Henry E. Huntington, a businessman, left behind a historic library, a museum, and extensive gardens. One of the most stunning sights in the Los Angeles area is currently Henry E. Huntington's bequest. There is a lot to see between the art, the library collections, and the sprawled outdoor spaces, and most of it is better experienced at leisurely pace rather than as part of a frantic day-long rush. It's also not a place that can be readily explored in its entirety in a single day. This is one of the things to do in Los Angeles.

The Huntington's uniquely themed gardens, especially its recently added Chinese garden, are without a doubt the most exquisitely managed outdoor areas in Southern California. Both the library and the museum are spectacular, but on the weekends, they both require reservations. Nearly as noteworthy is the art collection as the library's. The main house, which was built in 1910, is where a highly significant collection of British art is kept. This collection includes Gainsborough's The Blue Boy with pieces by Blake, Reynolds, and Turner. Additionally, there is a collection of American works in the more recent Scott and Erburu Galleries. It's best approached slowly, just like much of this wonderful place.

Don't miss: Summer Evening Strolls, a separately paid event that allows you to remain in the gardens until 8pm on specific Saturdays and Sundays.

As you walk through the mixture of native chaparral and groomed trails that blanket this rocky park, it's simple to forget you're still in the city. But if you gaze out from the famous Griffith Observatory, you'll see the L.A. Basin stretching out to the ocean in front of you.

Although Los Angeles lacks a grassy, centered park, Griffith's enormous, hilly wilderness serves as an excellent substitute thanks to its paths, vegetation, views, coyote howling down the canyons at night, and the twinkling lights of Downtown in the distance. All types of people can enjoy Griffith's diverse attractions and wilderness: adventurous hikers can explore the Bronson Caves and go to Amir's Garden; Weekenders looking to unwind can take a seat at the picnic tables at Crystal Springs or the shaded, verdant passage through Fern Dell. Families with young children can board the steamers at Travel Town or explore the old cages at the Old Zoo. Pop culture enthusiasts can see a performance at the Greek Theatre or stop by Walt's Barn (a transplanted shed where Disney himself would tinker away with model trains).

Don't miss: You may still drive or trek up to the grounds of the iconic Art Deco dome to enjoy the unmatched views even while the Griffith Observatory is closed. Ellen Reid's Soundwalk is a place that you should come, a location-based musical composition that changes as you wander about the park, wherever you end up hiking.

With the opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles now has a permanent home for the history of filmmaking. Renzo Piano, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Architecture, created a new and expanded location for the museum next to LACMA that has four complete levels of exhibition space, two theaters, a restaurant, and a gift shop.

The collection includes the kinds of movie memorabilia you'd expect from those who organize the Oscars, including the Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane, Dorothy's ruby red slippers, R2-D2 and C-3PO, the Dude's robe from The Big Lebowski, the lone shark from Jaws that has survived, and the floral May Queen dress from Midsommar, among many others. A rotating collection of galleries devoted to particular creators and niche specialties are also available. This is one of the things to do in Los Angeles.

Reservations must be made in advance and can be made using the museum's website or mobile application. Admission to all exhibitions is included in the ticket price of $25 for adults, $19 for seniors (62 and over), and $15 for students. Visitors 17 years of age and younger and California residents with an EBT card are admitted free of charge. An additional $15 will get you access to an immersive installation called the Oscars Experience. Free access is available to the foyer (which houses the modest Spielberg Family Gallery) and outdoor public areas.

A must-visit is the gift shop. Spend some money on a Totoro plush and a pair of Almodóvar earrings. Just be prepared if there is a line to enter.

This European-style food hall, which has been in business since 1917 on the ground floor of the renowned Homer Laughlin Building, is tucked away in the middle of Downtown Los Angeles. Grand Central Market has been many changes over the years, some of which have raised worries about gentrification as older stalls have been displaced in favor of newer, flashier (and frequently more expensive) ones. But that doesn't change the fact that there is excellent culinary talent here.

