Guidebook for Burbank
Entertainment & Activities
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaMust see destination for families with kids.
The zoo is quite big with diverse selections of animals and plants. The admission fees are $20 for adults and $15 for kids. There is usually a long line at ticketing on the weekends and so it is a good idea to get online tickets. I also find that animals tend to hide when it is hot and so it is a good idea to visit the zoo earlier in the day or during the fall. It will take over 3 hours to see all exhibits at a comfortable pace.
328 locals recommend
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo DrThe zoo is quite big with diverse selections of animals and plants. The admission fees are $20 for adults and $15 for kids. There is usually a long line at ticketing on the weekends and so it is a good idea to get online tickets. I also find that animals tend to hide when it is hot and so it is a good idea to visit the zoo earlier in the day or during the fall. It will take over 3 hours to see all exhibits at a comfortable pace.
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl Dr
Dodger Stadium
1000 Vin Scully AveSix Flags Magic Mountain
26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy Great for those who like roller coasters.
Get a behind the scenes look at how movies and TV shows are made.
225 locals recommend
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
3400 Warner BlvdGet a behind the scenes look at how movies and TV shows are made.
Great place for visit, dine, and enjoy the night live without going inside the theme park.
516 locals recommend
Universal CityWalk Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaGreat place for visit, dine, and enjoy the night live without going inside the theme park.
Santa Anita Park
285 W Huntington DrPremier destination for live horse racing & betting.
El Capitan Theatre
6838 Hollywood BlvdFood Scene
Famous bakery. The place is always packed. Love the potato balls, the Cubano sandwich and all the pastries.
200 locals recommend
Porto's Bakery and Cafe
3614 Magnolia BlvdFamous bakery. The place is always packed. Love the potato balls, the Cubano sandwich and all the pastries.
GRANVILLE
12345 Ventura BlvdPopular among the locals
Zankou Chicken
5065 Sunset BlvdDelicious Mediterranean food!
Everything tastes good here. If you are craving for Asian food, you will not be disappointed here.
22 locals recommend
Mama Hong's Vietnamese Kitchen
211 N San Fernando BlvdEverything tastes good here. If you are craving for Asian food, you will not be disappointed here.
Fun place to walk around anytime of the day. Has many nice restaurants, shops, and theaters.
480 locals recommend
Old Pasadena
23 E Colorado BlvdFun place to walk around anytime of the day. Has many nice restaurants, shops, and theaters.
Shopping
Great outdoor shopping center. There is a water show at the fountain every hour. There are plenty of food options. Parking structure near by - first hour is free and many of the businesses will validate your ticket for you. If you spend $250 or more in one day, you can get an all day parking pass which is good for valet as well. You will just have to take your receipts for that day to the concierge desk (located between H&M and Apple) and they'll give you a parking pass.
www.americanaatbrand.com
642 locals recommend
The Americana at Brand
889 Americana WayGreat outdoor shopping center. There is a water show at the fountain every hour. There are plenty of food options. Parking structure near by - first hour is free and many of the businesses will validate your ticket for you. If you spend $250 or more in one day, you can get an all day parking pass which is good for valet as well. You will just have to take your receipts for that day to the concierge desk (located between H&M and Apple) and they'll give you a parking pass.
www.americanaatbrand.com
Huge mall that has a great selection of stores and a nice food court. It's right across from The Americana at Brand.
262 locals recommend
Glendale Galleria
100 W BroadwayHuge mall that has a great selection of stores and a nice food court. It's right across from The Americana at Brand.
Has a good variety of stores. The mall has Bloomingdales on one end and Macy's on the other end.
169 locals recommend
Sherman Oaks Galleria
15301 Ventura BlvdHas a good variety of stores. The mall has Bloomingdales on one end and Macy's on the other end.
Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel DrAn very nice factory outlet mall with many popular stores.
Camarillo Premium Outlets
740 Ventura BlvdHuge outlet mall
Outdoor shopping mall, restaurants, theater. There's a farmer's market every Saturday mornings.
2581 locals recommend
The Grove
189 The Grove DrOutdoor shopping mall, restaurants, theater. There's a farmer's market every Saturday mornings.
Parks & Nature
One of my favorite places to visit any time of the year.
"Descanso Gardens is an urban retreat of year-round natural beauty, internationally renowned botanical collections and spectacular seasonal horticultural displays. Visit for a stroll, a concert or a class — there are so many ways to explore."
Check the website for admission fees.
www.descansogardens.org
238 locals recommend
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso DrOne of my favorite places to visit any time of the year.
"Descanso Gardens is an urban retreat of year-round natural beauty, internationally renowned botanical collections and spectacular seasonal horticultural displays. Visit for a stroll, a concert or a class — there are so many ways to explore."
Check the website for admission fees.
www.descansogardens.org
Huntington Library is known for its Japanese Gardens and the famous paintings of The Blue Boy and Pinkie.
Comfortable shoes a must, hat and umbrella recommended. Water as well. Admission: $15 per adult.
999 locals recommend
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdHuntington Library is known for its Japanese Gardens and the famous paintings of The Blue Boy and Pinkie.
Comfortable shoes a must, hat and umbrella recommended. Water as well. Admission: $15 per adult.
Los Angeles County Arboretum
301 N Baldwin AveArts & Culture
Collection of European paintings and sculpture ranging from the 14th to the 20th century. Exhibitions update and events calendar published.
http://nortonsimon.org
485 locals recommend
Norton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado BlvdCollection of European paintings and sculpture ranging from the 14th to the 20th century. Exhibitions update and events calendar published.
http://nortonsimon.org
This is a great (and free) museum to bring the kids. This museum does a good job of making you feel like you're stepping back in time when you're walking through the trains. It's definitely a no frills museum, but that's ok. They do their best to preserve the trains they have and create a space that is friendly for all ages. They have plenty of seating and benches around for a picnic. There is a train that runs around the property twice (for $2.75/person). And there is FREE PARKING! So if you're in the Griffith Park area and you want to climb aboard some trains, I highly recommend this place. The kids will love it!
