From the glitz of Hollywood to the grainy beaches of Santa Monica, Los Angeles is considered one of the world’s top destinations for a reason. Home to celebrity mansions and 19th-century buildings, the City of Angels has, quite literally, hundreds of things to see, do, and experience in Southern California.
If you’re planning to travel to the area, it’s important to map out precisely what landmarks, attractions, and restaurants you want to visit. Perhaps one of the best ways to experience the city and its surrounding suburbs is via a Hop-On, Hop-Off pass. Intended for out-of-towners or locals wanting to get to know their hometown in more depth, Hop-On, Hop-Off buses give you the flexibility of disembarking and reboarding at various stops throughout the city. Traveling in this way allows you to spend as much time as you’d like at the places that really interest you rather than being at the mercy of a pre-designed guided tour.
To get your “must see things to do in L.A.” list started, check out Starline Tours’ recommendations for the best places to visit that are conveniently located within walking distance of Hop-On, Hop-Off bus stops. Grab your itinerary, sharpen your pencils, and get ready to experience the best of Los Angeles with these 10 things to do in L.A.
The Original Farmers Market
Established in 1934, the Original Farmers Market is one of Los Angeles’ most beloved landmarks. Beginning with just a dozen local farmers interested in selling fresh produce from their trucks, the Market takes place on what was once a dairy farm owned by Arthur Fremont Gilmore in the late 1800s. Today, the market hosts a diverse array of over 100 vendors, including food stalls, grocers, and specialty shops. With an international palette of offerings, many meal stands represent the diverse backgrounds of the Los Angeles population, including sellers with Latin American or Asian heritages. Take a picture in front of the Market’s distinctive 1948-built clock tower and don’t forget to tell your friends to “meet you at Third and Fairfax.”
Guests can visit the Original Farmers Market by disembarking at Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop #11: Farmers Market/The Grove.
Griffith Observatory & Griffith Park
Tap dance along the same bluff as Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in the Academy Award-winning film La La Land! Griffith Observatory and Park came from an 1896 land donation to the City of Los Angeles of over 3,000 acres. Provided by Griffith J. Griffith, the land was intended to be used as a park accessible to everybody, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Built during the Great Depression, the Griffith Observatory is home to historic Zeiss refracting telescopes that are available to the public for evening stargazing. Guests can attend captivating live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and hike the park’s extensive network of over 50 miles of trails. Griffith Park is also one of the best places in the city to get photos of the iconic Hollywood Sign.
Guests can visit Griffith Observatory & Griffith Park by disembarking at Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop #1: Dolby Theatre.
Venice Beach Boardwalk & Canals
Tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney founded California’s “Venice of America” in 1905 and envisioned it as a cultural mecca and seaside resort reminiscent of Venice, Italy. To make the spot seem more authentic, Kinney dredged miles of canals, built a brand-new resort, and imported gondolas and gondoliers from Italy. In the 20th century, Venice Beach became a haven for bodybuilders and Beat poets while attracting visitors to its electric pedestrian promenade. Today, you can watch a bevy of street performers along the Boardwalk, watch workouts at Muscle Beach’s outdoor weightlifting platform, and marvel at the world-famous Venice Beach Skate Park. Take a walk through the historic Venice Canals, grab some food from a boardwalk vendor, and purchase a unique souvenir before you leave.
Guests can visit Venice Beach Boardwalk & Canals by disembarking at Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop #83: Venice Beach.
Olvera Street & El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
Considered the “birthplace of Los Angeles,” Olvera Street and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument marks the spot where 44 settlers (known as “Los Pobladores”) established a farming community in 1781. It’s no surprise that this neighborhood contains some of the city’s oldest remaining structures that stem from the region’s Spanish, Mexican, and American occupations. When you visit, browse the many pottery, leather, textiles, sombreros, folk art, and other traditional Mexican items being sold at the puestos (stalls) lining Olvera Street. Enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine that includes authentic taquitos, tamales, churros, and aguas frescas. Finally, don’t leave until you visit the Avila Adobe — the oldest house in Los Angeles — and the Old Plaza Firehouse Museum.
Guests can visit Olvera Street & El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument by disembarking at Stop #37: Olvera St. / Pueblo/Union Station.
