Michael Juliano

Everything about Los Angeles appears overwhelming at first glance: the congested network of freeways, the sprawling map, the traffic—because seriously, it’s worth mentioning twice. But once you get past L.A.’s more confounding qualities, you’ll discover a dynamic, diverse, culturally rich and beautiful city blessed with mountains, beaches and (usually) pretty pleasant weather. So start studying L.A.’s best attractions and its ever-growing list of essential restaurants, and familiarize yourself with these travel tips before your first visit.

Outdoor movies combine two things we love about L.A.: an appreciation of movie-making and spending as much time as possible outside. Alfresco screenings usually start to surge across the city in the early spring and continue into the fall and holiday season, be it atop rooftop bars, at L.A.’s best parks or even at a Hollywood cemetery. Most of our favorite outdoor series fall into two formats: Alfresco screenings where moviegoers bring their own chair or blanket and can pack together some picnic food, and rooftop ones where you’ll be offered a seat and some on-site snacks as you catch films both old and new. (If you’re looking for a fun date idea, this one takes the cake.) Be sure to check back all year long for updates on the list, as new screenings are always being added. Looking to see a new movie any night of the week? Check out the best movie theaters in L.A. or the few remaining old-school drive-in movie theaters. And for some at-home inspiration, you can always catch up on the best L.A. movies of all time. For screenings with multiple movies on a single night, each film is separately ticketed unless otherwise noted. Also, unannounced schedule changes tend to occur, but we’ll do our best to keep the list below updated on at least a monthly basis.

Guys, it’s L.A.: There are movie theaters, screening rooms, DIY projections, drive-ins, outdoor screenings and local film events everywhere. When Hollywood is the local industry, you can expect that there’d be no shortage of places to check out the resulting product.  But when you’re looking for the best possible place to plant yourself for two-plus hours of cinematic bliss, there are a few spots that rise above the rest. Whether you’re into arthouse, black-and-white, B-movie bonanzas or the most luxurious assigned-seating dine-in theater, this city has it all. Here are our picks for the best movie theaters and classic cinemas L.A. has to offer. RECOMMENDED: 57 best films about Los Angeles

If the price of gas has finally worn you down (along with the monthly cost of auto loans and insurance plus occasional repairs and parking tickets), it might be time to (at least occasionally) break up with your car and opt for something more reasonably priced. Yes, your own car will almost always be the most convenient transit option in L.A., but it’s certainly not the most affordable one—and not necessarily always the quickest either. So we’ve decided to help you out and highlight the best cheap transportation alternatives for getting around L.A. Not too long ago, Uber and Lyft absolutely would’ve been on this list, and likely one of our go-to picks. But with prices (and often wait times) way up in recent years, we can’t recommend them as a “cheap” option anymore. We have, however, found six other options (most of them car-free) to make your way around L.A. while staying within budget, whether for everyday errands or a fun day trip.

Whether a day trip or a Metro ride away, there’s no shortage of music festivals near Los Angeles. We’re not just talking about summer music festivals either—thanks to Southern California’s (mostly) persistently pleasant climate, we can enjoy outdoor fests nearly year-round, from Coachella in the early spring to New Year’s Eve celebrations. So lace up a comfortable pair of shoes for these music festivals within driving distance of L.A., from single-day affairs to camping excursions. We’ve gathered the biggest fests below—and we’ll continue to add more as they’re announced throughout the year.

There’s this charmingly corny old PBS special, Things That Aren’t Here Anymore, that reminisces about when seemingly everything in L.A. used to cost a nickel. As Los Angeles has gotten frustratingly more expensive in recent years, I’ve found myself slipping into that same nostalgic trap: Remember when dollar tacos actually cost a dollar? Or when Griffith Observatory parking was free? But then I stop and think about this city’s wealth of free museums and its miles of public coastline, and I remember that there are plenty of incredible free things to do in L.A.—perhaps even more so here than in any other nearby city I can think of. Sure, we may live in a celebrity-driven town where indulging at the best restaurants and bars, working out and pampering ourselves are the norm, but we still jump at the chance for free things (or nominally priced items, like L.A.’s best cheap eats). Read on for the best free things to do and places to visit across L.A., for tourists and locals alike. In addition to this all-the-time list, lots of fun, free events are always popping up. Make sure to check out our monthly selection of free things to do. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Los Angeles

Get out your calendars: Your guide to the best summer concerts of 2026 has arrived. Here, our picks for the best warm-weather gigs, including summer concert series, free shows, summer music festivals and more. Make sure to check out our monthly concert calendars, too, for shows in outdoor venues, clubs and theaters. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in Los Angeles

