Things to Do in Los Angeles When It's Hot Out

LA's hotspots are a force to be reckoned with, but so is the summer sun. When you feel like a melting popsicle, but you still want to get some sightseeing done, here's where we'd go.

By Katie Sagal
LA when it's hot out

From the beach communities to the Hollywood hills, there are always tons of things to do in Los Angeles. But when that sun is beating down and the beach no longer seems so appealing, you start to plan your trip based on the best AC exposure.

This summer, don’t let the heat deter you from taking full advantage of the amazing things to do in Los Angeles. Check out a few of the attractions we listed below that will help you beat the heat, including...

  • Bike Rentals
  • Pacific Park
  • Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
  • Whale Watch Cruise
  • Madame Tussauds Hollywood
  • Knott's Soak City Water Park
  • La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Natural History Museum
  • Aquarium of the Pacific

Enjoy a day at Santa Monica Pier

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There's a reason why Santa Monica is a famous beachfront city and resort town: The 3.5 miles of beach in Santa Monica are absolutely pristine. Enjoy bathing on the beach, splashing in the water, riding a bike, and the ample opportunity for people watching. While it may seem counterintuitive to take a bike ride on a hot day, get down to Perry's Beach Café and Rentals and pick up a bike or skates – the breeze as you coast down the boardwalk is a feeling that's hard to beat.

Pacific Park

Built right on Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park is a classic California amusement park. Take a spin on the world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel and enjoy a bird's eye view of the beach and beyond. Test your bravery on high-speed roller coasters, a surfing simulator, or the tilt-a-whirl. If you're looking for something gentler for younger children, stroll over to the kid-friendly rides and carnival games.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

Stay on the pier and visit the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, a non-profit community aquarium, and learn about species of sea life that are local to the Bay Area. Adults and kids alike will love the array of touch tanks and themed exhibits throughout the aquarium.

Get up close and personal with sea urchins, starfish, stingrays, and more. Each display works to teach visitors how they can help to keep California's ecosystem healthy and thriving. It'll be a day of fun and education for everyone to learn more about how you can do your part to keep our oceans clean.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

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A trip to Madame Tussauds Hollywood is the easiest way to meet your favorite celebrity! While we all know Hollywood is a star-studded town, there's no other place you'll be able to come face-to-face with so many celebrities (in wax figure form!) of the past and present. Pose for a photo with Marilyn Monroe, take an iconic selfie with Kylie Jenner, or sing a tune with Justin Timberlake.

No matter how old you are, you're sure to find your celeb crush or teen idol among the lookalike wax figures.

Take a whale or dolphin watching cruise

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It’s no surprise that the ocean serves as a sort of sanctuary in the summer; the cool breeze comes off the water, and you can enjoy watching the marine activity from the shore. Or, get out and enjoy it for yourself aboard one of the many cruise options available.

In Los Angeles, where the coast stretches on seemingly forever, there are plenty of cruise options that will keep you cool for the day. A few of our favorites are:
 

  • The Whale Watch & Dolphin Cruise from Newport Landing is the perfect way to take advantage of the breeze while spotting the whales and dolphins. California’s waters are home to tons of well-known animals, like California gray whales, giant blue whales, minke whales, and humpback whales. As you cruise from Newport on the open-air deck, make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
     
  • The separately ticketed Harbor Cruise or Whale Watch from San Pedro gives you the option to choose! On the Harbor Cruise, you'll enjoy a 45-minute narrated ride past iconic Los Angeles Harbor landmarks like Terminal Island Federal Prison, Vincent Thomas Bridge, Angels Gate Lighthouse, and more. Aboard the whale watch, you'll have a chance to see whales, dolphins, and seals up close, all narrated by experts from Aquarium of the Pacific. 

Knott's Soak City Water Park

Knott's Soak City Water Park is adjacent to the popular Knott's Berry Theme Park in Southern California. Perfect on a hot day, the park boasts 17 water slides, a 750,000-gallon wave pool, and a winding lazy river to enjoy. Whether you're looking for a relaxing day by the water or you're chasing the thrill of a high-speed ride, you'll find it at Knott's Soak City.

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

Located in the historic Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles, La Brea Tar Pits And Museum is one of the world's most famous excavation sites. Here you'll find the largest array of Ice Age plants and animals. Learn about the processes of paleontology through the Fish Bowl Lab and get hands-on with actual fossils excavated from dig sites. You'll see the fossils of saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, mammoths, and more.

