What to Do in LA During Super Bowl Weekend
What to Do in LA During Super Bowl Weekend
Super Bowl LXI lands at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on February 8, 2026, and the city around it is fully switched on for the week. Whether you're here for the game or just riding the energy, LA puts on a version of itself that's hard to match. Here's how to spend the weekend well.
Top 5 Restaurants to Book Now
Reservations go fast during Super Bowl week. Get these on the calendar before you land. Each one is covered in detail below with booking tips.
Shopping Worth the Trip
LA's retail scene is spread across the city, so pick your neighborhood and commit to it for the afternoon.
Melrose Avenue & Fairfax District
This stretch is ground zero for streetwear and sneaker culture. Supreme, Kith, and a dozen independent shops sit within a few blocks of each other. The Fairfax flea market runs on weekends and draws serious vintage hunters. Expect crowds during Super Bowl week.
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
If you want the full luxury run, Rodeo Drive delivers it in about four blocks. Chanel, Hermès, Cartier, Louis Vuitton. The side streets off Rodeo have smaller boutiques that are easier to browse without the tour-bus traffic.
The Grove & Farmers Market
The Grove is an open-air mall that does it better than most. The adjacent Original Farmers Market (open since 1934) is the better reason to go: grab a coffee, pick up hot sauce from Magee's, and eat a crepe at the French crêperie before you shop. It's a good half-day.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice
A mile of independent boutiques, galleries, and coffee shops a few blocks from the beach. The vibe is relaxed and the shops are genuinely interesting. First Fridays brings food trucks and street vendors on the first Friday of each month, which lines up with Super Bowl weekend in February.
Concerts & Events Around the Game
The NFL and the city both program heavily around Super Bowl week. Here's what to watch for in the February 2026 window.
NFL Experience at the LA Convention Center
The league's official fan festival runs Thursday through Sunday before the game. Interactive exhibits, player appearances, merchandise, and a lot of football energy in one building. Tickets sell out, so buy early. It's a good option if you don't have game tickets but want to be part of the week.
Super Bowl Music Fest
The NFL's official concert series typically runs three nights at a major arena in the host city. Past lineups have included Usher, Lil Wayne, and Imagine Dragons. The 2026 lineup hasn't been announced yet, but expect Crypto.com Arena to host and expect tickets to move fast once they drop.
Kia Super Bowl Opening Night
Monday night before the game, both teams hold their media availability at SoFi Stadium and fans can buy tickets to watch. It's part press conference, part spectacle, and a genuine piece of Super Bowl week that most people don't know is open to the public.
Live Nation & AEG Shows at Kia Forum
Both venues book heavily around the Super Bowl to catch the influx of visitors. Check the calendars for the Kia Forum and Crypto.com Arena in late January and early February 2026. Historically, artists time LA tour stops to coincide with the week.
Taste of the NFL
An annual charity dinner held the night before the game, pairing chefs from all 32 NFL cities with players and alumni. Tickets are expensive but the food is serious and the proceeds go to hunger relief. Worth it if you want a quieter, more curated evening than the concert circuit.
A Few Practical Notes
SoFi Stadium is in Inglewood, about 20 minutes from downtown LA without traffic. During game day, add an hour minimum. The Metro C Line (Green) stops at Hawthorne/Lennox, a short walk from the stadium, and it's the most reliable way to get there and back. Rideshare surge pricing on game day is significant.
Hotel rates in the city spike for the full week. If you're staying nearby, book now. If you're flexible on location, Santa Monica and Pasadena are both reasonable bases with good transit connections.
The weather in LA in early February is mild, usually in the low 70s during the day and dropping to the mid-50s at night. Bring a layer for the evening.
Restaurant No. 1
Nobu Malibu
The deck hangs over the Pacific and the black cod miso has been on the menu since 1994 for good reason. Go at sunset, order the omakase, and plan to stay a while. Malibu is a 40-minute drive from SoFi, so time it for the night before the game when you're not rushing anywhere.
Book: OpenTable or Resy — reservations open 30 days out and fill within hours during Super Bowl week.
Restaurant No. 2
Bestia
Downtown's most reliably packed Italian spot. Chef Ori Menashe makes his own charcuterie and pasta in-house, and the wood-fired dishes hold up to any crowd noise. The bar seats are first-come, first-served if you can't snag a reservation.
Book: Resy — check for cancellations the morning of your visit if you're stuck.
Restaurant No. 3
n/naka
Niki Nakayama's kaiseki tasting menu in Palms is one of the hardest reservations in the country on a normal week. During Super Bowl weekend it's nearly impossible, so book the moment you know your travel dates. Fifteen courses, no shortcuts.
Book: Tock — reservations open 60 days in advance. Set a calendar reminder.
Restaurant No. 4
Guelaguetza
Koreatown's Oaxacan institution has been feeding LA since 1994. The mole negro takes three days to make and the tlayudas are the size of a hubcap. It's loud, it's festive, and it fits the energy of the weekend perfectly. No need to dress up.
Book: Call ahead or walk in — they move tables quickly and the wait is worth it.
Restaurant No. 5
Horses
A West Hollywood brasserie that opened in 2021 and immediately became the room everyone wants to be in. The French-American menu is tight and well-executed, the cocktails are strong, and the crowd on a big weekend is worth watching. Book the late seating.
Book: Resy — late seatings (9:30pm+) open up more often. Worth checking the night before.