Whether you’re an LA local or just visiting, I’ll share with you the best ways to spend your summer in LA LA Land. These LA travel recommendations include off-the-beaten-path ideas and some LA staples that you may haven’t thought of. 

1. Visit the Getty Villa Museum
You may not associate Los Angeles with Rome or Greece, but you can escape to these places right in the City of Angeles. Okay, well sort of! The Getty Villa Museum, located right off the Pacific Highway just north of Santa Monica is reminiscent of the architecture and aesthetic you can find in those European destinations. It’s also one of the most popular museums in the LA area with both indoor and outdoor areas. While the artifacts are fascinating for those who enjoy history, the venue itself is a work of art. Tickets are free, but you have to pay $20 for parking. Because the Villa Museum is so popular, it can be tricky to book. They are open daily from 10am-5pm except for Tuesdays. You have to book a reservation in advance and your tickets will be emailed to you. Getting in on a weekend can be difficult, so if you’re able to, try and book a time slot during the week instead.

2. Catch a Dodgers Game
Baseball is back, and here’s your chance to see the World Series champs (humble brag) in their home stadium. Dodgers Stadium overlooks Elysian Park on the East side of Los Angeles City, which means it also has some incredible views. Of course, ticket prices are dependent upon multiple factors such as where you sit, but you can definitely find some budget-friendly deals. Just don’t forget to order yourself a Dodger Dog while you’re there!

3. Go Paddle Boarding 
Here’s a way to enjoy the water, get active, and explore at the same time. LA’s coastal neighborhoods such as Long Beach and Marina del Rey offer paddle boarding that you should definitely consider taking advantage of. Long Beach is my personal recommendation. Once you’re on the board, paddle your way around waterfront homes and boats as you navigate the canals.

4. Hit the Beach
Of course, no trip to Los Angeles – or California for that matter – is complete without a visit to the beach. Santa Monica is a great option because you have the beach, a paved trail to go biking or roller blading, the famous pier, and shops at the 3rd St. Promenade all right there. Other great beach spots include Will Rogers State Beach and Malibu. If you’re looking for a day trip from LA, the beaches in Orange County are even better! Huntington Beach is where you’ll catch plenty of surfers, while Laguna Beach has a great local town to explore in addition to a pretty beach area.

Whether it’s your first time in West Michigan or you’re visiting friends and family, when you go is a pretty important factor. Midwest winters can be brutal, and while Spring and Fall have their perks, the best time to travel to Michigan is in the Summer. So I’m going to break down just why summers in Grand Rapids are the best so that you can make the most of your time there.

1. The Weather
First things first, Summer weather in Michigan is ideal. It’s the sunniest, warmest time of the year, which means you can comfortably spend more time outdoors. Rather than being holed up inside because of a snow storm, you can go out for a nice afternoon bike ride or have an outdoor lunch on your family’s backyard deck. Granted, you can expect some humidity and nighttime mosquitoes, but we could probably agree that this is much better than trudging through 7 inches of dirty, slushy snow in 20-degree weather.

2. There’s More to Do
Anyone who thinks there’s nothing to do in Grand Rapids probably hasn’t been there in the Summer months. Because of the warmer weather, there are way more activities in the area and places you can enjoy. First, there are the major outdoor events like the Festival of the Arts and the Coast Guard Festival. Then, spend an afternoon or evening at a Whitecaps baseball game. Or take the family for a beach day at one of the many gorgeous beaches along Lake Michigan. You can also visit nearby towns like Saugatuck that come alive in summer, with lots of great local shops and eateries. You’ll also see outdoor seating at restaurants downtown, making the city feel more vibrant than it does in the colder months. 

3. Longer Days
Summer also means longer days, and while this isn’t unique to just Michigan, the days are exceptionally longer here than in areas like Los Angeles. During summer in LA, you can expect sunsets around 8:00 p.m., but in the Midwest, the sun may set as late as 9:30-9:45 p.m. The extra sunlight is great for your mental health, as many experts say that time outdoors and in the sun boosts serotonin levels. Plus, you’ll feel that you have more time and energy to do things with the extra daylight.

4. People are in a Better Mood
People in the Midwest are very friendly throughout the year, but there’s something about the summer that makes people there even more relaxed and happy. And I get it! After being cooped up during a long Winter, it probably feels amazing to get outside and enjoy summer. There’s a great, friendly energy that I love about Michigan summers, and you’ll likely notice it for yourself too. 

Let's face it, sleeping on airplanes can be one of the hardest aspects of travel. We are tired as is, and for most of us, we don't have the budget for the fancy 1st class beds. So what's a person to do? Well, as the former senior editor of SleepAdvisor.org, one of my favorite strategies is to bring an eye mask. When it's light out, or you're exposed to blue light from other people's screens, it goes against your circadian rhythm, basically telling your body it's time to be awake, not asleep. The eye mask not only feels soothing but, more importantly, it blocks out any and all light, helping me doze off. 

Another tactic I learned in preparation for a 13-hour long flight to Australia was to stay up the night before, so that once I was on the plane the next day I was exhausted enough that I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. It worked, helping my 13-hour flight not feel quite so long.

For more ideas, I also reached out to fellow travelers to share their best tips for sleeping on an airplane. 

"If it's an overnight flight, take the middle section of the seats and sit in the 2nd seat from the aisle. If you sit on the end people will wake you up to use the bathroom but if you take the 2nd seat, the person on your left will ask the other side to get up to use the bathroom. Don't sit too close to the bathroom because there is a constant coming and going of people who will talk, plus the flushing of the toilet." - Francesco, Italy

"I get jet lag flying to Europe west to east. For a night flight I go to bed a half hour earlier each night for a few days so I will fall asleep after dinner on the flight. I stay away from caffeine for a couple of days before leaving. I use a sleep  mask to make it dark." - Jaclyn, California 
Twitter: @jaclyncarmichae

"Put on your earmuffs, sleeping mask, and hoodie. Pull your arms in from your sleeves and tuck your knees up into your hoodie in a fetal position. Let your body roll and rest wherever it may fall, even on the stranger next to you. You’ll feel like you’re right back in the womb. Only works for short people, so if you’re tall, you’re not sleeping" - Steven, California 
Twitter: @stevenlma
​Instagram: @stevenlma


​"To get a good night's rest on the plane, I would actually take a blanket and a pillow or two blankets. I would also take a set of ear plugs and/or earbuds. Then I would say that the day that you're getting ready to fly, you want to look at the time zone that you're flying to and then adjust the day of the flight so that you start preparing yourself for the new time zone. This might mean you need to get up earlier in the morning so that you allow yourself to quickly get onto a new time zone. Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water." - Geri, California