Everyone looks forward to those summer days spent lazing around the pool and hanging out with friends that replace the hectic days of the school year. But let’s face it, after a week of nothing to do, summer’s allure of freedom can quickly fade into boredom.
Luckily there are a million of things to do in Los Angeles.
A quintessential L.A. thing to do is take a bike ride along the 27-mile stretch known as the Santa Monica Bike Path. Unless you are a serious athlete, pedaling for 27 consecutive miles is an impossibility. But the trek from the chaotic scene that is Venice Beach up to tawny Malibu is doable and enjoyable.
Why not use some of your summer days to learn how to cook? Knowing your way around the kitchen is not only fun but will pay off when you head to college. Whether you’re a total newbie or already preparing meals for your family, a cooking class is a fun way to learn something new. Places like The New School of Cooking in Culver City and Sur La Table at the Grove offer classes to beginners and teach you a lot about techniques and tools of the kitchen.
Maybe this summer you can start liking stuff that your parents normally have to bribe you to try. A great thing to try this summer is heading to a museum with your parents. Plan a whole Sunday to bond with Mom and Dad. Show off the skills you picked up in cooking class to whip up a Sunday brunch, and then follow up with a trip to LACMA.
Who knows, you might just become a fan of German expressionism.
If cookie-cutter summer blockbusters are not your thing, visit The Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax and Melrose. Don’t be fooled by its name –The Silent Movie Theater schedules eclectic films that includes cult classics along with weird, cool, and un-silent movies. Opened in 1942 by John Hampton with the hope that his personal silent movie collection would bring joy to families trying to survive the World War II years, The Silent Movie Theatre is still one of L.A.’s most unusual treasures and occasionally features a good old-fashioned night of silent classics.
Another iconic LA excursion is a hike in Runyon Canyon. Located just north of Sunset on Fuller Avenue, Runyon Canyon is where Hollywood celebrities work out and show off their perfectly sculpted physiques. On a recent trek, Jane Lynch (she was actually wearing a track suit) was hiking with her dog – Runyon Canyon is an off-leash dog park as well. Plan on going early in the day or at dusk because the heat can be unbearable during the summer months.
Is shopping your thing? If so, head downtown to Chinatown for some fun. There’s a lot to take in, from roasted Peking ducks hanging in the windows to countless stores selling herbs galore. If gawking gets tiresome, then try some shopping! Twenty dollars can buy you a cute outfit complete with accessories, or alternatively, tons of manicure accoutrements. Whether the things you bought will last you through the week is another story.
On your way to Chinatown you’ll find the Men’s Central Jail, where OJ Simpson spent some time, and Olvera Street, the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles. Anyone who’s been to Shalhevet for over six months knows that another key destination in downtown is the very futuristic-looking Disney Hall. Take 10 minutes of your day to admire its exterior’s beauty.
While summer is the right time for doing nothing some of time, it’s also the time to do stuff you normally wouldn’t do. So go ahead and venture east of La Cienega. Dare to strut north of Olympic Boulevard. You will find L.A. is full of precious gems that can transform your summer from hum-drum to something fierce.
