Things to do around LA in October?
We are flying in to LAX for 5 nights in October. Almost every time we have been through LAX we have just flown, or driven, somewhere else; Las Vagas, San Diego etc.
Originally, we had planned to drive to Vegas but the hotels seem so expensive at present. Plus are travelling with an 11-year old, and we were in Vegas in January.
The preceeding four weeks will be spent in Orlando so we will have spent plently of time at Disney, Universal and Sea World.
Is Hollywood worth it. Also I remember the beaches can be fun.
We are adventurous but safety is a major consideration.
All sugestions will be greatfully appreciated.
OH, THERE’S A FEW THINGS TO DO! LOL
Oktoberfest — Torrance (Alpine Village)
Celebrating the great German Oktoberfest with a 3,000 seat Beergarten, oom pah bands from Germany and lots of competitions for best beerstein holding, woodsawing, cowmilking, yodeling, pretzel eating, etc. Information: (310) 327-4384
Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival — Avalon, Catalina Island
Fridays. This festival, held in Avalon’s historic casino, features great contemporary jazz music. Information: (760) 323-5770
Fall Festival at Farmers Market — Farmers Market, Los Angeles
Fall Festival features a petting zoo, pumpkin carving, a farm equipment exhibition, and candle-dipping. Information: (323) 933-9211
Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival — San Pedro (Ports O’ Call Village, Berth 77)
Enjoy a weekend of fun and fine food on the waterfront in historic San Pedro. The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival features world famous discount lobster meals, rides, games, arts and crafts shopping, and non-stop entertainment. Come for the feast and stay for the fun. Information: (310) 366-6472
Queen Mary Shipwreck Halloween Terrorfest — Long Beach (Queen Mary)
The oceanliner Queen Mary is transformed into the most gruesome collection of terrifying mazes for the annual Queen Mary Halloween Terrorfest. Information: (562) 435-3511
Sabor de Mexico Lindo – Downtown Street Festival — Huntington Park (Pacific Avenue)
A three day family festival featuring concert stages, a petting zoo, more than 100 exhibitor booths, amusement rides and arts and crafts exhibitors. Information: (323) 585-1155
Calabasas Cultural Festival at Old Town — Calabasas
Celebrating the city’s historic past as the "Last of the Old West." Focused on the historic Leonis Adobe, the event features arts shows, exhibits, music, entertainment, Flamenco and Salsa dancing, children’s arts and crafts workshops and great food. Information: (818) 878-4242
Los Angeles County-Wide Arts Open House — In 36 communities in Los Angeles County
Arts organizations will present free cultural events to celebrate Arts and Humanities Month. Information: (213) 972-3099
Feria de Los Niños Celebration — East Los Angeles (Hollenbeck Park, 415 S. St. Louis St.)
This event offers families a festive atmosphere with boat rides on the lake in vessels decorated with flowers, tortilla making contests, an inflatable obstacle course, plenty of ethnic food and entertainment highlighted by children, an erupting volcano, and a nighttime display of 2,000 candles floating on the lake. Information: (213) 261-0113, 888-LA PARKS (527-2757)
Los Angeles Lithuanian Fair — Los Angeles (St. Casimir Church, 2716 St. George Street)
The Lithuanian Fair features jewelry making, wood carving, Easter egg waxing, and ornament painting, and Lithuanian cuisine. Information: (323) 664-2723
NoHo Children’s Art & Poetry Festival — Los Angeles (In front of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood)
Oct. 4-5. A day-long opportunity for children and youth ages 2 – 16, together with their families, to experience hands-on visual and theatre arts workshops including: paper making, musical instruments, mask making, improvisation, and more. Information: (818) 779-2101
San Dimas Western Days Rodeo — San Dimas (Horse Thief Canyon Park)
A community event with a parade, carnival, pageant contest, car show, arts and crafts, food, and, of course, a rodeo. Information: (909) 394-RODEO
Edge of the World Theater Festival — Los Angeles (various venues)
A citywide celebration of the vibrant and diverse talents of the Los Angeles theater community. Information: (310) 281-7920
