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5 Best Must-See Places in Los Angeles (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Vespera Quill
By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

With over 90 miles between the coast and the hills, Los Angeles is not a city you casually stumble through, and figuring out which must-see places in Los Angeles actually earn a full day matters. Universal Studios Hollywood alone has logged over 174,000 Google reviews at a 4.6 average, while free stops like Griffith Park and The Getty pull nearly as strong a rating without an entry fee, so budget and time both shape which stop is worth the trip.

Short answer: Universal Studios Hollywood is the most-reviewed attraction in LA (4.6 stars, over 174,000 reviews), built around a full day of rides and the Studio Tour. The Getty (4.8, 37,278 reviews) is free to enter and holds the highest rating on this list. Santa Monica Pier and Griffith Park both draw well over 4.6 stars for free, family-friendly outdoor time. Expect to pay for parking at nearly every stop, even the free attractions.
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LA's Must-See Attractions Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Universal Studios Hollywood 4.6 ★ 174,483 Theme park / studio tour View ›
2 Santa Monica Pier 4.6 ★ 134,862 Iconic photo stop / boardwalk View ›
3 Griffith Park 4.7 ★ 69,673 Outdoor space / Hollywood Sign views View ›
4 The Getty 4.8 ★ 37,278 Art museum / hilltop views View ›
5 Grand Central Market 4.5 ★ 36,945 Food hall / downtown stop View ›
5 Best Must-See Places in Los Angeles (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Universal Studios Hollywood logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Universal Studios Hollywood

4.6174,483 Google reviews

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park and working studio lot combining rides, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World and the signature Studio Tour of active film and TV sets. It is the largest and most-reviewed attraction on this list by a wide margin.

What people praise

  • Studio Tour offers a genuine, only-here look at working studio backlots
  • Super Nintendo World consistently named as a standout highlight by recent visitors
  • Multiple immersive lands, including Harry Potter and Jurassic Park
  • Wait times generally described as manageable outside peak holiday periods

Worth knowing

  • Food inside the park is expensive relative to portion size
  • Ride formats rely heavily on 3D screens and motion simulators, which can feel repetitive after several back to back
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume174,483 · 97th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown76% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The default full-day pick for first-time LA visitors, and the review volume reflects it. Budget extra for food and consider an Express Pass if visiting on a weekend.

Website+1800-864-8377 Directions

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Santa Monica Pier logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days

Santa Monica Pier

4.6134,862 Google reviews

Santa Monica Pier is a historic pier and boardwalk featuring Pacific Park's Ferris wheel and rides, street performers and beach access, sitting at the western end of Route 66. It combines a classic amusement pier with direct ocean views.

What people praise

  • Sunset views along the pier are consistently called out as a trip highlight
  • Combines beach access, rides and dining in one walkable stop
  • Free to walk, with rides priced separately at Pacific Park

Worth knowing

  • Parking is difficult to find and pricier during midday and weekends
  • Gets very crowded, especially in summer and around holidays
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume134,862 · 92nd
Confidencevery high
Recency2 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown72% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: One of the most photographed spots in the world for good reason, and free to visit if you skip the rides. Go early morning or evening to beat both the crowds and the parking crunch.

Website+1310-458-8900 Directions

200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Griffith Park logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days

Griffith Park

4.769,673 Google reviews

Griffith Park is a large urban park and recreation area home to the Griffith Observatory, with hiking trails, green space and views of the Hollywood Sign. It holds the highest rating of any attraction on this list at 4.7.

What people praise

  • Free to enter, with only parking and observatory extras costing money
  • Observatory area offers direct views of both the Hollywood Sign and downtown LA
  • A lower, free parking lot is available about a mile from the summit for those willing to walk or take the shuttle bus

Worth knowing

  • Concerts and events at the park can cause serious traffic and parking backups
  • Observatory-area staff interactions have occasionally been described as unwelcoming
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume69,673 · 86th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown78% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A must for Hollywood Sign views without paying for a tour, though check the park's event calendar before visiting to avoid concert-day gridlock.

