Back in Los Angeles, this time for work. My last trip was 3 years ago and I was looking forward to revisit as it is unlike many of the places I’ve been to. Dubbed the City of Angels, it is often synonymous with the land of opportunities, Instagram-worthy scenes, Hollywood, food and more.
I am a huge fan of Klook, and would always recommend them to my friends for its convenience of booking activities at an unbeatable value. Imagine how stoked I was discovering LA with them!
Read below to view LA through my lens, including places to visit, photo opportunities, tips, getting around, food and shopping.
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What to Do
Universal Studios Hollywood
For movie buffs and Harry Potter fans, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must-visit. One of the highlights for me was the Studio Tour, where I got the chance to visit a real working movie studio, and go behind the scenes to see where Hollywood movies are made.
It was fun playing dress-up at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, indulging in Butter Beer and feasting at Three Broomsticks cafe too!
Another highlight in USH is Krustyland, which is themed around the Simpsons. We couldn’t resist getting a giant version of Bart Simpson’s favourite frosted donut for ourselves!
Thanks to Klook, we could skip the queues and simply scan the barcode with our mobile voucher. Did I mention that the tickets are discounted too?
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, USA. Opens from 8AM.
Warner Bros Studio Tour
If you can’t get enough of Hollywood, visit the Warner Brothers’ Studio Tour to get more of your stardom fix. For those who would like to have an intimate tour behind-the-scenes, this semi-walking tour at Warner Brothers’ Studio Tour is for you!
The tour takes approximately 2-3 hours and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the original props, costumes and Hollywood movie set. It was eye-opening to know all about how films are made- I can never watch Hollywood movies the same way again! Dress comfortably as there will be some walking to be done.
The ticket to the WB Studio Tour is included if you purchase Klook’s Go Los Angeles Card (1 – 7-day option) card. With it, you can visit LA’s leading attractions, which is an all-inclusive pass that allows direct access to 38 top attractions including Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags, Warner Brothers’ Studio Tours and more. Enjoy cost savings and flexibility over your itinerary with the Go Los Angeles Card.
Address: 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505, USA. Opens 8:30AM.
Disneyland
One cannot go to LA and miss the original Disneyland Park in Anaheim. With Klook, we managed to beat the lines and access the parks with hardly a wait. Adjacent to Disneyland Park is Disney California Adventure Park. There are 2 or 3-Day ticket options available on Klook – go with the ‘Park Hopper’ option if you would like to visit both parks.
Tip: Arrive 1 hour before the park opens and visit during off-peak seasons. Don’t miss the iconic Disney parade and stay the night for the spectacular fireworks display.
After visiting both parks, I can’t seem to decide which one I prefer. I love that Disneyland Park is a classic park that has all the original attractions such as Space Mountain and Pirates of the Carribean. On the other hand, I also enjoy Disney California Adventure Park for its refreshing take on classic Disney. The latter is still very much reflective of the Disney culture. I had fun trying the delicious Disney-themed treats at both parks too!
Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802, USA. Opens from 8AM.
Where to Go
Griffith Observatory
The quintessential white domes in LA. Stay for panoramic views of the city or purchase tickets to the next exhibit. Admission to the observatory compounds is free. Did you know? The movie La La Land was filmed at the Griffith Observatory!
Getting there: Take an Uber in comfort or hike your way up. There are multiple hiking trails on Mt. Hollywood leading from the back corner of the Observatory parking lot.
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
Hollywood Sign
Possibly one of the most iconic landmarks in America. You can’t hike to the sign itself, but you can hike to spots that offer a nice vantage point of the sign. For one of the best views and a nice trek, hike to the Hollywood sign. The hike took a total of 45 minutes, one way. It was relatively easy so don’t worry about sweating. Read more about how to get to the sign via this post (link to Klook’s post). The LA GO Pass offers this Hollywood hiking experience too.
Beaches
LA is home to many beautiful beaches. We visited Venice and Santa Monica Beach. The two beaches are adjacent to each other, so it makes for a nice hour-long walk if you are up for it.
I would liken Venice Beach to a free-spirited bohemian. Venice is a bustling beach town with colourful murals. There is also a skate park and many locals around. I could spend an afternoon people-watching, or getting around on an e-scooter. The Venice boardwalk is peppered with local eateries and vendors, there’s just a certain charm about Venice.
Santa Monica Pier is another buzzing area with an amusement park onsite. The Ferris wheel and roller-coaster is an icon to Santa Monica Pier, and the park is filled with games, food and good vibes. Fill your tummies with Japadog and stay for the sunset.
