What’s New in Los Angeles: Summer 2024

This spring in Los Angeles brings an array of exciting openings and new experiences, perfect for family, friends and solo travellers. From recently opened hotels such as Vitorrja in Venice to trying new restaurant or museum exhibits, here are a few great ways for travellers to see Los Angeles.

HOTELS

KODO Hotel (Arts District)

Open Now

Located in a century-old repurposed firehouse, originally known as Engine Company 17, at the heart of the LA Arts District, kodō’s Japanese American fusion restaurant and cafe is the foundation for the accompanying boutique hotel that newly opened its doors in January 2024.  The hotel name “kodō,” which means “heartbeat” in Japanese, encapsulates the essence of vitality and cultural fusion.

Vitorrja (Venice)

Open Now

Vitorrja is a hotel, guest house, and event space from the Gjelina Group, located one block from the boardwalk and beach in Venice, CA. Inspired by the personalized hospitality of independent hotels and the purposeful utility of traditional boarding houses, the residence-like rooms and suites are designed for finding a home away from home.

Cambria Hotel Burbank Airport (Burbank)

A new Cambria Hotel opened on 4 April next to Hollywood Burbank Airport, located across the street from Metrolink’s Burbank Airport – North Station. The six-story, 150-room hotel includes 1,131 square feet of meeting space, a fitness centre, and outdoor courtyard, a library lounge, a grab-and-go market, and restaurant RhuBAR.

Burton House Hotel (Beverly Hills)

Named for and inspired by Beverly Hills founder Burton Edmond Green, the Burton House Beverly Hills, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, opened in May 2024. The all-suite abode will pay tribute to the city’s rich history and lush landscapes while also embracing a modern flair. The 193 rooms will have separate sleeping and living areas and kitchenettes. The swanky lobby will have pops of green, patterned accent walls and rugs and plants to help bring the outdoors in. An indoor-outdoor restaurant will also serve Mediterranean fare with a SoCal twist.

2024 MICHELIN Key Awards

In April, the MICHELIN Guide revealed a brand-new list of One, Two, and Three Key hotels in the United States. In this first ever announcement, the following Los Angeles hotels were each vetted and judged excellent in five categories and awarded MICHELIN Keys:

• Three Key Hotels
  • The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection
  • Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
• One Key Hotels
  • Downtown LA Proper Hotel
  • Soho Warehouse DTLA
  • The Aster
  • The Paramour Estate
  • The Prospect Hollywood

OPENING SOON

The Olivia Hotel (Westwood)

Opening Spring 2024

Prepare to immerse yourself in a brand-new upscale boutique hotel with 56 guest rooms designed to provide the utmost comfort, set amidst modern and chic ambience with the tranquillity of a nature-inspired design. Step into a beautiful, landscaped garden courtyard with a cozy fire pit under the starlit sky. Nestled near the vibrant heartbeat of Westwood Village and the prestigious UCLA campus, The Olivia Hotel celebrates the spirit of the Bruins.

Regent Santa Monica (Santa Monica)

Opening Summer 2024
The former Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, just south of Santa Monica Pier, will be renovated, updated and reopened under InterContinental Hotels Group’s Regent Hotels & Resorts luxury brand in summer 2024. The property’s room count will be reduced to fewer than 200 from 342, while the hotel will also include a spa and a beachfront pool deck.

Hotel Lucile (Silver Lake)

Opening Autumn/Winter 2024

Hotel Lucile is a 25-room boutique hotel in the heart of Silver Lake by Casetta Group. Housed in a 1931 church building where Griffith Boulevard and Lucile Avenue converge, the space has been reimagined to include a restaurant and bar, pool, rooftop lounge and more. Just around the corner from the farmer’s market and with views of the city from its rooftop, the hotel will be welcoming guests in 2024.

DINING

Villa’s Tacos in Grand Central Market (Downtown)

Victor Villa, the owner of Highland Park’s Villa’s Tacos, opened a second location of his popular grilled taco shop inside Grand Central Market in March 2024. Even in LA where the standard of tacos is so high, these are known as some of the best. It’s not to be missed.

