5 Hidden Gems in Los Angeles (Most Tourists Don't Know About)

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I’ve lived in Southern California all my life, and I’ve visited Los Angeles more times than I can count. I also lived in East LA for a year after college.

I love this city, so I’m always disheartened to hear visitors talk about how much they didn’t like it. Yeah, the traffic can be frustrating, and some streets can be dirty, but Los Angeles is full of character and beauty — if you know where to look.

So I want to share my favorite spots around LA, ones that I hope will make you feel a little bit fonder of this city.

Locals definitely know about these places, but I don’t think most tourists will venture to these hidden gems while visiting LA (but you should!).

Note that these places are all outside the city of Los Angeles, as it’s kinda difficult to hide anything in downtown/central LA. So really, I’m talking about hidden gems in the Los Angeles area.

Table of Contents Show

1. Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino

I have to start with my absolute favorite place in Southern California — the Huntington Library and Gardens, often called the H.

This place is so magical and stunning, I bought an annual pass to it three years in a row. (Some people buy Disney annual passes, I buy garden annual passes…I digress.)

First of all, it’s huge — you will not be able to see everything in one day. Even after visiting for three years, I still stumble upon corners I hadn’t seen before.

It’s not just a garden — there are art museums and libraries and, yes, many different gardens (not just one).

It’s a truly elaborate place that is beautiful, in any season.

When to go?

March: The cherry blossoms here are magical (usually blooming in mid-March).
Spring and summer: The wisteria (May), waterlilies (summer), jasmine, and roses are a sight to behold.
January: Even in winter, though, you’ll find camellias and greenery.

If you need a break from the California heat, thankfully, all the museums at the H have air conditioning, so head indoors if it gets to be too hot!

A person in a black outfit and hat stands on a lawn near a fountain with lily pads in a garden, with a large white mansion and lush trees in the background. A white statue is visible on the right side. — Huntington Library and Gardens

A woman in a light pink floral dress and sunglasses stands smiling on a sunlit walkway of a traditional Asian-style building, with gardens and blue sky in the background. — Chinese Garden, Huntington Library and Gardens

A serene garden with a pond full of lily pads and pink flowers, a stone bridge, willow trees, and a traditional Chinese pavilion under a clear blue sky. — Waterlilies, Huntington Library and Gardens

A vibrant garden with blooming pink and purple roses, a rose-covered archway, and lush green trees under a clear blue sky. — Roses, Huntington Library and Gardens

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a black floral dress and carrying a tote bag, stands on a garden path next to a large bush covered in vibrant red flowers. Sunlight filters through the trees overhead. — Camellias, Huntington Library and Gardens

FYI: Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at the H

The Huntington hosts various events throughout the year, and my favorite is, hands-down, their Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.

You can create your own floating lantern, write a wish on it, and watch as they all float around the Chinese Garden pond. It’s magical.

Tickets go fast every year, so if you’re in California during the festival, definitely try to go!

A nighttime scene in a Japanese garden with glowing lanterns floating on a pond, a large illuminated orb overhead, and people gathered on a bridge in the background surrounded by trees and traditional architecture. — Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, the H

A hand holds a glowing yellow lantern at night. The lantern has the word travel, a drawing of a circle (possibly the moon), and three stars sketched on it. Blurred city lights are visible in the background. — My wish, Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, the H

2. Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge

My second favorite garden in LA has to be Descanso Gardens, one I’ve gone back to a few times to see in different seasons.

It’s less crowded than the H, and more serene and peaceful. Its location, close to the mountains, offers some stunning views.

Their standouts are definitely their lilac garden, Japanese garden, and rose garden. Cherry blossoms bloom here as well in February and April, which is a must see.

I love wandering around here, on the many trails, and seeing what plants and flowers are blooming. It’s gorgeous! A great place to chat with a friend.

