city-skyline-los-angeles-downtown-california

Los Angeles Memorial Day Weekend

10+ fun things to do in May
By Katie Sagal

Summer in California is what dreams are made of, and there's a bevy of attractions just waiting for you. We've rounded up the best of the best, so you can focus on soaking up the sunshine.

Kick off the start of summer by taking advantage of some of the fun things to do in Los Angeles this Memorial Day Weekend. From attending a wine tasting oceanside to getting in some classic theme park fun, planning a memorable, fun-packed trip in LA is easy. If you’re looking for Los Angeles Memorial Day Weekend ideas, check out some of these local activities and events in Los Angeles in May, including...

  • Spend a day at Universal Studios Hollywood
  • Shark Frenzy at Pacific Park
  • Go on a whale watch cruise
  • Loop the loop at Knott's Berry Farm
  • Check out LEGOLAND California
  • and more...

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal

Universal Studios Hollywood

The most exciting thing to do this Memorial Day Weekend is to pay a visit to the region's best amusement park / working movie production studio - Universal Studios! Go behind the scenes and see where all the movie magic happens with a comprehensive studio tour. You'll love learning industry secrets and perhaps passing a few stars on their way to work!

Then, spend the next few hours enjoying the amazing attractions that Universal has to offer, from Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and The Walking Dead Attraction (new!). 

Getting In: Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are included on the Go City® Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass only.

Ride the Shark Frenzy at Pacific Park

aerial-view-santa-monica-pier-california

Ride the Shark Frenzy at Pacific Park

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is LA’s only admission-free amusement park, which offers 12 amusement rides, 14 midway games, an oceanfront food plaza, and beachside shopping. What better way to kick off the summer season than hopping on rides and indulging in some theme park classic fare?

This Memorial Day weekend take your turn on your favorite theme park rides or spend the day staying cool at a water park for a little family-friendly fun. Shark Frenzy is Pacific Park's new spin on the classic Tilt-a-Whirl ride. 

Getting In: Pacific Park Santa Monica tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.

Knott's Berry Farm

view-knotts-berry-farm-surroundings-sky

Knott's Berry Farm

Knott's Berry Farm is the country's first theme park, so it has a lot of heritage, but it also boasts a lot of new rides, too! Enjoy coasters, slides, and other exhilarating rides as you explore the park. It's a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the early summer sun.

Getting In: Knott's Berry Farm tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

six-flags-magic-mountain-amusement-park

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Classic theme park lovers won't want to miss out on L.A.'s outpost of the famous Six Flags franchise - Six Flags Magic Mountain. With nearly 20 world-class roller coasters and 100+ rides, games, and other attractions, you'll never run out of fun to pursue at this exciting park! For something different, check out the new Twisted Colossus ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain, a thrill-ride haven for adrenaline-seeking daredevils.

Getting In: Six Flags Magic Mountain is separately ticketed.

LEGOLAND® California

Legoland California
NINJAGO legal line: LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, the Minifigure, NINJAGO and LEGOLAND® are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2024 The LEGO Group.

LEGOLAND® California

For the younger crowd, head to LEGOLAND® California where kids will love the Star Wars™ displays and have a blast interacting with LEGO® friends in Heartlake City. See their favorite toys brought to life as they explore this distinctive park, featuring plenty of fun rides and attractions geared towards children 12 and under. 

Getting In: LEGOLAND California tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.

Watch the sun set over the ocean

sun-sets-between-pylons-newport-beach

Watch the sun set over the ocean

Can it get any more Californian than this? Visit one of Los Angeles' many beautiful beaches and enjoy a picnic or bonfire as you wait for the gorgeous sunset that's sure to come on this early summer night.

Some beaches that offer fire pits include Huntington City Beach, Point Mugu State Park, and Cabrillo Beach (which also boasts a delightful aquarium). And while you'll most likely have to pay for parking at any beach, your other costs are confined to picnic supplies and beverages, making this a really budget-friendly Memorial Day activity. 

Getting In: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is separately ticketed.

Go whale watching

humpback-whale-surfacing-while-feeding

Go whale watching

Take your L.A. Memorial Day Weekend out to sea and gain a newfound appreciation for the diverse sea life right off the coast of California when you spot whales, dolphins, and more in their natural habitats on a Whale Watch cruise.

