Rainy Day in LA? Here are Fifteen Fun Things to Do

👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do | Sites & Attractions | Museums & Culture | Things to Do with Kids | Hidden Gems

So you came to sunny southern California and got rain. Rarely anyone’s favorite forecast! Thankfully, that sort of thing doesn’t often last long around here, and I’ve got a bunch of fun ideas for things you can do in Los Angeles while it’s raining!

As an LA local, I’ve learned when and where to love the rain – and where not to. Steer clear of freeways, hillsides, and seawater. But keep reading to discover where you can go when it’s raining.

For additional safety tips and a better understanding of the City of Angels’ weather quirks, check out my post on Why LA People Flip Out When It Rains.

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Best Things to Do in Los Angeles on a Rainy Day

Universal Studios

Rainy days lead to smaller crowds and shorter lines in this world-famous theme park, plus many of the top attractions are indoors.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 864-8377 | Website | Hours: Hours may vary, check the website for specific dates | Entrance: $109, all ages

Universal Studio’s Hollywood has long been one of LA’s best things to do, and rainy days are my favorite time to go! You’ll find reduced wait times and more availability in popular restaurants (except Three Broomsticks, which can be extra busy during showers.)

Though thunder and lightning may prompt ride closures, the park is well-equipped to keep things running smoothly in wet weather.

Taking the Metro train keeps you clear of traffic hassles. The Hollywood & Highland stop is conveniently located near ample covered parking. It’s also by a CVS where you can pick up less expensive and more easily recognizable rain gear than what’s available in the park’s gift shops.

The Getty

Browse a fascinating collection in this renowned art institution, then take advantage of the sweeping overlooks to spot breaks in the cloud cover.

The ancient bronze statue of Mercury — *Ancient bronze statue of Mercury.*

The clear skies over the Getty garden — *Clear skies ahead over the Getty garden.*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 440-7300 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6:30 pm Tuesday – Friday & Sunday, 10 am – 9 pm Saturday, Closed Monday | Entrance: Free, Parking: $25

Set high on a hill, the Getty Center is an exquisite haven during inclement weather. Galleries and exhibitions offer hours of intrigue and quiet contemplation. Gorgeous gardens are mere steps away, making it easy to take full advantage of bright spots.

The Getty Center’s panoramic views are nothing short of epic when the clouds begin to clear. It’s also a great vantage point for spotting breaks in the cloud cover.

As a general rule, if the rain has stopped and you can see the ocean, head west for sunset. Docents may also be able to help identify specific LA neighborhoods that are looking good.

👉 Local Tip: Bookmark Travel Lemming before your trip! Should someone suggest a neighborhood you’re not familiar with, simply type the name into our search function to get my recs for restaurants and attractions in that area.

Comedy Clubs

Laugh the rainy day blues away at comedy shows featuring top-tier talent.

Perspective view of the exterior of the mainroom at the Comedy Store — *Entrance to the Mainroom at the Comedy Store.*

The hallway to the original stage at the Hollywood Improv. — *Hallway to the original stage at the Hollywood Improv.*

📍 Multiple Locations | Tickets: $10 – $35, 21 & over only

Comedy clubs are one of the most fun things to do in West Hollywood in any weather. The Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv, and Laugh Factory regularly feature appearances by the hottest stars in stand-up comedy.

The wettest parts of the year (winter & spring) are the best times for comedy shows. You’ll frequently find some of the biggest names in the industry working on LA stages, trying out new material for summer tours.

Santa Monica

Wait out the storm in posh lounges and restaurants and keep an eye on the horizon – should the skies clear, sunset is gonna be a stunner.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Now I’ll admit this one is sort of a gamble. Best case, the rain keeps the crowds away and passes on, leaving you to enjoy Santa Monica, one of the most beautiful areas in LA, all nice and fresh.

Should the weather remain grim, take advantage of open tables at oceanfront lounges. Watch the storm rage while staying warm, dry, and pleasantly tipsy.

My favorite rainy-day haunt in Santa Monica is The Bungalow in the Fairmont Miramar, largely because it has a pool table. Plus it’s mere steps away from Fig Restaurant when the time comes for their legendary half-price happy hour.

