Spring break is coming up, and with it, the chance to explore Los Angeles with your friends! Check out these ideas to inspire your own spring break adventure.
Huntington Gardens
The Huntington Library has always been a place full of history and nature, the perfect way to spend a peaceful day during spring break. It has cafes for brunch and coffee shops to quench your thirst. It’s a beautiful place to spend time alone or with your friends and family with the price of $13 for youth and $25-29 for adults.
Other than exploring different styles of gardens or reading in one of the greatest independent research libraries, there are also temporary exhibitions and art collections to thoroughly enjoy such as the Stubbs’ Zebra exhibition. The unique exhibition displays the many different paintings of zebra horses by the artist George Stubbs.
One notable part of the Huntington Library is the Rose Garden, with more than 3,000 individual rose plants. There are many photo opportunities with the beautiful flowers within the vast garden. For a snack break, the Rose Garden Tea Room serves afternoon tea and pastries located in the middle of the garden.
If you’re tight on a budget but want a way to destress from the busy school schedule, the Huntington Library provides the right elements for you to achieve that during spring break.
Metro city sights
If you’re up for a daytime adventure during spring break, head for the nearest Metro Station, purchase a day pass for $7 and start exploring! Along the Gold Line, you will find several notable stops, including Old Town Pasadena, Little Tokyo Arts District, Downtown Los Angeles and Koreatown. At each stop, there are a number of locations for dining and other activities. Using the Metro as transportation gives you the flexibility and convenience to get to know Los Angeles.
Although Old Town Pasadena may seem like an ordinary city, there is more than meets the eye. Take a stroll through the block and you will discover that there are hidden photo opportunities and quaint shops lining the streets. It’s also filled with restaurants of all cultures and fusion twists to satisfy those cravings you’ve been having during school.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a more urban vibe, Downtown Los Angeles has a lot to offer. Downtown Los Angeles has a selection of well known art museums, and spring break is the perfect time to check them off your bucket list. The Broad, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art are among the most well-known. The price of admission to each museum varies, but some offer free admission or discounts.
Little Tokyo and Koreatown have food markets that feature local Japanese and Korean dishes and desserts, respectively. Both locations provide an authentic taste of the culture, which provide comfort for some and a new experience for others.
College tours
As high school students, it’s never too early to get started on your college search. Whether you’re a freshman, sophomore or junior searching for colleges to apply to, or if you are a senior hoping to tour your potential alma mater, take advantage of the convenience of being located near a number of local colleges and universities.
The University of California Los Angeles is just around the corner, but if you are willing to travel a further distance, the Claremont colleges are located in an area with a number of restaurants nearby. To make the most of your day, visit the website of your preferred college and request a tour or tour the campus on your own.
Scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor or speaking with current students can also help you get a better impression of what campus life is like. Afterwards, enjoy a meal on campus or take a walk nearby and search for local hotspots. To make the best out of a college-tour-filled break, make a plan and map out the colleges you want to visit first.
Co-written by Pauline Bao and Alison Chen.