Los Angeles in May

Published: July 18, 2024

There are so many great things to see and do in Los Angeles in May! The sun is out, the days are longer, and spring is in full swing. Around this time of the year, the city comes alive with countless seasonal activities and events for all types of travellers. As for the month’s major holidays, don’t forget to check out the awesome things to do for Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. The weather is warm and balmy, so this is also prime time for exploring a lot of L.A.’s best outdoor attractions. Still daunted by the prospect of exploring a new city? Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered! Have a read through our list of the best things to check out in the area. However you choose to explore Los Angeles, we’re sure you’ll have a blast!

See the City

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As one of the most visited tourist destinations in the United States, Los Angeles isn’t exactly short of great attractions to choose from. Still, when the sun comes out, nothing quite beats a day at the Santa Monica Pier. Since first opening to the public way back in 1909, this beloved tourist hotspot now draws in a whopping 8 million visitors annually - and who are we to argue with that many people? Perhaps the pier’s most popular draw is Pacific Park, an admission-free amusement park with a great blend of rides for kids and thrillseekers alike. Or, if you’re looking to just take it slow, the Santa Monica Pier Farmers’ Market is the place to be. Open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, this spot works to highlight California’s agricultural heritage with a fantastic array of local vendors. And of course, it just wouldn’t be a pier if you couldn’t grab a rod and try a hand at fishing for yourself. The pier is an ideal place for catching everything from small sea creatures like clams to even mackerel and sea bass. A quintessential Los Angeles attraction, this spot is well worth the visit.

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Los Angeles is a sprawling seaside metropolis made up of countless unique neighborhoods. Still, one of our favorite spots to check out has got to be Venice for its distinctive style and laidback, funky atmosphere. One of the most popular things to do there is hit the beach - that is, Venice Beach, of course. A prime tourist destination, this spot is known for its sun-kissed shorelines and bohemian boardwalk. Still, there’s a lot more to do in Venice than just the beach. Another one of our favorite activities has got to be walking the Venice Canals. Nestled away between the Venice Boardwalk and the Abbot Kinney, the Venice Canals offer a scenic stroll along the charming beach houses and romantic bridges of the area. All in all, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny day in Los Angeles.

Get Cultured

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It practically goes without saying that Los Angeles is a total treat for art lovers and culture vultures. Whilst there are countless cultural amenities for creative types in the city, one of our favorite spots to visit when the sun comes out has got to he the Hollywood Sculpture Garden. Combining the innovative energy of the city with its most wonderful natural attributes, this place is well worth the visit. Perched up high in the Hollywood Hills, the garden offers 360-degree spectacular views of the area. Here, visitors can enjoy a wholly unique collection of outdoor sculptures from well-established and up-and-coming artists. There are over 100 pieces in the garden, so you know that there’s plenty to see here. Visitations are by appointment only, so make sure to reserve your spot before showing up! A thoroughly enjoyable cultural experience, we love this spot for bringing something a little different to the table.

Find Fun Activities

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Those travelling with family might just enjoy the next item on our list. Since establishing itself way back in 1921, the L.A. County Fair has been drawing in visitors in from near and far ever since. Nowadays, this classic crowdpleaser is recognized as the fourth largest fair in the United States - and with good reason! Guests can expect to experience a heck of a lot all in one place - no, really, we mean it! Whilst this attraction initially began as an agricultural show, it has since spread its wings with everything from wine tastings and exhibitions to modern acrobats and concerts. Still, the fair maintains some of its old-style charm with classic carnival rides like the Ferris wheel. And if you were wondering about food (and let’s face it - why wouldn’t you be?) you’ll find plenty of different vendors serving up traditional fairground favorites like chilli cheese curly fries, deep-fried Oreos and cotton candy. A little bit old-school and a whole lot of fun, this spot is a total must-see.

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After a long day of touring, you might just want to kick back and relax with a great movie. And of course, there’s no place quite like Los Angeles to catch a movie. During the springtime, you can find all types of twists on the typical movie theater experience around the city, but our favorite is the fantastic rooftop experience. Taking cinema out from the theater to under the starry night’s sky, this experience most certainly ups the ante. The Rooftop Cinema Club are known for their broad programming, showing everything from old favorites and cult classics, to modern box-office hits. There is also a concession stand with traditional movie theater snacks, like hotdogs, popcorn and candy. The perfect way to spend a balmy springtime evening, this place is sure to hit the spot.

