Full disclosure: I never used to like LA. Since I lived in San Diego, I simply couldn’t see why people would want to spend time in LA when they could head south to amazing beaches and Texmex.

Some of my friends have now moved to LA, and I’ve since changed my mind. That’s because there are so many fun things to do in the city- both year-round, and during the holidays. Here are just a few of those great activities:

Road trip

LA is terrible for public transport. Absolutely terrible. That’s why any visit to LA should include car hiring in Los Angeles. The good news, is that once you hire a car you can easily get wherever you need to go. And since you’re on holiday and not in a rush to get to work, you can leave at the right times to avoid the worst of the traffic.

I love exploring LA by car, but if you feel like taking a road trip you can easily get out of the city. Head down to San Diego for a day and explore some of the attractions there- especially if you’re bringing the kids.

Head to the Descanso Gardens

This is an incredible experience for people of all ages, so don’t miss this amazing holiday tradition. The botanical gardens have mastered some wonderful art installations with luminescent forests, adding sound effects for good measure.

This is an immersive experience- columns change color when tapped, and paths change colors as you walk along them. Take comfortable shoes, and be prepared to spend at least an hour gawking at all of the lights and colors.

Go Ice Skating

Let me guess- you thought ice skating was only for people living in winter cities like Chicago and New York? Nope. There are a number of family-friendly rinks that you can easily get to if you hire a car in Los Angeles. Many of them also include winter-wonderland drinks and food, along with the chance to meet Santa. You’ll also find a number of holiday markets and shopping destinations nearby as well. One of the best options is ICE, which you’ll find at Santa Monica. This 8,000 square foot rink includes a concession stand and you can even hire your own private cabana.

Another option? The L.A. Kings holiday Ice, which includes a gorgeous Christmas tree in the middle, helping you get into the Christmas spirit.