Rain over Los Angeles, CA

10+ things to do in LA when it rains

If you're in the advanced planning stages of a trip to LA, take a look at some of these top-rated indoor attractions.

If you choose Los Angeles as your family vacation destination, chances are you're picturing yourself basking in the abundant California sunshine. And chances are you will be — but for those few days per year that contribute to Los Angeles' 15-inch average rainfall, here's a list of fun and exciting indoor activities and things to do in LA when it rains.

Then, as the time of your trip gets closer, check the weather forecast — if you see a chance of bad weather, you'll already know what to do in LA when it rains:

  • Madame Tussauds Hollywood
  • California Science Center & IMAX Movie
  • K1 Speed Indoor Karting
  • Natural History Museum
  • Hollywood Museum
  • and many more!

Planning to visit lots of Los Angeles attractions? With Go City® you won't miss a thing, plus with a pass you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do - winning!

☀️ Compare Los Angeles passes ☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

One of the top things to do on a rainy day is to get up close to Hollywood's top stars at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. The life-like wax figures you'll find at the museum are so real-looking that you can easily fool your friends back home with pictures of you and your favorite celebrity standing side by side. The 100+ wax figures span a variety of interests and time periods, so adults and kids alike will be entertained. So whether it's Harry Styles, James Dean, or Beyoncé you swoon over, make sure to bring your camera!

👉Don't miss: the newest figures immortalized in wax, and the non-waxwork experiences.

🎟️ Getting in: Admission to Madame Tussauds Hollywood is available on all Los Angeles Passes.

 

California Science Center & IMAX Movie

The California Science Center is a great idea for things to do indoors on a rainy day. The Science Center features exciting science exhibits that will engage visitors of all ages. Experience a simulated earthquake or volcano, climb a rock wall, or play a game of virtual volleyball. At the Science Center, adventure takes place right indoors.

To make the most of your trip, catch an IMAX movie at the Center's state-of-the-art theater featuring a 7-story tall screen. With a variety of films to choose from, you'll find something entertaining for the whole family.

 

Aquarium of the Pacific

Head down to Long Beach and explore the majestic wildlife of the seas from indoors at the Aquarium of the Pacific. You'll have access to 19 different habitats, with over 100 exhibits, where you can view 12,000 aquatic creatures! There's something for everyone here.

You'll delight in seeing the playful sea otters and learning about conservation efforts to keep their natural habitats alive. You’ll also come face-to-face with, and even touch, the ocean’s ultimate predators in Shark Lagoon; you can hand-feed colorful lorikeet birds, and watch the Magellanic Penguins play.

👉Don't miss: the immersive Honda Pacific Visions Theater experience, where you'll enjoy two films with multi-sensory effects played on a 180-degree curved screen.

🎟️Getting in: Admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific is available on all Los Angeles Passes - but you'll need to book in advance.

 

Natural History Museum

Visit the first museum in Los Angeles, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. It's the authority on exploring the 'big picture' of the planet of the natural and cultural world. This museum has amassed one of the world's most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural relics that date back 4.5 billion years. You'll see dinosaur skeletons and mammal fossils, rare gems and minerals, intricate habitat dioramas, and ancient Latin American archaeological treasures.

🎟️Getting in: Admission to the Natural History Museum is available on all Los Angeles Passes.

 

GRAMMY Museum®

Love music? Leave LA on a high note and visit the GRAMMY Museum®'s impressive collection of artifacts, exhibits, films, and more, in the museum's interactive permanent and traveling exhibits. Pay tribute to legendary artists such as John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, Roy Orbison, Bob Marley, and more. The special exhibits will inspire a new-found appreciation for the music-making process, and for the talent and precision it takes to produce award-winning music.

👉Don't miss: the special exhibits which change from year to year

🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on all Los Angeles Passes.

 

Hollywood Museum

See a hundred years of Hollywood history from your favorite films and TV shows at the Hollywood Museum. You'll explore the most extensive collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world, boasting over 10,000 authentic show business artifacts. See Rocky's boxing gloves, Marilyn Monroe's iconic dresses, Indiana Jones' whip, Cary Grant's Rolls-Royce, and much more! It's the perfect indoor activity for a film lover, and it's a must-see when you come to Hollywood.