31 locals recommend
Travel Town
5200 Zoo DriveThis is a great (and free) museum to bring the kids. This museum does a good job of making you feel like you're stepping back in time when you're walking through the trains. It's definitely a no frills museum, but that's ok. They do their best to preserve the trains they have and create a space that is friendly for all ages. They have plenty of seating and benches around for a picnic. There is a train that runs around the property twice (for $2.75/person). And there is FREE PARKING! So if you're in the Griffith Park area and you want to climb aboard some trains, I highly recommend this place. The kids will love it!
This is a beautiful museum in Los Angeles. If you are into old western television shows and old west history then this is the place for you.
105 locals recommend
Autry Museum of the American West
4700 Western Heritage WayThis is a beautiful museum in Los Angeles. If you are into old western television shows and old west history then this is the place for you.
The grounds itself are stunningly peaceful with relaxing gardens, fountain, and views of Malibu. Love the Getty Villa - it was built to copy a real Italian villa, so definitely has that feel to it. The gardens, the mosaics, the pools (although there was no water because of the CA drought). I highly recommend spending half a day here (even more because they have at least 3 types of guided tours you can join for free). Ticket is free, but you need to book ahead (and print it out!). Parking cost $15; $10 after 3:00 p.m. That is the only cost you'll incur. Even the audio guides are free.
Pro tip: If you ask at the desk, they will give you something to show to the Getty Center to get free parking there -- 2 for the price of 1.
Make a day-trip by visiting the Villa during the day and then head over to Santa Monica beach and 3rd St. Promenade in the late afternoon.
http://www.getty.edu/visit
883 locals recommend
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyThe grounds itself are stunningly peaceful with relaxing gardens, fountain, and views of Malibu. Love the Getty Villa - it was built to copy a real Italian villa, so definitely has that feel to it. The gardens, the mosaics, the pools (although there was no water because of the CA drought). I highly recommend spending half a day here (even more because they have at least 3 types of guided tours you can join for free). Ticket is free, but you need to book ahead (and print it out!). Parking cost $15; $10 after 3:00 p.m. That is the only cost you'll incur. Even the audio guides are free.
Pro tip: If you ask at the desk, they will give you something to show to the Getty Center to get free parking there -- 2 for the price of 1.
Make a day-trip by visiting the Villa during the day and then head over to Santa Monica beach and 3rd St. Promenade in the late afternoon.
http://www.getty.edu/visit
A must do when in town! A humble place to gather much American history & culture. Five star reviews on TripAdvisor.
https://www.reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/visitor-information/
169 locals recommend
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
40 Presidential DrA must do when in town! A humble place to gather much American history & culture. Five star reviews on TripAdvisor.
https://www.reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/visitor-information/
I highly recommend coming here, especially on a clear day because the vies are over the top looking down on the City of Angels.
* Magnificent views of Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean from the Getty patio areas.
* Amazing gardens to walk through and enjoy.
* Snack cart to buy cold drinks and snacks.
Free admissions. Parking is $15.
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrI highly recommend coming here, especially on a clear day because the vies are over the top looking down on the City of Angels.
* Magnificent views of Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean from the Getty patio areas.
* Amazing gardens to walk through and enjoy.
* Snack cart to buy cold drinks and snacks.
Free admissions. Parking is $15.
Might be one of the finest places in the country to experience music. Wonderful scenery, beautiful sound, great crowd.
If you are ever in Los Angeles the Hollywood Bowl IS A MUST!
1407 locals recommend
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl RdMight be one of the finest places in the country to experience music. Wonderful scenery, beautiful sound, great crowd.
If you are ever in Los Angeles the Hollywood Bowl IS A MUST!
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand Ave
Kidspace Children's Museum
480 N Arroyo BlvdCalifornia Science Center
700 Exposition Park Dr
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood BlvdLot of nice shows
Little Tokyo
Dining, shopping
Sightseeing
You get a 360 degrees view of LA. Popular tourist attraction, an excellent view of the Hollywood sign, and an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Since the observatory opened in 1935, admission has been free, in accordance with Griffith's will. However, some planetary shows inside have a small added charge. Great photo opportunities.
If you're looking for something last minute to get out and do in LA whether you're a tourist or local, definitely head here. You have an amazing view of LA and can hike to the Hollywood sign. The views at night are amazing with the city lights lighting up the night but definitely worth the trek up the mountain.
Be aware parking can get a little crazy at time depending on the time you go so you may get really good parking at the actual lot or you may have to do a little hike towards the observatory as sometimes they make you walk from the bottom, so bring comfy shoes!
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdYou get a 360 degrees view of LA. Popular tourist attraction, an excellent view of the Hollywood sign, and an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Since the observatory opened in 1935, admission has been free, in accordance with Griffith's will. However, some planetary shows inside have a small added charge. Great photo opportunities.
If you're looking for something last minute to get out and do in LA whether you're a tourist or local, definitely head here. You have an amazing view of LA and can hike to the Hollywood sign. The views at night are amazing with the city lights lighting up the night but definitely worth the trek up the mountain.
Be aware parking can get a little crazy at time depending on the time you go so you may get really good parking at the actual lot or you may have to do a little hike towards the observatory as sometimes they make you walk from the bottom, so bring comfy shoes!
Hollywood Walk Of Fame HQ
6255 Sunset BlvdRodeo Drive
Rodeo DriveGetting Around
Hollywood Burbank Airport
2627 N Hollywood WayVan Nuys FlyAway Terminal - 7610 Woodley Ave station