10 places I love to go in Los Angeles as a local, from scenic hikes to outdoor movies and relaxed beaches

Alesandra DubinSep 27, 2022, 16:36 IST

Skip Venice and Malibu if you want a beach day with fewer crowds.Natasha Lee for Insider

With beaches, hiking, museums, and more, Los Angeles can easily fill up anyone's travel itinerary.
Start planning with a local's favorite things to do in LA, from scenic hikes to beachside brunch.

Of course, it's folly to assume that living in Los Angeles means spending all day at the Santa Monica Pier or trying to get right up close to the Hollywood Sign. But though I've lived here for decades, those are still things I indeed love to do.

Never mind that I'm a local: The beach, pier, and Ferris wheel are all favorite pastimes with my family. And hiking in the Hollywood Hills makes for a cherished solo afternoon whenever I can get the time.

Other favorite activities in town include picnicking at the Hollywood Bowl or Hollywood Forever Cemetery, wandering the museums along Miracle Mile, and shopping for vintage finds on Melrose. Here's what else I recommend for visitors and locals alike.

Go hiking at Runyon Canyon for a quintessential see-and-be-seen cardio workout.

For a trendy workout with potential celebrity sightings, hit up Runyon Canyon.Natasha Lee for Insider

Enjoy the sun and sea at Paradise Cove.

Hidden in the corner of Malibu lies Paradise Cove, the perfect place for beach views and fun bites.Natasha Lee for Insider

Hike to architectural ruins and a waterfall at Malibu's Solstice Canyon.

Start off early if you the waterfall at the end of the 3-mile Solstice Canyon loop trailJoy Stanford/Shutterstock

Picnic at a Hollywood Bowl event.

The Hollywood Bowl is only about a 10-minute drive from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.Shutterstock/Chirajuti

Take in movie magic at the new Academy Museum.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures takes you behind the scenes of movie magic.Joshua White/Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Shop for vintage finds on Melrose Avenue and at the Fairfax High School flea market.

For vintage finds and LA-style inspiration check out The Melrose Trading Post.Natasha Lee for Insider

Get lost amid the peacocks and sprawling gardens at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.

Stop by the picturesque Queen Anne Cottage at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.Shutterstock/Nagel Photography

Catch an outdoor movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Pack your picnic basket and prepare for a night under the stars at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery film screenings.Natasha Lee for Insider

Prep for a party — and stay for the street food — at the Piñata District.

Satisfy any sweet tooth cravings at Raquel’s Candy N’ Confections in Downtown Los Angeles.Natasha Lee for Insider

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