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Passing through LAX? Los Angeles International Airport is in an area where there are tons of fun things to discover. Leave the airport behind for a bit and set out on a quick adventure!
Unfortunately, LAX is not close enough to Beverly Hills or Hollywood for it to be feasible to see these neighborhoods when you are on a layover. With the traffic congestion it will easily take over an hour to get there and that would leave little time to see the sights.
There are, however, interesting places just minutes from LAX that are a blast to explore. From the iconic In-N-Out eatery to sandy beaches and shorelines, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
When you head out from LAX, find a luggage storage locker at your chosen destination. Stow your things so you can venture about without lugging your bags around with you. Many attractions do not have bag checks.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Located northwest of LAX, Venice is an ideal stop. The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a bevy of activities and the perfect place to visit. The boardwalk is about a mile-and-a-half long and runs along the beach.
Stroll along the boardwalk and check out the various vendors and street performers. Grab a snack from a food vendor and sit on one of the benches. Then look for souvenirs from some of the other artisans and craftspeople.
Head into one of the bars for a cool drink or rent a skateboard or roller skates and spend time at the skate park. Venice Beach is also known as the bodybuilding beach where you will see bodybuilders showing off for the crowds.
Sand Dune Park
Head over to Manhattan Beach and visit Sand Dune Park where you can see sand dunes that are 100 feet tall. The park is great for kids with its playground and merry-go-round. But with the nature preserve inside the park, adults love visiting here, too.
Hike up one of the nature trails that lead up the tallest sand dune. Snap photos from the top for great social-media-worthy pictures that will make your family and friends jealous. You will want to book your visit online so you can hike up the dune when here.
Visit the nature preserve while at the park and view one of the rarest wildflowers in California, the Orcutt’s Yellow Pincushion. There is a very small charge for Non-Manhattan Beach residents.
In-N-Out
This iconic California-based restaurant chain is best known for its burgers-only menu, hand-cut French fries, and thick milkshakes. If you have never eaten at In-N-Out, here is your chance.
In-N-Out is literally within walking distance of LAX and the burgers are well worth the walk. The Neapolitan milkshake is to die for; it is the best of all three flavors combined into one magnificent thick milkshake. Stretch your legs and give this spot a try!
Roundhouse Aquarium
Admission is free to the Roundhouse Aquarium, a small aquarium located at the Manhattan Beach Pier. Stroll through the aquarium and learn about the various sea creatures housed there and even touch a few in the touch pools.
Although admission is free, because the aquarium is run by a non-profit organization, there is a very small recommended donation. Spend an hour or two exploring the Roundhouse Aquarium and see the sea life that is native to California.
Automobile Driving Museum
Located only about 10 minutes from LAX, the Automobile Driving Museum is the perfect place to spend a few hours. Dedicated to preserving antique autos, the museum is home to over 130 different cars.
Since the museum is run by a non-profit organization, there is no admission fee, but there is a small recommended donation that helps with the upkeep of the cars and running the day-to-day of the museum.
On Sundays, you can even go for a short ride in one of the antique cars, but the museum is closed on Mondays. If you have kids in tow, head to the kids’ area complete with an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
Polliwog Park
You are in California, so you will want to get out in the sunshine and Polliwog Park is the perfect place to do it. It is only about 20 minutes from LAX in Manhattan Beach and has a 9-hole disc golf course, amphitheater, and big pond.
Polliwog Park is the biggest city park in southern Los Angeles with 18 acres that are begging to be explored. Stop by the botanical garden for a peaceful walk among the flowers and plants or sit on one of the benches under the shade trees.
Redondo Beach Sportfishing & Whale Watching
While you probably will not have your sportfishing equipment with you if you are on a layover at LAX, Redondo Beach is still a great place to visit and look out over the Pacific Ocean. Stroll along the Municipal Pier and check out the vendors.
If you have the time, sign up for a whale-watching trip that will last about two-and-a-half hours. If you do not have the time for a longer trip, check out the Nature Cruise. It takes about 45 minutes.
The Nature Cruise is where you may be able to see sea lions sunning on the rocks and dolphins swimming in the ocean. You can also check out the five-hour fishing trip if you have a really long layover and would like to try your hand at fishing.
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El Segundo Beach
If you are able to visit El Segundo Beach during the week, you will pretty much have this beautiful beach to yourself where you can take a stroll, sit in the sand, and simply enjoy the quietness that surrounds you.
During the weekend, however, it is extremely hectic with locals and tourists flocking to the beach. The beach is said to be haunted by a little girl that spins her head around and screams at you, but she only appears after the sun goes down. Best leave before that!