With summer around the corner and the weather finally warming up, we’re getting ready to shift our weekend activities from huddling inside and wearing sweat pants to spending more time outdoors and enjoying ourselves. Sure, we’ll all be at the beach and doing the regular routine summer activities that we partake in annually, but here’s a guide to some of the more unique offerings that will be available to us. Whether you’re visiting LA or you’re a native Angeleno looking to switch things up this summer, here are some fun things you can try on your own or with a friend.
Star Gazing at the Griffith-With those clear summer nights ahead, the Griffith Observatory hosts public star parties from 2pm to 9:45pm, which gives visitors a chance to check out the planets and stars through various telescopes while knowledgeable astronomers provide background information. Visit the official website to learn the selected dates for the star viewing parties here.
Wine Tasting Safaris in Malibu– Thinks Sonoma meets Kenya with this beachside tasting adventure. Malibu Wine Safaris offers visitors a one-of-a-kind experience with various options depending on what you’re looking for. The Explorer’s Sunset Safari last just under an hour-and-a-half and costs $75 per person. It starts at the Malibu Wines Safari Lodge, where customers board an open truck to enter Saddlerock Ranch. During the driing tour you will be exposed to a variety of exotic animals that you can feed and interact with, then the safari guide will lead you through the working vineyards for your second tasting stop. Featured wines include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Sauvignon, all exclusive to the vineyard.
The Vineyard Lunch Safari is a three-hour long experience, which in addition to the safari includes a catered lunch set amidst the vineyard and costs $135 per person. If you’re seeking a more nighttime sort of adventure, the Saddlerock Star Gazing Tour starts with a champagne tasting and then takes guests to a viewing area with seating where you can enjoy a guided tour of the stars along with a bottle of Cabernet. This lasts one-and-a-half hours and costs $60 per person. Check out the official site to learn more.
Dinner at the Getty-Most people go to the Getty Center to check out the art exhibits, but many people also go there for an elegant dining experience. In addition to a more casual garden terrace, there is also a restaurant where you can make reservations that offers full service and upscale dining options with incredible views of the Santa Monica Mountains. Dinner is offered on Saturday nights between the hours of five and nine and includes an extensive wine list. The menu changes seasonally but includes options such as Bouillabaise, filet mignon and quail.
Outdoor Movie Screening– While the era of drive-in movies may be long behind us, that doesn’t mean we can’t still sit outside and enjoy a good film. As creepy as it may sound, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a popular gathering spot for the masses who come to enjoy an outdoor movie screening. Cinespia is the organization that puts on the movie screenings and they’ll show everything from old films to cult classics like Pulp Fiction. Bring a blanket, a bottle of wine and set up came in front of the oversized screen to enjoy an evening of outdoor entertainment. There is foften a DJ who spins music before the movie starts, giving you the chance to socialize and picnic before the show starts. You’ll be surrounded by hundreds of people who came to do the same thing, so you’ll forget that you’re even in a cemetery. Visit the official website for more details about summer screenings.
