Relaxing Things to do in Los Angeles

By Dom Bewley
Relaxing Things to do in Los Angeles

If you're looking for relaxing things to do in Los Angeles, you've come to the right place. From whale watching to yoga on a sandy beach, we've got you covered. Check out our picks of the best relaxing things to do in the city, and prepare for some much-needed R&R!

Including:

  • Fishing at Santa Monica or Venice Beach
  • Natural History Museum
  • Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour
  • Yoga on Huntington Beach
  • and more!
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Guided Pier Fishing at Santa Monica or Venice Beach

If you're looking for relaxing things to do in Los Angeles, why not choose a spot of fishing? If you're new to the area, or even new to fishing, you needn't worry. Join this guided fishing adventure, choose between Santa Monica or Venice Beach, and then go throw some hooks - or something.

Your guide is more of an instructor, and an experienced one at that. They'll bring all your gear and show you how to use it. If you're a seasoned fishing pro, show them how it's done. But don't be too adverse to picking up some new tricks.

Look out for fish, rays, and even sharks as you try to reel in a big catch.

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Natural History Museum

You can even travel back through time in a relaxing fashion. How, you may ask? Well, take a trip to Los Angeles' Natural History Museum and explore millions of years of history! If you're a history buff and looking for things to do in the city, it doesn't get much better than this.

Step inside the museum's doors, and you'll find one of the biggest collections of ancient artifacts on the planet. Dinosaur fans will be well-served thanks to the appropriately-named 'Dinosaur Hall', which exhibits 300 real dinosaur fossils, as well as 20 complete dinos of varying shapes and sizes for you to gaze at.

That's just one of the many amazing exhibits at LA's Natural History Museum, so why not take a relaxing stroll around the premises and see what else you'll find?

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Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour

If natural history isn't your thing, how about some very-much-alive nature? Yes, even in LA, you can go whale and dolphin watching. And, on this tour, you'll do just that. So, if you're looking for relaxing things to do in Los Angeles, this should be top of your list.

You'll hop on board a 65-foot double-decker ship, replete with sundeck, both indoor and outdoor seating, and a snack bar if you get hungry. Then, you'll take the waves to spot some freaking whales and dolphins! Get lucky, and you may spot any number of humpback whales, orcas, and even a blue whale if you're super lucky. You're also likely to see some dolphins, which is obviously awesome. Seals, too - this tour is the gift that keeps on giving!

If you're a fan of ocean life, book this tour right now.

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Aquarium of the Pacific

If you'd rather see underwater wonders up close and personal, take a relaxing trip to Los Angeles' Aquarium of the Pacific.

There's so much to see and do here; we'd recommend blocking out an afternoon in your vacation calendar to see it all. With over 100 exhibits to explore and 19 major habitats to walk through, you'll need all the time you can get!

Meet finned friends at Shark Lagoon, hang out with some penguins, and check out the Pacific Visions immersive cinema experience to see the ocean like never before. All that and much, much more await you at Aquarium of the Pacific.

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Yoga on Huntington Beach

Is there anything more relaxing than finding inner peace? How about doing it on a sunny Los Angeles beach? Align your chakras today at a yoga session on Huntington Beach!

Pick a morning or evening session and join an experienced yoga instructor as you downward dog your way to Nirvana. And what better setting than Huntington Beach? It's one of Orange County's finest.

Whether you're a seasoned stretcher or a complete newbie, all are welcome to this calm, mindful environment. Then, when you're done, you'll be in top shape to enjoy many of LA's more exhilarating attractions!

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Downtown LA Food and Culture Tour

Just because you're looking for relaxing things to do in Los Angeles doesn't mean you should ignore your belly! Take a day off your diet and explore LA's vibrant food culture on this tour of downtown!

You'll pass City Hall, The Music Centre, and The Walt Disney Concert Hall, plus hidden gems like The Last Bookstore. Make sure your phone has plenty of picture space! Then, try delicious morsels at the Spring Arcade Building food market and Grand Central Market.

Just make sure you bring some dollars so you can sample as much as possible! If you're looking for a great way to immerse yourself in LA's food culture, book a tour and get immersed!

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Rent a Beach Cruiser or Roller-Skates

And finally, how does a relaxing beach bike ride sound? Good? Why not rent a bike and take your time cycling around LA's serene sands? Or, if two wheels don't cut it, rent some roller skates instead!

The area is brimming with things to do and see. You can visit the historic Santa Monica pier and pass the homes of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Travel through Venice Beach and see all the weird and wonderful denizens of Los Angeles going about their day. Soak it all up, and then return your bike to Perry's Cafe and grab a coffee.

And hey, maybe a cake too. After all, you just burned off a ton of calories - why not treat yourself?

