Los Angeles in September

Published: July 18, 2024

There’s a lot to do in Los Angeles, especially in the fall. Though the West Coast may be lacking in scenic seasonal foliage, the area more than makes up for it with an exciting array of activities and events of all kinds. Explore the city on sightseeing tours, soak up culture at museums and galleries, or choose from the many free things to do. Trust us when we say that you’ll never be bored here - rather, you might struggle to fit it all in! Whether you’re a culture vulture, an artsy type, or a foodie, you’re sure to find something to pique your interest. Still daunted by the prospect of exploring a new city? Don’t worry, this L.A. bucket list is a good place to start, with a great mix of attractions and activities to keep you busy! Which classic fall L.A. activities will you try?

See the Sites

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When exploring a new city, it’s always a good idea to check out the local galleries. Thankfully, Los Angeles is chock-a-block with fantastic cultural institutions, ranging from the big hitters to fun speciality museums. Still, one of our favorites has got to be the Getty Center for its impressive and broad repository. Combining art, architecture and nature all into one, this popular visitor attraction really is a total must-see. Perched atop a hill in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, the establishment offers spectacular 360-views of the city. Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy one of the finest collections of artwork in the world - no really, we mean it! The Getty’s collection includes everything from historic manuscripts and Renaissance paintings to Baroque sculptures and 20th-century American photography. Highlights include Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece Irises, Rembrandt van Rijn’s joyful self-portrait Rembrandt Laughing, and the Center for Photographs. In addition, the Central Garden is a total sight to behold. A thoroughly unforgettable cultural experience, the Getty Center is perfect for those who are looking to incorporate a little education into their travel experience.

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As the bustling epicenter of the American entertainment industry, L.A. has long been a significant draw for pop culture lovers and creative types alike. Those who are looking to dive into all of the glitz and glam will have countless attractions to choose from, though few are quite as iconic as the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stretching for 1.3 miles down Hollywood Boulevard, this unique attraction draws in over 10 million visitors each year - and it’s easy to see why! Standing as one of Tinseltown’s most emblematic attractions, the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been representative of strong ambition, accomplishment and creative thought ever since its establishment way back in 1960. If you’re looking for the particular star of one of your favorite celebrities, we recommend using the Walk of Fame’s Star Search tool on their website to assist. As one of L.A.’s most beloved tourist hotspots, the Walk of Fame should rank high up on any first-timer’s itinerary.

Explore the City

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Los Angeles is a wonderful city comprised of countless different neighborhoods. Though L.A. has districts for almost every area of interest, we especially love Venice for its artistic nature and laid-back personality. Of course, one of the top visitor attractions of Venice has got to be its world-famous beach. September is a great time to grab a lounge chair and soak up the sun, since the weather will still be warm, whilst the crowds should have just died down - just remember to bring plenty of sunscreen and water! And whilst the area is known for its fantastic beach, that’s not all that there is to do here. Another popular tourist activity in the area is walking the Venice Canals. Nestled between the Venice Boardwalk and the Abbot Kinney, this quiet spot provides a scenic tour of some of the neighborhood’s most charming beach houses. In addition, Venice is home to some of the city’s quirkiest attractions, including The Mosaic House and Muscle Beach. With so much to see and do here, this place is a total crowd-pleaser.

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Another one of our favorite places to visit in Los Angeles in September is the Santa Monica Pier. A quintessential West Coast attraction, the Santa Monica Pier has been drawing in visitors from near and far since its establishment way back in 1909. This spot is great for those travelling in groups, since there is a lot of choice for exciting activities to choose from. One of the pier’s most popular attractions has got to be Pacific Park, an admission-free amusement park with lots of exciting rides, restaurants, stores and more. Another great stop is of course, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, which features over 100+ local marine life and animal species. Or, if you’re looking to just kick back and relax, we highly suggest checking out the Santa Monica Pier Farmers’ Market. Celebrating California’s rich agricultural heritage, this spot is widely known for purveying fresh fruit and veggies as well as some seriously delicious eats. Grab a bite and enjoy your food whilst watching the sun set over the Pacific - what could be better than that?

