Gillian Glover

When you’re living in the mecca of movie magic and special effects, Halloween aficionados are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking the perfect costume. Thanks to endless productions and, frankly, Angelenos’ affinity for going all out—be it for Coachella or your nephew’s Disney-themed birthday party—many costume shops are open year-round. If you need a one-stop shop for over-the-top masquerade outfits, superhero getups, Halloween Horror Nights-caliber masks or even just inspiration, check out these 14 costume stores. These shops have the goods (including ghoulish décor) and the professionals that will help you stand out from the crowd at all those Halloween parties you may hit up this year (or the spirited Halloween events you might be more inclined to frequent). Even if you’re kicking back at home watching a scary movie or taking a trip to the the city’s best pumpkin patches, get in the spooky spirit with a costume from one of these top-tier boo-tiques. Need some inspiration before shopping? Check out our list of the best Halloween costume ideas for 2025. Read more: The best Halloween events in the U.S. The best Halloween movies of all time The 40 best Halloween songs of all time RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Halloween in L.A.  

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 October 2025: We aren’t seeing temps in the 90s anymore, so it’s official: Things in Los Angeles have turned autumnal. We’re right in the midst of spooky season, so I’ve added lots of fall fun back into the list—think haunted houses, pumpkin-filled walks, costume parties, changing leaves and Oktoberfests. And right after Halloween, it’s time for Day of the Dead festivities across the city. October is also a great month for the arts. “Made in L.A.” has made its way back to the Hammer Museum, spotlighting the innovative work of dozens of local artists. And on October 25, Grand Ave Arts: All Access is back, filling the city’s Downtown cultural corridor with workshops, tours, live music and more.  Quick Picks: Best Things to Do in Los Angeles Griffith Observatory — Iconic attraction with a plan

The late legend and bona fide girl dad Kobe Bryant once said that “L.A. can be anything you want it to be,” and that couldn’t have been more true. L.A. is one of the most versatile cities, making it an extra special place to raise (or bring) your kids. As a mom of two who was born and raised here, I can personally vouch for it. This city is one giant playground with something for everyone. Want beach days? We’ve got miles of coastline. Arts and culture? World-class museums (with plenty of free days), concerts and theaters galore. Outdoor fun? Lush parks, nature preserves and hiking trails are yours for exploring. Sports? Pro teams in basketball, baseball, football, hockey and soccer, plus some serious college powerhouses. And, of course, we’re home to theme parks that draw families from around the globe—Universal Studios in the city, and Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm just a short drive away. And that’s not even including L.A.’s jam-packed events calendar with all kinds of family fun. So, what exactly are the best things to do in L.A. with kids? We’ve curated this list based on a mix of personal experience, expert recommendations (from fellow parents) and a little insider knowledge, bringing you the most fun, family-friendly spots in town. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, keep reading for top picks—and a few tips from yours truly. Updated October 2025: This article has been updated to include can’t-miss tips for the city’s most kiddo-approved places, which have all

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 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 can’t solve. Thi

Day of the Dead in Los Angeles is easily one of the city’s most vibrant holidays as far as local commemorations go. The celebration of the deceased isn’t about haunted spirits or prolonged mourning but instead offers a healthy perspective on the afterlife. Observers of the Mexican holiday (traditionally held after Halloween) visit loved ones’ gravestones, often as part of public gatherings. Typically you’ll find cultural affairs around the city with dance rituals, musical performances and plenty of calaca (skeleton) costumes. Get a taste of the holiday with some of our favorite Day of the Dead events, as well as the tastiest Mexican food in town. Some of the Los Angeles celebrations might look a little different this year out of concern for immigrant communities in light of the recent ICE raids. One celebration in Long Beach has even chosen to cancel its event altogether. But for the most part, these local traditions are continuing, with communities choosing to come together and celebrate both their culture and resilience. What is Day of the Dead? Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday in which family and friends come together to remember loved ones who have passed away and to guide their journey into the afterlife. The living visit graves and build altars (or ofrendas) and often decorate them with sugar skulls and marigolds, as well as the deceased’s favorite food, drinks and possessions. When is Day of the Dead? Day of the Dead begins Saturday, November 1, and ends Sunday, No

