Los Angeles County Travel Guide – Attractions & Tours

Featured Lists

Top Southern California Beaches

This list features nine notable beaches along Southern California’s coastline, ranging from the lively Venice Beach with its iconic boardwalk and skate plaza to the rugged coves of El Matador State Beach. It includes Malibu’s Zuma Beach, the rocky Catalina Island, and popular piers like Manhattan Beach, showcasing diverse landscapes, recreational facilities, and natural scenic lookouts.

9 places

Pbjamesphoto / CC BY-SA 4.0

Top Museums & Culture

Explore Los Angeles' diverse museum scene, featuring renowned art institutions like The Getty Center with its extensive collections spanning classic to modern art, and The Broad Museum specializing in contemporary works. This list also highlights unique cultural venues such as The Hollywood Museum showcasing film memorabilia, Battleship USS Iowa offering a preserved WWII naval experience, and specialized aquariums like the Aquarium of the Pacific.

10 places

Diliff / CC BY-SA 3.0

Parks & Gardens Highlights

This collection features a diverse range of parks, gardens, and protected natural areas around Los Angeles, including historic botanical gardens like The Huntington and Los Angeles County Arboretum, natural reserves such as Vasquez Rocks and Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, and scenic coastal locations like El Matador Beach and Venice Beach Boardwalk.

11 places

Pmlineditor / CC BY-SA 4.0

Top Theme Parks & Coasters

Discover Southern California's leading theme parks and roller coasters, including Universal Studios Hollywood's immersive movie-based attractions and Six Flags Magic Mountain's expansive collection of record-breaking steel and wooden coasters. The list also features water parks like Hurricane Harbor and Raging Waters, along with classic log flume rides offering variety for all ages.

15 places

Torsten Bolten / CC BY-SA 3.0

Top Shopping & Dining

Explore Los Angeles' premier shopping and dining destinations, from the luxury boutiques of Rodeo Drive and the cultural heritage of Olvera Street to the historic Original Farmers Market. This list also features vibrant entertainment complexes like Hollywood & Highland and Universal Citywalk, as well as popular pedestrian malls and piers offering diverse culinary and retail experiences across the city.

9 places

Visitor7 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Modern Architecture Highlights

Discover Los Angeles through its exemplary modern architecture, including Frank Gehry's iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall and his distinctive residence. This collection features landmark office towers like the Capitol Records Building and civic structures such as Los Angeles City Hall. Experience a range of styles from Art Deco at Griffith Observatory and the Los Angeles Public Library to post-modern design at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. The Getty Center offers expansive art collections housed within a striking architectural campus, reflecting the city's innovative design heritage.

8 places

//www.photography.mattfield.com / CC BY 2.5

Scenic Lookouts & Viewpoints

Explore ten distinctive viewpoints and scenic lookouts around Los Angeles, showcasing a mix of urban and coastal panoramas. Highlights include Griffith Observatory's Art Deco architecture and city views, Mulholland Drive's winding scenic road through the Santa Monica Mountains, and a selection of beaches offering sandy shores and ocean vistas.

10 places

Junkyardsparkle / CC BY-SA 3.0

Hollywood Film Landmarks

This collection features notable Hollywood film studios such as Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Brothers Studio, and Paramount Studios, each offering tours and insights into movie production. It also includes iconic filming locations and cultural landmarks like Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Boulevard, and Mulholland Drive, known for their cinematic and historical significance within the Los Angeles area.

8 places

Vit Zdarsky / CC BY-SA 4.0

Top Camp & Caravan Sites

This collection highlights camp and caravan sites across Southern California, featuring a mix of state recreation areas, private resorts, and forest campgrounds. Included are sites with facilities for tents and RVs, many located near natural reserves or scenic landscapes such as Hungry Valley and Angeles National Forest.

10 places

Top Golf Courses

This collection features 13 golf courses across Southern California offering a range of landscapes from coastal settings to inland valleys. Included are municipal courses like Alhambra Golf Course alongside private country clubs such as Sierra La Verne, providing diverse playing conditions and facilities for different skill levels.

13 places

Los Angeles County — Map

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Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Great

18°–19° · varies by region
7° at night
5–6 rainy days · varies by region
20 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in February

Great

18°–20° · varies by region
8° at night
5–7 rainy days · varies by region
18 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Great

19°–22° · varies by region
9° at night
5–6 rainy days · varies by region
22 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in April

Great

21°–25° · varies by region
11° at night
2–3 rainy days · varies by region
23 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

22°–29° · varies by region
13° at night
1–2 rainy days · varies by region
24 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in June

Great

24°–34° · varies by region
15° at night
0 rainy days
25 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
18°C · too cold to swim
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

27°–37° · varies by region
18° at night
0–1 rainy days · varies by region
27 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
20°C · cool for a dip
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in August

Great

28°–37° · varies by region
19° at night
0–1 rainy days · varies by region
29 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
20°C · cool for a dip
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great

27°–35° · varies by region
18° at night
1 rainy day
27 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
20°C · cool for a dip
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in October

Great

25°–29° · varies by region
14° at night
2 rainy days
26 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in November

Great

21°–24° · varies by region
10° at night
2–4 rainy days · varies by region
23 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in December

Great

18°–19° · varies by region
7° at night
4–6 rainy days · varies by region
19 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

This destination spans several climate zones, so these figures are a range across the region rather than exact values. Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5; NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025