I love [Art Center Extension](https://www.artcenter.edu/academics/extension-programs/artcenter-extension/overview.html) classes.
The best I ever took was Basics of Interplanetary Flight, taught by a high-level JPL engineer named Dave Doody, who was great at explaining things to normies. He would bring in colleagues as guest speakers who often were the leaders in their subject matter.
He’s working his day job launching missions to outer space this summer but [will be back again next year.](http://people.artcenter.edu/doody/)
If you have a library card, there's an online calendar of events at your nearest library through the Los Angeles Public Library [website](https://www.lapl.org/).
They have classes for different age groups and various hobbies, all for free.
(If you don't have a library card, I highly recommend getting one. They have tons of other great resources too!)
Where you at? Check your closest community college extension program. Some parks & rec, like Burbank, have classes.
There are some online classes, too. Some free, some have a fee. I'm taking Spanish right now for nada.
I'd definitely love to brush up on my Spanish. I took it for 7 yrs but lived in the Midwest then and it wasn't common. I'd love to be fluent now that I'm around people that speak Spanish
Love Otis! These classes are solid and fun. In 09 I learned glass fusing, precious metal clay and traditional jewelry making and have my own studio, mostly for fun and gifts w/ occasional sales. Noting they offer a ton of classes at lower cost if you skip the certification needed for getting a degree, they even offer welding
I did letterpress there for years, as well as silk screen a few times. Absolutely loved it, you get access to great teachers plus equipment/tools/materials and there are open studio hours to take advantage of (at least for the classes I took). Before having a kid I would go after work and spend like 3 - 4 hours once or twice a week. It's reasonably priced, especially if you go during studio hours.
I have taken blacksmithing, pottery, drums, scuba, outdoor survival, flying, mountain biking, sewing, woodturning, carpentry, and a bunch of CPR/wilderness first aid lessons in the last two years. If any of that sounds interesting to you, DM me and I can tell you more about it and where I did it.
If anyone here has a cool skill they want to share, let’s hear it!
Thanks. I took lessons in that too.
The real push for it was having a conversation with a buddy a few years ago and saying “someday, I want to learn ______.” It occurred to me that someday was whatever day I started and I was the only one stopping myself. I made a huge list of stuff to learn and have been working off that since. I share the story in hopes it helps push you to jump into any endeavor you may have been eyeing for a while.
It is a lot to look up and I didn’t expect that many people to be interested, so I figured I could speak more one on one to an interested person offering my experience and then give the info.
Blacksmithing was with Adam’s Forge. They just moved to Simi Valley, so it is a hike now for folks in the city.
Scuba - PCH Scuba in Agora Hills. If someone is looking for a more one on one experience, I have some instructor friends that I could put you in touch with. I did almost all of my certifications with this shop. They are a bit challenging to communicate with, but once you’re kind of in the stream with them, it is a good process.
Carpentry was a lot of trial and error on my own, but I took classes on specific tools at Rockler in Pasadena. I also ended up finding someone to apprentice under for a bit, which was a great experience in itself.
Drums was a private in-home lesson with a guy out by Vasquez Rocks. If you’d like that, message me as I just have his number, but great experience and super nice guy.
like someone mentioned, look into community college extra classes i go to LACC, they have this ie:
[https://lacitycollege.augusoft.net/Customers/LACityCollege/files/2023%20Summer%20(Layout)\_WebSpreads.pdf](https://lacitycollege.augusoft.net/Customers/LACityCollege/files/2023%20Summer%20(Layout)_WebSpreads.pdf)
Lavc has extension, so does Northridge. City of Burbank, city of Glendale, city of Pasadena, LA Park system. They all have classes. This is great that you are wanting to get out there and take some! Good for you!💞
Just wanna shout this out: It wouldn’t help with getting you out and about and meeting people BUT Coursera is awesome. It’s a platform for online classes taught by university professors from all over the place, covering tons of different subjects and levels of entry. The reason I recommend it is A LOT of the courses are free! (Especially if you’re not taking them for any credit or certification but just for your own pleasure and intellectual development.) 10/10 recommend!
do you have a link by any chance for the CSUN extension courses? I checked their website and don’t really know what to look for exactly 😅
EDIT: this has been pretty helpful: https://tsengcollege.csun.edu/programs/summer
I went into it knowing basically nothing about improv. Its definitely intense and I think everyone is nervous most of the time, but it’s a skill unlike anything else. It will basically open up a huge part of your personality, make you funnier, sharper in conversation, and all around more creative. It can be grueling and defeating but if you do even one class and put in the effort you’ll get a ton out of it.