We don’t know about you, but our mind is always focused on the weekend. It can never come soon enough—which is why we’re already thinking about what new restaurants we want to try or where we can drive for the day. Whether you’re looking to scope out the latest museum exhibitions or watch a movie outdoors, you’ll find plenty of things to do in L.A. this weekend. We curate an L.A. weekend itinerary of the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine, every week, just for you. We’re already halfway through the month and well into spooky season, but our favorite events aren’t all Halloween-themed. The weather is back to being sunny and warm—like our rainy day didn’t even happen—so consider an alfresco evening at the buzzworthy Cortège, which hosts its last performance on Sunday. You can also ogle L.A. architecture at the Dwell Open House, hit up the Love Shack with the B-52s at the Bowl, fete fall at the Original Farmers Market, see scary movies at Heritage Square Museum or celebrate the Rialto Theatre’s 100th anniversary in South Pasadena. This Sunday is also the season’s last installment of Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome, a mile-high music series at Mount Wilson Observatory where all-female mariachi band Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas will take the stage.

If we could write the rules of living in Los Angeles this would be our No. 1, always at the top of our list: When you live in this city, there’s no excuse for boredom just because it’s a weeknight. There are hundreds of things to do in Los Angeles each week, whether you hit the beach at sunset or go for a morning bike ride, or catch a concert or a comedy show—and that’s really only scratching the surface. Well, we don’t make the rules, but we will provide you with plenty of ideas for your next free weeknight right here. Now go out and tackle these things to do in L.A. this week. We curate an itinerary of the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine, every week, just for you. This week is full of indie rock: Tuesday marks the first of Rilo Kiley’s two shows at the Greek, and TV on the Radio follows on Wednesday. Plus, the B-52s and Devo stop by the Bowl, and a lineup of local singer-songwriters perform murder ballads in honor of spooky season in the former Bootleg space. Also worth checking out: lots of alt-comedy shows, a seafood festival and a Day of the Dead celebration in Santa Monica, the Original Farmers Market’s Fall Festival and the free Beverly Hills Art Show. 

If beer and sausages are your idea of a good time, look sharp: Oktoberfest is upon us. With all the beer Los Angeles has to offer—from craft breweries to Bavarian-style biergartens—you’d be remiss not to celebrate Oktoberfest here in Los Angeles, but we’ve also rounded up larger, rowdier events a little farther away in Orange County and San Bernardino, if you’d rather make a day trip out of it. So put on your lederhosen, brush up on your oompah dancing and welcome autumn with a bratwurst in one hand and a stein in the other. Prost! What is Oktoberfest? A massive, centuries-old beer festival in Munich that’s now celebrated around the world. When is Oktoberfest? Though the German originator starts in mid-September (September 20 this year, to be exact), most Oktoberfest events in L.A. run throughout October, with a few that kick off in early September and last till mid-November.

Not all Halloween events are hell-bent on scaring you straight. Well, all right, a lot of them are, but in addition to haunted houses and spooky screenings, you’ll also find some family-friendly activities and trick-or-treating opportunities in Los Angeles. To make your Halloween planning a little bit easier, we’ve split this feature in two: Scary and adult-focused events are toward the top, and you’ll find a whole section of kid-friendly events about halfway down the page. Outside of these picks, if you’re looking for a real taste of the fall, you’ll find apple picking aplenty and—for the thrill-seekers—some real-life haunted places. But if you simply want something festive, there’s no shortage of worthwhile Halloween events in Los Angeles. RECOMMENDED: See more of Halloween in L.A.

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.

What’s Halloween without a few good scares? The best haunted houses in Los Angeles run the gamut from homegrown horrors to big-budget amusement park productions—unsurprisingly, the home of Hollywood horror films takes its Halloween events very seriously. Whatever thrills you, whether it’s a hayride in Griffith Park or immersive theater at a historic mansion (or perhaps some real-life haunted places), we’ve got it in this year’s list of the city’s best haunted houses in L.A. This year, I visited five of the haunted houses on the list and can honestly say I enjoyed all of them, for different reasons. Some were full of jump scares; others were a slow burn and lingered in my head for days afterward. Each was a fun night out and a frightfully festive way to celebrate spooky season. Best haunted houses in L.A. at a glance: Best for big-budget scares: Halloween Horror Nights (From $77) Best overall vibe: Dark Harbor (From $55)  Best special effects: Delusion (From $113) Best immersive experience: The Willows ($250) RECOMMENDED: See more of Halloween in L.A.

