Skip the tourist traps! West Los Angeles is bursting with distinctive experiences beyond Venice Beach and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This Spring, ditch the crowds and get ready to uncover a side of West L.A. that’s off-the-beaten-path, and equally memorable. From participating in a yoga session on a paddle board in Marina Del Rey and visiting the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City to watching a movie at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood, there’s something for everyone in West Los Angeles.

A stand-up paddleboard yoga session, Marina del Rey

YOGAqua in Marina del Rey offers stand-up paddleboard yoga sessions at Mother’s Beach. Group and private sessions are available on a tranquil cove without waves or currents. A session is 90 minutes long. The first 30 minutes are focused on paddling around the harbor, and the remaining hour consists of practicing simple yoga poses on the paddle board. Each paddle board has an anchor, which is dropped down before the yoga portion of the class begins so that people do not drift off while practicing yoga. This stand-up paddleboard yoga class is a fun way to stay active while enjoying the outdoors. 

Admission: New Student Special (single class) $35.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology, Culver City

Founded in 1988 by David Hildebrand Wilson and Diana Drake Wilson, this one-of-a-kind museum is not as well known as West L.A.’s other museums. Its exhibitions feature scientific, ethnographic, and age-old art objects and installations. The museum is home to a central gallery immediately following the entry, which showcases exhibits from the permanent collections. The installations in this gallery are mainly in the areas of natural history and the history of science. Make your way to this museum to check out its unorthodox and intriguing exhibitions! 

Admission: $12. 

The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood

The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood is a 101-year-old theater constructed by the same architect as the more famous Chinese Theatre and home to the first Hollywood premiere. The Egyptian Theatre was purchased by Netflix in 2020 and underwent a major renovation from 2021 to 2023. The theater officially reopened on November 9th, 2023. The American Cinematheque, a non-profit cultural arts organization, programs the theater on weekends under a long-term agreement with Netflix, which currently programs the weekdays.

Admission: $15 onwards. 

The Original Farmers Market, Fairfax

The Original Farmers Market was established in 1934 by a group of farmers who wanted to sell their produce directly to consumers. It currently boasts over 100 vendors retailing a range of products such as fresh fruits and vegetables, prepared dishes, and artisan goods. The market is also an excellent destination to people-watch and soak up the lively ambiance of West Los Angeles. If you are looking for a relaxed dining experience, check out one of the many restaurants at the Original Farmers Market. My favorites are Pasta Corner, Hoki Sushi, and Magee’s Kitchen. 

Amoeba Music, Hollywood

Amoeba Music is an iconic independent record store, well-loved for its large selection of music and movies. The expansive shop retails everything from new releases to vintage finds encompassing all genres of music and movies. They are renowned for their wide selection of used records and CDs and also have a trade-in program. Don’t miss this legendary store on your next visit to Hollywood! 

The La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, Hancock Park

The world’s only consistently active urban Ice Age excavation site is located at La Brea Tar Pits. Fossils are not only uncovered here, they are also cleaned, researched, and showcased—a scientific journey that typically takes place behind the scenes, but at the Tar Pits, is on view. Outside the museum, guests can witness excavators dig up remains of plants and animals trapped over the past 50,000 years. Inside the museum, visitors can view the staff preparing and sorting fossils in the see-through Fossil Lab. The results, comprising saber-toothed cats, giant sloths, and dire wolves are also exhibited. 

Admission: $15.

Photo Courtesy of YOGAqua.