Los Angeles in April

Published: July 18, 2024

A quintessentially West Coast city, Los Angeles is famed for its laid-back beaches and picture-perfect weather. And whilst those are things are definitely highlights, there’s a lot more to love about the City of Angels. Within its broad city limits, L.A. has a myriad of interesting and cool things to offer for all types of travellers. April is prime time for visiting some of California’s best outdoor attractions since the weather is temperate and balmy. Springtime is also shoulder season, meaning that the city will be less crowded, and you should be able to find cheaper prices for airfare and travel. Still not sure how to make the best out of April in Los Angeles? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! From making a trip to Santa Monica Pier to seeing the iconic Hollywood Sign, these are some of the best things to do in L.A., at least once. How many will you try?

See the Sights

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Of course, a trip to Los Angeles isn’t quite complete without seeing the iconic Hollywood Sign. An emblematic cultural monument overlooking the city, this spot has been drawing in visitors from near and far since 1923. Whilst originally the sign read ‘’Hollywoodland’’, after years of deterioration, it was eventually restored to simply read ‘’Hollywood’’ as we know it today. As one of the most famous features of Los Angeles, the sign stands as a universal metaphor for ambition, success and glamor. Visitors can’t get up close with the sign since it sits on restricted property, though there are many scenic spots where you can go to take pictures, such as Hollywood and Highland and the Griffith Observatory stop. As far as American landmarks go, you couldn’t get much better than this.

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If you’re looking for a fun day trip, you won’t have to look much further than Santa Monica Pier. Set along Santa Monica Beach, the pier has been delighting visitors for well over 100 years now. Beyond its iconic historic arches, you’ll find a whole host of great family-friendly activities to do here. Of course, one of the pier’s most popular attractions is Pacific Park, a full-service amusement park, complete with plenty of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops as well as an arcade. Still, if you want something a little more laid-back, we recommend heading over to the farmers’ market, where you can grab a bite to eat and relax. With so much to see and do, this attraction is perfect for spending time with friends and family and just seeing where the day takes you.

Soak Up that Springtime Atmosphere

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One of the greatest joys of travel is of course the food. Though there are many great food festivals taking place in Los Angeles during the month of April. nothing says springtime quite like the Knotts Boysenberry Festival. Running all throughout the month, this seasonal event is a fantastic choice for anybody who considers food their religion. The main focus of the event is a tantalizing lineup of dishes celebrating the park’s historic roots. In addition, visitors can enjoy local crafters, live music, shows, and much more. There are also special activities and games for younger guests to enjoy. A total classic to add to your bucket list, this stop is the perfect way to soak up the sun and get a true taste of Los Angeles.

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With its fantastic weather and clear blue skies, April in Los Angeles is a great time to take in some of the area’s most wonderful natural attributes. Standing out as one of our favorite events of the season, California Poppy Festival offers visitors the chance to amble through blankets of technicolor vibrant petals unfurling under the sunshine. There’s a lot to do here besides admiring the flowers, with a relaxing beer garden and plenty of festival food and live entertainment to be enjoyed. There are also amusement park rides and animal exhibits for younger guests. Breaking away from the typical family day out, we love this spot because it offers something a little bit different.

Have a Blast!

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Los Angeles is a dream vacation spot for pop culture lovers and cinephiles alike. Whilst there are countless activities and attractions in the city pertaining to the entertainment industry, not many come close to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the oldest film studios in the world, this spot is a total must-see. Along the tour, you’ll be accompanied by a friendly and professional guide so you can hear more about the history and development that made Hollywood what it is today. Highlights include the original Friends’ fountain, recreated sets from the DC Universe, and of course, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It takes around three hours to complete the whole tour, so make sure you wear something comfortable. A classic L.A. attraction that everyone can enjoy, this place is well worth the visit.

