# Anime Expo: what to do between sessions in Los Angeles

Source: https://eventweekends.com/trade-show/anime-expo/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 2 to 5 July 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, United States, about 3 km from the centre
- **Free time:** The show floor takes the day, so the evenings, a companion day and the day after are free.
- **Best base:** Downtown and Santa Monica: Downtown for venues, Santa Monica for the beach.
- **Getting there:** LAX is 30 to 60 minutes from most areas; the LAX/Metro Transit Center links to the K and C lines.
- **Weather:** In July, Los Angeles averages highs of about 30°C and lows of 17°C, with roughly 2 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 14 h 23 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood; Universal Studios Hollywood; Hollywood sign hike

## Weather and what to pack

In July, Los Angeles averages highs of about 30°C and lows of 17°C, with roughly 2 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 14 h 23 min of daylight.
- Sun hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
- Rain is unlikely: this is one of the driest months.
- Comfortable shoes: a day on the show floor easily means 15,000 steps.

## Airport to venue

LAX is 30 to 60 minutes from most areas; the LAX/Metro Transit Center links to the K and C lines. Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB) are easier for some venues.

Metro A and E lines to Pico.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Koreatown. Central, on the metro, great food.
- **mid:** Downtown and Santa Monica. Downtown for venues, Santa Monica for the beach.
- **luxury:** Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. Classic luxury hotels.
- Hotels we would book: Line LA (budget), Hotel Figueroa (mid), The Beverly Hills Hotel (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Evening one (Friday 2 July)

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.
- Evening: Taco and street food tour. East LA or Downtown.
- Eat: Langer's Deli, Pastrami

### Evening two (Saturday 3 July)

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.
- Eat: Leo's Tacos, Al pastor truck
- After dark: Hollywood rooftops, Silver Lake bars.

### Companion day (Saturday 3 July)

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.
- Full day: Catalina Island day trip. Ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro.

### The day after the show (Tuesday 6 July)

Push the flight back a day. A full free day costs little and the city empties out.
- Half-day: Getty Center. Free museum on a hill; parking is paid.
- Eat: Philippe the Original, French dip since 1908
- Free: The Getty and the Broad (book free tickets).

### Team outing

For corporate groups of 10 to 40: private tours and tastings book out first.
- Eat: Park's BBQ, Korean BBQ

## Tours worth booking

- [Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Warner%20Bros%20studio%20tour%20Hollywood&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): Working studio backlot.
- [Universal Studios Hollywood](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Universal%20Studios%20Hollywood%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): Theme park and studio tram.
- [Hollywood sign hike](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Hollywood%20sign%20hike&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): Bronson Canyon or Griffith trails.
- [Celebrity homes tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Hollywood%20celebrity%20homes%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): Open-top van through Beverly Hills.
- [Taco and street food tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Los%20Angeles%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): East LA or Downtown.
- [Santa Monica and Venice bike tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Santa%20Monica%20bike%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): Beach path.
- [Catalina Island day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Catalina%20Island%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): Ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro.
- [Getty Center](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Getty%20Center%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): Free museum on a hill; parking is paid.
- [Disneyland Resort](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Disneyland%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): Anaheim, 45 minutes south.
- [Malibu wine safari](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Malibu%20wine%20safari&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-anime-expo): Wine and giraffes.

## Where to eat

- Grand Central Market: Downtown food hall
- Guelaguetza: Oaxacan in Koreatown
- Langer's Deli: Pastrami
- Leo's Tacos: Al pastor truck
- Philippe the Original: French dip since 1908
- Park's BBQ: Korean BBQ

## With kids

- California Science Center (Space Shuttle).
- Natural History Museum.
- Santa Monica Pier.

## Rainy-day backups

- LACMA.
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
- Petersen Automotive Museum.

## Getting around

- Metro rail and buses take TAP cards or contactless; trains are useful for downtown, Exposition Park, Inglewood (K Line), Long Beach (A Line) and Pasadena (A Line).
- Distances are long: allow 45 to 90 minutes between venues at peak hours.
- Uber and Lyft are the default; ask about event-day pickup zones.

## Questions people ask

### When is Anime Expo 2027?

The next edition is 2 to 5 July 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Anime Expo?

In July, Los Angeles averages highs of about 30°C and lows of 17°C, with roughly 2 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 14 h 23 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Los Angeles Convention Center?

LAX is 30 to 60 minutes from most areas; the LAX/Metro Transit Center links to the K and C lines. Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB) are easier for some venues. Metro A and E lines to Pico.

### Where should I stay for Anime Expo?

For most visitors the best base is Downtown and Santa Monica: Downtown for venues, Santa Monica for the beach.

### What can we do between sessions at Anime Expo?

Good short outings in Los Angeles include Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood, Hollywood sign hike, Celebrity homes tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Anime Expo?

Family-friendly picks: Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood, Hollywood sign hike. California Science Center (Space Shuttle).

### How far is Los Angeles Convention Center from Los Angeles centre?

About 3 km in a straight line. Metro A and E lines to Pico.

More in Los Angeles: https://eventweekends.com/city/los-angeles/