so all levels of physical abilities are able to view the sign and city.
2. Visit the Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is a getaway to the cosmos! Visitors may look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. It is a free-admission observatory located on the south side of Mount Hollywood. This historic building is a highly-visited attraction, being the busiest on the weekends, during the summer, and on holidays. Griffith Observatory hours are from 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm daily, subject to change, local time.
- Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
3. See the Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon with world-known celebrities. The Walk of Fame started back in 1953 by E. M. Stuart, who served as the volunteer president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, where he proposed the Walk as a means to “maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world.” Today, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the most-visited tourist attractions with over 2,700 celebrity stars. The stars on the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame are located on both Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Both streets are filled with shops, attractions, museums, eateries, and so much more to explore while you’re finding your favorite celebrity star! However, if you’re in a time crunch, a star map is provided to help you locate a celebrity star.
- Address: Hollywood Boulevard, Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
4. Experience the Behind the Scenes with a Major Motion Picture Studio Tour
Are you interested in seeing some of the behind the scenes studio sets from some of your favorite movies and television shows? I got you covered. Below is a breakdown of each studio tour, duration times, and prices of each:
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- Standard Price: $70
- Duration: 1 hour guided, 2 hours unguided
- Sets & Scenes from: Friends, All American, Spider-Man, Pretty Little Liars, ER, Looney Toons, Gilmore Girls, The Big Bang Theory, and so much more.
- Tickets: Warner Bros Studio Tour Tickets
- Paramount+ Studio Tour
- Standard Price: $65
- Duration: 2 hours guided
- Sets & Scenes: Dr.Phil, How I Met Your Father, Family Reunion, NCIS: Los Angeles, This Is Us, and more.
- Tickets: Paramount+ Studio Tour Tickets
- Sony Pictures Studio Tour
- Standard Price: $55
- Duration: 2 hours guided
- Sets & Scenes: The Wizard of Oz, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Men in Black, Spider-Man, The Goldbergs, and more.
- Tickets: Sony Pictures Studio Tour Tickets
5. Stroll the Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is another highly ranked tourist attraction and the most commonly photographed location in the world! Discover the Pier’s local culture and storied history, while strolling the Pier and experiencing breathtaking views. The Pier offers a wide variety of activities, such as rides, carnival games, restaurants, street performers, and shopping. The options are endless, so no matter how you choose to spend your time, you’re guaranteed to have a good time!
- Hours: Everyday 6am – 10pm
- Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
6. Visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, also known as LACMA, is the largest museum in the western United States with almost 150,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe. The unique and breathtaking museum is filled with art, live-music, art-making activities for all ages, fine and casual dining, and quiet spots to relax. Tickets are available in advance, and walk-ups are welcome, but time slots will be limited. Reserve your ticket in advance and experience the beautiful art at LACMA.
- Hours:
- Mon, Tues, Thurs 11am – 6pm
- Wed CLOSED
- Fri 11am – 8pm
- Sat, Sun 10am – 7pm
- Tickets: LACMA Tickets
- Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
7. Shop and Eat at Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
Rodeo Drive is known as “the intersection of luxury, fashion, and entertainment.” The three iconic, palm dotted blocks are home to more than 100 luxury brands, housed in buildings designed by the most distinguished names in architecture and design.Take a stroll on Rodeo Drive to experience some luxury shopping, fine dining, and the beautiful architecture.
- Address: Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210
6. Experience Disneyland & California Adventure Parks
About an hour outside of downtown Los Angeles, is Disneyland and California Adventure Park, located in Anaheim. The two Disney theme parks brim with attractions, restaurants, character meet and greets, shopping, and countless other enjoyable activities. The two parks provide their own unique experience. Disneyland offers the classic Disney experience, whereas California Adventure Park offers more adult-oriented thrills. However, both parks are worth the experience!
Disneyland:
- Hours: Everyday 8am – 12am
- Tickets: Disneyland Tickets
- Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
California Adventure Park:
- Hours:
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 8am – 10pm
- Tues, Thurs, Sun 8am – 6pm
- Tickets: California Adventure Park Tickets
- Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
7. Visit Universal Studios Theme Park
Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, California. A favorite of movie buffs and pop culture fans from around the world, Universal combines elements of a theme park, a historical attraction, and a working movie studio into one fantastic experience.
- Hours:
- Mon 9am – 8pm
- Tues 9am – 7pm
- Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun 8am – 6pm
- Tickets: Universal Studios Tickets
- Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
8. Stroll Venice Beach Boardwalk
The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a 2-mile promenade stretching parallel to Venice Beach. The boardwalk connects to the Santa Monica Boardwalk and Marina Del Ray. The boardwalk is notable for Muscle Beach Venice with bodybuilders, Venice Beach State Park with skateboarders, Venice Art Walls, and numerous sand volleyball courts. Venice Beach is a hot spot for all the young adults! Although, the boardwalk is an overall common tourist attraction, so you won’t entirely see the younger crowd. T-shirt shops, restaurants, and museums for all ages fill the boardwalk! Experience all the fun of Venice Beach!
- Address: 800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this guide to LA for young adults! I’d love to hear from you, what do you plan to do in LA when you visit? Leave a comment!
If you’re interested in some more California travel guides, check out my San Francisco Guide.
