Los Angeles

Peacock Theater

Built in 2007, it is Los Angeles' premier venue for rock concerts and awards shows.

varies·Wheelchair accessible

Hollywood Bowl

America's most famous outdoor theatre hosts a summer concert series by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks show set to classical music, as well as numerous other concert events. Traffic and parking can be a nightmare, so the $5 round-trip public shuttles are highly recommended.

Shrine Auditorium

A huge venue that once served as host to a number of awards shows. Located on Jefferson Blvd and Figueroa Street across the street from the University of Southern California, famous for its red bricks and nightlife. Closed to visitors.

Heritage listed · Built 1925

Pantages Theatre

A historic Art Deco theater dating back to 1930 which today serves as L.A.'s primary venue for Broadway musicals.

Built 1929

Crypto.com Arena

Home to three of LA's pro sports franchises; Lakers (NBA), Kings (NHL), and Sparks (WNBA), plus many concerts, shows and conventions.

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles' main venue for conventions and expositions, it is where Anime Expo and the Los Angeles Auto Show are held.

varies

Dodger Stadium

Who wouldn't want to grab a Dodger Dog and enjoy watching a game of baseball? Built by evicting and displacing an entire neighborhood of Chavez Ravine, this venerable stadium, in the hills north of Downtown near Echo Park, opened in 1962 and is home to Major League Baseball's 6 time world champion Los Angeles Dodgers. For $35 you can get all-you-can-eat hot dogs, sodas, and nachos at the Right Field Pavilion. Behind-the-scenes tours of the ballpark are available at 10AM, 11:30AM, and 1PM on days when there isn't an afternoon Dodgers game.

Tickets $15-$100, depending on game and section; ballpark tours $20 adults, $15 seniors/children/military

CBS Television City

This historic broadcasting complex was built in 1952 and continues to be the home of many of American TV's most popular shows, such as American Idol, The Price is Right, and The Young and The Restless. Tickets for shows that have a studio audience can usually be had for free at the CBS box office or on the show's website, but be forewarned that ticket distribution is frequently in excess of audience capacity and long lines can form for popular shows—Price is Right audience members, in particular, have been known to camp outside the studio the night before a taping just for a chance to be a contestant!

Hollywood Palladium

A classic Art Deco and Streamline-style theater and dance hall that today serves as a major concert venue that plays host to some big-name acts.

Mulholland Drive

If you have a car, it is worth driving up to Mulholland Drive. The main attraction is the incredible views from the Hollywood Hills across Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley, with plenty of overlooks available to stop and enjoy, but it's also worth visiting to ogle the impressive (and expensive) residences that line the route.

Greek Theatre

An outdoor amphitheater, opened in 1930 and so named because the stage is modeled after a Greek temple, set in Griffith Park and regularly used for concerts. Parking can be a problem as it is on a hill in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

Fonda Theatre

A historic venue dating back to the 1920s that serves as another major concert venue. It is reputed for its history of showcasing big-name musicians and indie bands.

Built 1926

Vista Theatre

An LA landmark large cinema with one screen, typically screening popular films.

Built 1923

Regency Village Theater

Fox Theater

The art-deco Fox Village Theater (now operated by Regency) is a throwback to "Old Hollywood" that has survived into the multi-plex era, and is often the site of red-carpet premiers. Though the decor reflects its historic roots, the seating, projection, and sound are excellent and have kept upgraded to meet and exceed modern quality standards.

General admission $11.75

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

A state park atop the Baldwin Hills, with marvelous views overlooking much of the Los Angeles Basin and some challenging hiking trails. Other amenities include sports fields, a fishing lake, picnic areas, a Japanese garden, and a visitor center. A shuttle connects the park with the La Cienga/Jefferson Metro Expo Line station on weekends and holidays.

Daily 6AM-sunset·$6 per vehicle

El Rey Theatre

A local landmark Art Deco theater, this standing room-only music venue is a popular for rock-and-roll and pop concerts.

Built 1936

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

The L.A. branch of the popular improv and experimental comedy troupe that have cultivated some of the best comics in the industry today. Regularly shows some well-known acts as well as plenty of up-and-comers.

The Groundlings

A popular venue for improv and sketch comedy that has launched plenty of famous careers.

The Wiltern

Metro: Wilshire/Western

At the corner of Wilshire & Western, the Wiltern is housed in a towering Art Deco structure. This major concert venue is a local favorite and plays host to many pop and rock-and-roll bands.

Improv

A popular and noted comedy club that plays host to lots of big-name acts.

Rancho Park Golf Course

Rancho Park Golf Course is a municipal course with discounts for LA residents, but is open to the public. Tee times are in high demand and are subject to availability, so make reservations well in advance if planning a round.

Green fees: $38-48 (discounts available), cart: $16-24

Silver Lake Reservoir

A scenic lake encircled by a nice walking and jogging path. Just over 2 miles long, it offers a beautiful way to get outdoors.

Cafe NELA

Music venue and beer bar specializing in Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Jazz, and experimental music; featuring local bands and touring acts from Latin America, Asia, Australia, Europe, Canada, and the US. Beer only. 21 and over

Thu-Sat 8PM-1AM, Sun afternoon varies - see website.·Cover charge $0-10, drinks $2-7

Ford Theatre

An intimate outdoor amphitheater that dates back to the 1930s and underwent an extensive renovation in the mid-2010s. The theater is partnered with the county arts commission and regularly hosts community theater productions.

Los Angeles River

While it's in the process of a long restoration, the section of the Los Angeles River past Northwest L.A. is actually already open as a recreation zone, with a soft-bottomed bed that supports trees and wildlife. A bike path runs along the western bank of the river between Riverside Drive at the north end of Griffith Park and the neighborhood of Elysian Valley, better known to locals as Frogtown, an up-and-coming area that has been the subject of much interest lately with the restoration of the river. Pocket parks dot the banks and there are opportunities for kayaking along this stretch of river. On summer weekends, the Friends of the Los Angeles River operates on the bike path in Frogtown, with various vendors, live music, and plenty of river-based outdoor activities.

Geffen Playhouse

A UCLA-owned theater company that is noted for their original productions hosted in an intimate space in a historic Westwood building.

Regency Bruin Theater

Like its big brother, the Fox Theater across the street, this is a fully modern cinema that still has the ambiance and style of an earlier era. The art-deco marquee, canopy, and box office are little changed from when it opened in 1937.

General admission $11.75

Audubon Center at Debs Park

An urban nature center showcasing the native habitat that used to fill the Los Angeles Basin.

Open now · closes 5 pm·Free

Cemetery Movie Screenings

The Cinespia film society screens creepy older movies every Saturday during the summer on the Fairbanks Lawn in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Crowds can be huge, so arrive prior to gates opening if you want a good vantage point. Most people bring a picnic dinner, a drink (wine or beer allowed, no spirits), blanket, pillow (or low chair) and jacket. A DJ plays music prior to the showing to create a fun outdoor atmosphere. Tickets (including parking) often sell out and should therefore be purchased in advance through the Cinespia web site.

Saturdays at 7PM, May–September

Philosophical Research Society

Founded by occultist Manly P. Hall, PRS describes itself as "a repository of multicultural wisdom sources and a center of learning." The organization operates a bookstore, event space, and Hall's collection also formed the basis for the PRS library of approximately 30,000 volumes, which is accessible to the public. PRS hosts a variety of eclectic events, from lectures and film screenings, to game nights and tarot readings.

Bookstore and gallery: Tue-Fri noon-6PM, Sat 1:30-6PM; library: Thu Fri noon-6PM. It hosts many events in the evenings, check the website.