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How To Enjoy A Staycation In LA This Holiday
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A new holiday-themed bar, Frosty's Christmas Bar, pops-up on Hollywood Boulevard.
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Ice skating. Christmas musicals. Polar Express train rides. These are just some of the festivities that make celebrating the holidays in Los Angeles so fun, even without the snow.
There’s a lot of non-holiday fun to be had, too, especially when the area clears out a little, making the roads, movie theaters, restaurants and hiking trails a little less crowded.
Here’s How to LA with a few ideas to enjoy a little holiday-themed staycation.
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How To Enjoy A Holiday Staycation in LA
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Explore new neighborhoods
“I really like to take advantage of there being way less traffic,” says How to LA producer Megan Botel. “I live on the West side but some of my favorite restaurants and little shops and vintage stores are on the East side and it's almost impossible to get there on the weekends — it can take 90 minutes. I think the holidays are a cool time for people to check out different neighborhoods where they don’t live.”
Megan’s Rec: Los Feliz for a walk in Griffith Park and a meal at Kismet.
Los Angeles is visible behind Griffith Observatory, seen from hiking trails in Griffith Park. Andrew Cullen for LAist
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Andrew Cullen/Andrew Cullen for LAist
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Go for a hike
“My tip is to get outdoors and go out on a hike — a lot of times it can be less crowded and the weather is nice and cool,” says producer Monica Bushman. “My favorite spot is Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea. If you're out in Orange County, there's a trail there that leads to a grove of Redwoods. And it's the only grove of Redwoods in Orange County. It’s very peaceful.”
How To LA Monica Bushman's parents John and Maritza Bushman pose for a picture at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
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How To LA producer Monica Bushman takes a photo with her father John Bushman at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
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Monica Bushman
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Another Staff Rec: Topanga Canyon State Park and a hike to Skull Rock.
Christmas Swap Meets
If you need a last minute gift, go to the swap meets, says LAist Studios intern Tony Morales. They are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas. His favorite is the Alameda Swap Meet.
“You’re supporting local businesses and you can definitely try different things there that you wouldn’t find elsewhere, like Mexican chips,” he says.
Tony’s Rec: El Diablo for pupusas.
How To LA intern Tony Morales takes a sip out of a refreshing drink at El Diablo at the Alameda Swap Meet.
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Tony Morales
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Alameda Swap Meet
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Tony Morales
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Go to the movies — the classic ones
Producer Victoria Alejandro is always at the movies, so that’s where you’ll find her this Christmas. But she isn’t checking out the latest releases.
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“I'm doing a double feature of 'Batman Returns' at the Egyptian and 'The Shining' at midnight at the new Beverly Cinema,” she says. “There are so many interesting kinds of Christmas-themed screenings — 'It’s a Wonderful Life,' 'Die Hard' — happening at all of these different vintage theaters around the city.”
Victoria’s pro-tip: Get your tickets early because theaters tend to sell out.
The entrance of the newly restored Egyptian Theater
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Courtesy of Netflix
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Netflix
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Ice Skating
Associate Editor Aaricka Washington likes to stay active outside, so she is swapping her roller skates for ice skates this holiday.
“I want to try out one of the many ice skating rinks that are open this holiday season,” Aaricka says. “There’s an ice skating rink in Pershing Square downtown L.A., LA Kings Holiday Ice at LA Live and Ice in Santa Monica."
She’s planning to take her nieces and nephews so “they can have that new festive experience here.”
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The Ice at Santa Monica skating rink opens this week after a two year hiatus.
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Courtesy of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
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Go to the beach
This is where How to LA host Brian De Los Santos will be this Christmas. “I like to play tourist in my own hometown,” he says.
Brian’s rec: Go on a weekday, if you can, and really spend time in that beach town's neighborhood. He suggests areas like like Manhattan Beach. Also, carpool and have friends and family pitch in for gas and parking.
How To LA host Brian De Los Santos enjoys chilling out at the beach during the winter holiday season.
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Brian De Los Santos
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How To LA podcast host Brian De Los Santos enjoys chilling at the beach during the holiday season.
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Brian De Los Santos
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Check out the lights at the Venice Canals
There’s a lot of places to check out holiday lights throughout the region from Descanso Gardens to the LA Zoo to the Mission Inn all the way in Riverside. HTLA Executive Producer Megan Larson recommends grabbing a cup or coffee, tea or cocoa at a local shop and wander through the Venice Canals where most of the the homes will be be lit up in a festive way. But also, she says, that this holiday she is going to make a point to do a few things she’s never done, like hike to the Hollywood Sign.
Found last Christmas on the Venice Canals | Photo by lmiyake via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
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*Quotes are edited for clarity
To find more things you can do this holiday season, check out The LAist Guide to the Ultimate Holiday Season. While you’re at it, let LAist help you shop this season with our Holiday Gift Guides.
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