Places to visit in Los Angeles
Image adapted from: Disneyland, @saaa_bezzi, @maribarrosr, California Beaches
I’ve never been to Los Angeles but if watching 90210 and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has taught me anything, the amount of fun stuff to do is enough to last at least 5 seasons; from shopping at Rodeo Drive to kicking back at Santa Monica Beach.
The Miley Cyrus song goes, “I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan” but what she neglected to mention is that for Singaporeans, getting to Los Angeles means shelling out loads of cash for airfares, and suffering through transit flights.
Well, with United Airlines’ latest promo on their nonstop flights to LA, getting here will be light on your wallet, so you can spend more on activities! Read on to find out more about the promo and the 20 places you should definitely visit once you’re here.
– Attractions –
1. Disneyland
Mickey’s Fun Wheel
There’s something magical about Disneyland that makes even adults wanna burst into song. Well prepare those lozenges cause you’ll be singing praises about the wealth of rides here; from the heartstopping Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, a tower ride that drops you from 6 stories, to Mickey’s Fun Wheel; a 49 metre high Ferris wheel with sliding gondolas.
Address: 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, California 92802, USA
2. Hollywood Sign
Image credit: @maribarrosr
Watch any movie or TV show set in Hollywood and chances are, you would’ve seen the Hollywood sign in one of the shots. To get the best view of this iconic landmark, head to Lake Hollywood Park where the bold letters will make for a spectacular background for your #travelgram.
Mount Lee
Image credit: Judit Geiger
To get as close as you can to the sign, scale Mount Lee via one of the 3 authorised hiking trails, and you’ll be greeted with a breathtaking view of downtown LA at the summit.
Address: Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, California 90068, USA
3. Santa Monica Beach
Image credit: @waterful.world
With soft sands stretching up to 5km and a line of restaurants boasting a prime view of the waves, Santa Monica Beach is the epitome of chill. For a beach experience that’s a far cry from our ECP, head to Pacific Park at the pier where you’ll find an amusement park – complete with a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and aquarium.
Address: Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, California 90401, USA
4. Dodger Stadium
Image credit: Richard William Wong
Baseball fans will definitely not wanna miss Dodger Stadium; it’s the biggest stadium in the USA with a seating capacity of 56,000, which means even more people to cheer with on match days. If you’re here on a non-match day, register for a stadium tour which will take you to some of the most restricted areas there like the players’ dugout, and a VIP lounge that houses all their trophies.
Address: 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90012, USA
5. Venice Beach
Image credit: Venice City Beach
If street entertainment is right up your alley, head to Venice Beach where a surfeit of street artists and vendors await you; from live drumming sessions to a graffiti wall.
Muscle Beach
Image credit: Rachel Yohannan
There’s also a skate park, and Muscle Beach; an open gym where you can either pump iron or watch performances by various bodybuilders.
Address: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, California 90291, USA
6. Staples Center
Image credit: @editskiba
Besides being the home arena for the Lakers and Clippers basketball teams, the Staples Center is also a popular concert venue with upcoming shows being headlined by the likes of Bruno Mars, Elton John, and Panic! At the Disco.
Address: 1111 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90015, USA
7. Hollywood Boulevard
Image credit: I Love USA
From shopping at the Hollywood & Highland Center complex to going on simulated red carpet tours at Dolby Theatre, you could spend an entire day at Hollywood Boulevard and still not run out of things to do.
Image credit: @saaa_bezzi
Those who wanna “see the stars” can do so at the Hollywood Walk of Fame – a path along Hollywood Boulevard that’s embedded with the names of more than 2,600 stars.
Address: Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
– Food –
8. Grand Central Market
Image credit: @bakinglikeheaven
The Grand Central Market certainly lives up to its name by taking everything you love about a food court, and making it, well, grander. Your taste buds can travel the world as there’s international nosh at every corner; from Berlin Currywurst, which serves pork sausages straight outta Berlin, to La Tostadería, where you’ll see a long line for their seafood tacos.
Image credit: Nadia Elijanto
But the golden goose here is definitely Eggslut which serves breakfast sandwiches, all heavy on eggs, that’ll have you scrambling for more. Popular items include Fairfax, made up of scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and sriracha mayo on a brioche bun, and the Slut, a jar of coddled egg on top of a potato purée.
Address: 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90013, USA
9. Pink’s Hot Dogs
What started as a humble pushcart selling hot dogs in 1939 has since evolved into a franchise that’s regarded as the best hot dog joint in the USA due to their oversized sausages and thick chili.
At Pink’s Hot Dogs’ original stand in LA, you can choose from over 30 variations of the snack; popular ones include the classic Chilli Dog, and the Philly Cheesesteak – a 9-inch dog that’s slathered with grilled onions and melted cheese.
Address: 709 N La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90038, USA
10. Philippe The Original
Beef Dip Sandwich
Image credit: Philippe The Original
Not every restaurant can say they’ve survived 2 world wars but Philippe’s The Original, which has been operating continuously since 1908, can definitely wear that badge with pride. Step into the restaurant and you’ll open a bunker to the past with sawdust flooring, communal seating, and payphones filling the space.
Image credit: Philippe The Original
The restaurant’s claim to fame is it’s french dip sandwiches – a dish the original owner created many moons ago through sheer accident. Simply put, it’s a crusty French roll dipped in jus created from freshly roasted meat. Clearly, that accident worked out for the best as it’s 110 years later and people are still raving about how a soggy sandwich is one of LA’s best dishes.
