The Clumsy Traveler’s Ultimate Los Angeles Bucket List

Being an Angeleno, I’ve encountered hundreds if not thousands of things to do in Los Angeles. Some good, some bad, some terrible, most drunk. Instead of going through some not-so-great activities during your visit to LA, here are the 65 items on my ultimate Los Angeles bucket list!

1. Enjoy the view at the Griffith Observatory.

2. Visit the Los Angeles Zoo (especially during Christmas time).

3. Explore the Getty Museum.

4. Witness some contemporary art at The Broad.

5. Take in the view of the Hollywood Sign.

6. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

7. Go back in time at Musso & Frank’s.

8. Wander the Venice Canals.

9. Play at the Santa Monica Pier.

10. Take a day trip to Catalina Island.

11. Go to the LACMA.

12. Shop Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

13. Go iceskating at Pershing Square.

14. Explore the Last Bookstore in Downtown LA.

15. Visit the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM.

16. Travel back in time to The Beverly Hills Hotel.

17. Admire the architecture at the Bradbury Building.

18. Geek out at WonderCon.

19. Gaze and wonder at the California Science Center.

20. Learn your California history at Mission San Fernando.

21. Hang with the cool crowd at Venice Skatepark.

22. Enjoy a Dodger game.

23. Visit Disneyland (aka the Happiest Place on Earth).

24. Listen to some music at FYF Fest.

25. Enjoy coffee and tea at (one of the many locations of) Urth Caffe.

26. Visit your favorite celebs at the Grammy Museum.

27. Sip on some spritzers at Malibu Wines.

28. Witness the diverse crowd at Venice Beach.

29. Take in the view at The Getty Villa.

30. Eat authentic Chinese cuisine in Chinatown.

31. Watch a Movie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

32. Enjoy the Twilight Concert Series in Santa Monica.

33. Get creeped out at the Queen Mary.

34. Go to Malibu Beach. 

35. Enjoy a day at El Matador State Beach.

36. Check out the La Brea Tar Pits.

37. Enjoy the view and hike Runyon Canyon.

38. See where your favorite singers record at the Capitol Records Building.

39. Shop at the famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice.

40. Shop and dine in Old Town Pasadena.

41. Shop at the Beverly Grove (Christmas time is beautiful).

42. Listen to local bands at Whiskey A Go-Go.

43. Watch the magic at The Magic Castle in Hollywood.

44. Buy tickets to a performance at the Hollywood Bowl.

45. Catch a show at the Greek Theatre.

46. Take a train from Union Station.

47. Go to In-N-Out and have one of the best burger’s on the West Coast.

48. Uncover some buried treasure from the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

49. Shop with the cool kids at Melrose Trading Post.

50. Enjoy the best roller coasters at Six Flags Amusement Park.

51. Check out the most famous gay bar at The Abbey in West Hollywood.

52. Shop the famous Melrose Avenue.

53. See the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall.

54. Listen to tunes at Amoeba .

55. Catch the Lakers at the Staples Center.

56. Tailgate before a USC Game.

57. Enjoy dinner and a view at Perch.

58. Watch a movie at ArcLight Cinemas.

59. Play at Universal Studios Hollywood.

60. Eat, drink and shop around Universal City Walk.

61. Celebrate Gay Pride in WeHo.

62. See all of Malibu by hiking Sandstone Peak.

63. Enjoy some chuckles at the Laugh Factory.

64. Cruise the Pacific Coast Highway.

65. Try the epic donuts at California Donuts.

What Else Should Be Added to the Ultimate Los Angeles Bucket List?