Embark on a journey hosted by local experts in the whale-spotting business. This cruise will escort you out to a nearby marine sanctuary, where you can see a wide variety of ocean creatures, especially whales, including grey whales, giant blue whales, orcas, Minke whales, and the ever-popular humpback whales. 

Getting In: Whale Watch tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.

Enjoy some wine tastings

Barnsdall Park

Enjoy some wine tastings

A fan of some great artisan wines? Pop by Barnsdall Park to participate in their Friday-night wine tastings. It's practically a summer tradition in Los Angeles, and tickets are pretty moderately priced. Visit the event website for more details and to purchase tickets. This is a perfect event for adults and couples and is much more affordable for those on a budget. 

Getting In: Wine Tasting is separately ticketed.

Roam local festivals

For the festival lovers out there and those of you who delight in exploring a new city like a local, there are a lot of great Los Angeles area Memorial Day Weekend events to enjoy. From the artsy (and free!) Fiesta Hermosa (May 23 - 25, 2020) to the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, there are options to suit every taste. 

Getting In: Festivals are separately ticketed.

Take in a movie outdoors

Movie night

Take in a movie outdoors

Few things say summer as much as outdoor movie showings. In addition to being a ton of fun, they're inexpensive and often, free! This Memorial Day in Los Angeles, several different venues are hosting a wide variety of popular films, from Crazy, Stupid, Love to Save the Last Dance. Venues include the Autry Museum (in Griffith Park), Will Rogers State Historic Park, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and more. 

Getting In: Movies are separately ticketed.

MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street

Mainopoly

MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street

Eat locally at MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street, a party in Santa Monica in which Main Street transforms into an interactive Monopoly board game. "MAINopoly dollars" will be exchanged for food tastings in the area. There's even a "Go Directly to Jail" VIP lounge for attendees to enjoy a cocktail. Guests are also encouraged to dress in Monopoly-inspired attire. 

Getting In: MAINopoly is separately ticketed.

Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®  

There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in Los Angeles in May to help you plan your Memorial Day weekend itinerary. 

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. 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Things to do in Los Angeles at Night
Blog