Breakfast favorites like Eggslut (beware of the lines!) and Jose Chiquito's breakfast burritos are available to customers. Diners converge to Sticky Rice for lunch to eat Hainan chicken, tacos from Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, vegan ramen from Ramen Hood, and freshly prepared pasta from Knead & Co. Pick up some barbecue from Horse Thief BBQ on beautiful summer nights, enjoy it outside on the terrace, then wash it down with a drink from Golden Road Brewery or a decadent treat from the Donut Man.

The preferred taco in the hall is served by Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, especially the carnitas and al pastor.

Over the past ten years, Chris Burden's Urban Light, a work composed of 202 cast-iron street lamps collected from all over Los Angeles and brought back to life, has quickly established itself as one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Most visitors will undoubtedly associate the museum with this piece. However, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't go beyond the photogenic installation. The collections at LACMA include modernist masterpieces, massive contemporary sculptures, traditional Japanese screens, and by far the best special exhibitions in all of Los Angeles. This is one of the things to do in Los Angeles.

The 20-acre complex of buildings where LACMA has kept its encyclopedic collections, which have long been the most stunning in the city, has been quite the opposite. As a result, the eastern half of the campus has been leveled, and work is now begun on a replacement single-building that will reopen in 2024. In the meanwhile, LACMA's permanent collections have been dispersed throughout the Resnick Pavilion and Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM), both of which were designed by Renzo Piano.

You can find contemporary masters like Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and local artist Ed Ruscha among the artwork; there are well-known modernists like Picasso, Mondrian, Klee, and Kandinsky; Impressionist and post-Impressionist works by artists like Cezanne, Gauguin, and Degas; a large number of works from Africa; and, in the (currently closed) Pavilion for Japanese Art, a variety of delightful works from the Far East. There is also a world-famous collection of Islamic art.

Don't miss: The Alexander McQueen exhibition, the Barbara Kruger retrospective, and the Friday night free jazz performances are back. The museum requires reservations, but if you make one for a weekday after 3pm and live in the county, entrance is free.

Infinity Mirror Rooms, in three words. Two of Yayoi Kusama's immersive, mirror-filled rooms can be seen in the city's perennially well-liked modern art museum. The free museum also houses the 2,000 post-war works owned by Eli and Edythe Broad, including pieces by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Jeff Koons. Otium, the museum's trademark restaurant from former French Laundry chef Timothy Hollingsworth, is located in front of a gorgeous olive tree grove in the plaza outside the building.

The museum has been a fascinating addition to Los Angeles' collection of institutions, even though at times its exhaustive survey of expensive gallery prizes can feel a little safe. The gallery experience is enjoyable, but the vault and veil design looks much heavier and more opaque than it should. However, there is one design feature that absolutely adores: the window that spans two stories and provides a glimpse into the collection storage.

A debut show at The Broad in 2015 included works by Jasper Johns, Cy Twombly, Barbara Kruger, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, and other 20th-century rock icons, along with a ton of Jeff Koons. The Visitors, a stunning nine-screen video installation by Ragnar Kjartansson, and Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room, which featured an unending field of LEDs, were two standout installations.

The vibrant Takashi Murakami exhibition, which is free to view on Thursday nights, as well as the return of summer music, are not to be missed.

For many years, the great art collection of the J. Paul Getty Trust was housed in what is now known as the Getty Villa. However, the Getty Center debuted in 1997. The finished result is a magnificent complex of white metal and travertine-clad pavilions that displays identifiable Impressionist artwork, opulent French furnishings, and changing exhibitions. Free entrance and expansive views that go from the hills and the beach in the west all the way around to Downtown in the east more than make up for its relative accessibility.

One thing becomes clear after parking at the base and riding the electric tram up the hill: It's a vast location, with artwork on show in four permanent pavilions, an exhibition space, and the nearby Getty Research Institute. The Impressionist artwork in the West Pavilion, especially Van Gogh's Irises, never fails to draw large crowds. Only the East Pavilion's recreations of baroque rooms can compare to the South Pavilion's French decorative arts across the street. A number of Rembrandt masterpieces may be seen on the upper floor of that structure, so make sure to get there. The only artwork in the North Pavilion, which dates exclusively from before 1700, is a collection of illuminated manuscripts on the ground floor.

