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10+ Things to Do in Los Angeles in Winter

Christmas events and beyond

Southern California is one of the best places in the world to visit during the winter months. The temperature is mild but there’s still guaranteed sunshine. Here's our guide to the best December and January events in Los Angeles.

While seeing snow (on the ground, rather than on the snow-capped mountains on the horizon) is highly unlikely in L.A., there are still lots of seasonal activities and things to do during the Los Angeles winter, from big-budget theme park attractions to relaxed exploring.

We put together a list of our favorite things to do in Los Angeles in winter to help you plan the perfect winter itinerary. Check out our list of the best holiday activities and attractions for ideas!

Want to save money on those bucket-list attractions? 

Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect! Please note: some of these special winter events may be separately ticketed and not included on Go City Los Angeles passes.

☀️Compare Los Angeles passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ 

 

Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood™

Grinchmas

Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood™

Bring your friends and family to celebrate the Who- lidays! Celebrate the Who-lidays (from late November to early January) in the whimsical world of Grinchmas and experience Christmas at Hogwarts in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (dates TBC). The holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood are all about creating lasting memories.

Get into the spirit, dine on seasonal eats, enjoy the park decked out in holiday decor, and experience exclusive holiday festivities like the nightly snowfall in Hogsmeade and the dazzling light show featuring the Hogwarts castle as a backdrop. 

Getting in: Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are included with the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive pass only. Most Grinchmas events are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain

six-flags-magic-mountain-amusement-park

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Where: Six Flags Magic Mountain 

When: Select dates, November - December

Test your fear of speeds, heights, twists, and turns on the many roller coasters and thrill rides at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and check out Holiday in the Park events to see the park transformed into a winter wonderland! Comprising beautiful festive lights, fun activities, live performances, and visits with Santa, Six Flags’ holiday transformation is truly magical.

The plaza is known as Holiday Square over the festive season, with hundreds upon hundreds of glittering lights, winter ‘snowfall’, and festive carolers. You can also enjoy musical performances and dance numbers with a holiday theme, and, of course, pay a visit to Santa and Mrs. Claus with their merry elves! 

Getting in: Six Flags Magic Mountain is separately ticketed. Holiday at the Park activities are included with admission unless noted otherwise.

Knott’s Berry Farm

view-knotts-berry-farm-surroundings-sky

Knott’s Berry Farm

Where: Knott's Berry Farm 

When: Select dates November through January 

Note: The park is closed on Christmas Day.

Knott’s is the place to be this time of year if you’re a Peanuts fan. From a charming Snoopy ice show to photo ops with all the animated favs, the whole family will be delighted by this holiday experience.

Visit the park to see the classic Holiday Ice Show featuring Snoopy and other members of the Peanuts Gang (select dates), a nightly tree lighting ceremony, Santa's Christmas Cabin, traditional carolers, the streets of Calico decked out for the holidays, and even a nightly snowfall. It's the perfect way to indulge in festive cheer in the heart of L.A. 

Getting in: Knott's Berry Farm tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes and holiday events and activities are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Aquarium Holidays at the Aquarium of the Pacific

aquarium of the pacific

Aquarium Holidays at the Aquarium of the Pacific

When: Weekends from December

Missing the snow this holiday season? Be sure to head to the Aquarium on the weekends in December and check out the snow play area set up on the front lawn!

You'll get to enjoy festive decorations, daily Penguin parades, free viewings of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, ‘snowfall’ in the Great Hall, a special holiday menu in Cafe Scuba, and daily appearances by a Santa Diver in the large tank! 

Getting in: Aquarium of the Pacific tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes and Aquarium Holidays events are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

LA Zoo Lights

Where: Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Garden 

When: November 16 through January 6; 6-10 pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day)

This is a fun one for the whole family. See the Los Angeles Zoo transformed into a wild Winter Wonderland, complete with dazzling animals constructed from hundreds of lights and other fanciful materials, and innovative displays combining lights, water, and accompanying tunes. You’ll also get a chance to meet Santa on select dates, interact with a few reindeer, and enjoy festive holiday cookies and other great treats, and the intrigue-inducing disco-beam forest is not to be missed. Come here for some lovely seasonal fun that won't break the bank. 

Getting in: Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Garden tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes, however, Zoo Lights activities are separately ticketed.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

WB studios

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Want to see more behind-the-scenes Hollywood magic? Head down to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, complete with the chance to get on the set of hit television shows like The Big Bang Theory and The Ellen Degeneres Show.