🎟️Getting in: Admission to the Hollywood Museum is available on all Los Angeles Passes.

 

Studio Tours

One of the best things to do in Hollywood is to visit to a real working studio!

Places like Universal and Warner Bros. offer exciting, behind-the-scenes looks at the way Hollywood works. You'll enjoy tours through back lots, across sound stages, around prop rooms, and through wardrobing. Get a real chance to see where (and how!) movie magic is made with a tour through the amazing studios.

If the rainy day clears up, take advantage of the theme park of Universal Studios Hollywood, which offers some delightful outdoor fun, too. Keep in mind that some portions of these studio tours will involve being outdoors, so be sure to plan accordingly with your gear.

🎟️ Getting in: One-time admission to Universal Studios is only available on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass. Admission to Warner Bros. is available on all Los Angeles Passes.

 

Dolby Theatre® Guided Tour

Get VIP access to the home of the Academy Awards® Ceremony with a guided tour of the Dolby Theatre®. You'll see areas of the theater not seen on TV, and get a behind-the-scenes look at where events such as the American Idol finals, the AFI Awards, the Daytime Emmys, and Victoria's Secret Fashion Show take place.

👉Don't miss: seeing an Oscar® statuette, visiting the Dolby Lounge, and viewing the images from previous Academy Awards ceremonies.

🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on all Los Angeles Passes -  book in advance.

 

Autry Museum of the American West

Regarded as one of Los Angeles’s premier cultural institutions, the Autry Museum of the American West features art, artifacts, and special exhibitions that focus on the history of American West. The Autry is known for its dedication to educating visitors. Enjoy a selection of informative tours, special events, and family activities. There are film screenings, lectures, workshops, and more.

🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on all Los Angeles Passes.

 

Get in some retail therapy

We’re firm believers that you don’t need an excuse to shop. Even so, a rainy day is the perfect reason to dip into your souvenir funds. Los Angeles is one of the best shopping destinations and home to a variety of stores that cater to every price point. Stroll around the shops (and be ready to splurge) on the famous and iconic Rodeo Drive, and find a variety of luxury boutique shopping along Melrose Avenue.

Catch a movie at a luxury theater

Take shelter from the rain with oversized popcorn, a blockbuster hit, and a luxury experience. Lots of movie theaters in the Los Angeles area now focus on offering a luxury movie viewing experience. It's a fun and relaxing way to wait out the weather.

Check out the newer iPic movie theaters for the ultimate luxury experience, or book a lounge experience at Landmark Theatres. You could also head to AMC DINE-IN Marina 6 for a classic dinner and a movie combination, right from the comfort of your oversized seat.

🎟️ Getting in: Admission isn't included with the Los Angeles Pass, so check with each theater for show times and prices.

 

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.

Whichever Los Angeles attraction pass you pick, you'll be saving as you sightsee!

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Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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One Day in Los Angeles Itinerary - Experience LA in a Day for Under $100