Without ever entering a gallery, you may leisurely meander through the Getty's numerous courtyards, overlooks, and fountains and still feel content. The main attraction is Robert Irwin's Central Garden, which features a cascading stream and a lush maze of hedges and walkways. Just past it is a garden with contemporary sculptures. A group of cacti in the front and a picture-perfect vista of the city are offered by the cactus garden in the southeast corner. Post up on one of the west-facing terraces of the pavilion for the best sunset views.

Don't miss: The Getty Villa, a sibling institution to Pacific Palisades, is unquestionably worthwhile to visit and is stuffed to the gills with Greek and Roman artifacts. For free reservations, both museums are required. Watch out for Off the 405, the museum's free after-hours concert series that typically occurs once a month.

Venice is named for the network of little canals that crisscross the beachside neighborhood. The residential Venice area of Los Angeles, California, contains the Venice Canal Historic District. The historic area is notable for having man-made wetland canals that were constructed in 1905 as part of developer Abbot Kinney's Venice of America project. In coastal Los Angeles County, Kinney aimed to mimic the look and feel of Venice, Italy. Through sea gates in the Marina Del Rey breakwater and once more on Washington Boulevard, the water enters the canals. When the tide is high, they are closed, keeping the water for about three days before it is replenished again. They open at low tide to drain the majority of the water.

The Venice Canals, which are tucked between the wealthy Abbot Kinney and the filthy Venice Boardwalk, provide a whole different perspective of the renowned coastal region. A trip around these three canal-lined streets, which give Venice its name, will reveal a picture-perfect landscape with sweeping pedestrian bridges, quaint beach cottages, swarms of ducklings, and the occasional bulldog paddleboarding. Despite the lack of boat rentals along the canals, you can bring your own non-motorized boat to explore the area from the water (enter via the launch ramp at Venice Boulevard). This is one of the things to do in Los Angeles.

The area can be explored at water level on your own non-motorized vessel, even if there are no boat rentals available along the canals (enter via the launch ramp at Venice Boulevard).

In Los Angeles County, California, the Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) is an astronomical observatory. This is lengthy, beautiful drive to a high observatory. Mount Wilson, a 1,740-meter (5,710-foot) peak in the San Gabriel Mountains close to Pasadena, is where the MWO is situated. It is located northeast of Los Angeles. At any time of day, you can view all of Los Angeles' splendor and majesty from this location.

Why go? The Mount Wilson Observatory, perched high in the San Gabriel Mountains, offers stunning vistas of the area. On weekends, keep an eye out for ticketed, afternoon docent-led tours. Although the facility is free to enter, due to its location inside the Angeles National Forest, parking at the site and its nearby picnic spot requires the purchase of a Forest Service Adventure Pass.

Don't miss: Take a self-guided tour of the grounds or a $15 seasonally scheduled docent-led observatory tour (same-day tickets are available at the Cosmic Cafe). You'll need to keep an eye out for the seldom ticketed event if you want to observe the stars late at night. And think about getting tickets for a concert that will be held within the dome on a few summer Sundays.

The summer outdoor cinema season in Los Angeles offers movie buffs the best of both worlds: both classic and contemporary movies are screened on a giant screen under the stars, and there is an abundance of delicious food and beverages. The best outdoor movies in Los Angeles are listed in our guide, so gather your friends and enjoy an unending summer of amusement.

It's time to enjoy the outdoors now that summer has arrived. What more enjoyable way to celebrate than by taking the family to a movie outside? In Los Angeles, parks, schools, museums, and even roofs are excellent locations to watch outdoor films. There are numerous pop-up film series that alternate between drive-ins and outdoor picnic-style gatherings. In the late spring and into the fall, outdoor film screenings become increasingly popular around the city, whether they are held atop rooftop bars, in L.A.'s top parks, or even in a Hollywood cemetery.