Holy Basil (Atwater Village)

Chef Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat and partner Tongkamal “Joy” Yuon bring unabashedly bold Thai cooking to Glendale Boulevard. The second Holy Basil location borrows culinary elements from the original Downtown restaurant, including a core menu of curries, noodles, and rice dishes, along with seafood specialties.

Azizam (Silver Lake)

Established in 2021, Azizam started popping up around Los Angeles with an ethos of seasonality and recently opened their first restaurant in Silverlake. An expression of love to Persian heritage, the restaurant features house-made bread and stews, specialty beverages, natural wine & cider and a mix of shareable and individual dishes that are meant to be enjoyed by all.

Dada (Echo Park)

Located behind Dada Market where Little Fish operates a takeout window, Dada Echo Park is a bar and restaurant inspired by Berlin cafes. Inside, look forward to an analogue sound system, two large bars, and a dining room, plus an outdoor patio.

Lustig (Culver City)

Chef Bernhard Mairinger brings back his ode to Austria with this classy European-feeling restaurant in Culver City’s Helms Bakery project. Mairinger’s menu is designed to be easily shared, enjoyed while on a date or with friends, a special occasion or with a larger group.

Heavy Handed (Studio City)

Heavy Handed, the popular burger window tucked into Santa Monica’s Main Street, opened a second location in Studio City. Known for their signature smash burgers and ice cream, the new location has an expanded beer and wine program and outdoor seating.

Lasung House (Koreatown)

In April, On6thAvenue Hospitality opened the doors of its latest concept, LASUNG HOUSE

on Olympic Blvd in Koreatown. With LASUNG HOUSE, the beloved restaurant group, known for

its locally beloved Korean barbecue concepts Quarters and ORIGIN Korean BBQ is excited to

give Angelenos hearty, homestyle Korean offerings.

OPENING SOON

Nancy Silverton’s Pasta Bar (Koreatown)

Coming Soon

Nancy Silverton is set to open a new pasta bar in Koreatown this spring with business partner, Joe Bastianich. Just a few miles away from the Mozzaplex, the restaurant is set to serve mainly classic dishes, though Silverton has expressed interest in dabbling in fusion as well.

Max and Helen’s (Larchmont)

Coming Soon

Phil Rosenthal of Netflix’s ‘Somebody Feed Phil’ is opening Max and Helen’s, an old-school diner, in Larchmont Village this summer. Featuring elevated comfort diner foods, Rosenthal named the restaurant after his parents and will be partnering with Chef Nancy Silverton on the menu.

ATTRACTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT

Kobe Bryant Statue (DTLA)

The Los Angeles Lakers pays tribute to Hall of Famer and former Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant with a bronze statue in front of Crypto.com Arena, previously Staples Center, where Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career. The statue was unveiled in February before the Laker’s home game that evening.

Disco Courts at Kimpton La Peer Hotel (West Hollywood)

La Peer Hotel has officially brought back its popular ‘Disco Courts’ pickleball-meets-nightlife rooftop experience while also debuting brunch service at Ladyhawk. With these launches, Angelenos and travellers alike can expect the trendy hotel and restaurant to be a one-stop-shop for weekend festivities all spring and summer long. Disco Courts are available on Fridays-Sundays now through summer, the rooftop pickleball court transforms into a nightlife hotspot where players can enjoy lite fare from Ladyhawk and craft cocktails at the bar, while dancing to a live DJ and taking in the breathtaking city views.

Reopening of Montrose Bowl (Montrose)

The 84-year-old bowling alley, Montrose Bowl, has reopened with fresh coats of green, white, pink, and black paint, glittering green vinyl booths and stools, ballpoint pens, and paper scoresheets. For the first time in 20 years, the public can enjoy this vintage institution every day of the week, along with comforting vegan food served at its restaurant Never Caged.

