What to do in LA Today

It’s no secret LA has a never ending list of amazing activities for all ages. Building an itinerary can feel overwhelming, so we made it easy! Grab a few of these plans and consider your weekend booked. Don’t miss out on these limited time events happening this month!

Shopping Anyone?

C’mon now, a little part of you is always down for some shopping. There’s luxury, antiques, and some amazing deals to be had in the city. Be sure to bring that wallet with you, you’re bound to find some must-haves!

1. Melrose Trading Post

With live music to dance to, dozens of amazing vendors offering food, unique clothing, and art, do we even need to  mention more? Afterward, head to the infamous Melrose Street shopping strip and visit local thrift stores and eateries to truly set into the LA vibe. We’ve got all your questions answered here.

Open Every Sunday, 9am to 5pm

2. Santa Monica Place

Love shopping and good eats? Then this coastal outdoor mall is your spot. Shop at stores like Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Tori Burch, and be sure to stop at the rooftop restaurant and lounge Lou Lou.  There are events to look forward to all the time, so be on the lookout for live music, celebrations, artist events, and more.

Open Monday-Saturday: 10am to 8pm; Sunday: 11am to 7pm

3. 2nd & PCH

Right on the beach, 2nd & PCH is a perfect place to hang out, go shopping, have a delicious meal, or catch one of their fun events. There’s always something happening here – whether it be a family movie night, live music, seasonal celebrations, outdoor markets, and so much more! There’s also a roller rink with private lessons, fitness classes, and public sessions.

Open Monday-Saturday: 10am  to 9pm; Sunday: 11am to 7pm

4. Rodeo Drive

It wouldn’t be LA if Rodeo Drive was missing right? This one is for our boujee ladies who want to live the luxe life, or do some people watching. Stroll down the stunning palm-lined streets and take some IG photos in front of the unique architecture that houses hundreds of the world’s leading brands. Don’t forget the delicious meal break, maybe poolside or in an outdoor patio, whatever you’re up for!

Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm & Sundays 12-5pm

5. Westfield Topanga Mall

If you love shopping and some good food, this is your spot. Located in the valley, you could spend a whole day here. Lucky for you, we’ve got all the tips and tricks to spend the perfect day at the mall.

If you’re looking for something unique, hit up the Santa Monica Airport Antique Markets, or find some deals at the best flea markets. If some yummy eats are on your itinerary, check out one of these night markets or Smorgasburg LA. Need some more shopping options? Spend a day in the Fashion District in DTLA  or see the 10 best places to shop in LA. Happy shopping!

Wellness & Relaxation

Time for some self-care. Mental recovery is as important as physical. From meditation, sound baths, and yoga, we’ve got your next soothing spot here.

1. Valley Salt Cave

Wellness journey anyone? The Valley Salt Cave is a controlled environment made to simulate the naturally occurring Himalayan salt caves to manage allergies, inflammation, stress and beat the heat. You can book a deal this summer with a Salt Session Special for two people. Bring a friend and escape to the Salt Cave to relax, recharge and cool off. This special offer is available for purchase until 09/04/23. You can purchase as many as you would like and they do not expire. See all the details here.

Open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am-6pm

2. Relax at The Den Meditation

Spend your wellness Wednesdays at The Den Meditation. They offer an abundance of classes from Reiki Healing, Kundalini, and Mindfulness Meditations. Their classes come in various formats like live-stream, or demand, as well as in person! The best part is, the first month is only $22! Don’t miss this epic opportunity to connect with their community and soak in all the good vibes. Check out their in-person classes here.

3. Love Yoga

What could be better than Saturday morning yoga on a rooftop overlooking the city? Umm… not much! Join Love Yoga every Saturday at 10:30 AM on Thompson Hollywood‘s rooftop for a little self-care and panoramic views of Hollywood Hills. Reserve your spot now, as space is limited to 15 people per session, and enjoy complimentary mimosas or fresh fruit juice! See ya there!

Every Saturday at 10:30am

If you’re in the mood for more self-care, find one of the best places to get a massage or a spot for homeopathic recovery to feel your best.

Out of the Ordinary

Sooo… in between reservations or trying to figure out what to do on that day off? There’s always something fun and interesting to do around LA. With so much to know about LA, you’ve just got to know where to find it. Good thing you’ve come here.

1. Play a Trivia Night

Put your knowledge to the test (or show off to your friends) with a trivia night! Bonus: you may even get to win a prize, so pick one of these trivia nights in LA.

