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If you spiral through the social media of LA residents, you’ll probably notice the recurring caption “tourist in my own city.” As mainstream as that phrase has become, there’s a reason we all say it. I’m constantly discovering new restaurants and attractions every day. I’ve lived here for 18 years, and until my summer internship with ENTITY, I’d never even stepped foot in some of LA’s coolest districts.
So if you’re thinking of interning in LA, take it from a local tourist and do it. Here are the 10 perks of interning in Los Angeles over the summer.
LA offers everything from vegan cupcakes to rotating sushi. If you want it, LA has it. Plus gluten-free options.
There are açaí bowls, kale smoothies and avocado toast at every corner. When you’re craving fish, we have sushi, poke, ramen, pho and freshly caught seafood. And our desserts are straight out of a hipster’s wildest dreams.
True, the food can get a little expensive, but LA caters to all price ranges. You can always find the El Chato Taco Truck for quality Mexican food at a small cost.
And don’t get us started on In-N-Out’s $3.45 Double-Double Burger. Even if East Coasters believe nothing can beat Shake Shack (which you can also find in LA, by the way), they still need to try it. If only to prove us wrong.
In the summer, Los Angeles can get a little hot. But with our nice sea breeze, it rarely spikes over 100 degrees. And when it does, you can conveniently cool off in nature’s largest saltwater pool: the Pacific Ocean.
Not all beaches are equal. People often avoid the water in Santa Monica and Venice but freely splash at Marina del Rey’s “Mother’s Beach.” If you don’t mind the drive, the South Bay area—Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach—is always available for free admission to clean waters.
And keep in mind: there’s no humidity in LA. There, I said it, East Coast.
Take advantage of the Hollywood lifestyle and go see some shows in your free time! Most tickets are free; it’s simply a matter of getting off the waitlist.
Some shows are easier to see than others. It’s pretty impossible to get into “The Ellen Show,” but my friend and I immediately landed “Conan” tickets and had a great time. My mom also managed to get off the waitlist for Jimmy Kimmel. Once you’re in LA, check out the website 1iota.com to view all your options.
If you’re down to pay the price, studio tours are also super fun. Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures are all major studios that allow tours for around $50-$65 a ticket.
And, of course, you could always go on the studio tour ride at Universal Studios! Which brings us to theme parks.
If you’ve never been to Disneyland, an LA internship can be your chance to finally get that experience. Located in Anaheim, the Disneyland Resort is about an hour away from downtown Los Angeles. It’s a perfect day activity for weekends off.
Of course, you’re not limited to Disneyland. Potterheads should definitely check out Universal Studios for some butterbeer at Harry Potter World. The thrilling roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm are also in the area.
And if you want to cool off, Raging Waters is one of our local water parks. But make sure to get “H2Go Passes!” Nobody wants to wait in the heat for more than two hours.
Your Instagram will thank you for a summer in Los Angeles. From wacky desserts to sunsets on the beach, your feed is going to get a serious makeover.
LA also has a generous supply of street art. We’re particularly famous for our Paul Smith’s “Pink Wall” on Melrose Avenue and “Angel Wing Murals” in various locations.
And if you’re looking for something a little less mainstream, Venice Beach and the Arts District always have fantastic graffiti. Good luck with those angles!
Arguably the best part of Los Angeles is the diversity of its neighborhoods. Each district has a different, unique feel. Hollywood is perfect for glitzy tourist attractions, Santa Monica is known for beachy shopping and Little Tokyo boasts culture and fashion.
I could go on about Marina del Rey’s beautiful waterfront, Venice’s captivating streets and the fun style of the Fashion District, but you get the picture. In essence, if you think you’ve seen everything LA has to offer, you’re wrong.
One of the biggest perks of living in a major city is its music scene. At some point, all major artists tour in LA. If you can snag tickets in time, you could potentially check out your favorite band at the Forum, Staples Center, House of Blues, Wiltern or any other well-known theaters in the area.
For those who can’t dole out hundreds of dollars to see Harry Styles or Nicki Minaj, the opportunities don’t stop there! You can usually find some sort of free summer music festival or show in Hollywood or Santa Monica.
You could also check out the Hollywood Bowl if you’re into movie scores or orchestral music. My friend and I bought $40 tickets to hear the LA Philharmonic play underneath “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” It was a truly magical experience, but I’d recommend getting an Uber. It took us an hour to get out of the parking lot.
Any music buffs should also check out Amoeba Music. The iconic music store is set to move next year, but according to Variety, it will only relocate a few blocks from its original location, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find.
With LA’s extensive reserve of shopping promenades, you’ll have to stop yourself from spending too much. But have fun exploring all the different streets!
LA locals love to go to Fairfax High School’s Melrose Trading Post for fun browsing and thrifting on Sundays. Admission is $5, but the insider experience could make up for it. We once met Connor Franta while walking around the booths.
You can also go shopping down Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade. If you’re looking for a specific brand, you’ll probably find it here. Brandy Melville, Lush and Lululemon all live on this street.
And please check out The Grove! Even if you don’t buy anything, taking a walk around their beautiful plaza can instantly lift your mood.
You can’t go to Los Angeles without taking pictures at LACMA. Best known for its streetlamp exhibit (Chris Burden’s Urban Light) and noodle-looking artwork (Jesús Rafael Soto’s Penetrable), the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (LACMA) is filled with Instagram opportunities. There is an admission fee, but if you bring a student ID, you get a discount.
For those who want to enjoy art without a price, general admission to The Broad is free! Its most popular exhibits are Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms. While the rest of Yayoi Kusama’s artwork is currently traveling the world, these specific rooms are permanent residents at The Broad. They require you to sign up for a reservation, but they’re free for viewing!
We can’t forget the J. Paul Getty Museum. Located near UCLA, the Getty is a little bit of a drive, but it’s well worth the trip. The museum is absolutely gorgeous, and they always have awesome exhibits and events. One year, my family went for a Harry-Potter-themed scavenger hunt. Check out their website to see what they have on display now.
LA’s tourist attractions will earn you instant social media bragging rights. The list goes on forever, but here’s the stuff you really have to hit.
Griffith Observatory has stargazing, beautiful views and great pictures. What’s not to like?
Before you head up to the observatory, hike the Mt. Hollywood Trail in Griffith Park. Even if you’re not a huge fan of hiking, you’ll get close to the Hollywood sign, which is always fun.
Anyone who’s seen “La La Land” has watched Ryan Gosling sing “City of Stars” on the Hermosa Pier. Once you’re done checking out the sunset, walk a few hundred feet to The Lighthouse Cafe, which is also featured in the movie.
And for members of the LGBTQ+ community, LA’s pride parade is always a blast! If you get to your internship by June, you’ll be sure to make it.
The list is ever-changing, so make sure to keep up-to-date on all of the things happening in Los Angeles. There’s always some new event going on.
I’ll see you here next summer!
