Father’s Day in Los Angeles
Looking for fun things to do for Father’s Day in Los Angeles? Research shows that experiences make you happier than things, so show Dad how much you appreciate him this Father’s Day by sharing or treating him to one of these unique Father’s Day events and activities. There’s something for Dads with every taste and in every price range. They’re not in any particular order, so the one that appeals to the Dad in your life could be on page 2 or 3.
1. Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance Car Show
If Dad is a car buff, you’ll want to get him out to the Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance in Beverly Hills for Father’s Day. During the Concours, that most famous three-block shopping strip, Rodeo Drive, will be closed off to display over 100 specialty cars. Every year there is a different theme which can include luxury, classic and racing cars and motorcycles of all kinds.
When: Annually in June on Father’s Day, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: 200, 300 and 400 blocks of Rodeo Drive
Cost: Free
Info: lovebeverlyhills.com, (310) 248-1015
2. Black Powder Shooting Expedition
If Dad is an ace on the shooting range, or a fan of historic reenactment, he might appreciate a chance to fire historic old west black powder firearms at the Black Powder Shooting Expedition sponsored by the Autry. Reservations required.
When: June 19, 2016 2-6 pm
Where: a private firing range in the San Fernando Valley
Cost: Members $120, non-members $150 (Memberships start at $55)
Info: theautry.org
3. Celebrate New Orleans Style at the Long Beach Bayou Festival
Take a spin around the dance floor to some great Zydeco or Cajun music and equally tempting food at the Long Beach Bayou Festival Father’s Day Weekend. There’s fun for the whole family with a children’s stage and a Mardi Gras-style parade. Get more info at www.longbeachbayou.com and check out some Bayou Fest photos here.
4. Take Dad to the BIG Irish Fair in Long Beach
Great bands on 15 stages, bagpipes, Irish sports, a dog show and sheep herding. What better way to spend a day with Dad than at the BIG Irish Fair in Long Beach, going on all weekend.
5. Fillmore & Western Father’s Day BBQ Train
Take Dad on a 2 1/2 hour vintage train ride through Heritage Valley with an onboard BBQ on the Fillmore and Western Railway. Your journey begins in Fillmore, about an hour north of Hollywood, Santa Monica or Downtown LA.
When: Annually in June on Father’s Day, 11 am and 3 pm
Where: Fillmore & Western Railway, 364 Main St., Fillmore, CA
Cost: $50 adult, $29 youth 4-12, $25 child 2-3. Kids under 2 on a lap are free.
Info: www.fwry-blog.com, tickets More »
6. Have a Theme Park Day
If Dad is just a big kid at heart, a day out at one of the many Los Angeles Theme Parks could be in order. They all have new rides, shows and attractions opening this season. Universal Studios has the new Wizarding World. Disneyland is still celebrating its 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration, and Disney California Adventure has a new ride and show. Knott’s is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Ghost Town. Magic Mountain’s new hybrid Twisted Colossus will also be on line before Father’s Day.
7. Escape With Dad
No, really! If the Dad you’re honoring is a fan of horror flicks, schedule a real life escape experience for/with him at Escape Room LA in Downtown Los Angeles or The Basement in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley. Each one has two experiences to choose from.
A team of up to 12 people has to solve a series of puzzles to find your way our of a room or a maze of rooms and escape with the clock ticking down. Success is NOT a given.
Tickets for both venues are $35 on Father’s Day or other weekend nights. The Basement is also open Wed-Thur for $30 per person.
Goldstar.com sometimes has discount tickets.
8. The Other Kind of Escape
OK, so maybe Dad would prefer a relaxing getaway rather than the adrenaline rush of an Escape Experience. Any of these Short Road Trips from LAmight do the trick.
9. Visit Walt Disney’s Barn Museum and Ride a Mini Train at Griffith Park
Father’s Day coincides with the public open day at Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn at Griffith Park, which happens on the third Sunday of the month, and the weekly gathering of mini steam train enthusiasts at the same location. The barn was Walt Disney’s own creative space where he worked on his miniature railroad. It was moved to the Los Angeles Live Steamers area at Griffith Park as a museum, which is staffed once a month by volunteers, including Disney veterans.
When: 3rd Sunday of the month, 11 am – 3 pm
Where: Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn, 5202 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles
Cost: Free.
Info: carolwood.com/calendar/
10. Father’s Day BBQ at the Autry
Take your cowboy over to the Autry National Center in Griffith Park for the Western Music Association Showcase of cowboy music and poetry, and stop into the Crossroads West Cafe for a Father’s Day BBQ Brunch featuring baby-back ribs, chicken sausages and burgers hot off the grill. Museum admission is not required to go to the cafe.
When: June 19, 2016, brunch 9 am – 1 pm, Showcase noon – 3 pm
Where: Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Cost: Admission (not required for cafe) $10 adults, $6 Students with ID and Seniors 65+, $4 children 3-12, Free under 3, food is extra
11. Take Dad to a Guy-Centric Play
The whodunit, Sh*tty, which weaves a murder mystery around a struggling Chinese restaurant and bag of feces, is just one of many shows at the Hollywood Fringe Festival on Father’s Day weekend. The new play, Birder, takes an introspective look at what it means to be a father, husband and breadwinner. Second City Studio Theatre in Hollywood will be presenting the comic musical In Trump We Trust. If you can brave going deep, the moving family drama, John is a Father might be the ticket. Ruben Guthrie is a “harsh and hilarious dose of reality, presented by Australian Theatre Company, at The Matrix Theatre.”
The all-male gravity-defying Franco-Brazilian dance group, Compagnie Kaefig will be performing at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, but don’t let Dad try this stuff at home!
