Away from the Beach: What to do in LA
Can't surf, won't surf? There’s way more to LA than catching a wave, dude. From modern art to horseback riding, here’s our roundup of what to do in LA away from the beach.
Adventurous epicureans should don stretchy pants and a generous tote for a gourmet hop through the Grand Central Market. Eataly-swish it ain’t, but this historic, diamond-in-the-rough indoor bazaar secretes some of SoCal’s finest artisan produce, from DTLA Cheese, the humorously monikered Eggslut, and shuck-fresh Oyster Gourmet to jaw-busting burgers by Belcampo Meat Co. and Thai soul food from Sticky Rice. Post-splurge, fill your boots with take-home organic groceries at the various bakeries and veggie stalls.
The West Coast’s most diverse art trove, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), beckons with super-stellar names including Schnabel, Pollock and Mondrian, plus a smorgasbord of exhibitions and talks. The organisation comprises three venues — Downtown, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and the MOCA Pacific Design Center — we rate the former for its innovative installations, and better yet, no photo policy, which means you can contemplate the art without vying with the selfie-seeking hordes.
The closest you'll ever get to starring in a Western (cue Ennio Morricone soundtrack), Sunset Ranch is a fun gallop out in the Hollywood Hills, boasting fantastic panoramic views of the mountains and city. Choose between 1-2hr guided horseback tours or a sunset outing with barbecue, and note that the guides work for tips. Yeehaw!
Fret not about the bumper-to-bumper LA traffic and instead get up, up and away from it all with Elite Helicopter Tours, offering sunset tours, coastal flights, staggering ogles of the Hollywood sign and other top sights, as well as a celeb-safari peek into those Beverly Hills mansions.
Top off an activity-packed day with a wind-down session at Den Meditation. This mecca for novice and expert meditators and yogis alike has got you covered with everything from Vedic by candlelight and tranquil sound baths to Reiki healing circles and kundalini yoga. They even accommodate strung out kids with dedicated relaxation sessions. Ohm.
Grand Central Market / 317 S Broadway / Downtown / +1 213 624 2378 / 8am-10pm daily / grandcentralmarket.com
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) / 250 S Grand Ave / +1 213 621 2766 / 11am-6pm Mon, Wed, Fri, till 8pm Thu, till 5pm Sat & Sun / moca.org
Sunset Ranch / 3400 Beachwood Dr / Hollywood / +1 323 469 5450 / sunsetranchhollywood.com
Elite Helicopter Tours / Van Nuys Airport / +1 310 948 4354 / elitehelicoptertours.com
Den Meditation / 360 S La Brea Ave / Hollywood / +1 323 424 3444 / + studio in Studio City / denmeditation.com