Skim through the must-visit attractions in Los Angeles and you’ll notice a trend: It’s a lot of outdoorsy fun. So committing to a day inside of a museum might be a tall ask. In fact, choosing anything over a 75-and-sunny day at the beach is a hard ask—especially if you’re visiting from somewhere with a climate that’s not as consistently comfortable as SoCal’s.  But here’s the thing: No matter how good the weather, visiting L.A.’s museums is a must. In fact, not only are they among the city’s best things to do, but Los Angeles museums can increasingly stand toe to toe with ones in cultural capitals like New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. And, lucky you, a handful of them have stunning outdoor campuses with hilltop views, sculpture gardens and sunny courtyards. I’ve spent the past decade-plus visiting all of L.A.’s museums (and revisiting them as each riveting new exhibition and expansion opens). There are even more institutions in the L.A. area than just the ones on this list (including plenty of quirky, off-the-beaten-path museums), but I think the 21 below are the very best—and I’d say the top five in particular are borderline essential for any trip to L.A. If you’re on a budget, don’t worry: L.A. is flush with free museums. In fact, of the ones on this list, nearly half of them don’t cost a dime, and most of the rest offer regularly scheduled free days. Sure, you might have to pay for parking or trek across town, but that’s nothing a Metro trip or ridesharing service ca

L.A. covers a mind-bogglingly massive volume of land (and, for that matter, ocean too). So it’s no surprise that Los Angeles packs in an enormous number of world-class attractions. If you’re a tourist looking for things to do, you’ll have no problem finding vacation inspiration, from Hollywood tours to a day at one of the city’s best beaches. Even locals might very well find ways to fall in love with the city all over again in our extensive list of the best Los Angeles attractions. RECOMMENDED:📽️ The best studio tours in Los Angeles Quick Picks: Best Los Angeles Attractions Best place to see (real) stars: Griffith Observatory (Free, planetarium $12, parking $10/hour) Best venue for a summer concert: Hollywood Bowl (Tickets $1–$150, parking $45–$90) Best new place to see art: The David Geffen Galleries at LACMA ($25–$30, free weekday afternoons for L.A. residents, parking $24) Best spot to stop and smell the flowers: The Huntington ($29–$34, parking free) Best for thrill rides: Universal Studios Hollywood (Tickets start at $109) Best place for moviemaking magic: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures ($25, film screenings $10) Best spot for the perfect beach day: Zuma Beach (Free street parking, paid lot) This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

A funny thing happens when you live near some of the most beautiful beaches in the country: The coastline can start to feel kind of ordinary over time. Don’t get me wrong—I’d spend every single day strolling along the shore in Malibu if I could. But there’s something about the thought of a sparkling lake surrounded by mountains and evergreens that immediately conjures up images of a road trip and scratches that wanderlust itch. Thankfully, you don’t have to go as far as Lake Tahoe to find lakes near Los Angeles worth visiting. I’ll admit that that they can’t quite compare to Northern California’s snowmelt-driven shores, but there are a few lakes in SoCal worthy of a day trip, a rustic night camping or a mini getaway in a cozy cabin. I’d really put some emphasis above on “a few.” Technically speaking, nearly every single lake near L.A. is actually a reservoir—a man-made body of water that currently or formerly provided municipal water or electricity. However, I think the six spots below look and feel like legit lakes: I’m talking dramatic backdrops, plenty of boating opportunities and even areas where you can swim. If you don’t want to put in the mileage for these spots (they’re all at least an hour from Downtown L.A.), I’ve also included a couple of other less impressive places closer to home that, sure, I guess kind of look like lakes. A couple of quick notes before you hit the road: Some of these lakes may not actually have enough water to boat or swim during drought years,

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles? We have you covered with the very best that L.A. has to offer. I’m a Los Angeles native and have lived here all my life, and take it from me: There’s always more to discover and explore. Whether you’re a culture vulture, an outdoorsy type or simply a lover of our fine city, you’ll find more than enough here to keep you busy. Even lifelong Angelenos can find something new to add to their to-do list, between the city’s landmark attractions, an ever-changing inventory of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, essential L.A. museums and even some off-the-beaten-path secrets. How many of the best things to do in Los Angeles will you try? Updated July 2026: Summer is in full swing, and we’re highlighting even more alfresco movies, concerts and parties this month. The Fourth of July celebrates America’s 250th birthday with fireworks, drones, festivals and parades—plenty of fun to fill the holiday weekend. DTLA architectural gem the Los Angeles Central Library turns 100, and Refik Anadol’s brand-new Dataland, right across from Walt Disney Concert Hall, combines human creativity and machine intelligence with dazzling results.  Quick Picks: Best Things to Do in Los Angeles Griffith Observatory — Iconic attraction with a planetarium, astronomy exhibits and the best views of L.A. (Free, planetarium $10, parking $10/hour) The Huntington — Unparalleled botanical gardens, art and library collections in a former private estate. ($34) LACMA — M

