L.A. Times - Travel

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Paul W. Downs

Eric Ducker — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The 'Hacks' co-creator and star would check out antiques, peruse Chevalier's Books and have the best chocolate croissant in the world

Tell us: How much did you spend on Olympics tickets?

Kailyn Brown — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

$2,460 for women's gymnastics. $498 for men's volleyball. $1,141 for track and field. $241 for women's handball. Prices have been running the gamut.

Travel aboard a real-life Hogwarts Express at a new SoCal 'Harry Potter' experience

Tracy Brown — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:37:17 GMT

A new Hogwarts Express experience will let you live out your 'Harry Potter' dreams aboard a real moving train at the Southern California Railway Museum.

What it's like to DJ at Coachella: Backstage access, celebrities and lines nobody can avoid

Kailyn Brown — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Times reporter by day, DJ by night, Kailyn Brown (who goes by Kailyn Hype) takes us behind the curtain at the popular music festival.

L.A. City Council panel seeks to ban e-bikes from city hiking and equestrian trails

Sandra McDonald — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:41:07 GMT

Electric bikes could be banned from L.A. city hiking and equestrian trails under a City Council proposal.

'Now is the time': Bob Baker Marionette Theater to make Highland Park its forever home

Todd Martens — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The beloved troupe with thousands of handcrafted puppets — a saucy black cat in heels, a fish out of water that can't help but wiggle — has entered into an agreement to purchase its current location.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A, according to Halle Bailey

Kailyn Brown — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

For the 'You, Me & Tuscany' star, the agenda includes a sunset hike, Caribbean food at Lucia and a live show at the Blue Note.

It's time to take a road trip to Carrizo Plain, which still blooms with spring colors

Christopher Reynolds — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Explore it before the green hills go brown and the education center closes for six months beginning June 1.

Here's how to have the most fun at the L.A. Renaissance Faire

Jaclyn Cosgrove — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

At the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale, guests can enjoy medieval-era music, clowning, stunts, joust competitions and so much more.

Jim Whittaker, first American climber to scale Mt. Everest, dies at 97

David Colker — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 03:46:30 GMT

West Coast climber Jim Whittaker reached the highest point on Earth on May 1, 1963. He later turned recreation co-op REI into a business success story.

On Highway 78, I watched the valleys awaken in vibrant blooms — a dramatic springtime show

Josh Jackson — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

From the mountain forest to the stark badlands of Borrego Springs to the Colorado River, this road trip spans one of the most dramatic ecological transitions in the American Southwest.

L.A. Times Concierge: Where can we go for a fun morning out with our toddler before nap time?

Kailyn Brown — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions, and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

Low on PTO? Join the Gen Z travelers taking international 'microtrips'

Kailyn Brown — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Taking an international trip that lasts just 24 to 72 hours may sound intense, but for young people with busy schedules, it's a travel strategy that works.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A, according to Thundercat

August Brown — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:36:55 GMT

The L.A. bassist's perfect is all about good coffee and comic books, hanging with great friends and soaking in incredible live jazz at his favorite local hotspots.

This L.A. play wants you to feel the story viscerally — by keeping you blindfolded

Todd Martens — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Stripping audiences of their sight, "Poe: Pulse & Pendulum" from Theatre Obscura L.A. toys with the fear of anticipation, using light touch and scent to deliver its narrative.

Don't want to miss the bloom? This L.A. scientist created a poppy forecast

Lila Seidman, Alex Wigglesworth — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A local scientist looked for wildflower forecasts, but couldn't find any. So he created one himself, using a deep-learning model, satellite imagery and weather data.

L.A. Times Concierge: 'It's hard to make friends as an adult in L.A. What are some groups I can join?'

Kailyn Brown — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions, and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

'Bluey' experience opens at Disneyland. Here's what it's like

Todd Martens — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 19:05:26 GMT

Bluey and Bingo have landed at Disneyland. 'Bluey's Best Day Ever!' is a theater-inspired experience themed after the successful Australian animated series. Expect some games, and lots of dance breakouts.

L.A. aims to rebuild Griffith Park's historic pool for $40 million by 2029

Christopher Reynolds — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:07:42 GMT

The project will create two new pools and rehabilitate the Spanish Colonial Revival pool house's exterior while adding amenities, including a gender-neutral bathhouse facility and improved accessibility.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Kenny Scharf

Pamela Chelin — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Oh his ideal Sunday, Kenny Scharf would wake up before sunrise and get moving: swimming at Venice Beach, biking to his studio and hiking to one of the best views in L.A.