Website+1323-644-2050 Directions

Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Getty logo
#4🕑 Open 6 days/wk

The Getty

4.837,278 Google reviews

The Getty is a free art museum perched on a hilltop in the Brentwood area, accessible via a short tram ride from the parking garage, with European paintings, sculpture and gardens overlooking the city. It holds the highest rating on this list at 4.8.

What people praise

  • Free admission, with parking the only cost
  • Sweeping views of Los Angeles from the hilltop location
  • Gardens and architecture praised as highlights alongside the art collection
  • Tram ride up the hill is called out as part of the experience

Worth knowing

  • Can get busy and noisy with school groups on weekdays
  • Parking reservations are required in advance
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume37,278 · 81st
Confidencevery high
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown87% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest-rated attraction on this list and free to enter, making it one of the best-value stops in the city. Reserve parking ahead of time and consider a weekend visit if school groups aren't your scene.

Website+1310-440-7300 Directions

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Grand Central Market logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days

Grand Central Market

4.536,945 Google reviews

Grand Central Market is a historic downtown LA food hall dating to 1917, bringing together dozens of food vendors under one roof, from ramen and tacos to donuts and coffee. It functions as both a tourist stop and a working lunch spot for downtown workers.

What people praise

  • Huge variety of cuisines in one location, useful for groups with different tastes
  • Reasonable prices relative to the portion sizes at most vendors
  • Both indoor and limited outdoor seating available

Worth knowing

  • Gets loud and crowded during peak lunch hours
  • Seating can be hard to find at busy times
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume36,945 · 75th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown69% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The best pick on this list for a quick, varied meal rather than a full-day attraction. Pair it with a downtown walk or Discovery Green to round out an afternoon.

Website+1213-359-6007 Directions

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the attraction’s live Google star average. Review volume measures how many visitors have rated it, ranked against other LA attractions. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.6 from over 174,000 reviews carries more weight than a 4.8 from a smaller base. Recency reflects how recently people are still reviewing. No attraction can pay to change these numbers.

How much does it cost to visit LA’s top attractions? (2026)

Entry pricing ranges from free to a full-day theme park ticket, and parking is the one cost that shows up at nearly every stop on this list.

JobTypical price
Getty parking (per visit)$25
Griffith Observatory area parking$10/hour
Griffith Park lower-lot parkingFree

Figures reported directly by visitors in Google reviews of The Getty and Griffith Park, verified against the venues’ own published parking pages, August 2026. Confirm current pricing before your visit, as parking rates can change seasonally.

Serving all of Los Angeles

These attractions span Universal City, Santa Monica, Griffith Park, Brentwood and Downtown LA. Searching for things to do near me in Los Angeles? Every listing below shows a live phone number and website so you can check hours before you go.

What to check before you visit

  • Do I need a timed-entry reservation, and how far in advance should I book it?
  • Is parking included, or is it a separate cost?
  • What are the current operating hours for the day I’m planning to visit?
  • Is there an event or concert scheduled that could affect crowds or traffic?
  • How much walking is involved, and is there shuttle or tram access?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these attractions?

We started from the most-visited tourist attractions in Los Angeles with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which of these attractions are free to enter?

The Getty, Griffith Park and Santa Monica Pier are all free to enter, though parking and any rides or extras cost separately.

How many of these can I realistically see in one day?

Given LA’s traffic and distances, most visitors pair two nearby stops per day, such as Griffith Park with Grand Central Market, rather than trying to cover every stop on this list in one trip.

The bottom line

Universal Studios Hollywood is the safe pick if you want a full day built around rides and the Studio Tour, while The Getty is the best value stop given its free admission and top rating. Book parking reservations ahead where required, and check event calendars before visiting Griffith Park.

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