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Those travelling with kids just might enjoy the next item on our list. Delighting visitors from near and far since 1963, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is a local favorite well worth checking out. This annual themed attraction stands as a commercial reenactment of a 1580s market faire at Port Deptford, a waterfront town in the Elizabethan era. This spot has a great community atmosphere, whereby the enthusiasm put into it by the staff makes the attraction what it is. Some of the more unusual stations include belly dancing, hypnosis, and staff throwing ninja stars and axes. If you’re wondering about food (and let’s face it, why wouldn’t you be?), you’ll have your choice of everything from juicy turkey legs to delicious hand pies. Undoubtedly unique and a whole lot of fun, this spot is pretty much all you could ask for a good old fashioned day of fun!

Springtime in Los Angeles brings a whole host of exciting and interesting things to do. Whether you’re looking to see the sights, learn more about the city, or just kick back and relax, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes. 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
Go City Travel Expert

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10+ Best Places in LA for Movie Fans

If you’re visiting LA with a movie fan (or if you are one!) there's so much to see and do. From behind-the-scenes tours and museums to the Walk of Fame and real film locations, you won’t be short of things to do in Los Angeles. Movie buffs head to Hollywood to soak up the history and glamour of the industry. You might even spot a starlet or two along the way. Check out our list of things to do for movie fans including... Madame Tussauds Universal Studios Hollywood Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood Museum Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour Sony Pictures Studio Tour Dolby Theatre Tour Griffith Observatory Union Station And more! 💰 >> See how you can save up to 50% on Los Angeles attractions Madame Tussauds Hollywood Fancy brushing shoulders with your favorite actors? Head to Madame Tussauds Hollywood. You’ll get to ‘meet’ stars of the silver screen like Marilyn Monroe, Robin Williams, Zac Efron, and more. Check out the Making Movies area to see what goes on backstage, and see directors Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino hard at work. Classic movie lovers should head to the Spirit of Hollywood room to get up close and personal with the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and Audrey Hepburn. It’s your chance to take a selfie with the movie stars of past and present!  Getting in: Entry to Madame Tussauds Hollywood is included on all Los Angeles passes. Hollywood Walk of Fame A trip to LA would be incomplete without a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. See the stars of Hollywood legends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Douglas, Patrick Swayze, and hundreds more. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a public sidewalk and is completely free to walk along. Or, use your pass and take the Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes tour (more on that below) for a guided tour of the trail. Keep an eye out for your favorite actors and directors and be sure to get that all-important snap.  Getting in: Entry to The Hollywood Walk of Fame is free to see. Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour Take the Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour to see famous LA sights such as TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, the Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood Sign. Your guide will reveal Hollywood’s secrets and scandals as you explore. Feel like an Oscar winner on the Dolby Theatre’s Awards Walk, and don't forget to place your hands and feet on the prints at the TCL Chinese Theatre.  