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TOP 10 WAYS TO GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT IN LA!

Written by: Elizabeth Conway

In Los Angeles and feeling the holiday blues?

Happy Holidays to you from Bikes and Hikes LA Tours! The holidays are here, and we’re psyched to present our annual list of top things to do in LA for the holiday season. Celebrating the holidays in Los Angeles is a little different than celebrating in other parts of the world. Although LA doesn’t quite conjure up a white Christmas with lots of snow and sleigh bells ringing, Angelenos still know how to get in the Christmas spirit. From Victorian Christmas Carolers, shopping galore, to the LA Zoo lights, a bike tour, and a sunset hike, LA has something for everyone wanting to celebrate.

Here are our Top 10 Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit LA STYLE!

 

1. Lawry’s Steakhouse, Beverly Hills

Have a traditional Christmas experience as you dine on culinary holiday favorites such as Roast Beef and Prime Rib. Treat your ears to the Christmas carolers as they stroll through the restaurant, going table to table singing holiday classics. They even take requests! Book your table at Lawry’s now through Christmas Eve. It’s one of the best restaurants in LA, so make your reservation today! Visit www.lawrysonline.com.

2. Try our BRAND NEW Hollywood Sign Experience!

We’re pumped to announce our brand new Hollywood Sign Experience– the closest hike to the Hollywood Sign in LA! Guests can hike with us in front of and behind the Hollywood Sign for the best possible view of the sign and all of Los Angeles! Give the gift of our Hollywood Sign Experience to your friends, family, and loved ones this holiday season.  What better way is there to get into the holiday spirit than to take in the snow capping the surrounding San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains as you hike through the Hollywood Hills?

 

3. Hollywood Bike Tour

Bikes and Hikes LA offers a great way to burn off those holiday calories with a bike tour of Los Angeles! Celebrate the holidays in Hollywood as you pedal through some of LA’s best neighborhoods. Favorite LA holiday highlights include the Christmas tree atop the Capitol Records Building and Paramount Pictures’ illuminated twin archways. Book your holiday Hollywood Bike Tour here.

4. LA Zoo’s Zoo Lights

The LA Zoo hosts “Zoo Lights,” an evening holiday extravaganza of colorful lights during the Christmas season. Open after dark, stroll along the lanes in a Christmas wonderland of glowing trees and animated animals. The LA Zoo holiday experience can’t be beat! Visit www.lazoo.org.

5Hollywood Farmer’s Market

You’ll be immersed in the Christmas spirit as you walk through LA’s original Farmer’s Market decorated to the nines! Consistently voted one of the best places to visit and for holiday shopping in LA, enjoy Christmas music, arts and crafts, variety shows, Christmas carolers, and more at the Farmer’s Market! Visit www.farmersmarketla.com.

6. The Grove

It’s one continuous LA holiday celebration as you make your way through the Farmer’s Market and to The Grove, LA’s best hotspot for holiday shopping. The Grove is splendid at Christmas, filled with lights, Christmas trees, and festive music everywhere. Hop on The Grove’s “Christmas” trolley, resplendent with giant wreath on the front, as it clangs its way through this world renowned entertainment and shopping destination. Bonus: think living in LA means it won’t be a white Christmas for you? From now until December 25th, snow falls at the Grove at 7 & 8 pm! Visit www.thegrovela.com.

7. Shutters in Santa Monica

Enjoy a little Christmas cheer as the waves lap against the shore in this hip Santa Monica restaurant. The patio at Shutters is one of the best beachside restaurants in LA, and is extra festive this time of year! After snacks and cocktails, stroll over to the Third Street Promenade and enjoy Santa Monica’s best Christmas shopping amongst a spectacular holiday Festival of Lights.

8. Melrose Fashion District

Shop the cool, edgy, vintage boutiques on this iconic Hollywood street. Then head west on Melrose to West Hollywood’s Design District for a little more Christmas shopping in the high end boutiques. Have a coffee at Urth Caffe or enjoy the gorgeous holiday views from West Hollywood’s best kept secret — the “urban park” on the third floor of Restoration Hardware.

9. Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Known as the “hippest street in America,” this famous street in Venice knows how to celebrate the holidays with Christmas carolers and magical lights for the perfect Yuletide feel. Complete your LA Christmas shopping in style, surrounded by some of the swankiest boutiques, coffee shops, and organic restaurants in the world, just steps from Venice Beach. As a bonus, check out the twinkling holiday lights illuminating the homes along the Venice Canals, one of LA’s most coveted real estate havens.

10. Holiday Cheer at Two Rodeo Drive 

Stroll Beverly Hills famous shopping enclave at Two Rodeo Drive, and experience holiday cheer in the pinnacle of luxury shopping in LA. Share in the live music, sing along with carolers, and whisper in Santa’s ear what you’d like for Christmas- hopefully you’re not on the naughty list! 

BONUS: Santa has arrived a little early this year!

We’re so full of holiday cheer, and love you so much, that

 we’re throwing in a BONUS LA Holiday Must-Do:

OUR GRIFFITH PARK SUNSET EXPERIENCE!

Take a Sunset Hike

After all the Christmas Cheer and holiday dining, take in a gorgeous LA sunset while getting a workout (and a tan at) simultaneously! Enjoy the spectacular views of the city on our Griffith Park Experience – our top LA hike with a view of the Hollywood Sign, an insider Griffith Observatory Tour, and unlimited Instagram photo opportunities! Take our Hollywood Hills Sunset Hike– and while you’re at it, check out these LA Holiday Filming Locations! 

 

LA is a great place to get into the Christmas spirit with these top ten holiday adventures- just swap snow and shivers for sun and surf. Forget all about the chilly “white Christmases” past, and enjoy your holidays in Hollywood!

Book your holiday getaway with Bikes and Hikes LA today!