Los Angeles at any time of the year enjoys temperate weather, but if you have made plans to visit LA during summer, then you are in for a treat. Beaches. Palm trees. Boardwalks. Nature. Repeat.
Oh—and also—throw a coin and you will hit some fantastic eatery or attraction.
The days are long, the nights are cool, and the burger joints are endless.
Making a plan of the attractions you will visit is more about weeding out the things you should not waste your time on. Because, honestly, you probably will not get to everything you want to do.
But there are things that deserve to be at the very top of your list, and this article is all about making sure you don’t leave LA without experiencing these iconic sights.
Plan for a Day at Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach
Plan to spend at least a day on Venice Beach and enjoying the rides at Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier. Start on the Venice Beach side and stroll to the Santa Monica Pier. This should take you about an hour of leisurely walking, so long as you do not get too distracted by the cafes, artwork, and stalls along the way.
In any case, you have made a day of it, so relax and enjoy. Hit the amusement park in the evening, and you can enjoy the sunset on the pier and the rides that are lit up against the night sky.
Keep in mind if you travel to any location in LA via your car, traffic here can be nasty. Avoid it at all costs.Research and figure out the best routes to your destination so you can spend your time seeing the sights up close, versus seeing them from the confines of your car.
According to The Barnes Firm, personal injury attorneys in LA, “You can find a variety of traffic apps for your smartphone that update in real time, so you know exactly what the traffic conditions are like on the roads you’ll be driving. Check the traffic app before you leave to see if your route has any gridlocks. If so, you can plan to take a different road. Car Accident attorneys in Los Angeles always encourage using the least populated roads to avoid traffic congestion and any subsequent accidents.”
Devote a day at Universal Studios Hollywood
Film buffs and nerds unite at Universal Studios Hollywood.
It is the film studio that gave us Jurassic Park, Transformers, and The Simpsons. so if that means anything to your childhood, now is the time to let your fan flag fly high.
Now is your chance to explore what happens on a real-live set. Since this is an actual lot, you might even spot a celebrity or two. Legend has it that Jim Carrey once played the part of Mother in the attraction Psycho house. So you never know what might happen in this part-attraction, part-film set.
Additionally, there are enough rides, trivia, and more to fill up a jam-packed day.
Pack a picnic and go for a hike
Chances are high you spent a good portion of your trip chowing down on some of the fantastic dining options that LA has to offer. But if you want to end your trip in true style, then go burn off some of those calories with a stunning hike that will leave you feeling refreshed!
Pack a picnic because you will want any excuse to stick around and enjoy truly breathtaking views.
The hiking options around Los Angeles are plentiful. If you want to see a view of the city, turn to the Charlie Turner Trail that goes to Mount Hollywood. (Yes, you will get to see the famous Hollywood sign!)
On a smog-free day, you get a clear view right out to the Pacific Ocean. It is a 40-minute climb to the top, so it is easy enough for the beginning hiker to manage. But the trip up and down is long enough that you will feel you have earned whatever treat you have packed away in your picnic. Trails close at sunset.
Another option is a jog through Runyon Canyon. A much-loved spot by exercisers, you should expect to see plenty of people who are also out for the views plus some weekend warrior training. Depending on where you enter the loop and where you exit, your walk could be as short as 30 minutes or as long as a full hour.