Try Something Unique

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As the entertainment capital of the world and home to the stars, Los Angeles presents countless places to catch a movie - and in many forms! Still, what better way to see a movie than set against California’s wonderful natural backdrop? With Street Food Cinema, spend time with your loved ones and watch the stars under the stars. This service is known for its impressive programming, with everything from new blockbusters and old classics to quirky indie movies to choose from. Don’t fill up before you head out because this place has lot of great food trucks serving up freshly-made dishes put together by local artisans. There are lounge chairs laid out to sit on, though we recommend bringing blankets to keep yourself warm if you’re going for a late-night show. With its laidback atmosphere and fun vibe, this is the perfect way to relax after a long day of exploring!

Fall in Los Angeles can be a wonderful time of the year. 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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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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One Day in Los Angeles Itinerary - Experience LA in a Day for Under $100

Traveling to California and only have one day in Los Angeles? Looking for just that perfect combination of must-see attractions to really make your trip shine? We’ve put together a sample one day in Los Angeles itinerary to help you make your travel plans, so you don’t need to worry about what to go and where to see with so little time on your hands. This one day itinerary includes: Hop-on Hop-off Los Angeles Tour Santa Monica Pier Aquarium 3rd Street Promenade (free!) Pacific Park - Santa Monica Pier Spending more time in Los Angeles? Take a peek at one of our sample 2 day or popular 3 day itineraries. Save on Attraction Admission Visit these top attractions and save up to 50% off vs. paying at the gate with a Go Los Angeles® Card. Remember, this one-day itinerary is just one of many ways to experience Los Angeles. 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. Stop #1: Hop-on Hop-off Los Angeles Bus Tour If you've only got one day in L.A., then a tour is an excellent way to see a full overview of the city without getting bogged down in the details. Starline Tours offers a hop-on hop-off option that gives you the flexibility to explore where you'd like, or just sit back and enjoy the narration. The entire route takes about two hours to ride straight through, so that might be your smartest bet if you want to fit the most into your one day. Some of the top attractions and sites you'll see on your ride include Rodeo Drive, 3rd Street Promenade, Fox Studios, and many more. The tour departs from and returns to the Santa Monica Pier, so you're right in the neighborhood for your next attractions, too. Getting In: Hop-on Hop-off Los Angeles Tour tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card Stop #3: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Image Credit: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is a must-see attraction in the Los Angeles area for nature and science lovers. Featuring nearly 100 different species that are all native to Santa Monica Bay, this interactive aquarium has so many fascinating creatures to examine. From eels and octopi to sharks and sea urchins, they’ve got it all. If you happen to visit on a Sunday, be sure not to miss out on the shark feeding and an informative presentation at the open-top shark exhibit. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. It’s only open in the afternoon, so post lunch is the perfect time to visit. Getting In: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Stop #4: 3rd Street Promenade (free!) This downtown Santa Monica destination is a must-see for visitors to the Los Angeles area. This is really the heart of downtown, filled with all the best shops, restaurants, and more. You can just stroll about, window shop, and people watch, or spend a bit of cash on that perfect souvenir. We recommend reserving about an hour to explore this neighborhood, perhaps more if you’re really interested in some shopping or drinks. Stop #5: Pacific Park - Santa Monica Pier This amusement park is conveniently located right on the Santa Monica Pier, so it’s the perfect end to your day in Santa Monica. Opened in 1916, this historic park is filled with classic rides and modern thrills. Take a spin on the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, whip around the iconic West Coaster--the only West Coast ocean front steel roller coaster--bounce around on Inkie's Wave Jumper, surf simulation ride, drop 9 stories on the Pacific Plunge, and more. They even have a bunch of arcade games for you to enjoy, from the classic “Wac-a-Mole” to the “Riptide Ring Toss.” It’s great fun for kids and adults alike. These arcade games do require additional costs. In order to maximize your one day in Los Angeles, just check in to this attraction before 5:30 and then you can stay as long as you’d like until closing! Getting In: Pacific Park - Santa Monica Pier tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Let’s Recap So there’s your perfect one day in Los Angeles. From Hollywood and the silver screen to the natural world and the historical fun of a good old-fashioned theme park, this day is sure to make you smile. With the Go Los Angeles Card you can save even more on included extras like dining and shopping!
Casey Makovich

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