Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles in Spring

Whether you’re a native Angeleno, have called LA your home for years, or just got off the bus from the Midwest and are still trying to wrap your head around the number of taco options, one thing’s for sure: the weather we’ve experienced the last few months – freezing temps, tons of rain, hail, and even snow (!) -- is not what we signed up for as Los Angeles residents. The good news is we seem to be out of the woods and it’s hopefully clear skies (quite literally) ahead. Ready to get out there and experience all the fun things to do in LA (and beyond) this spring? Here are 15 ideas to get you started.

Shows begin April 21
Hollywood Hills
Few amphitheaters are more magical than The Hollywood Bowl nestled in the Hollywood Hills. Yes, getting in and out is never fun, but once you get there (right as the sun is setting), indulge in a gourmet picnic and a few bottles of wine, and then catch an amazing act, you’ll have forgotten all about that LA traffic... until it’s time to head home, at least. Though the Bowl is synonymous with summer around here, the season starts this month (and runs all the way through October). Phish will be kicking things off with a three-night run followed by spring performances by Willie Nelson, Ricky Gervais, Andrea Bocelli, Shania Twain, and Janet Jackson. Now that would be a fun dinner party guest list …
Cost: Varies

Through May 14
Carlsbad
The Technicolor fields of those big bold flowers are back in bloom this spring at the fabled Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch in North County San Diego. In addition to the 50 manicured acres of various colored Tecolote Giant Ranunculus flowers (members of the buttercup family, in case you were wondering), the ranch also offers a calendar of events including weekly sunset wine tastings, yoga, and pop-up picnics. You can also take some bulbs home from the gift shop as a sweet-smelling souvenir.
Cost: Tickets start at $23.

Ongoing
Various locations
Starry skies, balmy air, and the big screen. You can’t let a summer go by in LA without seeing a movie at one of our many outdoor theaters, so might as well get a jumpstart this spring. Rooftop Cinema Club offers rooftop movies practically every night of the week right now atop Downtown’s Level Hotel with deckchairs, personal headsets, lots of food and drink options, and even dedicated dog-friendly screenings. Upcoming flicks include everything from Poetic Justice to Clueless to American Psycho. On the roof of WeHo’s E.P. & L.P. Melrose Rooftop Theatre screens a mix of pop classics (heavy on ’90s flicks like Pretty Woman, Jerry Maguire, and Pulp Fiction), where guests can get snacks and cocktails delivered directly to their seats and have the option to also add a pre-movie rooftop dinner. And starting in May, Cinespia will return with its outdoor movie series at Los Angeles State Historic Park Downtown on weekend nights, starting with The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings.
Cost:Varies

Ongoing
East Hollywood
Though the majority of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed properties are located in the Midwest and on the East Coast, we have an iconic piece of his architecture right in our backyard that also happens to be open to the public. The legendary architect designed the Hollyhock House, a 5,000-square-foot Mayan Revival-style home set on a hilltop for an oil heiress nearly a century ago, and the structure underwent a complete restoration a few years back. The property (which made the UNESCO World Heritage List) is open Thursday-Saturday for self-guided tours (though you’ve got to book a ticket ahead online). Bring a picnic to take down before or after in the adjacent Barnsdall Park now that the weather’s cooperating.
Cost: Adult admission $7.

Ongoing
Various locations
Caviar is having a moment on the LA culinary scene. And while it can be a bit of a splurge, if you’ve got something to celebrate (even if it’s just that the sun’s finally out), it can be a fun and delicious route to go at a restaurant. Pretty Parisian brasserie-inspired eatery Juliet in Culver City recently rolled out proper caviar service with Royal Ossetra caviar with traditional accompaniments. And at Hollywood’s Grandmaster Recorders, a recording studio-turned-multi-level-restaurant-and-bar, you’ll likely find some kind of caviar that suits your needs, whether it’s full-on caviar service (served with seaweed crackers among other accouterments), a caviar-and-crème fraiche-stuffed cannoli, and even tableside caviar bumps you can pair with a martini. For a retro-but-make-it-bougie option, head west for Dear Jane’s in Marina del Rey, where the kitchen has dreamt up a crazy combo of caviar, fish sticks and seven-layer dip all in one dish. And if you just want a blow-out YOLO situation, the stunning new Casa Madera, a coastal Mexican and cocktail lounge at the Mondrian, offers a Dom Perignon Champagne and caviar combo for a cool $850.
Cost: Varies

Ongoing
Various locations
Those who can totally transcend cocktail party fodder with an actual entertaining story that
warrants gasps and guffaws cantry spilling your guts to a real audience at one of the open mic StorySLAM sessions held around the city, as part of long-running series The Moth, currently held once a month at Los Globos on Sunset and Jam in the Van in Palms. The rest of us have it easier: Simply buy a ticket and watch as a slew of storytellers get five minutes each, telling tales centered around a single theme ranging from fear to scandal to joy.
Cost: Tickets start at $17.50.

Ongoing
Universal City
Yep, we’re talking about the much-anticipated Super Nintendo World -- a dream-come-true for gamers, but also a lot of fun for the rest of us. The biggest attraction is the tech-heavy Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride, where you compete to win the Golden Cup. While perusing the park you’ll also get the chance to interact with characters including Mario and Luigi and hear old-school video game music that’s sure to become an earworm. And make sure tograb a bite at the Toadstool Cafe, where you can nosh on Super Mushroom soup and a Princess Peach cupcake.
Cost: Adult admission starts at $109.

