With hot new openings and under-the-radar surprises to cultural icons and globally held accolades, the reasons to jet off to Los Angeles in 2024 are endless. Beckoning travelers to discover a place where magic happens and dreams come true, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is spotlighting the most significant milestones and must-visit spots from the Eastside to the Westside in the year ahead.
“The city of Los Angeles is undergoing transformational change that visitors and Angelenos will experience across every touchpoint in 2024, especially travelers who haven’t visited in recent years, from world-renowned dining to major developments in sports, entertainment, the arts and more,” said Adam Burke, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. “As the next generations make their marks on neighborhoods across the city, emerging talent energizes every pocket of Los Angeles, shaping our city into LA 2.0. We cannot wait to roll the red carpet for visitors to discover what’s in store across Los Angeles next year.”
As the global travel trends shift for the year ahead, travelers are daydreaming about their own vacations – bookmarking restaurants, comparing destinations and blocking off calendars. Here to help, Los Angeles Tourism is looking ahead to highlight something for every type of traveler coming to LA. Including:
· Forgotten Fantasies are Unlocked at Luna Luna
· Destination Crenshaw Celebrates Black Legacy
· 60 Years of Theme Park Adventures at Universal Studios Hollywood
24 NEW THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES IN 2024
Uplifting Community Through Arts & Culture:
With more museums and art galleries per capita than any other U.S. city in the world, Los Angeles is home to thriving museums and galleries, in addition to a robust public and street art scene.
· Destination Crenshaw Celebrates Black Legacy (Crenshaw, South LA)
Opening to the public in 2024, the $100 million outdoor art and culture experience in the heart of Black Los Angeles will transform a 1.3 mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard into a thriving commercial corridor. The outdoor museum will feature community spaces and pocket parks with more than 100 commissioned works by artists including Melvin Edwards, Maren Hassinger, Charles Dickson, and Artis Lane in a truly dynamic expression of Black American culture in the United States.
· NHM Commons Opens at The Natural History Museum (Exposition Park)
Debuting a major $75 million transformation in 2024, The Natural History Museum will introduce a 60,000 sq. ft. indoor-outdoor wing, strengthening the museum’s connections to the community. The addition is designed by Los Angeles-based Frederick Fisher & Partners and Mia Lehrer’s Studio-MLA and is slated to open to the public in Fall 2024.
· Forgotten Fantasies are Unlocked at Luna Luna (DTLA)
Grammy-winning artist, entrepreneur, and notable art collector Drake and his entertainment firm, DreamCrew, are behind this exciting opening that marks the world’s first art amusement park – rescued and on view for the first time in DTLA. Thirty-six years ago, “Luna Luna” briefly introduced the world to a fantastical amusement park with rides and attractions by some of the most notable minds in arts & culture, including a carousel by Keith Haring, a forest pavilion by David Hockney, a mirrored funhouse by Salvador Dalí, and a ferris wheel by Jean-Michel Basquiat. This one-of-a-kind creation was lost to the world – until now. Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy has now been unveiled as of December 2023.
· PST Art: Art & Science Collide marks USA’s Largest Art Event (City-wide)
Southern California’s landmark arts event (previously Pacific Standard Time), will return in September 2024 with more than 818 artists and 50 exhibitions, marking the largest art event in the United States. This year’s theme will explore the fascinating intersections of art and science from biotechnology to sustainable agriculture and ancient cosmologies to Indigenous science-fiction.
· Sprawling Gallery Scene Across The City (City-wide)
In the past year alone, several blue-chip and emerging galleries including Jeffrey Deitch, Hauser & Wirth and David Zwirner as well as Residency Art Gallery, Band of Vices, and Charlie James Gallery have expanded to the West Coast and opened new spaces across Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Commemorating Los Angeles Legacies:
Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.
Fresh off of the centennial anniversary of The Hollywood Sign in December 2023, these legacy attractions offer more reasons to celebrate in 2024.
· 60 Years of Theme Park Adventures at Universal Studios Hollywood (The Valley)
Fantastic for the entire family, Universal Studios Hollywood offers visitors everything from live studio tours and immersive games to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the newly-opened Super Nintendo World. While Universal Studios Hollywood first opened as a film studio in 1914, the theme park will commemorate its 60th anniversary in 2024.
· Walt Disney Concert Hall’s 20th Anniversary Season (DTLA)
Home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall presents the best in classical and contemporary music, international sounds and jazz, designed by architect Frank Gehry. The 2023-24 season, “20 Years and Beyond,” is inspired by Gehry’s innovative, groundbreaking design of the iconic home of the orchestra, and will present a range of artists and performances.
