Ultimate Guide to Experiential Gifts in Los Angeles

Give Someone an LA Experience for the Holidays or Any Time

Shopping for someone who will be traveling to LA this year? A watch or a sweater will come in handy, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience will be something they’ll remember forever. Here are some LA experiences for all ages and tastes.

For Kids

Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland. Kayte Deioma

A Faery Hunt is a great interactive show for kids in Beverly Hills, Granada Hills, and other locations. Both girls and boys will enjoy the interactive hunt for faeries and elves incorporating life lessons.

For a bigger splurge, a day at Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm is a winner with the little ones. For younger kids, tickets to the Bob Baker Marionette Theater near Downtown LA will enchant from toddlers and up.

For Girls

American Girl Place at the Grove
American Girl Place at the Grove. Kayte Deioma

A gift certificate from American Girl Place at the Grove in LA can be redeemed for dolls, books, and clothes, or a meal in the American Girl Café.

For Boys

Kart Racing
Kart Racing. Photo Getty Images/Zero Creatives

Kart Racing at MB2 Raceway in Sylmar allows speed demons 48″ and taller to test their track skills. Junior and adult karts are available. Prices start at $20 for Junior (48″+) 10 lap race or $23 for Adult (57″+) 14 lap race. Gift Certificates are available.

For Teens

Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica
Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica. Kayte Deioma

Private Surfing Lessons are available in Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, or Laguna Beach. If you are from the region or a frequent visitor to Tinseltown, you can get an annual pass from Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood, or Six Flags Magic Mountain for the price of a single-day ticket.

For the Ladies

Tikkun Holistic Spa, Santa Monica
A couples room at Tikkun Holistic Spa, Santa Monica. Photo courtesy of Tikkun Holistic Spa

A spa treatment at any of hundreds of day spas, or a Beauty Makeover and fashion photo shoot in Beverly Hills from Great American Days. Alternatively, a deluxe meal, spa treatment, or weekend getaway may be found through various local deals.

For the Star Struck

Starline TMZ Tour on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
Starline TMZ Tour on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Kayte Deioma

Experience the Los Angeles Celebrity Homes Helicopter Flight – starting from $219 for a 35-minute tour of celebrity homes and LA landmarks. This tour provides a unique view over the high shrubs and fences that you can’t see from the tour buses. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the bus version of the Movie Stars Homes Tour or the TMZ Hollywood Tour.

For Theme Park Fans

Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain. Kayte Deioma

The Southern California CityPass includes a 3-Day Disneyland and California Adventure Park Hopper ticket, along with one day each at SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND.

Alternatively, consider the Go Los Angeles Card, which grants access to major attractions such as Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and LEGOLAND.

For the Romantic Adventurer

Newport Beach Aerial Sunset
Newport Beach Aerial Sunset. Photo John Connell/Getty

Consider a Los Angeles Romantic Sunset Helicopter Tour for two to enjoy while watching the sun set and the LA lights come on. Alternatively, a Los Angeles romantic helicopter flight with mountain top landing starts at $299 per person. For something adventurous, book a hot air balloon flight from Temecula starting at $250.

For the Hard Core Adventurer

Fighter Pilot Experience
Fighter Pilot Experience. Photo courtesy of Viator

For the thrill-seekers, offer them an Extreme Biplane Thrill Ride in Fullerton, Tandem Paragliding or Tandem Paramotor Flight in Malibu, or a Fighter Pilot Experience in San Diego. Additionally, a Gift Certificate to Great American Days or Viator enables them to choose an adventure of their preference.

For the Theatre Fan

Harmony at the Ahmanson Theatre
Photo by Craig Schwartz courtesy of Center Theatre Group

Discount theatre tickets are available from a variety of sources, allowing you to enjoy theatre, sporting events, and spa treatments at half price. Consider gift certificates that give them the freedom to choose their own experience.

For Anyone

Go Los Angeles Card
Go Los Angeles Card from Smart Destinations. Courtesy of Smart Destinations

The Entertainment Book offers discounts on dining and entertainment throughout LA. Furthermore, the Go Los Angeles Card lets cardholders in for free at most Southern California theme parks and a variety of LA area museums, tours, and attractions.

Gadgets to Help Visitors Enjoy the LA Experience More

Etymotic ER-20 XS High Fidelity Ear Plugs
Etymotic ER-20 XS High Fidelity Ear Plugs.

Many Los Angeles shows, theme parks, and other attractions can be excessively loud. Thus, quality earplugs designed for adults or earplugs/earmuffs for kids can dramatically enhance their experience. If merely reducing sound for adults is needed, Ear Peace earplugs effectively preserve sound quality. For greater protection, Etymotic’s ER-20xs are recommended. Additionally, when they are not sufficient, fallback options include the Howard Leight Laser Lite Foam Earplugs.


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