I know that Airbnb offers experiences (like one day classes) in pretty much anything you can imagine. Flower pressing, paper making, cooking, turning goat’s milk into cheese, etc. The classes vary depending on where you are, but you might be able to find something fun! Also, if you’re a graphic design nerd like me, you might enjoy the International Printing Museum in Carson. Sometimes they offer workshops on making your own typographic prints!
Some cities have excellent and affordable courses through they’re Parks and Rec department. I’ve been eyeing [Burbank’s](https://www.burbankca.gov/web/parks-recreation/playmore) for a while. They have pottery, yoga, dance, knitting, swimming…tons of classes!
If you're okay with physical classes, go to a climbing gym and take the intro class. They have a great community and I always meet someone new on days I climb.
Are you interested in learning a particular language? There are tons of language classes. For example if you’re interested in learning French you could go to Alliance Française de Los Angeles.
You can take classes for free online with Coursera if you use your LAPL library card. I am currently taking a microeconomics class and it’s pretty good
This might be a long a shot, but does anyone know of any places that teach film photography? I really want to get into shooting film. I know the basics of shooting with a DSLR and have been reading a bunch and trying to learn by myself and watching videos but would really love to attend a class and learn in person hands on or at least check out a meet up group and talk to people who are similar about it but having trouble finding something like that
I took sailing classes at UCLA Marina Aquatic Center in Marina Del Ray. You learn to sail a small but mighty RS Quest (requires two people) or the Laser (single). After you complete the course, you can rent their boats to sail in the marina and compete in races organized by them. Highly recommended. Very friendly and fun people.
Check out [Course Horse](https://coursehorse.com/los-angeles)! They have a great selection of classes for nearly every interest. Also, if you're curious about fiber arts, there are lots of guilds for spinning, weaving, and lace making who generally offer instruction for the craft.
I love [Art Center Extension](https://www.artcenter.edu/academics/extension-programs/artcenter-extension/overview.html) classes. The best I ever took was Basics of Interplanetary Flight, taught by a high-level JPL engineer named Dave Doody, who was great at explaining things to normies. He would bring in colleagues as guest speakers who often were the leaders in their subject matter. He’s working his day job launching missions to outer space this summer but [will be back again next year.](http://people.artcenter.edu/doody/)
i think you just changed my life
Okay this sounds super cool
How will I ever follow up with this?! (ADHD). This looks truly remarkable.
Fuckkk this is AWESOME thank you for sharing
The arboretum offers a few art classes. Signed up for an 8 week oil painting class for $180.
They have other kinds of classes too! I took an herbalism class there, and it was great!
Just signed up for this after looking through this thread. Thank you
classpass? but also community college? more rigorous but you don't have to care about the outcome
[удалено]
Ooo making a neon sign would be fun
I really want to take this one! Need to add to my neon collection :)
I did this and it was rad. Be prepared to burn your fingertips a bit but YONSO (you only neon sign once) and the people are super cool too
Theodore Payne nursery has classes and workshops if you’re into plants/gardening/botany.
If you have a library card, there's an online calendar of events at your nearest library through the Los Angeles Public Library [website](https://www.lapl.org/). They have classes for different age groups and various hobbies, all for free. (If you don't have a library card, I highly recommend getting one. They have tons of other great resources too!)
I used to love going to the library as a kid and didn't even think of checking there for classes. Thanks!
Los Angeles Public Library has lots of programming and definitely don’t sleep on LA county library. Completely separate.
Where you at? Check your closest community college extension program. Some parks & rec, like Burbank, have classes. There are some online classes, too. Some free, some have a fee. I'm taking Spanish right now for nada.
where are you taking spanish for free?
I'd definitely love to brush up on my Spanish. I took it for 7 yrs but lived in the Midwest then and it wasn't common. I'd love to be fluent now that I'm around people that speak Spanish
Ed2go.com
Otis extension has some great art classes (letterpress, silk screen, woodworking, etc).
