Los Angeles spreads across 503 square miles with no single center — but the core attractions cluster around five corridors: the Westside (Getty Center, Self-Realization Fellowship), Hollywood (Walk of Fame, Universal Studios), downtown (Philippe's, Union Station), Anaheim 30 miles south (Disneyland), and the beaches (Santa Monica, Malibu). The Getty Center is free admission with 1.3 million works; Hollywood Walk of Fame is free to walk. Universal Studios is a working film lot — trams pass active sets. Philippe The Original has served the same French dip sandwich since 1908.
Jump to: Museums & Cultural Landmarks · Hollywood & Entertainment · Food · Planning Notes · Also worth visiting
Museums & Cultural Landmarks
The Getty Center Must-see
Los Angeles County · Los Angeles
The Getty Center sits on a 110-acre hilltop campus above Brentwood, designed by Richard Meier and opened in December 1997. Admission is free; the collection of 1.3 million objects includes Van Gogh's Irises, Rembrandt's Abduction of Europa, and Pontormo's Portrait of a Halberdier. The Central Garden designed by Robert Irwin covers 134,000 square feet of terraced plantings that change seasonally. The hilltop tram from the parking structure takes 5 minutes; Metro Rapid 761 from Westwood stops at the entrance. Parking is $25 per vehicle — cash only before noon on weekends. Plan 2–3 hours minimum for the main galleries; the architecture and views over Los Angeles are worth time on their own. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The separate Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades focuses on ancient Greek and Roman art and requires a separate (free) timed ticket.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine (Yogananda) Must-see
Los Angeles County · Pacific Palisades
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is a 10-acre sanctuary on a natural spring-fed lake, established by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1950 at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains in Pacific Palisades. The grounds hold a portion of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes in a white domed shrine — one of only four sites in the world designated to hold them by the Gandhi family. A 1.5-mile walking path circles the lake, passing the Court of Religions (five outdoor temples representing major world faiths), a 1887 windmill chapel converted to a meditation room, and formal rose gardens. Admission is free; open Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sunday 12:30–4:30 p.m. The shrine is at 17190 Sunset Boulevard; the 2 miles of Sunset Boulevard from the I-405 to the Pacific Coast Highway passes through Pacific Palisades with no parking at the site — street parking on Sunset Boulevard or a short walk from PCH public lots.
Hollywood & Entertainment
Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Chinese Theatre Must-see
Los Angeles County · Hollywood
The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs 15 blocks along Hollywood Boulevard from La Brea to Vine Street, plus 3 blocks on Vine — 2,700+ terrazzo stars honoring figures from film, television, music, radio, and live performance since 1960. Each star costs $75,000 and is funded by the honoree's team. TCL Chinese Theatre at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard has operated since 1927 and holds handprint and footprint casts from over 300 Hollywood figures in its forecourt — including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Humphrey Bogart, and Tom Hanks. Movie screenings still run nightly inside. Metro Red Line: Hollywood/Highland station is at the center of the Walk. Budget at least 90 minutes; the stretch from Vine to La Brea is dense with star-spotting. Street performers in costume take tips — no obligation to engage.
Universal Studios Hollywood Must-see
Los Angeles County · Universal City
Universal Studios Hollywood covers 415 acres on an active film studio in Universal City — the working backlot tram tour is the experience that separates it from every other California theme park. The 60-minute tram passes Jaws Lake (from the 1975 film), the Bates Motel (Psycho), Wisteria Lane (Desperate Housewives outdoor set), and sections of active sound stages where TV and film productions may be underway on your visit. The upper lot has the signature rides: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Forbidden Journey inside Hogwarts, Hogsmeade village), Jurassic World: The Ride, Transformers: The Ride-3D, and Super Nintendo World. Tickets run $109–$179 depending on date; Universal Express ($69–$109 add-on) skips standby lines. Metro Red/Purple Line: Universal City/Studio City station, free shuttle to the park entrance.
Food
Philippe The Original (Inventor of the French Dip Sandwich, 1908) Must-see
Los Angeles County · Los Angeles
Philippe The Original has operated at 1001 N. Alameda Street near Union Station since 1908 — and the French dip sandwich has been on the menu since the day owner Philippe Mathieu accidentally dropped a French roll into a roasting pan and a police officer asked for it prepared that way. The sandwich: a French roll dipped in natural meat juices, layered with slow-roasted beef, pork, lamb, or turkey, and served with a house-made hot mustard so sharp it requires a warning. The sawdust floor, long communal tables, and 9-cent-then-45-cent coffee are intentional; prices went up but not much else did. Order at the counter; double-dip is standard. Cash preferred, cards accepted. Open daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Two blocks from Los Angeles Union Station; easy by Metro or Amtrak connection.
Planning Notes
Where to stay: West Hollywood and Brentwood put you closest to the Getty Center and the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine; the Sunset Strip corridor has the densest mid-range hotel options. Downtown LA hotels (around Union Station) are well-positioned for Philippe's, Metro access, and daytime walking. Hollywood has budget to mid-range hotels within walking distance of the Walk of Fame and the Metro Red Line for Universal Studios.
Book ahead: Universal Studios Hollywood: buy tickets online at least a day ahead; Express Pass is worth it on spring and summer weekends when wait times hit 60–90 minutes for Harry Potter. The Getty Center: free, no ticket required, but arrive by 10 a.m. if parking — the lot fills fast on weekends. Disneyland in Anaheim (30 miles south) always requires advance tickets; buy a week ahead for high-tier dates.
Getting around: Metro Red/Purple Line connects downtown to Universal City and Hollywood in 20–30 minutes. A car is essential for the Getty Center (no practical transit to the hilltop), Pacific Palisades, and anything off the Red Line corridor. Santa Monica, Venice, and Malibu require driving or the Big Blue Bus from Santa Monica. Rideshare is widely available; parking in Hollywood is metered or structure-based — $15–$25 for a full day.
