234 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Los Angeles (2024)

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234 Cool, Hidden,and Unusual Things to Do inLos Angeles, California

Updated January 29, 2024

The City of Angels is full of sites that are known by sight the world over. Weʼre here to tell you about some of the lesser-known highlights, from a mysterious hotel with a dark history to an impressive meteorite collection.

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Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Last BookstoreThis iconic L.A. bookshop is housed in an abandoned bank—both symbolic and chic.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Echo Park Time Travel MartNon-profit time travel mart sells goods you would need for a trip through the fourth dimension.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Museum of DeathWorld's largest collection of serial killer artwork and other macabre exhibits.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaSunken CityRemants of foundations, streets, and streetcar tracks inhabit the cliffs where a landslide occurred in 1929.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaBradbury BuildingThe legendary building that needed ghostly approval before being built.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaOld Zoo Picnic AreaThe abandoned zoo enclosures offer a perfect place to experience the other side of the bars.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaBronson CaveIt should come as no surprise that the best view of the Hollywood sign is from Batman's lair.

See All234Things To Do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CaliforniaGalco's Soda Pop StopShop selling 500 flavors of soda has something for everyone.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaTiki-Ti Established in the '60s, a family-owned tropical drink bar founded by Ray Buhen, bartender to the stars.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaPink's Hot DogsWorld-famous, Pink's still manages to keep its prized cult fetish status.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaIdle HourThe programmatic glory of LA's giant whiskey barrel building has become an upscale reminder of the city's kitschy roadside past.

See all10Places to Eat in Los Angeles

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On the Run: Los Angeles

Sponsored by Cole Haan

Originally named “Venice of America,” Venice, California, owes its existence to a wealthy developer’s dream of a canal-laden resort town west of Los Angeles. The dream didn’t last long: After opening in 1905, the city went broke before joining Los Angeles in 1926. The decades of neglect that followed earned Venice the nickname “the slum by the sea,” but its affordability also attracted artists, beginning with the Beats in the late ’50s. Venice’s identity as a rough-around-the-edges artist haven endures more than 60 years later, though its affordability less so.If you’re looking to plot a trek across Los Angeles pavement and beaches, zero in on Venice with a run that oscillates between fast-and-furious and slow-and-curious. Take on this 5.2-mile run in one go, break it up into multiple runs, or do it in reverse. With the right running shoes, you’ll be ready to navigate Venice’s storied past and its eternally eccentric personality.

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234 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Los Angeles (13)

Collections24

Film24

Architectural Oddities24

Shops23

Film Locations22

Museums And Collections20

Art20

Homes18

Eccentric Homes14

Plants12

Design12

Places To Stay8

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Many Popular Houses in L.A. Were Part of a Scam by a Con Artist Who DisappearedYet the homes are still in high demand.by laurakaiserNovember 9, 2023
Southern California's Anime-Inspired Food SceneFans of Japanese pop culture have opened cafes, pop-ups, and even an ice cream parlor.by Anne EwbankJuly 24, 2023
The Cult Roots of Health Food in AmericaHow the Source Family, a radical 1970s utopian commune, still impacts what we eat today.by Diana HubbellApril 19, 2023
‘co*ckeyed’ Map Shows Both Glamour and Margins of 1930s HollywoodLegendary cartoonist John Groth's pictorial map captures L.A.'s film factories in their Golden Age.by Frank Jacobs, Big ThinkMarch 10, 2023
8 Unexpected Stories That Go Behind the Scenes in HollywoodFrozen lettuce, a ghost subway station, and an unplaceable accent all have starring roles.by April WhiteMarch 8, 2023
This Is the First List of Japanese Americans Incarcerated in Internment Camps in WWIIThe new work of art includes 125,284 names.by Line Sidonie Talla MafotsingNovember 10, 2022
Eat Like an Apollo 11 Astronaut With This Celestial DessertNeil Armstrong, Richard Nixon, and Jimmy Stewart all feasted upon Clair de Lune.by Anne EwbankAugust 26, 2022
Discovering the Modern South Asian Ritual of Making ChaiRemember the history, practice, and be creative.by Sujata DayJuly 13, 2022
The 11 Best Places to Visit Near the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Curious Travelers11Including Capitol Records Building Morse Code, Chaplin Keaton Lloyd Alley, and Cahuenga Building
Los Angeles' Top 10 Wonders of 2018The strange and unusual places Atlas Obscura readers wanted to visit most in L.A. in 2018.10Including Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Griffith Observatory's Tesla Coil, and The Last Bookstore
A 12-Stop Road Trip of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Most Surprising DesignsA UFO-inspired church, a futurist gas station, and more deep cuts.12Including Blue Sky Mausoleum, The Darwin D. Martin House, and Kentuck Knob
When Stairs and Slides Are Hiding in Plain SightPlay real-life Chutes and Ladders at these obscure thruways.9Including Secret Tiled Staircase, Esmeralda Slide Park, and Howe Street Stairs
7 Hidden Tunnels Under Government BuildingsThe literal underbelly of public agencies.6Including FDR's Bomb Shelter, Steam Tunnels Under Capitol Hill, and Underground Tunnels of Los Angeles
19 Unusual Hotels in CaliforniaRemarkable places to stay—or at least visit—in the Golden State.19Including The Ahwahnee Hotel, Venice Beach House, and Hotel Vertigo
9 Cool Shops in Los AngelesWonderfully unique stores in L.A.9Including Cactus Store, APEX Electronics, and Dapper Cadaver

