12 Can’t-Miss Hits To Enjoy In The City Of Angels

The Chinese Theater is a must-stop on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The original Chinese Theatre was a commission by Sid Grauman and launched with Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings. Today, the TCL Chinese Theatre is one of the largest IMAX auditoriums in the world.

There are, of course, roughly 200 handprints, footprints, and autographs in the front courtyard of the theater: Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Joan Crawford, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Natalie Wood.

Will Rogers State Beach sprawls just under two miles along the Pacific Coast Highway near Temescal Canyon Road. Summer parking ranges from $4-$12 and features swimming, surfing, fishing, diving, volleyball courts, showers–and plenty of boys on the beach. SoCal men affectionately refer to the beach as the “Ginger Rogers” because of gay gaggles that flock there for sun and fun in the surf.

Showgirls at Micky’s made headlines last year when Shangela and Courtney Act joined Lady Gaga for a special performance of “Applause.” David Petruschin–better known as “Raven” from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Drag U, and RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race–has been hosting Showgirls for years. Call to reserve a seat for the weekly performances including drag stars like Morgan McMichaels, Raja, Laganja Estranja, Ongina. Stick around after the show for cocktails with the performers, go-go boys, late-night dancing.

The Bowl is poised to once again be Los Angeles’ premier summer entertainment choice. This world-famous outdoor amphitheater, located in the heart of Hollywood, is the perfect place to gather friends, picnic and enjoy outstanding music under the stars. Featuring indie rock, jazz, classical, Broadway, the Bowl is also summer home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. This year’s calendar features performances by Kristin Chenoweth, Robyn, Gloria Estefan, Herbie Hancock.

The Grove itself is an enormous outdoor marketplace that includes a movie theater, oodles of stores, and adorable courtyards with a variety of vendors. Opened in 1934, it has lured stars like Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles, Alton Brown and Jimmy Kimmel. The Summer Music Series (Thursdays and Fridays from 7-9) runs through August 29 offering free concert performances showcasing L.A.’s best jazz and eclectic musicians.  Upcoming performances include Steve Tyrell, Sara Evans, and Backstreet Boys. 

The theater recently celebrated its 31st birthday with Bette White and her “Hot in Cleveland” co-stars reading a “Golden Girls” episode with Sean Hayes. Betty White and Sean Hayes? What could be a better combo? Chuck Rowland, co-founder of the Mattachine Society, founded Celebration Theatre in 1982 in a storefront in Silver Lake. The organization has moved to West Hollywood where it continues its mission of producing gay-themed plays and musicals including shows like The Ballad of Little Mikey, Revolver, and Naked Boys Singing!

The art museum features expansive gardens, open spaces, architecture by Richard Meier, and sprawling vistas. The Getty’s collection of European paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts is spread over four separate pavilions. The collection features European and American art from medieval times to the present. Current exhibitions include The Scandalous Art of James Ensor, In Focus: Ansel Adams, and vonne Rainer: Dances and Films. The Getty Center is Closed on Mondays. Wander in and out of some of the world’s best curated displays while enjoying lush gardens and lunch overlooking the city.