L.A. is great and all, but sometimes you need a change of scenery. If you only have one day to spare, consider one of these quick day trips from Los Angeles to some amazing nearby destinations. Luckily, living in L.A. means it’s an easy (well, depending on traffic) and often scenic drive to SoCal’s best beaches, small towns, wineries and gorgeous desert landscapes—all within three hours of the city. Oddly enough, taking advantage of the ease with which you can get out of L.A. is easily one of the best things to do in L.A. From wine tasting in Santa Barbara and vintage hunting in Palm Springs to camping in Joshua Tree or feeling the sand between your toes in San Diego, you’re sure to find a short trip (as opposed to a longer road trip) worth taking on this list. Note that all of our commute time estimates are based on a trip originating from Downtown L.A. in light traffic (so your mileage may quite literally vary). RECOMMENDED: The best weekend getaways from L.A.

About a month and a half before the start of the NFL season, you can see the Chargers take the field at their training facility in El Segundo—and for free, no less. For four weeks in July and August, the team holds practices at the Bolt that are open to the public, with covered bleacher seating behind the north end zone. Admission is limited to 2,000 fans per session; tickets are available the Monday prior to each practice week (so sessions from August 9 to 16, for example, are available to book on August 3). Look out for a handful of themed days, including a family day, a celebration of women in sports and a happy hour with some Chargers legends—just note that select days are exclusive to season ticket holders.

Los Angeles gots a welcome addition to its stable of midsize music venues when this new club arrived on the edge of Downtown L.A. in 2023. The Bellwether features a 1,600-person main room (for comparison, that’s bigger than the Fonda but smaller than the Wiltern) that touts an adjoining restaurant, lobby bar, open-sided terrace and private event space. Even if you’re hanging out at the back bar or posted up on the wraparound balcony, you’re never far from the stage here—a kind of remarkably intimate setting given the festival-caliber acts that sometimes grace the calendar. The balcony is actually quite roomy, but given the angle you won’t be able to see the stage if you have more than one person in front of you. Downstairs, if you stroll up to a show just before the set starts, you’ll likely be in the back towards the bar; the sightlines are still pretty good from that far back, and you’ll actually be considerably cooler since you’re not far from the A/C vents. Around its opening, the sound was alright, but that seems to have improved over time. The venue is the latest venture from Michael Swier, who runs the Teragram Ballroom and Moroccan Lounge (and launched New York’s Bowery Ballroom) and teamed up with Bay Area promoter Another Planet Entertainment for this spot. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Los Angeles (@timeoutla) You’ll find the venue at 333 South Boylston Street, just on the other side of the 110 from DTLA, right next

It had been a while since this 17,500-seat space was the city’s go-to arena. But after a $100 million renovation in 2014, the now more-than-half-century-old Forum has become fabulous once again—enough so that it’s poached many major arena shows from DTLA’s Crypto.com Arena. Almost every massive touring act makes a stop here (Eagles, the Strokes, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, U2), and it’s really the best-case scenario as far as arenas go: The bowl nature of the auditorium keeps sightlines mostly clear and near, and the acoustics are actually pretty good (unlike the disappointing sound next door at SoFi Stadium). Arena shows often feel like a begrudging commitment; of course there are a dozen other smaller, stellar music venues in L.A. we’d all prefer to see our favorite artists, but the Forum is the sole spot of its size that doesn’t make you feel like you’re settling. The on-site parking lot is convenient but pricey and gridlocked; opt for a smaller lot a couple of blocks away if you don’t mind the walk.

In its more than half-century as a Sunset Strip stalwart, the Roxy has been both a major player (hosting early Springsteen and Guns N’ Roses shows) and a disappointing has-been (insert name of horrible ’80s hair band here). But since Coachella promoter Goldenvoice took over the venue in 2014, the Roxy has settled comfortably into middle age with a respectable mix of metal, punk, indie rock and singer-songwriters. The kitty-corner stage means this 500-person venue often feels half the size—and it’s a remarkable setting to see the occasional big-name act scheduled for an underplay (just be prepared for a stiflingly sweaty time during those packed-in shows). The VIP booths are only worthwhile if sitting is imperative, otherwise if you’re concerned about sightlines (the stage is a little low, but the width really helps to keep views open) consider standing a few steps up by the bar.

