After all that rain, we deserve to celebrate the clear skies, perfect weather, and vivid blooms. At last, a time to truly enjoy the city’s best entertainment al fresco with the fresh, floral scents filling the air and California sunshine on our skin. As much as Angelenos needed the downpour, we’re extremely excited to switch up our plans for some fresh activities.
Here are all the reasons you should be enjoying L.A. outdoors this spring:
1-13. Check out one of these incredible museums for free
Springtime brings showers, but no need to keep yourself at home. You can get your cultural fix at one of these fine Los Angeles institutions for free below:
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- Museum Of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
- and more here!
14. Have a memorable time with the family at SpringTopia’s wonderland
SpringTopia is heading to LA with a modern spin on the classic carnival experience. Opening on March 29, SpringTopia will consist of seven magical areas waiting for you and your family or friends to discover. The fun-filled areas include a puppy petting zoo, a holiday-themed wonderland, laser shows, twisting mazes, swashbuckling pirates, and much more! Click here to learn more and join the waitlist.
15-22. Go on a search for wildflowers in SoCal at these 12 fields
All this rain served Southern California well, because we’re in for a super bloom! Which means there are vivid fields of wildflowers for you to admire. Here are 12 wonderful places for you to catch these blooms here!
23. Sip on Roséall day at the Rosé Bowl in Pasadena
Rosé lovers, we found the perfect event for you! Rosé Bowl is a wine festival featuring a selection of over 40 delicious rosé wines that is sure to delight your taste buds. Bask in the sunlight and sip on good times at this unique festival. There will also be gourmet food and music that will make the one-night-only event one to remember! Grab your tickets here.
24-37. Soak up the springtime sun and floral scents at one of these 13 plant-filled rooftop havens
If there’s one way to take in spring in Los Angeles it’s from the top floor, shrouded in plants and dotted with fairy lights. Here are some of our favorite gardens in the sky where cocktails, music, food, and good times are guaranteed.
38. Embrace things all pastel and pink at the World of Barbie® museum
World of Barbie is an immersive experience that puts you inside of her hot-pink plastic world! The officially licensed experience has everything a Barbie® fan could imagine. Walk through her Dreamhouse, sit in her iconic Camper Van (brought to life by the legendary West Coast Customs), record a song in her music studio, catch a show at the Barbie® theater, ride on her interstellar shuttle, learn all about the history of the doll at the World of Barbie® museum, and much, much more. Click here to learn all about the exhibit and grab your tickets!
39. Float around Echo Park Lake on a Cute swan boat
The iconic floating swans are the perfect way to explore the park amongst the lotus beds. You’ll get a thigh workout with views of the lush scenery all while practicing social distancing. Book yourself a fun day out here.
40-45. Take in the delightful floral aromas at one of these 5 botanical gardens
Botanical gardens never cease to be an inviting respite from the smoke and smog of city life. The blooms are ever-changing and L.A. is lucky to be the home of truly remarkable plant species. So take a day to wander through the tranquil, manicured landscapes and inhale the fresh floral aromas of Mother Nature. Here are 5 gardens that are open for reservations right now!
46. Take in the spring scenery with a gondola cruise
While traveling over 6,000 miles to Venice is out of the question right now, there’s still the option of taking a 30-minute drive to Long Beach for a taste of European life. You can glide down the stunning Naples Canals on 38-foot asymmetrical beauties as Gondoliers propel you down under the romantic, high-arching bridges as you travel past the Accademia, to the Ravenna, to the Toledo and the Neapolitan East and then the famous “Treasure Island” bridge. Find out more here!
47. Head to this whimsical mosaicked gem in Venice
Just off Palms Boulevard in Venice, you’ll find this huge work-in-progress art installation, that’s more colorful than any of the characters strolling around Venice Beach. The husband and wife duo, Cheri Pann and Gonzalo Duran, have spent over two decades covering every single inch of the original bungalow with an assortment of tiles, dolls, teacups, and other fascinating found objects. Walking through this embedded masterpiece is like exploring a ceramic version of Fiji’s Rainbow Reef. Learn more here!
48. Discover the history behind this hidden Japanese garden
Found in Pasadena, the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful zen retreat with a life full of devastation and triumph. Its constructed bridges, traditional cedar log house, and lush gardens are surrounded by two ponds full of koi fish. As you and your loved one take in the landscape, it’s clear that dedication and patience went into this tranquil masterpiece. Learn more about Storrier Stearns here!
49. Visit this mesmerizing glass chapel overlooking the pacific ocean
- Credit: Amy Theilig via The Wayfarers Chapel
Tucked away in the lush cliffside woods of Palos Verdes is this stunning glass chapel, designed by Lloyd Wright—son of famed American architect Frank Lloyd. It looks like it’s straight out of The Enchanted Isles from The Lord of the Rings, but you don’t have to nerd out to appreciate this stunning place. Find out all the details of this architectural masterpiece here.
50. Transport yourself to a seductive and whimsical world with afternoon tea at this hidden parlor
The Lilly Rose is an intimate tea parlor by day and a seductive speakeasy by night. Of course, this is no ordinary tea room. Their underground space is decked out in whimsical decors such as their red plush couches, posh ceramic tea sets, Zoltar fortune teller, and vintage pinball machine―all accompanied by dim lighting and colorful stained glass lamps. Learn more here!
51. Roadtrip through Coachella Valley and discover thought-provoking art
The annual Desert X has returned to captivate the minds of Coachella Valley through incredible installations with a message. As you look upon these works of art, viewers are encouraged to examine their environments and reflect on how they navigate through the world—how they live, and the messages we [all] send that reinforce systems that might or might not be beneficial for us—as a collective. Learn more here!