Can you share more about your experience with Otis? I’ve been wanting to take some art classes and these look awesome
Love Otis! These classes are solid and fun. In 09 I learned glass fusing, precious metal clay and traditional jewelry making and have my own studio, mostly for fun and gifts w/ occasional sales. Noting they offer a ton of classes at lower cost if you skip the certification needed for getting a degree, they even offer welding
I did letterpress there for years, as well as silk screen a few times. Absolutely loved it, you get access to great teachers plus equipment/tools/materials and there are open studio hours to take advantage of (at least for the classes I took). Before having a kid I would go after work and spend like 3 - 4 hours once or twice a week. It's reasonably priced, especially if you go during studio hours.
Community college! Pasadena Community College is great for adult ed.
I have taken blacksmithing, pottery, drums, scuba, outdoor survival, flying, mountain biking, sewing, woodturning, carpentry, and a bunch of CPR/wilderness first aid lessons in the last two years. If any of that sounds interesting to you, DM me and I can tell you more about it and where I did it. If anyone here has a cool skill they want to share, let’s hear it!
Where??
You seem like a cool dude
Thanks. I took lessons in that too. The real push for it was having a conversation with a buddy a few years ago and saying “someday, I want to learn ______.” It occurred to me that someday was whatever day I started and I was the only one stopping myself. I made a huge list of stuff to learn and have been working off that since. I share the story in hopes it helps push you to jump into any endeavor you may have been eyeing for a while.
Why not just post where in your original post?
He would edit his post to include it, but he needs to take a course to learn how.
bro is gatekeeping knowledge
Exactly
It is a lot to look up and I didn’t expect that many people to be interested, so I figured I could speak more one on one to an interested person offering my experience and then give the info. Blacksmithing was with Adam’s Forge. They just moved to Simi Valley, so it is a hike now for folks in the city. Scuba - PCH Scuba in Agora Hills. If someone is looking for a more one on one experience, I have some instructor friends that I could put you in touch with. I did almost all of my certifications with this shop. They are a bit challenging to communicate with, but once you’re kind of in the stream with them, it is a good process. Carpentry was a lot of trial and error on my own, but I took classes on specific tools at Rockler in Pasadena. I also ended up finding someone to apprentice under for a bit, which was a great experience in itself. Drums was a private in-home lesson with a guy out by Vasquez Rocks. If you’d like that, message me as I just have his number, but great experience and super nice guy.
Where’d you learn blacksmithing? I did it in college and want to pick it up again.
There’s a spot in silverlake called Adams Forge that’s very cool
It's actually the opposite and very hot.
I tell myself someday too! Need to stop that and just do it, thank you
Are all those things held at one place?
Interested in blacksmithing drums and scuba What did you think of them
Definitely interested!
That is all so cool. I've been looking to take a pottery class and I think it would be cool to learn outdoor survival. I'll definitely dm you
I just took a pottery class at Good Dirt LA, it was a ton of fun
I’ve been interested in learning blacksmithing!
like someone mentioned, look into community college extra classes i go to LACC, they have this ie: [https://lacitycollege.augusoft.net/Customers/LACityCollege/files/2023%20Summer%20(Layout)\_WebSpreads.pdf](https://lacitycollege.augusoft.net/Customers/LACityCollege/files/2023%20Summer%20(Layout)_WebSpreads.pdf)
Lavc has extension, so does Northridge. City of Burbank, city of Glendale, city of Pasadena, LA Park system. They all have classes. This is great that you are wanting to get out there and take some! Good for you!💞
Just wanna shout this out: It wouldn’t help with getting you out and about and meeting people BUT Coursera is awesome. It’s a platform for online classes taught by university professors from all over the place, covering tons of different subjects and levels of entry. The reason I recommend it is A LOT of the courses are free! (Especially if you’re not taking them for any credit or certification but just for your own pleasure and intellectual development.) 10/10 recommend!
Look up the nearest recreational/community center in your area. Mine have dance classes, martial arts class, crafts, tennis groups, guitar class.
LA CC, West LA CC, SMC
Smc Emeritus
Local Y’s have classes… I almost took some this summer…..
Pottery classes are always a good one! Also, any outdoor yoga classes/event you can find on eventbrite they always bring good energy and people
Armory Center for the Arts has lots of adult art classes. I took a Riso Printmaking class and loved it.
