Relaxing Things to do in Los Angeles

Published: July 18, 2024
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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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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Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles - The Ultimate Tourist Guide for Your Trip

Los Angeles is more than just a party in the U.S.A. Once you've hopped off the plane at LAX, you'll soon discover that it's a modern, trendsetting city with diverse residents, a rich global culture, varying landscapes, excellent eats, and circa 300 days of sunshine a year. Whether you're traveling with kids in tow, planning a romantic getaway, meeting up with friends, or going solo, our travel guides have all the information you need to get into the Cali mindset and plan a memorable trip. From Hollywood thrills and outdoor activities to cultural explorations, Los Angeles has it all. So, here are some resources and helpful tips to help you enjoy Los Angeles. Popular Los Angeles attractions   Universal Studios Hollywood - The Entertainment Capital of L.A, it includes a full-day, movie-based theme park, and Studio Tour plus Universal CityWalk®, an entertainment, shopping, dining complex, and much more. Madame Tussauds Hollywood - Enjoy a carefree time posing with the lifelike Hollywood personalities on display at this iconic attraction. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood - Go behind the scenes at a Hollywood studio and ee how your favorite movies & TV shows are made. Hollywood Museum - The official museum of Hollywood has the most extensive collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world. Head over here for more Los Angeles attractions to see during your trip. How long are you visiting the City of Angels? Whether you're visiting Los Angeles for 24 hours or staying an entire week, we've put together sample itineraries that include all of the most popular things to do in the city. From all-around-town tours to popular theme parks and activities, these itineraries give you the best LA experience based on your length of stay. One Day in Los Angeles - sample itinerary 3 Days in Los Angeles - sample itinerary One Week in Los Angeles - sample itinerary California Road Trip - sample itinerary - San Diego to San Francisco Who's coming to L.A. with you? No matter who you're traveling with, there are a ton of fun things to do in Los Angeles, particularly for families. We've put together a list of top attractions and activities geared to young kids and teens to help you plan your trip. Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids Things to Do in LA for Teens What type of L.A. activities are you into? Whether you're planning on checking out all the top museums or you really just want to go behind the scenes and see the 'movie magic,' our LA locals put together a few 'best of' lists to help you decide what's worth adding to your itinerary. Best Hollywood Studio Tours Top Los Angeles Area Theme Parks Top Museums in Los Angeles Visiting Los Angeles on a budget Which parts of Los Angeles are you interested in visiting? Explore Los Angeles by neighborhood to make the most of your time sightseeing. We've highlighted a handful of top attractions and places to see by neighborhood in LA so you can maximize your time in each location. Los Angeles Neighborhoods Guide Things to Do in Hollywood What time of year is your L.A. trip? Los Angeles is a great city to visit year-round and offers a different experience to travelers with each season and type of weather. Check out our lists of things to do in the city throughout the year to make the most of your itinerary and experience unique, calendar-based LA happenings. Things to Do in Los Angeles in the Spring Things to Do in Los Angeles in the Fall Things to Do in Los Angeles in the Winter Things to Do in LA on a Rainy Day What's the best way to get around Los Angeles? L.A. is easy to navigate and there are tons of taxis and shared ride services available. Car: Renting a car is the most popular option for travelers.  Public transportation: the Metro Bus and Rail system is a convenient and affordable way to get around Los Angeles. Consider getting a Metro Day Pass for unlimited rides on the day of purchase. Tip: get the free moovit app for point-to-point trip planning and real-time updates for both subway and bus routes.  Taxis: taxis are available and easy to hail down and shared ride services such as Uber and Lyft are widely available and easy to use.  Hop-on hop-off tours: a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour (an included attraction option) is a great way to get acquainted with the city and see some popular attractions. Where should you stay in L.A? There are plenty of great places to stay in the area. Below are a handful of hotel suggestions located near popular tourist attractions and fun things to do. Hollywood Historic Hotel Hilton Checkers Hollywood Le Bon Hotel Sheraton Grand Los Angeles Hollywood Hotel-The Hotel of Hollywood Where are the best places to go shopping in L.A? In between sightseeing, try and find time to pick up some souvenirs. Here are a few popular areas to get some shopping in. Citadel Outlets Macy's The Grove Santa Monica Place Rodeo Drive Where to eat in Los Angeles Go on a tour of Los Angeles’ foodie scene with our top picks for family-friendly places to eat in Los Angeles. We’ve included top picks for every appetite so you can sightsee while you taste your way through Los Angeles’ culinary destinations. Fun info from an L.A. local   The Hollywood sign originally said “HOLLYWOODLAND” – its intended purpose was as a billboard marketing a housing development. Los Angeles is built on the third largest oil field in the country. There are more cars than people in L.A. Los Angeles has the largest number of female-owned businesses in the country. Beverly Hills was originally a Lima bean ranch. Share your adventure with us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we’ll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive competitions, special offers, and events to help you make the most of your travels.
Casey Makovich

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