What To Do On a Rainy Day in Los Angeles
Blessed in SoCal with 300 sunny days a year, the city grinds to a halt once rain hits the pavement. Not to fear, there are still plenty of LA rainy day activities to dispel your cabin fever while still exploring this glorious city.
Explore The Last Book Store
Have your mind truly blown by exploring the vast emporium known as The Last Book Store. Think of the queen of Instagram-worthy, book shops! Books in epic arches, tunnels, fantastical flying books, it’s the Harry Potter of book stores. Magical, old-timey and funky all at once.
If you’re a photo-hungry person such as myself, leave plenty of time to wander in their multi-story annexes. Don’t forget to bring that Instagram boyfriend to help capture the moment.
At 22,000 sq ft, they are the largest California bookstore - which is no small feat for this indie shop. Don’t forget to buy used and new books on your way out and support local :)
453 S Spring St – Ground Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Downtown Los Angeles
Get Cultured at the LACMA and the Academy Museum
Urban Lights by Chris Burden, 1920s - 1930s restored street light installation, the LACMA’s most iconic installation
The 6th Street, north side (back) of LACMA with a glimpse of Levitated Mass
The LACMA is still my favorite and most frequented LA art museum, I can’t get away. They manage to stay relevant and continue to evolve (excited for the David Geffen Galleries’s 2023 opening, which replaces 4 older buildings and will stretch across Wilshire Blvd - wow!).
As the largest Western USA art museum, it’s overwhelming for a first timer! As a former annual member, here’s how I recommend navigating the behemoth of buildings and exhibitions:
Hit up all temporary exhibits first - especially those in the Broad Art Museum (BCAM) wing, distinguishable by its four-story outdoor escalator, and the Resnick Pavilion, across the way
Once you’ve checked off all the temporary exhibitions, time to grab a bite and cocktail at the sexy Ray and Star Bar, or more cozy, casual C+M Coffee and Milk cafe
Wander the exterior grounds and check out the permanent exhibitions (list below!)
Noteworthy, Ongoing Exhibitions
Don’t leave without hitting up all of LACMA’s recognizable exhibitions, which are truly worth it:
Urban Lights by Chris Burden, 1920s - 1930s restored street light installation, the LACMA’s most iconic installation
Richard Serra: Band - nothing like standing next to a graceful, arching steel sculpture and getting lost in your mind
Chris Burden's Metropolis II - adults and kids alike love this engaging car speedway sculpture. I’m still not tired of it! Recommend viewing from the second story platform as well as peeking thru the ground floor.
Levitated Mass by Michael Heizer - giant rock suspended between concrete slots! Walk underneath it and feel small. It caused quite a stir when they transported this 340 ton granite through the city in 2012!
The LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Mid-City, Miracle Mile
Academy Museum of Motion Picture’s stunning Dolby Family Terrace
If you are still hungry for the indoors but want a change of flavor, walk over to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The open air promenade is breathtaking, don’t forget to walk up to the Dolby Family Terrance with it’s jaw-dropping, spheric dome. If you’re feeling extra slick, visit the beautifully designed and attached Fanny’s restaurant.
Eat at the Grand Central Market
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas at Grand Central Market
Dried goods at La Huerta in Grand Central Market
No longer a hidden gem, Grand Central Market is a frenetic mixture of languages, cultures and ethnicities — wrapped in a cacophony of assorted food stalls.
After being crowned #10 best new 2014 restaurant by Bon Appetit, they rocketed to stardom. Since then, they’ve continued to attract emerging and established chefs and restauranteurs - at times pushing out the smaller mom-and-pop businesses.
But alas - I still LOVE Grand Central Market. It’s still relevant, historic, diverse and perhaps was one of the first food halls that took the nation by storm.
I recommend doing a progressive meal - grabbing a bunch of small appetizers and meal courses and sharing. During busy times, waits can get hectic so I recommend going to breakfast to avoid the weekend afternoon rush. Bring cash.
Standout restaurant stalls include:
Ana Maria for tacos and burritos
Fat and Flour for lavish pies and baked goods
G&B Coffee (pictured) for your caffeine fix, by the same Go Get ‘Em Tiger folks
Sari Sari Shop for Filipino fare
Sticky Rice for Thai food (Pad Kee Mow!)
Ramen Hood for a steaming bowl of ramen
Grand Central Market, 317 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90013
Downtown Los Angeles, Historic Core
Cozy Up at the Central Main Library
The Center Main Library Rotunda ceiling with the grand, bronze Zodiac Chandelier by Lawrie
Photo by LAPL
LA his home to the 3rd largest library in the USA! From the outside, the 1923 Goodhue building deceptively appears diminutive. But walk inside and you’ll be amazed at the distinctive sphinxes and rooftop pyramid (look up!)!
My favorite wing for remarkable vistas is 8-story atrium in the the Tom Bradley Wing! I like to ride the escalators like rolling a dice, not knowing which floor I’ll exit and rambling amongst the books. Plenty of homey chairs and corners to grab a book, magazine and read.
Make sure you show your library card to the front desk to validate for discount parking!
LA Central Main Library, 630 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Downtown Los Angeles, Historic Core
Retail Therapy at the Beverly Center
Beverly Center in the background from San Vicente Blvd
When it’s cold and wet outside, there’s nothing I’d rather do than look at pretty objects in a controlled, indoor environment! Hence - The Beverly Center! Eight stories, over 100 stores - it’s a bit of a beast to navigate if you’re looking for the Uniqlo in the upp reaches of it’s floors but other than that - shop to your heart’s content.
When budgets are limited, engage in my favorite pastime: window shop! The luxury Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Saint Laurent always have extravagant window displays. I’m all about mass affordability so I head straight to Uniqlo, Zara and H&M. Their landmark sit-down restaurants are accessibly only from the outside, so exit the interior and walk along the sidewalk to pick from Angler, Egg Slut, Tocaya Mexican or Yard Bird.
FACTOID: Ever wonder why the Beverly Center is such an odd mammoth of a building? It was designed around several active oil wells which continue to drill today!
Parking - use their by-the-hour parking garage
The Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048
West Hollywood, La Cienega
More Things To Do On a Rainy LA Day
Paley Center For Media - surprisingly fun and interactive sets, displays, and background on your favorite shows and movies
Autry Museum of the American West - exhibits on the American West, usually based on themes
Get nostalgic with indoor roller skating at the Moonlight Roller Way in Glendale
Movie Theaters - nothing quite like a big sopping bag of buttery popcorn and sitting in the dark with strangers
Get your laughs in at the Comedy Store off Sunset Blvd
California Science Center is especially good for kids!
Korean Spa Day at Wi Spa
Chill at your local Coffee Shop - see my local coffee shop hit-list here
Golden Road Brewery with it’s ever-growing outdoor space and shaded patio, and large menu of food and beer!
Yearning for an even bigger indoor mall? There’s nothing quite like the Del Amo Shopping Center in Torrance.