It isn’t summer in L.A. until the first cemetery screening brings hoards of movie-lovers to Hollywood Forever Cemetery, toting folding chairs, picnic blankets, snack spreads and lots of booze. Each year, Cinespia brings classic cult favorites to the hallowed resting place of such Hollywood greats as Rudolph Valentino and Bugsy Siegel. The series typically releases its slate one month at a time, with summertime screenings at the cemetery and a few off-site ones on either end (usually at L.A. State Historic Park). For each evening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, pack a picnic (yes, booze is allowed), pose in the photo booth and enjoy DJ sets, dance parties and all sorts of other magical mischief that’d otherwise be strictly forbidden behind the cemetery gates. For 2026, Cinespia’s 25th(!) season in the cemetery, July continues things with a pair of fireworks-accompanied screenings, Shrek (July 3) and Jurassic Park (July 4), followed by Pulp Fiction (July 11), Rosemary’s Baby (July 18) and Edward Scissorhands (July 25); August includes Practical Magic (Aug 1), The Mummy (Aug 8), X and Pearl during the annual slumber party (Aug 15), Coming to America (Aug 22) and Labyrinth (Aug 29); and September wraps up the summer season with Josie and the Pussycats (Sept 5), The Sandlot (Sept 6) and Goodfellas (Sept 12). In addition, Cinespia is teaming up with See’s Candies this year to sell specially branded candy boxes during screenings. The outdoor screenings are an L.A. rite of passage, a

L.A.’s newest stadium is simply unlike any other in L.A., or really anywhere else for that matter. For starters, it’s massive—and as the home of the Rams and Chargers, the largest by footprint in the NFL—and flanked by a lake and a public park. It also somehow successfully translates L.A.’s ubiquitous indoor-outdoor vibes into a 70,000-person stadium (with a capacity that can expand as high as 100,000). A translucent plastic skin over the entire spaceport-like structure allows for plenty of diffused natural light, while its open ends let a current of cool air float across the field. That setup is a little less successful for concerts, though; the acoustics are remarkably muddy, and they only get more indecipherable the higher up you go. It’s the only thing keeping this one-of-a-kind venue from spectacle-hosting perfection—well, that and the miserable traffic in the area, which should hopefully see some relief with the arrival of dedicated bus lanes by 2028. On the food side, you’ll find concepts first hatched by local faves Jon & Vinny. If you don’t feel like shelling out for concert tickets or a game (the FIFA World Cup in 2026, Super Bowl LXI in 2027 and Olympics and Paralympics in 2028), the stadium itself is worth a visit (you can book a tour for $57). You’ll also find the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park, a 6,000-seat theater on the southeast corner of the stadium.

A blockbuster that demands the biggest picture possible hits theaters and—if you’re a videophile like us—you fall down a rabbit hole of researching cineplex screen sizes and which auditoriums are equipped with real IMAX screens. We’ve done the research for you: If something comes out that was shot in an IMAX-friendly format, see it at the seven-story theater (auditorium 19) inside the AMC at CityWalk, but only if you can secure a spot in the back third of the auditorium, preferably toward the center. That’s a tall task sometimes; the ticket-buying process (especially for IMAX 70mm films) has become ruthless in recent years, so settling for a spot in the front half of the steep auditorium means craning your neck up in relatively narrow and upright seats that aren’t nearly as comfortable as other premium theaters. The rest of the theater is your standard multiplex, albeit one in a hilltop theme park shopping mall. If you reserve tickets directly through AMC you’ll get a barcode for $5 parking at the otherwise quite pricey garage; alternatively, you can refund the difference at the box office, but there’s sometimes a line right before showtime. Opt for a matinee for a slightly cheaper ticket, and yes, even IMAX screenings are eligible for AMC Stubs discounts.

There’s a reason ABBA has birthed a wildly popular stage musical, two movie adaptations and a holographic show: The hits are absolute bangers. “Dancing Queen,” “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight),” “Take a Chance on Me”: Those synth-laden bursts of 1970s pop perfection make for most of the fun in Mamma Mia!, the Mediterranean sun–soaked rom-com musical about a young bride-to-be who, unbeknownst to her single mother, invites her three potential fathers to her wedding for a vibes-based paternity test. You can either thank or blame Mamma Mia! for the inundation of jukebox musicals in the quarter century since its debut, and the production at Downtown L.A.’s Ahmanson Theatre is a largely familiar affair, albeit one with some winningly warm and scene-stealing performances, as Time Out’s theater critic Adam Feldman wrote in a three-star review of the touring show’s New York stint. The first act wackiness wanes when the second act asks for more interpersonal investment, but you’ll undoubtedly leave the theater on a high thanks to the three-song ensemble-led encore.

