Being in LA during the summer is so much fun because there is always a ton to do. Besides the fun that you can have in your own backyard, like grilling pizzas for example, there are countless activities to do in the city. And a plus is that a lot of them are free! Here are my top picks for things to do in LA this summer! And if you’re an Angeleno too, leave some of your suggestions in the comments section. I’d love to check them out, too!
1. Outdoor Movies! This is by far my favorite thing to do during the summer. There are so many great options to choose from like Cinespia‘s classic cult favorites at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery {yes cemetery!}, Moonlight Movies on the Beach at Alfredo’s Beach Club in Long Beach, Eat See Hear, Street Food Cinema, or the Electric Dusk Drive-In theater.
2. Rooftop cocktails! When the temperatures are in the 90s and 100s it’s nice to spend a warm evening outside with a cold drink. Plus, the views of the city are unbeatable! Some of my favorite spots are the Petite Ermitage, Upstairs at the Ace Hotel, and Perch.
3. Free Jazz Nights at LACMA. I love jazz {Ella Fitzgerald and John Coltrane are two of my faves!} and this program that LACMA puts on is one of the best. Throughout the years LACMA has featured some of the jazz greats, so this would be a fun way to kick off your weekend!
4. Sushi by the Sea. I love sushi and nothing compares to eating it at Nobu in Malibu. It’s a little pricy but you could always go for a glass of wine, or one of their sake cocktails. The ocean views at sunset are absolutely stunning and since they have their own private beach, you can even walk down to the water.
5. Nights at the Hollywood Bowl. Another summer favorite. I love going to the Hollywood Bowl-sponsored nights and bringing a food and wine picnic. In the past I’ve gone to the Grease Sing-A-Long and the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long with my best gal pals to celebrate my birthday. Both were huge highlights and I might have even said something like, “This is the highlight of my year.” Honestly, it’s so much fun, before the show even starts! I should have done this post a few weeks ago because unfortunately the Sound of Music already happened last weekend, but there are other Hollywood Bowl-sponsored nights, some even with a fireworks show!
6. Wine Tasting at Malibu Family Wines. Another great spot to bring a picnic, buy a bottle of wine, and spend the afternoon with friends.
7. Spot a waterfall in LA. Escondido Falls has one of the biggest waterfalls in Southern California, and it’s also a great hike!
8. Go to the Getty. There’s the Getty Center in Brentwood, or the Getty Villa in Malibu. Both properties are picturesque and have some fascinating exhibits. This would be fun to do with family in town.
9. Grand Central Market in Downtown LA. I went here with my Dad and Matthew on Father’s Day and it was so much fun. Grand Central Market has been around since 1917 but they recently renovated and brought in some great new vendors. There’s an oyster bar, an egg sandwich spot, a deli, an ice cream shop, tons of great ethnic food, and even a little produce market.
10. Echo Park Lake– I shot an outfit here the other week and loved how beautiful the lake was. You can bring a picnic and sit on the grass, rent paddle boats, or even get breakfast at the revived boat house, Square One at the Boathouse.
11. Hike to the Hollywood sign. It’s so cliche but still a lot of fun and you’re getting some good exercise.
12. FYFest August 22 and 23. If you love live music, check out the FYFest Music Festival at the LA Memorial Sports Arena & Exposition Park. They have a pretty great lineup!
13. Walk along Abbot Kinney. Grab an iced coffee from Blue Bottle or Intelligentsia, and check out the cute boutiques and amazing restaurants! It’s a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Some of my favorite restaurants on Abbot Kinney include Gjelina, Tasting Kitchen, Casa Linda, and Lemonade.
14. Get active! The outdoor stair climb in Santa Monica has two sets of stairs, wooden and concrete, that will help tone those legs and get you ready for beach days. There’s also a stair climb in Silver Lake that’s supposed to be good.
15. Twilight Concerts at the Santa Monica Pier. Thursday nights are about to get a lot more fun! Starting July 9th, the music under the stars is back. The best part is that it’s free! Pack a picnic, get a spot on the sand and listen to some great music. I’m so excited to be doing this with my group of girls in a few weeks.
16. Beach Days! What’s summer without a beach day? There are so many great beaches in LA but I love Leo Carrillo because it’s dog-friendly! Ginger can hang out, Matthew can surf, and there are even some cool tide pools to explore. If you’e into camping, or not local to the area, they have on-site camping grounds as well!
17. Go Blue! Root for the home team at a Dodgers game and eat a hot dog and some peanuts!
18. Saturdays off the 405 at The Getty. Enjoy free outdoor music and pretty views of the city on select Saturdays this summer. There’s live music, along with DJ sets. Arrive early to visit the exhibits and also avoid traffic.
19. Dance Downtown. I love to dance so I’d definitely recommend checking out these free music and dancing nights at the Music Center Plaza. There are different theme nights plus live bands, along with free dance lessons for those of you with two left feet! No matter what, you’ll have tons of fun, even if you’re just getting food and cheering from the sidelines.
20. Little Getaways. Los Angeles is amazing, which you now know if you read the above, but it’s nice to get out of town too! There are so many great spots within 2 hours of LA, like Santa Barbara or San Diego. You could even take a ferry to Catalina Island for a quick day trip!
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There are so many fun things to do in Los Angeles but unfortunately I couldn’t include them all. I’d love to know your favorites though. Leave a comment below with your favorite things to do in LA, during the summertime or anytime! I’ll add them to my never-ending Must See & Do in LA List!
xox
photo from this post: What To Bring In Your Beach Bag