A woman in a black dress with white spots sits on a wooden bench in a lush garden filled with green plants and purple flowers, with mountains and cloudy sky in the background. — Descanso Gardens

Tall pink flowers and yellow roses bloom in a lush garden with green foliage. Blue and purple flowers are scattered throughout, and trees create a dark, leafy background. — Descanso Gardens

A woman with long brown hair in a black floral dress stands on a dirt path surrounded by blooming lilac bushes in a lush garden, smiling at the camera. — Lilacs, Descanso Gardens

Clusters of light purple lilac flowers in full bloom hang from green stems, surrounded by lush leaves and other lilac blossoms in the background. — Lilacs, Descanso Gardens

3. Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills

Greystone Mansion is owned by the city of Beverly Hills and open to the public for free. Probably never thought to see those words together, “Beverly Hills” and “free,” but it’s true.

It can occasionally be closed for private events. (This happened on my visit, but it was only partially closed.)

It won’t take you that long to wander around the grounds, likely daydreaming as if it were your mansion in LA (only me?).

But it’s still worth a stop, especially if you’re already planning to be in the area.

You can tour the interior of the mansion on select dates throughout the year.

A person wearing sunglasses stands on a stone path surrounded by tall, dense cypress trees under a clear blue sky, casting shadows along the walkway. — Greystone Mansion

A large stone house with a slate roof sits atop a grassy, terraced hill under a clear blue sky. A stone wall lines the front of the property, and mature trees surround the building. — Greystone Mansion

4. Abalone Cove Park in Ranchos Palos Verdes

I love Abalone Cove, and am always so surprised to never see that many people here. At least in comparison to other beaches in Southern California.

However, there is currently a major landslide danger in the area, so the hiking trails and beaches have been closed to the public for the last few years.

While most of Abalone Cove remains closed due to cliff breakage, you can still visit the park.

At Abalone Cove Park, there are picnic tables and epic views of the coast and cliffs.

Is it still worth visiting? I’d say so! Pack a lunch and eat with an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean. It’s not to be missed.

Parking Fee: $6-12, based on how long you stay. The first half hour is free.

vista point of abalone cove, a crescent shaped beach with cliffs looming above — Abalone Cove Park

back of girl's head, her hand holding sunglasses, looking out at view of tidepools at beach — Tide pools, Abalone Cove (Now Closed)

5. Trail Canyon Falls in Tujunga

Forget hiking to the Hollywood sign (well, okay, maybe you can still do that hike, too, it is pretty cool).

I’ve done a lot of hiking in the LA region, so discovering a new trail is rare for me. But I discovered one a few years ago that blew me away. It’s a waterfall trail that hasn’t gotten completely overwhelmed by people yet.

It’s aptly named Trail Canyon Falls (seriously). Okay, name aside, it’s an amazing trail, about 5 miles long, that cuts through the Angeles National Forest.

In spring, there are hundreds, probably thousands, of wildflowers! It’s incredible.

And it all ends at a waterfall, with a pool of water that you can actually swim in. Most people do. The cool water is most refreshing after a long hike!

Hike Stats:
Distance: 4.3-4.7 miles (round trip)
Elevation Gain: 1,040 ft

A tall waterfall cascades down rocky cliffs covered with green foliage, framed by overhanging tree branches, and pools into a clear stream at the base. — Trail Canyon Falls

Pink wildflowers in the foreground overlook a lush green valley surrounded by rugged, rocky mountains under a cloudy sky. Dense vegetation covers the hillsides, creating a vibrant and scenic landscape. — Wildflowers on Trail Canyon Falls

Quick Note About the Heat in California

Your experience will be amazing at any of these places no matter when you visit, but do note that it gets very hot during summertime.

I usually avoid going outdoors during summer because of the heat. If you do visit in summer, take precautions and bring water, sunscreen, hats, the works. You’ll need it!

Concluding Thoughts

So there you have it — a few hidden gems to add to your Los Angeles itinerary.

Do any of them sound interesting to you?

I hope you enjoy your visit to LA, wherever you end up.

5 Hidden Gems in Los Angeles (Most Tourists Don’t Know About)