Borrowed from Woody Guthrie’s egalitarian folk anthem, the title of this exhibition at the Huntington offers a pretty literal teaser of what you can expect to see: lots of relics tied to land, specifically American land. But that lens provides an insightful and profound perspective on 250 years of ambition, achievement, struggle, exclusion and belonging in the United States. There are some truly remarkable documents on display here: two annotated early printings of the Declaration of Independence; hand-drawn estate plans from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson; manuscripts and notes from Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes and Octavia E. Butler; and Guthrie’s original lyrics sheet for “This Land is Your Land,” paired with one of his acoustic guitars with a faded proclamation that “this machine kills fascists” scratched into the back. The theme of land embraces botany, national park brochures and surveys of the Colorado River, but also considers the impacts of America’s territorial takeovers, spotlights artwork made along the Mexican border and tells the story of a Japanese family in Los Angeles forced out of their flower farm and into an internment camp during WWII. The most humbling piece on display just might be the one that first greets you: the cross section of an oak tree that stood on the grounds of the Huntington for 250 years.

Try your hand at the claw machine, pose in a photo booth and dive into a personal Papa Johns pie during this one-day-only Pizza Planet pop-up tied to the upcoming release of Toy Story 5. Find it at 8180 Melrose Avenue on June 12 from noon to 7pm (last entry at 6:15pm). Though reservations are all booked, there’ll be a standby line as well. The space is very, very small inside, so do keep that in mind if you consider braving the around-the-block line—but, hey, free pizza is free pizza.

Ready or not, spooky season is slowly stalking its way ever closer. The clearest sign? Universal Studios has already announced the first haunted house set to inhabit its Hollywood-adjacent theme park for Halloween Horror Nights—and it’s a big one. Sinners will get its own haunted house at Universal Studios Hollywood this year (as well as the theme park’s Orlando location). The commercial and critical favorite from 2025 is a natural fit for Horror Nights. Guests will be transported back to Club Juke in 1930s Mississippi and have to survive the night while dodging vampires Remmick, Bert and Joan—as well as the warring Smoke and Stack. The Warner Bros. film won four Oscars this year, for screenplay, best actor, cinematography and original score—so just imagine how awesome the blues soundtrack will be set to screams. Halloween Horror Nights will run on select evenings from September 3 to November 1. Tickets cost $77 to $107, depending on the night; with Express Pass add-ons, options range from $249 to $399. You can also opt for early access or the R.I.P. tour if you have the desire (and funds). See more of the best haunted houses in L.A.

Everyone’s favorite NPR member station has a hand in a slew of summer concert slates at public plazas and beloved museums, and this summer’s schedule is reliably packed. Familiar KCRW DJs will be providing free, open-air tunes on select nights from June through September at Maydan Market, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, La Brea Tar Pits, CAAM, ASU FIDM Museum, the Kidspace Children’s Museum, Hauser & Wirth, MOLAA, California Plaza, LACMA, Wende Museum, Union Station, downtown Long Beach, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Bowers Museum, the Autry and the NoHo Arts District. (Missing from the lineup this year and last are the party-till-midnight bashes at Chinatown Central Plaza.) The details slightly differ at each spot, but you can typically expect a bunch of food trucks, beer gardens and after-hours museum admission. Regardless of the location, you really can’t go wrong with any evening spent at Summer Nights. (Note: The kickoff June 1 event at Maydan Market and Aug. 8’s LACMA event are only for KCRW members.)

Hollywood’s most iconic moviegoing landmark is finally on track for a long-awaited revival. Sony Pictures Entertainment announced on Wednesday that it’ll reopen the iconic Cinerama Dome and operate the recognizable auditorium as well as the adjacent former ArcLight Hollywood multiplex as an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Deadline first reported the news yesterday that Sony was in talks with Robertson Property Group to secure a lease on the property. By Tuesday night, the Dome was once again illuminated and was sporting a poster for Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the first Columbia Pictures premiere held at the venue. On Wednesday morning, Sony made the news official: It’ll begin restoration work in August that’s due to wrap up in early 2028; the “Cinerama” name will remain, as will the large-format curved screen. “Hot damn! We’re bringing the Dome back, baby,” said Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of SPE Motion Picture Group, in a statement. “We believe in moviegoing down to our soul, and no venue on earth stands more for that than the one-of-a-kind Dome. I am deeply proud that Sony is investing in Hollywood, literally. The Dome has hosted generations of unforgettable movie moments. Our goal is to preserve its legendary history while ensuring it remains vibrant now and far into the future.” Located at 6360 Sunset Boulevard, the historic movie complex has remained dark since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. The venue’s former operator filed for Chapter 7 bankrupt

