I’ve lived in Los Angeles for about eight years now, so I thought I’d round up 10 Fun Things to do in LA! Some of them are pretty obvious (#basic…), while others are more on the outskirts of LaLa-land. Whether you want something outdoors, a great restaurant, or a fun date, its all here!! Special thanks to my helpful contributors- Stefani, Jessie and Kathy. You guys are the best!

10 Fun Things to Do in LA

1. Flower Fields

Chris and I first found this magical place 5 years ago when we were still dating. He took me on a surprise adventure and an hour later I found myself in the most beautiful flower fields I had ever seen in my life. I’ve always been obsessed with all things floral (check out my Insta for proof!), so this was an absolute dream come true. The flowers are in full bloom right now, making it the perfect time to stop by with your family or as a fun date night with yo boo. Bonus: Make sure you swing by the U-pick Strawberry fields around the corner and stock up on some fresh fruit for the drive home!

 

2. The Broad Museum

Located downtown, this LA hot spot is all the rage with tourists and locals alike. I still have yet to cross this one off my list, but the photos on Instagram and yelp alone are leaving me dying to go! Just google ‘The Broad Infinity Room’ and you’ll feel the same way too. Anytime we drive by there is a line to get in, so make sure you arrive early. With so many unique and fun exhibits you can basically spend hours exploring before you even realize how much time has passed. Looking for a fun place to grab dinner after? Try the Otium restaurant which is conveniently located right next door. Great food, drinks, and a beautifully designed atmosphere make it a great way to top off your day.

 

3. El Matador State Beach

I stumbled upon this place a few years ago for my 4th of July Photo shoot (see that here), and have been in love with this place ever since. The huge rocks and beautiful sunsets have quickly made this a huge draw for tourists so it will get pretty busy on the weekends. It’s perfect for an engagement or family photo shoot, and even with a lot of visitors you can still get some amazing shots. Everyone is pretty considerate of each other, so you don’t have to worry about people hogging all the great photo ops.

 

4. Malibu Wines

This is best done with a group. There is almost always a Groupon available for discounted tastings and wine. Bring a blanket, some cheese and small bites and get ready for a relaxing day. You can’t bring in your own wine, so be prepared to buy all of your vino there. No dogs allowed, which is a major drawback in my opinion, but it still makes my list of fun things to do in LA! This is also a great spot for celebrating a birthday, and is probably the most fun with a big group of friends.

 

5. The Grove

Probably one of the best places for celebrity sightings, it’s an upscale outdoor mall complete with a beautiful fountain and tons of great shopping. Check out their calendar for upcoming events, concerts, movies in the park, and celebrity meet and greets. Or just stop in on a whim and enjoy lunch and a good ole’ shopping splurge at your favorite stores. Before you go, make sure to check out the Farmer’s Market attached to The Grove that’s filled with even more fun eats and tiny little specialized stores and treateries. I want to believe treateries is a real word, but auto correct is telling me it’s not. Ugh…leaving it in anyways, take that auto correct!

 

6. Manhattan Beach Pier

Slightly less touristy than the one in Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach Pier is much more relaxed and laid back. You can enjoy beach volleyball (we saw the AVP tournament here), eat at one of their great restaurants (we LOVE MB Post for brunch!!) Or you can have just as much fun cruising the cute little shops scattered along Manhattan Beach Blvd. Not to mention the beautiful sunsets which are scattered all over my Instagram feed. You really can’t go wrong spending the whole day or just a few hours in this cute little beach town.

 

7. Brunch at Perch

The ultimate spot for brunch with the girls! Nestled in the heart of downtown LA, you can enjoy great views of the city’s skyline. It’s also a great spot for drinks on the weekend but be warned- it can get pretty crowded after 9pm with the occasional line to get in. Make a reservation or get in before the rush and you’re golden!

 

8. Hiking in the Pacific Palisades

Start with the Temescal Canyon Loop trail or the Rustic Canyon Loop trail for amazing views of the coastline. There are so many beautiful views and tons of places to hunker down and have a romantic picnic. After your hike, you have to swing by Terranea Resort for lunch at Nelson’s. It’s an amazing restaurant at the edge of the water that we take all of our out-of-towners to at least once while they are in LA. The only downside is you can’t make reservations if you are not a hotel guest, so try to arrive at non-peak meal times. Even if you do incur a wait, you can simply explore the scenic property and take a few photos until your table is ready. Side note: Terranea also has a gorgeous pool right on the ocean with a relaxing spa perfect for a girls day! 

 

9. Explore the canals of Venice

Not quite as glamorous as the canals of Venice, Italy, but they are still a cool thing to check off your LA hit list. A picturesque view of the weaving canals with gorgeous homes tucked along the way, it’s another great place for a quiet day-date or a picnic. If your looking for something with a little more hustle and bustle, head over to the Venice Beach Boardwalk with street vendors, restaurants and some excellent people watching.

 

10. Hike to the Hollywood Sign

It doesn’t get more cliche than this, but I don’t care! Haha It’s a beautiful view from the top, and the Hollywood sign is such a huge icon of LA that I couldn’t leave it out! Get some great photos of the city, and let yourself be a tourist every once in a while. 

 

 

Outfit Details:

Kelsie:

Dress: Parker // Bracelet: Anthropologie // Necklace: Bloomingdale’s

Chris:

Shirt: Alternative Apparel via Nordstrom // Pants: Bonobos // Shoes: Sperry

 

That’s my round up! Did I miss anything?! What would you add to the list?!

Let me know in the comments 😀