50^th Anniversary of The Getty Villa (Malibu)

The Getty Villa is the US’ preeminent museum of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities and this year, it’s celebrating 50 years welcoming the public to its beautiful grounds. On view now is Sculpted Portraits from Ancient Egypt, which features stone works on loan from the British Museum and ‘Picture Worlds: Greek, Maya, and Moche Pottery’ explores how painted pottery served as a dynamic means of storytelling and social engagement.

90^th Anniversary of The Original Farmer’s Market (Mid-City)

The Original Farmers Market, a cherished landmark in the heart of the city, will be hosting a new event, the Night Market, to celebrate its 90th Anniversary. Scheduled to coincide with the Market’s official birthday month of July, the Night Market will showcase Los Angeles’ vibrant culture by inviting local Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) apparel merchants, who sell their wares online or through social media with no brick-and-mortar presence, to pop up on the Market Plaza. Adding to the excitement, the Night Market will feature 90’s music to set the stage for a night of shopping.

 60^th Anniversary of Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood

April 26 – August 11, 2024

Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood! Step off the tram and onto the studio backlot to visit an iconic film set, join immersive photo-ops, enjoy new themed food and merchandise, and much more.

OPENING SOON

Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center
In July 2023, the California Science Center commenced Go for Stack, the complex process of moving and lifting each of the space shuttle components into place for Endeavour’s upcoming awe-inspiring 20-story vertical display. This technically challenging feat has never been done outside of a NASA facility. The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will dramatically expand the footprint and impact of the California Science Center, adding 200,000 square feet of space for exhibits, events and educational programs, and include three multi-level galleries – Air, Space and Shuttle – spanning four floors of exhibit space.

‘Fast & Furious’ Roller Coaster Supercharged at Universal Studios Hollywood

Buckle up! Universal Studios Hollywood has announced construction will soon begin on its new roller coaster, themed to Universal Pictures’ blockbuster saga Fast & Furious. Renowned for creating groundbreaking and imaginative rides and attractions inspired by today’s most compelling movie, television and digital game experiences, Universal Studios Hollywood will bring innovative and technological achievements never previously employed to this all-new thrill ride. For more than twenty years, the Fast & Furious franchise has stoked passion in an ever-expanding audience, earning more than US$7 billion at the worldwide box office – becoming Universal Pictures’ most-profitable and longest-running franchise.

 ARTS & CULTURE

Hollywoodland at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Now open
Hollywoodland will trace the history of filmmaking in Los Angeles back to its roots at the beginning of the 20th century, illustrating how and why the city became the world capital of cinema that it still is today. With a focus on the predominantly Jewish founders of the early Hollywood studio system, the exhibition will delve into how their personal narratives shaped the distinct characteristics of the movies their respective studios produced and contextualize the role of antisemitism in motivating their visionary efforts. This immersive gallery will convey the evolving topography of Los Angeles along the timeline of the developing movie industry, allowing visitors to feel a tangible proximity to this rich history and encouraging further exploration of the city’s landmarks upon departing the Academy Museum.

New Exhibits and Galleries around Los Angeles

• ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN — LACMA (Apr 7–Oct 6)
• Sargent Claude Johnson — The Huntington (Feb 17–May 20)
• Jean-Michel Basquiat: Made on Market Street — Gagosian (Mar 7–June 1)
• Mickalene Thomas: All About Love — The Broad (May 25–Sept 29)
• Lumen: The Art & Science of Light — The Getty Center (Sept 10–Dec 8)
• Reframing Dioramas: The Art of Preserving Wilderness — Natural History Museum (opens Sept 15)
• World Without End: The George Washington Carver Project — California African American Museum (Sept 18, 2024–Mar 2, 2025)
• Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures — Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (Oct 26, 2024–Apr 12, 2025)

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED

The Broad Expansion

Recently Announced

The Broad Museum recently announced plans for an expansion that will build upon the success of The Broad’s first decade by providing enhanced public access to the growing collection, extend The Broad’s standard-setting visitor engagement, and make possible deeper offerings in live programming. The Broad will break ground on the expansion in early 2025 during its tenth-anniversary year and will remain open during construction. The new building will open to the public before Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics. General admission will continue to be free.