October is here, so put on a cardigan, sip a PSL and listen up. The month might not bring as much fall foliage as we’d prefer, but hey, there’s a slight chill in the air, and that passes for fall in these parts. Cue the coziness, Halloween happenings, apple picking, Oktoberfests and Day of the Dead celebrations—and many of these fall festivities let you get in on the fun for free. October also boasts a handful of complimentary arts and culture events, from the epic annual Grand Ave Arts: All Access to the Beverly Hills Art Show to the return of the standout “Made in L.A.” exhibition at the Hammer.

Despite being a lifelong L.A. resident, it wasn’t until a recent mini engagement trip that I finally ventured to San Diego and stayed at The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows.  Its website describes the hotel as “a landmark of San Diego”, and everyone I chatted with—and even in Carlsbad during a lunch stop on the way—waxed lyrical about the Lafayette Hotel: each person seemed to have their own story about it, and it’s clearly a destination for tourists and locals alike.  The property was built back in 1946—it was the only hotel to be constructed in the U.S. during World War II—and it originally opened as Imig Manor, named for local entrepreneur Larry Imig, who imagined it as a “city within a city”. The hotel spent a few years as a glamorous Old Hollywood hideaway, hosting lavish parties and welcoming stars like Ava Gardner, Lana Turner, Lucille Ball and John Wayne—in fact, Bob Hope was the first guest to sign the hotel registry. Then, in 1955, Conrad Hilton bought the property and renamed it the Lafayette Hotel, which kept it in business until it was purchased by Consortium Holdings, who, in 2023, restored the hotel to its former destination-worthy glory. Why stay at The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows? A better question would be, why ever leave? You know you’re at a good hotel when you have to talk yourself into leaving to explore your destination city. You could spend a two-day stay entirely on property and never be bored: there’s a retro 24-hour diner, a moody

For the Record, a live production company known for transforming the soundtracks of favorite filmmakers into immersive musicals, is back with its most impressive display yet: CineVita, the world’s largest Spiegeltent, is FTR’s new home in Hollywood Park, next to SoFi Stadium. After its opening in February, it’s bringing back Tarantino Live, which celebrates 30 years of Pulp Fiction and re-creates memorable musical moments from the director’s films including Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained.

Walk in James Dean’s footsteps as the Griffith Observatory hosts two special anniversary screenings of Rebel Without a Cause—right where key scenes from the movie were filmed. The anniversary aspect here is twofold: First, the Griffith Observatory is celebrating its 90th anniversary and has been marking the occasion all year long with special public programming and events. 2025 also marks 70 years since Rebel’s theatrical release. See the film in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater and enjoy after-hours access to the observatory, which is typically closed on Mondays.

Scribble might just be the coolest venue you’ve never heard of. The Highland Park spot is a nonprofit community/counseling center that also hosts classes, workshops, comedy and intimate concerts from under-the-radar bands. And it’s celebrating its 2nd birthday this weekend with a very affordable fundraiser (tickets are $17 including fees). Comedian and author Jamie Loftus will introduce sets by DJ Douggpound (editor for Tim and Eric), rapper Open Mike Eagle and comedian Whitmer Thomas, who’ll bring new and original jokes and jams with him.