Things to do in Los Angeles at Night

Ahoy there, traveler! Are you a creature of the night? Do you sleep all day and party all night? If so, check out our picks of the best things to do in Los Angeles at night, and make the most of your evening! Including: Ghost Hunting Tour of Chinatown Yoga on Huntington Beach A nighttime tour of LA by Star Track Two Bit Circus and more! Ghost Hunting Tour of Chinatown It's a nighttime blog, so let's kick things off with some spooky evening fun! Chinatown is one of the most popular districts of Los Angeles, and it's also seen its fair share of gruesome goings-on. So, why not follow in Jack Nichelson's footsteps and see what's really going on in Chinatown on this ghost-hunting tour? With a professional paranormal investigator in tow, you'll walk the streets, learn about the tools and tricks every paranormal investigator should use, and stop off every time their equipment starts popping off. Starting at the Chinatown Metro Station, you'll pass the cemeteries that were uncovered during the station's building. Next, you'll explore a nearby warehouse said to be haunted by its former employees. Next up is the neighborhood's oldest cottage, which has received claims of haunting for decades. If you can stomach the spookiness, this ghost-hunting tour is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles at night! Haunted Hollywood Walking Tour But wait, there's more! You thought one spooky tour of Los Angeles was enough? Think again. Hollywood is known for many things; the glitz and glamor, the A-list celebrities, the home of cinema, and more. But did you know it's also been the scene of many a grisly murder?! Shocking, we know. If you fancy seeing the sights and learning all about them, this haunted Hollywood walking tour should be top of your list of things to do in LA at night! Your fright-filled walk will take you down the Boulevard of Broken Dreams as you visit haunted landmarks aplenty. Hotels, theaters, and other landmarks where gruesome hijinks have taken place. And don't worry; you won't be alone. Your spook-certified guide will be right there with you, dropping knowledge bombs about each location like some kind of information exploder. Highlights include the Pantages Theatre, where Howard Hughes supposedly wanders the halls; the Knickerbocker Hotel, where Houdini put in his final performance; the Hollywood Sign, which has seen its fair share of violence; the Hollywood & Highland Complex, where both the Hollywood Ripper and Manson murders occurred; and finally the Roosevelt Hotel, where famous ghosts such as Marylin Monroe's are said to lie in wait. Spooky stuff, indeed! Yoga on Huntington Beach Now we're going to swiftly shift gears from outer spooks to inner peace. If you're longing to align your chakras, do a downward dog, and breathe in that sweet sea air on your Los Angeles vacation, why not do a beach-based yoga class? And don't worry; if you have a busy day, you can even do one during sunset. Interested? Head to LA's famous Huntington Beach for blissful views of Orange County's sunset while your certified teacher takes you through the steps, stretches, and poses. These classes are for all types, so if you're a seasoned stretcher or a yoga newb, you'll be welcomed with open arms. And, with a whole host of chakra-aligning activities to choose from, including yoga, pilates, and qigong, you're sure to find something to help you unwind - or prepare you for a night of fun. Huntington Beach's sun-kissed sands provide a picturesque setting for your class, creating a calming and mindful environment as the waves lap gently at the shore. So, why not take a load off and check it out? A nighttime tour of LA by Star Track Of course, not every tour of Los Angeles needs to be filled with spooks and shocks. You don't even need to use your legs. So, why not hop aboard one of Star Track's luxurious vehicles, and get an A-list tour of the City of Angels? Your tour vessel is fitted out with comfortable seats and massive TV screens that'll give you sweet morsels of information as you drive. Then, your driver/guide will take you on a rollercoaster of sightseeing wonder. You'll pass places from famous movie scenes and learn some behind-the-scenes gossip. You'll pass several celebrities' homes and, thanks to the TVs on board, you'll even see walkthroughs from inside said homes. Imagine yourself living there, and slap yourself and put such foolish ambitions to rest. Luck out, and you may even see some famous faces in their driveways as they stumble home from the latest celeb house party. So whose houses will you see? Well, you may have heard of them. Tom Cruise, anyone? How about Ellen DeGeneres? That's right, star chasers, and those are but two of the many homes you'll see on your travels from Hollywood Boulevard to Mulholland Drive. Two Bit Circus If the tour life just isn't for you, why not explore the digital delights that Los Angeles has on offer? At Two Bit Circus, you'll enter the virtual world to do battle with beasts, or just settle in for some classic arcade fun. Two Bit's piece de resistance is unarguably its Virtual Reality Playground, where state-of-the-art equipment will transport you to other realms, where possibilities are endless. Jump incredible distances, fight unimaginable horrors, and do it all with $30 credit on us. Or, if you'd rather stay in actual reality, hit the arcade to play some old-school cool like Pacman, or team up with a buddy on NBA Jam. Remember NBA Jam? Ah, simpler times. You can even dare to challenge one of their escape rooms. Oh, and there's a bar. Happy days. If you're looking for some digital evening fun, then Two Bit Circus is a must-visit, and one of the best things to do in Los Angeles at night! And those are our picks of the best things to do in Los Angeles at night! If you're looking for some daytime fun too, check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of LA's best bits for one low price!
Dom Bewley
Solo travel in Los Angeles
Blog

Solo Travel in Los Angeles

Doing whatever you want in L.A, whenever? Sign us up! Here are our top tips for planning an unforgettable solo trip in Los Angeles.
Katie Sagal
Best Markets in Downtown Los Angeles
Blog