OPENING SOON

Destination Crenshaw
Expected 2024
Destination Crenshaw will be the largest public/private Black art program in the nation, stamping a 1.3-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard with an infrastructure project that includes beautifully designed community spaces, landscaping, and newly planted trees, and 100 commissioned works by Black artists.  While elevating Black culture, Destination Crenshaw will also boost the community through economic development, job creation and environmental healing.

PST ART: Art & Science Collide
Returning 15 September 2024 to February 2025
Southern California’s landmark arts event, Pacific Standard Time, returns in September 2024 with more than 50 exhibitions from museums and other institutions across the region, all exploring the intersections of art and science, both past and present. Dozens of cultural, scientific, and community organizations will join the latest edition, PST ART: Art & Science Collide, with exhibitions on subjects ranging from ancient cosmologies to Indigenous sci-fi, and from environmental justice to artificial intelligence. Art & Science Collide will share groundbreaking research, create indelible experiences for the public, and generate new ways of understanding our complex world.

NHM Commons
Fall 2024
The Natural History Museum recently announced NHM Commons, a new wing and community hub on the southwest side of the museum campus in Exposition Park. Slated to open in 2024, the transformative $75 million expansion and renovation project will create approximately 60,000 square feet of renovated space and new construction that will serve as both a destination and a portal into the Museum.

LACMA Renovations

Expected late 2024
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art continues its major renovations transforming four aging buildings into the David Geffen Galleries, a magnificent new building for the permanent collection designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor. The efficient space will feature 110,000 square feet of gallery space, a new theatre, education spaces, three restaurants/cafes, a museum shop and multipurpose event spaces. In addition, the new building spans Wilshire in order to provide 3.5 acres of new park and outdoor space for visitors.

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Expected 2025
Founded by philanthropist and filmmaker George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President of Ariel Investments, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will focus on the universal art of visual storytelling. The museum will present exhibitions for diverse public audiences unpacking visual storytelling in its richness and complexity through dynamic learning opportunities and public programs. Designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong and under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park, the museum will feature expansive galleries, state-of-the-art cinematic theatres, dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, a new public green space, restaurants, retail and event spaces.

SPORTS

Manchester United v. Arsenal in Los Angeles

July 2024

Manchester United will play friendlies against rival Arsenal in Los Angeles later this year as part of their preparations for the next Premier League season. The match will take place on July 27 at Los Angeles’ 70,000-seat SoFi Stadium. This will be a rematch of last summer’s blockbuster match at MetLife Stadium that saw Manchester United defeat Arsenal 2-0 in front of a sold-out crowd.

Intuit Dome
August 2024
The $1.2 billion Intuit Dome will welcome fans in 2024 as the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers with a spectacular campus including practice and training facilities, a 150-room hotel and public plaza featuring basketball courts and live music stages. Alongside SoFi Stadium and the Hollywood Park development, the development solidifies Inglewood as a new hub for sports and entertainment in Los Angeles. Bruno Mars will open the new Intuit Dome with two shows in August.

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

Metro D Line Subway Extension Project

Expected 2025-2027

Metro is expanding its rail system to the Westside with the D Line Subway Extension Project. This highly anticipated new addition to Metro’s network will add a total of seven new stations and a reliable, high-speed connection between Downtown and the Westside. Opening in three sections, Section 1 is slated to open in 2025 and will include stations located at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega. The remaining two Sections will open in 2026 and 2027.

85^th Anniversary of Union Station

This year, Los Angeles Union Station will celebrate 85 years of being a vibrant symbol of Downtown Los Angeles. In the eight-plus decades since its opening, Union Station has captured the spirit and soul of Los Angeles and has emerged as a vital portal to the promise of the California dream and a spirited destination for arts and culture. To commemorate this milestone, the Station will continue to energize the community with events and programs celebrating honoured partnerships, unique artists and commemorative holidays throughout its 85th year.