2. Hollywood Improv

In need of a good laugh? The Hollywood Improv is one of our favorite places to catch some of the best rising and seasoned comedians like Craig Robinson, Lindsey Loon, and Bobby Lee. If you stay after the last show you can even get a chance to talk to some of the comics. Make sure to bring your ID because it’s 21+ for entry. See the upcoming schedule here.

Open Daily 5pm – 12am

3. Book an Escape Room

Escape Rooms are the perfect way to try out something new and bond with your friends and fam. The LA Girl was invited to experience The Escape Game and we had a blast! We had 60 minutes to solve the clues and break out of prison and we got to escape the reality of everyday life to exercise our team skills to escape. The Escape Game is located at Westfield Century City mall so be sure to get your shopping on afterward! If you’re looking to step into the world of Hollywood, check out Hypnotic Escape Rooms with state-of-the-art set designs and award-winning games. 

4. Italian Cooking Class at Eataly

Italian artisan marketplace and restaurant Eataly offers a variety of delicious and informing classes for the Italian food lovers. Make your own gnocchi, learn about what makes pizza so addictive, or have some fun throwing pasta in the air, there’s something for everyone. Make your heart and tastebuds happy and book your class now.

5. Marina del Rey Premier Brunch Cruise

The only thing that can make brunch better is enjoying it on a yacht. Start your brunch cruise off right in the beautiful Marina del Rey. Once on the yacht, you will be greeted with bottomless glass of champagne and be taken to your private table with a buffet brunch spread consisting of classic American breakfast dishes to seasonal lunch entrees, and richly decadent desserts. Dance to the live entertainment and enjoy the beautiful views. Get ready to set sail and purchase your tickets here. If you’d rather keep your brunch vibes on land, check out Pez Cantina in Downtown LA. They serve up an exquisite coastal Mexican brunch every Saturday from 11am-4pm (with bottomless mimosas) and for Summer 2023, they’re hosting Havana Nights with LIVE music to dance the night away.

6. Marina del Rey Signature Dinner Cruise

If you feel like making it a date night or a girls night, Marina del Rey also offers a swoon-worthy dinner cruise with amazing ocean views and even better food. Step on an exclusive yacht and indulge in a dinner buffet of local, seasonal ingredients. You have 2 and a half hours to enjoy the food, friends, and views from the outdoor deck after dinner. Get your tickets here.

A couple more tips while roaming the city. Find one of these unique bookstores, or hit up a jazz club to get creatively inspired. If you’re looking for some drinks, check out one of our happy hour picks.  Because to us, it’s always a good time to try something new.

Iconic LA Hotspots

Have a visitor in town? Or maybe you just want to experience the real attractions that bring people to LA. Either way, there is no shortage of tourist attractions to entertain everyone in the family.

1. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Want to feel like a star? Secure a spot to learn about the past, present, and future of film. Experience all the fabulous exhibitions, and don’t miss the opportunity to reserve tickets to enjoy the feeling of receiving an Oscar.

Open Sunday-Thursday 10am to 6pm & Friday-Saturday 10am to 8pm

2. LACMA Exhibitions

We know everyone’s heard of this museum, but LACMA is truly an art museum that requires a visit when in LA. They’re always keeping things interesting with their revolving art collections and exhibitions.

Open Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday, 10am to 6pm; Friday, 11am to 8pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10am to 7pm

3. Warner Bros Tour

If you are a big fan of ‘Friends’, ‘Big Bang Theory’, ‘Two and a Half Man’, or other major movies such as Harry Potter, then we have a tour for you. Each admission guarantees a 3-hour tour (1-hour guided tour + 1.5-hour self-guided tour) where you get to visit the backlot exterior sets, sound stages, archives, and more. Get your tickets now.

4. Santa Monica Pier

Being one of the most photographed locations in the world, you could say Santa Monica Pier is picture perfect. With rollercoasters, an aquarium, ferris wheel, and endless delish food options, this beach spot has it all.

5. Beverly Hills Happy Trails

Searching for those hidden gems in Beverly Hills? Well the city has just launched Happy Trails which offers 8 iconic trails for you to explore the city and immerse yourself like a true local. Of their 8 self-guided tours, you will have an array of options from Caviar & Bubbly, Sweets & Treats, A Step Back in History, and even Red Carpet Ready. What better way to spend the day than having a glass of champagne and delicious caviar from Wally’s?