Getting in: Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour is separately ticketed. Warner Bros Studio Tour The Warner Bros Studio Tour is your chance to tour a real, working studio to see where the magic happens. Your knowledgeable guide will take you around 110-acre backlot which is home to well-loved shows like The Ellen Degeneres Show and The Big Bang Theory. Batman fans will be in for a treat, as the studios served as a filming location for the films. Plus, there is a special DC exhibition featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, plus the props used in the films. You’ll even get to see the Batmobile up close!  Getting in: Entry to the Warner Bros Studio Tour is included on all Los Angeles passes. Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Studios Hollywood is a mecca for movie fans, with rides inspired by everything from Harry Potter to Transformers and Despicable Me. Plus, you don’t need to be a fan of roller coasters to enjoy Universal Studios. A visit to this theme park would be incomplete without taking the world-famous Studio Tour. Take a tram through the historic four-acre studio and see the sets of your favorite movies and TV shows. The interactive tour will even take you through a King Kong 4D ride, through a Jaws set complete with a very realistic shark. Norman Bates of Psycho might even pay a visit... you'll never guess what’s coming next.  Getting in: Entry to Universal Studios Hollywood is only available on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass. Hollywood Museum The Hollywood Museum is a must-see for movie fans. It's home to the largest collection of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, an exhibition on 20th-century superheroes, and artifacts documenting the portrayal of LGBTQ+ lives on the big screen. The Hollywood Museum features more than 10,000 items over four floors, including costumes, props, scripts, and much more.  Getting in: Entry to The Hollywood Museum is only available on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass Sony Pictures Studio Tour On the Sony Pictures Studio Tour, you will explore a working studio and learn all about its history and secrets. See where the likes of The Wizard of Oz and Spider-Man were filmed and get up close to real Academy Awards. Be sure to keep an eye out for stars working at the studio and don’t forget to take a picture under the famous 94ft rainbow.  Getting in: Entry to Sony Pictures Studio Tour is separately ticketed. Dolby Theatre® Tour Every film fan knows that the Dolby Theatre® hosts the most important night of the film industry calendar: the Academy Awards. Take a 30-minute guided tour of the stage and backstage. The Dolby Theatre is 180,000 sqft and has a massive 3,400-seat capacity. You’ll see an Oscar up close and discover where celebrities celebrate their wins. Plus, see photos of Oscar winners such as Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando.  Getting in: Entry to The Dolby Theatre® Tour is included on all Los Angeles passes. Griffith Observatory LA is not only home to film sets - countless movies are filmed on location in the city. The Griffith Observatory is one of Los Angeles’ most famous landmarks and features in films like La La Land, The Terminator, Charlie’s Angels, and many more. Griffith Observatory is a must-see attraction for movie fans wanting to visit where the scene of the action.  Getting in: Entry to Griffith Observatory is free. Union Station Another real-life location that is always popping up on screen is Union Station. The well-known station features in tons of movies such as Blade Runner, The Dark Knight Rises, and Catch Me If You Can. See Union Station for yourself and try to guess which other movies were filmed there. You’ll be surprised at just how many there are!  Getting in: Entry to Union Station is free.  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.
Go City Expert
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2 Days in Los Angeles - A Weekend in LA Itinerary That Covers It All