The Grove will be Gilmore Girls-fan central this weekend as the already-idyllic shopping center’s park is transformed into a pop-up Stars Hollow to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the fall-favorite TV show—it premiered October 5, 2000. There’s been a lot of buzz around the free fan event, but not a lot of details—even still, RSVPs filled up within three days of the announcement. But we can now confirm that there will be five immersive photo ops that re-create the show’s small-town charm. Guests will be able to pose with replicas of the iconic Stars Hollow gazebo and Lorelai’s Jeep Wrangler, the town sign and the “1,000 daisies” set from Max’s proposal. Last but certainly not least, you can enjoy free coffee and doughnuts at a pop-up Luke’s Diner—if they’re serving Luke actor Scott Patterson’s branded GG coffee, I can confirm that it’s delicious (and Lorelai would most certainly agree). And of course, there will be lots of merch for sale.   It’s unclear whether Grove shoppers be able to catch a glimpse of the Stars Hollow sets without a ticket—we happened to be at the Grove on Thursday, and temporary hedge walls were blocking the area as construction was wrapping up. If you’re a fan and happen to be in the area, it might be worth stopping by in case any last-minute slots open up or a standby line forms. If you don’t get in to the Grove’s event though, don’t worry. In just over two months, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood will bring back its popular Holidays Made Here t

Even after attending a performance, I’m not quite sure how to describe The Cortège, a new experimental theater production from outside-the-box Oakland creative Jeff Hull. (Hull’s 2008 immersive alternate-reality game the Jejune Institute served as the inspiration for the Jason Segel–created TV show Dispatches From Elsewhere.) This latest outing, held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, is a mix of live music, choreography, larger-than-life costumes, large-scale puppetry, a silent disco, a score by artists including TOKiMONSTA, robot dogs and a simultaneous drone show. The abstract, 99% wordless experience is billed as “a festive funeral for our times,” and a nearly two-hour performance filled with striking visuals culminates in a wake of sorts with cups of tea inside an ambient tent. Before the show, food—veggie bowls, gyros, hummus, pita chips and baklava—and drinks are available for purchase. The Cortège was originally scheduled to run through September 28, but the buzzed-about production has been extended through October 19.

Dwell’s popular home tours, which grant architecture and design lovers exclusive access to some of the most innovative residences in the country, are back. This time around, the itinerary consists of three private tours of architecturally significant Eastside homes that have been featured in Dwell magazine. Check-in for the tour will take place at the Hollyhock House, where you mingle over coffee and check out the famed Frank Lloyd Wright–designed house.

A couple of hours up the coast, past Santa Barbara, you’ll find Solvang, which feels like California’s Copenhagen. It’s particularly picturesque in the fall and winter, and leading up to Halloween, this pumpkin patch sells over 50 varieties of the orange gourd, ranging from Wee-B-Littles to pumpkins weighing hundreds of pounds. Also on the property is a 14-acre corn maze with a scavenger hunt, which is open daily all season and also will host a nighttime edition October 24, 25 and on Halloween night. There’s also a mini maze for kids. Once you find your way out, snack on freshly grown and popped popcorn and kettle corn.

The Academy Museum is hosting a day of spooky silver-screen experiences, looking at Halloween through a cinematic lens. Expect ghostly gallery tours, appearances by Universal Studios monsters, a voice-acting workshop, palm reading and special-effects makeup demonstrations by three Academy members. (The makeup demos and character meet-and-greet don’t even require a museum ticket.) There’s also a trio of separately ticketed spooky screenings that explore the “crossroads between the monstrous and the feminine in film”: Bride of Frankenstein (11am), The Love Witch in 35mm (2:30pm) and Jennifer’s Body (7:30pm).

Here’s a wild card for you: The hottest game at the card table this summer isn’t poker or blackjack, but the family-game-night mainstay UNO. The colorful card game is hosting a tour of UNO Social Clubs across the country, including one for one night only at Atwater Village dive bar Club Tee Gee, where you can try your hand at UNO, UNO Golf and UNO Teams. Entry is free, and once inside you can expect custom cocktails, prizes and live DJ sets, all hosted by local comic Dani Lyle. Space is limited, so show up early for your best chance at a spot at the game table.

