By Post: Angelina Majeno, Peer Mentor 2022
Honestly, the better question would be “what isn’t there to do in Los Angeles?” Depending on whether you love the outdoors, food, museums, music, or just want to change scenery every now and then, Los Angeles has something for everyone. Los Angeles (the city) is only a part of Los Angeles County, which is the most populated county in the country [1]. This list will encompass things to do around various neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles, which are easily accessible by car or public transportation.
Hollywood
One of the most iconic symbols in LA is the Hollywood sign. It’s a strenuous hike to get a nice, close view of it (depending on where you start it can be anywhere from 6-10 miles round trip). If you’re up for it, this website will give you all the information you need on the best routes to take.
Around here, you can also find many other trails that are less challenging. In addition, Griffith Park is home to the Los Angeles Zoo, two museums (The Autry Museum of the American West, Travel Town — a museum of trains), the Griffith Observatory, and the Greek Theater, which offers concerts April through November.
On that note, if you’re a music fan, you may also want to check out the iconic Hollywood Bowl and the Ford Theater. You can see musicals and plays at The Pantages Theater, which is located by the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Hollywood is also home to some delicious food. Visit Thai Town where you will find a variety of restaurants serving Asian, Lebanese, Armenian, and American cuisine.
Downtown LA
One of my favorite places in LA to have a picnic is Grand Park. This park hosts events like workout classes, art exhibits, and free concerts. Not too far from here, you will find the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where you can hear the LA Philharmonic and other renowned artists play. Just down the road, you can visit The Broad Museum and The Museum of Contemporary Art, both of which are free but may require reservations.
As for food, Downtown LA is a hub for cuisine from around the globe. One place that really embodies that is the Grand Central Market, an international food court serving Japanese, Mexican, German, Chinese, and Salvadorean, just to name a few types of cuisine. Similarly, the Smorgasburg, an outdoor food market open only on Sundays, offers a wide variety of international foods.
Other places to explore in Downtown LA are the Los Angeles State Historic Park, Chinatown, Olvera Street, and Little Tokyo.
South LA
University Park is home to the Natural History Museum, the California Science Center, a rose garden, and the California African American Museum. You can go to soccer matches (and concerts!) at the Banc of California Stadium or catch a football game at the LA Memorial Coliseum. For food, make sure to stop by Mercado la Paloma, which features Thai and Mexican food.
The Valley
Located north of Hollywood, you can find Universal Studios (Harry Potter fans rejoice!). Outside the theme park is Universal CityWalk, home to a large selection of restaurants and stores and a movie theater. As a UCI student, you can access tickets at a discounted price.
The Beach
Santa Monica is one of the most popular beaches in Los Angeles County. In addition to swimming and surfing, you can stroll around the Santa Monica Pier, where you will find rides, restaurants, and shops. Venice Beach is another option for beachgoers. Here you will find a boardwalk, a skate park, and an outdoor gym facing the Pacific Ocean. If you’re interested in a quieter, more secluded beach, you can visit one of the many beaches in the 27-mile stretch of public beaches in Malibu.
Transportation Options
FlixBus: This option can get you from UCI to Downtown LA for $7.99 + service fee (~$4), from there you can head to Union Station if your final destination isn’t Downtown (see more information below).
Amtrak: The train will cost about $19 from the Irvine station to Union Station in Downtown LA. From Union Station, you can take the Red Line going north to Hollywood and the Valley. Or get off at the 7th Street/Metro Center Station and transfer to the Expo Line to Expo Park/USC to go to South LA.
Car: This is probably the best option for any of the Beach destinations. Public transportation is very limited from Irvine to these places, but luckily, there are plenty of beaches in the OC. If you’re driving to any of these destinations, just bear in mind that traffic will fluctuate but you’re looking at spending about an hour driving. Most of these spots will also charge for parking.
References
[1] https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties