Trifter

Los Angeles is known for its fantastic weather. Year-round average highs are in the 70s Fahrenheit, and the sun shines on over 70 percent of the days in a typical year. Los Angeles summers often feature brilliant, cloudless skies and little or no rain. The city’s beauty is enhanced by towering palm trees, golden sandy beaches, plenty of flowers and a backdrop of striking mountains.

Ten fun things to do in the Los Angeles area during the summer months

1. Play Tourist for a Day

Even the most seasoned Los Angeles residents might enjoy visiting or revisiting some of the city’s famous landmarks. Stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and see the stars set on the sidewalks as a tribute to many well-known celebrities. Pose for photographs beside the handprints and footprints of renowned honorees in front of Mann’s Chinese theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Browse the boutiques on Rodeo Drive and Melrose Boulevard, or spend an exciting day amongst the thrill rides and movie related entertainment at the Universal Studios theme park.

Image by Go Card USA via Flickr

2. Enjoy a Pint in the Open Air

There are numerous bars and restaurants in Los Angeles that offer outdoor areas for dining, drinking and relaxation. A popular venue is Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica. This English style pub and eatery offers traditional British meals and a bar that includes a wide selection of draft beers. The pub is only a short walk from the beach, and the adjacent shop carries souvenirs and gifts as well as imported English food items which are generally hard to find in Los Angeles.

3. Pick your own Fresh Summer Fruit

Take a trip to Leona Valley, or one of the other agricultural areas in the vicinity of Los Angeles, and visit a pick-your-own fruit farm or orchard. Get away from the bustle of the city for a day, while selecting your own fresh cherries, apples, strawberries and other seasonal fruits and vegetables.

4. Avoid the Heat

If the temperature rises too high, avoid the hottest part of the day by taking in a midday matinee showing of a summer blockbuster movie. Matinee tickets are typically offered at a discounted rate, and with the help of air conditioning, movie theaters make a cool and comfortable place to spend an afternoon.

5. Cycle along the Beach Bike Path

The Strand bicycle path runs past Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica, and offers great views of the Pacific coast. Attractions along the way include the Santa Monica Pier, with its amusement rides, aquarium and places to eat, and the Venice boardwalk that is lined with stores selling clothing, accessories and souvenirs. There are also outdoor vendors who offer artwork, jewelry and gifts, and street performers who help to make Venice Beach a very lively tourist attraction year-round. Cycling is an aerobic activity which, according to 24 Hour Fitness, can help to tone leg muscles and reduce fat. Those who don’t own a bike can rent one down at the beach.

Image via Wikipedia

6. Visit Universal CityWalk

The crowds, the music and the brightly colored signs and fixtures give CityWalk a unique and exciting atmosphere. It is a fun place to walk on a sunny day and many of the restaurants and cafes offer outside seating. Filled with bars, nightspots, eateries, shops and a 19-screen movie theater, Universal CityWalk is a great place to visit during the day or night.

7. Take a Walk around Griffith Park

Stroll along the jogging and cycle routes or go hiking through the wilderness area on a 53-mile network of trails and paths, home to wild birds, snakes, foxes, coyotes, rodents and deer.

8. Enjoy an Outdoor Concert at the Greek Theater

Built in 1929, this historic venue features performances of a wide variety of different types of music. Recent guests on the Greek’s stage have included Tina Turner, Paul Simon, Elton John and Santana.

9. Read a Book

Grab a chilled drink and find an outdoor spot in the park, beach or backyard. E-books are a convenient alternative to their traditional paper counterparts, as a large number of these editions can be carried without weighing too much or taking up a lot of space in a bag. There are several readers on the market on which to view Electronic books, such as the Amazon Kindle Reader, Sony Reader and Palm. E-books are often cheaper that paperbacks or hard covers. Amazon’s Kindle E-book store offers over 270,000 books, some which sell for under a dollar.

10. Take in a Day Game

Visit Dodger stadium to see the Los Angeles baseball team in action, or get a seat at the Home Depot Center when the Galaxy, Sol or Chivas USA soccer teams are in town.

All these sports teams play some of their home games during the daytime, giving fans an opportunity to enjoy a pleasant afternoon of soaking up the sun. Hats or visors and sunscreen may be a good idea, particularly for those stadium areas that do not offer any shade.