Traveling to California and only have one day in Los Angeles? Looking for just that perfect combination of must-see attractions to really make your trip shine? We’ve put together a sample one day in Los Angeles itinerary to help you make your travel plans, so you don’t need to worry about what to go and where to see with so little time on your hands. This one day itinerary includes: Hop-on Hop-off Los Angeles Tour Santa Monica Pier Aquarium 3rd Street Promenade (free!) Pacific Park - Santa Monica Pier Spending more time in Los Angeles? Take a peek at one of our sample 2 day or popular 3 day itineraries. Save on Attraction Admission Visit these top attractions and save up to 50% off vs. paying at the gate with a Go Los Angeles® Card. Remember, this one-day itinerary is just one of many ways to experience Los Angeles. The Go Los Angeles® Card gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. Stop #1: Hop-on Hop-off Los Angeles Bus Tour If you've only got one day in L.A., then a tour is an excellent way to see a full overview of the city without getting bogged down in the details. Starline Tours offers a hop-on hop-off option that gives you the flexibility to explore where you'd like, or just sit back and enjoy the narration. The entire route takes about two hours to ride straight through, so that might be your smartest bet if you want to fit the most into your one day. Some of the top attractions and sites you'll see on your ride include Rodeo Drive, 3rd Street Promenade, Fox Studios, and many more. The tour departs from and returns to the Santa Monica Pier, so you're right in the neighborhood for your next attractions, too. Getting In: Hop-on Hop-off Los Angeles Tour tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card Stop #3: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Image Credit: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is a must-see attraction in the Los Angeles area for nature and science lovers. Featuring nearly 100 different species that are all native to Santa Monica Bay, this interactive aquarium has so many fascinating creatures to examine. From eels and octopi to sharks and sea urchins, they’ve got it all. If you happen to visit on a Sunday, be sure not to miss out on the shark feeding and an informative presentation at the open-top shark exhibit. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. It’s only open in the afternoon, so post lunch is the perfect time to visit. Getting In: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Stop #4: 3rd Street Promenade (free!) This downtown Santa Monica destination is a must-see for visitors to the Los Angeles area. This is really the heart of downtown, filled with all the best shops, restaurants, and more. You can just stroll about, window shop, and people watch, or spend a bit of cash on that perfect souvenir. We recommend reserving about an hour to explore this neighborhood, perhaps more if you’re really interested in some shopping or drinks. Stop #5: Pacific Park - Santa Monica Pier This amusement park is conveniently located right on the Santa Monica Pier, so it’s the perfect end to your day in Santa Monica. Opened in 1916, this historic park is filled with classic rides and modern thrills. Take a spin on the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, whip around the iconic West Coaster--the only West Coast ocean front steel roller coaster--bounce around on Inkie's Wave Jumper, surf simulation ride, drop 9 stories on the Pacific Plunge, and more. They even have a bunch of arcade games for you to enjoy, from the classic “Wac-a-Mole” to the “Riptide Ring Toss.” It’s great fun for kids and adults alike. These arcade games do require additional costs. In order to maximize your one day in Los Angeles, just check in to this attraction before 5:30 and then you can stay as long as you’d like until closing! Getting In: Pacific Park - Santa Monica Pier tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Let’s Recap So there’s your perfect one day in Los Angeles. From Hollywood and the silver screen to the natural world and the historical fun of a good old-fashioned theme park, this day is sure to make you smile. With the Go Los Angeles Card you can save even more on included extras like dining and shopping!
Casey Makovich
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Los Angeles Vacation Tips

Whether you are heading out west for the sunny weather, the beautiful beach or to try and catch a glimpse of a star or two, there are certainly a number of things to know which will make your time in Los Angeles a little bit more fun. With a couple helpful Los Angeles Vacation Tips and a Go Los Angeles Card Attractions Pass tucked into your pocket, there’s simply no way that your time in the Golden State won’t be great! The first tip is a relatively new one. Use your Go Los Angeles Card to visit Universal Studios Hollywood and take a trip on the park’s newest ride - “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.” A motion simulator ride based off of the rib-splitting flick Despicable Me, the ride has been a hit since it opened up in LA after first having success in Orlando. A special feature of the Go Los Angeles Card that is unique to Universal Studios allows pass-holders to enter the park three separate times, good for $84 worth of fun. You may be wondering what you’ll be getting yourself into when you get to LA, so here’s a brief overview of what to expect: The City of Los Angeles is 472 square miles of entertainment and culture, with more than 300 museums, the largest government center outside of Washington, D.C., the nation’s largest historical theater district and of course, the one and only place to see the infamous stars on the Walk of Fame. Los Angeles County is obviously far larger at 4,084 square miles and it contains 88 incorporated cities with L.A. being the largest with a population of 3.8 million people. During your visit to all the 37 sites that are available with the all-inclusive Go Los Angeles Card for one low price, keep your eyes peeled for birds of paradise (the official city bird) and coral trees (the official city tree). You also may want stop by the port in Lalaland if you want to see a city in action as the waterfront in the City of Angels is the busiest in the U.S. and one of the busiest in the world. You certainly won’t be the only person looking for Los Angeles Vacation tips as Los AngelesCounty generally has 40.3 million visitors each year. The Go Los Angeles Card has been ranked by reviewers at 4.5 out of five stars and has gotten positive reviews from around the world, including this one from a German tourist in 2012. “I bought the 5-day Go LA Card and it was well worth it! At this time of writing I have only used it 4 days out of 5 and it is already well worth it, I saved more than if I didn't get the card!” Need things to do in Los Angeles? Consider options like the Hollywood Museum, Malibu Movie Star Homes Tour or Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Go City Expert

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