⚠️ Safety First: The Los Angeles Department of Public Health recommends avoiding contact with ocean water for three days after any significant rainfall. You can check current conditions here.

Getty Villa

Indoor galleries filled with ancient treasures offer a quiet respite from the rain in this Malibu museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 440-7300 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wednesday – Monday, closed Tuesday | Entrance: Free, Parking $25 per car

The Getty Villa is delightful on rainy days. It’s a recreation of an ancient Italian villa, and the museum features open-air spaces that allow visitors to enjoy the rain without being out in it.

Take advantage of pauses in the downpour to stroll the lush gardens, which unleash a bounty of delectable scents. Getty Villa is located on the Pacific Coast Highway between Santa Monica and Malibu, and it’s ideal for days when the rain is predicted to stop by midafternoon.

Head across the street to Castle Rock Beach, one of LA’s best beaches for viewing the sunset, if the clouds break by the time the museum closes.

Grand Central Market

A go-to destination for foodies, this multi-story indoor marketplace serves up an array of tantalizing treats and bargains from around the globe.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (213) 359-6007 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 9 pm daily

Perpetually busy and in demand, Grand Central Market is easiest to enjoy when you’re not on a strict schedule. It’s perfect for killing time on a rainy day!

Here, foodies can sample culinary delights from the world over, and shoppers can bargain hunt to their heart’s content.

Grand Central is high on my list of great places to eat in LA. It’s a standard stop for lunch between visits to The Broad, MoCA Grand, and Walt Disney Concert Hall (albeit that last one can be kind of a letdown when the sky is gray).

Sites & Attractions

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Overcast days only add to the tastefully macabre vibes in this famous final resting place.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (323) 469-1181 | Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 7:30 pm Saturday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Sunday | Entrance: Free

Hollywood Forever isn’t just good in the rain, it’s arguably better in the rain. Everything is cranked up to next-level spooky. Picture it: a lone figure under a black umbrella, flanked by marble memorials patinaed with age. Iconic.

Be respectful, of course. Those are real graves. It is safe to say most cemeteries don’t host as many movie premieres, outdoor screenings, concerts, and comedy festivals as this one does.

Samuel Oschin Planetarium (Griffith Park Observatory)

Explore new worlds or dive deeper into ours through entrancing visual presentations paired with live storytelling for a planetarium experience like no other.

A man looking at the Zeiss telescope in Griffith Park Observatory — *Zeiss telescope in Griffith Park Observatory.*

View of the lush landscape from the Griffith Park on a rainy day — *Rainy day view in Griffith Park.*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (213) 473-0800 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 10 pm Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 10 pm Saturday & Sunday, closed Monday | Entrance: $10, adults, $6, children ages 5-12, Free for kids under age 5 | 👉 Getty Center and Griffith Observatory with City Highlights Tour

Griffith Park Observatory is an LA icon. Rainy days present an ideal opportunity for spending more time investigating the wonders within.

35-minute presentations in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium are an excellent retreat from stormy weather. They’re both fascinating and surprisingly relaxing.

The roads up to the observatory get dicey, so this is a good one to get a ride to. The tour linked above allows for enough time to take in a show at the planetarium, or you can hail a rideshare to explore at your leisure.

Venice Beach

See a softer side of one of LA’s busiest beaches (and maybe even cut a few deals with eager vendors).

Scenic view of the orangey sunset over the waves of Venice Beach — *For the win.*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 396-6764 | Website

Venice Beach is a pretty wild place, rain or shine. Visiting in stormy weather allows you to see the local side of Venice, which is by far its best. Watching the boardwalk come alive after a shower is a uniquely invigorating experience.

Rainy days are a great time to go out to eat in Venice. Consistently busy spots like The Rose Venice and Dudley Market are much more likely to have an available table when it’s pouring outside.

🚗 Had enough of the rain? Then it’s time to get out of town! Check out my lineup of fantastic Los Angeles day trips for some ideas.

Museums & Culture

The Broad

Broaden your internal horizons while reflecting on transformative modern masterpieces from Yayoi Kusama, Roy Liechtenstein, and Andy Warhol.