L.A. is a great city to visit all year round, though we especially love it in the springtime. From taking a stroll down the Venice Canals to checking out the L.A. County fair, you’ll never run out of things to see and do. Explore the city 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

Vibrant and buzzing with life, Los Angeles is a total hive of excitement just waiting to be explored. No really - we mean it! With a great mix of cosmopolitan culture and nature attractions, the City of Angels has everything for everyone. From world-class museums and entertainment to delicious eats, you’re sure to be spoiled for choice. And whilst a two-day getaway might not seem like a lot of time to explore, with the right planning you’ll end up having more fun than you can even imagine! Still having trouble deciding between the city’s top attractions? Don’t fear! Glide through our list of the best things to do in Los Angeles, so that you don’t miss out on anything on your trip! We promise that you won’t be disappointed. Day 1 - Check out Museum Row Kick off your adventure in Los Angeles by heading over to the Museum Row, where you can check out many of the city’s top visitor attractions. If you’d like to grab breakfast first, we suggest stopping off at some of the area’s fantastic eateries. Some of our favorite places include Muffin Can Stop Us, Sycamore Kitchen, and Groundwork Coffee. This busy thoroughfare is home to a great number of L.A.’s best attractions, so you’ll have a lot to choose from here. Still, one of our favorite spots has got to be the Petersen Automotive Museum for its unique and impressive collection. Occupying an entire city block, this spot is well-recognized as one of the largest institutions of its kind in the world. The museum is split into three themed floors; history, artistry and technology, so there’s a little something for everybody here. Inside, visitors can view over 25 galleries with over 350 vehicles of all kinds. Amongst its permanent repository, you’ll find everything from classic cars to sleek high-tech automobiles and flashy Ferraris. A thoroughly remarkable cultural experience, this one is not to be skipped! There are a lot of great places to eat in Miracle Mile, but to make the most out of your experience, we recommend heading over to the Original Farmers’ Market. Since its establishment in 1934, this spot has grown to become a bonafide city landmark - and with good reason! This place boasts over 100 grocers and gourmet vendors to choose from - all you have to do is pick your favorite! Authentic braised chicken rice, hot empanadas fresh from the oven, and decadent ice cream to cool off....the long list of treats is endless! Another one of our favorite cultural institutions located on the Museum Row has got to be the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. A fantastic stop for those of a curious mind, the institute works to educate its visitors about the development of the natural world. The site is a registered National Natural Landmark and is home to the wonderful La Brea Tar Pits right outside. Get up close to see this active fossil excavation site still bubbling away! Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy a terrific showcase of the best fossils, animals, plants and that have been discovered here. Expect to see everything from chipmunks and doves to saber-toothed cats and mammoths. In addition, the site serves as an active palentological research center where visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look and see scientists working on recently discovered fossils. Whether you’re a total history geek or just wanting to learn more about the prehistoric world, this spot is the place to be. Day 2 - Explore the City Of course, a trip to L.A. just wouldn’t be the same without heading out to see the Hollywood Sign. Standing as an iconic symbol of glitz and glam for around a century now, this stop is a total must-see. We suggest getting up early to watch the sun rise over this emblematic landmark. Though the sign sits on restricted property, you can still catch some great views by making your way over to the Griffith Observatory. Here, you’ll find multiple hiking trails where you can see the evocative landmark and take some great snaps from a distance. We especially love this spot for its wonderful natural attributes. You might even catch a deer or a hawk on your way! Next, head out to Royal Palms/White Point Beach to soak up the true natural beauty of the West Coast. With its palm-fringed sands and crystalline waters, there’s no better place to hit the beach in Los Angeles. Whilst this spot presents a whole myriad of cool things to do, one of our favorite activities has got to be exploring the tide pools dotted along the shoreline. Great for nature lovers, this activity provides a sure-fire way to see fascinating sea creatures like hermit crabs, coral clusters, and sea cucumbers way up close. We suggest planning your visit for low tide - this way you won’t get wet! In addition, visitors can enjoy swimming, scuba diving, surfing and more here. And for those who are travelling with kids, there’s a children’s play area right near the bluff. We recommend staying until dusk, so that you can enjoy the spectacular views of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. Los Angeles is the home of the world entertainment industry - and in turn, a fantastic roster of comedy clubs. If you’re looking to end your trip in style, we suggest checking out some of the best that the city has to offer. For those who want to catch big-name comedians trying out their new material, the Sunset Strip would be the perfect choice. Some of the top clubs in the area include The Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, and Hollywood Improv. Or, if you want to check out some of the city’s newest emerging talent, head over to the trendy bars in Silver Lake. Some of our favorites include The Virgil and The Elysian Theater. A short 2-day getaway offers the perfect chance to see the City of Angels in all its glory. Plan it just right, and you’ll be able to understand what makes this one of the most popular visitor destinations in the world - we know we do! 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
Riders at the top of the drop on the HangTime rollercoaster at Knott's Berry Farm, LA.
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Knott's Berry Farm Vs Disneyland Comparison LA

