Here in LA, we are used to a life that’s bursting with fun in the sun and just a sprinkle here and there. But a few days out of each year a drizzle can turn into a downpour! However, just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your day to the fullest. In fact, this is the best time to discover new things that our city has to offer, as well as a time to seek comfort in time-tested indoor treats. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite indoor activities in Los Angeles for those inclement weather days. Grab your umbrella and cutest rain boots, and enjoy!
Pro Tip: Romanticize the rain. As you head out to try the suggestions below, put on the comfiest fit you have, and embrace these days as a reason to slow down, catch up with friends, or have a solo adventure.
1. Catch a Movie
It is an unspoken universal law that rainy days make for the best movie days. You’re in the house on the couch, and what is more comforting than perusing Netflix or your favorite streaming platform for a good flick? However, if you’re bored of the home-based selections, getting out into an actual theater can be a great rainy-day activity, and we are lucky to have some of the coolest theaters right here in our city. For example, you can broaden your cinematic horizon at the New Beverly Cinema in the Fairfax District. This historic movie theater has a wide array of programming films, from weekend cartoon clubs to matinees, and midnight shows to satisfy the night owls among us. We splashed in the rain over to catch an old Hitchcock film there, and it was the perfect match for a rainy day. Here’s some fun history! After 10 years of being a benefactor of the theater, Oscar-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino became owner and head programmer.
Pro Tip: New Beverly does have great food options (even vegan hot dogs!) but if you are still hungry, head over to Canter’s Deli just a mile away and load up on some warm nourishing soup.
photo by – New Beverly Cinema
2. Lean into Learning at a Museum
A rainy day is a great time to explore an indoor museum like the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park. The museum protects and shares more than 35 million specimens and artifacts and holds the largest natural and cultural history collection in the western United States. You can spend hours marveling at exhibitions including our fave, the African and North American mammal halls. We also love watching the workers in the dino lab, because even in rain, fossil findings need to happen.
If you’re feeling artsier, check out The Broad downtown, and the museum’s collection of contemporary art from the 1950’s to the present. Learn about nearly 2,000 works in the collection by more than 200 artists.
photo by – The Broad
3. It’s Tea Time, Baby
Great conversation while drinking yummy tea and indulging in cucumber bite-sized sandwiches? Yes, please! Tea houses are a great way to catch up with a friend or sit by yourself and journal or read a book. Afternoon tea service can be costly, so make sure you look ahead at the offerings and even try to make a reservation. Two of our favorite tea houses are the Chado Tea Room, where you can get over 200 different types of tea with locations in Pasadena, Hollywood, or Downtown LA and The Four Seasons Tea Room , tucked away in the charming Sierra Madre.
Photo By – Chado Tea Room Facebook
4. Laugh Away The Rain
Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean the mood has to be dreary. Comedy is sure to brighten the mood, so head on over to one of the Hollywood heavyweight comedy clubs, like the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. Or, you can be brave and try out those jokes that make you and your friends laugh at an open mic at The Comedy Nook in West Hollywood.
5. Retail Therapy
All those pennies you’ve been saving for a rainy day? We don’t want to tell you to spend them all, but a little indoor shopping during a rainstorm might put some pep in your step. Head over to the Glendale Galleria or the Beverly Center, located right at the edge of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. With over 90 stores and restaurants, Beverly Center features the best in everything from luxury to contemporary, and some top-of-the-line restaurants for when you need to fuel up from all the shopping.
Photo By – Beverly Center Facebook
6. Go Record Shopping
Learn from our Northwest neighbors in Portland and Seattle, and seek out some awesome music. You can fully lean into the rain and find more moody tunes, or bump up your spirits with some upbeat funk or World music. Shop for some new inspiration at the iconic Amoeba Records, or embrace your punk rock at Headline Records on Melrose.
7. Let Your Inner Child Play
Indoor arcades make great wholesome date ideas, rain or shine. Two Bit Circus in the Arts District features reimagined and tech-ed up versions of classic carnival games, while the Family Arcade in East Hollywood has over 50 years as fun retro arcade with all the gaming options that one can dream up.
Photo By – Two Bit Circus
8. Bring Your Dream Life Into Focus
If you’re looking to get out of the house but still be both productive and dreamy during a rainy day, head over to a coffee shop like Dialog Cafe and work on creating your best life via a vision board. Luckily, we happen to be experts on the subject!
Be sure to check out our article on 3 Simple Steps to Make a Vision Board That Actually Works.
