13 Secret Spots Nobody Tells You About In Los Angeles

Add these spots to your LA bucket list and take a trip this summer! Sign up for Visa Checkout on Marriott.com and use it within 15 days to earn up to 1,000 Marriott Rewards® points!*

1. You can get a one-of-a-kind view atop Signal Hill.

Sergei Gussev, (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: sergeigussev

Signal Hill is a small city in southern Los Angeles County, measuring only about two square miles. From the top you can see Los Angeles, downtown Long Beach, and the ocean.

2. There's a spot where you can peep the Hollywood Bowl from above.

Clinton Steeds, (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: cwsteeds

Located just off Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills is this little gem of an overlook, which gives you a gorgeous view of the Hollywood Bowl, the 101 Freeway, and downtown LA.

3. There's a huge park behind Dodger Stadium.

Erik Who?, (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: eriksflickr

One of the best-kept secrets in LA is Elysian Park, where an easy hike gives you a very unique view of Dodger Stadium and downtown.

4. There's an oasis in the middle of Echo Park.

Divepic / Getty Images

Located in the neighborhood of (you guessed it) Echo Park, the manmade lake is a great spot to relax and enjoy a summer day. Rent a paddleboat, walk around the lake, or pick up a banh mi and chill on the grass.

5. And one in Hollywood too.

Carl Alvin Octoman, (CC BY-ND 2.0) / Via Flickr: la-archives

Way up in the Hollywood Hills lies the Hollywood Reservoir. It's a serene three-mile hike around the perimeter and a hidden treasure you should definitely check out.

6. You can see the Hollywood sign up close while also petting some of LA's best dogs.

Paul Stumpr, (CC BY-SA 2.0) / Via Flickr: numberstumper

Most people think Beachwood Canyon is the spot to get a glimpse of the Hollywood sign, but Lake Hollywood gets you much more up close and personal. Plus, there's always a bunch of dogs there enjoying the sunshine.

7. You can explore actual caves.

Sam Howzit, (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: aloha75, Courtney "Coco" Mault, (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: contusion

Just a few miles away from Lake Hollywood Park are the Bronson Caves. Easily accessible and located within Griffith Park, the unique rocky terrain makes you feel like you're anywhere but Los Angeles.

8. There's a small patch of grass where you can watch planes land at LAX.

Glenn Beltz, (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: n28307

Situated on 92nd Street just off Sepulveda is a small area of grass and trees where you can watch massive airplanes fly just a few hundred feet overhead. The experience is truly surreal...and loud!

9. The Wedge has some crazy-huge waves that literally shake the ground.

YoTuT, (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: yotut

Okay, so this isn't in Los Angeles, but it's just a little further south in Newport Beach. Known as The Wedge, this spot is famous for 15–20-foot waves that pound the shore and attract thousands of onlookers during the summer. Oh, and those tiny dots in the water are people.

10. There are these cool little islands in Long Beach.

donielle, (CC BY-SA 2.0) / Via Flickr: vampiress144

Just off the coast along Ocean Avenue in Long Beach lie four artificial islands that have been designed to camouflage and reduce noise from their function as oil-drilling rigs. They're quite pleasing to the eye, with landscaping, lights, and even waterfalls.

11. There's a huge bridge.

Martinapal / Getty Images

Did you know LA has its own bridge? Just off the 110 Freeway is the Vincent Thomas Bridge, which connects San Pedro to Terminal Island. The drive across is absolutely gorgeous, with views of the harbor, San Pedro, Los Angeles, and, of course, the Pacific Ocean.

12. There's also a bridge that doesn't go anywhere.

Jason Hickey, (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: exquisitur

Deep in the San Gabriel Mountains is the "Bridge to Nowhere," aptly named because it doesn't connect to anything on either side. The bridge was part of a construction project that was abandoned in 1938 due to flooding.

13. And you can escape to a cool little waterfall near Malibu.

Eric Chan, (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: maveric2003

Escondido Falls is a quaint little oasis located just a few miles off the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. It's an easy hike to the falls and totally free!

Make an LA vacation happen this summer and check out all these cool spots! Sign up for Visa Checkout on Marriott.com and use it within 15 days to earn up to 1,000 Marriott Rewards® points!

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