Perfect for springtime visits, Universal Studios Hollywood offers a peek into the world of moviemaking. Go behind the scenes of Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds, Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane, King Kong’s Skull Island and more. CityWalk rocks with 6 hot nightclubs, over 30 places to eat, and out-of-this-world street entertainment. Don't miss the “Spring Break Bash” Fridays and Saturdays, beginning March 26, featuring live music on the Universal CityWalk stage.
A road race designed in the mold of the Tour de France, Stage Seven of the Amgen Tour of California come to Los Angeles May 22. See some of the top cyclists in the world, including Lance Armstrong, as they speed through the city on an individual timed trial that begins at L.A. LIVE. Riders will loop twice around a 10.5-mile route through Downtown LA before returning to L.A. LIVE. Organizers anticipate this stage of the race will set an attendance record as spectators line the streets of Downtown.
California Science Center's newest exhibition wing, opening late March, focuses on the natural world and the diverse ecology found around the globe. “Ecosystems” features eight different zones, including an Island Zone, a Rot Room, the Extreme Zone and an LA Zone, give visitors an up-close experience of basic ecological principles.
Admire the fragile pink cherry blossoms at Lake Balboa in Van Nuys, where a mile-long footpath begs for a springtime stroll. At The Huntington Botanical Gardens, 14 beautifully maintained themed gardens cover 120 acres of rolling hillsides. Look for bluebells, dogwood, Chinese snowbells and Chinese tulip trees to be in bloom this spring. And about a 20-minute drive from Downtown in La Cañada Flintridge, Descanso Gardens revels in the wonders of spring with special tours, Easter and Earth Day events, and blooms of irises, lilacs, cherry trees, daffodils, azaleas and tulips.
The Central Garden at the Getty Center features a natural ravine and a walkway that traverses a stream, arbors and a floating maze of azaleas. On March 23, the “Leonardo da Vinci and the Art of Sculpture” exhibit will become the first display of works by the artist in Los Angeles in decades and will include important works by artists inspired by the master.The gardens at Malibu’s Getty Villa are breathtaking in spring, and March 24 marks the opening of ”The Aztec Pantheon and the Art of the Empire” exhibit, which celebrates the bicentennial of Mexican independence. Masterworks of Aztec sculpture from the National Museum of Anthropology and the Museo del Templo Mayor in Mexico City will be on display in the exhibition hall.
More than a just place to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables, the Hollywood Farmer's Market is a quintessential Southern California street fair. The amazing variety of fresh fruits and vegetables inspires chefs and home cooks, and it’s not unusual to see celebrities picking through the produce. The vibrant market hosts street musicians, chef demos, cookbook signings, children's craft workshops, prepared gourmet foods, baked goods, clothing, jewelry and more.
Beautiful year-round, the ocean views at Malibu Lagoon State Beach are unmatched in spring, and excellent bird (and celebrity) sightings this time of year make it a prime springtime spot. Just south is the Adamson House, a national historic site that showcases historical artifacts from the area. Stop by for a visit and then head to the nearby Malibu Country Mart, which features world-class shopping and dining as well as a children’s play area.
In Japan, spring is a time for celebrating. But thanks to LA’s thriving Japanese community, you don't need to cross an ocean to join in the fun. Explore the streets of Little Tokyo for shops filled with traditional and pop-culture imports, and grab a taste of Tokyo at one of the noodle or sushi houses. On April 10–11, the Cherry Blossom Festival will feature fashion shows, martial arts and traditional Japanese dancing, food, crafts and more. And, don’t forget to visit the Japanese American National Museum for a collection of traditional and contemporary Japanese art and a fantastic museum gift shop.
Each day, Dakota, Buster, Rio, Dixie and the other horses at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center get tacked up for trail rides in the beautiful urban wilderness of Griffith Park. On Fridays and Saturdays, Griffith Park Horse Rentals offers sunset dinner rides, the perfect end to a springtime day in Los Angeles.
On the north side of the UCLA campus, the gorgeous Murphy Sculpture Garden includes sculptures by Auguste Rodin Jean Arp, Deborah Butterfield, Alexander Calder, Robert Graham, Barbara Hepworth, Jacques Lipchitz, Henry Moore, Isamu Noguchi, David Smith and more. The garden’s Jacaranda trees bloom in April and May, turning it into a lacy purple wonderland.
