10+ fun things to do Los Angeles for 4th of July

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
4th of July

Looking for things to do this 4th of July weekend in the Los Angeles area? Take advantage of the holiday and embark on a relaxing getaway to Los Angeles. From parades to fireworks, there are plenty of ways to get your patriotism on! If you’re looking for Los Angeles 4th of July Weekend ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things to do in Los Angeles in July, including...

  • Knott's Berry Farm Celebrates The 4th Of July
  • Aquarium of the Pacific 4th of July BBQ
  • 4th of July Block Party - Grand Park
  • Marina del Rey Fireworks
  • AmericaFest Celebration - Rosebowl
  • and more...

Knott's Berry Farm Celebrates The 4th Of July

Celebrate Independence Day at Knott's Berry Farm with world-class live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks show the whole family will love. Fireworks will begin at 9:30pm, with bonus fireworks shows in early July if you can't make the 4th.

With extended hours, 10am – 11pm, there is more time to enjoy all that Knott’s has to offer. Visit knotts.com for the entertainment show schedule.

Knotts berry farm

July Fourth Late-Night BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Take the whole family to the Aquarium of the Pacific for a unique July 4th you'll never forget. This Fourth of July BBQ features a ton of great local grilled fare plus adult beverages and much more. Then, you'll also get late-night access to the Aquarium itself - what better way to encounter some of their rare sea creatures?

The aquarium will be open until 10pm. Enjoy the perfect view for the waterfront fireworks show, too, set off by the Queen Mary historic haunted vessel (more on her below!)

Please note: July Fourth Late Night BBQ is separately ticketed and is not included on the pass.

Aquarium of the Pacific

All-American 4th of July aboard the Queen Mary

Spend an entire day celebrating the history of America aboard the magnificent Queen Mary. Soak up live entertainment, games and activities for kids, special historic tours, and a patriotic film.

At the end of the day, their famous fireworks spectacular will go off, set to patriotic music against the summer sky. Interested in exploring this historic ship? Tour of the vessel on another day earlier in the weekend. 

Insider tip: Buy tickets early, as this is a very popular local event.

Queen Mary

Pacific Palisades Fourth of July parade

This beach-centric event is the perfect way to do July 4th, L.A.-style. A group of red, white, and blue-themed skydivers will mark the start of the parade. Then, enjoy all your usual parade fanfare with everything from dance and baton twirling to music and more along Sunset Boulevard. Enjoy all of the merriment for free.

4th of July block party - Grand Park

Head on over to Grand Park for a free, family-friendly block party. Spend the day picnicking as you enjoy live music and performances. Experience an amazing light and pyro show in Downtown Los Angeles, beginning after sunset.

Los Angeles’s finest food trucks will provide a range of tasty food options. Please keep in mind that no alcohol is permitted, but you may bring empty water bottles to fill at the event.

Grand Park

Marina Del Rey fireworks

The Marina Del Rey fireworks boast a 20-minute presentation followed by a spectacular finale. Watch the stunning display set to synchronized music on KXLU 88.9FM from Burton Chance Park or Fisherman’s Village for the best viewing experience.

Fireworks will shoot from a barge across from the Marina’s main channel, lighting up both the sea and the sky. Though the fireworks start at 9pm, you can spend all day at Marina del Rey. Bring a picnic and a blanket to spread out on the lawn, or dine at a seaside restaurant.

Fireworks in L.A

AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl

AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl is one of the most well-known 4th of July events in L.A. In fact, it features one of the largest fireworks displays in all of Southern California. This event is one rocking celebration, with music from premier bands. Everyone will love the amazing pyrotechnics and motorcycle stunts. There will also be plenty of food and craft vendors for you to explore.

Studio City Fourth of July fireworks festival

This exciting event takes place every year at the CBS Studio Center. You'll find live music and entertainment, a car expo, local business spotlights, and plenty of kid-friendly games and other activities. If you've got a hefty budget, it may be worth checking out their special offerings! End the night with an exhilarating fireworks show.

L.A.

Explore the great outdoors

Even though the weather is likely to be on the warmer side, it's still a great time of year to explore the great outdoors during your 4th of July weekend getaway. Spend some time in lovely Santa Monica, with perfect boardwalks for biking, strolling, and rollerblading. Take a look at Pacific Park, a classic amusement park the whole family will enjoy. Or, head to Griffith Park for some picnicking, running, hiking, and more. While you're there, hit up the L.A. Zoo and Botanical Gardens!

Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®

Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.

