Griffith Observatory
Perched high in the Hollywood Hills, Griffith Observatory offers one of the most stunning vantage points in all of Los Angeles. The Art Deco building has been an iconic LA landmark since 1935. But many tourists stick to the bustling streets below and never make it up to this hilltop treasure. Inside the observatory, you can gaze at the stars in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Learn about the cosmos in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater. And view exhibitions on astronomy and science that will leave you feeling inspired. The free public telescopes on the observation deck let you see Jupiter’s moons, Saturn’s rings, and even sunspots on our closest star. Outside, sweeping views of the LA Basin, from downtown to the Pacific Ocean, surround the grounds. Snap a photo in front of the Hollywood sign just across the canyon. Lay out on the lawn with Griffith Park spread out below you. Watch the sunset paint a golden glow over the city of angels. Getting to Griffith Observatory couldn’t be easier. Our charter buses can drop your group off right at the entrance. After exploring the observatory, your driver will be waiting to take you to the next hidden gem on our LA itinerary.
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: (213) 473-0800
The Last Bookstore
Bibliophiles rejoice! The Last Bookstore in downtown LA houses over 250,000 new and used books, making it California’s largest independent bookshop. The store spans two floors of a former bank building, with towering columns, marble floors, and ornate vaults. It feels like stepping into the secret lair of a book-loving society. Beyond the endless shelves, The Last Bookstore offers a visual feast for the imagination. The second floor holds a labyrinth of books with tunnels and arches made from novels. Strange sculptures, colorful wall art, and even a yarn library decorate the space. This is much more than just a bookstore; it’s an artistic world ideal for photo ops. The store hosts a packed events calendar, from author talks to costume parties. Even without a special event, you’re sure to bump into local artists, writers, and musicians browsing the shelves. Don’t miss the corner full of rare and antiquarian books on the second floor. It’s the perfect place to uncover a hidden treasure.
Address: 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (213) 488-0599
Wisdome LA
Dive into a world of wonder at Wisdome, an immersive art park in downtown LA. This one-of-a-kind space features five geodesic domes, each filled with a unique art installation. Lay beneath undulating fabric waves or a canopy of handmade stained glass. Gaze up at 3D projections rippling across the dome as ambient music plays. Many installations even respond to your touch. Wisdome LA comes alive at night, when the domes are illuminated with colorful lights and lasers. Food trucks outside the venue let you fuel up before heading in. You can explore at your own pace or join a guided meditation and yoga class. It’s the perfect spot for a group outing when you want a break from the usual tourist grind. Our professional drivers know the best drop-off points near Wisdome so your group can enter hassle-free. With round-trip transportation covered, all you need to focus on is taking in the beauty surrounding you inside Wisdome’s kaleidoscopic domes.
Address: 1147 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (310) 394-4702
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
It may seem odd to visit a cemetery during your LA getaway. But Hollywood Forever is more than just a final resting place for legends like Judy Garland and Cecil B. DeMille. This LA landmark transforms into a cultural hub with outdoor movie screenings, yoga sessions, poetry readings, and more. Founded in 1899, the cemetery has an elaborate collection of memorials and mausoleums. Take a stroll to visit the graves of Hollywood icons long past, like Douglas Fairbanks and Jayne Mansfield. Strange and beautiful statues like an underwater-themed memorial with a life-size sculpture of a swimmer provide an artful and contemplative experience. At night, Hollywood Forever comes to life. From June through September, the cemetery projects classic films onto the side of a mausoleum. Guests lounge on blankets and lawn chairs, picnicking while watching cinema under the stars. Our charter buses will get your group here for sunset so you have ample time to find the perfect spot. Bring blankets, snacks, and relax at this secret outdoor theater.
Address: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: (323) 469-1181
The Museum of Jurassic Technology
Tucked away in Culver City, The Museum of Jurassic Technology is one of LA’s quirkiest and most mind-bending attractions. This museum explores wonder, strange histories, and curiosities in its elaborate exhibits. With dim lighting and a unique soundtrack, it evokes the feeling of wandering through a mystical cabinet of curiosities. Rooms display a range of oddities, from microscopic sculptures to a tribute to trailer park singer Eva Aulin. One exhibit traces the history of Noah’s Ark, while another explores the phenomenon of people being stuck by needles hidden in car seats. Skeptical? Check out the “Deprong Mori” horn purported to grow from the head of a mummified sheep. The line between truth and fiction delightfully blurs at this strange little museum. After getting lost in the Jurassic Technology’s exhibits, step into the tea garden behind the museum. Our charter bus will drop your group off nearby so you can uncover the marvels within. This is one LA experience you’ll ponder long after departing.
