The 5 Best Things to Do in LA on a Weekend (That Locals Actually Recommend)
Sometimes you don’t need to leave the city—you just need to move through it differently. I stayed in LA last weekend, packed my extend backpack, and followed what locals told me were their go-to weekend rituals. No big plans, just five things that made the city feel fresh again.
① Griffith Park — Sunrise Hike with a View
If you’re up early, start with Griffith Park. The trail to the Observatory or Mount Hollywood is a slow climb, and watching the city light up from above is a reset in itself. I kept things minimal—layered up, water bottle in my 20L daypack, and just walked until the view asked me to stop.
② Smorgasburg LA — Sunday Market, Global Snacks
Every Sunday, a downtown lot turns into an open-air food market. Tacos, bao, cold brew, handmade ceramics, and a mix of people who all look like they know where to find good things. I stayed light, ate slow, and left with a tiny jar of chili oil wrapped into my expandable backpack.
③ Santa Monica to Venice — Ride Along the Water
The coast is made for bikes. Rented one in Santa Monica and pedaled down to Venice. Sea breeze on one side, sun on the other. Venice itself is full of murals, art pop-ups, and people sitting where they don’t need to be anywhere else. I locked the bike and walked a while.
④ Hollywood Bowl — Outdoor Music Under the Sky
Evenings at the Bowl hit different. We brought snacks, found a spot under the stars, and listened to a jazz band I didn’t know but liked anyway. Everyone seemed softer under the open air. My extendable waterproof backpack fit a blanket and a bottle of something cold—more than enough.
⑤ Abbot Kinney Boulevard — Slow Coffee, Sidewalk Shops
Venice again, but this time inland. Abbot Kinney feels curated without being precious—local cafés, bookshops, and art stores you end up in without trying. I stopped for coffee and left with a small sketchbook I didn’t know I needed.
It wasn’t a packed weekend, and that’s what made it work. Just five stops, a lightweight setup, and space to actually enjoy being in the city I live in.
