173 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Los Angeles - Atlas Obscura
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The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Los Angeles

173 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Los Angeles, California

Unusual Attractions in Los Angeles

Atlas Obscura Trips

Death Valley After Dark: Astronomy and Photography in the Backcountry

Dec 5—Dec 9, 2018

In the otherworldly landscapes of Death Valley, practice your night photography skills under some of the world's clearest, starriest skies.

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Unique Food & Drink in Los Angeles

Explore Los Angeles, California

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Upcoming Events Near Los Angeles

Team Oddities, Meagan Meli, Ryan Cohn, and Regina Cohn,
Sep 29
Los Angeles, California

Oddities Flea Market: Exclusive VIP Presale Tickets

The legendary Oddities Market by Ryan and Regina Cohn is coming to Los Angeles, and Atlas Obscura has your ticket to skip the line and get in early!
Team Oddities, Meagan Meli, Ryan Cohn, and Regina Cohn,
Sep 29
Los Angeles, California

Oddities Flea Market: General Admission

The legendary Oddities Market by Ryan and Regina Cohn is coming to Los Angeles!
Miradero Gates.
Sep 30
Glendale, California

The Strange Life of Glendale's First Family

Dive into the history of this eccentric Edwardian estate.
Oct 6
Los Angeles, California

Two Bit Circus Bemusement Park Tour

Amuse yourself at a technological micro-amusement park complete with re-invented, old-school carnival games and epic gaming technology.
John Gaughan's Turk.
Oct 11
Los Angeles, California

Meet the Chess-Playing Mechanical Turk

An evening with one of the most controversial figures of the 19th century and the man who brought him back to life.
Chatsworth.
Oct 13
Los Angeles, California

Spahn Ranch: From Movies to Manson

Explore the remains of the infamous Spahn Ranch with a Manson Family expert.
60-inch telescope.
Oct 13
Los Angeles, California

60-Inch Telescope

Step into the darkness for an evening of planets, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, and colorful double stars at the Mount Wilson Observatory.
The Wende Museum.
Oct 14
Culver City, California

The Wende Museum: Hot Topics on the Cold War

Located in an empty Cold War Armory in Culver City, the Wende Museum is one of the world's largest collections of Cold War-era ephemera, paraphernalia, artifacts, and archives.
Our hosts, Mike Caveney and Tina Lenert.
Oct 14
Pasadena, California

Egyptian Hall Museum

A guided visit through the fascinating collection of the oldest private magic museum in America.
Ravenmaster book cover.
Oct 17
Los Angeles, California

The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London

History, adventures, and tales of intrigue from the Ravenmaster of the Tower of London.
Philosophical Research Society headquarters, exterior.
Oct 25
Los Angeles, California

Wisdom Literature and Esoterica at the Philosophical Research Society

Visit a repository of everything you're not supposed to know.
Join Atlas Obscura's co-founder and creative director for a night of wonder.
Oct 26
Los Angeles, California

An Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid

Don't miss this rare chance to meet Atlas Obscura's co-founder Dylan Thuras.

Los Angeles Leaderboard

Recent Los Angeles Activity

svangaard wants to go to The Last Bookstore
emmetre48 emmetre48 has been to Touch of Venice Mural
myrsias myrsias has been to Hollywood Sign
nikoleah85 wants to go to Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
nikoleah85 wants to go to Pink's Hot Dogs

Stories About Los Angeles

Enjoying the drinks service on board the Pan Am Experience.

How One Pan Am Fan Recreated the Golden Age of Air Travel

It took years of dedication and a few visits to the airplane graveyard.
by Sandi Hemmerlein
September 06, 2018
Lucy Sparrow stands in front of the fully felted sign for <em>Sparrow Mart</em>.

The Artist Sewing a Supermarket Out of Felt

Lucy Sparrow is making food fuzzier.
by Abbey Perreault
July 31, 2018

Lists Featuring Los Angeles

Marvel at These Frank Lloyd Wright Deep Cuts
Lamp House
The Frank Lloyd Wright gas station today
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
The Rosenbaum House, from the rear

Marvel at These Frank Lloyd Wright Deep Cuts

A UFO church, a futurist gas station, and other obscure gems.

8

Including Lamp House, Frank Lloyd Wright Gas Station, and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

When Stairs and Slides Are Hiding in Plain Sight
They were built in 1979.
The Howe Street stair corridor is the longest in Seattle.

When Stairs and Slides Are Hiding in Plain Sight

Play real-life Chutes and Ladders at these obscure thruways.

9

Including Secret Tiled Staircase, Winfield Street Slides , and Howe Street Stairs