The Must-Visit Los Angeles Landmarks & Historical Sites

From the Santa Monica Pier to the oldest street in the city, Los Angeles’ landmarks illuminate the people, places, and events that make this thriving metropolis tick. 

As a longtime Los Angeles local, I’ve enthusiastically explored the city’s major landmarks and the stories behind them. In this guide, we’ll look at my top picks, ranging from world-famous hits to low-key hidden gems.

Oh, before we dive in, make sure to check out my guide on where to stay in LA. Choosing the right hotel is crucial when you want to see landmarks in different areas of the city. All right, let’s dive in.

21 Famous Los Angeles Landmarks  

Hollywood Sign

One of the most iconic landmarks in the world, perched high in the Hollywood Hills.  

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LA’s most famous landmark can be spotted from all over the city, but your best vantage points are going to be, you guessed it, up near Hollywood. 

You’ll find a bunch of landmarks in Hollywood, centered around Hollywood Boulevard, which is home to the Walk of Fame. Ironically, to see the sign, you’ll need to head off Hollywood Blvd. Go to either one of the north-facing cross-streets or to the viewpoint in the Ovation Center. 

Want the best view of the Hollywood Sign? You’ll need to go further up into the Hollywood Hills. Griffith Observatory features sweeping views of the sign and city beyond, and Lake Hollywood is a classic for photos.

💎 Hidden Gem: The Wisdom Tree hike gets you some great shots of the sign and a bit of gorgeous Southern California nature. Check out the details in my guide to the best hikes in LA.

Santa Monica Pier

Level up your Santa Monica beach day with food, carnival games, entertainment, and the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel.

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The Santa Monica Pier opened to the public in 1909, and the amusement park opened 21 years later. It’s been thrilling visitors ever since. The salty-sweet breeze carries laughter from the retro-styled amusement park. Everywhere you look, there is something to see.  

The pier is one of the most popular things to do in Santa Monica. Many locals frequent the area, despite the tourists and TikTokers (who tend to congregate south of the pier, near the stairs leading to the boardwalk).

Parking in one of the garages between Ocean Ave and 3rd Street saves you the worst of busy weekend traffic. 

Olvera Street

The city’s oldest street is lined with fascinating historical sites and has fantastic taquitos.

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Los Angeles was on the map long before the entertainment industry came to town. Olvera was among the earliest streets marked down. 

The city’s original firehouse, church, theatre, and other buildings comprise the El Pueblo Historical Park. It’s on the southwest end of Olvera Street. Visitors can tour the area’s fascinating history by visiting free museums and exhibits. Don’t miss the famous Olvera Street marketplace, open every day from 10 am – 7 pm.

Griffith Observatory

This longtime favorite landmark offers stellar views of the stars above, the city below, and the Hollywood Sign just to the west.  

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Griffith Observatory is a must-see landmark that’s high on my list of the best things to do in Los Angeles. It’s set in the low mountains of Griffith Park. Whether you hike up on one of the park’s trails or take a Griffith Park tour, you’ll want plenty of time to take in the view.

Griffith Observatory’s exhibits engage the curiosity of astronomy buffs and young minds alike. Visitors can easily spend a few hours here, taking advantage of the cute cafe for snacks or a light midday meal. 

Admission is free, but you will need to purchase tickets for shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Bold curves of brushed steel against the bright blue sky make this Frank Gehry-designed marvel a photographer’s favorite.

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The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a striking silver structure on the corner of Grand Avenue and 2nd Street in downtown. Make the most of your time in the area by pairing this destination with The Broad or MoMA, two excellent free museums less than a block away. 

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Music lovers will want to check out the calendar of events. However, I’ll warn you — tickets aren’t cheap. 

You can get more details about free tours of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in my guide on things to do in downtown LA.  

Capitol Records

The world’s first circular office building has a studio where superstars like Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, and Elton John laid down hit records.  

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The Capitol Records building was built during the Golden Age of Hollywood and is a beloved facet of the Hollywood landscape. 

The 13-story tower has become a staple B-roll shot for shows & movies set in LA. And it frequently has a brief (but dramatic) cameo in big-budget disaster movies. 

The Capitol Records building is on Vine Street, one block north of Hollywood Boulevard, and is a 5-minute walk from Kimpton Everly Hotel. This 4-star hotel usually runs $50-$100 less per night than comparable hotels nearby. 

💎 Hidden Gem: Fans of Hollywood history or spooky old buildings should check out the Hollywood Tower. It’s a notoriously haunted apartment building two blocks north of Capitol. Disney fans will recognize it as the inspiration for the (now defunct) Hollywood Tower of Terror ride at Disneyland.

Hollywood Pantages Theatre

An Art Deco masterpiece showcasing the best in modern live entertainment with an atmosphere of old Hollywood opulence. 

