A Guide to Winter in LA

Dec 26

Dec 26 A Guide to Winter in LA

In LA, one might not have the most typical winter experience—it definitely feels different when it’s 65 degrees and sunny outside. It might be hard to engage in idyllic winter activities like building a snowman or enjoying a White Christmas, but don’t worry: there are plenty of festive and exciting things to do if you’re fortunate enough to spend your winter in LA.

What to See

The Grove: Get your holiday shopping done at the Grove, one of LA’s biggest shopping centers. There are plenty of stores to find gifts for your loved ones or to just treat yourself! Better yet, there’s no shortage of good food, from an extensive Farmer’s Market featuring homemade ice cream, a French market, and Brazilian barbecue, to Dominique Ansel Bakery’s delectable pastries, and a Pressed Juicery for your green juice fix. Throw in a 100-foot tall Christmas tree and plenty of other holiday decorations, and you’re all set for one very festive shopping experience.

LA Zoo Lights: For colorful lights galore, check out LA Zoo Lights! Think Lincoln Zoo Lights but larger, brighter, and more colorful. With plenty of installations, most notably a tunnel of rainbow lights, there are lots of photo ops for you and your friends or family to take some cute holiday pictures.

Enchanted Forest of Light: If you want even more lights, the Descanso Garden’s Enchanted Forest of Light has your needs covered. It’s a one-mile walk where you get to interact with unique, breathtaking light installations, such as a stained glass pond and a lit-up forest. Definitely a one-of-a-kind experience to enjoy!

What to Do

Disneyland: Disneyland during the holidays? What could be more magical? Enjoy a beautifully lit castle as well as other seasonal decorations as you wait in line for your favorite ride or munch on some Mickey-shaped snacks. Even if you don’t celebrate the holidays, there’s a lot of childhood magic to relive here. Take a picture with your favorite character, snack on some overpriced but delicious food, enter the world of your favorite movie through the rides and decorations, or check out the new addition of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Wholesome fun for the whole family!

Ice Skating at LA Live: Located between the Staples Center and many concert venues, LA Live is the perfect place for some outdoor ice skating. It may not have as nice a downtown view like that of Chicago’s outdoor skating rinks, but at least it’s not freezing outside.

Hit the Beach: Speaking of nice weather, make sure to take advantage of the warmth by going to one of LA’s many beaches. If you want easy access to shopping and food, check out a popular beach like Santa Monica, Venice, or Malibu. For a less touristy option, check out Laguna or Long Beach.

Hike Griffith Park: If you’re a fan out the outdoors, make sure to go hiking in Griffith Park. You’ll get a nice uphill hike and be able to spot the Hollywood Sign and the Pacific Ocean. Once you get to the top, you’ll be met with the best view that LA has to offer! Also make sure to check out the Griffith Observatory for some cool space-themed exhibits or a chance to do some stargazing. If you want to enjoy the observatory and the view but don’t want to endure the hike, make sure to park downhill and take a bus up Mount Hollywood instead of having to suffer the hectic parking lot up the mountain.

What to Eat

Coffee: No matter the weather, what’s winter without some cozy drinks? For your coffee fix, try: Alfred Coffee, with the “But first, coffee.” cups you’ve likely seen all over Instagram; Blue Bottle Coffee, a cult favorite; Maru Coffee, featuring sleek minimalist decor; or Go Get Em Tiger, which has a cute and cozy atmosphere.

Ramen: Even in a California winter, hot drinks aren’t enough, and what’s a better warm comfort food than a bowl of ramen? Find some delicious noodles at: Daikokuya, Tsujita, Slurpin Ramen, or Ramen Maruya.

Other Recommendations: There are way too many food recommendations to categorize, so here are some more miscellaneous yummy recommendations: Commissary, a restaurant inside a greenhouse; Chosun Galbee, for the best KBBQ outside of Korea; North Italia, for some good fusion Italian food; Wanderlust Creamery, because it’s never too cold for ice cream and because they have really unique global flavors; Din Tai Fung, for life-changing xiao long bao; Urth Caffe; a basic but aesthetically pleasing choice with good sandwiches and good green tea; and Grand Central Market, a food hall where you can sample the best of the food LA has to offer.

Cover image via.