If you’re visiting Los Angeles, there are lots of fun activities to try! These include museums, celebrity home tours, and outdoor sightseeing adventures.
Movie and television fans will want to take a tour of a studio, where they can learn about how films are made and see famous set designs. Some studios even offer free or heavily discounted tours with a tourist pass.
1. Go on a Group Night Run
Running is a sport that requires a fair amount of personal time, and finding the time to squeeze a workout in during the workweek can be a challenge. But Los Angeles has a growing number of community-based groups that offer a range of options to suit every type of runner.
Group night runs are one of the newest trends on the city’s fitness scene. The best ones are fun, social, and safe. These events are often coordinated by technology and are often a mix of scavenger hunts, speed training, or even just a fun run through the city. Some are free and others charge a minimal fee. The best of all is that you’ll get to see a new part of the city and have some fun while you’re at it.
2. Visit the Music Box Steps
If you’re a fan of classic Hollywood, you’ll want to make sure that you pay a visit to the Music Box Steps. This set of 133-step stairs is famous for being the setting of an iconic Laurel and Hardy short film, The Music Box.
You can still find this public walkway in Silver Lake, and you’ll even spot an inscription commemorating the location. It’s a fun way to spend some time, and a great way to see the area’s steep hills, quaint homes, and narrow street paths.
Laurel and Hardy’s famous short, The Music Box, was filmed here in 1932 and won an Oscar for Best Live-Action Short (Comedy). Enjoy free food, raffles, and screenings of the movie today at the site!
3. Go on an Outdoor Movie Series
Movies are a big part of summer in Los Angeles. They’re a great way to watch old standbys or newer classics, and they’re a fun activity for groups of friends to do together.
There are plenty of outdoor movie series around LA that offer a unique and fun experience. One of the most popular is Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where film buffs show classic movies on the mausoleum wall every summer.
Another option is Boat Cinema at Castaic Lake, which takes you on the water to see your favorite movies. You can rent a mini-boat for up to five people (combined 850 lb weight limit), or bring your own beach chairs, towels or blankets.
4. Start a Bonfire at the Beach
Bonfires are a classic California summertime tradition, especially when you’re visiting the state’s many amazing beaches. They’re a great way to enjoy the outdoors, gather with friends, and watch a gorgeous sunset.
But, not all LA beaches allow bonfires. Some are banning them outright.
Huntington Beach, on the other hand, is a popular beach where you can start a bonfire as long as you don’t use wood pellets to start the fire. It’s also known for its Instagram-worthy sunsets, so you may want to come early to grab a spot!
The only downside is that the fire pits fill up very quickly, so be sure to arrive early. Some people even show up as early as 8 a.m to secure a pit for that evening!
5. Take a Tour of Universal Studios Hollywood
If you’re a movie fan, then a tour of Universal Studios Hollywood will be right up your alley. The park is famous for its movie sets, shows, and rides.
The park has two main sections: an upper lot and a lower lot, and both are connected by a series of escalators called the Starway.
On the upper lot, you can visit WaterWorld, Shrek 4D, the Simpsons ride, and Universal’s animal actors. There’s also the World of Hanna-Barbera character, and Captain EO.
On the lower lot, you can check out the Studio Tour, which is a tram tour of 13 city blocks on the back lot of a real working movie studio. It’s a fun way to see some historic film sets, including the Bates Motel from Psycho and the destruction from War of the Worlds. You’ll even get to see the shark-inspired set of Jaws and dozens of dinosaurs!