What’s more, if you’re lucky, you might even see some celebrities on set. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour also includes a 10-million item prop department, the tallest sound stage in the nation, and a ride through the back lots where you’ll see some well-known outdoor sets from some of the world’s most beloved sitcoms. 

Getting in: Warner Bros. Studio Tour tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.

Sony Pictures Studios Tour

Get the real experience of a working studio on a 2-hour guided tour of Sony Pictures Studios. You'll see historic sound stages from the Yellow Brick Road and Emerald City to the blockbuster Spider-Man movies. Your tour may even swing by a smash-hit game show ‘Jeopardy!’ or ‘Wheel of Fortune.’ It's a great opportunity to see more of the celebrity culture, the creativity behind the movie industry, the history of Hollywood, and the work that goes into creating your favorite movies and shows. 

Getting in: Sony Pictures Studios Tour tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.

Be in the audience at a live taping

After you tour a studio, complete the LA experience by attending a live taping of one of your favorite shows. Through companies including IOTA and On Camera Audiences, you could get tickets to live tapings of shows like Conan, ESPN SportsNation, Jimmy Kimmel, and The Wheel of Fortune in Los Angeles: 

Be sure to plan well in advance and arrive early as many shows sell out fast and seats are not always guaranteed, even with a ticket!

Get ready for the Academy Awards

Dolby theatre tour

Get ready for the Academy Awards

With the Academy Awards approaching, there’s no better place to be than Hollywood. Taking the stage where world-famous celebrities will undoubtedly be standing on the night of the Oscars is one of the best ways to gear up for the show. With a Dolby Theater Tour, you’ll have VIP access to the famous five-level theater where the Academy Awards take place each year and where you can walk down Hollywood's memory lane and see images of famous Oscar winners like Jack Nicholson and Grace Kelly on display. 

Getting in: Dolby Theater Tour tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.

Scope out the museum scene

LA is home to lots of fascinating, world-class Los Angeles area museums, ideal for exploring when it's chilly or raining outside (a rare occurrence in this sun-soaked city).

For the full Hollywood experience, if you’re a movie buff should check out the famous Hollywood Museum to learn all about movie production, filmmaking technology, the legacy of Tinseltown, and more before heading to Madame Tussauds to pose for souvenir photos with your favorite celebrities.

For a more educational museum experience that you won't find in many other cities, the Museum of Tolerance features unique exhibits that explore issues of tolerance, prejudice, discrimination, the legacy of the Holocaust, and contemporary human rights issues.

Japanese American Museum, located in the heart of Little Tokyo downtown, is internationally recognized for its dedication to examining America's ethnic and cultural diversity.

Natural History Museum

Or, choose a visit to the Natural History Museum, home to real dinosaur fossils, an extensive collection of natural gems and minerals, and ancient Latin American archeological artifacts

Science fans will enjoy visiting the excavation site at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, one of the world's most famous Ice Age excavation sites where you can see scientists and volunteers preparing fossils for examination.

Watch a winter sunset

sunset-sun-dipping-into-pacific-ocean

Watch a winter sunset

Vivid sunsets are commonplace during the Los Angeles winter. Take advantage of the miles of unobstructed views along the coastline for some of the best sunset views around. Some of the best LA spots to watch winter sunsets include Griffith Observatory, Hermosa Beach Pier, Dockweiler State Beach (bring a camera to get a photo of the sunset over the famous shipwreck that washed up onto the shore), and Terranea Bluff Top Park.

Make a day of it and head to Santa Monica Pier for thrill rides and quintessential boardwalk fun at Pacific Park and then visit the sea life at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium before watching the sun set over it all, creating a postcard-worthy vista.

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. 

