Everyone always talks about ‘the New York minute.’ But what about the LA minute – the one that moves just as fast with much more ground to cover? Because driving is practically a necessity in for residents and visitors alike, making plans last minute is not as common as a place like New York. But like the weather, plans do change, and when they do, it’s good to have a go-to list of last minute things to do in Los Angeles. Separate your list by parts of town and you can’t go wrong. If you’re in Hollywood, hit The Grove for some retail therapy and people watching.
I never seem to have any free time these days, and I’m not alone. When I talk to friends and family, it seems that the phenomenon of being busy is like some kind of superbug that no one seems able to shake. For this reason, if and when an unexpected pocket of free time presents itself, I relish the chance to do something alone and a bit off the beaten track. Some of my favorite activities planned at the last moment are really just excuses for getting a small dose of solitude. For example, going to the movies alone and saying to the ticket lady: ‘one please.’ If you’ve never had this experience, I highly recommend it. Yeah, I’d have to say checking out a film in Hollywood central is definitely one of the coolest things you can do in LA!
One of the great things about living in a city with a population just under four million people is that there’s a little bit of everything happening all around town. Sometimes finding the perfect spontaneous happenings in LA is about rolling the dice and keeping an open mind about what numbers you get. One of the best ways to do this is just by changing your zip code. Head up to Topanga Canyon and explore the country village and hiking trails. Or head to Silverlake and window shop along Sunset Blvd while sipping a craft coffee.
Looking for things to do in LA is all about the weather. Most days you can depend on a solid 70 degrees and sunny, so when it rains, the playing field most definitely shifts. If it’s sunny or even hot outside, great on the fly excursions should most definitely be close to the endless amounts of shoreline and the ocean breezes that go hand in hand with the Pacific Ocean. Rent a kayak, paddleboard or a gondola from one of the many docks alongside the Marina del Rey Fisherman’s Village. Then grab a margarita at El Torito and watch the sun set.