Airfares set to take off as fuel prices fly

Caroline Petrow-Cohen — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

With the war in Iran restricting the oil market and sending prices up, U.S. customers will likely have to shell out more for airfare soon.

Cult play '5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche' becomes an unhinged immersive experience in L.A.

Todd Martens — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Covering topics from anxieties due to war and a culture inhospitable to LGBTQ+ communities, the show, set in the late '50s, is a comedic metaphor that resonates in 2026.

Get ideas for your home garden at these 19 spring garden tours around L.A.

Lisa Boone — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

From California native wildflowers to historic Midcentury Modern design, this guide offers details about spring garden tours in Southern California.

Inside Knott's Berry Farm, a tiny theater boasts rowdy shows and alums like Steve Martin

Todd Martens — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The historic Bird Cage Theatre, a place for vaudeville-style, fourth-wall-breaking shows, just reopened with a properly enclosed roof and air conditioning.

California national parks set attendance record, despite controversy

Jack Dolan — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The nine national parks in the Golden State — including Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree — attracted nearly 12 million recreational visits in 2025, according to statistics from the National Park Service.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Phil Rosenthal

Lisa Boone — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Not surprisingly for the host of Netflix's "Somebody Feed Phil," there'll be plenty of stops at L.A. restaurants.

Tell us about the greatest, most neighborly neighbor you've ever had

Kailyn Brown — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

What's the most remarkable thing they've done for you, big or small?

His portrait of MLK in a hoodie went viral. Now he shares a message in his Downtown Disney art

Todd Martens — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Former Imagineer Nikkolas Smith, a self-described "artivist," imbued his Legacy Tower in Downtown Disney with hidden meaning. It's a piece that nods to five Black architects.

L.A. Times Concierge: 'Our anniversary trip to Paris fell through! Help us plan an L.A. escapade that feels special'

Kailyn Brown — Mon, 9 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions, and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

Legoland grows up. What it's like to ride the new Space Mountain-inspired Galacticoaster

Todd Martens — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 18:56:31 GMT

Galacticoaster is a race to save a Lego-infused galaxy from an "asteroid of probable destruction." And at 40 mph, it's the park's fastest ride.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Jordan Chiles

Kailyn Brown — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Video games, shopping and Domino's pizza are on the agenda for the two-time Olympian.

New details: Universal Studios' 'Fast & Furious' coaster is almost ready to ride

Todd Martens — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 22:33:26 GMT

With the ride intended to reach a speed of 72 mph, the theme park has managed to pack a mighty experience into a tight piece of real estate

DTLA has a new theater — inside a fake electrical box

Todd Martens — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

With her Electrical Box Theatre, about 6 feet tall and 3 feet deep, S.C. Mero set out to create an impromptu performance space for artists who no longer have an outlet in downtown L.A.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Andy Richter

Eric Ducker — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

There'll be breakfast at Shakers, a jaunt with the dogs at Rosie's Beach and the best soup dumplings you can get at the mall.

A secret-ish Japanese-style listening lounge just opened inside the Hollywood Palladium

Kailyn Brown — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Don't know where to eat before your next concert at the Hollywood Palladium? Vinyl Room, an exclusive lounge inside the historic venue, has got you covered.

They transformed a historic bar into a fantasy forest for all of L.A.'s witches

Todd Martens — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Come to the Witch's Cottage in NoHo for the hidden wonders, but stay for dragon-themed deviled eggs and rum-heavy cocktails.

Disney California Adventure turns 25. Will it ever not feel like a work in progress?

Todd Martens — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

The pitch for the theme park was to show the Golden State as a romanticized destination, celebrating our people, our nature, our food and our glamour through a lighthearted, optimistic lens. Did it succeed? Does it matter?

L.A. Times Concierge: I live in O.C. My kids live in Santa Clarita. Looking for nice spots to meet halfway.

Kailyn Brown — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions, and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

In a frenetic digital era, he's helping Angelenos rediscover the classic cassette player

Oliver Wang — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Spencer Richardson, who's bringing rehabbed music technology back into circulation, is finding that millennials are increasingly drawn to analog devices in an era when everything else disappears into the digital ether.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Betye Saar

Leigh-Ann Jackson — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

At 99, Betye Saar is an icon in the Los Angeles art world. On her perfect Sunday, she'd visit the Pasadena Community College Flea Market, the Huntington and the Apple Pan.