GRAMMY Museum

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Experience first-hand the sheer star power of the GRAMMYs at the GRAMMY Museum. The museum stands as a testament to the history of music and some of its greatest performers. Explore over 160 genres of music, pretend you're a rock star on Roland Live or perform a song on the stages where the likes of Taylor Swift and Ringo Starr have stood. For music lovers, this is the perfect place to stay cool and learn more about the history of your favorite artist.

Natural History Museum

History buffs rejoice - the Natural History Museum in Downtown Los Angeles is home to the world's most extensive and valuable collection of natural and cultural history. Visit exhibition halls that house real dinosaur and animal fossils. Learn about the planet's biodiversity and get behind-the-scenes access to Dino Lab, where you can join an active paleontology team as they prepare fossils for public view. It's the perfect place to escape the heat and discover more about our world through fun and interactive displays.

Aquarium of the Pacific

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If you want to learn more about the underwater ecosystems of California, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a can't-miss. The coastline of California is roughly 840 miles, which means tons of species live within the waters.

See fish that live off the coast of sunny Southern California or immerse yourself in a display of colorful coral reefs from the Tropical Pacific. Touch the world's greatest predators in Shark Lagoon or watch the penguins play at Magellanic Penguins. Whether you're an absolute animal lover or not, the Aquarium of the Pacific will engage and intrigue you every step of the way.

Beat the heat in Los Angeles this summer

LA is the West Coast's most popular tourist destination, and for good reason. Whatever your interests, there's no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles when it's hot out. It's absolutely one of our favorite summer destinations for an unforgettable family vacation.

Want to save money on those bucket-list attractions? 

Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect! So grab an LA pass and make the most of it! 

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

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Free things to do near Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Wander the Walk of Fame, hit hidden Hollywood gardens and discover LA’s creative side—all absolutely gratis.
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Los Angeles Attraction Tips

Looking for things to do in Los Angeles that fall outside the box? Hollywood tours and the like are always fun, but sometimes we all need to explore a little further afield to seek out new and unique attractions. To help you take the path less traveled in LA, we’ve put together this “must-see” list of local hidden gems. The Huntington Library If you’re a nature lover, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Located in the beautiful Griffith Park, the LA Zoo hosts over 1000 different creatures from all over the animal kingdom. The accompanying Botanical Gardens feature the plants that constitute the natural world in which these creatures live. In fact, a significant point of emphasis at the LA Zoo is the protection of natural habitats and the ways in which humans can positively impact the natural world through preservation and conservation activities. The botanical specimens are incorporated throughout the grounds, so you’ll be able to enjoy everything on one observant stroll. The La Brea Tar Pits The Page Museum is an important local institution dedicated to the history of the famous La Brea Tar Pits, one of the best-known Ice Age excavation sites in the world. Home to the most diverse array of plant and animal specimens from the period, the La Brea Tar Pits are a paleontologist’s dream. At the museum, you’ll get to watch as scientists examine and process fossils in the working Fish Bowl Lab. Then, explore galleries containing the most famous of the unearthed specimens, including saber-tooth cats, dire wolves, and wooly mammoths. As a bonus, the Page Museum is located right near the LA County Museum of Art! For those of you who enjoy nature and culture in equal measure, there’s no more perfect Los Angeles attraction than the Huntington Library and Gardens. The Huntington is home to a prestigious research library, lush gardens, an expertly curated art collection, and a museum-like exhibition hall that features rare texts like the first folio edition of Shakespeare’s plays, the Ellesmere Manuscript of the Canterbury Tales, and the Gutenberg Bible. It’s a place unlike any other in the country, and is a can’t-miss cultural destination for visitors to LA. Looking for more artistic Los Angeles attractions? The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) features a representative selection of the important artistic movements of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. A current special exhibit, entitled “Andy Warhol: Shadows,” has proven to be very popular since its September opening and is well worth a visit. The museum structure itself is equally impressive, winning a number of design accolades from prestigious institutions like the American Institute of Architects. With a convenient downtown location on Grand Avenue, MOCA is an inspiring choice for any art lover. There are so many things to do in LA that go beyond the conventional – so check a few of them out! Create your own perfect LA itinerary with a fully customizable Los Angeles Pass, and save on everything you want to see and do.
Katie Sagal
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Los Angeles in July