🤩>> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Best Los Angeles Souvenirs

Wondering what to buy in Los Angeles or need gift ideas for family and friends? Well, you’ve come to the right place then! A sprawling and diverse metropolis, L.A. is one place where you can do some serious shopping. Buy souvenirs to remember your visit while making the memories last. From classic keepsakes to high-quality products, there’s a little something for everybody here. Read on for our top tips on L.A. souvenir shopping. Turn Souvenir Shopping into a Fun Activity Souvenir shopping can sometimes feel like a bit of a chore - but it doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re looking to avoid that experience, we recommend heading over to the Venice Boardwalk. Stretching for almost two miles across the pristine sands of the Pacific Ocean, this spot is perfect for soaking up the bohemian nature of the Venice area. A quintessential L.A. attraction, this boardwalk is known for its wide array of vendors selling original art, jewellery, t-shirts and much more. In addition, this spot is known for its hundreds of street performers of all kinds. Here, you’ll be able to see everything from break-dancing to broken glass walking, and everything in-between. Much more than just a place to pick up a little something to take home, this spot provides a great slice of L.A. life. If you’re anything like us, then your favorite part of travel is all of the food! For those who want to bring a taste of the city home with them, we suggest heading over to The Original Farmers’ Market. Though this stop is perhaps best known for its gourmet grocers and restaurants, we’re here to tell you that that’s not all there is to see here. Amongst all of the delicious eats, you can also pick up dried ethnic spices, speciality hot sauces, and a great bottle of Californian wine. If that’s not entirely your thing though, there are also stalls punting jewellery, clothes, housewares and fun novelties. Since the market is located in the Miracle Mile neighborhood, we suggest making a whole day of it by going to check out some of the world-class cultural amenities in the area - why not try out the Petersen Automotive Museum or the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum? Pick Something up at an Attraction Of course one of the best things about L.A. is its exquisite natural attributes. It only makes sense then for visitors to want to take home a little piece of the landscape. To do this, we recommend heading over to White Point/Royal Palms Beach, where you can soak up the sun and explore the natural wonders of the sea. Much more than just a place to pick up a nice souvenir, this stop merits a full-day excursion since there really is a lot to do here. One of the most popular activities has got to be exploring the fascinating tide pools dotted across the coastline. Here, visitors can get up close with the beautiful wildlife and see small fish, sea cucumbers, hermit crabs and more. Or, for those who like to get active, you can swim, surf or jet ski in the briny blue. Now, to take home a memento of the Southern Californian seascape, we suggest bringing a glass vial or jar with you and filling it with sand or collecting a few rocks or seashells from the beach. This is ideally the most environmentally-friendly way to remember your trip. If you’re not much of a shopper but want a souvenir to remind you of your time spent in the city, we recommend picking something up at one of L.A.’s top visitor attractions. At least for us, the best place to do this would have to be the Griffith Observatory. Perched atop the south slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, this iconic city attraction grants panoramic views of the entire L.A. Basin, including Downtown, Hollywood and the Pacific Ocean. This is also one of the best places in the city to hike and catch great views of the Hollywood Sign - so don’t forget to bring a camera! After catching a few snaps, head down to the Griffith Observatory's Stellar Emporium Store where you can get some fun items to remind you of the experience. Here you can buy t-shirts, posters, mugs and much more celebrating the iconic Los Angeles skyline. You’ll also find nerdy-cool gifts like telescopes and constellation-themed merchandise. Or Buy Your Own Oscar! If your favorite part of Los Angeles is all of the glitz and glam, then you just might enjoy the next item on our list. Nestled between the famous cultural landmarks and attractions along Hollywood Boulevard, La La Land (no, not the movie!) is known for punting the very best souvenirs for pop culture lovers and cinephiles alike. This place is the largest gift shop in L.A. - and that’s really saying something. Inside, you’ll find everything from original movie posters and black-and-white film stills to mock props and clapperboards. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your very own Oscar or perhaps a Tony, this is your shot! In addition, you’ll also find a lot of cool collectibles and quirky toys on the shelves. Perfect for that one friend who appreciates all things fun and kitschy, this spot has a wide variety of things to choose from. No doubt L.A. is a top visitor destination for a reason. In concert with this, the city goes all out with a wide array of markets and stores to make the memories last just that little bit longer. Whether you’re looking for unique treasures or just something a little kitschy, there’s an L.A. souvenir to suit every taste and budget. Explore the area to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
Dolby Theatre
