You can tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Los Angeles project, a home built for oil heiress Aline Barnsdall in the 1920s. It blends Mayan, Californian, and modernist design and sits atop Olive Hill with sweeping views of the city. You'll see open terraces, carved concrete, and the residence's signature hollyhock motifs. You need to book a tour to visit, unless you just want to see the exterior and sit in the grass outside.
The below link might help if you want to do this scenic drive, which famously runs along the spine of the Santa Monica mountains, giving you panoramas of downtown, the San Fernando Valley, and the Pacific Ocean. David Lynch's 2001 film of the same name contributed to the lore, and stars like Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and Warren Beatty all lived off it at one time. If you want to stop for a walk, head to Tree People, an environmental charity that is open to the public and has picnic tables where you can bring lunch and trails where you can take in the views. https://latourist.com/index.php?page=auto-tour-mulholland
For architecture lovers, go to their site and book tickets now to avoid disappointment (I think you can book as much as three months in advance). A sleek glass box perched in the Hollywood Hills, designed by Pierre Koenig in 1960. You’ve seen it in countless movies and fashion shoots. The house seems to float above the city lights, with views on a clear day for literally over a hundred miles to the mountains near Palm Springs. Your chance to have a feel for what it would be like to live the glamorous life in the Hills of LA.
Remember the movie La La Land? Yep, the Griffith Observatory in the park of the same name is where they were for that dance scene. Griffith Park is home to hiking trails, picnics, cycling routes, a train museum, horseback rides, the aforementioned-art deco-style Griffith Observatory and, of course, the Hollywood Sign. The Observatory has programs and so check out their website if you want to do something specific there, beyond touring it.
Iconic outdoor music and performance venue. Check the schedule and see what's on!
Another iconic outdoor music and performance venue, this one in Griffith Park. Check out the schedule and see what's on!
This is LA's flagship art museum — a mix of global masterpieces, striking modern design, and the much-photographed Urban Light installation outside (the forest of vintage lampposts you’ve seen all over Instagram). There's ancient art, modern art, a sculpture garden, and a huge wing that just opened. It's also next to the La Brea Tar Pits.
Love the Oscars? Film buff? This is your spot.
DTLA's (downtown) contemporary art museum, known for its honeycomb-like exterior and its bold, joyful collection — Warhols, Kusamas, Basquiats. Free admission (with timed entry), and right next door to Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Broad is pronounced in a way that rhymes with road or toad, not fraud.
Not to be confused with The Getty Center, which is in a totally different part of LA, this is a seaside Villa in Malibu inspired by an ancient Roman villa overlooking the Bay of Naples. Marble courtyards, Mediterranean gardens, and classical sculpture make it feel like a pocket of Italy above the Pacific.
Set high on a Brentwood hill, the Getty Center combines Richard Meier’s luminous architecture, manicured gardens with varied art collections and sweeping views from the Pacific to downtown. Bonus is the free tram ride up to the property.
A restored 1930s pier jutting into the Pacific, lined with casual eateries and surf shops. You can watch surfers at First Point, grab brunch or fish tacos at Malibu Farm, or just make a stop as you explore the famous PCH. Ideal for a lazy afternoon or a post-Topanga drive.
There is SO MUCH HIKING in L.A. and environs. This is one of the easier ones. Hardest close one is Mt Wilson. Others that are a lot further afield are: San Gorgonio, San Jacinto (there is a cool tram that takes you to the top if you're not looking to do a serious hike), and more. Just download AllTrails and you'll see everything available with directions, photos, and ratings.
Surprisingly central! A lot easier to get to than Disneyland.
Highland Park (home of BIllie Eilish) is a sort of hipster area, with quaint shops, good restaurants and the unique Highland Park Bowl. A 1927 bowling alley with original murals, wood lanes, and vintage pinsetters, but updated as well, now with craft cocktails, wood-fired pizza, and live music under moody, amber light. Some come to bowl, most come to just hang out and enjoy the vibe.
LA's gorgeous and varied botanical gardens, with libraries, museums and conservatories. This is on the East side of LA, so if you go, maybe plan some other things on that side, like the Gamble House if you like architecture or simply look up restaurants in Old Pasadena and have a bite and a stroll.
Want to go shopping? This outdoor mall has a lot of the chain stores (Banana Republic, Gap, Lululemon, Zara, etc) but also a few others, and it's adjacent to a great covered food market where you can have lunch at casual stalls or the more upscale Monsieur Marcel (amazing fondue), which also has a European deli and wine store.
Another indoor-outdoor shopping center with department stores, lots of great restaurants and a cinema. Considerably bigger than The Grove. This is where Eataly is based, a huge Italian spot with groceries, gifts, wine, several restaurants, gelato and more.
I mean, if you must... this is the Julia Roberts "Pretty Woman" shopping street with high-end shops like Louis Vuitton etc. We are not big Beverly Hills fans, but perhaps you are! Certainly lots of (expensive) shopping and some good restaurants. Gucci has a rooftop restaurant!
There is so much to do if you want to travel outside of Los Angeles, including: Disneyland is in Anaheim, about 60-90 minutes drive, depending on where you're starting from. Santa Barbara & Montecito (west of LA, and from Topanga, you're already on the way there). You can drive or take a train from Union Station. San Diego- about 2.5 hour-drive Joshua Tree (it'll be REALLY hot in the summer) Palm Springs (also VERY HOT in the summer, but if you take the Palm Springs tram up to the top of Mt San Jacinto, it's way cooler and there's a nice restaurant up there Paso Robles - wine country, closer than Sonoma and Napa Los Olivos and Los Alamos - also wine country, also closer Idyllwild - tiny, quaint, cute mountain town, near Mt San Jacinto Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear - popular vacation spots for Angelenos Carmel and Big Sur: absolutely stunning. FAR. Like, 6-hour drive. Always check for road closures. San Francisco: you could drive in 8 hours, or take a 1-hr flight