Graduation season is in full swing, and what a milestone it is! Whether you’ve called Los Angeles home for the past four years, or you’re visiting the city for a graduation celebration, we’ve got your guide to Los Angeles, California graduation ideas.
There’s a plethora of things to do in LA during graduation. Whether you are celebrating with family, friends, or both, the city is your cultural mecca. Take a picture in front of “Urban Lights” at LACMA (LA County Museum of Art) – the lamp posts are iconic. Grab a decadent hot dog in front of Pink’s Hot Dogs, where there are a multitude of celebrity spottings and you can choose between the 9” SHAQ Dog or Rosie O’ Donnell Long Island Dog. Take an afternoon hike at Runyon Canyon and hike up to see the famous Hollywood sign. Head over to Griffith Observatory to a get a bird’s eye view of the city from their free telescopes, and then treat yourself to a gift at The Last Bookstore, a 22,000 square feet shop filled with records, comics, and book nooks.
Say an official goodbye to 99-cent-ramen-munching days in college dorm rooms and celebrate by having the best ramen that Los Angeles offers at Daikokuya in Little Tokyo. Dishing out ramen for more than twenty years, Daikokuya is one of the oldest and most renowned ramen spots in SoCal; order the popular Daikoku Ramen to reach ramen heaven.
If you want to dress the nines, for a posh dinner outing go to Bottega Louie. While their pizzas, pastas, and salads are supreme entrees to dine on, what takes the cake is the dessert. You simply have to indulge in their varied pastry selection. From macarons of all colors and flavors to their light pink and gold “Celebration Éclair”, Bottega Louie delivers in flavor and presentation. Finally, if you have a rather large group and want to chow down, grab Persian food at Raffi’s Place. The restaurant has been around since the ‘90s, and is ranked by Zagat as one of the 50 best restaurants in LA. Order the Beef or Chicken Koobideh Kabobs, delicious meats marinated in special spices over a bed of rice.
Tall palm trees, blue waves, and sandy beaches await you when celebrating in LA during graduation. If you don’t want to go into the water, LA offers a few options to explore oceanside. Go to the Santa Monica Pier to ride the famous Ferris Wheel and see the “End of the Trail” Route 66 sign. Venice Beach Boardwalk is also the perfect spot for people watching artists, vendors, and other characters, including body builders at the outdoor Muscle Beach gym. For more pristine beaches to take a dip in the Pacific Ocean, or surf, make a trip south to Orange County. Laguna Beach offers artsy, laidback vibes, whereas Newport Beach has more of a social, friendly culture, with plenty of bars that always deliver fun times. Or, make the drive west to Malibu, where scenic canyons and waterfalls meet tranquil beaches and colorful sunsets.
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