Experiences — memories, that is — last longer than that fancy candle you got last year, I promise. That’s why we’ve put together a list of special things you can really only do in L.A. and Southern California. We think you'll agree that they will be a welcome surprise for that special someone on your holiday gift list.

And here are some pro tips for giving the gift of an experience: When it comes to things to do, know your audience. Don’t splurge on a gift certificate they won’t use. And try to find things that you can do together or that you know the recipient will enjoy on their own.

As for me, I’m at the acceptance stage — accepting that my dream holiday present of Oasis tickets is simply not going to materialize, no matter how many memes of Noel and Liam I watch. All Gallaghers aside, there are plenty of amazing experiences that any loved one would flip to get as a gift this holiday season (myself included!).

Here are a few:

Tufting 101 class at Tuft House L.A.

(

Courtesy Tuft House LA

)

Tufting is having a moment. From sweaters to fine art, big bold color motifs and fluffy patterns are everywhere. That’s where Tuft House L.A. in Glendale comes in, where you can make your own small rug from 100% New Zealand wool, based on an image of your choosing. Their Tufting 101 class is four hours long and you come away with a new skill and a cute piece of original (and useful!) art. It’s a great gift for your crafty friend who literally has everything except a loom and unlimited space. Cost: $225

Pot Studio pottery classes

(

@pot_studio_la

)

I started doing ceramics when I was in high school and have come back to the wheel a number of times over the years, so I can attest to its benefits of creativity, stress relief, and community. Gift a drop-in class at one of the many studios in the area, like Pot Studio, which has locations in both Mid-City and Echo Park. They offer one-off classes of all kinds, from hand building to mugs to wheel, and even a sliding price scale for some to make ceramics more accessible to all. $15 and up.

Whale Watching Safari with Captain Dave

(

@CaptDavesWhaleWatching

)

It’s easy to forget during the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we live in a place rich with nature and wildlife, particularly our marine friends playing just off the coastline. Captain Dave is here to remind you of the graceful whales, and dolphins that also make Southern California home. A gift of a whale watching safari — two-and-a-half hours of cetacean fun, setting sail from Dana Point — makes a great weekend day trip. You can even check the daily sighting log ahead of your trip. And to make sure everyone has a great day on the water, maybe include a couple Dramamine in the holiday card. From $51.56 for kids, and $76.53 for adults.

Once Upon a Mattress

(

Joan Marcus

)

This is probably the biggest crowdpleaser coming to the Ahmanson Theatre this year for Broadway lovers. Straight off great reviews in NYC and with the full cast — including Tony winner Sutton Foster and Michael Urie — Once Upon a Mattress is going to just be so much fun. Runs Dec. 10 through Jan. 5. The musical take on The Princess and the Pea fairy tale has been reworked by Amy Sherman-Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Gilmore Girls) and is perfect for a family night out. $45 and up.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs day pass

(

@GlenIvy_Spa

)

Did you know there’s a natural hot springs just a short drive into Riverside County? A day pass to Glen Ivy and your friend will feel like they’ve had a full on vacation. No need to drive all the way to Desert Hot Springs, you can lounge in the spa, sit in the thermal baths, or splurge on a treatment much closer to home. $75 and up.

Sourdough Office Hours at Kings Roost

(

zi3000

/

iStock

)

We all have that one friend whose pandemic breadmaking hobby stuck around and they are still offering you starter and giving you weekly updates on Bread Pitt and Edgar Allan Dough. Send them to sourdough therapy at Kings Roost in Frogtown, where on a regular basis, yeast guru Roe will host "office hours" to coach them through all their sourdough baking questions, $20. Check their website for upcoming dates and to book. Kings Roost also hosts a wide range of cooking classes and craft workshops.

Become a friend of the LA Phil

(

Courtesy LA Phil

)

One of the best perks of being a supporter of the LA Phil is that you get access to rehearsals, starting from one per season at the $150 per year level and going up from there. As Gustavo Dudamel is leaving the orchestra in 2026 for New York City, it’s a great opportunity to give as much music as possible to the classical music lover in your life. Bonus: This gift is tax deductible!

New Year’s Eve concert tickets

(

Bogomil Mihaylov

/

Unsplash

)

Get a holiday gift out of the way and take the stress out of planning for New Year’s Eve by snagging surprise tickets for you and someone special to one of the awesome concerts happening around town. There’s something for everyone, from Gregory Porter at the Dolby to D-Nice’s Club Quarantine show with tons of famous friends at Disney Hall to New Orleans jams with George Porter Jr. at the Venice West to Brit Pop icons the English Beat down the coast at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

Sierra Club’s New Year’s Day noontime hike

(

Zbynek Pospisil

/

iStock

)

Grab a friend and head for the hills on New Year’s Day with the Sierra Club’s annual Henry Schultz Hike within Placerita Canyon Park in Santa Clarita to burn off all the holiday indulgences and get some fresh air. A cute card with a map to the trail and a little pack of sunscreen, water bottle and a snack (and maybe a small donation to the Sierra Club) would make a great gift to start 2025 off right. The noontime hike takes you up the six-mile Los Pinetos Trail with views of the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys.

Pool day pass

(

Mark Compton

/

Paséa Hotel & Spa

)

You no longer have to put on your biggest sunglasses and a scarf and pretend you're some Hollywood starlet to sneak in and lounge by the pool at our local fancy hotels. Make your friend’s hot day better (and legit!) with a gift of a hotel day pass from ResortPass or a Swimply gift certificate so they can cool off in style. Cost: $25 and up.

Subscription to 13 Things LA

(

Pascal Le Segretain

/

Getty Images

)

Former LA Weekly editor, art critic and curator Shana Nys Dambrot and arts publicist Heidi Johnson have teamed up to create one of my go-to resources for finding the best art openings and art-centric activities in LA. Gift a subscription to their 13 Things LA Substack to your favorite local art lover and always be in the know about gallery openings, new artists to check out, and great fine art events all over the area. Cost: $5 per month, $50 for the year.

Halter Ranch railroad ride

(

Courtesy Halter Ranch

)

Halter Ranch in Paso Robles is not just any wine tasting experience. Just last year, they opened a steam-powered ¾-scale locomotive that takes you through the vines and olive groves — and is fun for all ages, especially if you have a train lover in your life. It’s a great overnight or day trip escape gift. The season is almost over, so you may have to wait until they open up slots for the spring to book, but an IOU and a bottle of wine from the Halter Ranch vineyard gift list will surely hold your loved one over till then. Up to $50 per adult ($10 for those under 20), with discounts for members.

Muse/Ique membership

(

Haoyuan Ren

/

MUSE/IQUE

)

MUSE/IQUE is one of the most unique performance experiences I’ve ever had in LA. Each show is different, utilizing incredible venues, from the Wallis in Beverly Hills to The Ford to The Huntington and taking on music and theater subjects that speak to all kinds of interests, from classic Broadway to jazz to history. They work on a membership basis, so your membership gets you tickets to three shows or more during the year — a pretty good deal! The 2025 season hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s sure to be a solid cultural investment for your friend who’s seen everything. Cost: $100 and up, depending upon membership and ticket level.