Looking for interesting things to do in July in Los Angeles? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! As the summer begins to heat up, get ready for fantastic activities and pop-up events of all kinds. The city’s cultural calendar has a little something for everybody around this time of the year, no matter where your interests may lie. From walking the charming Venice Canals to sinking your teeth into some of the city’s best dishes at Smorgasburg, there’s always something to keep you busy. July is one also of L.A.’s hottest months, so this is a great time for exploring some of California’s best outdoor attractions - just so long as you pack accordingly! Still aren’t sure how to get started? Have a read through our list of the best things to see and do in Los Angeles in the summertime! However you choose to explore the area, we’re sure you’ll have a blast! Hit the Classics Of course, a visit to Los Angeles just wouldn’t be complete without making a stop at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Since its establishment way back in 1960, this historic attraction has become one of the city’s most iconic spots as it sees more and more footwork each day. Spanning 15 whole blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and consisting of over 2, 000 brass stars, the Walk of Fame continues to draw in millions of visitors each year. If you’re looking for the star of your favorite celebrity or artist, use the Walk of Fame’s Star Search tool on their website. Whilst you’re in the area, we also recommend checking out some of Hollywood’s great attractions, like the TCL Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, and Ovation Hollywood. A quintessential West Coast city, Los Angeles is bursting with great summertime spots to check out. Ranking high up on the itinerary, Santa Monica Pier has been a long-time favorite from way back since its establishment in 1909. This classic L.A. hotspot presents a myriad of cool things to do, though its most popular attraction has got to be Pacific Park - an admission-free theme park with tons of rides, restaurants, shopping destinations as well as a full-blown arcade. Or, if you’re looking to take it slow, why not check out the Santa Monica Pier Farmers’ Market? This laidback stop pays homage to the city’s agricultural heritage with a wide range of vendors to choose from. In addition, there are local crafters and live musical performances to check out. And for those who want to kick back and enjoy those sweeping oceanfront views, we recommend trying your hand at fishing. The Santa Monica Pier is an excellent spot for catching everything from small ocean creatures like clams to mackerel and even sea bass. With so much to see and do here, you’re sure to have a good time! Explore the City Los Angeles is a massive metropolis made up of dozens of notable neighborhoods. Though each spot most certainly has its charm, one of our favorite places has got to be Venice for its eclectic style and laidback atmosphere. There are a lot of great things to do in Venice, though the most popular activity has to be hitting the beach. With its palm-fringed shorelines and soft surf, this spot makes for a fantastic family day trip. In addition, the Venice Boardwalk is a fantastic place for shopping and people watching. Of course, though, Venice has much more to offer away from the beach. One of its best-hidden gems has got to be the Venice Canals, offering a scenic tour of the area’s most gorgeous beach houses. In addition, the neighborhood is known for its quirky attractions, like the Mosaic Tile House and Muscle Beach. With its funky energy and so much to see and do, this place is a total must-see. Find Interesting Activities to Do It goes without saying that one of the best parts of travel is discovering the local food scene. And whilst L.A. undoubtedly has a lot of great food stops to choose from, there’s nothing quite like heading over to the market for some delicious eats. Standing out as one of our favorites, Smorgasburg is a total treat for anybody who considers food their religion. Drawing in around 50, 000 people each weekend, this event is well-recognized as the largest open-air food market in America - and with good reason! Gorge yourself on Hawaiian garlic shrimp served right from a traditional pineapple boat, try fresh top-quality oysters, and then cool down with speciality ice cream from Wanderlust Creamery. There are also a lot of vegan options here, so you know that there’s a little something for everybody to enjoy! Whether you’re a big meat-lover or a self-diagnosed sweet tooth, this stop is well worth the visit. Whilst we love all of the hustle and bustle of the city, sometimes it’s good to take a bit of time to yourself. Thankfully, Los Angeles is filled with wonderful green spaces where you can get in touch with Mother Nature. Located just twenty minutes from downtown Los Angeles, the Descanso Gardens cover over 150 acres of lush forestry to be enjoyed. This spot is accredited by the American Association of Museums as a repository of living collections and welcomes around 250,000 visitors annually. Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy an impressive collection of native and exotic flora, including stunning oak woodlands, a vast collection of fruit trees, and one of the largest concentrations of camellia plants in the Western Hemisphere. An undoubtedly serene experience, this spot is well worth the visit. We love Los Angeles all year round, though there’s no better time to visit than summertime! With a whole host of exciting events and attractions, there should be more than enough to keep you busy. 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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