Address: 9341 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: (310) 836-6131
Malibu Wine Safaris
Most visitors to Malibu stick to the beaches and coastline. But just inland lies the Saddlerock Ranch, home to Malibu Wine Safaris. This hub of food, wine, activities and exotic wildlife makes for an unforgettable LA experience. Your safari adventure starts with a tour through the vineyard. Learn how wine grapes grow in Malibu’s terroir before sampling wines in the ageing cave. Next, meet Stanley the giraffe and feed gentle, kissing camels by hand on an animal safari. Agriculture tours of the farm’s avocados, citrus, and olives let you taste the fruits straight from the tree. Cap off the day by digging into Mediterranean eats like hummus, pita and kebabs on the outdoor patio. With round-trip transportation arranged by our charter bus company, Malibu Wine Safaris offers a wonderful group getaway just outside LA’s city limits. From the animals to the tastings, it feels a world away from bustling tourist hubs.
Address: 15001 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Phone: (310) 455-9900
The Last Remaining Beachfront Rooftop Cinema
Watching movies at a vintage drive-in theater under the stars is a quintessential SoCal experience. But the few remaining drive-ins are far from LA’s city center. That’s why the last beachfront rooftop cinema in Santa Monica is such an amazing hidden gem. The rooftop deck at the Georgian Hotel right on Ocean Avenue has unobstructed views of the Pacific stretching to the horizon. Cozy up in adirondack chairs or luxurious daybeds on the terraces. Order cocktails and snacks while you watch classic films projected onto a big screen. With the ocean breeze in your hair and the crash of waves in the background, you’ll feel a million miles away from the city. After the credits roll, take the elevator straight to bed in one of the chic, contemporary rooms at the Georgian Hotel. With our charter bus rentals, your group will have door-to-door transportation to make this coastal movie night easy and unforgettable.
Address: 1415 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 395-9945
Velveteria – The Museum of Velvet Paintings
This one-of-a-kind art museum houses paintings that might seem kitschy or lowbrow outside its walls. But inside Velveteria, the collection of 3,000+ velvet paintings comes to life as their own unique art form. Whimsical scenes, from unicorns and dreamscapes to classic Elvis portraits line the walls and clutter every inch of this space. As you wander room to room, you’ll gain an appreciation for velvet painting as a medium of creative pop art. Don’t miss the blacklight room, where psychedelic paintings glow under UV light. Our charter bus drivers know the best parking spots and drop-off points near this offbeat gallery. After re-imagining what fine art can be inside Velveteria, your group will have a new appreciation for finding beauty in overlooked places.
Address: 711 New High St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 437-3368
Time Travel Mart
On the corner of Sunset and Virgil, a convenience store with a window full of strange snacks and goods hides a fantastical secret. Step inside the Time Travel Mart, and you’ll be greeted by employees in lab coats claiming to be from the future. This quirky store sells time travel supplies like robot milk and dental flossers from the year 2037. But it’s not just a gimmick. The Time Travel Mart is actually a nonprofit literacy program where kids can earn points by reading books that they can spend on goodies at the shop. Beyond the playful shelves of futuristic snacks and knickknacks hides a lending library, reading spaces, and desks where volunteer tutors work with young readers. It’s a wonderful hidden gem supporting LA youth and families. After stocking up on provisions for your return to the present, your charter bus will whisk your group away to the next destination. The Time Travel Mart proves that magic and wonder can be found tucked into the most ordinary places.
Address: 1714 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone: (213) 413-3388
Plan Your Trip With Los Angeles Party Bus Company
Don’t settle for a mundane itinerary filled with crowded tourist traps on your next LA getaway. By partnering with Los Angeles Party Bus Company, you can uncover the city’s most amazing hidden gems in comfort and style. Our charter bus rentals provide door-to-door transportation so your group can focus on making memories. Contact us at 213-354-7147 to start planning your hidden LA bucket list adventure today!