The art installation
of Tulips by Jeff Koonz — *Tulips, by Jeff Koonz.*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (213) 232-6200 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday, 11 am – 8 pm Thursday, 10 am – 6 pm Saturday & Sunday, Closed Monday | Entrance: Free

The Broad pretty well captures the essence of LA in museum form – big, flashy, and famous.

This incredible LA museum showcases the kind of art that looks great on social media, juxtaposed with art that has a way of provoking thought whether you want to think or not.

The Broad is among the most popular attractions in downtown Los Angeles, so you’re going to want to book your free tickets ahead. There are a small number of tickets held for same-day release, but those go fast, so get to the website bright and early.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA)

Delve into creative vision through the lens of contemporary art while wandering through immersive exhibitions in an art museum founded by artists.

The author Jericha Levy inside the green room at MoCA Grand — *Me in the green room at MoCA Grand.*

The art installation Untitled by Ruth Asawa — *Untitled, by Ruth Asawa*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (213) 621-2766 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday, 11 am – 8 pm Thursday, 11 am – 6 pm Saturday & Sunday, Closed Monday | Entrance: Free

Located directly across the street from The Broad, Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Grand presents compelling art in a gentler environment. Here, each exhibit invites you into the artists’ vision, creating an environment ripe for inspiration.

As a local, I’m starting my rainy day at MoCA’s second campus in downtown Los Angeles, the Geffen Contemporary (same hours, also free). Next, I’m heading across the street to Little Tokyo, home to some of LA’s best hidden gems for rainy-day treats.

Lunch at Jist Cafe or Marugame Monzo, maybe just a hot tea from Midori Matcha. From there it’s just a 15-minute trip on the Metro A Line up to MoCA Grand.

TCL Chinese Theatre

Catch a show in a legendary Hollywood movie palace fully equipped with modern-day sound, visuals, and amenities.

View of the Grauman’s signage outside the building — *One original sign for TCL Chinese Theatre, formerly Grauman’s.*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (323) 461-3331 | Website | Tickets: Varies

Going to the movies is a classic rainy-day activity! TCL Chinese Theatre is living Hollywood lore, updated to provide an incomparable theater experience.

My guide on the best things to do in Hollywood is a great one to check out when you’re looking for last-minute plans. Like other busy areas, Hollywood stays quieter in the rain, and you can easily find a day’s worth of all-indoor attractions along a few short blocks (embrace the kitsch. It’s the only way 😉).

The Last Bookstore

Walk through a physical tunnel of books and choose your own adventure through the world of literature in a spectacular DTLA bookstore.

View of the neon signage of The Last Bookshop — *The Last Bookshop as seen from the street.*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (213) 488-0599 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 8 pm daily

The Last Bookstore is the perfect place to find your next rainy day read. New books, old books, vinyl, they’ve got it. And don’t worry – there are cozy nooks aplenty to peruse new purchases while the storm passes.

Things to Do with Kids

Exposition Park

Engage minds of all ages in explorations of science and history through interactive exhibits in a collection of lauded cultural institutions.

Closeup look of the dino skeletons in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County — *Dino skeletons in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (213) 744-2294 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 10 pm daily

Families on a budget will find fun for the whole family in Exposition Park. You can easily spend a full day checking out fascinating exhibits in the park’s museums.

The California Science Center offers free admission. Tickets to the Natural History Museum are $18 for adults and $7 for children. Entrance to the adjacent Exposition Park Rose Garden is also free, and it’s wonderfully fragrant after a shower.

Hidden Gems

The Velaslavasay Panorama

Peer into the past in a 360-degree environment that enchants the viewer with sensory phenomena.

A snippet of the panorama presentation.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (213) 746-2166 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Friday and Saturday, occasionally Sunday, by appointment only (click here for current availability) | Entrance: $7 suggested donation

Want to see a gem so hidden it’s practically undiscovered? The Velaslavasay Panorama is a one-of-a-kind look into a quirky chapter of entertainment history. The entirely with which this seemingly humble display transports you to a world gone by is mind-boggling.

Speaking of transport… take a rideshare and make sure it’s there before you leave the building. There are worse neighborhoods, but it’s best to be cautious.

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You’re all set to make the most of your rainy day in LA! Thanks very much for reading. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

For more fun, check out my full list of things to do in LA (rain or shine).

My Favorite Things to Do in Los Angeles When It’s Raining