Things to do in Los Angeles for Birthday

Published: July 18, 2024

There are countless great ways to celebrate your birthday in Tinseltown. No really - we mean it! Offering the perfect mix of vibrant chaos and bohemian chill, there’s a little something for everybody here. From catching your favorite comedians live on the Sunset Strip to soaking up the views of the city at the Griffith Observatory, L.A. is the place to celebrate in style. Whether it’s your 18th or your 50th, there’s sure to be something to pique your interest and make this milestone something to remember. Still having trouble narrowing down your options? Don’t fear! Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering, a big birthday bash or a fun treat for yourself, we’ve got you covered with the very best that the city has to offer. Have a read through our list of some of the best birthday activities in Los Angeles! No matter how you decide to celebrate in the City of Angels, we’re sure you’ll have a blast!

Image of Urban, Club, Glasses, Night Club, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Female, Woman, Boy, Child,

Have a Laugh

How about getting older with some friends and spending the night at the comedy club? As the entertainment capital of the world, of course Los Angeles is home to some of the best comedy spots in the world - from highly-acclaimed venues to hole-in-the-wall dives, the city pretty much has it all. If you’re looking for familiar faces trying out some of their newest side-splitting material, we suggest heading over to the Sunset Strip. Running right through the center of West Hollywood, this emblematic 1.5-mile stretch is home to some of the best clubs in America. Some of our favorite places include Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store and Hollywood Improv. Or, if you want a more laid-back atmosphere, we recommend checking out the smaller clubs in Silver Lake and Koreatown. In these spots, you’re more likely to stumble across up-and-coming talent, quirky drag acts, sketch shows and more. Vibrant and fun, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a night out on the town in Los Angeles.

Image of Vehicle, Yacht, Boat, Nature, Outdoors, Sky, Horizon, Ferry,

Take a Trip

If you’re looking for something a little different to celebrate your special day - don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Offering the perfect day trip with a hit of escapism, Catalina Island is one of Southern California’s most underrated hidden gems. Catch the Catalina Express from Long Beach to make your way over to this convenient location set about 30 miles just off the coast of California’s mainland. Billed as the ‘’Hidden Paradise in Southern California’’, this spot has much to offer all types of travellers. The city’s main tourist hub is Avalon, which boasts great shopping and unbeatable dining, as well as some of the island’s top attractions. Some of our favourites include Catalina Island Museum, Lover’s Cove and Catalina Casino. The island is also a great spot for nature lovers, with stunning palm-fringed beaches and exciting adventure activities to choose from. Try testing your bravery by ziplining over Descanso Beach, or hiking across the island’s mountainous coastline. A thoroughly brilliant excursion, this charming island is the epitome of fun and relaxation.

Image of Countryside, Hill, Nature, Outdoors, Mountain, Mountain Range, Peak, Slope, Scenery, Landscape,

Spend the Day in Nature

If you feel like a physical and mental challenge to prove that you’re just as young as you were yesterday, head over to Griffith Park where you’ll find magnificent slopes and scenic, pristine trails for miles. Covering over 4,000 acres, this fantastic emblematic greenspace is known for being one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States. Of course, there’s a whole lot to see and do here, though one of the most popular activities has got to be walking the trails which provide panoramic views of the iconic Hollywood Sign. Keep your eyes peeled en route, since the attraction is home to a wide array of wildlife - visitors can expect to see everything from foxes and deer to bobcats and even the occasional mountain lion! Aside from the park’s popular hiking trails, this spot is also home to some great Los Angeles attractions. Standing out as one of our favorites, the Greek Theatre is a great place to enjoy concerts and performances set against the natural backdrop of Los Angeles. And if that doesn’t quite take your fancy, head over to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens at the northeast corner of the park to see some furry (or slimy friends). You can even see remnants of the Old Los Angeles Zoo which shut way back in 1966 on the east side of the park. Complete with abandoned animal enclosures and cages, this spot is now been turned into a unique picnic spot with tables and chairs.

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Face, Head, Photography, Portrait,

Have a Blast!