You’re never far from a thrill ride in California, where adrenalin junkies, rollercoaster riders and log flume aficionados are spoiled for choice thanks to the abundance of great theme parks. Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland are two of the oldest in the state. Indeed, Knott’s dates all the way back to the 1920s when a solitary stand hawking berry pies, jams and preserves planted the seed for the multi-million-dollar amusement park that stands on the exact same spot today. We took a deep dive into these two magical worlds in our comparison of Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland in LA. Knott's Berry Farm Vs Disneyland: A Short History California's Disneyland needs no introduction. The original and (many would say) still the best, it’s the only Disney park to have been designed and constructed under the watchful eye of Walt himself. Since opening in 1955, this Anaheim stalwart has been the dream ticket for wide-eyed kids around the world, so it’s little wonder that even after all these years it remains one of the planet’s most-visited theme parks, regularly topping 18m visitors in the pre-Covid era and outgunned only by its younger Disney sibling, Florida’s Magic Kingdom, in the world rankings. The souped-up 21st Century Disneyland contains no less than nine themed zones across 100+ acres, with over 50 attractions to explore, and a whole host of characters to meet: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald, to name just a few. The charming old Disney Railroad ferries enchanted visitors around the park, covering around 1.2 miles and saving you a small fortune in shoe leather. Quirky fact: Walt Disney secretly kept a private apartment inside Disneyworld, and it’s still there today. Look out for a light in the window above the fire department on main street to see if the maestro’s spirit is in residence. Knott’s Berry Farm operates on a slightly smaller scale, but still packs a punch with nearly 50 rides across its 57 acres. And, oh boy, that boysenberry pie. From its humble beginnings as a roadside berry stand a century ago, Knott’s has expanded organically over the years, adding Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant as well as several shops and other attractions by the 1940s, including a ghost town, which is still there (though somewhat modernized) today. By the 70s, Knott’s Berry Farm boasted a log ride, bumper cars and a steeplechase rollercoaster. And the rest, as they say, is history. Today, it’s a fully fledged theme park, chock full of thrill rides and other fun attractions. And yes, you can still tuck into a classic fried chicken dinner or sweet, sweet slice of boysenberry pie – though perhaps not immediately prior to boarding the frankly terrifying HangTime rollercoaster. Quirky fact: when the Knott family sought to sell the park in the late 1990s, they ruled Disney out as a potential buyer because of concerns the park would become unrecognizable from their parents’ original vision. Knott's Berry Farm Vs Disneyland Comparison: Thrill Rides The cash injection that followed the sale of Knott’s Berry Farm to Cedar Fair in 1997 saw a rapid increase in the number of thrill rides in the park. And, nearly three decades later, there are stacks of great options for the adrenalin fiends among you. Chief among these is the Xcelerator (pictured above), the name of which alone will have most shrinking violets running for the bumper cars and spinning teacups. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be catapulted 20 stories high, reaching speeds up up to 82mph in a little over two seconds, now’s your chance. Definitely not for the faint of heart, it’s joined by the likes of the HangTime coaster with its stomach-churning 96-degree drop, and the epic GhostRider: the tallest and longest wooden rollercoaster in the West. Disneyland’s slightly more child-friendly focus means fewer adrenalin-fueled rides, but there are still a good few here that will get your pulse racing. Case in point: golden oldie Space Mountain has really stood the test of time. Debuted way back in 1977, this pimped-up sci-fi coaster tears through dark tunnels with flashing lights and a booming soundtrack that will make your hair stand on end. The Indiana Jones Adventure is another hair-raising dark ride