Posted by UPDATE: Check out our newest guide to rainy day to-dos in Los Angeles here.
Rain? In Los Angeles? Yes, the city known for its perfect sunshine actually does get rain every now and then. But light or heavy rain shouldn’t keep you from doing awesome things.
Luckily, L.A. has as many fun activities indoors as we do outside. If you feel like spending the rainy days doing something productive, check out some of the below suggestions to keep you active and entertained, even when storms are brewing in the southland.
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List starts after the jump!
[RELATED: The Best Places to Eat in L.A. on a Rainy Day]
1. Explore the California Science Center
The Science Center is a place for people of all ages to spend their day. Have the children expand their knowledge on the environment, all while being able to have bonding moments. The museum is free, unless you want to go into some of the exhibits. To check out what exhibits they do have:
Oh, and if you’re looking for other free museums to check out during the rainy times, check this list.
2. Find a Cozy Bookstore
What better excuse than a rainy day to curl up and find a cozy spot inside a local book store and melt the hours away reading to your heart’s content.
Need some ideas on where to go? Check out this article:
The 12 Best Bookstores in Los Angeles Every Bibliophile Should Have on Their Radar
3. Go Thrifting!
A little rain could never turn any woman (or man) away from shopping. On a rainy day in LA, however, it would be difficult to enjoy places like The Grove, the Glendale Galleria, because many of their stores are located outdoors and are really meant for customers to enjoy the weather. Also, if you’re on a budget or simply don’t want to spend all your money on high end stores like (the Beverly Center) try shopping at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, one of the bigger indoor malls!
The 12 Flat-Out Best Thrift Stores in Los Angeles
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4. Give Indoor Roller-Skating a Try
This vintage vibe rink is one of the last few existing roller rinks in Los Angeles, so plan a trip while you still can! If you want to try something different or feel like your part of the 70s groove, check it out with some friends! It has been featured on TV shows like Glee and Dancing With the Stars.
5. Do a Real-Life Room Escape Game
Have you ever played those online maze games or room escape apps on your phone? Believe it or not, they have come to life. If you don’t know what this is, it’s a place where you have to use your survival and problem solving skills to escape from each room. It’s a thrilling brainteaser that will keep you on your toes!
6. Meditate to Some Find Inner Peace
Want to stop worrying about the future days and focus on the present? Consider doing meditation inspired by ancient Tibetan culture. With L.A.’s usual traffic jams and our daily busy schedules, meditating at the Shambhala Mediation Center will help radiate positive feeling in the midst of challenges. The center even offers free public meditation sitting hours in two Los Angeles locations: West LA and Eagle Rock!
7. Make Pottery
Try your hand at pottery making at Bitter Root Pottery! You never know what you’re truly good at until you try. How cool would it be have a ceramic in your home and say you handmade it? All you need is time and some clothes you don’t mind getting dirty for the class. Plus, Bitter Root has been featured on the History Channel and MTV, so it must be one of the best!
8. Take a Cooking Class
Yes, I said it. After all, knowing how to cook will make you a better potential wife/husband. Foodstory even offers a cooking party, inspired by a Japanese menu, but it is possible to choose which dishes you would like to make. Located in downtown Los Angeles, this place offers a variety of workshops such as classes on Japanese table manner and etiquette, how to make Japanese curry and one of L.A.’s favorite food – sushi!
9. Watch a Movie… With a Menu
If you would rather relax on a rainy day and watch a movie on the big screen all while having a full course meal, well you can! An AMC dine in theatre in Marina Del Rey caters to your appetites all in a push of a button! There are AMC dine in theatres for a full family, and there are private ones with a full sized bar. And if Marina Del Rey is a little far for you, then try hitting up one of the 10 best theaters in Los Angeles for a vintage movie experience.
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10. Get Your Parkour On at Tempest Freerunning Academy
This is California’s first and only facility where you can test out your parkour skills. It is available for people of all ages, in asafe environment with coaches practicing safe and healthy training methods. You don’t have to be a trained ninja to enjoy the facility; you just need gym clothes and tennis shoes. There are two locations – Chatsworth and Hawthorne.
11. Have a Classic Tea Date at the Peninsula in Beverly HIlls
For those of you who are looking for luxurious way of spending the rainy day, go to The Living Room at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Spend a romantic evening in a lovely environment socializing with your friends and family. If you decide tea just isn’t enough, The Living Room also offers finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones.
12. Get resourceful at the Los Angeles Public Library
Rainy days and a good book is an exquisite combination to enlighten the mind. As if the detailed exterior isn’t enough, the inside of this building is even more impressive. You will be surprised when you walk inside this building near the heart of downtown LA. The amount of collections will astound your sight. Be careful though, you might spend more hours in here than you plan!
13. Indulge in Some Delicious Cake
When it’s cold and rainy outside, what better way to warm up then with a some delicious baked goods? Might I recommend visiting one of We Like L.A.’s 12 shops to find the best cakes in all of Los Angeles. Seriously, how could you go wrong? 😉
14. Climb a Rock (Indoors!)
Join the Los Angeles fitness hype and test your upper body strength to indoor rock climbing. Rockreation gym has 10,000 sq. feet of climbing wall, where you can take classes or free climb. Whether you are new to rock climbing or have been doing it for years – this exercise is surely an efficient use of a rainy day in L.A.!
15. Treat Your Body and Go to a Spa
This what many people dream as the ultimate luxury. Voda spa in West Hollywood offers spas, facials, scrubs, salons, and other services. It is possible to choose what kind of massage you want to – whether it be a hot stone massage or a Russian bear. Spas are an excellent way of feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and reinvigorated.
16. Get inspired at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum
This museum provides the public to learn more about historic fashion and its relationship to society. Throughout the year, they host different exhibitions for people to try out so that every time a person walks in – a new experience is also made. The museums have held exhibitions such as Game of Thrones fashion, Glee, Alice in Wonderland, and Gossip Girl. What’s even greater? Admission is free.
17. Enjoy a Potent Potable
Sometimes when it’s raining outside, it’s just a great excuse to stay inside and have a drink!
If you’re looking for a place to take refuge from the rain where you can be ensured a great experience, try visiting one of the 14 best craft beer bars in L.A. or maybe check out one of the spots where we think you can get the best cocktails in the city.
Or if you’re really feeling adventurous, try you hand at one of the best speakeasy style bars in Los Angeles.
What are your favorite thing to do in L.A. when it rains? Let us know in the comments below!
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