Eagle Rock Music Festival — Eagle Rock (Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center, 2225 Colorado Blvd)
The Festival presents 29 musical groups at 24 local businesses and restaurants along Colorado Boulevard. Included will be Taiko drumming, an Armenian band, karaoke music, classical music, Cajun, Jazz, Latin Jazz, Tex-Mex, Pre-Columbian style, Folk, Blues, Country Western, Afro-Cuban, Cabaret and contemporary originals. Information: (323) 226-1617
Pioneer Day — Chatsworth (Homestead Acre, 10385 Shadow Oak Drive)
Music, storytelling, games, Chili Cook-off, Old Timer’s Reunion, Chores of Yore for Children, bake sale, origami, quilting for children, butter churning, washing on a scrubboard, petting zoo, blacksmithing, sack races, panning for gold, spinning and weaving demonstrations. Information: (818) 882-5614
Art for Fun(d)s Sake — Rancho Palos Verdes (5504 West Crestridge Road)
Rancho Palos Verdes outdoor arts and crafts festival with children’s activities and a variety of refreshments. Information: (310) 541-2479
Echo Park Arts Festival — Echo Park (various sites and studios)
The eight annual Echo Park Arts Festival will feature the creative energy of more than 100 artists, musicians, poets, and performers whose work will be showcased in two dozen venues spread across one of Los Angeles’ historic and colorful communities. Information: (213) 250-4155
Long Beach Marathon — Long Beach
Events include a marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), inline marathon, bike tour, and 5K run. Information: (562) 728-8829
Unity Fest — Glendale (Verdugo Park, 1621 Canada Blvd)
This cultural festival includes Latin American, Middle Eastern, Asian, European, Native American, and Pan African Villages each selling traditional foods and goods with cultural performances and demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts. Main stage performances schedule available by calling the City of Glendale. Information: (818) 548-2000
Annual Long Beach Boat Show — Long Beach (Convention Center)
Displays of new and concept models of recreational boats, accessories and services. Information: (714) 633-7581
Montebello Heritage Parade & Festival — Montebello (Montebello City Park)
Arts and crafts, games, food, booths and fun! Information: (323) 887-4540
Old Towne Street Faire — Sunland-Tujunga
A family festival featuring arts and crafts vendors and demonstrations, children’s rides, a classic car show, music, dancing and food. Information: (818) 353-8168
Calabasas Pumpkin Festival — Calabasas (Paramount Ranch)
Four stages of live music & entertainment, historical demonstrators, karaoke contest with cash prizes, climbing wall, authentic western town, petting zoo, pony rides, reptile show, magic show, arts & crafts booths, pumpkin pie eating and seed spitting contest, great food, pumpkin bowling, wildlife waystation, pet adoptions, beer garden with pumpkin beer. Information: (818) 225-2227
AIDS Walk Los Angeles — West Hollywood (San Vicente Blvd. between Melrose & Santa Monica Blvd.)
A ten-kilometer fundraising walkathon to fight AIDS and support people with HIV/AIDS. Information: (213) 201-WALK; Español (213) 201-1341
Harvest Festival of the Arts — Los Angeles (Pico Union Alvarado Terrace Park, Pico & Alvarado Terrace)
This Festival is a family celebration to raise self-esteem in children and to celebrate their achievements in the arts, music and writing. Information: (310) 476-3949
Sherman Oaks Street Fair and Carnival — Sherman Oaks
Crafts, International food court, carnival rides, games exposition and live entertainment. Information: (818) 906-1951
City of Angels Film Festival — Los Angeles (Directors Guild of America)
Screening works that not only celebrate film as art but also raise vital religious and social issues. Information: (626) 304-3775
Autry Museum Western Music & Cowboy Poetry Gathering — Los Angeles (Gene Autry Western Museum)
Throughout this three-day gathering, visitors can tap their toes to western swing, traditional cowboy and contemporary western music, and hear some of the best-known cowboy poets. Information: (323) 667-2000, Ext. 354
Day of the Dead — Hollywood (Hollywood Forever Cemetery)
An authentic Mexican Dia de los Muertos celebration featuring music, performance art, artisans, decorated altars and food. For the entire family. Information: (323) 785-4261
Día de los Muertos — Pasadena (37 East Del Mar Blvd.)
