11 Unique Things to do in Los Angeles (A Local’s Guide!)

1. Explore the Architectural Gems of Los Angeles

There are so many cool historic homes in LA that are worth checking out, especially if you’re interested in architecture! Here are a few of my favorites throughout LA county. 

Gamble House (Pasadena)

This is probably the most well-known of the bunch! Built in 1908-09 by architecture firm Greene and Greene, this American Craftsman-style home is a great example of the arts and crafts movement. 

I’ve done the one-hour docent-led tour twice, and it’s excellent. It’s jam-packed with information about the history of the property and the Gamble family. I also loved getting a closer look at all the cool details in the house. This tour can be booked in advance online.

While you’re in the area, I recommend driving by the Millard House (also known as La Miniatura), which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s a private residence, so you can’t go inside or go on the property, but you can get a great view of the property from both Rosemont Avenue and Prospect Crescent. 

Hollyhock House (East Hollywood)

Located in the Barnsdall Art Park, this property (which was built between 1918 and 1921) was Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Los Angeles commission. It’s open for self-guided tours, which must be booked in advance online. 

It’s also worth walking around Barnsdall Art Park before or after your tour. There are amazing views of Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign from the park! 

Greystone Mansion (Beverly Hills)

This historic property dates back to 1928, and has been used as a set for countless films, TV shows, and music videos (if you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, it’s the set of Chilton Academy!). 

You can visit the property for free and spend time strolling through the gardens and checking out the exterior of the mansion. 

They also offer paid self-guided tours of the interior once a month (you can check out the online tour schedule for more details). I’ve done the interior tour, and while it is cool to see the inside, I don’t think it’s an absolute must-do. In my opinion, the exterior is what really shines!  

Adamson House (Malibu)

Adamson House is a Spanish-style home that was built in 1929, located just off the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s a great place to check out while spending a day in Malibu! 

You can explore the exterior of the property without a tour (it’s completely free to visit!). That said, I highly recommend the paid docent-led tour of Adamson House. Tickets can be purchased in-person. 

2. Watch a Movie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery with Cinespia

This has long been one of my favorite Los Angeles activities! It’s definitely worth adding to your Los Angeles itinerary if you’re visiting between May through October.

From the late spring into the fall, Cinespia hosts outdoor movie screenings at the iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Films range from Hollywood classics to more recently produced works. Some of my favorite past screenings include Sinners, The Big Lebowski, The Shining, Mamma Mia!, and many more. 

I recommend arriving when the gate opens to set up your chairs and picnic blankets and enjoy the environment! While you’re there, be sure to snap a photo at the themed photo booth. They design a new set based on the movie that is screening – it’s incredibly cool! You can also purchase food and drinks from local food vendors. 

3. Go on a Horseback Riding Tour

Another one of the cool, non-touristy things to do in Los Angeles is a horseback riding tour! I think this is a really fun and different way to explore the city. 

On this one-hour guided excursion, you’ll ride through the hills of Griffith Park along the Mulholland Trail. You’ll have a chance to see iconic Los Angeles attractions like the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory, while enjoying views of Downtown LA and the Pacific Ocean. No worries if you haven’t gone horseback riding…it’s beginner friendly!

4. Eat Your Way Through LA with a Food Tour

If you consider yourself a foodie, consider adding a food tour to your LA itinerary! There are a ton of highly-rated food tours across LA, with options available for different locations and interests. Here are a few worth considering: 

• DTLA Food Tour – this downtown food tour includes stops at six different eateries, including a taco shop, a French bakery, and a Korean restaurant, among others. You’ll also stop by iconic downtown attractions like Grand Central Market and the Bradbury Building while learning about the history of LA. 
• West Hollywood Food Tour – this WeHo food tour includes a stop at The Original Farmers Market (right next to The Grove), as well as an iconic Jewish deli, empanada shop, Thai restaurant, and more. 
• Silver Lake Food Tour – try focaccia bread, tacos, pizza, and more as a comedian guides you around the historic neighborhood of Silver Lake!
• Venice Beach Food Tour – explore the best of Venice Beach during this food tour, where you’ll try empanadas, tacos, acai, and more. 
• Santa Monica Donut Food Tour – if you love donuts, this food tour is for you! This tour includes stops at three donut shops, as well as a stroll through Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier. 

5. Check Out the Food Stalls at Smorgasburg in DTLA 

Another foodie experience worth checking out is Smorgasburg. At this large open-air food market, you can purchase food, beverages, and other foods from nearly 100 local businesses. 

The vendors are subject to change, but generally speaking you’ll find businesses selling burgers, tacos, dumplings, musubi, boba, and so much more. There are also some really great fully vegan food vendors (if they are there during your visit, Man Eating Plant is amazing!). Smorgasburg happens every Sunday in Downtown Los Angeles, and entry is free! 

7. Visit One of the Less Popular Los Angeles Museums 

Visiting museums like LACMA and the Academy Museum are often considered to be some of the top activities in Los Angeles. Honestly, it’s for a good reason. These museums really do live up to the hype (especially the Academy Museum…I highly recommend going if you haven’t!). 

That said, if you’re interested in exploring some museums off the beaten path, LA has some really cool options. Here are a few to consider: 

• Museum of Jurassic Technology – this one is odd and definitely not your typical museum experience, but it’s fun! It’s best if you go in not knowing exactly what to expect, but generally speaking, the quirky Culver City museum has an unusual and eclectic collection of scientific, historic, and artistic items and artifacts. 
• Museum of Death – located in the heart of Hollywood, this grim museum has a variety of artifacts and art pieces related to death on display.  
• Petersen Automotive Museum – if you’re interested in cars, this museum is for you! Located just across the street from LACMA and the Academy Museum, this museum displays antique cars, vehicles from film and TV, race cars, and more.  

8. Stroll Through Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge 

You may have heard of the more well-known Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. A slightly less popular botanical garden (that I really love, and is still very much worth a visit!) is Descanso Gardens, located in La Cañada Flintridge. 

The 150 acre botanical garden features a mix of both wild and cultivated land. See the native California plants in the California garden, the blooming flowers at the rose garden, the peaceful Japanese garden (probably my favorite garden on the property!), and more. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. 

10. Check Out a (Free!) Musical Performance Near LACMA

If you’re looking for free activities in Los Angeles, I highly recommend checking out the LACMA summer concerts – especially if you’re staying in West Hollywood or the surrounding area.  

Every year from the spring into the early fall, the museum hosts free live jazz concerts on Friday evenings. These performances are hosted in the courtyard just outside of the museum.

In addition to the jazz concerts, LACMA also hosts free Latin music concerts every Saturday evening from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. These performances are hosted at Hancock Park (the public park that borders the museum – not the neighborhood!).  

These events are popular, so I recommend arriving early so that you can get a good seat! You can refer to the LACMA website to see the calendar for upcoming performances.