The best things to do in Los Angeles

1.Santa Monica PierFree

The century-old pier with a Ferris wheel and rollercoaster over the sea, and the sign marking the end of Route 66.

Tip: Walk out at sunset, then down onto the beach as the pier lights come on.

2.The beach bike pathFree

A 22-mile paved path along the sand, running from Will Rogers State Beach south through Santa Monica and Venice.

Tip: Rent a bike near the pier and ride south to Venice and Marina del Rey.

3.Venice Beach BoardwalkFree

Street performers, murals, Muscle Beach's outdoor gym and the skatepark on the sand.

Tip: It's at its liveliest on weekend afternoons; mornings are calmer.

4.The Venice CanalsFree

A quiet grid of canals lined with footbridges and small, colourful houses, a few blocks back from the beach.

5.Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Venice's main shopping street, with independent boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants.

6.Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese TheatreFree

Over 2,700 stars set into the pavement of Hollywood Boulevard, and the 1927 cinema with celebrity handprints in its forecourt.

7.Griffith ObservatoryFree

An Art Deco observatory on Mount Hollywood with free telescopes, a planetarium, and views over the city and the Hollywood Sign.

Tip: Entry is free; it's closed on Mondays. Go for sunset, then stay for the city lights.

8.Hike to the Hollywood SignFree

Trails in Griffith Park that climb to viewpoints behind and above the sign on Mount Lee.

Tip: Start early and carry water; there's little shade. You can't reach the letters themselves.

9.A concert at the Hollywood Bowl

The famous open-air amphitheatre in the Hollywood Hills, with summer seasons of classical, jazz and pop.

Tip: Bring a picnic: you can eat and drink in your seat and on the grounds before the show.

10.Universal Studios Hollywood

A working film studio and theme park, with the studio tour through backlot sets and the Super Nintendo World area.

Tip: Arrive at opening and head to the most popular rides first.

11.Rodeo DriveFree

Three blocks of designer boutiques in Beverly Hills, plus the cobbled Via Rodeo lane.

12.The Sunset Strip

The stretch of Sunset Boulevard through West Hollywood with famous rock clubs, comedy clubs and rooftop bars.

13.LACMA and the Academy Museum

The city's largest art museum, with the 'Urban Light' lamppost installation outside, and next door the museum of film history.

Tip: The 'Urban Light' lamps are free to see and lit up every evening.

14.The Original Farmers Market

A market of food stalls and grocers open since 1934, next to The Grove shopping centre.

15.The Getty Center

A hilltop museum of white travertine buildings and gardens, with European art and huge views over LA.

Tip: Entry is free, but parking is paid; a little tram carries you up the hill. It's closed on Mondays.

16.The Broad

A contemporary art museum with works by Warhol, Koons and Basquiat and Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Room.

Tip: General admission is free but book a timed ticket online; the Kusama room has its own short queue.

17.Walt Disney Concert Hall

Frank Gehry's curving steel concert hall, home of the LA Philharmonic.

Tip: Free self-guided audio tours run on most days; climb to the hidden rooftop garden.

18.Grand Central Market

A food hall open since 1917, with stalls from tacos and pupusas to egg sandwiches and oysters.

19.A Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium

Baseball in one of the oldest major-league ballparks, in the hills just north of Downtown, from spring to early autumn.

Tip: Look out past the outfield for the San Gabriel Mountains, at their best in the evening light.

20.Malibu and El Matador Beach

The drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu's beaches, with sea stacks and caves at El Matador.

Tip: Parking at El Matador is tiny; arrive early, and wear shoes for the steep path down.