And those are our picks of the best relaxing things to do in Los Angeles! Of course, vacations aren't always about relaxing. So, if you want to hit up some of LA's more heart-thumping experiences in between your relaxation time, 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
Go City Travel Expert

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15+ Things to Do in Los Angeles with Teenagers During Your Trip

Family vacations are wonderful, but finding attractions that everyone will love can be a challenge. Especially when you’ve got teens in the mix! How do you find something that keeps them entertained and sees them spending time with the whole family? Fortunately, we’re here to help you out. If you’re looking for things to do in Los Angeles with teenagers, check out this list of our favorite teen-friendly activities, including... Universal Studios Hollywood Knott's Berry Farm Six Flags Magic Mountain Madame Tussauds Hollywood Long Beach Whale Watch K1 Speed Indoor Go Karting Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Aquarium of the Pacific L.A. Zoo and more... Immerse yourself in the world of Universal Studios Hollywood  The whole family can agree that Universal Studios Hollywood is a must-visit destination in Los Angeles. They’ve got attractions to appeal to the whole family, such as thrilling rides like TRANSFORMERSTM: The Ride-3D, and many more. There are plenty of other franchise-based attractions, too, like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You're bound to find something your teens love! Another central feature of the Universal experience is their famed Studio Tour, which escorts guests behind the scenes of one of the world’s most prolific movie studios. Please note: Admission is only available on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass and can only be used on a single day during the duration of the pass. Meet celebrities at Madame Tussauds Hollywood If all your teen does is gush over celebrities, visiting Madame Tussauds Hollywood will be a real treat. Get a few awesome photos with your favorite stars and craft that perfect Instagram snap for your friends at home. You'll find famous figures organized throughout multiple exciting exhibits, including themes like movie characters, pop stars, and sports icons. Who wouldn't love the chance to meet some of the most famous people in the last few years? After all, a wax replica of Beyoncé is probably the closest most of us will come to meeting the real deal! The Kylie Jenner figure is a must-see for fans of the Kardashian clan. Sculpted to represent the reality star in her custom-made Balmain gown from the 2016 Met Gala, this figure is so realistic it actually fooled her fans. Indulge your love of Hollywood It’s hard to avoid celebrity culture when you’re visiting L.A., so why not embrace it? There are plenty of amazing attractions that will keep your teen enthralled as you explore the world of Hollywood stardom, from a fascinating visit to the Hollywood Museum to a comprehensive movie star homes tour. Or, you could opt for a fun Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes walking tour that highlights many of the Hollywood hotspots and historic sites, from the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre to the Hollywood sign. Enjoy L.A.'s other amazing theme parks If Universal Studios Hollywood isn’t enough to quench your theme park thirst, then bring the kids to one of the many other amazing theme parks in the Los Angeles area. From the charming, old-school style of Pacific Park to the always exciting Knott’s Berry Farm (which also has a sister water park!), there are so many choices. Another local favorite is the fantastic Six Flags Magic Mountain, featuring a wide variety of thrill rides and other entertainment. Getting in: Knott's Berry Farm is included on the Go City® All-Inclusive Pass. Get out on the water California's coast is teeming with stunning marine life, so don't waste the opportunity to get the teens outdoors and onto a boat trip to spot these beautiful creatures! Join a Whale Watch tour to get up close to orca whales, humpback whales, fin whales, minke whales, and sperm whales. They can be seen year-round engaging in lunge feeding, breaching, fluking, and more. You might even spot bottlenose and Pacific white-sided dolphins and California sea lions, harbor seals if you're lucky! Get wild on indoor karts Let the kids race each other for the title of best go-kart driver at an exhilarating indoor kart racing facility operated by K1 Speed Indoor Go Karting. Get a feel for some of the newest and best kart technology out there as you all enjoy riding laps with K-1 Speed’s new European electric karts. State-of-the-art scoring technology will make you feel like you’re in a real kart race, too! And don't worry, parents, even if they don't have their driver's license yet, it's totally safe for them to operate these karts. Kind of like practice for the real thing! Explore famous movie studios If your teens loved the Universal Studios Hollywood experience and are looking for more movie action, you're in luck. Hollywood is chock full of famous studios with movie lots to tour, including the iconic Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and the family-favorite Sony Pictures Studio Tour. Warner Bros. is an especially fun experience because you'll be essentially walking through a working studio, which is something cinematically inclined teens will love. Encounter aquatic animals Animal-loving teens will find much to enjoy about Los Angeles. Aquatic creatures abound at the delightfully interactive Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (which is located in a fun neighborhood to explore). For those who want to focus exclusively on the vast array of sea life found in the Pacific Ocean, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a sure bet. If your teen prefers the fuzzy over the scaly, then a visit to the L.A. Zoo in Griffith Park is a great option. Featuring over 1,000 different creatures from around the globe, in addition to more than 7,000 different plants in the Botanical Garden, this is an unbeatable attraction in Los Angeles. Battleship Iowa museum Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City® There you have it. Our list of some of the top things to do in Los Angeles with teenagers during your upcoming trip. Consider adding a few of these teen-friendly options to your vacation itinerary. Enjoy! With an All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, you can visit both attractions for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you could save up to 50% on all your Los Angeles must-sees. Or pick an Explorer Pass, if you've chosen your fave and have a specific bucket list you're dreaming of ticking off. Whichever Los Angeles attraction pass you pick, it'll help you make the most of your trip! ☀️ Compare Los Angeles passes ☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️  
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Best Nature Spots in Los Angeles

