Top 8 Places to Visit in Los Angeles (LA) in 2022
Los Angeles, aka The City of Angels, is one of the most famous cities and popular vacation spots in the world. Aside from being a home to many of your favorite Hollywood celebrities (Angelina Jolie, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lawrence — to name a few), Los Angeles is also the largest city in California, located in Southern California. Due to its size and vitality, there is a wild variety of places to go to and activities to do in this city depending on your mood and the kind of adventure that you are looking for.
However, given the restrictions imposed throughout the city in response to COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect that some of these places are closed from the public for a period of time. It is also heavily advised to wear face coverings at all times, unless otherwise stated. While we can’t let COVID-19 stop us from exploring other cities and promote tourism, it is also everyone’s responsibility to stay safe and keep everyone else safe from the virus.
From the Bay Area where I live, Los Angeles is only 5-6 hours and 373.8 miles away. As such, this place is my perfect getaway spot and probably one of my most favorite places in the world! Fun facts: I’ve only been to LA four times in 2021 and I never flew via airplane to get there. That’s a total of 2,990.4 miles and 40-48 hours of driving! See my YouTube video for snippets from my LA Trip - Anniversary Vlog. :)
Without further ado, here are the top places to go in Los Angeles, CA that I highly recommend
1) Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure
1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
If you love Disney, you have kids, and you are into theme parks, you should never miss going to Disneyland. I highly suggest going to both parks too. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many important things that you need to be wary of before going to the parks. Before I dive in, please download the Disneyland app to confirm the following items as they are subject to change. The app is also a great resource to access the map, schedule of activities, hotel needs, and dining reservations.
What you need to know before you visit the Disneyland Parks and what you can expect during your next visit:
a) COVID-19 health and safety protocols are strictly observe: All guests are recommended to be fully vaccinated or to obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the resort. Indoors: Face coverings are required for all guests (ages 2 and up) regardless of vaccination status. Outdoors: Face coverings are optional.
b) No more walk-ins. Theme park reservations are required: Prior to COVID-19 pandemic, guests were allowed to walk-in the kiosks to purchase tickets or upgrade to park hopper. This is not the case anymore. To enter both parks, guests (3 and older) will need a valid ticket and a theme park reservation for the same day and same park. IMPORTANT: Before buying a ticket, you will need to first check the limited availability of the parks. Single day park and Park Hopper tickets follow the same restrictions.
c) FASTPASS and Disney MaxPass services have been retired: Sorry, but everyone needs to line up fair and square now.
MY TOP 5 DISNEyland PArk RIDES: Space Mountain, INDIANA JONES, BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD, MILLENNIUM FALCON: SMUGGLERS RUN, SPLASH MOUNTAIN
MY TOP 5 DISNEyland CA ADVENTURE RIDES: CARS LAND, INCREDICOASTER, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - MISSION: BREAKOUT; PIXAR PAL-A-ROUND (SWINGING!), SOARIN’ AROUND THE WORLD
2) Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Again, if you are into theme parks, I also highly suggest going to Universal, especially during Halloween Horror Nights for a fun and spooky experience! Same as Disneyland, Universal also follows strict Safety Guidelines per LA County’s Public Health Order due to COVID-19 pandemic. But please take note of the different requirements between two parks.
What you need to know before you visit the Universal Studios Hollywood and what you can expect during your next visit:
a) COVID-19 health and safety protocols are strictly observe: All guest ages 5 and older are required to show proof of full vaccination (14 days have passed since receipt of the last dose) or to obtain a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours (“rapid test”) or 48 hours (“PCR test”) prior to entering the park. “Home self-test” are not acceptable. Photo ID is also required for guests ages 18 and older. Indoors and outdoors: Face coverings are required for all guests regardless of vaccination status.
b) Walk-in is okay. Theme park reservations are no longer required to visit.
MY TOP 5 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD RIDES: JURASSIC WORLD, REVENGE OF THE MUMMY, WATERWORLD, TRANSFORMERS, HARRY POTTER
3) Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Boulevard, Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
How can you say that you went to Los Angeles if you didn’t visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame? This spot is a historic landmark with star-studded sidewalks of not only movie actors, but radio, TV, directors, singers/songwriters, and other well-known personalities. While it is very unlikely to see real stars here, unless you are attending an unveiling ceremony, you never know exactly what you are going to see on the walk of Fame.
4) Lake Hollywood Park
3160 Canyon Lake Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Lake Hollywood Park is dog-friendly with a scenic view of the Hollywood Sign. It is a big open space where dogs can run around, although this is not an off-leash park. It is also a great spot to do picnics and photoshoots - there is plenty of shade and fresh air from the trees and a naturally good lighting.
NOTE: Just be careful driving and parking here. That steep road is no joke. For someone who sucks at parallel parking, this will probably be your least favorite spot.
5) Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Have you ever watched La La Land? Yup, this is where they filmed the dance scene where Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone waltzed through the air under a star-filled sky. Griffith Observatory is a free-admission facility located on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. It is normally open Friday to Sunday. Access to the park itself is free from 5:00A.M. to 10:30P.M. every day, but you will need to pay parking fee. If you are lucky and you go in a good day, you can clearly see the breathtaking view of Los Angeles Downtown and can use telescopes to observe the details. You can also see the Hollywood Sign from here! Inside the Observatory, you can explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and attend other special events. I highly recommend going here around sunset because it is just so beautiful! (The 3 photos in the left were all taken in 2021 at different parts of day. The photo taken during sunset was my favorite!)
a) All visitors must wear a face mask at all times while inside the Observatory and on the roof.
b) Visitors will also need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination (ages 12 and older) to enter.
6) “Urban Light” at LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
LACMA stands for Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It is yet another famous tourist spot that most Filipino celebrities visit to take selfie, also Hollywood celebrities who glammed up at the 2021 LACMA Art + Film Gala. I personally haven’t been inside the museum. But the stunning “Urban Lights” public art, created by artist Chris Burden, is already quite enough. I have been here both during day and night. Honestly I could not get over how beautiful it was at night when the restored 1920s and 1930s street lamps were lit up!
If you are planning on going inside LACMA, here are the things that you need to know:
a) Reservations are required: All visitors, including LACMA Members, must purchase or reserve an advance timed-entry online ticket. Tickets may not be purchased on site.
b) COVID-19 guidelines are observe: Visitors ages 12 and older are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Those with medical or religious exemptions may present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours. A valid photo ID is also required for visitors ages 18 and older.
7) Beverly Hills
248 Via Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Another home to the rich and famous —social elites and Hollywood stars alike — Beverly Hills. Featuring high-end shopping street of Rodeo Drive and backdropping a few popular TV shows such as The Beverly Hillbillies and Beverly Hills 90210, this is yet another tourist spot to check off your list. Well, that is, if you want to feel young, broke, and dumb then this is the place to be. Just kidding (although that was exactly what I felt going here)!
8) Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The Santa Monica Pier is located right on the Santa Monica State Beach. While the pier is probably my least favorite in this list (solely because it can get uncontrollably crowded and people act like there is no pandemic), you can actually find a mixed variety of entertainment here — a small amusement park, concession stands, street performers, views for photography, areas for fishing, biking, sunbathing, among many others. You can actually see nice view of the pier with the ferris wheel from the beach, which makes a really great backdrop for pictures. And did I mention the sunset? This beach has one of the prettiest sunsets that I have ever seen in my life! Go see for yourself.
(Disclaimer: I’m 1,000% sure there are a lot more beautiful places to go to that didn’t get included in this list. I only listed the ones that I actually was able to visit physically. Otherwise, how can I recommend something I haven’t even seen?)