It’s been so grey and chilly lately, so you know we’re pretty excited that, this weekend, temperatures are finally supposed to warm up. Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is right around the corner, so it’s definitely about time. You don’t need to wait for the holiday to get into the spirit, though. Here are some ways to say "hello, sunshine" right now.
Lick up some ice cream: Not that there’s a bad time to eat some of the city’s best ice cream, exactly, but it’s never more gratifying to lick up a cone than on a hot afternoon. And, while we were busy folding our sweaters these last few months, tons of new places have opened, from new locations of Jeni’s and Salt & Straw to totally original spots like super-trendy Little Damage. Or, if you're able to score tickets, there's still time to visit the Museum of Ice Cream.
Watch some majestic whales: Every spring, tens of thousands of gray whales migrate up the coast, going from their winter home in Baja back to the cool summer waters of Alaska. Along the way, we get to spy them off our shores here. The season is wrapping up, which makes this weekend a perfect time to book a whale watching excursion.
Eat alfresco: Remember eating outside after dark without having to beg the waiter to drag a heater closer to your table? It looks like we’re safely out of heat-lamp season at last, so snag a table on one of the fantastic patios or rooftops around town and enjoy your dinner in the open air.
Take a trip to Santa Barbara: We love a road trip and Santa Barbara is one of our favorite spots. It’s close enough that you don’t need a long weekend to enjoy it, but still totally feels like a getaway. Now is the perfect time to visit, because the fog has finally burned off and, while it might hit the 90s down here, it’ll be a perfect 75 degrees up north for all your wine tasting or beach lounging activities.
Pack a picnic: Grab a blanket and a bottle of wine (where allowed, of course) and spread out at your favorite local park or an outdoor movie screening. For inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to all things picnic-related, from the best locations to where to pick up the best snacks.
Learn to hang ten: Why not make this the summer when you finally learn to surf? Whether you’re a new transplant to L.A. or a California lifer, it’s something everybody seems to want to at least try once, and signing up for some lessons right now guarantees months of opportunities to hit the waves to come. So turn off the surf movies and make it a reality; head to your local surf shop to find some advice on where to enroll.
Take shelter from the heat altogether: If you’re the type that thinks 90 degrees is too hot to handle, that’s fine too. This is the perfect time to seek refuge from the heat inside the cool of a great museum or catch a mid-day film at a classic local cinema.
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