that allows you to step into the shoes of the famous hat-wearing octogenarian archaeologist before hurtling through terrifying tunnels at a velocity no OAP should ever have to endure. Knott's Berry Farm Vs Disneyland Comparison: Water Rides If you don’t come away from your theme park adventure with a drenched shirt and the souvenir photo to prove it, can you really say you’ve been to a theme park? Calico River Rapids forms part of the Ghost Town zone at Knott’s Berry Farm and sees riders spin and splash down the river in family-friendly six-seater dinghies. The Timber Mountain Log Ride is an altogether wetter affair, and the park’s most popular attraction. Ride through a 330-foot long mountain before enjoying (or should that be enduring?) a 42-foot free fall and early bath. Knott’s also has a separately ticketed water park (Knott’s Soak City) that’s open between May and September. Disneyland has a number of sedate boat rides, including the Jungle Cruise and cute Storybook Land Canal Boats, but it’s Splash Mountain you came for, right? Don’t be fooled by the relatively gentle start, with its kid-friendly Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear storyline: there’s an inevitable drop towards the end that comes with a near-cast-iron guarantee of a soaking. Exit to the sounds of animatronic characters gleefully singing ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah’ at you as you wring out your shirt. Knott's Berry Farm Vs Disneyland Comparison: Family Rides Both of these titans of the theme park world are ostensibly geared towards kids, though Disneyland definitely has the upper hand here, both in terms of pester-power, instantly recognizable characters and child-friendly attractions. In fact, the vast majority of rides and attractions here have no height restrictions, and many are even suitable for babies and toddlers. You’ll find these in every single zone, but particularly Fantasyland, which you’ll recognize straight away from the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle at its entrance. Inside, expect more nostalgic adventures based around your childhood favorites, including a cute flying Dumbo carousel, the Mad Hatter’s spinning teacups, and a meet and greet with Tinker Bell and her fairy friends in Pixie Hollow. Camp Snoopy is Knott’s Berry Farm’s main children’s zone, with kid-friendly coasters, miniature trains and carousels, primarily designed for children 36” and over. There’s also a chance to meet Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang. Some other attractions around the park, including the Calico Mine Ride, the Merry-Go-Round and Knott’s Bear-y Tales have no height restrictions and are great for families. Fast facts: Knott’s Berry Farm Tickets An All-Inclusive attraction pass from Go City includes general admission and saves you money when visiting multiple attractions in LA. Buy a 1, 2, 3 or 5-day pass to access as many attractions as you like in that time period, including the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, LA Zoo and Natural History Museum. You can also book tickets direct via the Knott’s Berry Farm website. Opening Hours The park generally opens daily at 10AM. Closing times vary by season. Check the calendar on the Knott’s Berry Farm website for the most up-to-date information. Getting There Knott’s Berry Farm is at 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 9062. There’s paid parking on site, or you can take a train to nearby Buena Park Metrolink station. More info on transport options here. Fast facts: Disneyland Tickets Browse ticket options and book direct on the Disneyland website. Opening Hours Hours vary throughout the year but Disneyland usually opens between 8AM and 10AM and closes between 10PM and midnight. View the calendar here. Getting There Disneyland is at 1400 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Get info on Disney-themed paid parking here. The park is also served by the Metro Express Line 460 bus from downtown LA and elsewhere, and there’s a Greyhound station about half a mile from the park, which connects to thousands of bus stations across the US. Save on attractions in Los Angeles Save on admission to Chicago attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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