This Dia de los Muertos Celebration will present storytelling, face painting, arts, crafts, food, and live entertainment. There will be personal altar displays and vendors selling traditional mementos. Information: (626) 792-3148
Kids Day LA — Los Angeles (Exposition Park)
Celebrating children of Los Angeles with arts, crafts and entertainment. Health and social service providers provide information at booths on the site. Information: (888) LAPARKS
Montrose ArtWalk — Montrose (Honolulu Avenue)
Artists demonstrate their artistic skills and sell their fine art on the sidewalks of Honolulu Avenue in quaint Montrose. For the kids, checkout Kids’ Corner where children can paint the sidewalk with chalk. Information: (818) 249-7171
Plein Air Painters of America Festival — Catalina Island
Artists come to Catalina for this festival to be inspired by the island’s beauty and show work in the Casino Ballroom. Information: (310) 510-1552
Descanso Gardens Pumpkin Parade — Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge
Railroad Bill entertains and leads costumed youngsters in the pumpkin parade through the Gardens. Parents will want to walk along–or beat the group to the end of the parade–to take photos of their own children at a special photo-op spot.. Information: (818) 949-4200
Halloween Haunt Party — Los Angeles (Grier Musser Museum)
Ghosts, goblins, and witches round out the spookiness of this museum which shall be decorated for the day. Information: (213) 413-1814
International Festival of Masks — Los Angeles (Los Angeles Craft & Folk Arts Museum, 5814 Wilshire Blvd)
The International Festival of Masks celebrates the culturally diverse art form of masks with dance, theatre, storytelling and activities for children and adults. International foods and masks will be on display and for sale. Information: (323) 937-4230
Village Venture Street Faire — Claremont (Claremont Village)
This event features crafts, international food, entertainment, a Halloween parade, and costume contests. Information: (909) 624-1681
Fall Fair — Whittier Narrows Recreational Area
Fair features a large carnival, a big top circus, live entertainment, a food court, games, and family fun. Information: (562) 495-5959
West Hollywood Halloween & Costume Carnival — West Hollywood (Santa Monica Boulevard)
This wild event boasts of being the largest Halloween party in the nation! It draws more than 400,000 Halloween revelers for food, merriment, live music, and outrageous costume contests. Information: (323) 848-6503
I just hate the problems of poor rich people.
Sequoia National Monument, yes beaches again and mountains.
Wow, what a terrific vacation! Here are some suggestions of what I would do if I were going to take you around.
First, I don’t know if you have planned a place to stay already. I would suggest staying someplace centrally located like Pasadena. It is safe and clean and near lots of interesting things. There is a nice Westin hotel or several smaller hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn. You can visit the Norton Simon Museum, The Huntington Garden and Library, The Arboretum; all are in the Pasadena Area.
Another day you may want to go to the Hollywood area and see the tourist things, along with the George C Page Museum at the La Brea Tarpits, the LA County Museum of Art, the Petersen Automotive Museum or the Griffith Observatory at Griffith Park.
October can be lovely weather to visit the beach. You may want to spend a night or two down in Orange County. There is a great new Hilton right on the beach in Huntington Beach. You can spend time at the beach, drive down Pacific Coast Highway, check out art galleries in Laguna Beach, go to South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa for mega shopping, or go to the swap meet on Saturday morning at the Orange County Fairgrounds. You could also go to Balboa Island and spend a lovely day there. My favorite beach is at Salt Creek in Laguna, just below the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
One of the hidden gems of Southern California is Catalina Island. If you haven’t been there, I would really consider checking it out either for a day or overnight. You can catch the ferry over from Long Beach and spend the day. If you are lucky and the weather is still warm, the water will be great for snorkeling. If not, you can take tours or just stroll around on your own and check out the town. You can also rent bikes or a golf cart to explore town. On your way over or back you could visit the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. It is a really nice facility, and there are plenty of hotels right in the area. I would just stay in one of the bigger ones for safety’s sake.
Another fun thing to do is visit Palm Springs. They have a great Airplane Museum, nice Museum of the Desert, and the Aerial Tram is really fun. Once you get to the top you can spend some time hiking around. And in October the weather will be nice. The hotels are also more reasonably priced, and most have really nice pools. There is great outlet shopping on the way out in Cabazon, as well as some new Indian Casinos if you want to gamble.
Whatever you plan to do while in Southern California, plan on lots of driving. Mornings and late afternoons are the worst as far as traffic goes, but you can ask at your hotel for specifics.
Have a great time! There is so much to do! I hope you will love L. A.!