Los Angeles: 10 Five-Star Attractions for First-Time Visitors

Los Angeles — the city of angels, movie stars, and dreams — offers visitors countless activities and attractions. As one of the most visited cities in the United States, planning a trip to Los Angeles can be overwhelming.

With iconic landmarks and unique experiences, this vibrant city has something for everyone, but some attractions are better than others for first-time visitors who want to ensure they spend their time and money on top experiences that always delight visitors. From art and pop culture to thrilling adventures, the attractions and activities on this list offer a variety of experiences that capture the essence and history of Los Angeles. Here are some five-star attractions for a first-time visit to Los Angeles.

1 Getty Center

Located atop Santa Monica Hill, the Getty Center is a must-see for art lovers. This architectural marvel has an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts.

As one of Los Angeles’ top-rated attractions, the Getty Center’s buildings and beautiful gardens are works of art in their own right, and visitors can enjoy some of the city’s most breathtaking panoramic views as they explore the museum grounds.

• Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
• Price: Free, but timed admission reservation required; Parking costs between $10-20
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., closed on Mondays
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5 stars

2 Bike and Hiking Tours of Los Angeles

For visitors seeking to explore Los Angeles in an active, immersive way, Bikes and Hikes LA Tours is a top attraction to amaze visitors. Visitors can cycle or hike through iconic landmarks and hidden gems to explore popular areas like Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the free-to-visit Griffith Observatory.

With knowledgeable guides, Bikes and Hikes LA Tours take visitors away from Los Angeles’ traffic jams and have the chance to immerse themselves in the city’s beauty. The company offers cycling, hiking, private group tours, and e-bikes and standard bicycles to meet all guests’ fitness needs.

• Address: 8500 Santa Monica Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069
• Price: $31 to $161, depending on the tour package selected
• Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5 stars

3 Hollywood Bus Tour

With the Hollywood Bus Tour, visitors can get an insight into the glitz, glamour, and drama of the entertainment industry. Guests won’t have to worry about the city’s notorious traffic on this top Los Angeles tour, but instead relax on an air-conditioned bus where an experienced guide will take them around some of the city’s most famous attractions.

Hollywood Bus Tours offers a variety of tour packages depending on whether guests want to visit celebrity homes, learn about the history of Los Angeles, or sample the best restaurants in town.

4 ALOHA BROTHERS SURF LESSONS

For travelers who have always dreamed of surfing on the West Coast, Aloha Bros. surf lessons are one of the top attractions in Los Angeles, offering lessons for surfers of all experience levels.

From beginners to experienced surfers, expert instructors help guests learn the basics of surfing and how to embrace the surfing culture of the West Coast.

• Address: 528 Rialto Ave #1, Venice, CA 90291
• Price: Group classes start at $85
• Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5 stars

5 Los Angeles Sightseeing Tour Gold Ticket

Golden Ticket LA Sightseeing Tours is another top tour company that offers first-time visitors to Los Angeles a comfortable, comprehensive way to explore the city.

Golden Ticket LA offers exclusive access to popular venues and customizable itineraries, giving guests the opportunity to relax as they explore the Los Angeles area and take plenty of photos while sightseeing.

• Address: 6808 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Price: From $50, varies depending on the tour package
• Opening hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5 stars

6 I Ride like a Star

For travelers who have always dreamed of exploring Hollywood in a limousine,”I Ride Like a Star” offers guests the ultimate experience. This top Los Angeles attraction offers a limousine service to visit some of the city’s most famous attractions.

Guests can choose to drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini while listening to an experienced and knowledgeable driver narrate the history of the Los Angeles area. Guests can drive their own sports car at an extra cost.

• Address:6808 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Price: From $89
• Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5 stars

7 Hollywood Legends Tour

The Hollywood Legends Tour takes guests on a journey through the fascinating world of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, first-time visitors to Los Angeles can delve into the history and stories of Hollywood’s legendary stars.

Visitors can explore iconic landmarks such as the Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Dolby Theatre, home to the Academy Awards.

8 Basement: Live Escape Room Experience

While escape rooms can be found in almost every suburb and city in the United States, few can match the adrenaline-pumping adventures in the basement. This live escape room experience is considered one of the best in the United States, immersing visitors in exciting interactive scenarios where they must solve puzzles and solve mysteries in order to escape.

With well-designed rooms, engaging storylines, and high production value, the basement promises guests a memorable and thrilling experience, which is probably why this experience is one of the highest-rated attractions in the Los Angeles area.

• Address: 12909 Foothill Blvd, Sylma, CA 91342
• Price: Starting at $40, but varies depending on group size
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 5:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5 stars

9 Los Angeles Day Trips

A day trip to Los Angeles is perfect for first-time visitors who have limited time but want to see as much of the city as possible. This comprehensive guided tour is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles; It takes visitors to popular landmarks such as Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Boulevard, Venice Beach, and Santa Monica Pier.

Guests can sit back and enjoy the scenery while learning fascinating facts about the city without having to worry about the city’s notorious traffic.

• Address: 1537 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90401
• Price: From $99
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5 stars

10 The Nethercart Collection

For car enthusiasts, the Nethercutt Collection is Los Angeles’ top-rated attraction and hidden gem, showcasing an array of classic cars. Visitors can admire more than 250 lovingly restored European and American cars from the early 20th century.

In addition to these extraordinary car collections, the museum also houses rare mechanical musical instruments and antique furniture. Nethercutt Collection also hosts organ concerts and festivals throughout the year.

• Address: 15151 Bledsoe St, Sirma, CA 91342
• Price: Free, but reservation required
• Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed Sunday to Wednesday
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5 stars