A new season brings on new plans — and summer is coming in hot in Los Angeles. With the sun shining, our city always has a jam-packed amount of incredible happenings, and some of these cannot be missed this season. Curate the perfect SoCal summer by browsing our selection of the hottest parties, concerts, incredible exhibits, and experiences below. Read on for the ultimate list of fun things to do during the summer in Los Angeles!
1. Celebrate the 4th of July in the city
Summer is synonymous with beaches, sun, barbecues, and fireworks! Every year, Independence Day lights up our night skies with blue and red, in one of the most colorful and anticipated events of the year for locals and tourists alike. Mark the date in your calendar and discover all the 4th of July vents in Los Angeles this year!
2. Have a gorgeous picnic at one of these 11 scenic L.A. parks
It’s summer and taking in the small pockets of nature our city does offer is a must. Contrary to popular belief Los Angeles has plenty of parks to picnic, journal in, and soak the sun in. From a dreamy rose garden to a hidden oasis right in the middle of the city, these are the 11 best parks for picnicking in Los Angeles.
3. Visit these museums and galleries for free
Get your cultural fix at one of these world-class galleries and museums in L.A. You can marvel at masterpieces from around the world from various decades or take in poignant contemporary works from the voices of our time, and you can do it all for free every day of the week. See a few of our top choices below and check out how to visit for free here.
- Explore 6,000 years’ worth of artistic expression and take in LACMA’s free jazz concerts
- Explore the universe for free and admire the Art Deco surroundings at the Griffith Observatory
4. Sip on craft cocktails at Los Angeles’ hottest rooftop bars
If there’s one way to take in the cityscape of Los Angeles, it’s from a sky-high rooftop. Our list of rooftop bars in L.A. includes everything from swanky late-night lounges to casual garden escapes. Make sure you book a table soon to enjoy the view.
5. Get tickets to an enchanting Candlelight Concert
This summer, Candlelight presents an exciting schedule of memorable concerts, including moving tributes to The Beatles, Joe Hisaishi, and Hans Zimmer. Experience classical versions of your favorite songs in an intimate environment decked out with hundreds of flickering candles. You can see the upcoming summer schedule and get tickets here.
6. Pick a weekend to embark on a scenic day trip around SoCal
Summer in Los Angeles is a great time to plan some charming weekend escapes or day trips. Whether you want to spend an afternoon in Malibu or go for an all-day hike in Joshua Tree, we’re sure that our list of day trip destinations will inspire you to take advantage of our wonderfully central location here in SoCal.
7. See hundreds of blue whales migrating along the California coast
Looking for an adventure? Every Summer and early fall, the natural beauty known as the “Giant Blue Whale Migration” brings in hundreds of blue whales to the waters off Laguna and Newport Beach. You’ll find a variety of whale watching tours and viewpoints in Los Angeles to see these beauties for yourself.
8. Seek out the coolest temporary art exhibits around Los Angeles
The thriving cultural scene in L.A. provides a constant influx of excellent temporary art exhibits that are worth keeping an eye on each month. From the Natural History Museum’s butterfly pavilion to the Skirball’s presentation of work by Diane von Furstenberg, you can count on us to keep you informed about the coolest exhibitions that you don’t want to miss.
9. Dance the warm night away with L.A.’s hottest DJs at KCRW’s Summer Nights
In typical tradition, KCRW Summer Nights are here all summer long! Angelenos get to dance the warm nights away with some of KCRW’s best DJs and musical guests at our favorite L.A. locations like The Hammer Museum, Descanso Gardens, Chinatown, MOCA, and more! 2024 details are still TBA, but you can bet on another fantastic lineup of live concerts throughout the city.
10. Attend one of L.A.’s famous outdoor movie screenings
During the summer months, we’re lucky to enjoy an impressive lineup of movie screenings at various outdoor venues throughout L.A. Whether you want to lounge in the grass at the LA Arboretum, or catch a live film soundtrack concert at the Hollywood Bowl, there are plenty of memorable ways to enjoy a classic film al fresco in the City of Angels. Take a look ahead at the schedule and don’t miss out on one of the coolest things to do in the summer in Los Angeles.
11. Cool off with one of our 15 favorite ice cream shops in Los Angeles
The heat in Los Angeles has been no joke. Our usual bearable 80 degrees has been hitting the 90s! Lucky for you, we have a delectable cure to cool you off. Whether you’re craving soft serve, ice cream, gelato, or a tropical paleta — check out our 15 favorite ice cream shops here.
12. Have family fun at one of these water parks near Los Angeles
Some of us are looking for creative ways to cool down this season, and nothing quite compares to diving into a refreshing pool of water from a giant water slide or soaking in the sun poolside in a cabana — these water parks near L.A. have something for everyone this summer!
13. Head to one of our local beloved beaches
It wouldn’t be the summer without the beach! It’s time to soak up the magic of the golden coast. Whether you’re looking to surf, swim or just sunbathe and hang on the sand — these are the best beaches in Los Angeles.
14. Soak in the sun poolside at one of these rooftop pools in Los Angeles
This may be typical summer business to some, but it’s beyond that. Whether you’re looking to book a daycation in style or you’re just craving a few hours of sunbathing with a cocktail in hand, we’ve rounded up the best hotel pools in Los Angeles to make your planning a bit easier. Check out our list of best rooftop pools here!
15. Get tickets to the most highly-anticipated concerts in L.A. this summer
We’re lucky that Los Angeles is a non-negotiable stop for the country’s biggest concert tours. Read our running list of L.A. concerts to get a look at who’s coming, from BLACKPINK at SoFi in June to My Chemical Romance at Dodger Stadium in July.
16. Freshen up at one of these public pools
If endless sand or constant traffic to get to the beach isn’t for you, then you need to visit one of the many public pools around the city. Besides being very affordable (almost like they’re free!), these pools not only offer the chance to soak up some sun and dive into cool water, but you can also practice swimming and other water sports.
17. Enjoy all-lavender everything at 123 Farm’s Lavender Festival
Kick off the summer season by exploring the vibrant 20-acre lavender fields at 123 Farm. As evening falls, the fields are transformed by the glow of 100,000 lights, providing a breathtaking setting for sunset photography. The illuminated landscape also serves as the backdrop for nightly live music performances, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Read our article about 123 Farm’s Lavender Festival to learn more.
18. Spend a sunny afternoon at Castaic Lake
The stunning Castaic Lake is a premier summer destination from L.A., which you can reach in just 30-40 minutes from DTLA via I-5. The popular Swim Beach is now open on weekends through June 17th, and then daily from June 18th-Sept. 4th. Other activities include the massive Cali Splash Park, boat rentals, fishing, and more quintessential summer lake pastimes. Read our article about Castaic Lake to learn more.
There you have it, Los Angeles! We hope you have the best summer with our bucket list above. Go on and cross off those plans!
Written by Sophie Len and Jamie Ferrell, edited by Sofía Delpueche.