Some of you are wondering what exactly to get into this Labor day weekend? As we all know, it lands on Sept. 6 which means Monday is off. No work for adults (hopefully for some of you) and also no school for children and young teens. So, what to do with this 3 day weekend? If you are not hosting anything at the comfort of your home or have an invite anywhere else, or even looking to plan something with your friends and family at least one day out the weekend. Well then search no further because here are some suggestions that we think are absolutely worth putting in your to do lists.
Los Angeles Breeziest Beaches
Westward beach
7103 Westward Beach Rd. Malibu, CA 90265
Make the drive past Will Rogers and Surfrider beaches and you’ll be rewarded with a clean, wide patch of sand and surf next to Zuma. A popular spot on weekends and holidays for locals and destination beach-goers, this Malibu beach can hold crowds with plenty of onsite parking either at the lot or alongside the road on PCH. Great spot for surfers and amazing for family as this part of Malibu is somewhat less known than its neighboring beaches. Not to take away its glory, the landmark for this wavy sandy destination is the Point Dume rock which is visible upon arriving and best part, you can hike (mildy) tio the very peak and capture breathtaking views along the coastline.
Rosie’s Dog Beach
5000 E Ocean blvd. Long Beach, CA 90803
This stretch of sand in Long Beach is a pooch-friendly paradise. It is the only one of its kind: The four-acre waterfront spot is the only legal off-leash dog beach in L.A. County. The park is named after the area’s late local canine celebrity, Rosie the English bulldog. Just note that there are no fences marking the dog-friendly area—though you’ll know you’re in the right spot if you see the colorful “Dogs at Play” sculpture so you’ll want to stay between Granada Ave and Roycroft Ave between 6am and 8pm daily. There is a parking lot right next to this beach and plenty of street parking alongside which makes it ideal for easier arrival.
Thousand Steps Beach
Coast Highway and 9th Ave. Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Thousand Steps Beach is one of the largest beaches in south Laguna Beach, CA. It’s a wide sandy beach with volleyball courts, restrooms, and tide pools and even caves to discover.
To get to Thousand Steps Beach, head to the intersection of 9th Avenue and Coast Highway and park in a legal spot. Just avoid any non legal parking spots, wouldn’t want you to get a ticket. The beach access is across from 9th Ave and it leads to a long stairway. There are enough steps in the stairs that it seems like 1000 steps (especially when returning to the top). The actual number is 223 according to locals.
Matador State Beach
32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
El Matador is the most popular of the three and the closest to Malibu. The parking lots for each beach are well-signed along Pacific Coast Highway in western Malibu. El Matador has a parking lot on the bluff with picnic tables that look out over the Pacific Ocean. A trail descends through unique eroding formations on the face of the bluff then stairs take you the rest of the way to the beach. Enjoy a picnic with family or friends, enjoy the views on the horizon and don’t forget to take photos.
Outdoor Dining
Foothill
2835 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
Foothill Restaurant prides itself on bringing to life delicious bites and signature spirits. Their menu selections include classic dishes prepared with the new elevated flavors of today. The bar menu includes local craft beers on tap, boutique wines and handcrafted cocktails. No to mention the amazing outdoor patio dining which can be seen cruising down Colorado blvd.
Open for lunch, weekend brunch, happy hour and dinner.
Salazar
2490 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA
This gem in Frogtown is definitely a locals delight, from tacos with homemade flour tortillas and char grilled rib eye to the signature caesar salads, there is something here for everyone. Jonathan Aviles’s menu is integrated by the restaurant’s design, which evokes Texas food trailers and barbecue joints. The outside space is what gets people here, desert plants are eye-catching and serve the best atmosphere for their mezcal based cocteles as well as agua frescas.
Plant Food + Wine
1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Plant Food & Wine, designed as a communal gathering place, offers a unique experience around delicious, health-conscious food, in the flowing indoor-outdoor setting distinctive of the space. The 70 seat restaurant evokes friendly backyard dinner parties in sunny Southern California, complete with olive trees and blossoming greenery. A private dining and wine room, located across from the outdoor area permits more intimate gatherings.
Local Breweries
Frogtown Brewery
2931 Gilroy St, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Frogtown Brewery is an independent craft brewery and taproom located in northeast Los Angeles along L.A. River. Owners Adam Kestel and Mike Voss and are long-time friends that shared a passion for home brewing, along with the crazy dream to one day open their own brewery.
With the help of official home brew taster and LA Native, Gustavo Rojas they convinced a small group of close family and friends to invest in this dream to catapult it into reality. The brewery and taproom opened doors in 2016 with a focus on creating quality handcrafted beers that were served in a comfortable space built for community connection and interaction.
Brewyard Beer Company
906 Western Ave. Glendale, CA 91201
This brewery mission is to make you feel like family. The open layout of the brewery & taproom was designed intentionally so you can see and follow the brewing process all the way from the milling of the grain down to the kegging out of the fermentation tanks full of Brewyard beer. It is a bit secretive to get to, for its is under the bridge on Western Ave and down all the way into a parking lot with other business that neighbor it. Here is a semi secret question worth asking; ask to try their homemade michelada mix.
Outdoor Movies
StreetFood Cinema
Various Locations around LA
Launched in 2012, Street Food Cinema is more than just an outdoor movie. It’s quite a unique experience, by bringing together the best pop culture films and gourmet food trucks along with progressive new music. SFC reinvents the traditional movie experience and gives it a outdoor under the stars cinematic vibe. They take every element into consideration for a flawless experience.
For locations & full scheduled showtimes visit here
Cinespia Cinema
Hollywood Forever cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90038
Each year, Cinespia brings classic cult favorites to the hallowed resting place of such Old Hollywood greats, and after a spring spent as a Griffith Park drive-in (where you’ll still find some picnic-style events), the series is headed back to the cemetery.
Pack a picnic and enjoy DJ sets, dance parties and all sorts of other magical mischief that’d otherwise be strictly forbidden behind the cemetery gates. It’s one of L.A.’s best film venues in the city, a perfect summer experience. Just be sure to get your ticket early, arrive on time and prepare for a real unique experience with those that lay beneath (respectfully).
For locations & full scheduled showtimes visit here
Rooftop Cinema
Various Locations around LA
You’ll find the rooftop screenings at different venues around LA, some in El Segundo, DTLA and a drive up at Santa Monica Airport. There are different package tickets but all include wireless headphones to listen to the films. Also, they offer popcorn and other snacks but you are welcomed to bring your own food and drinks. Rooftop Cinema shows all the classic movies and personally think they are quite fans of Quentin Tarantino films.
For locations & full scheduled showtimes visit here
Now that you have some ideas on where to catch some sun, grab a bite outdoors, try some local breweries, and finally experience your favorite movies also outdoors-all you have to do now is pick. Either way, if you don’t have a chance to check at least one of these places out make sure to save em and check them out when you do have the time. Hope you have a safe and wonderful Labor Day Weekend.
