If you crave a weekend full of excitement, Los Angeles, California is the place to be. Discover the city’s rich history by checking out an art museum, visiting a star-studded cemetery, and trekking through the Santa Monica Mountains. Whether you are new to the city or are a native Angelino, unique weekend activities await.
Enjoy a Free Concert in Los Angeles
On Friday evening, just before sunset, make your way to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the Western United States, for a sample of the Los Angeles jazz scene. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. you can catch a performance while sitting near the stage under an awning or on a well-manicured lawn whilst drinking wine and eating cheese. A full bar, an eclectic crowd, good music, and modern architecture are just a few of the reasons this should be on your weekend to-do list. Best of all, admission is free and reservations are not needed. So grab your Charles Shaw wine from Trader Joe’s (aka Two-buck Chuck), a blanket, and get ready for a sophisticated yet cheap evening in Los Angeles. For an added bonus, arrive a little early and take a stroll to the backside of LACMA. Once there, you will see the pools of bubbling tar at the La Brea Tar Pits, one of the world’s most renowned fossil excavation sites. LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. at the corner of Fairfax.
Take a Hike in Los Angeles
On Saturday afternoon, acquaint yourself with the natural wonders surrounding Los Angeles and roam freely around Will Rogers Historic State Park. Once home to the Hollywood star, the 186-acre ranch overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offers some of the best hiking in Los Angeles. An easy to moderate 3-mile hike takes you to Inspiration Point where panoramic views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the sprawling city, and a beautiful stretch of beach can be seen. For the advanced hiker, try the rugged Backbone trail, which winds through the Santa Monica Mountains up to Point Mugu, 67.5 miles away. However, you don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy the grounds of Will Rogers State Park. Impeccably kept, the ranch is still an active equestrian site that has trail riding, horse-riding lessons, and polo matches on summer weekends. Or, you can always sit back and watch the deer graze in the late afternoon, as they frequently do at Will Rogers State Park. The park is located in the Pacific Palisades just off Sunset Boulevard at 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road.
Catch a Flick… At the Cemetery in Los Angeles
If peculiar at heart, use your Saturday evening to view a classic film in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery while lying under and over the stars with 3,500 other movie enthusiasts. The cemetery, a historic site, is the final resting place of hundreds of Hollywood stars such as Johnny Ramone, Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, and Jayne Mansfield. The gates open at 7:30 p.m., giving you time to set up camp, drink your beverage of choice, and dance to the DJ’s spinning tunes. Once the film begins at 8:30 p.m., you may have already forgotten you’re sitting on top of a burial ground, especially if it weren’t for Hitchcock’s tombstone looming in the background. Yes, it seems eerie, but in actuality there is a collective appreciation for film and film stars that fills the air, making for a beautiful experience.
Sundays in Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Where better to spend your Sunday morning than at the Santa Monica Main Street Farmer’s Market? The ocean breeze, music, and laughing children make this farmer’s market more than just about the food. Arrive between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and explore the market’s many stalls of fruit, vegetables, and tasty dishes from the city’s best restaurants. Tap your foot and wiggle your body to the sounds of the live band while the kiddos ride ponies and play in the petting zoo.
The Last Stop in Los Angeles
End the day with a scenic drive up the Pacific Coast Highway and stop off at Duke’s for a bite to eat. Sit at the Barefoot Bar and nibble on some of California’s best fried calamari while you watch the waves crash against the glass windows. Duke’s is located at the edge of Malibu at 21150 Pacific Coast Hwy.