Best Markets in Downtown Los Angeles

Are you heading to Los Angeles this year? Then you ought to check out the city's market scene. With a market for pretty much every need, you'll be well served! Today, we're talking about the best markets in LA's downtown district, so if you plan to stay in or around the area, this one's for you! From flower markets to farm-to-table grocers, we've got you covered. Including: Grand Central Market Downtown LA Farmer's Market Smorgasburg LA Wholesale Produce Market The Santee Alley ...and more! Best Markets in Downtown Los Angeles: Grand Central Market Hold on to your taste buds, because we're diving straight into a gastronomic wonderland. If you want nothing but the freshest fruit and veg, or some of the tastiest street food in the city, look no further than Grand Central Market. Taking up an enviable 30,000 square feet, it's one of the larger markets on this list. It's unsurprising, then, that it attracts plenty of food establishments from across the city to set up shop. Popular joints like Eggslut and Press Brothers have stalls where you can sample their culinary delights, but that just scratches the surface. Every cuisine under the sun is represented here under the sun, so go and see what other secrets await you at Grand Central Market. For foodies, it's one of the best markets in Downtown Los Angeles. Best Markets in Downtown Los Angeles: Downtown LA Farmers Market Even if you've never been to the Downtown Los Angeles Farmer's Market before, you may have seen it. A certain angry Brit is often there buying stuff on his cooking shows, so if you hear someone shouting expletives and spot a spikey mop of blonde hair, you'll know you're in the right place. But it's not just modern celebrities like Gordon Ramsey who have frequented the Downtown Los Angeles Farmer's Market. The Beatles, Marylin Monroe, and Frank Sinatra are just some of the many famous faces that have graced its stalls and halls. So, what brings all these recognizable people to the Downtown Los Angeles Farmer's Market? Well, it's likely the produce. Tons of family-run businesses set up shop here, offering top-quality, fresh produce to all who visit. If you live locally, or plan to stay in an Airbnb instead of a hotel, you won't find a better place to pick up ingredients. There are also recognizable brands like Starbucks there, if you need some creature comforts. Best Markets in Downtown Los Angeles: Smorgasburg If you're happy to hit up a market that only opens its doors once a week, then Smorgasburg is one of the best markets in Downtown Los Angeles. Just be prepared for crowds - after all, plenty of people likely have the exact same idea as you. If you do brave it, you'll find a market offering tons of food, drink, and a variety of specialty items collectors will die for. LA powerhouses like Baohaus, Daddy's Chicken Shack, and Big Mozz all have pop-up stalls at Smorgasburg, so your tastebuds are in for a treat. However, what's unique about Smorgasburg, and what makes it one of the best markets in Downtown Los Angeles, is that on every third Sunday of the month, the Record Fair and Vintage Market turns up. You'll find thousands of rare vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and merch for underground bands and artists. If you love discovering new talent, or just want to show off when they eventually blow up, then you owe it to yourself to go check it out. Best Markets in Downtown Los Angeles: LA Wholesale Produce Market Need a load of fresh produce in a pinch? Why go to a supermarket when you can get it fresh from the farm at the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market? Offering arguably the widest selection of locally-sourced produce in Downtown, it's a great place to buy early. If you arrive before today's produce is trucked in, you can get great deals on yesterday's produce they'll just throw out. So be savvy, set your alarm, and rise and shine for some sweet, sweet deals. Just be prepared to buy big - after all, it's a wholesale market. You'll need to buy in bulk - by the box. Best Markets in Downtown Los Angeles: The Santee Alley Calling all bargain hunters! Welcome to Santee Alley, where haggling is a sport, and finding a hidden gem is the ultimate victory. This bustling street market is like a maze of fashion chaos, and the perfect place to unleash your inner fashionista without maxing your credit cards. You'll find both recognizable labels and unique boutique items on offer, as well as handmade oddities from homebound seamsters. Fashion lovers will be in heaven, but really, you need to be prepared to barter. Every item has a hidden price, but you'll need to negotiate to get the best deal. If you don't have wheeling and dealing up your sleeve, prepare to pay a premium. Best Markets in Downtown Los Angeles: Original LA Flower Market And finally, if you're after flowers, then the Original Los Angeles Flower Market is a must-visit! Local florists, event planners, and flower enthusiasts flock to discover a wide array of flora. You'll find bunches of pretty much every flower imaginable here, from roses to chrysanthemums, and everything in between. Want to make a big impression on a first date? You know where to go. There's not much more to say, really. It's flowers. If you want or need flowers, this is your best bet. Just bear in mind that the Original Los Angeles Flower Market can get a little hectic on weekends. If you want to beat the rush of frothy-mouthed flower enthusiasts, best head there during the week. And those were our picks of the best markets in Downtown Los Angeles! If you're a local who wants some entertainment ideas, or on vacation and need some inspiration, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of LA's best bits for one low price!
Dom Bewley

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon