With Daylight Saving Time ending, the sun will start setting before 6 p.m., making this the perfect time to enjoy after-dark adventures. Here are some fun ways to make the most of nighttime fun in Southern California.
Neon nights and skyline vibes
If you haven’t been to Griffith Observatory after dark lately, do it. The city lights stretch forever, and you can peek through public telescopes on clear nights. For something buzzier, hit OUE Skyspace downtown for skyline views, drinks and that see-through glass slide that’ll test your courage.
Or cruise to Santa Monica Pier — yes, it’s touristy, but the lit-up Ferris wheel, the smell of funnel cake and the sound of waves after dark hit differently when the rest of the world’s already yawning.
Nighttime eats that go beyond tacos
SoCal’s late-night food scene is a treasure hunt. Swing through Smorgasburg L.A’s evening events when they happen — both bring that festival feel without the long drive. In San Diego, check out Convoy District, where you can hop between boba, Korean barbecue and dessert cafes until well past 10 p.m.
If you want something a little more bougie, rooftop spots like EP & LP in West Hollywood or The Nolen in downtown San Diego are the perfect spots for nighttime fun, pairing killer city views with cocktails worth staying up for.
Experiences that glow (literally)
Make it interactive. Electric Dusk Drive-In in Glendale screens throwback films under the stars. Down south, Birch Aquarium’s “Nighttime at the Aquarium” lets you explore glowing tide pools by flashlight. And if you’re the immersive-experience type, The Museum of Illusions or Neon Wrld LA both turn darkness into art.
Want a little adrenaline? Try a night hike with LA’s Hidden Trails or a ghost tour in Old Town San Diego — because nothing says “embracing the early sunset” like voluntarily spooking yourself.
