Things to do in L.A. this weekend
We pick out the best things to do in L.A. this weekend, including our favorite concerts, culture and cuisine
We don’t know about you, but our mind is always focused on the weekend. It can never come soon enough—which is why we’re already thinking about where to go for brunch. Whether you’re looking to spend the night at a concert or getting away completely, you’ll find plenty of things to do in L.A. this weekend.
We curate an L.A. weekend itinerary of the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine, every week, just for you.
While all in-person events have been canceled and major venues closed, we’re recommending what Angelenos can do from home (or a couple of things outside—safely). Find more suggestions in our Time In guide.
The best things to do in L.A. this weekend
Best Friends Kitten Shower
Help Best Friends Animal Society take care of 3,100 kittens over the course of the year with a bit of support during their Kitten Shower. The shelter’s Mission Hills adoption center usually hosts in-person tours of its kitten nursery, but in light of coronavirus, this year they’ll be streaming a feline-filled afternoon of ways you can help. Start brainstorming some cute kitten names—and donate to the shelter’s wishlist if you can.
Comedy Quarantine
If there’s one cathartic release we could use right now, it’s a bit of levity from L.A.’s top-notch stand-ups. Thankfully, some of L.A.’s best comedians are coming together for a live show over Instagram. Each night, you’ll see five or so comedians deliver stand-up sets from the homes. Just head over to @comedyquarantine on weeknights at 7pm to watch the show, and consider tipping each comedian as well via Venmo (@ComedyQuarantine).
Order takeout from one of your favorite local restaurants
You’ve eaten through two bags of beans and six cans of chickpeas. Now what? You leave it to some of the city’s top restaurants and bars, who are making your social distancing as painless as possible. We’re keeping a running list of our favorite pickup and delivery menus that are popping up at L.A. restaurants.
And make sure to add in a booze order, too
Some of L.A.’s best restaurants and bars have your back when you need a stiff drink at home, thanks to a new order from Mayor Garcetti. Restaurants and bars can now deliver alcohol to your door—whether it’s craft beer, wine or house-made cocktails—as long as they’re offering food, which means we can finally sip from some of our favorite spots in town from the comfort of our own couches.
Visit your favorite L.A. museums virtually with these online tours and exhibitions
You may not be able to visit L.A.’s best museums right now, but you can bring a little piece of them home with you. No, we’re not encouraging art theft: We’re talking about all of the streams, image databases and lecture archives that’ve bubbled up to museums’ homepages.
Go for a walk—but maybe not a hike at your usual spots
Going for a walk or a hike is still allowed, and even encouraged, as long as you’re following proper social distancing guidelines. But under L.A.’s “safer at home” order, you should really just be sticking to your own neighborhood right now. Consider our list of the best hikes, linked here, exactly the spots you don’t want to go to right now—and with most trails in the county closed now, you couldn’t even try if you insisted.
Find some peace at a botanical garden
If your neighborhood isn’t conducive to walking and you’re looking for a wide-open outdoor space, two major gardens remain open: South Coast Botanic Garden and the Los Angeles County Arboretum. Do note that tickets are limited and must be purchased online. And remember to keep a safe distance from other visitors.
Take a scenic drive around L.A.
Contrary to some rumors, the LAPD is not ticketing people for being outside of their homes. And while staying home is the best strategy, we understand the itch to get out. So finally, our automobile-addicted culture has an upside: You can see some of L.A.’s most stunning scenery safely from your car window. With traffic at an unprecedented low, you may be inclined to drive as far as you can, but we’d stick to whichever scenic drive in our guide is closest to your area; more miles means more unccessary gas station visits. And please drive safe: You don’t want to add to the burden at our already overwhelmed hospitals.
Mindful Awareness Meditation
In the name of keeping Angelenos sane—and who couldn’t use some sanity right now?—the Hammer Museum holds free weekly drop-in sessions on mindful awareness, now hosted online via Zoom.
More things to do in L.A. this weekend
Things to do on Friday
Kick back, relax and get the weekend started with the best things to do this Friday night.
Things to do on Saturday
Let the brunching commence with our guide to the best things to do this Saturday.
Things to do on Sunday
End the weekend on a high note, whether on the beach or back at the brunch table, with the best things to do this Sunday.
More weekend ideas
The best brunch restaurants in Los Angeles
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, isn’t that reason enough to get serious about weekend brunch?
Best hikes in L.A.
Whether you’re more cityscape gawker or ocean gazer, we’ve got the trek for you.
The best beaches in Los Angeles
From Venice and Santa Monica to Manhattan Beach and Playa Vista, here are the top spots to sunbathe, surf and play.