The Best LA Area Cities Tourists Must Visit
There are tons of things to do in the LA Area. You can go swimming, hiking, visit movie sets, or simply have fun. Below I listed the best LA Area neighborhoods visitors will have a blast at!
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is mostly known for its pristine beaches, fishing spots, and the iconic Pacific Park. There is so much to do in this neighborhood!
It is one heck of a sight swimming in the Pacific and seeing the mountains in the distance. As a Floridian, I was not used to seeing something like this since it is all flat land over there. The waves also had a stronger tide, making it perfect for people to go surfing. I have never seen waves this big in my life. California absolutely takes advantage of the strong Pacific presence.
Another big highlight from Santa Monica is Pacific Park. This is a small amusement park that miraculously sits on top of a pier. I was blown away when I learned you can fit an entire rollercoaster at the pier. It is one of the most impressive things I have ever seen. At Pacific Park, you can also play arcade games, ride carousels, dine at full-service restaurants, and much more.
Malibu
If you thought Santa Monica has a pretty beach, wait till you get to Malibu. This gorgeous small town sits on the edge of the Santa Monica mountains facing the ocean. It is one of the most picturesque beaches I have ever seen. The mountain range ends on giant cliffs by the sea, making me feel like I am a part of a movie.
Speaking of movies, Malibu is also home to many celebrities. If you ever walk around this area, you might run into a celeb shopping at the grocery store or dining at their favorite local restaurant. They might be out of reach if they bring their bodyguards.
Although Malibu is a few miles away from city life, the Santa Monica Mountains provide a barrier from the rest of the LA Area. You would feel like you are in a small town far away from the metropolis. Everything would remain nice and quiet. You’ll be away from the chaos of the city.
Beverly Hills
If you want to feel like a millionaire for a day, the luxurious mise-en-scene of Beverly Hills will boost up your mental net worth.
First of all, Beverly Hills is where hundreds of celebrities call home. You will find several massive mansions that resemble palaces. I might sound like I am exaggerating but this is legit! The houses are that big! Although it is super expensive to live there, you can always buy a house if you ever become a superstar. I mean we are all superstars but you know what I mean!
You also don’t have to live in a mansion to fully enjoy what this neighborhood offers. There are plenty of shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels to visit. A signature hotel is the Beverly Hilton, an iconic landmark where my celebs stayed at. The Beverly Hilton is also where the Golden Globes are filmed, w a world-renowned awards show where the finest of film and television get prizes for their hard work.
Hollywood
We all know Hollywood. This is where the majority of blockbuster movies were made. The majority of the world’s movie industry is in the grasp of this small LA Area neighborhood. It is insane how much power these few acres of land hold on the globe.
Hollywood is where many movie companies film their movies. A big movie studio that owns property here is Universal. What’s incredible about the Universal filming lots is that they are conjoined with Universal Studios, a world-class theme park. At Universal Studios, guests can ride an attraction where a car can drive them to see real movie sets. Guests get to see several blockbuster movie settings and feel like they are a big part of their favorite motion pictures. Universal Studios also houses incredible attractions such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurrasic Park, Minions Land, and many more favorites. It is insane how the park makes you feel like you are somewhere else while acres away, they are filming movies about being somewhere else. It is truly a must-do when visiting.
Hollywood is also home to the iconic hill with the Hollywood sign. This is something everybody knows, but it is too iconic not to mention. That hill is a perfect photo op opportunity. Once you post a good picture with the hill in the background, your friends will get super jealous!
Anaheim (aka Disneyland)
Of course, I had to add the happiest Place on Earth on this list. It is home to the first Disney Park to ever exist and provides a plethora of non-stop magical fun. There are also great shopping centers, amusement centers, and gardens.
The Disneyland resort is full of magical possibilities. It houses two incredible theme parks. The Disneyland theme park is the original park where Walt Disney himself walked. This is a place full of historical attractions, world-class dining, and the most interactive high-tech rides. Over there, you can fight the Empire on a Star Wars ride, hang out with Sleeping Beauty at her castle, and greet mickey mouse. There is also Disney California Adventure. It is a great California-themed park that gives you the best of what the Golden State offers. You can race with your favorite car friends at Radiator Springs, ride an incredible coaster, and fight enemies with the Avengers.
Although there are multiple Disney Resorts around the world, they can never reach the same nostalgic level as Disneyland. There is something about watching the original Sleeping Beauty castle that just hits different. Disney nerds know deep down that this is the most important Disney Park ever. If it weren’t for the existence of this Park, the other ones would not exist.
