Your Low Key but Super Awesome Guide to Memorial Day Weekend in Los Angeles

If you’re looking to spend this Memorial Day Weekend in Los Angeles soaking up the sun and chowin’ down on some meaty eats, then you are in good company (the millions, actually)! Here are my picks if you’d like to experience a low-key, super cheap, awesome Memorial Day Weekend in Los Angeles that begins as early as Thursday with National Wine Day specials and also coincides with National Hamburger Day deals on Sunday, May 28th. 

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Sun & Fun

You would have to be crazy to go to the beach on Memorial Day weekend right?? Not if you head there early and plan ahead!

My two favorites right now are Crystal Cove between Laguna and Newport Beach and Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach. If you’re heading to Crystal Cove, I suggest making a reservation at The Beachcomber Cafe to coincide with your visit. You can literally hang out on the beach right in front before you’re sat at your table.

Insider Tip: OpenTable isn’t available for day-of reservations, so if you don’t plan ahead, then make them there BEFORE you explore the beach. Otherwise, be prepared to wait 2 hours. Breakfast starts at 7 am:)

Looking to include your fur baby on this holiday? Rosie’s Dog Beach allows for off-leash fun and is the only off-leash dog beach in L.A. County! Located in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach, the beach is open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Hungry? Head to nearby Panxa Cocina and enjoy outdoor patio seating for Fido and friends.

The Huntington Museum and Gardens in Pasadena will be offering FREE ADMISSION for Veterans and Active Military, plus up to three guests on Monday, May 29th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proof of Military service or Veteran status is required.

Also not to be missed is the Memorial Day Carnival at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia from Saturday, May 27th to Monday, May 29th. Enter the promo code RIDE23 and get 15% off the Unlimited Ride Wristband on their website ($27) or get it as low as $15 right here.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7: 30 p.m.

It’s also one of the last weekends to check out The L.A. County Fair in Pomona, with Rides, Concerts, and all things Carnival. Hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, and you can purchase tickets beginning at $15 on their website or $30 at the door (for adults).

Classic Americana

Nothing is more American than baseball, and nothing is more Los Angeles than Dodgers!

Get tickets to the Memorial Game Day for as little as $25 dollars to see the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Washington Nationals – or $20 with this link. Although if you’re anything like me, you’re more interested in seeing the Dodger Dog versus the Cheeto-lote showdown.

Eats & Treats: Memorial Day Food Specials

From Monday, May 22nd to Wednesday, May 31st, Prince Street Pizza at all L.A. locations will be serving a Korean BBQ Short Rib Pizza in honor of AAPI Month. A portion of pizza sales will be donated to Koreatown Youth + Community Center and San Diego Asian Pacific Islander (API) Coalition ($45 pie/$7 slice). This mouthwateringly good pizza is crafted with Korean barbecue ribeye, mozzarella cheese, and topped with sesame oil and homemade kimchi mayo.

On Thursday, May 25th, Everytable is celebrating its first-ever West Hollywood location with 200 free meals to the first lucky guests. Doors open at 11 a.m. with a Mayoral ribbon cutting. You can also expect samples from local vendors and a live DJ. The address is 8717 Santa Monica Blvd.

Thursday is also National Wine Day, and Evil Twin in Culver City is celebrating with 50% off select bottles of wine that can be enjoyed on their patio or at your own home.

Saturday, May 27th, head to 4119 S Centinela Ave in Culver City, where Hotcakes Bakes and Evil Twin will be spinning summer beats and sharing wine and treats from 2 to 7 p.m. on their outdoor patio.

Sunday, May 28th is National Hamburger Day, and the entire month of May is National Burger Month. If you forgot to celebrate, The Habit Burger Grill has you covered with a $20 meal deal that includes 2 Charburgers with Cheese, 2 Fries, and 2 drinks. It’s good until June 27th, 2023.

Also, on Sunday, May 28th, Katana in West Hollywood is launching its weekly Red Sun BBQ Garden featuring live music, Japanese robata-style food, and refreshing summer cocktails. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m.

On Memorial Day and all weekend long, Gracias Madre West Hollywood will be serving brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu highlights include sweet Crepas Mexicanas ($18) and a savory Ranchero Bowl ($22). Their Shaved Iced Raspado Cocktails taste just like summer ($17).  

Music & Arts

Memorial Day weekend in Los Angeles continues at LACMA in mid-city, where outdoor concerts take place all weekend long. Friday, May 26th, at 6 p.m., features Jazz and the Dwight Trible Trio, and Saturday, May 27th, is for the Latin Sounds of Conjunto Oye at 5 p.m. 

You can also stop by Broken Shaker, on the rooftop of the Freehand Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, for award-winning cocktails and live DJ sets on Friday, May 26th, and Saturday, May 27th, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

On Sunday, May 28th, dust off your cowboy boots and head to Desert 5 Spot in Hollywood for their Swimsuits & Cowboy Boots Wild West Pool Party & Trading Post, which takes place from 2 p.m. until Sunday and features local vendors, DJs, and specialty cocktails. Admission is FREE!

If you’re looking to really kick it up a notch this Memorial Weekend in Los Angeles,  Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles in West Hollywood will be hosting 4 days of Pool Parties. Events include “Ditch Fridays” at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 26th, a Deep House Brunch Pool Party on Saturday, May 27th, and a Made in Tulum Pool Party on Monday, May 29th, 2023. All events are for the 21 and over crowd, and tickets begin at just $20.

Lastly, if you have kids, but still want to go to a Pool Party, head to the newly renovated Marina del Rey Hotel for their Sunday Funday Pool Party Series beginning on Sunday, May 28th. Expect DJ Music, Food, and Drink Specials from Noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and are FREE for hotel guests. Prices begin at $20. Capacity limits apply so get there early.