Labor Day Weekend in Los Angeles is a great time to explore all the beautiful spots of Southern California and the state's famous nature preserves. However, if you choose to stay in the city, there's still plenty of things to see and try. The first fall weekend is packed with festivals, parties, movie screenings, and concerts.
LA Fleet Week (May 26–29, 2023)
LA Fleet Week is the annual event held during the Labor Day weekend that features a variety of activities and entertainment for the general public. Runners can challenge themselves with the Conquer the Bridge Labor Day 5.3-mile (8.5-km) dash over the Vincent Thomas Bridge. There is also a basketball tournament and an obstacle course to overcome. The L.A. Maritime Museum holds the STEM expo inside the cruise terminal. LA Fleet Week runs from 8:30 am to 4 pm daily proving non-stop musical entertainment, indoor and outdoor exhibits, and lots of fun for all participants.
Best Beaches
If you are not scared of cold water, you can spend the three-day weekend swimming and sunbathing at one of LA's most famous beaches, such as Santa Monica Beach that features beach volleyball, surfing, and chess. Venice Beach has tons of cool vibes, and parties are going on non-stop. Muscle Beach has areas for acrobatics, gymnastics, and bodybuilders. Take a stroll on Venice Ocean Front Walk with dozens of cozy restaurants, and cafes as well as mini-concerts by street musicians.
Rooftop Pools
If you prefer to relax in a warm pool with a cocktail drink instead of battling the ocean waves, check out West Hollywood's famous rooftop pool parties. The annual Labor Day Sunday Pool Party at SkyBar in The Mondrian Hotel and The Vibe Labor Day Rooftop Pool Party in West Hollywood Hotel are some of the hottest events in town.
Cycling Trails
Southern California has some of the best cycling treks in the United States. Early September is a perfect time to get on The Marvin Braude Bike Trail in Los Angeles. A 20-mi (35-km) trek runs from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance County Beach passing beautiful wide sandy beaches of Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan, and Redondo. A shorter option is a 4-mi (6 km) Rincon Bike Trail, which goes along the coastline in Santa Barbara providing amazing views and a dolphin spotting experience. It runs from the parking lot of Rincon State Park, passes Rincon surf spot, and ends in downtown Ventura.
Outdoor Movies at the Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetery is one of the most popular and unusual locations for an outdoor movie night. The annual season for watching movies here attracts thousands of visitors. In addition to watching the movie, spectators can enjoy live music by various bands and DJ sets.
L.A. Times The Taste (on hold)
L.A. Times The Taste is the annual showcase of Los Angeles’ best food and wine held during the Labor Day Weekend. Its main highlight is the opening night soiree with LA's best chefs and sommeliers. The festival includes cooking demonstrations, insights into the art of crafting cocktails, as well as dining events and live entertainment.
For the tickets and latest updates, please check with the official website (see External Resources below.)
