Things to do in Culver City

9 activities, venues and outings in Culver City, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Over three hundred feet above the surrounding neighborhoods, this overlook provides tremendous views of the LA basin, as well as some short nature trails for those interested in native plants and animals. A self-pay parking lot is available at the top of the hill, but hearty souls can park for free along Jefferson Blvd and then walk up 315 vertical feet of switchbacks and steps (note: no dogs allowed on the trails). There's also a shuttle that operates on weekends and holidays from the La Cienga/Jefferson Metro Expo Line station. The visitor center features exhibits on area history and nature. Special events including twilight walks, junior ranger programs, and bird-watching are scheduled regularly.
overlook open 8AM-sunset daily, visitor center open weekdays 10AM-6PM, weekends 8AM-7PM, closed Tue$6 for self-parking
Do
Cruisin' Back to Culver City Car Show
This car show features hundreds of classic cars, food, and entertainment, with proceeds benefiting local charities. The streets of downtown are closed and filled with stalls and classic cars, with owners competing for awards in dozens of categories such as "Best of the 20s", "Best of the 70s", "Best Paint", "Most Different", "Best Hearse", etc. The first car show was held in 2005, and it has since become a yearly event.
Held annually in May
Do
Culver City Farmer's Market
Held every Tuesday, rain or shine. The market offers fresh foods, flowers, crafts, and other fare. Two hours of free parking are available in downtown garages. When you walk across the alley, you are actually moving from Los Angeles to Culver City (or vice versa).
Tue 2PM-7PM
Do
Culver City Plunge
The Culver City Municipal Pool, affectionately known as "The Plunge", is a heated, Olympic-sized swimming pool that was first opened in 1949. It is open to the public (resident and non-resident) for recreation swimming, lap swimming, water aerobics, swimming lessons, and diving (1-m and 3-m springboards). Lockers and showers are available on-site. Schedules vary, so call or check the web site before visiting to ensure that the pool is available for your desired activity.
Open daily, hours and schedules vary$4 for adults, $2.50 for youths; passes good for fifteen visits provide significant discounts
Do
Fiesta La Ballona
This annual festival is held at the end of the summer and generally lasts from Friday through Sunday. The festival features a beer & wine garden, carnival rides, petting zoo, food trucks, a farmers' market, 100 booths selling artisan wares, and live music.
Free admission, rides are generally $1 each
Do
Kirk Douglas Theater
This performing arts center was built in 1947 as a movie theater with over 1,000 seats, and today the original marquee and tower are still in place, creating a striking presence in downtown Culver City. It underwent an $8-million renovation in the 1990s that created two playhouse stages, one with 350 seats and the other with 100 seats. The theater is owned by the Center Theatre Group, which also operates the Ahmanson Theatre and the Mark Taper Forum in downtown LA. There are regular performances several nights a week.
Tickets $25-$50 for most performances
Do
Sony Pictures Studio Tour
Formerly the MGM studios, the two-hour guided tour leads through stages that have seen the filming of such productions as the Wizard of Oz, Men in Black, and Spider-Man. Visitors may also see the homes of the game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Tours are offered M-F at 9:30AM, 10:30AM, 1:30PM and 2:30PM. Reservations are recommended, and the tour is only available for visitors age twelve years and older. Do not expect to see the historic MGM backlot though, as it was sold to property developers in the 1970s and demolished to make way for suburban housing.
$50 per person
Do Not mapped
Ballona Creek bicycle path
The Ballona Creek bicycle path is a long concrete path that is popular with bicyclists, walkers and joggers. The bike path runs along Ballona Creek from the back of the sports fields in Syd Kronenthal Park on McManus Street in Culver City all the way to the ocean, where it then joins the Coast Bike Path along the beach. While some wildlife and plant life is present along the route, the creek itself was lined with concrete by the Army Corps of Engineers after the Flood of 1938. In addition to the access from either end of the path, the bike path can also be accessed at most major intersections where the road passes over the creek. During heavy rains access points will be locked as the area can quickly become unsafe, with the creek rising and submerging portions of the path under fast-moving water.
Do Not mapped
Dr. Paul Carlson Park
Dr. Paul Carlson Park, or, more commonly, Carlson Park, is a small park located in the Carlson Park neighborhood. It is intended for recreational use and features open grassy spaces as well as picnic and barbecue facilities. It is named for Dr. Paul Carlson, a former resident of Culver City whose martyrdom in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1964 attracted national attention.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Culver City (CC BY-SA 4.0).