L.A. old-timers: Remember rolling out a blanket on the beach and listening to tunes float over from the Santa Monica Pier? The Twilight series and its various incarnations may be gone (blame overcrowding and security concerns), but live music is returning to the beachfront there in a big—in fact, full-blown festival-sized—way. Goldenvoice, the same promoter behind Coachella, announced the lineup today for Ocean Way, a debut beachfront music festival first teased late last year. The Killers, Olivia Dean, Jack White and Khruangbin will headline the two-day fest, which will set up two stages on the sand just east of the pier on September 26 and 27—and which will, notably, offer zero on-site parking and instead opt for a transit-friendly strategy. There’s a noticeable generational divide to the mostly-chill-vibes lineup, so it makes sense that both single-day and two-day tickets will be available. The Killers, Jack White, Sublime and Alvvays lead the rock-leaning Saturday lineup, while Olivia Dean, Khruangbin, Durand Jones & the Indications and Hiatus Kaiyote top the slightly more soulful Sunday bill.   Courtesy GoldenvoiceOcean Way lineup   A two-day ticket costs between $399 and $459 while single-day tickets run $229 to $269. The VIP-equivalent tier adds premium pit access by the main stage and costs $749 to $799 for a two-day pass, or $449 to $499 for one day. There’s also a hospitality package put together by the nearby Proper Hotel that runs in the thousands. Tickets go on

Just over a year and a half since the destructive Palisades Fire, one of the few Pacific Palisades retail blocks spared by the blaze is ready to once again open its doors to the public. Palisades Village, the high-end open-air shopping district along Sunset Boulevard, announced that it’ll fully reopen on Saturday, August 15. The shopping center—which comes from Caruso, the same real estate company behind the Grove and the Americana at Brand—has been closed since the catastrophic fire in January of 2025. When it returns, it’ll do so with almost zero vacancies and a mix of new and returning tenants. “Following the heartbreaking fires of 2025, the Palisades community has worked tirelessly toward this moment of renewal,” said Rick Caruso, founder and executive chairman of Caruso, in a statement. “We promised to come back better than before the fires, and we did. This is a moment to turn the page together, and it will be an unforgettable one. It’s a comeback story for the history books and a love letter to L.A.” Photograph: Courtesy Connie and StewartPalisades Village There’ll be plenty of familiar names reopening inside the 40-plus-storefront district, including cult-favorite grocery store Erewhon, plus boutiques from A.L.C., Elyse Walker, Brunello Cucinelli and Zimmermann. But there’ll be some newcomers, as well, most notably Spacca Tutto, a casual Chi Spacca spinoff from chef Nancy Silverton, alongside retail debuts from LESET, Violet Grey and Xirena. It’ll also welcome Loome

Looking for the best things to do this Fourth of July weekend? Spend America’s 250th birthday hanging out at one of the best beaches in L.A., eating the city’s best BBQ, cooling down with classic frozen desserts and having fun at these Fourth of July celebrations. The best part about some of our picks? You can end the evening with a patriotic bang of dazzling fireworks in the night sky (or, as is becoming increasingly common, a drone show). From cemetery screenings to food festivals, here’s what the holiday has in store (including a few picks later on in the long weekend). Watch some fireworks… It’s just not the Fourth without fireworks. Luckily, we have details on a dozen different fireworks shows happening across the county—and even one in the O.C. New this year is America’s Block Party Benefiting Giving 4th, a star-studded America 250 concert at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum that boasts sets by the Smashing Pumpkins and Chris Stapleton and will be hosted by Queen Latifah. It will culminate in a spectacular fireworks and drone show. And tickets are super affordable (a symbolic $17.76), with proceeds benefiting Feeding America. Another concert with a fireworks finale? July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl, where headliners the Beach Boys with special guest John Stamos will celebrate the grand ol’ (Surfin’) USA (July 2–4).  Photograph: Courtesy Universal StudiosFireworks at Universal Studios Hollywood Cinespia also shoots off fireworks after its screenings this

Normally saving money on Disneyland tickets means picking a day with a little less demand than, say, the middle of the summer. But thanks to the theme park’s new limited-time promo, you can visit exactly then with a pretty deep discount—assuming you’re okay with a shorter visit. Disneyland is launching evening-only tickets from mid-July through early August that cost only $59, significantly less than the price of a full-day ticket. The tickets, which are bookable for dates from July 12 through August 5, are available Sundays through Wednesdays. You’ll have to stick to a single park, but in either case you’ll get five hours of evening access, starting at 7pm at Disneyland Park (till the typical midnight close) and 5pm at Disney California Adventure Park (till 10pm). Park reservations are still required, and the evening-only promo has its own availability calendar, so make sure to double check that before buying your tickets. Photograph: Michael Juliano for Time OutDisneyland 70th anniversary A full-day one-park ticket for Disneyland or California Adventure usually starts at $104 on select value days and peaks at $224 on the very busiest days. For July, weekday tickets are priced as low as $149, while Saturdays spike to $199. So these evening-only tickets are about 60% off of a typical one-day weekday ticket, and up to a 68% discount on a Sunday ticket. But of course, you’ll be limited to about a third as much time in the park compared to a normal ticket (assuming you someho