After opening a Photo Booth Museum in San Francisco earlier this year, photo booth supplier Photomatica has brought the concept to the heart of Silver Lake. Styled as a 1970s living room, the “museum” is not a museum, as such. There are print-outs detailing the history of each machine, but beyond that, don’t expect to learn a ton about the inner workings of photo booths. But that’s probably not why you’re here, anyway. You’re here to take flattering photos behind the curtains of four vintage machines—made by L.A.-based photo booth manufacturer Auto-Photo in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s—that have been lovingly restored by Photomatica so they’re in pristine working condition. There’s also one retro-style (and adorable) digital photo booth from the 2020s.  Inside the vintage booths, be ready to strike a pose as soon as you push the button—you get very little warning. And afterward, expect to wait three to five minutes for your film strip to print. When the strip does come out, be careful—it’ll be wet with the chemicals used in the rapid, darkroom-style development process. There are blow-dryers plugged in throughout the space to help with that. There’s no admission fee to the Photo Booth Museum, but you can expect to pay $7.50 for each turn in a film photo booth or $6.50 in the digital booth. That adds up to $36.50 if you want to sample each once—plus an extra $10 if you want to hit up the key chain booth, where you can choose one of your shots to frame and decorate with charms. Tha

See the story of a man-child and his bike on the big screen for the 40th anniversary of Paul Reubens’s zany film—much of which was filmed in Los Angeles. Sadly, Reubens isn’t here to celebrate the milestone, but if you’ve watched his recent HBO docuseries, Pee-wee as Himself, chances are a rewatch of his breakout Tim Burton-directed flick is in order. The rest of the cast will be there for a Q&A after this special screening at the Alex Theatre, including E.G. Daily (Dottie), Diane Salinger (Simone), Mark Holton (Francis) and writer Michael Varhol. Plus, a live string quartet will perform Danny Elfman’s iconic score and themed photo ops will abound. What’s more, 50% of ticket proceeds will benefit Stand Up to Cancer. 

The way I see it, there are two types of people: those who jump at the chance to go to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, and those who are horrified by the very thought. For years, I fell into the latter camp. Despite having lived mere minutes from the theme park my whole life and being an annual passholder for years, I had somehow avoided making my way through the backlot full of mazes and jump scares come Halloween time. But just over a week ago (because the beginning of September is now the unofficial start of Halloween season), I decided to face my fear of fear. My fiancé is obsessed with all things horror and Halloween, so the peer pressure is real. While I don’t love dressing up, I can appreciate creepy things and the aesthetics of Halloween. But there’s a line. For example, I’ve done the Haunted Hayride several times, but I only gave that a chance because when you’re being carted around behind a tractor, you can literally avert your eyes and hide your head if anyone tries to scare you. Mazes are a different story, and the idea of people jumping out at me, blocking my path and trailing me seemed, by design, nightmarish. So if you feel my pain—maybe you’re someone who loves Halloween but has avoided Horror Nights, or someone who gets dragged by your friends to scary events each fall—read on. Walking through the entrance on opening night, I wanted to turn around and back out while I still could. I knew my scaredy-cat vibes were just the kind that attract scare a

Metro’s A Line is already the longest light rail in the country, and this Friday, it’s getting even longer. After years of planning, permitting and construction, the public-transit extension into the San Gabriel Valley officially opens September 19 with new stops in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona. The line now stretches nearly 58 miles, offering easier commutes, fewer cars on the 210 and hopefully lighter traffic for communities long underserved by rail. RECOMMENDED: A beginner’s guide to Metro in L.A. The $1.5-billion project is no small feat. Overseen by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, the new stations are part of a 9.1-mile build that has been underway since 2020. (A stop in Claremont is still in the works, though an expansion to Montclair is now up in the air.) Though 1/5 of the population of L.A. County resides in the San Gabriel Valley, it’s the first time these four cities will be connected by rail since 1951, when the Pacific Electric Railway ceased operations in the midst of freeway construction. Starting Friday, the full A Line will feature connect 48 stations running from Long Beach through downtown L.A., up through Northeast Los Angeles and Pasadena, and into the San Gabriel Valley. Service will also be more frequent: Trains during peak weekday hours will run every eight minutes, every 10 minutes during off-peak hours on weekdays and daytime hours on weekends, and every 20 minutes late at night. A free community event will follow a press c

