The 15 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles This Weekend (That Are Better With People)

Los Angeles has an almost absurd number of things to do on any given weekend. The problem isn't finding something — it's finding someone to do it with. Here are 15 of our favorite weekend activities in LA, and why every single one of them is better when you bring people along.

1. Hike Runyon Canyon at Golden Hour

Runyon is LA's most social trail for a reason. The sunset views over Hollywood are unbeatable, and the wide paths make it easy to walk side by side and actually talk. Go on a weekday evening or early Saturday morning to beat the crowds. Grab smoothies at Earthbar on your way down. A group hike turns a solo workout into a two-hour hang.

2. Catch a Movie at Rooftop Cinema Club

There's something magical about watching a movie on a rooftop with the downtown skyline glowing behind the screen. Rooftop Cinema Club runs screenings in DTLA and Hollywood, and the vibe is inherently social — blankets, drinks, string lights. Going with a group means you can actually discuss the movie afterward instead of just driving home alone.

3. Explore the Smorgasburg Food Market

Every Sunday in the Arts District, Smorgasburg brings together dozens of food vendors in one sprawling outdoor market. It's the ideal group activity because everyone can get something different and then share. The "let me try a bite of yours" dynamic is one of the fastest ways to break the ice with people you've just met.

4. Walk the Venice Beach Boardwalk

Yes, it's touristy. But Venice Beach is also endlessly entertaining and the perfect backdrop for a low-pressure hangout. Watch the skaters at the skate park, browse the street art, grab a beer at The Waterfront, and people-watch until the sun goes down. Groups of three or four are the sweet spot here — small enough to navigate the crowds but big enough to keep the energy going.

5. Take a Ceramics or Pottery Class

LA has a thriving pottery scene, with studios like Choplet in Culver City and Color Me Mine locations across the city. Classes run two to three hours and give you something to focus on besides conversation, which actually makes conversation easier. You leave with a handmade mug and, if you're lucky, a few new contacts in your phone.

6. Visit the Getty Center

The architecture alone is worth the trip, but the Getty's permanent collection and rotating exhibitions are world-class. Admission is free (you just pay for parking). Walking through galleries with someone creates natural conversation starters — "what do you think of this one?" is the lowest-effort icebreaker in existence.

7. Do a Taco Crawl Through East LA or Highland Park

Pick three or four taquerias, walk between them, and rate each one. A taco crawl is casual, affordable, delicious, and gives the group a shared mission. Some of our favorites: Guisados in Boyle Heights, Salazar in Frogtown, HomeState in Highland Park. Going with a group means you can order more variety and try everything.

8. Catch Live Music at The Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is one of the greatest outdoor venues on the planet. Pack a picnic, bring a bottle of wine, and settle into the bench seats under the stars. The Bowl actively encourages sharing food and socializing before the show — it's basically designed for group hangs. Check the schedule for jazz nights, which tend to attract a more relaxed crowd.

9. Browse the Melrose Trading Post Flea Market

Every Sunday at Fairfax High School, the Melrose Trading Post offers vintage finds, local art, and live music. It's a treasure hunt, and treasure hunts are more fun with company. Challenge your group to find the most interesting item under ten dollars and compare at the end.

10. Take a Surf Lesson in Malibu

You don't need to be athletic. Beginner surf lessons at places like Malibu Makos are designed for total novices, and the shared experience of wiping out repeatedly is an incredible bonding activity. There is nothing like watching someone eat a wave face-first and then paddle back out laughing to accelerate a friendship.

11. Do a Self-Guided Street Art Tour in the Arts District

DTLA's Arts District is an open-air gallery. Grab a coffee at Stumptown or Verve, then walk the neighborhood and photograph the murals. Some highlights: the Angel Wings on Colyton Street, the row of murals along Traction Avenue, and whatever new piece went up last week. A small group makes it more fun because everyone spots different things.

12. Go Rock Climbing at Sender One

Indoor climbing gyms are the new third places — social hubs that combine exercise with community. Sender One in the Arts District and Lincoln Heights are some of the best. Bouldering requires zero experience, and there's a natural rhythm of attempting, failing, and cheering each other on that builds connection fast.

13. Hang Out at Grand Central Market

Grand Central Market is the beating heart of downtown LA's food scene. From Eggslut to Ramen Hood to Sticky Rice, there's something for everyone. The communal seating and bustling energy make it feel like a party. Grab your food, find a table, and people-watch between bites.

14. Attend a Free Outdoor Yoga Class

Free yoga pops up all over LA — at Runyon, Santa Monica Beach, Grand Park. It's a zero-commitment way to spend a morning and a natural conversation starter with the person on the mat next to you. Going with a group gives you built-in post-yoga brunch plans.

15. Catch Sunset at Griffith Observatory

This is LA's most iconic free activity, and it never gets old. The views stretch from downtown to the Pacific, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Catalina. Griffith Observatory at sunset is one of those rare places where strangers actually talk to each other. With a group, you can take the trails around the observatory for a mini-hike before the main event.

The Common Thread

Every activity on this list is better with people. Not a huge crowd — just two, three, or four people who are up for the same thing. That's the WashedUp philosophy: small groups, real activities, actual plans. If you're looking for people to do any of these things with, that's exactly what the app is for.