Another one of our favorite places to celebrate in L.A. has got to be Six Flags Magic Mountain. Perfect for any adventurous types visiting the city, this iconic attraction does just what it says on the tin: offer world-class entertainment for all ages. As one of the most popular theme parks in the U S of A, the park draws in over 30 million visitors each year - and it’s easy to see why! Visitors are guaranteed a great day of fun, with over 19 rides and attractions to choose from - the most of any amusement park in the world! Go up high, dip down low and enjoy adrenaline-pumping twists and turns on some of the best award-winning rides in the world. Or, make a splash at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, a fun-filled aquatic experience located right next to the amusement park! Whether you’re a kid or just young at heart, this spot is sure to put a huge smile on your face.

There are a lot of ways to celebrate a birthday in Los Angeles - but who would have expected anything less? Whether you’re looking to grab a drink at one of the city’s most iconic comedy clubs or take it easy exploring Griffith Park, you’re sure to have a blast! 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

Continue reading

Palm Trees
Blog

Fun Facts About Los Angeles: Your Essential Trivia

How much do you know about Los Angeles? Before you head to L.A. on vacation check out our guide to essential Los Angeles trivia.  Test your knowledge with these fun Los Angeles facts below... Top facts about L.A. 1. Universal Studios Hollywood combines a theme park and a real working studio. CityWalk, the attached shopping and dining area, is free to explore.   2. Out of American cities, Los Angeles is second only to NYC in terms of population.   3. Madame Tussauds Hollywood is the only American location of this famous wax franchise featuring an entire section devoted to MARVEL© characters.   4. The Hollywood Walk of Fame includes more than 2,600 stars.   5. Warner Bros. Studio features a replica of Central Perk Café from the Friends series that serves real coffee and treats.   6. The Pacific Wheel at Pacific Park is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel.   7. The US Bank Tower is the third-tallest building in California and the 15th-tallest in the United States.   8. OUE Skyspace L.A. located in the US Bank Tower, provides views as far as the San Gabriel Mountains, Catalina Island, and the Pacific Ocean.   9. Downtown L.A. is home to the largest concentration of government buildings and institutions after Washington, DC.   10. In addition to hosting the Academy Awards®, the Dolby Theatre also plays host to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the Daytime Emmys, and the American Idol finals. More fun facts about L.A. 11. The Hollywood Museum is home to the most expansive collection of Hollywood props, objects, and artifacts.   12. Griffith Park at the Hollywood Hills sign has one of the best vistas of Los Angeles and can be easily reached by hiking. Griffith Park is also the second-largest urban park in California.   13. The RMS Queen Mary is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the official Historic Hotels of America.   14. Los Angeles is the only North American city to have hosted the Olympics twice.   15. The Los Angeles Zoo also encompasses a substantive botanical garden with a renowned collection of native plant species.   16. Los Angeles is home to the largest historic theatre district on the National Register of Historic Places.   17. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles is the largest such institution in the Western United States and its collections cover 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history.   18. Approximately 50 million people visit Los Angeles County each year.   19. The Huntington Library — in addition to being one of the best research libraries in the world and boasting gorgeous rose gardens — has been used as a set for nearly 30 different film projects from television to the big screen. Even more interesting L.A facts 20. Los Angeles is home to the state’s only remaining wooden lighthouse, at San Pedro’s Fermin Park.   21. The La Brea Tar Pits is an excavation site with the largest number and most diverse selection of Ice Age fossils in the entire world.   22. The USS Iowa is now a floating museum known as Battleship IOWA and is made of 45,000 tons of steel.   23. The Autry Museum of the American West was founded by iconic actor Gene Autry and encompasses significant collections of artwork and cultural artifacts.   24. The Los Angeles area is home to more than 100 museums of varying sizes and purposes. Save on admission to L.A. attractions You'll save on admission vs gate price to many popular Los Angeles attractions with Go City® Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect! ☀️Compare Los Angeles passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ Share your trip with us – follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your adventure with us. Tag us at @GoCity on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!
Katie Sagal

Have a 5% discount, on us!

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