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
For millennia, animals, birds, and insects became trapped in Los Angeles’ ancient asphalt bed that seeped up from the earth. As a result, the bones of these creatures were preserved in remarkable detail. Opened in 1977, the George C. Page Museum (now La Brea Tar Pits and Museum) opened on-site to house and showcase the incredible collection of Pleistocene (Ice Age) animals to the world. With over 3.5 million specimens that represent over 600 species, the museum allows guests to watch paleontologists work at current excavation sites like Pit 91. Observe the still bubbling asphalt and life-size mammoth models before watching the 3D “Titans of the Ice Age” film. Finally, take home a book, educational toy, or replica from the Museum Store.
Guests can visit La Brea Tar Pits and Museum by disembarking at Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop #10: Academy Museum/La Brea Tar Pits/Petersen Auto.
Angels Flight Railway
Originally opening on December 31, 1901, Angels Flight is a funicular railway that connects Hill Street with the once prestigious residential neighborhood of Bunker Hill. Often referred to as the “World’s Shortest Incorporated Railway,” the track covers a distance of just 298 feet up a steep incline. Now a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Angels Flight is recognizable by its two orange and black cars: Sinai and Olivet. Ride up or down the hill after paying the nominal small fare, explore California Plaza’s fountains and outdoor seating, or access nearby cultural institutions like the Broad museum, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and MOCA.
Guests can visit Angels Flight Railway by disembarking at Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop #39: Grand Central Market/Bradbury Building.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Conceived in 1953 by E.M. Stuart, the Hollywood Walk of Fame represents the quintessential spirit of American cinema. Stars are awarded in five categories, which include Motion Pictures, Television, Recording, Radio, and Live Theatre/Live Performance. Along with world-famous humans, animated stars like Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, and Shrek also have their distinctive marks of sidewalk fame. Walk the 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard (and three blocks of Vine Street) to search for your favorite celebrities and admire iconic movie palaces like the TCL Chinese Theatre, El Capitan Theatre, and the Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) along the way.
Guests can visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame by disembarking at Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop #2: TCL Chinese Theatre.
Grand Central Market
Opening in 1917, Grand Central Market is downtown Los Angeles’ oldest and largest public market. The market is located on the ground floor of the historic Homer Laughlin Building, which was L.A.’s first fireproof, steel-reinforced structure. Initially known as Wonder Market, the area served as a central food hub for Angelenos and offered fresh produce, meats, and dry goods (among other items). Sample a wide array of foods from dozens of vendors, including authentic Mexican tacos, Salvadoran pupusas, German currywurst, and wood-fired pizza. Try renowned L.A. food stalls like Wexler’s Deli or Eggslut. Before grabbing a bus back to your hotel, enjoy a fresh cup of artisanal coffee to top off your culinary experience.
Guests can visit the Grand Central Market by disembarking at Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop #39: Grand Ctr. Mkt / Bradbury Bldg.
Runyon Canyon Park
The area now known as Runyon Canyon was once inhabited by the Gabrielino-Tongva peoples, who had villages and hunting grounds in the Santa Monica Mountains. By the 1940s, however, the canyon was purchased by legendary actor Errol Flynn, who was known for throwing lavish parties at the mansion until it burned down in 1949. The 137-acre park today is now known for its several trails that range in difficulty from relatively easy to challenging paths like the “Hero Trail.” Vista points like Cloud’s Rest or Indian Rock offer sweeping views of the Los Angeles basin, the Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Observatory, and the Pacific Ocean. For dog-lovers, Runyon Canyon provides large designated off-leash areas, and yoga practitioners can participate in free, donation-based classes held near the Fuller or Mulholland entrances.
Guests can visit the Runyon Canyon Park by disembarking at Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop #2: Guitar Center, “Rockwalk.”
Santa Monica Pier
In 1916, amusement pioneer Charles I.D. Looff built Santa Monica’s famous “Pleasure Pier,” which helped transform the beachside area into a mecca for locals and visitors alike. The 1916-built Looff Hippodrome building houses a carousel from 1922 populated with 44 hand-carved horses. Opened in 1924, the La Monica Ballroom was the largest dance hall on the West Coast at the time and could hold up to 5,000 dancers. Today, you can get some thrills on the pier’s classic amusement park rides, including the West Coast roller coaster and the Pacific Wheel. Visit the under-the-pier Heal the Bay Aquarium or take a photo at Route 66’s iconic “End of the Trail” sign.
Guests can visit the Santa Monica Pier by disembarking at Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop #16: Santa Monica Pier.
Explore Los Angeles and Beverly Hills in style with Starline Tours’ Original Celebrity Home Tour or a Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour today!