Shark Week might have already passed, but shark season is just getting started at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which is debuting its first large-scale show dedicated to a single film this Sunday—“Jaws: The Exhibition.” Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s suspenseful shark-starring masterpiece, the exhibition transports you to Amity Island, walking you through the pre-production, filming, plot and lasting cultural impact of the original summer blockbuster. Since its opening, the Academy Museum has displayed an important piece of Jaws history: The last remaining full-scale model of Bruce, the famously problematic mechanical shark used during filming, is the largest object in the museum’s collection and hangs epically above the escalators. But with the new exhibition, he’s now supplemented by over 200 original items—props, storyboards, script pages, cameras, costumes and more—used in the production of the film. Some of these came from the studio or Spielberg’s own personal collection, while others were preserved by crew members or private collectors since 1975. Located in the fourth-floor Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery, “Jaws: The Exhibition” tells the story of the film in six sections. The highlight is the immersive “Into the Deep” gallery, which takes you out on the water with a re-creation of the Orca, the fishing boat Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw set sail on. You’ll also see the underwater cage and spear used in the film

Amid the devastation of January’s wildfires, there were a couple of small victories. While the fire was spreading through Pacific Palisades, the Getty Villa and, less than a five-minute drive away, the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine were able to protect their perimeters and come out largely intact. Still, the Villa remained closed for 5 ½ months of cleanup efforts, and even when it reopened, the Lake Shrine remained closed. Until now, that is. Around 7 ½ months after the Palisades Fire broke out, the property’s peaceful meditation gardens have finally reopened, offering a beacon of hope and peace the city could certainly use right now. I first visited the Lake Shrine a couple of years ago and had a lovely, memorable afternoon. Recently I made my way back to check out the newly reopened gardens and speak with minister-in-charge Brother Satyananda. The drive down Sunset Boulevard through the Palisades is a sobering experience—once you pass Chautauqua Boulevard, the destruction takes your breath away—but after parking at the Lake Shrine lot on the top of the hill and descending the steps into the meditation gardens, I couldn’t help but smile. They looked pretty much exactly like I remembered—a little lush paradise in the midst of so much damage. And there is indeed a lake: Lake Santa Ynez, which is the only spring-fed lake in the city of Los Angeles. Run by the Self-Realization Fellowship—a non-denominational religious organization founded by Paramahansa Yogananda (auth

Many of us think of Labor Day weekend as the end of summer (though fall doesn’t technically begin until September 22). But in Los Angeles, we know better. We’re in the midst of a heat wave, and we’re still in for weeks of sunny days and balmy, warm nights where we can keep summer alive. In the meantime, if you’re in need of ideas for the best way to spend your long weekend, we’ve got you covered with 18 picks, from alfresco films to pop-up markets, free concerts to stadium shows. Here are our top things to do this Labor Day weekend. 1. Watch a movie outdoorsFri–Mon Outdoor movie season isn’t slowing down yet—in fact, some series keep the fun going all year long—but this weekend is particularly full of fun films. On Friday, Dive-In Movie Nights presents Moana poolside at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown; the Huntington is showing Paddington 2 as part of its family-friendly Summer Movie Nights; and ​​Friday Movie Nights hosts a free screening of The Goonies at Ovation Hollywood. In DTLA, Rooftop Cinema Club has a reliably great lineup throughout the weekend: Amélie, When Harry Met Sally…, The Godfather, Pride & Prejudice, Crazy, Stupid, Love and La La Land. Meanwhile, Cinespia hosts The Princess Bride on Saturday and The Silence of the Lambs on Sunday; the Montalbán is showing Scream and Before Sunrise; and if there are any 1D fans in the house, Street Food Cinema will present One Direction: This Is Us at the Autry.   Photograph: Courtesy Smorgasburg 2. Cool off with

