We’re continuing our things to do this weekend round-ups of entertaining to-dos, blending in the occasional online/virtual event with an ever-growing list of in-person events, as Los Angeles works its way out of the pandemic and restrictions progressively loosen.
If you’re looking for the best things to do this weekend of Los Angeles, look no further. We’ve got you included with the best things to do this weekend of what Los Angeles has to offer. Whether you’re a culture vulture, an outdoorsy type, or simply a fan of our fine city, there’s things to do this weekend to keep you occupied here.
Between the city’s famous landmarks that are still accessible, an ever-changing inventory of the most excellent restaurants in Los Angeles, important L.A. museums, and even some off-the-beaten-path secrets, even lifetime Angelenos will get something new to add to their things to do this weekend list.
Will you try all of the things to do this weekend in Los Angeles?
We hand-pick the most remarkable things to do this weekend in Los Angeles, including our favorite concerts, culture, and cuisine, but our minds are constantly on the weekend. It can’t arrive fast enough for us, which is why we’re already planning where we’ll have breakfast-to-go. There are multiple things to do this weekend in Los Angeles this weekend, whether you want to spend some time outside or watch a famous L.A. film.
12 Things To Do This Weekend In Los Angeles
This weekend’s top virtual and in-person things to do this weekend in Los Angeles
Rooftop Cinema Club
With a drive-in in Santa Monica and a new rooftop in El Segundo, the masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned (the typical Hollywood and DTLA locations are still on hold now). The rooftop screenings are located in El Segundo’s warehouse sector, on the fourth floor of a parking garage (1310 E Franklin Ave) converted into a socially isolated alfresco theatre.
Wireless headphones, lounge couches (or loveseats), popcorn, a full bar, lawn games, and pizza from the Urban Oven are among the RCC’s amenities. Meanwhile, the series’ drive-in screenings will take place at Santa Monica Airport at the same time. On select Wednesdays, look for kid-friendly matinees that start at only $10 per car. Plug Airport Interim Open Space into your preferred map software if you’re attempting to figure out where it’s being held at the airport.
Bike down the Strand
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail is a 22-mile bike trail that traces nearly the entire length of L.A.’s westward-facing shoreline. It’s the most convenient method to see the seaside. Starting at Will Rogers State Beach, the trail makes its way down to Torrance County Beach. Pedestrian-friendly forks can be found in Santa Monica, Venice, and Manhattan Beach if you choose to stroll the trail.
Griffith Park of Los Angeles
The paths, the flora, the views, the screams of coyotes in the canyons at night, the twinkling lights of Downtown in the distance—L.A. may lack a grassy, central park, but Griffith Park’s enormous, hilly wilderness is an excellent substitute. Even if the Griffith Observatory is closed, you can drive or trek up to the grounds of the iconic Art Deco dome to enjoy the breathtaking views.
We highly recommend downloading Ellen Reid’s Soundwalk, a location-based musical composition that evolves as you wander throughout the park, wherever you wind up hiking.
Tropical Butterflies SOAR
At the South Coast Botanic Garden’s latest exhibition, walk through a pavilion of whirling butterflies and peer into a chamber filled with pupae and caterpillars. SOAR will highlight tropical butterflies in the spring and first half of the summer, then monarch butterflies in the late summer and fall. Reservations must be made ahead of time.
At L.A. Live
We haven’t quite reached go-in-the-pool season yet, but the sit-by-the-pool season is in full swing. During this poolside screening series at Downtown’s JW Marriott, you can do just that—and eat dinner and see a movie while you’re at it. One appetizer or snack, one entry, and unlimited popcorn are included with each $45 reservation.
Museum of Natural History
The Natural History Institution’s in-person First Fridays may have gone the way of the dodo. Still, the museum isn’t altogether abandoning the after-hours event—instead, it’s resurrecting it for an online presentation. NHM First Fridays Connected will bring together lecturers for Zoom webinars as well as a YouTube dance party. And, best of all, it’s all completely free (though reservations are required).
Venice’s Canals
Venice is named because of several small canals that flow across the beachside suburb. The Venice Canals, located between the gritty Venice Boardwalk and the luxurious Abbot Kinney, provides a different perspective on the iconic beachside city.
Take a stroll down these three canal-lined streets to see an exquisite picture of arching pedestrian bridges, lovely beach cottages, flocks of ducklings, and the occasional paddle-boarding bulldog. Though boat rentals aren’t available along the canals, you can bring your non-motorized vessel to view the area from the water (enter via the launch ramp at Venice Boulevard).
Streetlights at LACMA
Outside the vast museum sits Chris Burden’s Urban Light, a project made up of 202 cast-iron street lamps gathered throughout Los Angeles and restored to functional order. Yes, take your selfies under the streetlights. If you don’t go beyond the photo-friendly installation, you’re missing out; LACMA’s holdings include modernist masterpieces, large-scale contemporary works, traditional Japanese screens, and by far the best special exhibitions in Los Angeles.
This month, the museum reopened with a Yoshitomo Nara exhibition. The museum requires reservations, but if you live in the county, make one for a weekday after 3 p.m. The entrance is free.
Graphics & Art Print Fair
Whether you’re an art collector or just seeming for some unique prints to spruce up your office or home, stop by Self Help Graphics & Art’s annual print fair, which is now available online. SHGA’s network of Chicano and Latino artists has created a selection of limited-edition fine art prints. The non-profit visual art center’s customary fund and gifted printmaking program will benefit entirely from the event’s earnings.
Pride Shining Through
With this streaming, hour-long show that ranges from “Hallelujah” to “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles gets its Pride celebrations online.
Play It, Forward
With this cheery concert, Angel City Chorale—perhaps best known for its large holiday sing-alongs—provides a streaming soundtrack for our collective reemergence. On June 5, the 145-voice concert will focus on giving back to the community, including songs on unity, civil rights, homelessness, and the atmosphere, as well as outreach vignettes and a collaboration with the Angel City Youth Chorale. The concert is free to attend. However, donations are accepted to help support the choir.
Dine outdoors
Are you not quite ready to eat in a restaurant? Here are some of our favorite outdoor eating venues in Los Angeles.
Alternatively, you may order takeaway.
You’ve gone through two cans of chickpeas and two bags of beans. So, what’s next? You trust some of the city’s best restaurants and pubs to make your social isolation as painless as possible. When you need a chilled drink at home, several of L.A.’s top restaurants and bars have your back.
Restaurants and bars may now transport alcohol to your door, whether it’s craft beer, wine, or house-made cocktails, as long as they also provide food, allowing us to drink from some of our favorite venues in town from the comfort of our couches.