· The Original Farmer’s Market Celebrates 90 Years (Mid City)
A favorite destination among locals and tourists, LA’s world-famous Original Farmers Market offers nearly 100 gourmet grocers, restaurants and retailers. Located at the corner of Fairfax and Third Street since 1934, the Market opened at what was then known as the Gilmore Ranch, where a dozen farmers and vendors parked their trucks on the corner to sell produce and other items from their tailgates. For the last 90 years, the Market has increasingly offered something for every taste – American, Brazilian, Cajun, Chinese, French, Italian, Middle Eastern, and more.
· DineLA Restaurant Week Turns Sweet 16 (City-wide)
Los Angeles has one of the most dynamic dining scenes in the country, offering everything from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants. The bi-annual 15-day dining event will return from July 12-26 this summer, with an expected 400 or more restaurant partners.
Revolutionizing Tourism:
The beach in Santa Monica is easy to reach via the Los Angeles public transit system.
Los Angeles is investing in transportation and travel throughout the city, ensuring inter-city commutes are easier than ever. The city continues to foster new experiences and create opportunities for tourists to discover ever-evolving neighborhoods throughout LA.
· The Automated People Mover Simplifies Travel at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (Westside)
The Automated People Mover (APM) comes to LAX this year – introducing a 2.25-mile electric train to shuttle passengers between six stations and provide easy access to LAX’s terminals, increasing efficiency, and enhancing the overall guest experience at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
· IPW: The World’s Largest Travel Conference Comes to LA (City-wide)
Los Angeles will host the U.S. Travel Association’s international inbound travel show (IPW) May 3 – 7, showcasing why LA is the ideal place to stay, play, and do business. Yours truly will be there.
· The Blossoming Boutique Hotel Scene Provides Unique, Design-Oriented Accommodations (City-wide)
Bespoke properties such as The Aster in Hollywood and Vitorrja (by the Gjelina Group) in Venice have recently opened their doors, in addition to DTLA’s The Hoxton, Hotel Per La, The Proper, The Winfield and more. Fueling the ongoing transformation of DTLA, these boutique hotels offer curated guest experiences with a residential feel, scenic rooftops and impressive culinary programs for travelers and Angelenos alike.
· LA Metro’s Expansion Increases Connectivity (City-wide)
Los Angeles Metro continues to expand, opening light rail and subway lines throughout the city. First debuting in June 2023, the regional connector link allows riders to travel from East Los Angeles to Santa Monica, without transferring. Next, LA’s metro system will expand to the Westside with the Purple (D Line) Extension Transit Project. This critical, highly-anticipated new addition to Metro’s network will add seven new stations and a reliable, high-speed connection between downtown and the Westside.
Leading Sports Entertainment:
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Rich Fury/Discover Los Angeles Photo
Los Angeles is the destination to visit for premiere sporting entertainment as the city gears up to host the FIFA World Cup (2026), Super Bowl LXI (2027), and The Olympic & Paralympic Games in 2028 – all at the iconic SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, marking the first venue to ever host all three global events.
· The Clippers’ New Cutting-Edge Arena (Inglewood)
2024 will see the opening of Intuit Dome, a new 18,000-seat, $1.2 billion sports arena for the Los Angeles Clippers. Ushering in a new era of sports entertainment, the arena is a basketball fan’s dream, with plans for private courtside cabanas, backstage bungalows, loft suites, a public plaza, concert stage, retail shops and more.
· With 11 Pro Teams, LA is a Sports Tourism Hotspot (City-wide)
One city, a whopping 11 professional sports teams. Even if travelers aren’t LA sports fans, there is a significant chance their favorite team will play in Los Angeles in 2024 against the Dodgers, Lakers, Sparks, Clippers, Rams, Chargers, Kings, Galaxy, LAFC, Angel City FC, and the new Rugby FC Los Angeles. As sports tourism continues to rise, LA is a dynamic destination to make a vacation out of a ballgame.
· Watch Shohei Ohtani In Action at Dodger Stadium (Elysian Park)
It’s Sho-time in LA following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ official signing of Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani. The MLB 2024 season will be one to watch in Los Angeles when Ohtani steps up to the plate. Heralded as one of the most talented players to ever play the game, Ohtani will draw die-hard fans from across the globe to Dodger Stadium this year. (Hard to cheer for this as a Toronto Blue Jays fan, but there you go.)
Uncovering Neighborhood Gems:
Homes along a canal in the Venice area of Los Angeles, California. JIM BYERS PHOTO
· Beauty and Bakeries in Larchmont Village (Mid City)
Discover the best beauty and bakery spots in historic Larchmont Village, a picturesque hub for the residents of one of Los Angeles’ most well-regarded neighborhoods. The walkable village is perfect to fall in step with Angelenos for a morning coffee at Go Get Em Tiger, baked goods from Clark Street Bakery, fresh produce and home goods from CookBook Market, and the best beauty and wellness products from Thirteen Lune, a company that is reframing how Black and Brown beauty brands are perceived.
