For a wonderful group trip, Los Angeles provides a fantastic combination of entertainment, culture, and outdoor adventures. From visiting the most amazing entertainment venues to walking through intriguing museums, this city is just waiting for you and your group to start exploring and having the time of your life. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of the best sights to take in.
The top 10 places to visit in Los Angeles with a group are as follows.
Santa Monica
Group travelers can choose from a variety of activities and sights in Santa Monica, which caters to everyone from beachgoers to foodies to outdoor adventurers.
- At Santa Monica Beach, you might laze around in the sun, play beach volleyball, or take a plunge in the Pacific.
- Take a stroll around Third Street Promenade while enjoying street entertainers, eating at nearby restaurants, and shopping for gifts.
- Enjoy stunning views of the city and coastline while hiking in the adjacent Santa Monica Mountains.
- Explore Santa Monica’s unique food scene to embark on a culinary journey.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Groups of all sizes can enjoy the variety of attractions, shows, and entertainment available at Universal Studios Hollywood. To name just a few, you can enjoy unique performances and shows, such as Water World, or go on the Universal Studio Tour. Also, this trip would only be complete with visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And remember that Group Tickets are one way to maximize your experience.
Griffith Observatory
Group excursions to the Los Angeles Griffith Observatory can be interesting and educational. Here are some suggestions for maximizing your visit:
- Discover the different displays inside the observatory that address subjects including astronomy, space travel, and the observatory’s history.
- Check out the Observatory Shows in the Planetarium
- Get a glimpse of the stars, moon, and planets through the Zeus Telescope.
Petersen Automotive Museum
For auto fans and those fascinated by automotive history, group tours to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles offer an exciting experience.
- Consider hiring a tour guide or docent to provide in-depth information about the exhibits to get the most out of your group tour.
- Ask whether it’s possible to alter your tour to suit the interests of your group. You might be able to customize the experience at the museum.
- Inquire about any workshops or instructional activities that might be offered to groups. These might offer a more engaging experience.
Battleship USS Iowa Museum
A guided tour of the USS Iowa Museum offers the chance to see an old battleship up close and discover its significance in American naval history. The group’s visit will be more memorable if you prepare in advance since there are many options to choose from. You and your group can take a self-guided tour or opt for one of the tour add-ons for a more in-depth look at the ship and naval history. If you’re more in the mood for an adventure, you can go on Vickie’s Scavenger Hunt or try to “Escape the Mothball Fleet.”
The Grove
This is not your ordinary L.A. mall but rather an open-air consisting of 50 popular retailers (such as Anthropologie, Michael Kors, and Top Shop), restaurants, and entertainment venues. You can browse through Nordstrom’s, Banana Republic, the Vans store, and many more. Once you and your crew have worked up an appetite, you can stop at well-known eateries like Cheesecake Factory and Edo Bites. Or if you have a craving for flavorful shrimp tacos, then go by Alma which serves fine Mexican cuisine. Do you want to combine a meal stop with a movie? Then go to the AMC Theater which serves a variety of gourmet concessions, and after the flick, you can end the evening at MacGuffins Bar for a cocktail or craft beer.
Hollywood Sign
And you can’t forget to capture that Instagram moment at the Hollywood Sign. However, getting to this location will take some planning. One option for being able to see the sign is to park alongside Beachwood Drive but keep in mind that parking is limited to those who have a weekend permit for parking. You can hike along the area, but please be respectful of the residents there. Lake Hollywood Park, on the other hand, gives you a closer view and plenty of photographic opportunities if you wish to drive, take a bike ride, or hike in the immediate vicinity. Or you can contact Sunset Ranch for a tour on horseback, which brings you right in front of the sign.
Staples Center
Yet another popular venue in L.A. is the Staples Center which is home to the Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, and Kings. Aside from games featuring these sports teams, the Staples Center also hosts some of the biggest names in the realm of music and entertainment for concerts, sporting events (including hockey and rodeo, aside from basketball), and a variety of shows. Also, if you do catch a game or a show at the Staples Center, you can always arrive early and have dinner at any of the excellent restaurants that are located at the stadium.
La Brea Tar Pits
And you can’t take a trip to L.A. without visiting the La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. At the museum, you’ll see reconstructed fossils that date as far back as 40,000 years ago while learning more about the formation of the tar pits and how they trapped animals in the immediate vicinity at that time. Plus, you can witness the process of fossil recovery and view the lab (from another room with glass dividers) where scientists are studying the artifacts from the excavation site.
Griffith Park
Another stop on your L.A. sightseeing tour should include Griffith Park which covers 4210 acres in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains, thus making it the largest city park in L.A. There, you will find the Autry Museum of the American West which has the largest and most significant collection of Native American art and cultural artifacts. Additionally, you’ll see historical firearms that were used throughout American settlement in what is now the western U.S., plus interactive exhibits detailing this period in history.
So here you have 10 of the best places to visit during your trip to L.A. To make the experience even more memorable (not to mention safer and more efficient regarding traveling from place to place), try renting a shuttle bus or a charter bus from South Coast Limousines. Los Angeles is one of the most amazing cities in California if not the U.S. Why not see it in comfort and style with a driver who is experienced and very knowledgeable about the fastest routes? You can save a lot of time and money (in parking) by contacting South Coast today.