Check Goldstar.com (review) for discount tickets to these and other performances and events on Father’s Day.
You can also check out the dozens of shows participating in the Hollywood Fringe Festival, which will be in full swing that weekend, with Sunday shows starting at 10:30 am. Click the Family tag if you want to bring the kids.
12. Have a Father’s Day Tall Ship Adventure
If Dad has a bit of the pirate or adventurer in him, a sail on one of the Southern California Tall Ships might make his day.
The Ocean Institute in Dana Point will be hosting their annual Father’s Day Adventure at Sea aboard the tall shipSpirit of Dana Point. Join the crew in handling lines and raising sails. the morning sail includes a meal prepared on board by the ship’s cook. The afternoon sail has light refreshments. ($50-$140)
On the Saturday before Father’s Day, take a Family Sunset Sail with the LA Marine Institute in San Pedro ($60 adult, $30 child).
The American Pride has a Saturday, June 20th (2016 TBA) Sunset Dinner Sail out of Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach ($70).
13. Pasadena Chalk Festival
If Dad has an appreciation for art, you could take him to one of the many LA Art Museums, or you could enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Pasadena Chalk Festival, where the sidewalk becomes the canvas for hundreds of artists. Advance registration is required to participate and a $35 registration fee is required for first-time participants.
When: Annually in June, Saturday and Sunday of Father’s Day Weekend, 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Paseo Colorado, 300 E. Colorado Blvd
Cost: Free to watch
Info: www.pasadenachalkfestival.com
14. Night Out at a Comedy Club
If Dad is always up for a laugh, LA’s Top Comedy Clubs have a plethora of shows to evoke chuckles, chortles and guffaws, from stand up to improv.
15. A Day at the Races and All You Can Eat Buffet at Santa Anita Park
Treat Dad to a day at the races at Santa Anita Park including an all-you-can-eat buffet and drink discounts in the Bud Light Lounge. Your first Bud Light or Budweiser is on the house. The Lounge features over 20 HD TVs showing racing and other sporting events from across the country, a view of Paddock Gardens and private betting stations. You must be 21 and up to be in the Bud Light Lounge.
If you want to take the kids, you might consider the Farrier’s Package, which includes box seating and a selection of entrees from Mezzanine eateries.
When: June 19, 2016, Doors open 10 am, buffet noon to 3 pm (2016 To be confirmed)
Where: Santa Anita Race Track, 285 W Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91007
Cost: Bud Light Lounge $20 advance, $25 walk up; Farriers Package $50, $10 kids 17 and under, minimum 2.
Info: www.santaanita.com, Discount Tickets
16. Take Dad Kart Racing
If Dad is a speed demon, take him Kart Racing at MB2 Raceway in Sylmar. Kids 48″ and taller can come along and test out their track skills. Junior and adult karts available. Prices start at $20 Junior (48″+) 10 lap or $23 Adult (57″+) 14 lap race. Gift Certificates available.
17. Helicopter Tour or Flying Lessons
If Dad likes to soar, give him a lift with any of a whole selection of Helicopter Tours.
18. Indoor Skydiving
Take Dad to iFly at Universal CityWalk to try his hand at indoor skydiving in a plexiglass wind tunnel.
19. King Trivia – Live Bar Trivia
Is Dad the king of trivia, useful and useless facts at your house. Let him gather a team and test his mettle against other trivia buffs. Teams of up to 6 people compete for prizes at 5 different Southern California Bars on Sundays (other bars on other nights).
Participating locations on Father’s Day Sunday include Busby’s West and Barney’s Beanery in Santa Monica, BarFood on Wilshire, Congregation Ale House in Long Beach, and Barnacles Bar & Grill in Hermosa Beach.
More info at www.kingtrivia.com
20. Mad Science Mayhem at Kidspace
For some nice father-child bonding, dad and the kids can blow things up together at Kidspace Museum’s Mad Science Mayhem June 19, 2016. Activities include making slimy, fizzy and explosive creations in the temporary “laboratories,” interacting with robots and meeting real scientists.
When: June 19, 2016, 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 480 N. Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
Cost: $11 adults and children 1 and up
Info:www.kidspacemuseum.org
21. Romance Him
If the Dad you’re celebrating this Father’s Day is the father of your children, maybe you want to leave the kids at home and let him know he’s still the love of your life with these Romantic Things to Do in LA.
22. A Night of Illusions and Magic
If Dad is fascinated by illusions, from card tricks and sleight of hand to major vanishing acts, check out these Los Angeles Magic Shows.
23. Father’s Day Rides and Brews at the Automobile Driving Museum
Bring dad out to ride around in classic cars and taste a selection of brews from the El Segundo Brewing Company at the Automobile Driving Museum. You’ll probably want a designated driver or to take a rideshare service home.
When: June 19, 2016, 10 am – 4 pm
Where: 610 Lairport St, El Segundo, CA 90245
Cost: museum $10 adults, $8 seniors 65+, $5 children 10-18, under 10 Free. Family 4 pack $25.
Info: www.automobiledrivingmuseum.org
24. Brunch!
If it’s just a straightforward celebratory brunch you’re looking for, check out Open Table’s list of special Father’s Day Brunches (and dinners).
25. Let Dad Choose His Own Adventure
If the Dad you’re celebrating is more adventurous than you are, then give him the best of both worlds, a Father’s Day with you, doing one of these other fun things, and a gift certificate for Great American Days or Viator so he can choose the adventure of his choice to get his adrenaline fix on a future date. That will show that you not only value his company, but also really know who he is.
Adventure options range from hiking and horseback riding to myriad water sports, motorcycle rental, exotic car racing and more.
