12 Amazing LA and SoCal Experiences to Give (and Get!)

Eexperiences – memories – last longer than that beautiful candle you got last year, I promise. That’s why we’ve put together a list of special things you can only do in LA and Southern California. We think you’ll agree that they’ll be a welcome surprise for that special someone on your holiday gift list.

And here are some pro tips for giving the gift of an experience: When it comes to things to do, know your audience. Don’t spend money on a gift card they won’t use. And try to find things you can do together or that you know the recipient will enjoy.

As for me, I’m in the acceptance phase: I’m accepting that my dream holiday gift of Oasis tickets just won’t come true, no matter how many Noel and Liam memes I watch. All the Gallaghers aside, there are plenty of great experiences that any loved one would want to gift this holiday season (myself included!).

Here are a few:

Tufting 101 class at Tuft House LA

Tufting is a moment. From sweaters to fine art: large, bold color motifs and fluffy patterns can be found everywhere. That’s true Tufthouse LA in Glendale, where you can make your own rug from 100% New Zealand wool, based on an image of your choice. Their Tufting 101 class lasts four hours and you’ll come away with a new skill and a cute piece of original (and useful!) art. It’s a great gift for your smart friend who literally has everything except a loom and unlimited space. Cost: $225

Pottery classes at Pot Studio

I got into ceramics when I was in high school and have returned to the wheel a number of times over the years, so I can attest to its benefits in creativity, stress relief, and community spirit. Give the gift of a walk-in lesson in one of the many studios in the area, such as PotStudiowith locations in both Mid-City and Echo Park. They offer all kinds of one-off classes, from hand building to mugs to wheel, and for some even a sliding price scale to make ceramics more accessible to everyone. $15 and up.

Whale watching tour with Captain Dave

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to forget that we live in a place rich in nature and wildlife, especially our sea friends who play just off the coast. Captain Dave is here remind you of the graceful whales and dolphins that also call Southern California home. A whale watching gift – two and a half hours of whale watching fun sailing from Dana Point – makes a great weekend trip. You can even use the daily observation log prior to your trip. And to make sure everyone has a great day on the water, maybe add some Dramamine to the Christmas card. From $51.56 for children and $76.53 for adults.

Once upon a time there was a mattress

This is probably the biggest crowd pleaser there is the Ahmanson Theater this year for Broadway lovers. Immediately to great reviews in NYC and with the full cast – including Tony winner Sutton Foster and Michael Urie – Once upon a time there was a mattress It’s just going to be a lot of fun. Runs from December 10 to January 5. The musical version of the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea has been reworked by Amy Sherman-Palladino (The wonderful Mrs. Maisel, Gilmore girls) and is perfect for a night out with the whole family. $45 and up.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs Day Pass

Did you know that there is a natural hot spring just a short drive from Riverside County? A day pass to Glen Ivy and your friend will feel like they had a full vacation. You don’t have to drive all the way to Desert Hot Springs; you can relax in the spa, sit in the thermal baths or enjoy a treatment much closer to home. $75 and up.

Sourdough office hours at Kings Roost

We all have that one friend whose pandemic bread-making hobby stuck and they’re still offering you starters and giving you weekly updates on Bread Pitt and Edgar Allan Dough. Send them to sourdough therapy at Kings Roost in Frogtown, where yeast guru Roe hosts regular “office hours” for coach them through all their sourdough baking questions, $20. Check their website for upcoming dates and to book. Kings Roost also hosts a wide range of cooking classes and craft workshops.

Become a friend of the LA Phil

One of the best perks of being a supporter of the LA Phil is that you get access to rehearsals, starting with one per season at the $150 per year level, and going up from there. Like Gustavo Dudamel leaving the orchestra in 2026 for New York City, it’s a great opportunity to give as much music as possible to the classical music lover in your life. Bonus: this donation is tax deductible!

Tickets for New Year’s Eve concerts

Get a holiday gift out of the way And Take the stress out of planning New Year’s Eve by getting surprise tickets for you and someone special to one of the amazing concerts taking place in the city. There is something for everyone, from Gregory Porter at the Dolby Unpleasant D-Nice’s Club Quarantine show with countless famous friends at Disney Hall to jams in New Orleans George Porter Jr. in Venice West to Brit Pop icons the English Go along the coast at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

Sierra Club’s New Year’s Day Afternoon Hike

Grab a friend and hit the hills on New Year’s Day with the Sierra Club’s annual Henry Schultz Hike at Santa Clarita’s Placerita Canyon Park to burn off all the holiday fun and get some fresh air. A nice card with a map of the route and a small pack of sunscreen, a bottle of water and a snack (and maybe a small donation to the Sierra Club) would be a great gift to start 2025 off right. The afternoon hike takes you along the six-mile Los Pinetos Trail with views of the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys.

Swimming pool day pass

No longer do you have to put on your biggest sunglasses and scarf and pretend you’re a Hollywood star to sneak in and lounge poolside at our local posh hotels. Make your friend’s hot day better (and legitimate!) with a hotel day ticket gift from Resort pass or a Swimply gift card so they can cool off in style. Cost: $25 and up.

Subscription to 13 Things LA

Former LA Weekly editor, art critic and curator Shana Nys Dambrot and art publicist Heidi Johnson have teamed up to create one of my favorite resources for finding the best art openings and art-focused activities in LA. Give them a subscription as a gift 13 Things LA Substack to your favorite local art lover and always stay up to date on gallery openings, new artists to check out and great art events all around the area. Cost: $5 per month, $50 for the year.

Halter Ranch Railroad Ride

Halter Ranch in Paso Robles is not just any wine tasting. Last year they opened a ¾ scale steam-powered locomotive that takes you through the vineyards and olive groves – and is fun for all ages, especially if you have a train enthusiast in your life. It’s a great getaway gift for a night or a day trip. The season is almost over so you may have to wait until places become available for the spring to book, but an IOU and a bottle of wine from the Halter Ranch Vineyard Gift Frame will surely hold your loved one until then. Up to $50 per adult ($10 for those under 20), with discounts for members.

Muse/Ique Membership

MUSE/IQUE is one of the most unique performance experiences I’ve ever had in LA. Each show is different and uses incredible locations, from the Wallis in Beverly Hills to The Ford to The Huntington, and covers music and theater topics that appeal to a range of interests from classic Broadway to jazz to history. They operate on a membership basis, so your membership gets you tickets to three shows or more during the year – a pretty good deal! The 2025 season hasn’t been announced yet, but it will certainly be a solid cultural investment for your friend who’s seen it all. Cost: $100 and up depending on membership and ticket level.