Don't let the bouts of cool temperatures and cloudy mornings fool you: summer is just about here. If you're not embarking on a road trip this Memorial Day weekend, make the most of the extra day off (and emptied-out city) with these 20 thrilling things to do—almost all of them outside.
Lounge by the pool, music in ear and cocktail in hand as SkyBar kicks off the long weekend with its "Just Ditch Fridays" series in the afternoon.
Or take a plunge in a public pool
They'll probably be just as crowded as the beach, but if you'd like to welcome in the summer with a few laps check out these public pools.
Feed your non-stop cravings for ice cream with a lick of these frozen treats, the best the city has to offer.
Escape to a hippie fest in Topanga
Bohemian locals and curious onlookers converge to celebrate music, food, arts and Mother Earth at Topanga Days Country Fair, a weekend-long fest with a parade on Monday morning.
Watch a movie in the great outdoors
Outdoor movie screenings combine two of our favorite things: film and being outside. Catch screenings this weekend of Moana, Pulp Fiction, North by Northwest, Back to the Future, Clueless and more.
Spend an evening in the city of stars
See composer Justin Hurwitz conduct the Oscar-winning La La Land score backed by a 100-piece orchestra, choir and jazz ensemble at this Hollywood Bowl screening and concert.
Get to know the world of DIY printed lit at the L.A. Zine Fest, with assembly of over 175 exhibitors of zines, small press publications and comics.
Spend some time outside this weekend and roll out a blanket and pack a picnic basket—some snacks, a little bit of cheese, but no wine, of course—wink, wink.
Dance and chill at a reggae fest
Spend Monday at UCLA's student-run JazzReggae Festival as the Memorial Day fest kicks off with sets from Protoje, Daniel Caesar and more.
Stuff your face with the city's best BBQ
There's BBQ and then there's BBQ—you know, the kind that leaves you licking your sauce-drenched fingers. From Compton to South Pasadena, here are our picks for L.A.'s best BBQ.
Sample the city's best vegan eats
Munch on an array of meals at Eat Drink Vegan, a meatless smorgasbord with more than 75 vegan food stands and unlimited pours of wine, beer, cold brew and kombucha.
Everyone's favorite beer garden, music space, education spot and snack shop, the Frog Spot, reopens for the season on Saturday along the L.A. River Bike Path in Elysian Valley.
Start a (legal) beachside bonfire
There isn't a much more quintessential Southern California experience than having a bonfire on the beach at sunset, which you can do at these five beaches.
Eat around Santa Monica with Monopoly money
Main Street in Santa Monica will transform into an interactive Monopoly board game during Sunday's MAINopoly, allotting attendees special "MAINopoly dollars," to be exchanged for food tastings across the street's finest establishments.
What is it that they say about smog? Oh yeah, beautiful sunsets. Make L.A.'s haze work for you with an elevated vantage point at these cocktail bars and beachside spots.
Roam the 400-plus vendor stalls at this waterfront street fair and block party held across Downtown Hermosa Beach.
Part day trip, part wilderness trek, these mountainous oases offer a cool dip in a scenic locale, oftentimes at the end of a waterfall hike.
Bring your best gal or guy to the Clifton's Canteen, a big band tribute to 1940s USO shows at Clifton's Republic.
Brush up on the Constitution with a beer
We the people, in order to form a more perfect happy hour, should attend this series of boozy crash courses on the U.S. Constitution at the Hammer Museum.
No, seriously. Don't go, it's going to be mobbed, and when you factor in all of the weekend events and the traffic on the—ah, who are we kidding, we're probably going to end up on the beach at some point with the rest of the city. If you can't beat 'em....
Looking for more things to do for Memorial Day weekend?