Address: 1001 North Alameda, Los Angeles, California 90012, USA
11. In-N-Out Burger
Ask any California native about In-N-Out Burger and chances are, they’ll wax poetic about the fast-food chain; from its flavourful patties to how fresh the ingredients are. And it’s true; as you wait for your cheeseburger to complete its pilgrimage from grill to tray, you can see workers cutting real potatoes into fries.
For those familiar with the pain of punctuating every fast food order with “Errrs” as they scan across menu items that span 3 boards, the modest offerings here will provide a welcome relief. There are only 3 burger options here, and they’re all just variations of a good ol’ hamburger.
Address: Various locations
12. Nonstop Sushi & Sake Bar
Image credit: Karl Heinz
Sushi isn’t the first thing you’d associate with LA but given Nonstop Sushi & Sake Bar’s affordable spread, it’ll be a waste to not visit here and treat yo’self to their all-you-can-eat buffet (from $30). Take your pick from calamari rolls to ebi maki, and mussels which usually cost $16 for a set of 8; so you’ll definitely get your bang for your buck here.
Address: 2645 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, USA
13. Boiling Crab
If you’re a fan of Singapore’s Crab in da Bag or Dancing Crab restaurants, head to The Boiling Crab for their wide range of seafood, like blue crab, lobsters, and oysters; all charged at market rate, so you won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Your seafood choice will then be boiled in a blend of spices, tossed in either garlic sauce, lemon pepper, or Cajun seasoning, and then served in a bag to preserve the flavour.
Most people recommend getting a mix of all 3 seasonings!
Address: Various locations
14. Olvera Street
Image credit: Vinayak Bharne, Urbanist
Walk across the Mexican-esque Olvera Street, and you’ll get flashes of the movie Coco as you see masks, sombreros, and guitars in the vendor stands lining the street. The area is a vestige from the days when it was a neighbourhood for Mexican settlers and you can still see that now through the vendors; some of whom are descendants of the original settlers.
Address: 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90012
– Museums/Art –
15.Walt Disney Concert Hall
You don’t need to be an orchestra fan to appreciate the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The venue is the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, but the unique design of the building is enough to attract crowds; with the folded, silver exterior providing a superb backdrop for your pics.
Address: 111 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90012, USA
16.The Broad
Image credit: Rob Vivaldi
The Broad museum houses nearly 2,000 art pieces from geniuses such as Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama so it should already be on the to-do list for art aficionados. But for the rest of you, here’s something to give you a lil push: it’s free.
That’s right. With the exception of special exhibitions, all 3 floors of galleries here are yours to visit. Traveler’s tip: book your tickets in advance from their website or be prepared to wait 2 hours in line to enter.
Address: 221 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90012, USA
17. Getty Villa
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The next free museum on this list looks like it leaped straight out the pages of a Greek odyssey, with statues and a well-kept garden filling the expanse.
At the Getty Villa, you can marvel at 44,000 Greek and Roman antiquities dating from 6,500 BC like sculptures, and paintings. But the ancient Greece comparisons don’t stop there. The venue also hosts live performances in the open such as play-readings and musical performances.
Address: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, California 90272, USA
18. Griffith Observatory
Image credit: Rachel Yohannan
Those who’ve watched La La Land and Rebel Without a Cause will know that within Griffith Observatory lies an extensive array of space and science-related displays like the Foucault pendulum which demonstrates the rotation of the Earth, and a collection of meteorites from all over the globe.
The rotunda ceiling which features several Hugo Ballin murals
Image credit: Rachel Yohannan
Although entrance to the observatory is free, you should totally shell out $10 for the planetarium show which encompasses an entire dome, making it very immersive.
Address: 2800 E Observatory Road, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA
– Shopping –
19. Rodeo Drive
Image credit: I Love USA
Everything about Rodeo Drive just screams atas; from the 100 luxury brands here to the European-style buildings that tower over the street.
Image credit: Love Beverly Hills
For a taste of the high-roller life, shop at the flagship stores of Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton which carry their full collections, including items exclusive to Rodeo Drive or snap a pic with the yellow, custom Rolls-Royce that’s a permanent fixture here.
Address: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA
20.The Grove
Image credit: Caruso
The Grove is like a mini village with shops designed after an open marketplace, and getting from one point to another can be done with trolley cars.
Besides shopping, you could catch a movie at Pacific Theatres, a 14-screen art-deco influenced movie theater that has wall-to-wall screens or visit the dancing fountain which shoots water choreographed to music by artists like Frank Sinatra and Lionel Richie every hour.
Address: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, California 90036, USA
Fly nonstop to LA with United Airlines
Image credit: United Airlines
With a myriad of activities to do in Los Angeles that’ll have your itinerary packed to the brim, a trip to the City of Angels will definitely leave you feeling #blessed.
For added blessings, United Airlines is now the only airline to offer nonstop flights from Singapore to Los Angeles, and you can get in on this from just $999!
Simply book your flights from Singapore here and key in the promo code: AMEXUNITED at the “Promotions and certificates” section. The end result: a round trip to Los Angeles that costs way, way less than the usual fare of $1,500++.
If you’re not exactly California dreamin’, fret not as the same promo code can be used for trips to these 4 cities in the USA:
- San Francisco & Las Vegas ($999)
- New York City ($1,092)
- Orlando ($1,399)
So for those who’ve always wanted to cross America off their bucket but were hampered by exorbitant airfares, your ticket to a party in the USA is finally here.
*Based on roundtrip travel in economy class, and includes promotion discount, taxes, and surcharges.
Book your United Airlines tickets here!
This post was brought to you by United Airlines.
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