Ongoing
Various locations
If you’re over Vinyasa and hot yoga, it’s time to get creative. An outfit called Hello Critter offers goat yoga at various locations around the city (including the Arcadia’s LA Arboretum and The Gamble House in Pasadena) where those ridiculously cute, four-legged friends roam free while you’re busy downward dogging and are then available for after-class snuggling and photo opps. For a yoga practice with a side of crashing waves, Beach Yoga SoCal offers flow classes on the sand every day of the week in Santa Monica and Marina del Rey. You can also get high and flexible at the same time with aerial yoga studios like D&A Flying Yoga in K-Town and Aeriform Arts in Hollywood that allow students to practice poses in aero-hammocks and silks, making for a lighter-than-air feeling.
Cost:Varies

Ongoing
Various locations
Thanks to the rise of al-fresco dining during the pandemic, LA is in the midst of a rooftop renaissance. While the views at tried-and-true spots like Perch in Downtown or Yamashiroin Hollywood Hills are always resplendent, it’s worth checking out some of the city’s plethora of other rooftop havens you may be missing. Try always-rowdy Desert 5 Spot for Pioneertown-meets-Palm Springs vibes and country western cover bands at the top of the Tommie Hollywood. To welcome the warm-weather season, the loungey and lush Harriet’s Rooftop, replete with killer views atop the 1 Hotel, recently rolled out a new menu of spring sippers like the mezcal-and-green chili Hot in Here. The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood’s 12,000-square-foot I|O Rooftop offers an indoor and outdoor bar plus poolside dining and drinks day and night in addition to serious city views.
Cost: Varies

Ongoing
Koreatown and North Hollywood
Indoor axe-throwing has risen in popularity since the trend first popped up in Ontario, Canada, in the early aughts, with multiple axe-throwing facilities opening across the city in the last few years. Give it a throw at Mo’s House of Axe in Koreatown, where you can also grab dinner or bar bites (there’s a solid menu of sandwiches, salads, and fun apps food like blue cheese-stuffed tots, tempura-fried cauliflower, and smoked queso nachos) in addition to cocktails. During weekday happy hour, the place offers an hour of throwing for $20 along with food and drink specials. And if you’re really into the sport, Mo’s is now offering Sunday afternoon and Tuesday leagues so you can sharpen your skills weekly. There’s also LA AX, an indoor/outdoor ax-throwing facility in North Hollywood with 38 lanes for perfecting your pitch. There’s a wine and beer menu and you’re welcome to bring your own food for sustenance between tosses.
Cost:$20-$35 minimum per session.

Various dates
Various locations
Sometimes you just want a chill day of wandering through museum halls and learning a thing or two at our city’s amazing cultural institutions. The California African American Museum (CAAM) is highlighting British artist Helen Cammock’s first exhibition in the US, featuring film, poetry, performance, archival documents, and books centered around New Orleans. LACMA just launchedLight, Space, Surface: Selections from LACMA’s Collection, which explores the art of light and space in addition to related works with highly polished surfaces often referred to as “finish fetish.” At the Hammer Museum, Together in Time: Selections from the Hammer Contemporary Collection just opened in March. The exhibit occupies all the Hammer’s gallery spaces and highlights acquisitions since the museum started collecting contemporary art nearly two decades ago.
Cost:Varies; CAAM and the Hammer Museum are always free.

Ongoing
Various locations
We’re not exaggerating when we say you can catch a comedy show any night of the week in LA, whether it’s a household name with a Netflix special or lesser-known funny folks hitting an open mic. There’s always something laughable going on at big clubs likeThe Comedy Store and Hollywood Improv (their Tuesday night lineup is always killer, often with famous guests like Whitney Cummings, David Spade, and Craig Robinson). If you prefer a surprise line-up and location, Don’t Tell Comedy is an underground series of “secret” standup shows that pops up in different venues, including parking lots and rooftops, with the location revealed the day of and the lineup revealed when the show starts. And there are always new shows at interesting venues popping up all the time.
Cost: Varies

Ongoing
Various locations
The LA area may not be an international destination for oenophiles, but there are plenty of good options for Angelenos who want to spend the day sipping local juice. The Sunday Funday hotspot Malibu Wines & Beer Garden in West Hills serves its wines by the tasting flight, glass, or bottle and they also have local craft beer, plus pizza on weekends. They’re also offering tours if you want to break a sweat while you sip. And Angeleno Wine Company continues to push boundaries with natural wines sourced from local grapes in interesting varietals like Godello, Loureiro, and Treixadura. There are also plenty of wine tastings and pairing dinners around town from enthusiasts like Clink and Westside Winos, and if you’re up for a longer trip, Temecula Valley, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo are awash in wineries and well-worth the drive.
Cost:Varies

Ongoing
Various locations
LA’s farmers markets are more abundant than ever, providing Angelenos with daily opportunities to stock their fridges with fresh produce, pantry items, desserts, and more. If Downtown Santa Monica’s massive market is too much to take on right away, work your way up with a visit to Culver City’s farmers market on Tuesdays from 2–7 pm, or head to The Original Farmer’s Market at 3rd and Fairfax (open daily) early to beat the rush. If you’re up early on a Saturday, the Crenshaw, East LA, and Torrance farmers markets are great, less crowded options. Downtown, the L.A. City Hall Farmers' Market recently had its grand reopening and is back to its usual weekly hours of 10 am to 2 pm every Thursday.
Cost: Varies

Ongoing
Various locations
Volunteering gets a lot of buzz around the holidays, but nonprofits focused on making the lives of our fellow citizens better need help all year round. Established and successful nonprofits are always looking for volunteers—Homeboy Industries or 826LA, for example. Also consider the LA Mutual Aid Network, a collection of people doing direct, street-level service for others on a weekly basis. The City of LA also has its own portal, VolunteerLA, to help connect people with opportunities to get involved.
Cost: Free, or whatever you’re able to donate.

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