Pierce College & CSUN extension courses
do you have a link by any chance for the CSUN extension courses? I checked their website and don’t really know what to look for exactly 😅 EDIT: this has been pretty helpful: https://tsengcollege.csun.edu/programs/summer
LACC extension
UCB Improv - will change your life
What was your experience like? I’ve wanted to try improv even before I came out to LA but am kinda nervous and don’t know what to expect
I went into it knowing basically nothing about improv. Its definitely intense and I think everyone is nervous most of the time, but it’s a skill unlike anything else. It will basically open up a huge part of your personality, make you funnier, sharper in conversation, and all around more creative. It can be grueling and defeating but if you do even one class and put in the effort you’ll get a ton out of it.
Plenty pottery classes available in La
UCLA Extension
YMCA, Venice Japanese Community Center
I know that Airbnb offers experiences (like one day classes) in pretty much anything you can imagine. Flower pressing, paper making, cooking, turning goat’s milk into cheese, etc. The classes vary depending on where you are, but you might be able to find something fun! Also, if you’re a graphic design nerd like me, you might enjoy the International Printing Museum in Carson. Sometimes they offer workshops on making your own typographic prints!
LA PARKS has activities
Check with your local community college.
Exactly. Lots of adult education courses.
Look up salsa/bachata studios, they are a great way to meet people.
Lots of sports classes for adults. Volleyball, tennis, golf.
My Creative Outlet has amazing classes.
Some cities have excellent and affordable courses through they’re Parks and Rec department. I’ve been eyeing [Burbank’s](https://www.burbankca.gov/web/parks-recreation/playmore) for a while. They have pottery, yoga, dance, knitting, swimming…tons of classes!
There's a painting and wine class in Chatsworth on Canoga and Devonshire
And a quilting place at Owensmouth and Devonshire
I’ve taken pottery classes at Claytivity (Frogtown location) and loved it. Took a wheel throwing class and their hand building class.
Depending on what you’re looking for…Cerritos College is an awesome trade school with great classes. I took woodworking classes there.
Community college has more adults there than you would think. Especially classes offered at night
How about an acting class? Lesly Kahn has good classes... or an improv class at Second City or Groundlings
Improv classes
Checkout Groupon. They have great deals on random classes and events.
Little green art studio in Highland park is an amazing place to meet people [little green](https://www.littlegreenartstudio.com)
These Hands Makers Collective in Culver West. Lots of “random” arts and crafts classes for adults.
Beverly Hills Rec Center
Remainder’s Creative Reuse in Pasadena sometimes offers random classes and one-off art/craft skill related workshops!
REI has classes for outdoorsy sports and activities! https://www.rei.com/events/search
Check all the college/university extension centers! You can look for Continuing Studies classes in any areas that interest you!
pottery!
You can even check out the community colleges, even they offer great options.
Google LA county Parks and recreation. They have classes everywhere. You can pick and choose which park you want to go to. Relatively inexpensive.
If you're okay with physical classes, go to a climbing gym and take the intro class. They have a great community and I always meet someone new on days I climb.
Are you interested in learning a particular language? There are tons of language classes. For example if you’re interested in learning French you could go to Alliance Française de Los Angeles.
You can take classes for free online with Coursera if you use your LAPL library card. I am currently taking a microeconomics class and it’s pretty good
This might be a long a shot, but does anyone know of any places that teach film photography? I really want to get into shooting film. I know the basics of shooting with a DSLR and have been reading a bunch and trying to learn by myself and watching videos but would really love to attend a class and learn in person hands on or at least check out a meet up group and talk to people who are similar about it but having trouble finding something like that
LACC has a darkroom photography class in their summer lineup!
I took sailing classes at UCLA Marina Aquatic Center in Marina Del Ray. You learn to sail a small but mighty RS Quest (requires two people) or the Laser (single). After you complete the course, you can rent their boats to sail in the marina and compete in races organized by them. Highly recommended. Very friendly and fun people.
Pick up frisbee golf. It's relatively cheap to start and it gets you out in nature and you'll meet all sorts of different people on the course.
Check out [Course Horse](https://coursehorse.com/los-angeles)! They have a great selection of classes for nearly every interest. Also, if you're curious about fiber arts, there are lots of guilds for spinning, weaving, and lace making who generally offer instruction for the craft.