Los Angeles 2026: Ground-breaking Art, Outdoor Adventures and the FIFA World Cup

Los Angeles is one of the world’s most familiar cities — shaped by film, music and pop culture — yet it remains endlessly surprising. In this episode of Wanderlust: Off the Page, we go beyond the icons to uncover a more intimate, and layered LA.

Host Aaron Millar is joined by three locals with unique perspectives on the city: Evan Lovett, creator and host of the podcast LA in a Minute; Kara Bartelt, General Manager of The Hoxton, Downtown LA; and Gavin Brennan, founder of E-Bike Tours LA. Together, they explore a city defined not just by Hollywood, but by reinvention, diverse neighbourhoods, outdoor life and creative energy.

From cycling culture and downtown art nights to beaches with wildly different personalities, future-facing museums and the buzz building ahead of the 2026 World Cup, this is a portrait of LA as a mosaic — expansive, diverse and constantly evolving.

Highlights include:

• What’s new in 2026, from the FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium to major museum openings across the city.

• Exploring LA by bike — from downtown neighbourhoods and the LA River to Griffith Park and beyond.

• Rethinking LA’s outdoor life, including kayaking the river, hiking urban hills and discovering wildlife in the heart of the city.

• A deep dive into LA’s creative future, including the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and the world’s first museum of AI arts: Dataland.

• The ultimate locals-designed three-day LA itinerary — beaches, bike rides, baseball, and where to get the best food in the city.

FIND OUT MORE

Search up ‘LA in a Minute’ on your favourite podcast platform. Instagram: @lainaminute

The Hoxton Downtown LA: thehoxton.com

Discover LA by bike with E-Bike Tours LA: ebiketoursla.com

Plan your trip at discoverlosangeles.com / #WeLoveLA

Read the accompanying articles at wanderlustmagazine.com

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

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CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show; Aaron Millar is the interviewer and script editor; Audio production by Charles Tyrie.