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Los Angeles in February

A quintessential West Coast city, Los Angeles showcases a fantastic mix of urban cool and wonderful natural beauty. There are countless things to do there for all types of travellers - no really, we mean it! Whether it’s viewing world-class art at The Broad or checking out the charming penguins at the Aquarium of the Pacific, you’re sure to find something to keep you busy! February is also a great time to visit since there should be smaller crowds and cooler, more comfortable weather for seeing the sights. We recommend bringing a light jacket, since it temperatures can dip in the evening time. Still need help planning your priorities for things to do in Los Angeles? Then you’ve come to the right place! Have a read through our list of the best things to check out in the City of Angels for February. We promise you won’t be disappointed! Hit the Classics Those looking for art and culture in L.A. won’t have to search very far. As the undisputed cultural capital of the West Coast, Los Angeles is bursting with fantastic museums of all kinds. From the big hitters to small speciality institutes, creative types exploring L.A. will have their pick of some of the best museums in the U.S. of A.. Still, The Broad has got to be one of our favorites for its impressive repository as well as its iconic structure. As one of the most Instagrammable buildings in downtown L.A., the building is well-recognized for its unique honeycomb-like facade and dimpled interior. Inside, visitors can enjoy a fantastic collection of contemporary and modern works, featuring over 200 artists. Highlights include Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog, Andy Warhol’s Single Elvis, and Roy Lichtenstein’s I...I’m Sorry! In addition, the museum is known for housing Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room, an immersive and enchanting starfield to capture your imagination. A thoroughly one-of-a-kind cultural experience, this spot is a total must-see. You can’t visit Tinseltown without learning more about its unique creative heritage. As one of the must-see sights in Los Angeles, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of filmmaking. In fact, this spot is actually recognized as the largest museum of its kind in the world. The institute’s incredible collection is comprised of over a whopping 13 million objects, including film reels, props, costumes, and much more. The museum works to cover artefacts from all types of genres and time periods, so there’s a lot to be discovered here. Highlights include Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, the typewriter used to write the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and the only surviving shark mold from Jaws. In addition to the institute’s permanent collection, the Academy also hosts film premieres. A total dream for cinephiles, this spot is sure to fascinate. Find Fun Activities As the epicenter of the entertainment industry and home to the stars, Los Angeles has countless experiences to offer for pop culture lovers and artsy types alike. If you’re a seasoned visitor to L.A. and are looking for something new past the Hollywood Walk of Fame, we recommend checking out the Grammy Museum for its unique collection dedicated to the history and significance of American music. A fantastic stop for all music lovers, the institute works to provide a great look into the background of the Grammys through engaging and educational exhibits. Though young, the museum’s collection is no doubt impressive, with historical awards, remarkable costumes, and instruments to take your breath away. In addition, there are immersive instrument stations and recording stations to enhance the experience. Visitors can also catch educational talks, concerts, performances and film screenings at the Grammy Museum’s 200-seat theater. As fun as it is interesting, this spot is totally worth the trip. If you’re looking for a fun day trip, why not check out the Aquarium of the Pacific? Opened in 1998, this enchanting aquaspace offers a rich collection of wildlife native to the Pacific. Enjoy underwater life from a collection of over 11,000 animals representing over 500 species. The oceanarium houses everything from colorful reef fish and friendly sea turtles to unique jellyfish and charming penguins. Get up-close encounters with some of your favorite animals, including seals, sea lions, sting rays and even sharks! Enjoy a wide variety of talks, exhibitions and demonstrations and learn more about the natural world. The perfect stop for all nature lovers, this stop works well to provide a glimpse of the underwater world. Try Something Different If you’re looking for something a little bit different, don’t worry - we’ve got you covered! Located in Culver City, The Museum of Jurassic Technology seeks to preserve, present and interpret artefacts from the earliest era of the Jurassic Period. Though the institute is small, its collection is well worth seeing, with an impressive mixture of artistic, ethnographic and historic items to be enjoyed. Visitors can expect to see everything from folk remedies from around the world to a room dedicated to the string game of Cat’s Cradle. Don’t forget to check out the institute’s Georgian-style tea room, where you can meet the museum’s founder David Hildebrand Wilson and talk over the collection. A thoroughly one-of-a-kind educational experience, this spot is not to be skipped out on! A Los Angeles wintertime getaway is a unique experience well worth considering. Though the city cools down around this time of the year, it never runs out of exciting things to see and 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
Blog

