15 things to do this winter in L.A.

Ice skating isn’t really synonymous with winter in Los Angeles; we’d instead file it under “ways to make it feel like Christmas.” But there are still a handful of outdoor rinks that stay frozen all the way into January. Whether you’re looking to glide amid DTLA skyscrapers or mere blocks from the ocean, lace up those skates before the plentiful sunshine gets the best of the rinks. For a different experience, the new Enchant LA in Arcadia boasts a charming ice trail.

Time Out tip: If you don’t catch an outdoor rink before they all melt for the season, you can always practice your pirouettes at Pickwick Ice in Burbank (which is now called LA Kings Ice).

Climb up into the hills before those sweaty summertime days—and crowds—return. And did we mention the dramatic city views? The best part of the rainy season has to be the clear skies that showers leave behind. Just make sure to keep in mind the cooler temperatures and fleeting daylight before you set out on your trek.

Time Out tip: The top of the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook’s 282 steps offers some of the best views of the region, with the ocean on one side and the Downtown L.A. skyline on the other (set against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains in the winter).

It might defy East Coast common sense, but winter is an ideal time to go to the beach. Sure, the water temperature is hypothermia-inducing, but it nearly always is, and let’s be honest: You had no plans to get wet anyway. Beach city air temperatures typically flirt with 70 degrees during the winter, which is cold enough to keep tourists away but warm enough to relax with a comfy sweatshirt—that counts as winter wear, right?

Time Out tip: Point Dume is the perfect place to pack a picnic for a beachfront meal as seals and dolphins frolic during sunset. You can even take an idyllic hike along the summit of the beach’s namesake rock face.

One of the greatest things about winters in Los Angeles? Never scraping ice off of your windshield or slipping on an icy sidewalk. But if you’re pining for snow, leave the comfortable 70s in the L.A. Basin behind and head into the mountains for a scenic drive. If you want a glimpse of the white stuff, you don’t have to drive nearly as far as you think. After the first snowfall of the season, you can ride the ski lift at Mt. Baldy for a snowy escape within an hour or two of the city. If you simply want to roll up a few snow balls, follow the Angeles Crest Highway (assuming the weather has cleared up enough that it’s open) for about 45 minutes, just past Newcombs Ranch, and you’ll typically find plenty of turnouts brushing up against snowy hills. 

Time Out tip: A couple of low-elevation storms each season tend to drop some powder even closer to home—Georges Gap sometimes presents a perfect snowy view—while once-in-a-generation storms can coat some of the foothills (like the image at the top of this story, captured in February 2023 from Deukmejian Wilderness Park).

Warm your cold-intolerant bones with a steaming bowl of the city’s best ramen—or udon, miso and pho, if you so desire. But for ramen, you can’t go wrong with a stop in Little Tokyo or, for Westsiders, along Sawtelle. Either way, get your soup spoon ready for those feels-like-freezing 50-degree days.

Time Out tip: Topping our list is Ramen Nagi, one of Tokyo's best ramenyas, which now has two Westfield-anchored locations in Century City and Arcadia. Crowds line up for bowls of chef Satoshi Ikuta’s flavorful, dense tonkotsu broth—also available with spice, black garlic and basil.

If you do want to take a bit of a drive, you’ll find just under a dozen major ski resorts within a day’s drive of L.A. In particular, Snow Valley, Mountain High and the twin slopes of Bear Mountain and Snow Summit are all within a three-hour drive from most parts of L.A. And an eight-hour road trip can bring you all the way to the plush and varied terrain of Lake Tahoe. If you burn through that bit of extra gas, you’ll be rewarded with a proper high-altitude wonderland perfect for skiing and snowboarding.

Time Out tip: Even if you’re not into winter sports, you can still have snowy fun during an excursion to Big Bear. We recommend taking a trip down the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain or Mineshaft Coaster, then fueling up at tiki-themed poke spot Tropicali.