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Week in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a fantastic sprawling metropolis with its own unique character. Boasting an endless list of top tourist attractions, fun things to do, and points of interest to explore, it’s no wonder why the city ranks so high on many peoples’ travel bucket lists. With the perfect mix of quirky chaos and laidback bliss, the city never falls short of great things to see and do. And whilst one week might not seem like enough time to experience all that L.A. has to offer, with the right planning you’re sure to have a blast! Still daunted by the prospect of visiting a new city? Don’t worry - you’ve come to the right place! From must-see sites to cool hidden gems, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do in the city. Day 1 - Hit the Beach What better way to kick off a vacation in Los Angeles than by hitting the beach? Whilst there are countless great beaches in the city, one of our favorites has got to be White Point/Royal Palms for its exceptional beauty and panoramic views. The area was first discovered by Spanish explorers way back in 1770, and has since become a popular nature attraction for locals and tourists alike. Today, visitors can enjoy sea life in its natural habitat at the site’s wonderful tide pools. Along the shore, you’ll be able to view sea stars, hermit crabs, anemones, and other fantastic marine creatures. Be sure to time your visit for when the tide is out so you can avoid getting wet! Other popular activities to do here include swimming, surfing, scuba diving and more. There is also a children’s playground and small park at the top of the bluff. We recommend staying until dusk, so you can watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Day 2 - Get Cultured True to its reputation for innovation and creative thought, Los Angeles is home to some of America’s finest cultural institutions. For those who are having trouble choosing between some of the city’s best art museums to visit within the short space of a week, we recommend checking out the LAMCA. Founded in 1961, the institute is recognized as the largest of its kind in the western United States. Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy an impressive and expansive collection featuring over 150, 000 works. The repository spans from ancient times right through to the present day, so you know that there’s a lot to see here. Highlights include Andy Warhol’s famous Cambell Soup paintings, some of Picasso’s best works, and the Urban Light installation. A thoroughly fantastic cultural experience, this one is not to be missed! Day 3 - Explore Nature With all of the glitz and glam, it’d be pretty easy to overlook one of L.A.’s most desirable attributes - its wonderful natural beauty. Still, we don’t recommend making a trip to such a startling beautiful area without checking out some of its most fantastic nature parks. Standing out as one of our favorites, Descanso Gardens is a 150-acre botanical park located just a short drive from downtown. This natural treasure offers the perfect break from the city complete with gleaming ponds, flower gardens and trailing forests. Reconnect with nature and amble through the park’s wide collection of fruit orchids, or explore its magnificent oak woodlands. This spot is also home to the largest concentration of camellia plants in the Western Hemisphere. And if you’re an animal lover, you’re just in luck! The park is also known for its incredible biodiversity, with over 100 species of birds, as well as turtles, deer, bobcats - and even the occasional bear. The perfect spot for all nature enthusiasts, this picturesque oasis provides the perfect way to spend a sunny day in Los Angeles. Day 4 - Head to the Museum Los Angeles solidified its position at the very center of the world entertainment industry long ago. Today, visitors can learn more about how L.A. came to be known as the city of fame and fortune through a number of its most prized institutions. Inaugurated in 2021, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures stands out as one of the city’s top visitor attractions dedicated to the history, technology and artistry of the American film industry. It is the first large-scale museum of its kind in the United States, and certainly one of the most impressive. Though the institute is young, its repository is remarkable, with over 13 million objects to be enjoyed. Highlights include Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, the typewriter used to write Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and the only surviving shark model from Jaws. Combining the fun with the educational, this stop is a total dream for all cinephiles. Day 5 - Spend a Day at the Pier If you’re looking to experience the true nature of the city, we recommend making a trip to the Santa Monica Pier. Vibrant and bustling with life, this historic L.A. attraction is packed with a whole myriad of fun things to see and do. Perhaps one of its most beloved hotspots has got to be Pacific Park, an admission-free theme park with world-class entertainment, fantastic restaurants, shopping, and much more. But if rides aren’t quite your scene, we suggest checking out the Heal the Bay Aquarium. With over 100+ local marine and animal species, this spot provides a fascinating glimpse into underwater life. In addition, the pier has long served as a popular spot for deep sea fishing for both amateurs and seasoned anglers alike. Its fishing decks grant spectacular views of the Pacific whilst allowing visitors great access to some of the best catches in the area. A total crowd-pleaser, this spot surely won’t disappoint. Day 6 - See the Hollywood Sign Of course, a trip to Los Angeles just wouldn’t be the same without checking out the Hollywood Sign. Standing as a global symbol of glamor and ambition, this spot has been enchanting visitors way back since its completion in 1923. To get the best views, we suggest heading over to The Griffith Observatory - though you can’t get up close to the famed landmark, you can get great views and take photos from afar. We recommend staying until dusk, so you can watch the sun set over the sign. We couldn’t think of a better way to end a week in Los Angeles! Culturally-rich, exciting and bursting with life, Los Angeles really has it all! From famed historical landmarks and nature parks to brilliant cultural institutions, a week should be just enough to provide a real slice of the L.A. life. Explore the area to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris

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