· Ramen and Mochi in Little Tokyo (DTLA)
With roots dating back to the 1880s, Little Tokyo in DTLA is a major cultural and civic center for Japanese Americans living in Southern California. One of only three official Japantowns in the United States, Little Tokyo is the home of the annual Nisei Week festival, and was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1995. Be sure to visit Fugesto-Do, a family-owned mochi and manju sweet shop that has been in the neighborhood for over 120 years.
· Vinyl and Vintage in Highland Park (Highland Park)
Los Angeles’ first actual suburb has a rich history of art, architecture and culture. A mecca for musicians, creatives, and artisans, the walkable neighborhood is home to Arroyo Records, Lodge Room for live music & performances, and the newly-opened Carla’s Fresh Market. I visited a few years ago and had a great time. Highland Park is also easily reachable via the city’s transit/streetcar system.
· Soak up 300+ Days of Sunshine on the Beach in Venice (Venice)
With 75 miles of county coastline and numerous world-famous surf spots, Los Angeles is the quintessential city of the Endless Summer. Venice Beach is one of many great Los Angeles beaches, with a lively boardwalk as well. From swimming & surfing to yoga, outdoor fitness classes, and some of the best running paths in the city, Venice is the perfect neighborhood for those looking to tap into the outdoors and inclusive wellness.
Critically Acclaimed Destination Dining:
Los Angeles’ dining scene continues to rise, with over 25 restaurants touting one or more MICHELIN stars, and the highest number of awards in the 2023 James Beard Awards of any city. Both up-and-coming and established chefs alike flock to the city to claim their stake in the ground.
· A Burgeoning Culinary Capital (City-wide)
Los Angeles’ diverse culinary scene continues to blossom as restaurants earn top industry accolade, including the highest number of awards in the 2023 James Beard Awards of any city. Among this year’s winners are OTOTO, an Echo Park Sake Bar, and pastry chef Margarita Manzke of République, a Mid-City gem.
· MICHELIN® Status Experiences (City-wide)
The MICHELIN® Guide California features 220 restaurants from Los Angeles, including 25 with one or more MICHELIN Stars and 4 Bib Gourmand recognitions – underscoring the city’s status as one of the world’s leading dining capitals. In December 2023, MICHELIN added three new Korean-influenced spots: Baroo, hibi, and Olivia.
· Best in Class Tacos (City-wide)
There’s no greater city in the United States to enjoy tacos than Los Angeles – just two and a half hours north of the border, and L.A. has the second-largest population of Mexicans after Mexico City. With so many different styles served up across the city, and more than 4,000 trucks and vendors, find mouthwatering options anywhere from hole-in-the-wall favorites to MICHELIN starred restaurants. A few must-try spots include Sonoratown in DTLA, Leo’s Taco Truck at Venice and LaBrea (and many other locations), and Tacos El Chino in Huntington Park.
· Farmer’s Markets Galore (City-wide)
From the famed Hollywood Farmers’ Market every Sunday to Culver City Farmers Market, Crenshaw Farmers Market, Historic Downtown Farmers Market and Larchmont Farmers Market, each neighborhood offers fresh produce and goods from local artisans and vendors through community-oriented markets. Los Angeles prides itself on offering best in class farmers markets, everyday of the week. If you haven’t been to Culver City lately, it’s become a very cool neighborhood. Be sure to try the artsy Shay Hotel.
AND A SPIFFY NEW HOTEL IN SANTA MONICA
The swimming pool at the Sandbourne, Santa Monica.
A new hotel experience, Sandbourne Santa Monica, will debut in the spring of 2024. Located at 1740 Ocean Avenue, this bold premier beachfront retreat is poised to redefine coastal luxury, offering a touch-centric journey that goes beyond
traditional hospitality.
With 175 thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites, the stay is crafted for tranquility. Upon entry, guests are invited to “Feel the Moment,” where every texture, every element, and every material contribute to an undiscovered sensorial encounter. From on-site ceramics by the pool to design forward rooms – rooted in artful conception as the heart of this coastal haven.
Esteemed designer Gulla Jónsdóttir and her team bring artful conception to life through textures like woven fibers and soft linens which coexist harmoniously with sleek, polished surfaces, contemporary art pieces, and minimalist accents. The color palette echoes the natural tones of the sand and sea, punctuated by vibrant hues reflecting the vivacity of city life.
The upscale pool, lounge, and cabanas create an idyllic setting for basking in the California sun, while the indoor/outdoor, state-of-the-art fitness center caters to active wellness. Expansive event spaces totaling 10,000 square feet, provide an ideal venue for unforgettable gatherings, and 2025, will bring the addition of a full-service wellness spa.
The grand opening will introduce a new restaurant concept by Santa Monica native and culinary luminary, Chef Raphael Lunetta. The exquisitely designed dining room, along with a lush outdoor patio, houses a comprehensive full-service restaurant and bar that will showcase Chef Lunetta’s coastal California cuisine.