We’ve seen tournament-branded bus wraps and checkout aisle T-shirts popping up in Los Angeles for weeks, but now the traffic warning signs on the freeways can only mean one thing: The FIFA World Cup is finally here, back in the L.A. area for the first time in over three decades. Though L.A. is just one of 11 cities in the U.S. (plus five others in Mexico and Canada) to host matches during the 39-day tournament, it sure feels like we’re in the center of the soccer world right now: Even if you’re not attending one of the eight matches hosted here, daily watch parties are everywhere, and our weekend events calendar is teeming with fan festivals. It’s a lot to keep track of—maybe even too much—so we’re distilling the overwhelming flood of information down to the essentials. RECOMMENDED: Our full guide to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in L.A. Where is the FIFA World Cup being held in Los Angeles? At Los Angeles Stadium, according to FIFA, but this is simply the un-branded name for SoFi Stadium, the (American) football stadium in Inglewood that’s usually home to the Rams and Chargers. The entire tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, though SoFi will host its matches on select days between June 12 and July 10. Courtesy MetroWorld Cup Enhanced Service How can I get to SoFi Stadium? And can I park there? Though you can drive there, it’s upwards of $250 to park at the stadium (and not much cheaper outside of it), and you’ll need to book a spot in advance. Instead, Metro will be operati

You don’t have to score a ticket inside SoFi Stadium to soak up the electric atmosphere of the FIFA World Cup: Thanks to watch parties all over Los Angeles, the celebratory soccer vibes have spread to landmarks, parks and city streets, often for free. But there’s one particular match on the horizon that’s remarkably reflective of L.A.’s deeply intertwined multicultural roots and—as KCRW took the words right out of our mouth—“the most L.A. World Cup game ever.” On Thursday, June 18, Mexico will face South Korea at 6pm Pacific time, and while the group stage match takes place in Mexico, the watch parties in L.A.—two in particular—are bound to be absolutely magnetic. The two countries’ camaraderie has captivated social media, and it’ll likely be the event to watch in L.A. on Thursday night. RECOMMENDED: 20 ways to watch the World Cup in Los Angeles First up is a watch party in Koreatown, a neighborhood that’s the capital of Korean culture and cuisine in L.A., as well as a majority Latino one—and really, what could be more L.A. than the fact that K-town’s main watch party this week takes place across from the city’s most famous Oaxacan restaurant, Guelaguetza? But judging by the jerseys at last week’s watch party along Wilshire Boulevard, this is very much a rally for team South Korea supporters. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation (@losangeleskoreanfestival) This time around, the Los Angeles Korean Festival

It’s official: World Cup fever has taken over L.A. The global soccer tournament takes place only every four years, and this time around, it’s back in the U.S. for the first time in over three decades—and Los Angeles is hosting eight of the matches at SoFi Stadium. (The freeways are already warning of more traffic—advising people to “use transit” on June 12.) To celebrate, seemingly every local business is getting in on the action, hosting special promotions, soccer-themed activations and World Cup viewing parties. You can expect every sports bar and lots of restaurants to be tuned in—Clifton’s Republic is even temporarily reopening just for the occasion—but major museums, shopping centers and local attractions are also hosting their own events. It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest, but to help you out, we’ve rounded up 20 ways to catch a match surrounded by a community of fellow football fans. In fact, even if you’re not a sports fan, some of these parties should still appeal to you. 1. FIFA World Cup 2026June 11–July 19 The first way to see a match is, well, to brave the traffic (or go Metro) and watch a match in person. L.A. is just one of 11 host cities in the U.S., but all of the local matches will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (FIFA’s official schedule calls it “Los Angeles Stadium,” but that’s simply the un-branded name for SoFi). Things kick off June 12 with USA vs. Paraguay and lead up to a quarterfinal match on July 10. Photograph: Michael Juliano for Tim

