194 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Los Angeles - Atlas Obscura
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Los Angeles

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

Unusual Attractions in Los Angeles

Atlas Obscura Trips

L.A. Science Weekend: Natural History and Space

May 10—May 12, 2019

Join New York Times Journeys and Atlas Obscura for three days of scientific learning in Los Angeles, focused on natural history and zoology or space and aviation. This two-track program includes talks, exclusive visits and special access to scientists and venues to get up close to everything from telescopes and taxidermy to dinosaur skeletons and space artifacts.

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Unique Food & Drink in Los Angeles

Explore Los Angeles, California

Launch Map

Upcoming Events Near Los Angeles

Aly Moore leading the way.
Mar 27
West Hollywood, California

Would You Like Bugs With That Wine?

A gastro-entomological adventure for your taste buds.
Book binding process.
Mar 28
Pico Rivera, California

Behind The Scenes at Kater-Crafts Bookbinders

The age-old craft of bookbinding survives in the era of e-books.
Knights in White Satan: The Trip
Mar 30
Los Angeles, California

The World's Weirdest Theme Park Rides

Take a virtual tour of exotic, forgotten, and just plain strange theme park rides from around the world.
Outside of the museum
Apr 6
Claremont, California

Cretaceous Claremont: Dinosaurs & Paleontology

Experience the history of ancient life at a high school's own Paleontology Museum.
MotoArt facade.
Apr 6
Torrance, California

Aviation Creation

From desert discovery to reclaimed materials, explore MotoArt—a company that transforms decommissioned airplanes into fashionable, functional art.
Hollywood Boulevard West.
Apr 6
Los Angeles, California

Stumbling on a Star: Jazz in 20th-Century Hollywood

Legends, intrigue, and lore of the Los Angeles Jazz Scene.
Phantasma Gloria.
Apr 6
Los Angeles, California

Phantasma Gloria

Discover a glorious glasswork homage to the Virgin of Guadalupe, hidden in Echo Park.
Entrance to 3-D SPACE.
Apr 7
Los Angeles, California

Exploring the Third Dimension

An evening of 3-D and Holography Exploration at 3-D SPACE and Echo Park Film Center.
Sunrise over the Port of LA
Apr
13 - 14
Los Angeles, California

Bunk Up On the Battleship IOWA

An exclusive overnight on the historic USS Iowa under some big guns.
Tiny Tim performing.
Apr 13
Los Angeles, California

Difficult Listening: Outsider Music Video Night

A one-of-a-kind movie night of independent music, nontraditional music videos and eclectic interviews, curated by Adam Papagan.
"Not my president" Rally
Apr 16
Culver City, California

Celebrating the Art of Protest

Explore a unique collection of graphic activism.
Apollo Boiler Plate 12.
Apr 20
Downey, California

Cradle of the Cosmic Age

Are you ready for some seriously stellar stuff?

Los Angeles Leaderboard

Recent Los Angeles Activity

aryanbhaskar has been to Mel Brooks Handprint
aryanbhaskar has been to Space Shuttle Endeavour
aryanbhaskar has been to Urban Light
aryanbhaskar has been to Hollywood Sign
aryanbhaskar has been to Angels Flight

Stories About Los Angeles

The remains of the tree.

The Life of a Historic Los Angeles Tree Comes to an End

For 144 years, it lived at El Pueblo de Los Angeles, the site where the city was founded in the 18th century.
by Jonathan Carey
March 12, 2019
Early 20th-century postcard of the "Sunset Express" train passing through Yuma, Arizona.

How the 'Sunset Route' Railroad Helped Diversify California

The connection between New Orleans to Los Angeles can still be felt today.
by Evan Nicole Brown
February 14, 2019
In 1943, the Brown Derby restaurant on Vine Street, in Hollywood, was a place to dine and dish gossip.

Mourners Once Held a Sidewalk Funeral for a Restaurant Named for a Hat

On Valentine’s Day 1994, protestors in Hollywood turned out to eulogize the Brown Derby.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
February 11, 2019

Lists Featuring Los Angeles

Los Angeles' Top 10 Wonders of 2018
Cinespia cemetery screening at Hollywood Forever
Portal of books.
The Bradbury Building

Los Angeles’ Top 10 Wonders of 2018

The strange and unusual places Atlas Obscura readers wanted to visit most in L.A. in 2018.

10

Including Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Griffith Observatory’s Tesla Coil, and The Last Bookstore

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