The season for outdoor movies has here, and the calendar is full. Rooftop Movies at the Montalbán presents screenings on Saturday evenings, while Melrose Rooftop Theatre is returning almost every night. In the meantime, Eat|See|Hear, Cinespia, and Street Food Cinema have all resumed their weekend picnic-style screenings. Additionally, Boat Cinema has introduced weekend shoreline screenings to Castaic Lake for something completely different. Any night of the week, are you looking to catch a new movie? Visit the top movie theaters in Los Angeles or one of the few surviving vintage drive-in theaters. You may always watch the greatest L.A. movies to get some inspiration at home. This is one of the things to do in Los Angeles.

Don't miss: New television shows and film screenings are continually appearing, such as Outfest Under the Stars at the Ford this month. Check back for updates.

The California Science Center, a merger of two long-running previous facilities, debuted in 1998 in a light, airy structure immediately in front of the Rose Garden in Exposition Park. Endeavour, the museum's most recent acquisition, is definitely a place worth visiting because of its charming beauty. The last space shuttle to be built, Endeavour instills a reach-for-the-stars spirit unlike any other exhibit in the city. Children almost solely like the various interactive exhibits; otherwise, childless adults may find the majority of the museum to be overly crowded, disorganized, and, well, dull.

The Kelp Tank, which is home to 1,500 live fish, kelp, and other marine life, is another exhibit feature; the consistently well-liked High-Wire Bicycle; Tess, the 50-foot body simulator and star of the Body Works performance; and authentic space capsules from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo-Soyuz missions. These attractions serve to highlight the strength of gravity. Temporary displays and an IMAX theater that regularly shows stunning, ostensibly informative, nature-themed movies offer additional amusement.

The fact that the museum's permanent exhibits are free to view may be the reason why a big shop occupies the majority of the ground level.

Avoid missing out: Timed tickets are necessary to enter the museum at this time. If you purchase your ticket at the box office, you can avoid the $3 service charge, but your preferred time will not be confirmed.

The Korean Bell of Friendship, also known as the Korean Friendship Bell, is a sizable bronze bell located in Angel's Gate Park in the San Pedro section of Los Angeles, California. It is housed in a stone pavilion. The area of the park that used to be the Upper Reservation of Fort MacArthur is now known as the "Korean-American Peace Park" and is situated near the intersection of Gaffey and 37th Streets.

This grassy area with a view of the Pacific is famous for its namesake bell, which has an elaborately painted hipped roof. The continuous winds off the coast are perfect for kite flying on the exposed hillside. This is one of the things to do in Los Angeles.

The Point Fermin Lighthouse, Sunken City, and the final remnants of Fort MacArthur, with its retired heavy artillery battery that previously guarded the harbor, all bear witness to a silent history that permeates the San Pedro coastline. The Korean Bell of Friendship, however, is one of Los Angeles' most picturesque locations, located over the Pacific Ocean just up the hill from there. Let this be your first date if you've been hesitant to fall in love with the South Bay.

Don't miss: Only four times a year, on the Fourth of July, National Liberation Day of Korea (Aug. 15), New Year's Eve, and during Constitution Week in September, does the bell sound.

If you want to experience, explore, see the scenery of L.A. From above, and above all, seize the opportunity to climb the mountain, then this is the park you should go to if you set foot in this beautiful land. Temescal Gateway Park is a park atop a hillside in Pacific Palisades with numerous ocean vistas. One of the most well-liked parks in the Santa Monica Mountains is Temescal Gateway Park, which is situated in Pacific Palisades. The 141-acre park includes ridgetop views, canyons of oak and sycamore trees, and access to Topanga State Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park, and the 20,000-acre "Big Wild."

Temescal Canyon Park is ideal for trail runners, hikers, and dog walkers due to its varied topography, lush vegetation, and views of the city and the Pacific. With enough different topography to keep you and your furry friend going—all the way to the Valley, should you dare—you'll see expansive, breath-taking views that stretch from Catalina to Downtown.