It’s about as in-demand as World Cup or Olympics tickets but with only a single zero in its price tag: The free open house at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is returning this fall. Back for the first time since 2023, the overwhelmingly popular Pasadena-area tradition will once again welcome space-curious Angelenos on October 10 and 11 to step inside mission control and a host of fabrication facilities at the Caltech-managed command center for satellites and Mars rover missions. Tucked into the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, the robotic research lab drew increasingly Disneyland-level crowds to its two-day open house over the years, which prompted a shift to (free) timed ticket admission about a decade ago. That’ll be the case once again for 2026, when tickets for “Explore JPL” become available on Saturday, August 29 at 9am. You’ll be limited to five tickets and you must select a specific time slot and name each attendee when you reserve them (IDs will be checked at the door). Expect slots to be fully booked within 10 or 15 minutes.   Photograph: Michael JulianoJPL Open House 2014. Photograph: Michael JulianoJPL Open House   The rocket propulsion lab was founded back in 1936 and oversaw the launch of the United States’ first satellite, and since then its Pasadena–meets–La Cañada Flintridge campus has overseen the conception and management of multiple Mars rovers (Perseverance, Curiosity, Pathfinder) and space probes (Voyager 1 and 2). During the annual open house

Do World Cup ticket prices have your eyes watering right now? Are you wincing at trying to stay under your credit limit for the next Olympics ticket drop this summer? Thankfully, there’s a way to attend L.A.’s next global sports spectacular without breaking the bank—as long as you’re alright with working during it. LA28 announced new details for the volunteer program at the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Starting July 14, you’ll be able to apply for positions across eight categories of volunteering roles, from driving to technology to sports. You won’t be able to just pop in for a single day, though; you’ll need to commit to 10 nonconsecutive shifts before or during either the Olympics (Mar–Aug 2028) or Paralympics (Aug–Sept 2028). Here’s how it works: Applications open on the LA28 site on July 14. In order to register, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, proficient in English, available for 10 eight-hour shifts and present in the L.A. area during the Games—or Oklahoma City, as well as the satellite soccer host cities like New York, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San Jose and San Diego. Note that all of these positions are unpaid, and LA28 will not cover travel or lodging expenses. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games (@la28) Roles are available across eight categories: ceremonies, communications, driving, experience, medical, operations, sport and technology. (LA28 provides a few examples of responsibiliti

Amid all of L.A.’s traffic doomers, I wanted to believe that the World Cup wouldn’t be any more of a gridlocked nightmare than normal. After all, SoFi Stadium hosts at least 17 NFL games every fall, plus multi-night runs from the likes of Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. And the World Cup? Technically the stadium (dubbed “Los Angeles Stadium” for the duration of the FIFA tournament) had to slightly lower its seating capacity to squeeze in the pitch, and the jacked-up parking prices and expanded public transit access should—in theory—ease some of the congestion surrounding the stadium. Fortunately, my optimism proved mostly right: The bottlenecks by SoFi during Friday night’s sold-out local opener felt like mostly routine event traffic, and thanks to Metro’s smoothly-coordinated fleet of $1.75 direct buses, I at least didn’t have to be the one with my foot hovering over the brake pedal. Unfortunately, that still means the surface streets around the Inglewood venue—especially postgame—were kind of miserable. RECOMMENDED: FIFA World Cup 2026 Los Angeles: Match schedules, tickets and how to get there Let’s start with the good—maybe even great. Whereas the shuttles for Rams games or major concerts run solely from the light rail stop near LAX, Metro and its partner agencies are operating World Cup buses that depart every 10 minutes from 13 mostly-transit-connected spots across L.A. County, as well as two in Orange County. And, at least for my Union Station–originating trip, I can’t say en

The ticket prices, the traffic, the surrounding politics: There were plenty of reasons for Angelenos to be wary ahead of the arrival of this year’s FIFA World Cup. And all of those concerns certainly don’t evaporate just because the ball has hit the pitch at SoFi Stadium (dubbed “Los Angeles Stadium” for the length of the tournament). But after attending Friday night’s sold-out opener—the first World Cup match in the U.S. in over three decades, and the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team’s first appearance of this tournament—it’s pretty clear that the aura of World Cup soccer is still absolutely intoxicating. Not even gridlock can dull the the lingering glow of the United States’ 4–1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night. (Though if you’re intrigued by the mostly-pretty-typical traffic, I have a minute-by-minute account of my journey on Metro’s $1.75 direct bus service.) The atmosphere was electric through every hour of the evening, from the jersey-clad fans joined in song filing into the grounds to the “U-S-A” chants roaring underneath the stadium’s translucent roof to the elated eruptions in response to the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team’s opening and closing-minute goals. RECOMMENDED: FIFA World Cup 2026 Los Angeles: Match schedules, tickets and how to get there Everything about L.A.’s first World Cup match since the 1994 final at the Rose Bowl felt surreal. SoFi’s striking setup admittedly makes almost anything look impressive, but the first sight you have of the pitch is ju