Summer weekend in Los Angeles
How locals do summer in Los Angeles — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory
OutdoorsLos Feliz
Free planetarium with the city's best skyline-and-Hollywood-sign combo.
Runyon Canyon
OutdoorsHollywood
Quick hike with celebrity sightings and the classic LA-basin panorama.
Venice Beach
OutdoorsVenice
Boardwalk performers, Muscle Beach and rollerbladers at sunset.
Grand Central Market
Food & DrinkDowntown
Century-old food hall — Eggslut, tacos, fresh juice under neon signs.
Where to eat
Republique
$$$French bakery / bistro · Mid-Wilshire
Stunning Charlie Chaplin-era room, all-day pastries to dinner.
Bestia
$$$Italian · Arts District
Pasta and charcuterie in a warehouse — hardest reso in LA.
Guelaguetza
$$Oaxacan · Koreatown
Seven moles and live banda music on weekends.
Howlin' Ray's
$$Hot chicken · Chinatown
Nashville heat in LA — the line is the lifestyle.
n/naka
$$$$Kaiseki · Palms
Niki Nakayama's 13-course modern Japanese tasting.
Live & on stage
Coachella Weekend (Indio)
Empire Polo Club · Apr 10–19 · Festival
FYF / Outside Lands LA
Exposition Park · Aug · Indie
Hollywood Bowl Summer Series
Hollywood Bowl · Jun – Sep · Mixed
Rose Parade
Pasadena · Jan 1 · Parade / Free
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach, Runyon Canyon. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Los Angeles and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.