Los Angeles is a huge city made of many neighbourhoods, and you'll almost always need a car to get between them. In return you get the ocean, mountains and world-class museums in one trip.
Views
Griffith Observatory — the city and the Hollywood sign at sunset, with free entry. The Getty Center — architecture, gardens and a collection on a hill overlooking the city and the ocean; closed on Mondays.
Museums
LACMA with its street-lamp installation, The Broad for contemporary art in Downtown, and the Academy Museum for anyone who came for the movies.
The ocean
Santa Monica and its pier, Venice Beach with its canals and boardwalk, and further north the beaches of Malibu.
Neighbourhoods
Silver Lake and Los Feliz for coffee shops and local restaurants, Downtown for Grand Central Market and new food spots. Places and events are in Places and Events.