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7 Ways To Enjoy "Tanuary" In Los Angeles

Samantha Jacobs |
January 21, 2014 | 4:03 p.m. PST

Staff Reporter

 

Hollywood (Creative Commons)
Hollywood (Creative Commons)
You walk out the door. You’re wearing shorts and have sunscreen in your bag. Your sunglasses are on and you’ll probably go to the beach tomorrow. 

This is fairly standard for an L.A. summer.

Except, hold the phone—it’s January.

This January, or "Tanuary" (as it’s been dubbed), has been uncharacteristically warm, even for L.A. standards. So while other parts of the country suffer through the Polar Vortex, here are some ways to enjoy "Tanuary" in the City of Angels. 

 

1. Go to the beach

Santa Monica beach (Creative Commons)
Santa Monica beach (Creative Commons)
It’s free, easy and warm. If you want to get rid of that winter paleness or simply want a place to relax, hit up the beach. Go for the whole day with a group of friends and play Frisbee in the sand, or go by yourself with a book for the afternoon. Either way, the beach is the best place to utilize this weather. Plus, your Instagram posts of it will make all your friends in Chicago jealous.

SEE ALSO: Best Pictures From The Polar Vortex

 

2. Go hiking

Runyon Canyon (Creative Commons)
Runyon Canyon (Creative Commons)
Whether you want to make the trek to Runyon Canyon or have a favorite trail near your home, use this warm winter weather as motivation to get outdoors and to stay active. You don’t need to hibernate when the winter includes sunshine and 75 degree temperatures. In a group, with your bestie or solo, just get active and enjoy nature in the sun.

3. Go to Disneyland

Disneyland (Creative Commons)
Disneyland (Creative Commons)
Maybe you have an annual pass, or maybe you haven’t been in two years and deserve a splurge, but there is nothing quite like Disneyland when the weather is nice. Get the gang together and let your inner child run loose. Get there early and stay until midnight, and have fun in the sun with rides in between. Enjoy the magical weather at one of the most magical places on Earth. 

 

4. Have a picnic

Picnic (Creative Commons)
Picnic (Creative Commons)
Picnicking is such an affordable and easy way to get a group of friends together. Find a local park, get some delicious sandwiches and just bask in the sunshine. This is a good excuse to not only absorb the sun, but also to get a group together. Whether it’s a high school friend reunion or a family affair, make it a fun event. You’ll have to eat lunch anyway, so why not enjoy it together in the sun?

5. Hit up Olvera Street

Olvera Street (Creative Commons)
Olvera Street (Creative Commons)
Sometimes L.A. natives remember Olvera Street as the go-to field trip place for local junior high schools, or as the place you always say you should go to but never actually do. So now is the time to actually go. Take the Metro down for a day to check out the authentic shops, eat some genuine Mexican food and explore the history of the street. It is a California State Historic Landmark, after all. So go explore the state’s history before it gets chilly.

 

L.A. Metro (Creative Commons)
L.A. Metro (Creative Commons)

6. Take the Metro somewhere

The L.A. Metro system is not perfect, but it can still be utilized. You can plan a day where you take the Metro to Koreatown or L.A. Live, or you can have no plan and just play the day by ear. Whatever you decide to do though, use the warmth as an excuse to explore.

 

SEE ALSO: Metro Fare Change Cound Hurt Some, Help Others

 

7. Go to the Zoo 

Los Angeles Zoo (Creative Commons)
Los Angeles Zoo (Creative Commons)
Are we ever too old for the zoo? Answer: no. There are hundreds of animals at the L.A. Zoo and you’re guaranteed to find at least one of them cute or interesting. Bonus: you’ll beat the summer crowds. Go check out your favorite animal or learn about a new one. You’ll have a great day and maybe even get a tan.

 

 

 

Reach Staff Reporter Samantha Jacobs here. Follow her on Twitter here.



 

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