Perhaps best known as the home of the Hollywood film industry, Los Angeles boasts a surprisingly diverse economy. In January 2020, the city attracted over 6.5 million travellers (with numbers slowly recovering post-pandemic) – indicative of Los Angeles’ international market power, which is by no means limited to tourism. With industries including international trade, technology, and aerospace engineering, there is every chance you could find yourself on a business trip to LA at some point in your corporate career. While there, it would be simply criminal not to take some time to appreciate the many sights in Los Angeles – read on to discover them all.
11. The Last Bookstore
Book lovers, unite! This eccentric independent bookstore draws thousands through its doors every year – and not just to buy the latest paperback. Established in 2005 in an LA loft, The Last Bookstore’s current incarnation – a former bank – opened its doors in 2011 and has become a cultural phenomenon in the years since. With a sprawling selection of new and used books, the store is best known for its elaborate book displays – not least the world-famous book tunnel. In recent years, this bibliophile’s sanctuary even installed a living plant wall, providing endless Instagram opportunities for visitors. Of all the sights in Los Angeles, this is probably one of the less assuming, but it remains a must-visit.
10. Grand Central Market
First opened in 1917 in the iconic Homer Laughlin Building, the Grand Central Market remains a cornerstone of Los Angeles culture. With 40 stalls offering everything from fine coffee to deli delicacies, and a weekly bazaar boasting an array of local fine goods and gift pieces, there is every reason to visit the market when on a business trip to LA.
9. Venice Beach
Nowhere better embodies the LA lifestyle than Venice Beach. A mecca for cyclists, surfers, body builders and those simply looking to take a stroll, the beach is always filled with tourists and locals alike. Entertainment is also on the cards in this tourist trap, with performers of all kinds lining the boardwalk every day, and plenty of popular restaurants to be found along the Abbot Kinney Boulevard – perfect for an after-work meal.
8. Griffith Observatory
If Griffith Observatory looks familiar to you, it’s probably because you’ve seen it on the big screen. Appearing in such classics as Rebel Without a Cause, The Terminator, and more recently La La Land, the imposing structure is closely linked with LA’s international identity. Having opened in 1935, the observatory’s impressive Art Deco architecture is reminiscent of Hollywood’s golden age and is only bettered by the stunning city panoramas beyond. With free telescope viewings held every evening (given that the skies are clear), more people have looked through its Zeiss 12-inch telescope than any other on the planet – over eight million and counting.
7. La Brea Tar Pits
Containing 50,000 years of history, the La Brea Tar Pits provides those on a business trip to LA an opportunity to step back in time. Discover a world of mammoths and sabretooth tigers when exploring the museum’s many intact fossils. 100 excavations have been made at the site since the early twentieth century and continue to this day, making it the only actively excavated Ice Age fossil site in an urban area in the world.
6. Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Located a stone’s throw from the La Brea Tar Pits, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States. Best known for its outdoor art installation comprised of 202 cast-iron LA streetlamps, the museum boasts a collection of over 147,000 artistic objects within. Furthermore, a constantly changing exhibition programme means that no matter when you visit, there will be something special to see.
5. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
Situated on the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is one of the more idiosyncratic sights in Los Angeles. Standing tall, literally and figuratively, in the world of Hollywood since 1927, this exotic structure has been home to many of the world’s biggest cinema premiers, including Star Wars, Once upon a Time in…Hollywood, Harry Potter, and even TV’s Game of Thrones. Whether to touch a piece of history or to simply see a movie, this theatre is a must when on a business trip to LA.
4. California Science Centre
In addition to a range of displays focusing on ecosystems and biology, the California Science Centre is home to a plethora of aerospace exhibitions. As well as an array of military aircraft, the centre features multiple spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the Gemini 11 capsule and the Viking Lander prototype. If your business trip to LA revolves around aerospace engineering, a visit to this sight is a no brainer.
3. Runyon Canyon
Whether you’re a keen runner or a hiking enthusiast, a climb up Runyon Canyon is sure to satisfy. The highest peak at 402 metres is Indian Rock and, like Inspiration Point, provides spectacular views of LA and beyond. There really is no better way to stay fit and see the sights in Los Angeles when staying on business.
2. Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl amphitheatre was opened in 1919 and is situated in a shaded LA canyon. This unassuming venue was catapulted into stardom when it quickly became the city’s venue of choice and has featured performances by the likes of The Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, The Doors, Morrissey, and even Monty Python. If you’re not attending a concert at the site, you can visit when not in use – completely free of charge.
1. The Hollywood Sign
We couldn’t write about the must-see sights in Los Angeles without mentioning the iconic Hollywood Sign. While the sign is commonly associated with the film industry, it was actually constructed to promote a new housing development, and previously read ‘HOLLYWOODLAND’. Nothing quite says LA like this American landmark, so making some time to see it during your LA stay is well-worth it. You can reach the sign by hiking out from the aforementioned Griffith Observatory, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, hiring a horse from Sunset Ranch and traversing the hills on horseback.
Now that you know the top 11 sights to see in Los Angeles, it’s time to begin your business trip. Explore our selection of Los Angeles serviced apartments, or view our complete portfolio of USA corporate housing options and make an enquiry today.
