Los Angeles has a reputation for big-name landmarks, and with good reason. But beyond the icons, LA is packed with places that surprise you—quiet gardens, eccentric museums, historic buildings, and neighborhoods where creativity spills into every corner. Exploring them adds depth to your trip and turns a checklist of attractions into a real Los Angeles adventure.
Our Half Day Best of LA Tour makes sure you don’t miss the essentials—Walk of Fame, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and the Hollywood Sign. Once you’ve experienced those highlights, this guide will help you uncover the hidden gems that show LA’s character in unexpected ways.
Downtown LA Attractions and Hidden Gems
Downtown Los Angeles has transformed over the past few decades from a business district into one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city. Today it blends historic landmarks, cultural centers, and quirky stops that make it one of the best areas for unique things to do in Los Angeles. From 19th-century architecture to modern nightlife, Downtown LA offers attractions that balance history with creativity.
Bradbury Building
The Bradbury Building is one of the most photographed spots in Downtown Los Angeles. Built in 1893, it is best known for its sunlit atrium, iron staircases, and open cage elevators that rise through five stories of ornate design. The building is free to enter during business hours, with access to the ground floor and interior courtyard. Movie fans may recognize it from Blade Runner, 500 Days of Summer, and other films, which makes it one of the best hidden gems in Los Angeles for both architecture lovers and pop culture enthusiasts.
Angel’s Flight Railway
Angel’s Flight is a short but memorable ride on what is often called the world’s shortest railway. Opened in 1901, the funicular originally connected Bunker Hill with the bustling downtown area. Today, it still runs between Hill Street and Grand Avenue, dropping you right at the entrance of Grand Central Market. For only $1, this historic attraction gives visitors a taste of old Los Angeles while linking directly to one of the best places for a quick food tour in Downtown LA.
Biddy Mason Memorial Park
Tucked between office towers and busy streets, Biddy Mason Memorial Park is a small but powerful space honoring Bridget “Biddy” Mason, a woman who was born into slavery in 1818 and later became one of Los Angeles’ first Black landowners and philanthropists. The memorial tells her story through plaques and artwork, offering a meaningful stop near the Bradbury Building. While modest in size, it is one of the most important historic places in the downtown area, showing how the city’s roots stretch far beyond Hollywood glamour.
Unique Things to Do in Venice and Santa Monica
When people picture a California beach escape, they often imagine Santa Monica and Venice. These neighboring communities on LA’s west side combine coastal beauty with local creativity, making them two of the best places to see when you visit Los Angeles. The Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach Boardwalk, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard are on most itineraries, but beyond the tourist attractions, there are hidden gems worth discovering. This mix of classic landmarks and offbeat stops makes Venice and Santa Monica a perfect addition to your Los Angeles itinerary.
Mosaic Tile House in Venice
One of the most colorful homes in Los Angeles, the Mosaic Tile House is a private residence covered from floor to ceiling in vibrant mosaic tiles. Artists Cheri Pann and Gonzalo Duran have spent decades transforming their 1940s Venice home into an evolving art installation. Tours are offered on select weekends, and reservations are required. This is one of the most unique attractions in Los Angeles County, a true hidden gem that feels worlds away from the crowds.
Historic Venice Canals
The Venice Canals are a quiet reminder of Abbot Kinney’s early 20th-century dream to create a “Venice of America.” Today, visitors can stroll along narrow waterways lined with charming cottages, arched pedestrian bridges, and ducks gliding in the water. It is a peaceful escape from the energy of the boardwalk, offering one of the best free things to do in Los Angeles. For photographers, the canals deliver panoramic views of Venice at sunset.
Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach Highlights
The Santa Monica Pier is a California icon, complete with an amusement park, arcade, and aquarium. From here, visitors can take in sweeping views of the Santa Monica Mountains and the wide beaches that stretch for miles. Venice Beach, located just south of the pier, is famous for its boardwalk, Muscle Beach, and lively street performers. Together, Santa Monica and Venice Beach are among the best places to spend a day in LA, offering everything from fun activities to local favorites like outdoor movies and farmers’ market food stalls.
Local Flavor in Venice and Santa Monica
Beyond the headline attractions, both neighborhoods reward visitors who dig deeper. Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice is packed with independent boutiques, galleries, and cafes. It is a great place to experience LA’s creative side, with many fun spots to stop for a coffee or a bite to eat. In Santa Monica, the Third Street Promenade combines shopping with street performances, while the weekly farmers’ market is one of the best places in Los Angeles to find fresh, seasonal ingredients. Both areas are also launching points for day trips along the coast, with Route 66 famously ending at the Santa Monica Pier.
