Posted by We Like L.A. is both the name and the thesis of this blog.
But sometimes… we actually really do love it, too.
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And perhaps no time is more conducive to falling in love with Los Angeles than the springtime.
From outdoor movies to waterfall hikes to the return of Dodgers baseball, there countless ways you may find yourself head over heels for the city of angels when the spring season rolls around.
Hopefully this list will remind you of some of the aspects of our city you may have forgotten about over the course of the past year, perhaps even spurring you to plan a few adventures of your own.
Enjoy the list, and the season!
[NOTE: Thanks to numerous commenters on the We Like L.A. Secret Group for helping come up with some of the ideas below. You guys rock!]
1. The Smell of Jasmine
‘Great smelling city’ might not be the descriptive term you most strongly associate with Los Angeles, but if you’ve lived here for at least one full set of seasons you’ve probably had occasion to go for an evening stroll and been struck by the intoxicating smell of some night-blooming jasmine.
Really, it’s one of the signature experiences of spring in L.A.
Lisa Holowitz (per the LA Weekly) sums up the experience quite eloquently:
“There are enough varieties of this flowering vine that it’s nearly a year-round perfume in Los Angeles, but it’s most prevalent on those late spring/early summer evenings, when the warmth of the day has heated the blossoms and the cool of the night coaxes their sweet scent out into the air for you to inhale. It’s not a pervasive or overpowering smell — just enough to give you that whiff of pleasure as you pass by.”
2. Outdoor Movie Season Kicks Off
From film screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery to Expo Park to Old Town Pasadena, outdoor movie season gets into high gear during the months of April and May, and there are plenty of options to choose from.
Here are a few schedules for 2016 that have already been announced you’ll probably want to keep on your radar if attending an outdoor film event is on your bucket list for the year:
[RELATED: 18 Super Fun Things To Do This Spring in Los Angeles]
via Street Food Cinema / YouTube
3. Waterfall Hikes Actually Have Waterfalls
One of the consequences of living in a coastal desert while experiencing ongoing years of drought is that some of the choicest hiking destinations in the region tend to dry up during the summer and fall months.
As Modern Hiker points out in spots like Escondido Falls (Santa Monica Mountains) or San Antonio Falls (San Gabriel Mountains), the strength of waterfalls is going to be subject to the most recent levels of precipitation. It stands to reason then that (usually) going early on in the spring is probably your best bet if you really want to see a strong flow.
4. Beach Season Gets Underway
Speaking of weather, there’s no denying Los Angeles is among the most privileged cities in the world when it comes to the weather, but even with that in mind, not all months are created equal.
By the start of May the average temperatures (at least historically) are already into the mid-70’s, which for many people is plenty good enough to justify an afternoon laying out on the sand.
5. ‘Spring Forward’ Makes For Excellent Rooftop Time
Sure, you hate losing that hour of sleep when daylight savings time starts, but at least now that the clocks are adjusted you have even more daylight hours to play with after the workday ends. One of the best usages of that sun is to go find some of L.A.’s choicest rooftop venues, hangout, and get yourself a happy hour cocktail.
FYP: We put together a great list of L.A. rooftop bars you may want to check out anytime, but especially during the spring.
6. Walking With Fellow Angelenos
Nobody walk in L.A.? Think again.
Spring is the perfect season to go explore L.A. on foot, and if you’re looking for options on how to undertake that process, here are a few recommendations for (free) groups/events you may want to plug in to:
- The Big Parade LA
- Stairclimbers of LA
- SoCal Stairclimbers
- DTLA Running Group
- Everyone Hikes
- Ranger Ernie Hiking Groups
7. It’s Time for Dodgers Baseball
Perhaps the most familiar refrain of the springtime in L.A. are these iconic words from the legendary Vin Scully.
If you’re a fan of the boys in blue, it’s among the most cherished sounds in the entire world…
[RELATED: Find discount tickets to Friday night fireworks at Dodger Stadium via our friends at Goldstar]
8. Flowers in Bloom
You want flowers? We’ve got your flowers…
For starters, destination botanical gardens like the Los Angeles Arboretum, Huntington Library, and Descanso Gardens are all arguably at their most beautiful during the spring months.
There are also a number of Cherry Blossom festivals that take place in March and April, and then of course there’s the incredible Antelope Valley poppy fields up in Lancaster.
Though it’s hard to predict how the AVP bloom will play out each spring, the official California Parks website does a good job of updating the public on the poppy bloom status and what you might expect if you make the trip up there. Make sure to do your research before you decide to visit.
via The Nature Station / YouTube
9. The Best Time for Outdoor Dining
Perfect weather makes a perfect dining companion, and if you want to try something new we suggest checking out this list of excellent beachside dining options we put together. Also, if you have a pooch you want to bring along, we’ve created a rundown of great dog friendly spots you might enjoy.
What are you favorite things about the springtime in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below!
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