One thing that is relatively dependable in Los Angeles is that inland summer temperatures will be hot. Here are some great ways to escape the oppressive heat if it gets too much for you.
LA County has 81 miles of beaches from Malibu to Long Beach. Orange and Ventura Counties offer additional miles of sand and sea. It is generally 20 to 30 degrees cooler at the beach than in inland areas of L.A.
With over 30 major museums and many more small museums and historical homes to visit, you can find someplace to get out of the sun for an hour or all day.
If you want to cover a lot of ground while keeping cool, take an air conditioned bus tour. There are several companies and itineraries to choose from.
If you have a car and prefer to see things in your own time, try this one day driving tour of LA.
If you’ve seen most of the on shore attractions, try a boat tour, boat rental or fishing excursion to enjoy the cool air out on the water.
Normally, you might not want to spend part of your vacation time inside a movie theater, but in Los Angeles, going to one of the classic Hollywood movie palaces can add another dimension to your film viewing experience.
Many of the shopping centers in Southern California are now built as outdoor malls, rather than the enclosed, air conditioned malls built in the 60s and 70s. The shops themselves are air conditioned, but you’re outside between shops. There are a few malls left where you can still escape the heat while you browse from shop to shop.
Water parks are a great way to cool off if you’re in the neighborhood. I have water parks lower on the list for two reasons. First, most of them are located outside the most common tourist areas in LA. Second, they are located in some of the hottest areas, so the time you spend waiting in line, you may be in the 112 degree heat.
Research shows that drinking cold water cools your body faster when you’re overheated than drinking water at room temperature, so a frozen treat on a hot day can’t be a bad thing.
Many shows take a hiatus in summer, but there is always something taping in LA. To escape the daytime heat, look for game shows or daytime talk shows taping. If it's really hot or rainy, they try to move the waiting line indoors or at least into the shade.