Week in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a fantastic sprawling metropolis with its own unique character. Boasting an endless list of top tourist attractions, fun things to do, and points of interest to explore, it’s no wonder why the city ranks so high on many peoples’ travel bucket lists. With the perfect mix of quirky chaos and laidback bliss, the city never falls short of great things to see and do. And whilst one week might not seem like enough time to experience all that L.A. has to offer, with the right planning you’re sure to have a blast! Still daunted by the prospect of visiting a new city? Don’t worry - you’ve come to the right place! From must-see sites to cool hidden gems, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do in the city. Day 1 - Hit the Beach What better way to kick off a vacation in Los Angeles than by hitting the beach? Whilst there are countless great beaches in the city, one of our favorites has got to be White Point/Royal Palms for its exceptional beauty and panoramic views. The area was first discovered by Spanish explorers way back in 1770, and has since become a popular nature attraction for locals and tourists alike. Today, visitors can enjoy sea life in its natural habitat at the site’s wonderful tide pools. Along the shore, you’ll be able to view sea stars, hermit crabs, anemones, and other fantastic marine creatures. Be sure to time your visit for when the tide is out so you can avoid getting wet! Other popular activities to do here include swimming, surfing, scuba diving and more. There is also a children’s playground and small park at the top of the bluff. We recommend staying until dusk, so you can watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Day 2 - Get Cultured True to its reputation for innovation and creative thought, Los Angeles is home to some of America’s finest cultural institutions. For those who are having trouble choosing between some of the city’s best art museums to visit within the short space of a week, we recommend checking out the LAMCA. Founded in 1961, the institute is recognized as the largest of its kind in the western United States. Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy an impressive and expansive collection featuring over 150, 000 works. The repository spans from ancient times right through to the present day, so you know that there’s a lot to see here. Highlights include Andy Warhol’s famous Cambell Soup paintings, some of Picasso’s best works, and the Urban Light installation. A thoroughly fantastic cultural experience, this one is not to be missed! Day 3 - Explore Nature With all of the glitz and glam, it’d be pretty easy to overlook one of L.A.’s most desirable attributes - its wonderful natural beauty. Still, we don’t recommend making a trip to such a startling beautiful area without checking out some of its most fantastic nature parks. Standing out as one of our favorites, Descanso Gardens is a 150-acre botanical park located just a short drive from downtown. This natural treasure offers the perfect break from the city complete with gleaming ponds, flower gardens and trailing forests. Reconnect with nature and amble through the park’s wide collection of fruit orchids, or explore its magnificent oak woodlands. This spot is also home to the largest concentration of camellia plants in the Western Hemisphere. And if you’re an animal lover, you’re just in luck! The park is also known for its incredible biodiversity, with over 100 species of birds, as well as turtles, deer, bobcats - and even the occasional bear. The perfect spot for all nature enthusiasts, this picturesque oasis provides the perfect way to spend a sunny day in Los Angeles. Day 4 - Head to the Museum Los Angeles solidified its position at the very center of the world entertainment industry long ago. Today, visitors can learn more about how L.A. came to be known as the city of fame and fortune through a number of its most prized institutions. Inaugurated in 2021, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures stands out as one of the city’s top visitor attractions dedicated to the history, technology and artistry of the American film industry. It is the first large-scale museum of its kind in the United States, and certainly one of the most impressive. Though the institute is young, its repository is remarkable, with over 13 million objects to be enjoyed. Highlights include Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, the typewriter used to write Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and the only surviving shark model from Jaws. Combining the fun with the educational, this stop is a total dream for all cinephiles. Day 5 - Spend a Day at the Pier If you’re looking to experience the true nature of the city, we recommend making a trip to the Santa Monica Pier. Vibrant and bustling with life, this historic L.A. attraction is packed with a whole myriad of fun things to see and do. Perhaps one of its most beloved hotspots has got to be Pacific Park, an admission-free theme park with world-class entertainment, fantastic restaurants, shopping, and much more. But if rides aren’t quite your scene, we suggest checking out the Heal the Bay Aquarium. With over 100+ local marine and animal species, this spot provides a fascinating glimpse into underwater life. In addition, the pier has long served as a popular spot for deep sea fishing for both amateurs and seasoned anglers alike. Its fishing decks grant spectacular views of the Pacific whilst allowing visitors great access to some of the best catches in the area. A total crowd-pleaser, this spot surely won’t disappoint. Day 6 - See the Hollywood Sign Of course, a trip to Los Angeles just wouldn’t be the same without checking out the Hollywood Sign. Standing as a global symbol of glamor and ambition, this spot has been enchanting visitors way back since its completion in 1923. To get the best views, we suggest heading over to The Griffith Observatory - though you can’t get up close to the famed landmark, you can get great views and take photos from afar. We recommend staying until dusk, so you can watch the sun set over the sign. We couldn’t think of a better way to end a week in Los Angeles! Culturally-rich, exciting and bursting with life, Los Angeles really has it all! From famed historical landmarks and nature parks to brilliant cultural institutions, a week should be just enough to provide a real slice of the L.A. life. 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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