Thanks to E! Entertainment Television for sponsoring today’s post.

After living in Los Angeles for nearly four years, I can safely say that it’s one of my favorite cities in the world. Southern California may be infamous for its bottle blondes, daily smog, and horrendous traffic, but the stunning scenery and diverse community that LA offers definitely makes up for all of its weaknesses! After spending a few days in LA this past weekend and watching the previews for the new season of the Stewarts and Hamiltons on E!, I thought that it was time to write a post highlighting some of my favorite things to do in Los Angeles. Whether you’re a foodie, celebrity stalker, beach bum, or shopaholic, there’s something on this list for everyone! Keep reading to find out the top 10 things to do in LA!

TAKE PICTURES AT GRIFFITH PARK

No matter how short your trip to LA may be, a trip to the Griffith Observatory is non-negotiable for anyone new to the city. This scenic viewpoint is a high point in the Hollywood Hills where you can see a breathtaking view of the entire city. Walking around the park is free, but you’ll have to pay a small fee to go inside the planetarium. This spot is a perfect photo op of the city and the famous Hollywood sign!

SPEND AN AFTERNOON IN SANTA MONICA

Santa Monica is definitely a favorite of tourists and local alike. Santa Monica beach is the quintessential Los Angeles destination. You can have a typical tourist experience by exploring the Santa Monica Pier or enjoy a peaceful bike ride on the beach’s bike path. Santa Monica also offers amazing shopping and incredible restaurants, so you’re guaranteed to have an awesome day!

GO HIKING

I know, I know…LA is well-known for superficial people and celebrity sightings, but it’s also home to some of the world’s most beautiful scenery. LA natives are surprisingly outdoorsy, and going hiking is such an LA thing to do. Runyon Canyon is the most popular hike in the city, but I’m partial to hikes in Malibu (see photo with my adorable brother above) …and the outrageously beautiful beach hikes in Orange County. These photos were taken at “Top of The World Park” in Laguna Beach. Even if you’re not the type of person who normally goes hiking, believe me- you’ll enjoy it.

ENJOY THE LOCAL FOOD

LA is totally a foodie town. There’s an endless amount of gourmet restaurants, and you can basically find any type of cuisine at any time of the day. I recommend trying anything and everything that strikes your fancy, but I’ve got to give a shout out to In-N-Out for burgers (get the Animal Style), Diddy Riese for ice cream sandwiches, and Urth Caffe for celebrity sightings.

SEE THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN

If it’s your first trip to LA, you’ve got to take a picture with the Hollywood sign. It’s an international landmark, and it’s basically a non-negotiable part of your vacation. For a beautiful view of the city AND the sign, head to the Griffith Observatory or the Hollywood restaurant Yamashiro. If you want to get a close-up shot of the Hollywood sign, drive up Beachwood Drive.

SPEND A DAY AT THE BEACH

The California beaches are some of the best in the entire world. Santa Monica is great for bike rides and beach walks, but I’m partial to the Orange County beaches. These photos are from one of my favorites: Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach. You have to pay to park at this beach, but the view is worth every penny! Laguna Beach is another favorite!

GO SEE A SHOW

Los Angeles has a staggering amount of professional actors as residents, so you might as well enjoy the local talent! Check out a play at the Geffen Playhouse or an improv show at UCB (crazy celebrity sightings), iO West, or the Groundlings! There are tons of great concert venues for live music too!

GO HOUSE HUNTING & SHOPPING IN BEVERLY HILLS

If you’ve ever seen a movie set in Los Angeles, there’s a 99.9% chance that there was a scene of someone walking down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills is a charming – and very expensive – part of LA, and it’s a fun place to spend the afternoon. While you may not be able to afford to actually buy anything, it’s always fun to go window shopping at the fancy stores on Rodeo Drive. I also love driving around the local neighborhoods to see the extravagant mansions! Hint: the higher the house’s bushes/plants, the bigger the celebrity.

CHECK OUT THE OC

Los Angeles is great, but there are so many amazing places nearby. It’s definitely worth the time to drive about an hour to check out Orange County. The beaches are insanely beautiful, and there are all sorts of fun things to do. Check out Laguna Beach and Newport Beach for scenic views and stop by Fashion Island in Newport for amazing shopping. If you want to check out local stores/restaurants, head to Bear Flag Fish Company in Newport for the best fish tacos IN THE WORLD and Balboa Island for a world famous frozen banana!

DRIVE UP THE COAST

Southern California is so much more than the LA city scene. Take a few hours to drive up the coast in either direction, and you’re guaranteed to see some of the world’s most beautiful coastline on the Pacific Coast Highway!

You really can’t go wrong with a trip to LA. Be prepared to see a lot of beautiful people, a staggering amount of foods topped with avocado, and insane traffic on the 405! If you want to see the LA lifestyle in full force, check out the Stewarts and Hamiltons on E! As you might expect, this TV show is filled with hilarious family drama and LA-isms. This family is SO LA, and the show will definitely make you laugh…and then immediately book a trip to Southern California. Be sure to check it out on Sunday at 9/8c on the E! Entertainment Television channel!

It’s a family affair of Hollywood proportions with brand new episodes of Stewarts & Hamiltons Sunday nights at 9/8c only on E!

What’s your favorite part of LA?