Are you heading to Los Angeles on vacation but don't want to spend all your time in the city? Fortunately, there are plenty of nature spots in and around LA. While on vacation in Los Angeles, make sure to soak up the beautiful weather and spend some time in the great outdoors. There are so many fun attractions that involve being outside in the best nature spots in Los Angeles, including... LA Zoo Santa Monica Beach Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour Whale Watching and Dolphin Cruises Hollywood Hills Hike by Hikes & Bikes LA Sunset Cruise by Newport Landing And many more! LA Zoo Santa Monica Beach Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour Perry’s Beach Café and Rentals Another great opportunity to spend some time outdoors is Perry's Beach Café and Rentals. It has been a part of the beach scene in Los Angeles for over 35 years. Rent a mountain bike or skates for the entire day from Perry's, then head to the beachside café for a bite to eat after biking or skating. You can explore the Santa Monica beach, Venice Beach, and Venice Canals by bike. Start as early as you wish and bike all day. There is so much to see around here and you never know what you might come across. It's a great way to travel and explore the area – the canals are beautiful and close by. Whale Watching and Dolphin Cruises Hollywood Hills Hike by Hike & Bike LA The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Garden The Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Garden has been in operation since 1919 and has a foundation in conservation, to protect the art, books, manuscripts, and other materials. It is an institution that has collection-based research and serves scholars, as well as the general public. Plus, it's home to a massive 8 million manuscripts, over 400,000 reference books, over 400,000 rare books, and over 700,000 pictures. The Huntington Art Collection collection spans over 500 years. It displays sculptures, decorative art, and drawings, and hosts temporary exhibits focusing on masterworks. Sunset Cruise by Newport Landing Save on admission to LA attractions So there you go! There are plenty of outdoor attractions that allow you to make the most of the beautiful LA weather. We hope you consider adding a few of these LA attractions to your vacation itinerary. Also, why not make the most of the sunshine and take a day trip out of the city? Check out our best day trips from LA guide for some ideas. Remember, using your pass for Los Angeles means you can save on admission vs gate price. Be sure to share your snaps with us on Instagram and Facebook and follow @GoCity for top tips and itineraries.
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Best LA attractions for thrill-seekers

If you're on your way to LA and making plans for what to do there, let us help you out. We've compiled a list of some of the top Los Angeles attractions for thrill-seekers – there's much more to Los Angeles than Disneyland and Universal Studios. (Although these are great attractions, too!) Many of these popular attractions are perfect for the thrill-seekers and roller coaster fans in your group. However, most of these LA attractions also have family-friendly rides and activities for children. With a little planning and preparation, you and your whole family will have a fun-filled vacation. Check out our guide to the top LA attractions for thrill-seekers, including... Knott's Berry Farm Pacific Park Six Flags Magic Mountain Knott's Soak City Waterpark Universal Studios Disneyland and much more! Knott’s Soak City Waterpark Cool down at Knott’s Soak City Waterpark on one of their 23 speed, tube, and body slides –or all 23! The Shore Break slide provides a floor dropping, heart stopping good time through the entire seven story ride. There's also a 75,000-gallon wave pool, 200 water guns, and other toys available. And when you're ready to relax, the Lazy River will be waiting for you. After you've worked up a good appetite, you have the choice between a pizza joint and a grill. Hurricane Harbor If you're looking for some more water adventures, Hurricane Harbour might just be the place for you. Travel down the Tornado’s 132 foot tunnel, and ride Reptile Ridge through its twisted routes. Then, jet through the Black Snake Summit’s twists and turns, and hold your breath as the Bonzai Pipelines’ trapdoor disappears from beneath your feet sending you on a six-floor drop. Try to stay afloat in the wave pool, dine on some delightful dishes, or relax in a private cabana. On Fridays, chill out at the dive-in theater. Universal Studios Universal Studios Hollywood has something for everyone. Film buffs will experience movies like never before. With behind-the-scenes tours, authentic stunt and special effects shows, dining at Hogsmeade and trying some Butterbeer, surviving the Walking Dead, and shopping to your heart’s content, you will have an unforgettable time. As if the room full of walkers isn't scary enough, thrill-seekers can hop on some 3D rides that will send your heart racing. You might also meet dinosaurs, Transformers, and more along the way. Don’t forget that there is plenty of family fun, too, including kid-friendly rides and character encounters. You might even find Shaggy and Scooby hiding with a snack! As there is so much to see and do at this attraction, check out our Universal Studios Hollywood guide to make the most of your visit. Disneyland No Los Angeles trip can be considered a vacation without a visit to see Mickey! Check out the ghost-infested Haunted Mansion, meet the beauties behind the crowns, and make your child’s Disney-dreams come true with a royal makeover. Be wowed by the pyrotechnical splendor of Mickey’s Fantasmic battle. Dine in the beautiful and quaint Victorian restaurant, Plaza Inn. For the space lovers out there, Tomorrowland and the fabulous Star Wars characters will make your day. And do not forget to check out the beautiful Disneyland Forever fireworks show, or the enlightening Main Street Electrical Parade. Save on admission to LA theme parks With so many great activities, how do you choose which ones to do? Admission to many of these attractions is included with Go City®.
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