Sunday in the City of Angels: Hollywood Bowl, NBA Finals, and Hidden Gems Across LA
Welcome to Things to Do in Los Angeles! I’m Oly Bennet, your globe-trotting, sports-obsessed guide to the City of Angels, coming to you this Sunday, June 14, 2026. LA is waking up under classic sunshine with warm, dry weather and that hazy, golden glow that makes everything look like a movie scene. Marathoners are already on the paths, surfers are chasing morning sets, and brunch lines are forming faster than a Dodgers rally.
Let’s kick off with what’s happening around town today. The Hollywood Bowl is hosting a big outdoor concert tonight, with the LA Philharmonic sharing the stage with a chart-topping guest artist, so pack a picnic and a light jacket for that cool canyon breeze. Downtown, LA Live is buzzing with an NBA Finals watch party spilling out of sports bars and plazas, complete with giant screens, fan zones, and enough jerseys to clothe a small nation. Over in Exposition Park, families can dive into interactive science fun at the California Science Center, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour is still the star of the show. For culture lovers, the Broad Museum is drawing lines for its contemporary art exhibits, and if you reserve a slot, you can wander from giant pop art to mind-bending installations in one afternoon. Night owls can head to Koreatown, where late-night karaoke bars and hidden speakeasies keep the party roaring into the early morning.
In local news, Metro is continuing its big push to expand rail connections ahead of future major sporting events, including the upcoming World Cup and Olympics, so expect some detours but also easier car-free trips to places like Santa Monica and Downtown soon. Food fans, listen up: a new wave of street-food-inspired spots has popped up in the Arts District, including a buzzed-about taco stand turned brick-and-mortar that’s drawing crowds for smoky birria and griddled quesadillas. On the Westside, a plant-forward, coastal-Mediterranean restaurant has just opened, perfect if you want ocean views with your roasted veggies and seafood.
If you’re planning your day, here are a few must-do moves. Start in Griffith Park with a morning hike up to Griffith Observatory for sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign; it’s cooler, less crowded, and you’ll feel like a champion before lunch. Then cruise to Grand Central Market for an international food tour under one roof: ramen, tacos, pupusas, and ice cream, all in a single lap. This afternoon, stroll Abbot Kinney in Venice for boutique shopping, street art, and coffee that tastes like it’s auditioning for a starring role. If you want a hidden gem, check out the Sunken City ruins near San Pedro or the mosaic-covered Watts Towers for a dose of offbeat LA creativity. Cap the day with sunset at Santa Monica or El Matador Beach in Malibu, where the sky turns into a screensaver you can actually walk through.
Local tip: don’t underestimate traffic, even on a Sunday. Plan one part of town per “half-day” and use Metro, rideshares, or scooters to hop around once you’re parked. And if you want to blend in like a local, know that “I’m 20 minutes away” probably means “I just left the house.”
Coming up tomorrow, LA keeps the momentum going with more outdoor movie screenings, gallery openings, and midweek happy hours that feel like mini festivals. Tune in next time for the weirdest, wildest, and most wonderful things you can do in Los Angeles.
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