It’s easy to take L.A.’s brutally pleasant winters for granted, but let’s look at things from an outsider’s perspective: This would be the perfect vacation spot if you didn’t already live in Los Angeles. So why not take advantage of the city’s assets and check into a scenic hotel for a staycation weekend? Plus, you won’t have to waste wintertime’s dearth of federal holidays on traveling—traffic on the 405 permitting.

Time Out tip: For a staycation where you can truly unwind, why not pick a coastal getaway with romantic dining and a spa with stunning views? Terranea Resort ticks all those boxes and then some. 

When the sun sets early and that Pacific Ocean breeze blows in, it’s time to get cozy. These fireplace bars help keep us warm with crackling flames and seasonal cocktails all season long. Pardon our pun, but let’s get lit!

Time Out tip: One of the (many) perks of living in L.A. is that our rooftops and balconies don’t shut down for the winter season. Case in point: You’ll find outdoor fireplaces at spots including Castaway in Burbank and Tam O’ Shanter in Atwater Village. 

We never need an excuse to visit L.A.’s excellent institutions—especially when we’ve been bestowed with so many free museums. But those rare cold, rainy winter days present the perfect opportunity to catch up on some exhibitions, without the throngs of summer crowds.

Time Out tip: Even among museums that normally charge for admission, almost every one offers free admission on select days, making it easy to plan a free museum visit as long as you keep some key dates and times in mind.

Lunar New Year celebrations in L.A. last into the start of March, with plenty of long-running events and things to do, from a century-old Chinatown parade to kids’ activities like paper-lantern making. Popular attractions like the Huntington, South Coast Botanic Garden and even Disney California Adventure all offer their own takes on the holiday. Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or experiencing the holiday for the first time, join the city’s Chinese New Year festivities for a year of good luck and fortune.

Time Out tip: Need to feed your belly for an auspicious year ahead? Slurp some of the city’s best noodle dishes or check out our favorite places for dim sum. 

Pause for a moment and give thanks that our winter colors are a vibrant, grassy green and a range of floral pastels—not brown and white. Los Angeles is a pretty amazing place; stick practically any plant in the ground, and it’ll grow almost any time of year. Even though some of us can reach out our windows and pluck an avocado from a tree, a trip to one of L.A.’s many manicured gardens reveals vegetation that simply can’t be found on our city streets.

Time Out tip: Winter is peak camellia season. The Huntington boasts some 80 different species of the flower, while Descanso Gardens is home to North America’s largest camellia collection. You’re also likely to see cherry blossoms begin to bloom in late February.

How do we fuel ourselves to get through those not-so-bitter cold days? Coffee. And lots of it. Whether it’s paired with a fantastic brunch or enjoyed solo, good java is a necessary winter—and, really, anytime—staple. But where can you find great coffee? And what makes a good coffee shop? To help you find the perfect cup, we’ve sipped our way through the best coffee shops in town.

Time Out tip: If coffee makes you too jittery, check out our guide to the city’s best trendy matcha drinks, or plan a classy outing with our afternoon tea guide.

Even on the coolest days, you hit up a hiking trail and reach the summit—only to find you’re a sweaty mess with the return hike still to go. Well, these hikes have a natural cooldown built in. Just make sure to monitor the weather; though you’ll likely find the falls at their most impressive during the rainy season, waterfall hikes tend to be too dangerous right after it rains, so you’ll want to wait at least a day before attempting to tackle the trail.

Time Out tip: While many of the waterfall hikes on our guide were directly affected by the 2025 wildfires, they’ve all now reopened, with the exception of Eaton Canyon Falls.

Sometimes you just need to escape for a few hours, and luckily we happen to be surrounded by spectacular landscapes and beautiful beaches that are perfect for a quiet afternoon day trip. What better time than the winter? Crowds are light and, depending on your destination, you’ll probably spot some snow-capped mountains.

Time Out tip: Make sure to bundle up if you’re headed into the desert—the average high temperature in Joshua Tree this time of year barely breaks 60.

For those few months where outdoor movie season hits pause, shake up your cinema-going routine and hit up one of these half-dozen or so old-school drive-ins still going strong near L.A., where you can cozy up in your car while catching a flick.