Spending the weekend in Los Angeles, but unsure what to do to maximize your time? Here’s our suggested itinerary for 2 days in Los Angeles that will showcase the best of LA in just a few days. From sightseeing tours and museums to amusement parks and beyond, L.A. has so much to offer that we know you’ll love your trip. This itinerary includes: Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens GRAMMY Museum® California Science Center & IMAX Exposition Park (free!) Natural History Museum Warner Bros. Studio Tour Six Flags Magic Mountain We’ve also put together a 1 day and 3 day itinerary, if you're looking to explore L.A. for more or less time. Save on Attraction Admission Pick up a 2-Day Go Los Angeles® Card and save off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 2 days in Los Angeles itinerary is just one of many ways to experience the area, there are tons of attractions, landmarks, and more to explore. 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. DAY 1 Stop #1: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens Located in the beautiful Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a joint attraction that ought to be your first stop of the day. The Zoo hosts over 1000 different creatures great and small, from gorillas and giraffes to seals and snow leopards. They've got critters from all across the proverbial species map, from mammals and birds to amphibians and reptiles. It's your go-to place for the wild world in L.A.! The Botanical Gardens are flush with natural beauty, featuring impressive replicas of the animals' natural habitats with an array of plant species from around the world. You’ll even get a chance to see some plants that have been growing on the earth since prehistoric times! We recommend leaving around 1-2 hours to spend at this attraction. Getting In: LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Stop # 2: The GRAMMY Museum® Change it up a little with a visit to one of the best museums in Hollywood – the Grammy Museum®. This is a must-see attraction for any music lover, and a great introduction to the music and production scene in L.A. and around the country. This 30,000 square-foot venue features dozens of interactive exhibits, both permanent and temporary, that showcase various aspects of the music industry and its historic and cultural significance in the US. Some highlights include the “Songwriters Hall of Fame” gallery, the “Recording Art and Technology” exhibit, and the “Artistic Voices: The Creative World” exhibit. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours to spend at this attraction. Getting In: GRAMMY Museum® tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Stop # 3: The California Science Center & IMAX Conveniently located a short drive south of Downtown L.A., this exciting and interactive science museum is filled with over 150 fascinating and interactive exhibits. Some featured exhibits include “Ecosystems,” “Creative World,” the demo-filled “Science Court,” and more! Don't forget about the iconic Space Shuttle Endeavour, a retired orbiter from NASA's space program that completed a whopping 25 missions in space! It's located temporarily in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion as its permanent home is being built. Although admission to the California Science Center itself is free, your Go Los Angeles® Card gets you into one free IMAX movie! Their 7-story tall screen and state-of-the-art sound system make an IMAX showing an experience you won’t want to miss. Visitors in 2018 will not want to miss the spectacular new King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh exhibition. This landmark exhibit features over 150 real objects from King Tut's tomb -- many of which have never been on display outside of Egypt, and may never be found outside the country again. It's a must-see. We recommend reserving at least an hour for this attraction, plus any additional time for your IMAX film of choice. Film lengths vary. Getting In: California Science Center IMAX tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Stop #4: Exposition Park (free!) Just outside the California Science Center, Exposition Park is a charming urban greenspace and another great place to enjoy some nature in busy Los Angeles. There’s a beautiful fountain and an enchanting rose garden to explore as well. In the park, you can see the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, The Natural History Museum (your next stop) and more. There’s a beautiful fountain and an enchanting rose garden to explore as well. Getting In: We recommend reserving about 30 minutes to visit the park. Stop #5: Natural History Museum For your last stop of day 1 on your weekend getaway to Los Angeles, check out the Natural History Museum, right in Exposition Park. The very first museum to be founded in Los Angeles, this institution has one of the most extensive and varied collections of natural artifacts around. Some highlights of their collection include massive dinosaur and mammal fossils, an impressive collection of gems and minerals, ancient Latin American treasures, and more! The whole family will love this educational institution. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Getting In: Los Angeles Natural History Museum tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. DAY 2 Stop #1: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Begin your day with a visit to one of the most famous studios in Los Angeles at the 110-acre backlot of Warner Bros. Studio. A Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a great, behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood’s movie and TV culture. It’s a rare chance to visit a fully working studio, so you’ll actually get to watch scenes being filmed, edited, and more. Some of the sights you’ll see on your tour may include sound stages, sets, collections of props, lighting displays, and special effects equipment. Some shows you may see being filmed include many of today’s big hits, such as The Big Bang Theory , Conan, Pretty Little Liars, and more! This tour lasts a little longer than two hours. Reservations are recommended. Getting In: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Stop # 2: Six Flags Magic Mountain This next stop is sure to be a big hit with the teens and younger kids. Six Flags Magic Mountain is one of the premier theme parks in California, with 260 acres of thrills and excitement. They’ve even added several new rides, including the area's first floorless roller coaster! With 19 world-class roller coasters and nearly 100 other games, rides, and attractions to enjoy within the park, you’ll never run out of things to do at this truly “magic” destination. Even if you're not a huge thrill ride fan, you'll find plenty to do at Six Flags. You can even meet some of your favorite Looney Tunes characters, like Bug Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Sylvester, and Tweety Bird. Don't miss the immensely popular JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis. Enjoy 4-D effects, high intensity scenes, and state-of-the-art gaming graphics as you join forces with your favorite DC Super Heroes to beat the baddies. We recommend reserving between 3-4 hours for this attraction. Getting In: Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Let’s Recap So if you’ve got only the weekend in town, here’s our sample itinerary for 2 days in Los Angeles for you to follow. It’s filled with must-see sights and great things to do, plus some fun extras and a few tasty dining recommendations.
Casey Makovich

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