Venice and Santa Monica remain two of the best hidden gems and must-see destinations around Los Angeles. They balance tourist attractions with authentic neighborhood character, making them a fun way to spend an afternoon or a full day on the west side. If you want to visit Santa Monica while still covering the city’s main highlights, our Perfect Day in LA Tour is designed to show you both the icons and the local favorites.
Griffith Park and Day Trips Around Los Angeles
Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and one of the most versatile attractions in Los Angeles. Covering more than 4,000 acres in the Hollywood Hills, it offers hiking trails, museums, gardens, and some of the best panoramic views of Los Angeles. For visitors planning day trips or looking to add variety to their itinerary, Griffith Park is a place where you can explore history, culture, and outdoor adventure all in one setting.
The Old LA Zoo
Hidden among the hills of Griffith Park are the abandoned cages and enclosures of the city’s first zoo, which operated from 1912 until the 1960s. The Old LA Zoo has since been reclaimed as a picnic area and hiking stop, but the concrete ruins remain. Graffiti-covered enclosures and eerie staircases make this one of the most unusual hidden gems in Los Angeles. Families often combine a visit here with pony rides or a stop at the nearby Travel Town Museum. It’s one of the best free things to do in Los Angeles and an offbeat addition to a Griffith Park itinerary.
Travel Town Museum
Also located within Griffith Park, Travel Town Museum is a haven for train enthusiasts. The open-air museum features more than 40 historic locomotives and rail cars, many of which visitors can climb aboard. Kids especially love the miniature train ride that circles the property, making it one of the best places to spend a day with family in Los Angeles. The museum connects local history with hands-on exploration, making it a fun activity that is both educational and entertaining.
Griffith Park Highlights Beyond the Hidden Gems
In addition to its quirkier attractions, Griffith Park is home to some of the most famous places in Los Angeles. The Griffith Observatory is a must-see for its telescopes, planetarium, and sweeping views of the city. It is also one of the best places to see the Hollywood Sign, with trails leading up to even closer views.
Guests on our Half Day Best of LA Tour enjoy a dedicated stop at Griffith Observatory, making it easy to take in both the landmark and its surrounding scenery.
Cultural and Historic Attractions in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles is often thought of as a modern city shaped by Hollywood and the entertainment industry, but some of its most memorable experiences come from places that connect directly to art, history, and community. These cultural landmarks show how creativity and perseverance have left a lasting imprint on the city. They may not draw the same crowds as Universal Studios or the Hollywood Sign, but they are essential for anyone building a well-rounded Los Angeles itinerary.
Watts Towers
Rising nearly 100 feet into the air, Watts Towers is one of the most inspiring landmarks in Los Angeles County. Italian immigrant Simon Rodia built the 17 interconnected towers by hand over three decades using steel rods, concrete, glass, seashells, and broken ceramics.
The result is a sculptural environment that feels both fragile and monumental, a symbol of one man’s determination to create something extraordinary. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, Watts Towers represents both artistic vision and community identity. Guided visits are recommended, as they provide important insight into Rodia’s process and the neighborhood’s history.
Velaslavasay Panorama
Before film and television, panoramic paintings were a form of immersive storytelling that transported viewers to faraway places. The Velaslavasay Panorama in West Adams revives this 19th-century art form in a restored theater space. Each exhibit features a hand-painted 360-degree scene enhanced with lighting and sound, pulling the audience into another time and place.
Past installations have recreated everything from the Arctic Circle to an imagined future city. Visiting the panorama feels like stepping into a piece of cultural history—part theater, part art gallery, and entirely unlike anything else in LA.
Valley Relics Museum
For a different side of Los Angeles history, the Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys celebrates mid-20th-century pop culture. Neon signs from long-gone diners, BMX bikes, vintage arcade games, and fast-food memorabilia fill its warehouse-style space. The museum preserves the everyday objects that shaped life in the San Fernando Valley, highlighting a chapter of Southern California that often gets overlooked.
Fans of retro design and Americana will find it a rewarding stop, and families will appreciate the interactive displays. The museum also hosts car shows, swap meets, and community events, making it a lively addition to any Los Angeles day trip.