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The Pantages Theatre is the last theater built by vaudeville showman Alexander Pantages. Today, it’s the home of Broadway shows in LA.

A lot of visitors tend to overlook the Pantages, even though it’s a Hollywood Boulevard mainstay. Granted, the Los Angeles theatre scene isn’t the form of entertainment this city is typically known for. 

The thing is, less clout doesn’t mean less quality. Every show I’ve seen at Pantages has been fantastic, and ticket prices here start at about half what you’d pay for the same show in New York City. 

💎 Hidden Gem: The Frolic Room is a local favorite dive bar next door. It draws a fun crowd and curious looks from theatre patrons, and I highly recommend a visit after your show.   

Venice Beach & Boardwalk

Wander a lively boardwalk, stroll on the sand, or lean against a palm tree and soak in the wonder of LA’s most eclectic beach scene. 

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Venice Beach is weird in all the best ways. It rose to fame as a home for counter-culture and has gone through a handful of vibe renovations over the years. No matter how the branding may shift, Venice is a gorgeous beach with a lot to offer. 

Bike path, gym, skate park, shopping, plenty of great bars and restaurants – Venice has just about everything one could want from a beach. There’s a reason it’s one of LA’s most popular beaches. 

Whether you’re a boho hipster or a tech bro, there’s a place for you at Venice Beach & Boardwalk.  

TCL Chinese Theatre

This Hollywood icon is where Hollywood stars immortalize their hand and footprints in cement.

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TCL Chinese Theatre may well be the most famous cinema in the world. It’s hands-down the most popular of the many things to do in Hollywood. 

Movie premieres in this Los Angeles theater have been the stuff of legends since the 1930s. And they still shut down Hollywood Boulevard for days at a time. Most people stick to the outside, but I’m here to tell you they’re missing out. 

The TLC Chinese Theatre’s sound and picture quality are top-tier, putting it among the favorites of local film nerds. Should you meet one, they’ll likely call this place ‘Grauman’s,’ referencing the original name. I don’t advise questioning them on that.

👉 Pro Tip: This is the busiest spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Your best bet to see the courtyard with minimal crowds is getting a ticket for a screening that lets out 20-30 min before sunset.

La Brea Tar Pits

Take a trip to prehistoric times at this fossil excavation spot. 

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Considering that the main draw of the La Brea Tar Pits is a life-size vignette of a mammoth family tragedy, it’s a little wild how popular this place is. 

Then again, there is also a museum. And lots of fun yet educational dino stuff. And a lovely park with lots of walkways, sculptures, trees… so maybe not that wild.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Pose in front of a must-do LA photo-op and browse an extraordinary collection of art in this mid-city museum.

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Known locally as ‘LACMA’ (pronounced ‘lock – ma’), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is among the best museums in the city. It’s undergoing renovations until late 2024, but the galleries are still open.    

Urban Light is an installation of antique street lamps that is arguably LACMA’s most famous work. It’s neither in the building nor subject to an admission fee. It’s outside, where the museum faces Wilshire Blvd. 

Look across Wilshire from the sidewalk bordering Urban Light.  You’ll see the bold red and chrome facade of Petersen Automotive Museum. This is yet another well-known landmark.

Chinatown Gateway Monument

Enjoy a grand welcome to Chinatown by two 40-foot-long dragons perched high up over the street.

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The Chinatown Gateway Monument is casually known as the Chinatown Dragons. This extraordinary monument honors the Los Angeles Chinatown community and presents a warm welcome to visitors. 

The dragon gate also symbolizes “mutual cooperation, harmony, and prosperity for the Community and the City.” Few people realize it, but if you turn around when walking through the gate, you’ll be looking right at City Hall. 

Getty Center

Find what speaks to you in this hilltop art museum and garden with stunning views stretching from the Pacific Ocean to downtown LA.  

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Come to the Getty Center to view mind-tingling art in a strikingly beautiful building. Native gardens with pebbled pathways, majestic views, cute cafés, and a fun tram all await. Best of all, admission is free (minus a $20 parking fee). 

The Getty Center serves as a functioning landmark in the most LA way possible: when you pass the Getty going north on the 405, traffic is probably about to clear up. 

An abundance of brake lights near the same exit going south on the 405, however, means prepare to be there for a while. The closest gas station is on Sepulveda (exit Getty Center or Sunset Blvd).     

Universal Studios Hollywood

Roam the forests of Jurassic Park and the halls of Hogwarts in a world-famous theme park. 

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Universal Studios Hollywood isn’t just a theme park, it’s a city. Well, technically an “unincorporated area,” called Universal City. 

The area sprawls across 415 acres of the San Fernando Valley foothills, occupied solely by the park and attached CityWalk, an open-air mall.

