LA’s historic magic has been drawing tourists for decades, “The City of Angels” a cultural melting pot of popular culture, cinematic history, music, surf and adventure.

Check out our ultimate LA road trip guide below!

Park up and stargaze from Griffith Observatory

One of the world’s leading observatories, the Griffith Observatory offers some of the most spectacular views of Downtown L.A., the Hollywood Sign and the Pacific Ocean with its prime location on Mt. Hollywood in Griffith Park. Drive through Hollywood and up into the hills as you enjoy that famous view appearing in your rear view mirror. Park up in the neighbouring car park and watch the sun rise in the morning when the park opens or see the dazzling stars light up the sky at night through one of the public telescopes. The grounds and building are free to the public and the park is open until 10pm every day.

Make a date at a drive-in cinema

If you’re looking for the classic drive-in cinema experience, Paramount Drive-In Theatres are the place to head. The drive-in first opened in 1947 and was run as a drive-in cinema until 1992 before closing to become a flea market. In 2014, decades after most other drive-ins closed around the U.S., the Paramount Drive-In Theatres had a grand reopening, with two 75-foot-wide screens, digital projectors, an FM radio sound-system and an expanded food menu. The cinema can hold up to 800 cars with affordable tickets for $10 per person, $3.50 for ages 5-8 and free for those under 5.

Put the roof down and drive the L.A. coastline

Head for the coast and experience one of the most unforgettable lifetime moments. Start in Malibu and head south with the Pacific Ocean stretching out in front of you, coast past Santa Monica towards the Beach Cities – Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach – to soak up the very best of the L.A. coast. Catch surfers at Surfrider Beach in Malibu, wander the canals in California’s own Venice, head out on a boat from Marina Del Rey or explore Redondo Beach Pier, home to shopping, dining and entertainment.

Hit The SunSet Strip

The home of rock n roll institutions including the Whiskey-A-Go-Go and The Rainbow, The Sunset Strip is forever immortalised in rock history. Iconic bands and performers who notoriously ruled the Strip including Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Elton John, Motley Crue, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and more

Explore L.A. and set off around the state

Los Angeles is the perfect place for adventurers to start or end their road trip. As well as taking some time to explore the city, visitors can find themselves in wine country, the mountains and the desert, all within two hours from LA. Explore the family-run wineries of Temecula Valley, shred the powder at Big Bear Mountain, or wander the expansive desert of Joshua Tree National Park, all within a day, so you can be back in L.A. in time for dinner.