The Temescal Canyon loop travels through a heavily forested, well-kept trail with panoramic views of the coast and a seasonal waterfall. This park in the Santa Monica Mountains is well-liked, but thankfully not well-liked enough to have problems with dog poop and parking. With enough different topography to keep you and your furry friend going—all the way to the Valley, should you dare—you'll see expansive, breath-taking views that stretch from Catalina to Downtown. Take note of the stop signs. Seriously. If you ignore them, a $100 fee will be delivered to you. They are picture enforced.

Within Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, there are three beaches, one of which is El Matador Beach. The most well-known and closest to Malibu of the three is El Matador. On the hill above the Pacific Ocean, El Matador features a parking lot with picnic tables. On the bluff face, a trail leads you down through unusual eroding formations before stairs carry you the remaining distance to the beach. On the beach and in the waves are stunning sea stacks. Professional photographers frequently use this location to capture beautiful sunsets and swimwear models.

Why go? Because it is unquestionably the most beautiful section of shoreline in the area. It can only be reached from a pricey parking lot through a narrow gravel route. But the effort is worthwhile, whether it's to view the sunset or watch the waves crash against the rocks.

Don't pack too much gear and wear shoes. Spread your towel in the cupped hands of the rocks—be aware of the high tide—if you want some privacy on the beach as there are no lifeguards or other services. You should be rewarded with a memorable sunrise or sunset if you arrive early or stay late. The Rober H Meyer Memorial Beaches are made up of the close El Pescador, La Piedra, and El Matador beaches. They are all worthwhile stops. Spend $10 at the self-pay lot (or $1 with the app) to park, or find a space on PCH.

Take note of the tide. Sand is particularly scarce when high tide comes in because of how tiny the beach is.

Don't allow the fact that the ambiguously called Moist Canyon is located within the Eaton Canyon Natural Area deter you from visiting this well-liked location. This hike is ideal for you and your children who are older than five. There are multiple stream crossings on the short, easy hike of less than three miles, so make sure everyone is wearing shoes that can handle getting a little wet.

Take the main Park Road Trail about 1.5 miles through a wooded, rocky area that gently slopes, starting at the Nature Center parking lot. Enjoy wading in the shallows after you arrive to the 50-foot waterfall, which plunges into a stunning granite punchbowl; however, avoid ascending to the razorback trail above the falls as two individuals perished doing so this past year. If you want a challenge, continue on until the trail reaches the Mt. Wilson Toll Road, where you can begin an eight-mile hike to the Mt. Wilson Observatory. If not, simply go back the way you came. If you choose to take a detour into Moist Canyon, be sure to keep an ear out for gunshots; nonetheless, the Pasadena Police Department insists that everything is completely safe.

Don't miss: On weekdays only, you can park outside of the Pinecrest Gate, which is only a little over a mile from the waterfall, and skip the most tedious part of the trip.

Baldwin Hills consists of 282 steep concrete stairs that lead to a number of hiking trails at the summit and a winding driveway that can be used for jogging or walking.

The scene has young residents, couples, and groups of friends working out together fill the wide stairs after work on weekends and during the week. To escape the crowds, it's preferable to visit during the week or during the day. However, since there isn't much shelter from the intense sun, you should bring a hat. With the ocean on one side and the Downtown Los Angeles cityscape on the other, the views from the top provide some of the best in the area. As soon as you get at the summit, sit down on the broad park bench and enjoy the panoramic views.

On Jefferson Boulevard, locals park in the numerous metered and meter-free spaces. When crossing a street with traffic on both sides, exercise caution. Drive up the hill as a shortcut and park in one of the numerous available places for $6. Utilize the trails in the region to continue your workout while taking in the magnificent views.

After reaching the summit, relax on the spacious park bench and take in the panoramic views of the city. Visit the infrequently open visitor's center to find out more about the surrounding flora and fauna. Take use of the numerous shaded places, drinking fountains, and spotlessly clean restrooms as rewards.