While Los Angeles County is still under orders that prohibit most gatherings, there are still many exciting, socially-distanced activities to do in LA to help you survive your “COVID fatigue.” As we near the end of the quarter with exams week looming ahead, our tiredness of being cooped up, Zoom University, and the constant fear surrounding the pandemic in general can be exacerbated. I hope this quarantine edition of “Things To Do in LA” can help you find some new and safe ways to alleviate your stress. Since most indoor places are closed or operating at much lower capacities, the following suggestions are limited to either outdoors or at-home activities. Our collective fatigue about COVID-19 may tempt us to be careless, so I urge everyone to please avoid gatherings, social distance, and wear masks to help the world heal faster from the ravages of this pandemic.
1. Hiking Trails
Spending time outside, immersed in nature can be deeply therapeutic and reduce stress levels. The sights, smells, and sounds of nature can be extremely refreshing from time to time. Luckily for us, we’re blessed to have the ocean close by as well as wonderful hiking trails and parks. LA may be a bustling metropolitan area, but there are still quiet and tranquil pockets of nature waiting to be explored.
Recommended Trails:
- Sandstone Peak Trail, Malibu (6.25 miles)
- Temescal Canyon Trail, Pacific Palisades (2.6 miles)
- Trails to the Hollywood Sign: Brush Canyon Trail (6.4 miles)
- Hollyridge Trail (3.5 miles)
- Burbank Peak Trail (3 miles)
- Innsdale Drive (4.6 miles)
2. Outdoor Gardens
Another great outdoor activity is exploring the beautiful outdoor gardens that LA has to offer. I recommend checking out their websites beforehand, because most of them will require tickets or reservations.
- The LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
- The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
- Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden
- Descanso Gardens
- South Coast Botanic Garden
3. Beaches
Take advantage of the many beaches in the area! There are over 60 beaches on the beautiful LA coast, so there are plenty of places to go surfing, tanning, and biking. These are some of my personal favorites:
- El Matador State Beach
- Malibu Surfrider Beach
- Santa Monica State Beach
- Venice City Beach
- Dockweiler State Beach
- Hermosa Beach
- Manhattan County Beach
- Zuma Beach
4. Become a Plant Parent!
A great way to brighten up your apartment and make it a little homier is to get a plant! There are a couple of cute plant nurseries just a few blocks away from Westwood with wonderful selections of indoor and outdoor plants, pottery, soil, and trees. Located on Sawtelle Boulevard, these plant nurseries would also make a lovely afternoon trip, even if you don’t add a new sprout to the family.
- Hashimoto Nursery
- Tabuchi Nursery
- Yamaguchi Bonsai Nursery
5. Virtual Museum Visits
Although museums remain temporarily closed, many are offering virtual tours and exhibitions so you can visit your favorite museums even when you are stuck at home. Museums that currently offer free programming include: Hammer Museum, Getty Center, LACMA, and the Broad. Or, take a trip through some of the world’s greatest collections at these museums around the world: British Museum (London), Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Madrid), Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), Uffizi Gallery (Florence), Hong Kong Heritage Museum, National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne), Picasso Museum (Barcelona), and Musée d’Orsay (Paris).
6. Accept the Reality of Your Current Situation and Just Wait For a Vaccine