Does a theme park stretch the definition of a landmark a tad? Perhaps. But LA has a reputation for stretching a lot of things (a side effect of too much yoga). Before you visit the park, make sure to get the inside scoop in our California theme park guide.

👉 Pro Tip: To get a look at the park from above, go to Blair Dr.   

Union Station

An tasteful blend of Art Deco and Mission-style architecture reflects the spirit of those who built this place. 

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Grand ceilings, intricately patterned marble floors, multiple fountains, copious palm trees… Union Station makes public transportation look good. 

As LA’s primary transit hub, Union Station is an objectively good place to start for those looking to avoid traffic, which also saves time and money. From Union Station, you can catch a train to Santa Monica, Hollywood, or just about anywhere in DTLA.  

Hollywood Bowl

A storied amphitheater that gives you the chance to see the world’s top talent making music history.

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The Hollywood Bowl has been a legend among legends for 101 years. It’s a stage people dream of playing on. Watching your favorite artist achieve one of their dreams? Unforgettable. 

Audiences have been captivated by one-of-a-kind live performances at the Hollywood Bowl. The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Adele, Jay-Z, and many other music legends have graced the Bowl stage over the past century. 

Plus, the seating options and services here are truly superlative. Peruse their current calendar and purchase tickets without delay!

Sunset Strip

Famous (and infamous) clubs, bars, and music venues are the heartbeat of this longstanding go-to for nightlife.

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Curving along the base of the Hollywood Hills, Sunset Boulevard is the sort of place legends come to begin. 

Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, AC/DC, Johnny Depp, and many more played and partied on the Sunset Strip. Whisky-A-Go-Go, The Roxy, the Rainbow Room, and the Key Club were just a few of their haunts. Some also began journeys with sobriety in AA meetings at that last one (now closed).

Music lovers will find a lot of talent on those stages. Comedy lovers can catch headliners with sold-out tour dates in small rooms in The Comedy Store and Laugh Factory. These are two of my favorite places to go in West Hollywood.

🛎️ Looking for a Hotel? West Hollywood has a bunch of great hotels! Those on the south side of Sunset Strip often offer spectacular views over the Los Angeles Valley.     

Bradbury Building

Tour a National Historic Landmark with a gorgeous a skylit atrium and ornate wrought iron railings.  

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The Bradbury Building is a five-story office building built in 1893. The unassuming exterior of the Bradbury Building gives little clue to the grand interior. The central atrium has beautiful light with stone and ironwork that give it a sort of romantic gothic vibe. 

Across the street, you’ll find Grand Central Market. Grab a meal there – it’s one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles.  

Korean Bell of Friendship

This serene cultural monument offers a respite from the hectic city with coastal views of south Los Angeles County.  

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The Korean Bell of Friendship is housed in an elegant pavilion high on a cliff adjacent to the Los Angeles harbor. This 12 ft high bell is an impressive sight. 

Expect no crowds, lots of grass, and a view of Long Beach on a clear day if you plan a visit to the Bell of Friendship. Views of the ocean as far as the eye can see make this a lovely place for a picnic, a stroll, or just a quiet break in the fresh air.  

There are five annual ceremonies at which the bell is rung: New Year’s Eve, Korean American Day (January 13), Fourth of July, Korean Liberation Day (August 15), and Constitution Day (September 17).

🏀 Calling All Ballers: You also get an ocean view from the basketball courts SW of the parking lot. It is fantastic for pics & videos (but miss the wrong shot, and your ball could end up in the ocean).  

Rodeo Drive

Go glam in a legendarily luxurious district for shopping and dining in the heart of Beverly Hills.   

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Posh boutiques, bougie restaurants, and palm trees wound with twinkle lights make up the iconic Rodeo Drive. The juxtaposition of legitimately wealthy shoppers and would-be influencers posing as wealthy for social media makes for great people-watching. 

For the most part, LA locals who can afford to shop here have an assistant for that. Or they travel with a camera crew (keep an eye out for those if you’re a fan of reality TV).

Should “shopping on Rodeo Drive” be the kind of budget you’re traveling on, you may also want to stay around here in one of the best hotels in Beverly Hills.

Watts Towers

Gain perspective on Los Angeles of the past, present, and future with this one-of-a-kind artwork.

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Watts Towers is an honored National Historic Landmark that re-opened to the public in 2022.  

Italian immigrant Simon Rodia spent over thirty years crafting this set of 17 enormous sculptures. He used materials found in or donated by the community and created it as an homage to his new home and those he shared it with. 

Watts Towers has endured a complicated history. Yet it stands as a reminder that creativity and passion endure, sometimes against all odds. The monument also stands in a complicated part of town. By which I mean it is both known to be dangerous and hard to get to.  

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Thanks for reading! Need some more inspiration for your upcoming LA trip? Read my round-up of the best day trips from LA so you can experience even more of what SoCal has to offer.