Unique Museums and Galleries in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to blockbuster institutions like the Getty Center and the California Science Center, but some of its most memorable experiences happen in smaller, offbeat spaces. These museums and galleries capture the city’s spirit of experimentation and its love of the unusual. They may not appear on every tourist map, yet they belong on any list of things to do in Los Angeles if you want a fuller picture of the city’s character.
Museum of Jurassic Technology
Located in Culver City, the Museum of Jurassic Technology is part science museum, part art installation, and part surreal dreamscape. Exhibits range from microscopic sculptures to strange scientific experiments, presented in a way that deliberately blurs the line between fact and fiction. The dimly lit galleries invite visitors to wander slowly, piecing together meaning from displays that are as puzzling as they are fascinating. The museum rewards curiosity, making it one of the most unique places to include on a Los Angeles itinerary.
Galco’s Soda Pop Stop
In Highland Park, Galco’s Soda Pop Stop has been a neighborhood staple for decades. While technically a store, it functions as a living museum of soda history. The shelves are packed with hundreds of flavors from around the world—root beers, fruit sodas, and quirky vintage labels that you won’t find in major supermarkets.
The experience is as much about browsing as buying. It’s a local favorite for families, collectors, and anyone who enjoys discovering something unexpected. Many visitors pair a stop here with a food tour or a walk through the nearby Highland Park streets, which are filled with murals and creative energy.
The Role of Small Museums in LA
What makes places like the Museum of Jurassic Technology and Galco’s so special is how personal they feel compared to larger institutions. They reflect individual passions—whether it’s an artist reimagining what a museum can be or a shop owner dedicating decades to preserving soda culture.
Los Angeles includes many fun destinations like these that don’t fit the mold of a traditional museum but still tell part of the city’s story. For travelers interested in more than big-name sites, they provide one of the best ways to experience LA’s quirky and creative side.
Scenic Escapes and Botanical Gardens Around Los Angeles
Los Angeles offers far more than busy boulevards and film studios. The city is also home to peaceful gardens and hillside parks where you can pause and take in panoramic views of Los Angeles.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
Tucked away in Pacific Palisades, the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is a ten-acre sanctuary designed for reflection. Its paths wind past waterfalls, meditation alcoves, and a spring-fed lake where swans glide across the water. The Gandhi World Peace Memorial enshrines a portion of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes, giving the site global significance as well as local beauty. Advance reservations are required, and the gardens reward visitors with calm and stillness.
Echo Park Lake
Close to the downtown area, Echo Park Lake offers a relaxing mix of recreation and views. Visitors can rent pedal boats, walk the loop trail, or relax under the palms with the skyline of Downtown Los Angeles rising in the distance. The park is especially lively during cultural festivals such as Día de los Muertos, when colorful celebrations bring the neighborhood together. For anyone building a Los Angeles itinerary that includes community traditions as well as landmarks, Echo Park is a rewarding stop.
Plan Your Los Angeles Itinerary
A strong Los Angeles itinerary combines the landmarks everyone dreams about with the cultural and neighborhood experiences that give the city its depth. Include icons like the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios, and the Santa Monica Pier, then round out your list with museums, gardens, and local favorites across Los Angeles County. From the Getty Center and California Science Center to West Hollywood and Echo Park, each stop adds another layer to the city’s story. Plan a mix of day trips, outdoor views, and cultural sites to experience LA in full.
Pro Tips for Visiting LA’s Best Hidden Gems
- Plan ahead. Smaller museums and gardens often have limited hours or require reservations.
- Balance indoors and outdoors. Pair spaces like the Getty Center with botanical gardens, or explore a farmers’ market before heading into the Hollywood Hills.
- Time it right. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best time to visit outdoor spots, with softer light and clear views of Los Angeles.
- Explore neighborhoods. West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Long Beach each have their own character, from nightlife to coastal walks.
- Look for seasonal events. Outdoor movies, Día de los Muertos festivals, and weekly food markets are fun ways to connect with local traditions.
Explore the Hollywood Sign and More with a Guided Tour
Los Angeles is full of places to see, but navigating the city on your own can be overwhelming. A guided tour makes it easy to cover the highlights, hear the stories behind them, and discover parts of LA you may not have found on your own.
Our Half Day Best of LA Tour is the most efficient way to see the Hollywood Sign, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and the Walk of Fame in a single afternoon, all with expert narration from local guides. Once you’ve covered the essentials, you’ll still have time to explore the unique museums, gardens, and neighborhoods from this guide. Book your spot today and experience Los Angeles the way it was meant to be seen.
