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
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
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
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
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
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!
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