South L.A. just became a Black cultural district. So where should its monument stand?

Kailyn Brown — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

We break down the significance of the potential locations, including Leimert Park, Central Avenue, Exposition Park, Adams Boulevard near Arlington Avenue and others.

At Catch One, a funk concert transports you to 1974 — and it's immersive theater at its finest

Todd Martens — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

'Brassroots District: LA '74' is part concert, part participatory theater. How it plays out is up to each audience member.

6 desert books we can't stop talking about

Mark Athitakis — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Discover the folklore, nature and history of the Southwest through stunning literary portraits and poetry.

'Ass power!' Hundreds gather in L.A. to play a video game about donkeys and the resistance

Todd Martens — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

The touring video game show "asses.masses" reached Los Angeles, and brought with it a crowd ready for action.

L.A. Times Concierge: 'We're throwing a party for our 95-year-old dad! What are some nostalgic L.A. spots?'

Kailyn Brown — Mon, 9 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Jason Mantzoukas

Eric Ducker — Fri, 6 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

The plan includes coffee, a stop at the comic book store and hiking with the bros — that is, if he decides to leave the house.

On Highway 127, I discovered the breathtaking wonders of going the long way

Josh Jackson — Thu, 5 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

The weathered gems along the two-lane stretch that runs north from Baker toward the Nevada border.

So close you can see elephant eyelashes? Welcome to San Diego's Elephant Valley

Todd Martens — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

The 13-acre-plus savanna at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park features a curved bridge overlooking a savanna, allowing elephants to walk under guests.

Why does train travel feel so special? Readers share their best memories

Christopher Reynolds — Tue, 3 Feb 2026 18:30:04 GMT

Their stories involve a sitar, a surfboard, a famous writer and several root beer floats.

16 moments that bring back 2016 L.A.

Kailyn Brown — Tue, 3 Feb 2026 18:28:24 GMT

The year brought cultural milestones to L.A., from Kobe's final game to the rise of selfie culture to all things Issa Rae.

See the stuff dreams are made of at this experimental L.A. gallery show

Leigh-Ann Jackson — Mon, 2 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Sarah Sze, known for unconventional work, presents "Feel Free," a collection of new paintings and two immersive video installations at Gagosian Beverly Hills. The immersive art show champions the mind's eye, in all its random, fragmented glory.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Ty Dolla Sign

Kailyn Brown — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

A workout session, smoothie from Body Energy Club and dinner at Giorgio Baldi are on the agenda for the singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist.

'No lines and big, wide-open runs': This woodsy ski town is like Mammoth without the crowds

Christopher Reynolds — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

June Lake lives in the shadow of bigger, busier Mammoth Lakes but the eastern Sierra town can be just as good for a rustic mountain getaway.

L.A. Times Concierge: I want to take my girlfriend on an unforgettable date. Where should we go?

Kailyn Brown — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions, and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Bryan Fuller

Lisa Boone — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

For the "Dust Bunny" director, there'll be art, swimming, sushi and stops at some of L.A.'s iconic horror film locations.

Part screening, part listening party, this nostalgic L.A. event celebrates Black cinema

Kailyn Brown — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

From 'Waiting to Exhale,' 'Boomerang' and 'The Wood,' this L.A. event celebrates classic Black films and the iconic soundtracks that help bring them to life.

New film on Disney+ reveals the frenzied race against time to build Disneyland

Todd Martens — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Culled from about 200 hours of mostly unseen footage, Leslie Iwerks' "Disneyland Handcrafted" takes viewers back to the near beginning.

A spooky immersive game is happening at the old Griffith Park Zoo

Todd Martens — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Koryn Wicks' "Ghosts in the Machine," which uses augmented reality technology, takes participants up stairs, around pathways and into now-deserted enclosures. It's a haunting way to explore the park.

This California theme park inspired Disneyland, Bob Baker Marionettes — and tickets are $19

Todd Martens — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Oakland's Children's Fairyland, which turned 75, is an argument that storytelling, combined with old-fashioned play, has a timeless appeal.

Commentary: My travel nightmare made me realize that self-service culture is capitalism's greatest con

Mary McNamara — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

The digital age has made us a DIY economy in which millions of jobs no longer exist not because computers do the work, but because the work has been shifted, via computers, directly onto the consumer.