I've lived in Los Angeles for 4 years. Here are 10 things tourists should skip and what they should do instead.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame, a landmark on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street that honors figures in the entertainment industry with stars on the sidewalk, can feel like an overcrowded nightmare.

Instead, trek to the Hollywood Sign, where you'll enjoy sweeping views of Greater Los Angeles and get an up-close view of the large white letters.

Hiking to the sign, which is 6 miles there and back, will help you avoid the crowds on the ground and give you more opportunities to get the perfect photo.

In my experience, finding parking near Malibu Pier can feel nearly impossible. Plus, it doesn't offer as much entertainment as the Santa Monica Pier, which has a solar-powered Ferris wheel, carnival games, and food stands.

Another alternative is the Venice Beach Boardwalk. The dining options and going-out scene are really amazing, and parking is usually free if you take the time to find a spot.

Step into Winston House, which boasts an awesome restaurant, a bar, and nightly live music. Or head to The Waterfront, which serves chill drinks in an even more chill atmosphere. Both are on the boardwalk, as are dozens of other spots worth popping into in Venice.

You can find expensive, run-of-the-mill nightclubs in most cities, so I encourage visitors to step into more authentic, one-of-a-kind establishments when they're traveling to Los Angeles.

For example, the bars and restaurants on the Sunset Strip and Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood boast an unparalleled international nightlife scene.

I didn't find the La Brea Tar Pits, an Ice Age excavation site in Los Angeles, to be the most exciting place in the city. However, it could be worth a visit if you're super into fossils.

If you're not, check out the Griffith Observatory, which offers visitors the free opportunity to explore the cosmos and see some spectacular sights from the top of a hill in Griffith Park.

You'll probably get stuck in at least some traffic if you take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Los Angeles.

Luckily, the coastal city has some walkable neighborhoods such as downtown Los Angeles, which is home to iconic landmarks like The Broad, The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Grammy Museum, and the Angels Flight Railway. There's more than enough to keep you thoroughly occupied during a full day of exploring.

The downtown area is also the home to Los Angeles Union Station, which is not only a historic landmark with gorgeous architecture, but also it's also the hub for Amtrak, Metrolink, and LA Metro.

Travelers can take trains from here to countless other local spots across California without having to worry about traffic or parking.

Disneyland isn't actually in Los Angeles; It's in Anaheim, which can sometimes be a two-hour drive away with Southern California traffic. And Six Flags Magic Mountain is part of a national theme-park chain, with various Six Flags parks around the country.

Instead, visit Universal Studios Hollywood, which is a film studio and theme park in Los Angeles that features one-of-a-kind rides and entertainment you can't get anywhere else.

Attending tapings of live shows can take up hours of your day. I find some of them boring, and most of them haven't lived up to my expectations.

Instead, embark on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank to see firsthand where epic TV shows like "Friends" were really filmed.

Or, visit legendary entertainment venues like The Hollywood Bowl, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Music Center, Dodger Stadium, and SoFi Stadium. Each is known for hosting sports games, concerts, and unforgettable shows.

At popular fast-food chains — like the In-N-Out Burger in Hollywood, which is seemingly always busy — you'll likely spend more time in line than you'll spend actually eating your food. And I find that my meals often seem overpriced.

Instead, visit a local food hall or farmers market, like The Original Farmers Market or Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles.

Or you can try one of the city's famous local restaurants, like legendary chef José Andrés' San Laurel at the Conrad Los Angeles and Agua Viva at The Grand LA.

I advise against going on a pricey, guided tour to drive around the neighborhoods where celebrities live. Leave these peoples' houses alone.

You're likely to see a Hollywood star shining in their natural habitat if you go to a popular celebrity hangout spot such as The Beverly Hilton, The Tower Bar at Sunset Tower Hotel, Craig's, or The London West Hollywood.

Be aware that some of these places don't allow photos to protect and respect their easily recognizable patrons' privacy.

In my opinion, the famous Runyon Canyon Trail, which is 2.7 miles, is overrated, overcrowded, and underwhelming.

Luckily, there are so many underrated hidden gems in The Angeles National Forest and The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area. They're less crowded and just as (if not more) beautiful.