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234 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Los Angeles (2024)

FAQs

What is unique to LA? ›

L.A. has the world's first and only solar-powered Ferris Wheel. At the very same Santa Monica Pier, you'll find Pacific Park, an oceanfront amusem*nt park. Its most famous ride is the Pacific Wheel. This titan soars 26 metres into the air.

What is the most important thing in Los Angeles? ›

Hollywood. One of the most famous areas in Los Angeles is Hollywood. It's the neighborhood synonymous with the glamorous movie industry and where many celebrities call home.

How do you spend a perfect day in LA? ›

For the perfect day in Los Angeles, follow the sun; start in the East and make your way West. The short hike to Griffith Observatory with panoramic views of the city is the perfect way to start your day. Continue the day by uncovering some of the city's best coffee, juice, food and boutiques.

What is special in LA? ›

Top Attractions in Los Angeles
  • Universal Studios Hollywood. 37,522. Amusem*nt & Theme Parks. ...
  • Griffith Observatory. 20,673. Observatories & Planetariums. ...
  • The Getty Center. 14,750. ...
  • Battleship USS Iowa Museum. 2,107. ...
  • Petersen Automotive Museum. 2,489. ...
  • Crypto.com Arena. 3,498. ...
  • Hollywood Sign. 7,732. ...
  • La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. 3,271.

Does LA have a nickname? ›

L.A. City of Angels – based partially on the literal translation of the city's original historical full name from the Spanish language -- "The City of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels".

What is Los Angeles' original name? ›

The original name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río Porciúncula" (in English, "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the River Porciúncula"), giving it both one of the longest and shortest (referring to its shortening of "LA") place names in the world.

What was Los Angeles called before? ›

Weber, history writer and archivist for the Los Angeles Archdiocese, argued that the town's original name was El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Porciúncula (English: The town of Our Lady of the Angels of Porciúncula).

How to spend 5 hours in LA? ›

With five hours to spare, there is plenty to see and do that won't take you too far away from the airport.
  1. Santa Monica Pier. ...
  2. Marina Del Rey. ...
  3. Getty Museum. ...
  4. Guided city tour of Los Angeles. ...
  5. Hit the Beach. ...
  6. In-N-Out Burger. ...
  7. Rent a car and drive along the coast.

Where should I go for the first time in LA? ›

Things to Include in Your Itinerary If You're Visiting LA for the...
  • Hike up Mount Hollywood.
  • Walk down Hollywood Boulevard.
  • Stroll Santa Monica Pier.
  • Visit TCL Chinese Theatre.
  • Explore Universal Studios Hollywood.
  • Wander around Rodeo Drive.
  • Take a tour through Griffith Observatory.
  • Head to the Getty.
Mar 10, 2024

How to spend 8 hours in LA? ›

8 things to do in LA on your 8-hour stopover
  1. Grab a bite at In-and-Out. ...
  2. Hit the Manhattan Beach Pier. ...
  3. Cruise the Venice Boardwalk. ...
  4. Visit the Getty Museum. ...
  5. Shop Santa Monica Place. ...
  6. Hang out at Dockweiler State Beach. ...
  7. Ride the Ocean Express Trolley. ...
  8. Visit the Flight Path Learning Center.

What is fun to do indoors with kids in Los Angeles? ›

There are numerous exciting indoor activities for kids in Los Angeles, offering a variety of experiences to cater to different interests. Some of the most popular ones include the World of Illusions, Kidspace Children's Museum, Aquarium of the Pacific, and the California Science Center.

What month does rain stop in Los Angeles? ›

Precipitation episodes in Los Angeles, with a few notable exceptions, are largely caused by extratropical disturbances approaching California from the west or northwest during the winter season. Of the total annual precipitation recorded in Los Angeles, 92% falls between November 1 and April 30.

What made LA famous? ›

Los Angeles had a strong economic base in farming, oil, tourism, real estate and movies. It grew rapidly with many suburban areas inside and outside the city limits. Its motion picture industry made the city world-famous, and World War II brought new industry, especially high-tech aircraft construction.

What makes Los Angeles different from other cities? ›

The city is known for its diverse population and is home to people from more than 140 countries speaking 224 languages. The Hispanic population makes up the largest ethnic group in Los Angeles, with a percentage of 46.9%, according to Wikipedia. Its culture, food, and neighborhoods reflect the city's diversity.

What is Los Angeles also known as? ›

One is simply the city's initials, L.A. It is also called the City of Angels because Los Angeles means “the angels” in Spanish. Los Angeles often has warm, sunny weather.

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