Ask the coolest person you know from Los Angeles if they’ve ever been to the Magic Castle, and you’ll get one of two responses: a longing “no” or a “yes” followed by them excitedly detailing the most magical night of their lives. Yes, even though L.A. can come off as jaded, there’s one thing we can’t resist—a mysterious Victorian mansion on a hill, with a strict dress code and a highly exclusive door policy. You see, you can’t buy a ticket to the Magic Castle. The club, opened in 1963, is the headquarters of the Academy of Magical Arts, and to get in for a meal and a show, you either need to be a magician, or to know one. (There are a few workarounds, including booking a stay at the adjoining Magic Castle Hotel or even signing up for a competitive blood drive to good-deed your way in.) But those not in L.A. are in luck. For its next trick, the Magic Castle has teamed up with Princess Cruises to offer a coveted peek behind the curtain and cast its spell over the ocean. After Magic Castle Enterprises launched its first-ever partnership with the cruise line’s Sun Princess ship, the two have reimagined a new, themed immersive space that brings the experience of visiting the Magic Castle to those sailing on new sister ship Star Princess. I got to preview what’s in store from the experience—and take a private tour of the castle with the president of Magic Castle Enterprises and granddaughter of the original founder, Erika Larsen (which ended up being one of the coolest things I’ve

Those who claim L.A. lacks culture clearly haven’t been to Grand Avenue. The Downtown thoroughfare serves as a cultural corridor rich in art museums, music venues and welcoming public spaces. As the Music Center’s CEO and president, Rachel S. Moore, says, “Only on Grand Avenue can you move from the soaring notes of a symphony to the pulse of a dance party and experience the range from timeless works of art to the cutting edge of human-machine collaborations—all within a single, walkable mile.” And one day a year, you can visit more than a dozen of these arts and culture destinations for free. Grand Ave Arts: All Access, now in its ninth year, will return on October 25, offering special access to and programming in the officially designated “Grand Avenue Cultural District” for five hours, from 11am to 4pm. Expect performances, workshops, tours, family-friendly activities and more. This year, 13 arts organizations on Grand between Temple and Sixth Streets are participating in the cultural open house: The Broad, Center Theatre Group, Colburn School, Gloria Molina Grand Park, LA Opera, the LA Phil, Los Angeles Central Library, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Metro Art (the transit agency now has a station just off Grand atop Bunker Hill), MOCA, the Music Center, REDCAT and the upcoming DATALAND. Photograph: Michelle Shiers Among the programming highlights are a singing workshop at the Colburn school and the chance for kids to conduct a live band; free LA Opera recitals at the Dorot

Here in L.A., we’re blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to moviegoing. Think outdoor screenings in every picturesque location you can imagine, cult classics shown in theaters owned by Quentin Tarantino, blockbuster premieres along Hollywood Boulevard and special events in Downtown’s historic Broadway movie palaces. But seeing a classic film in the actual location where it was filmed isn’t an everyday occurrence. Enter the Griffith Observatory, which just announced that it’ll be hosting a special anniversary screening of Rebel Without a Cause—the most remembered of Hollywood icon James Dean’s three films—inside the venue’s Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater on October 27. The anniversary aspect here is twofold: First, the Griffith Observatory is celebrating its 90th anniversary and has been marking the occasion all year long with special public programming and events. Also, 2025 marks 70 years since Rebel’s theatrical release (meaning the observatory was only 20 years old when the movie was filmed there). The observatory features prominently in the 1955 tale of teenage angst—it’s the site of a field trip, the famous knife fight and the film’s final scene. Rebel also marks the first time a planetarium theater was used in a film (the same planetarium was later the stage for the dreamy dance scene in La La Land). Phtoograph: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com Any time you visit the observatory, you can see a monument with a bronze bust of Dean on the landmark’s

Stand-up paddleboard (or SUP) yoga—a marine-meets-mindfulness workout—is a relatively new concept. The practice in itself feels very L.A.: heading to the water but incorporating a zen workout into your beach day. I’ve always liked the sound of it in theory but never had any serious plans to try a class—first, despite the common perception of L.A. that everyone here is obsessed with working out, I’m not much of a fitness girl. I’m also not a great swimmer, so I’ve especially never attempted any kind of aquatic workout. If you lose your balance in a regular yoga class, the worst that could happen is you topple over; in a SUP yoga class, you’d end up underwater. But when I got an invite to try a new SUP yoga offering at the luxurious Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel—previously the Montage Beverly Hills—my interest was piqued. Rather than in the ocean, a lake or a lagoon, it was being held in a pool, on a rooftop, in the middle of Beverly Hills. It definitely seemed more beginner-friendly than the beach—and besides, what could be more quintessentially L.A.? I decided to give it a shot. I arrived at the hotel for the morning class and took the elevator up to the ninth-floor rooftop, where there’s a bar, cabanas and a small, three-foot-deep pool that had been transformed into a floating yoga studio. I saw six paddleboards spaced out evenly atop the water and was relieved to see they were anchored in place. Maybe I could do this. I got to chat with the class’s teacher—Sarah Tiefenthale