Where to Eat
Grand Central Market
It is home to the flagship outlet of Eggslut, a popular breakfast chain in LA. Eat and be prepared for a sloppy, egg-y mess. Tip: visit during off-peak hours to avoid the snaking queues!
Bob’s Big Boy
Bob’s Big Boy is a retro American diner that has been featured in several Hollywood movies. Even more notable is the sense of pop culture history. Fun fact: the Beatles has dined here before! Food wise, the chicken on waffles and pulled pork sandwich are great options. Wash it down with a thick milkshake.
Alfred’s Tea Room
Alfred Tea Room is a lovely cafe in Melrose Place. They have a selection of pastries including croissants from the famed Mr Holmes Bakehouse. Not just an eye-candy, the food and drinks were good. Their Matcha Boba Tea with Oat milk was a favourite for me. Tip: most cafes in Melrose only offer cashless payment as an option.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Nestled in the upscale shopping enclave – the Grove- lies Dominique Ansel Bakery. Skip the cronuts and order the DKA (Kouign Amann), cookie shot and madeleines and you will be in for a treat!
Coffee
LA has many great coffee places to get your caffeine fix or rest your feet. Some recommendations include Intelligentsia Silverlake, Stumptown Coffee and Blue Bottle Coffee.
Korea Town
Korean food in LA is not to be missed. If you have not heard, it is one of the best in the world, outside of Korea. We checked out Quarters, which is a popular Korean barbeque place. You know the food will be great if you see many Koreans dining there. True enough, it didn’t disappoint.
IHOP
IHOP (stands for International House of Pancakes) is a household name for pancakes in America. The classic Blueberry Pancakes is a must order here. Indulge in other filling breakfast items like Mexican Chicken crepes and more. There are various IHOP outlets around LA.
Instagram Spots in LA
The Last Bookstore
The Last Book Store in downtown LA is a treasure trove for books. Be prepared to get lost in the widest variety of titles – both new and old. This eclectic space is a must-visit for book and arts lovers.
Address: 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA.
Bradbury Building
Located near Grand Central Market, the Bradbury Building is a historical building featuring a Victorian-like interior and wrought-iron staircase. The premise is an office building and no photo-taking is allowed.
LA Art District
LA is affectionately dubbed as the City of Angels, and there is no lack of walls that showcase this part of the culture. Walk around the Art District and you will be greeted by many graffiti walls for your Instagram backdrop.
That Pink Wall
That famed bright-pink wall in LA, aka Instagram wall. It’s located on the side of the Paul Smith store along Melrose Avenue.
Address: Paul Smith Pink Wall. 8221 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046.
Made in LA
Just a few blocks down from the Pink Wall is Cisco Home’s Made in LA Wall, also another iconic wall in Melrose.
Address: Cisco Home. 8025 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90046.
LACMA
Another playground for Instagrammers. It is a challenge to take the winning shot as the place gets crowded with many tourists vying for space. There is no entrance fee for this, unless you are planning to enter the gallery.
Address: Los Angeles County Museum of Art. 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA.
Bulleit Neon Sign
Located within Grand Central Market, this neon wall is hard to miss.
Address: Grand Central Market. 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles 90013.
Getting Around
Getting around in LA is difficult without a car. A safe and convenient mode of transport is via taxi- options available are Uber and Lyft, so be sure to download the applications before arriving in LA. For airport transfer, book Klook’s private LAX transfer to and from LA to avoid Uber surges during peak periods.
Tipping
As a general rule of thumb, tipping at 15% is a good start when dining at restaurants.
Activity Bookings
Exploring LA with Klook has been a fuss-free and great experience. We managed to enjoy time and cost-savings by booking our activities with Klook. Best parts? Whizzing past the snaking lines at popular attractions such as Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. Retrieving tickets is also hassle-free with the mobile e-tickets- no printing of physical tickets needed! Do check out the Klook LA activities page for more things to do in the City of Angels!
Summary
Activities
- Disneyland & Disney California Adventure Park
- Universal Studios Hollywood & The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Sight-seeing
- Hollywood Hike
- Griffith Observatory
Shopping
- Melrose Avenue (Glossier, Everlane, Reformation)
- The Grove (upscale place)
Arts & Culture
- Downtown LA Arts District
- The Last Bookstore
- Silverlake
Food & Markets
- Grand Central Market
- Bob’s Big Boy
- IHOP
- Alfred Tea Room in Melrose
- Dominique Ansel Bakery
- Milk Bar
- Korea Town
- The Original Farmers Market
Instagram Spots
- Paul Smith Pink Wall
- Made in LA wall
- Bulleit Neon Sign
- LACMA