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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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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10+ Things to Do in Los Angeles in Spring - April to June Activities & More

Everybody loves a good trip to L.A. From Hollywood to Santa Monica, there is something for all visitors who come to the City of Angels. Spring is an especially good time to visit, with more reliably warm weather (although Los Angeles never gets very cold), noticeably shorter lines, and easier admission into top attractions. If you’re looking for things to do in Los Angeles in Spring, check out our list of some of the best activities and attractions, including... Knott's Boysenberry Festival at Knott's Berry Farm Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier Huntington Library and Gardens Newport Landing Whale Watch Explore Griffith Park and more! Save on Springtime Activities in Los Angeles Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all available Los Angeles attractions, passes, and prices. Please note, some of these special spring events may be separately ticketed and not available on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Knott's Boysenberry Festival at Knott's Berry Farm Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum From March to September, the Natural History Museum in L.A. opens up their famed Butterfly Pavilion to the public. See these delicate little beauties flit and flutter around, and perhaps even land on you! The best time to visit is about mid-morning. Due to its popularity, you'll need a timed ticket to enter the pavilion. Getting In: Natural History Museum tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles Card. Commune with Whales Enjoy Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Studios Hollywood is one of those magical places that delight kids and adults in equal measure. There's the fascinating behind-the-scenes studio tour, then dozens of rides and attractions to enjoy afterward. Some of the popular areas of the park include the newer "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" (beloved by all), several Simpsons attractions, and the wonderful "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem" ride. Don’t forget to explore Universal CityWalk after you’re done with all the rides and attractions – it’s a great evening activity with food, dining, and entertainment options. Getting In: Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood is included with the 3-, 5-, and 7-Day Go Los Angeles® Cards. Soak up Celebrity Culture Explore Griffith Park Visit Santa Monica Roam Seasonal Gardens While it is a little bit of a hike from downtown Los Angeles (you can actually get there via mass transit, however, it’s just a longish ride), the Huntington Library is a fabulous attraction that combines the appeal of a historic research library, an art gallery, luxurious gardens, and literary artifacts all into one inspiring destination. Be sure to explore the gardens in particular this time of year – the roses are spectacular. Visitors might also enjoy the "Orbit Pavilion," a garden art installation that echoes the shapes and sounds of the International Space Station and 19 Earth satellites. It was even designed by people who work at NASA! Getting In: Admission the Huntington Library and Gardens is included with the Go Los Angeles® Card. Local EventsLA Times Festival of Books USC Campus April This is one for the book lovers. The LA Times Festival of Books is a fantastic free event that promises tons of bookish fun and excitement. In addition to dozens of famous author readings and signings, you’ll also enjoy special workshops, professional talks, and of course, plenty of books for sale. Getting In: Admission to the LA Times Festival of Books is free. Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Santa Clara April PPLA Food Fare Santa Monica Known for being the oldest culinary event in Los Angeles, the PPLA Food Fare brings together over one hundred restaurants, chefs, caterers, wineries, bakeries, and more. From high-end cuisine to inventive food trucks, you’ll be able to sample cuisine from all across the city at this fantastic event. Getting In: Admission to the PPLA Food Fare is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Los Angeles® Card. For more information, please visit the event website. Cherry Blossom Festival Monterey Park April Few things signal the onset of spring quite like the fragrant blooming of the delicate cherry blossom. This year in Los Angeles, the Cherry Blossom Festival in the nearby city of Monterey Park will be the place to celebrate these delightful natural wonders. Enjoy musical performances, guided nature walks, delicious food, and even origami classes. Getting In: Admission to the Cherry Blossom Festival is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Los Angeles® Card. For more information, please visit the event website. Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Various locations May Remember to Save on Admission Did we miss anything? A few things to do in Los Angeles in the spring, including some special events, other seasonal activities in April, May, and June. Please note, the spring events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not available with the Go Los Angeles® Card. We hope you consider adding some of these fun ideas to your spring vacation itinerary.
Katie Sagal

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