LA’s underrated gems: Where LAist staff think out-of-towners should visit

Welcome visitors!

We know you’ve probably already walked along Hollywood’s walk of fame, hit Universal Studios and headed to the Getty Center. But there are many other places that are worth your time you may not know about.

We put a call out to LAist staff for their underrated go-tos… and they delivered.

Here’s the line up:

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Samanta Helou Hernandez

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LAist

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I just went yesterday to Greystone Mansion. It has a great view,and is really unlike anything else in L.A. (and much of the country). Did I mention it's free? You’ll also get to drive through the fancy streets of Beverly Hills.
- Lucie Russo, Development Events manager   

Arlington Gardens is three acres of green space tucked away in a residential neighborhood of Pasadena. (Photo by Emily Henderson/LAist)

I like the idea of highlighting things in nature! Descanso Gardens and/or Huntington Library, though Descanso is probably more underrated than Huntington. Arlington Gardens in Pasadena is so slept on.
- Rebecca Stumme, Senior Producer, Live Programming & Events  

The Norton Simon Museum's art collection includes sculptures from Cambodia and other south Asian countries.

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elon schoenholz

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Courtesy Norton Simon Museum

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Norton Simon museum, plus the gigantic rock at LACMA - go sit underneath and contemplate life!
- Suzanne Levy, Senior Editor

Little Tokyo Japanese Garden; a beautiful, unique view of the city.
- Michael Leyva, Studio Technician  

The "Hollywood" sign can be seen from the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

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David McNew

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Getty Images

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Bad: Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Rad: Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
The Hammer is really good, and the restaurant there is excellent.
- Matt Ballinger, Senior Editor

Tierra de la Culebra park in Highland Park.

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Samanta Helou Hernandez

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LAist

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Perhaps not worth a trip all the way from wherever people are staying near Inglewood, but Tierra de la Culebra in Highland Park is such a wonderful park. Should also mention Hsi Lai temple and the Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine. Also the Vintage Synthesizer Museum — very niche, but very unique to L.A.!

-Emma Lehman, social media producer

The OC Zoo... for two bucks you can get super close to four mountain lions, leopards, tiny owls, and foxes!
- Tiffany Ujiiye, Editor, Daily News

An art show at the Vincent Price Art Museum

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Courtesy Vincent Price Art Museum

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Watts Towers, and the Vincent Price Museum (which is free). The Cheech Marin Center in Riverside is exceptional. The Wende Museum (also free) and the Museum of Jurassic Technology, both in Culver City.
- Mary Marcus, Account Executive

Craft Contemporary museum.
- Malka Fenyvesi, Major Gifts Officer