If you found yourself not in the mood to celebrate Independence Day last month, you weren’t alone. Between wildfire concerns and the federal immigration raids, many of the city’s holiday festivities were canceled, postponed or altered in some way. That included the Music Center and Gloria Molina Grand Park’s annual block party, which was set to be the largest free Fourth of July celebration on the West Coast but ended up being rescheduled due to safety concerns amid Downtown unrest. But a new date has finally been announced for the event, which has been reimagined as a love letter to Los Angeles dubbed “Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Block Party: Celebrating L.A. Culture & Community.” Just over two months from its original date, the “park for everyone” will host a drone show, DJ sets, food trucks and art installations on September 6, taking over the park, from Grand Avenue to Broadway and surrounding streets, from 3 to 9pm. This year found several Fourth of July fireworks shows pivoting to drones for eco-conscious and fire safety reasons, but Grand Park was already ahead of the curve. It’s opted for drones over pyrotechnics for the past two years. And once again, a 3-D drone show from Grizzly Entertainment will light up the night at 8pm. The 12-minute-long display will “emphasize L.A. communities’ resilience and honor Angelenos’ capacity for joy amid hardships,” according to the Music Center. The party’s theme of homegrown resilience will also be echoed in its art installations a

L.A. is already full of great places to see concerts, but a new music venue opening is always great news. And one in arguably the most charming suburb of Los Angeles—we’re talking about South Pasadena—is even more exciting. And the best part: One of the city’s coolest concert bookers and promoters is behind the new space—the “fiercely independent” Sid the Cat—which promises a lineup of nightly concerts by both local and national acts. The San Gabriel Valley isn’t rich in options when it comes to live music, so Sid the Cat Auditorium will be filling a need for music fans of all ages when it opens this fall. The idyllic small city of South Pasadena is perhaps best known for its old-school Fair Oaks Pharmacy—which has sat on the corner of Mission Street and Fair Oaks Avenue since 1915—and the retro soda fountain is joined by a picturesque row of boutiques and eateries on Mission Street. And soon, right around the corner from the main drag, you’ll find Sid the Cat Auditorium, situated across the street from the South Pasadena Public Library (and boasting ample parking). The new club will bring life back to the former South Pasadena Elementary School, which was originally built in 1885, rebuilt in 1928 and decommissioned as a school in 1979—and now it’ll school Angelenos on up-and-coming bands to know. The shows will take place in the original auditorium in the school’s east wing, which has been upgraded with a state-of-the-art sound system and can fit an audience of up to 500. Th

The Force was strong in San Diego over the weekend as George Lucas made his Comic-Con debut. The Star Wars creator joined Oscar-winning artist and Lucasfilm senior vice president Doug Chiang, Oscar-winning filmmaker and Lucas Museum board member Guillermo del Toro and panel moderator Queen Latifah to talk about what Angelenos—and the scores of people the museum will undoubtedly draw to L.A.—have to look forward to from the eagerly awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. “We’re here today because my dear friend Goerge wanted to create a space where anyone could come and be inspired by the same art that inspired him,” Queen Latifah said to introduce Lucas. And while it was light on concrete details (like a specific opening date), the panel featured an interesting discussion of the upcoming museum that drew over 6,000 to Hall H on the final day of this year’s Comic-Con. The creative minds assembled talked about the importance of narrative art—which “tells the story of a society” and its common beliefs, according to Lucas—and shared some of the highlights of the museum’s collection. Speaking to the Comic-Con crowd about the mission of the museum, Lucas explained that he’s worked with hundreds of illustrators in his career, but lamented the fact that they don’t receive enough recognition. To that end, he said his museum will be “a temple to the people’s art.” On his part, Chiang said he hopes that the Lucas Museum “will inspire the next Norman Rockwell or Frank Frazetta.”   Photog