14 Non-Touristy Things To Do In Los Angeles, California

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It’s no secret that Los Angeles is a playground for tourists, with so many big-ticket attractions and iconic places to see. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Universal Studios Hollywood to the Santa Monica Pier, the city is packed full of world-famous landmarks.

But what if you don’t want to see the big ticket attractions? What if you want to get off the beaten path and discover a Los Angeles that the normal tourist wouldn’t see? What about the locals – what do they do?

If you’re looking for non touristy things to do in LA, then you’re in the right place. We have been to LA plenty of times and ticked off those bucket list attractions, so on our latest visit, we decided to go off piste and explore the hidden gems and backstreet attractions.

Non-Touristy Things to Do in Los Angeles

1. Go on an urban hike at Griffith Park

One of the best perks of Los Angeles is the amount of hiking available without having to leave the city.

Many visitors, however, often head straight to Runyon Canyon, which is one of the most accessible hikes (just off Hollywood Blvd.), but as a result, also one of the busiest, since it’s a small hiking area.

However, just east of Runyon Canyon is Griffith Park, characterized by the Griffith Observatory, which sits perched on a hilltop below the Hollywood Sign.

Here you’ll find more than 50 miles of trails, such as the four-mile Mt. Hollywood Trail.

Also at Griffith Park is Bronson Canyon, or Bronson Caves, which has been the filming location of a long list of films and television shows, including the 1960s Batman television series.

Check out this video of a few LA hikes we’ve done for more inspiration…

2. Watch a concert/movie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

For most tourists to L.A., the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is merely the resting place of some of their favorite celebrities such as Judy Garland and Burton Leon Reynolds Jr.

However, it livens up during the summer and fall months when it becomes an outdoor venue, and plays host to outdoor movie screenings playing classic movies, like The Goonies, and sometimes even holds concerts from top musicians, such as Lana Del Rey.

The outdoor movie series is one of most popular summer events in L.A. for locals, often selling out.

The best part, however, is that you can bring in all your own food, wine, and beer. Just make…