6. Rose Bowl Stadium Tour

Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with the famous Rose Bowl? Here’s your chance on May 27th, there will be a stadium tour. The public tours include taking a peek at the original 1922 Locker Room, an up-close look at the iconic field, and more. Don’t worry if you miss this one, they offer tours every last Friday of the month from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

7. The Grammy Museum

If you love the music, the GRAMMY Museum is your next stop. The museum pays tribute to the the culture of music and holds the legacies of music, the technology behind it, and the creative process. There are always new exhibit happening and some of the current ones include a look at Shakira, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles.

8. TCL Chinese Theatre

Ready for the ultimate Hollywood history lesson? Visit the most  iconic movie palace In the world, the  TCL Chinese Theatre, where you’ll experience a total vintage day in LA. Take a trip down memory lane by checking out the Forecourt of the Stars, where the handprints and footprints of your favorite movie stars live. Buy tickets to watch a movie on their big IMAX screen, or maybe stick around for a movie premiere (they happen almost every week at this theater). Our editor in chief, Erika De La Cruz, got the chance to visit the Theatre with TCL USA for the premiere of John Wick: Chapter 4. Yup, she even saw Keanu…swoon. The best part of the TCL Chinese Theatre? They are located in the heart of Hollywood Boulevard where there are tons of things to do. We suggest, walking over to the Roosevelt Hotel to get a true taste of A-list luxury. You’ll be impressed with the hotels stunning decor and attention to detail. You can also get in some shopping all around the theatre. Adjacent to the movie palace, there is Ovation Hollywood, that houses favorite brands like Sephora and Quay. More details about TCL Chinese Theatre here.

Open 7 days a Week, times vary.

9. Dolby Theatre Tour

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see an academy award in person? At the Dolby Theatre Tour, you will be able to see an Oscar Statuette, as well as visit the Dolby Lounge, and exclusive celebrity hot spots. You will also get a behind-the-scenes of where Prince, Alicia Keys, and Chris Rock performed. Feel like a star and get your tickets here.

For the Outdoor Lover

Beautiful weather and landscape are always just around the corner here in LA. Spring is giving us plenty to look at, and it’s time to get outside. With so many hikes and flowers blooming, there’s plenty of photo ops to be had.

1. Botanical Gardens in Pasadena in Bloom

The great thing about all the rain So-Cal has been hit with is the gorgeous bloom of flowers we can expect to see this spring. The botanical gardens in Pasadena are a must-do on your list. You can see the Camellias now at The Huntington Gardens, enjoy summer nights of music and fun events surrounded by flowers at Descanso Gardens, go bird watching at Arlington Gardens, and see the cherry blossoms at the Japanese Garden in The Langham Huntington.

2. Hike Griffith Park

If you want a gorgeous view plus a little workout, you’ve got to pick one of the many trails up to Griffith Park. While there, stop by the Griffith Observatory and see some stars.

3. Visit a Dog Beach

We can’t forget about the pups! Have some fun outside with a stunning California beach view, plus you get to take your dog to exercise and socialize. Spend a day at one of these dog-friendly beaches.

4. Go Golfing

For our sporty gals, LA has a variety of public golf courses to get some hits in. The best part, in our opinion, is the amazing view of the city that some of them have to offer. See the most stunning public golf courses in the area.

Fun for the Family

Need to entertain the young ones and have some fun for yourself? Well you’re in luck, there’s plenty to be enjoyed with the whole family.

 

1. Little Kitchen Academy Cooking Session

If you’re little one has a passion for cooking, or you just want them to experience healthy, fresh ingredients, this one’s for you! Little Kitchen Academy is holding spring cooking sessions to expose your kids to a fresh and locally grown diet, giving them a head start towards a healthy future. Sign ups are open now, time to tempt your picky eater to become an eager chef.

Bookings open now – June 11th

2. La Brea Tar Pits

Have a family full in dinosaur lovers? Then you’ve got to stop by the La Brea Tar Pits to see the Ice Age excavation site. With millions of fossils discovered, and more actively being found here, you can even watch scientists working on fossils in the lab. Get your tickets to see millions of years of history.

3. Visit a Water Park

With summer heat coming, there is no better way to cool off and entertain the whole fam than going to one our our amazing water parks! Check out our top water parks in LA.

4. Friday Movie Nights at Ovation Hollywood

Join Ovation Hollywood for a FREE family-friendly movie night the last Friday of every month (That’s right, we said free!). Guests can enjoy games, crafts, and books with the LA Public Library as early as 5 pm. Check-in at the Ovation Hollywood table for free goodies. Get your tickets now.

 

For more places to adventure around LA, check out the 12 Best Places to Explore with Friends!