Go Green in Los Angeles

Each year, Pantone selects a color that represents global culture and conveys a worldwide mood and attitude. Pantone has announced Viva Magenta as its 2023 Color of the Year - like Los Angeles itself, Viva Magenta "welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a color that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all."

Back in 2017, the Color of the Year was Greenery, a "refreshing and revitalizing shade" that is "symbolic of new beginnings." Pantone also said that Greenery was "emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality."

From eco-friendly hotels and public transportation to lush botanical gardens and parks, read on for the many ways to go green in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is known for its red carpets, but the city is also a longtime advocate of green. Hotels throughout L.A. are leaders in green design, resulting in their recognition through Green Seal™ and LEED Certification. Hotels that have earned the Green Seal are leaders in sustainability and have completed a certification process and on site audit. Find out more about eco-friendly hotels that will ensure your next trip to Los Angeles is a green experience.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) operates light rail, heavy rail, bus and bus rapid transit services. Visitors and locals alike can Go Metro and go green by riding the eco-friendly Metro Rail, with seven lines spanning more than 100 miles of service.

The Metro C Line (Green) runs between Redondo Beach and Norwalk in the median of the 105 freeway. The C Line was the third line in the Metro rail system to open after the A Line (Blue) and B Line (Red). A free airport shuttle bus is available at the Aviation/LAX Station. During the NFL season, a free shuttle operates between the Hawthorne/Lennox Station and SoFi Stadium. Other destinations along the C Line include the Manhattan Beach Pier, Los Angeles Southwest College, Earvin "Magic" Johnson Recreation Area, Lynwood Park and the L.A. County Hall of Records.

Metro is the largest U.S. transportation agency that is planning to transition from a compressed natural gas (CNG) to a zero-emissions bus fleet in the years ahead. In October 2021, Metro announced its successful transition to an all-electric bus fleet on the popular G Line (Orange) in the San Fernando Valley. Next up is the J Line (Silver), which operates between San Pedro and El Monte via the Harbor Gateway Transit Center.

The Metro Bike Share program offers convenient access to bicycles in Downtown L.A., Central L.A., the Westside, and North Hollywood. The green and black bikes are available 24/7, 365 days a year from dozens of Metro Bike Share Stations. Read on for our guide to exploring Metro Bike Share Stations in Chinatown, the Civic Center, Little Tokyo and the Arts District.

PARKS
From Downtown L.A. to the coast, parks across the city invite you to enjoy the great outdoors any time of year. Whether you're casually strolling through an urban oasis or getting some exercise on a scenic hike, gorgeous weather and beautiful natural surroundings will be your constant companion.

GARDENS
In today's fast-paced, modern world, it's important to slow down every now and then. For visitors and locals alike, there are green spaces throughout Los Angeles that offer a break from the urban frenzy. From acres of flowers to historic Japanese gardens and lush hidden gems, read on and discover the best gardens in L.A.

For car buffs, The Vault at the Petersen Automotive Museum is a bucket list experience - an extraordinary collection of 250 iconic and rare cars from around the world exhibited in a newly renovated 60,000 square-foot underground space. Two tour options are available: the 75-minute Introductory Tour and the 120-minute World Tour.

One of the highlights of The Vault is Steve McQueen's favorite car, the legendary 1956 Jaguar XKSS that he affectionately nicknamed the "Green Rat." McQueen loved driving this car fast and reportedly received so many speeding tickets his driver’s license was almost suspended twice during his first year of ownership.

There are more green cars to discover throughout the Petersen, such as the eco-friendly cars on view in Alternating Currents: The Fall and Rise of Electric Vehicles.

Opened at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in March 2012, the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles) features visually stunning indoor-outdoor habitats for unique and endangered species. Green is everywhere at the LAIR, from the living Green Roof and lush gardens to the interior plant collection.

The LAIR's diverse collection includes some of the rarest species among North American zoos – some of which aren't showcased anywhere else in the world and others that have never been displayed at the L.A. Zoo.

Visitors entering the LAIR’s main building will see rare species such as the green tree python and green vine snake; the neon green Madagascar giant day gecko; and the vibrant Magnificent Tree Frog.

Founded in L.A. in 1973 by then 18-year-old activist Andy Lipkis, TreePeople is a nonprofit environmental organization that inspires and supports the people of L.A. to plant and care for trees, harvest the rain, and renew depleted landscapes. Since its founding, TreePeople has inspired more than 3 million people to take action for our environment by planting and caring for trees in forests, mountains, parks and local neighborhoods.

Working with volunteer leaders to implement their Citizen Forester model, TreePeople partners with communities to grow a greener, shadier and more water-secure city at homes, neighborhoods, schools and in the local mountains. TreePeople is based at the 45-acre Coldwater Canyon Park, which hosts family-friendly activities, Eco-Tours and moonlight hikes.

If you drive along the world-famous Sunset Strip in West Hollywood in the daytime, it's nearly impossible to miss the bright green building at 8760 W. Sunset Blvd. Resembling a gamma ray-soaked version of The Forum in Inglewood, the circular building houses Mutato Muzika, the music production company owned by Mark Mothersbaugh, co-founder of pioneering New Wave band, Devo. Originally known as "the Beauty Pavilion," the building acquired its current green color when Mutato Muzika moved in. The neighbors objected to the new color, to which Mothersbaugh reportedly replied, "You know what? Your building is putty puke gray, so shut up!"

The 9,500 square-foot building was built in 1967 for Dr. Richard Alan Franklyn, a cosmetic surgeon and author. According to the Los Angeles Conservancy, Dr. Franklyn wanted the building to be "designed expressly for doing plastic surgery, with natural light streaming in through central skylights to illuminate the operating room." The building was rumored to be designed by Oscar Niemeyer, a key figure in modern architecture who designed civic buildings for Brasília and the headquarters of the United Nations in New York.

Dawn Dail lost 170 pounds aided by cold-pressed juice and now preaches the green juice gospel in the same Westwood strip mall as legendary frozen yogurt shop The Bigg Chill. Consider this counterprogramming. The space features fridges for bottles of cold-pressed juice and snacks, an open kitchen, and a calming photo of lavender fields. “Don’t panic, go organic” by ordering bottles like Greens, an earthy blend of kale, romaine, spinach, and cucumber. 

"Green" has a very different meaning to golfers. Thanks to L.A.'s famous sunny weather, East Coast snowbirds and Angelenos alike flock to Los Angeles golf courses during the winter and throughout the year. Learn about the best 18-hole public golf courses in L.A. County.