It’s no secret that Los Angeles is an expensive place to live but you might be surprised just how many totally awesome things you can can do in L.A. that are totally free.
Here’s a list of 40 free things to do in L.A. so you can start enjoying the city and stop worrying about breaking the bank. Whether you tackle the whole list this summer or slowly cross off activities throughout the year, it’s time to get started!
1. Explore Exposition Park. Take a walking tour and enjoy any one of five major cultural attractions within walking distance from each other. Can’t beat the beauty of the rose garden.
2. Griffith Observatory. Admission to the building, grounds and parking is always free. Come for a sunset walk and talk, public star party or nightly stargazing.
3. Volunteer with Treepeople. This LA based nonprofit is all about building a greener LA. They help plant and care for trees, educate people about the environment and empower others to make a change. They have volunteer events as well as tours/hikes in LA’s most beautiful natural settings.
4. People watch in Venice. No matter how many times you’ve been, there’s always something new and crazy to encounter in this eclectic enclave.
5. Feel Hollywood’s History. Head out to the Chinese Theatre and compare your hands and feet to the stars of the past. How else will you ever find out what it’s like to step in George Clooney’s shoes?
6. Olvera Street. Warning, this free thing will make you want to buy lots of not so free crafts, food and goods. Listen to mariachi music, watch folkloric dances and tour some of the oldest buildings in LA.
7. Downtown LA Art Walk. Second Thursday of every month from about noon – 10PM on Spring and Main streets between 2nd and 9th.
8. San Pedro Art Walk. First Thursday of the month the tight-knit artist community of San Pedro gets together for impromptu street performances and tons of amazing art.
9. Take of tour of LA’s Metro Murals. Metro Art Moves has a free series of regularly scheduled tours of artwork throughout the Metro Rail System. Tours run on Saturdays and Sundays to explore the artworks located along the various Line stations and teach visitors and residents about how to get around the city using transit.
10. Watts Towers. The Watts Towers consists of 9 steel towers covered in mosaic glass, pottery, seashells and tile and 17 interconnected structures. These towers are the work of an Italian immigrant construction worker who made the project his life for 33 years.
11. Check out NoHo. NoHo is one-square mile with more than 20 theatres, art galleries, dance studios, vintage boutiques, the Emmy Statue, El Portal Theatre and more eclectic artists pursing their passions. Explore the emerging artist community for yourself for good eats, atmosphere and inspiration.
12. Leimert Park Village. Crenshaw district is home to a distinct African American culture in its shops, art galleries, coffee shops, jazz clubs and more. It’s a great place to enjoy the exciting, thriving atmosphere.
13. Hike the Hollywood Sign. Cliché, but have you done it?
14. Hollywood Walk of Fame. Started in the 1960’s, the Walk of Fame now has more than 2,400 stars across Hollywood’s major sidewalks. Choose your favorite celebrity, find their immortal location and snap a selfie with a star!
15. Self-guided tour of Walt Disney Concert Hall. Offered most days from 10AM-2PM you can tour the stunning theater and spaces while you listen to the audio tour – narrated by John Lithgow.
16. Walk of Fame Star Dedications. The events are free to the public and the perfect way to catch a glimpse of your favorite celebs up close and personal. They’re held twice a month usually and you can find out about upcoming dedications online.
17. La Brea Tar Pits. The world’s most famous ice age fossil excavation site is located right i the heart of Los Angeles. The museum is always free so you can check out the fossils of dire wolves, woolly mammoths and more plus view current excavation sites where the museum is still unearthing history.
18. 1300 block of Carroll Avenue. Step back in time 100 years to the Victorian era influenced local architecture in Angelino Heights, one of the first suburbs of Los Angeles.
19. Bradbury Building. Built in 1893, this building’s light-filled Victorian count rises 50 feet with open-cage elevators, marble stairs and ornate iron railings.
20. LA Central Public Library. Egyptian-style architecture, built in the 1920s after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb.Free docent tours of the building and its art are given every day the library is open plus Saturdays there’s a tour of the Maguire Gardens around the library.
21. Night Hike in Griffith Park. The Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club leads guided hikes through the various trails of Griffith Park, usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
22. Skate Park. Whether you’re a part of the culture or just looking to see something cool, you can check out one of the city’s 21 skate parks.
23. Muscle Beach. Work out, people watch, whatever.
24. California Science Center. Admission to the Science Center’s permanent exhibition galleries is free including the four major exhibit areas: World of Life, Creative World (technology), Ecosystems and Space Shuttle Endeavour.
25. The Getty Villa. Visit the ancient world of Greece and Rome at the Getty Villa and gardens. Admission is free if you get an advance timed-entry ticket.
26. Santa Monica Museum of Art. The Santa Monica Museum of Art is in the middle of a relocation but over the summer they will have pop-up exhibitions and programs focused around contemporary local art. Stay tuned for free modern artsy fun!
27. Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. Dedicated to the remembrance and preservation of history, stories, victims and tragic events of the Holocaust, the museum is always free. View original artifacts, testimonials and more moving exhibits.
28. Travel Town Museum. Located within Griffith Park, the museum is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of U.S. railroading with displays of vintage steam locomotives, passenger cars and trolleys.
29. Explore LA’s wilderness. Runyon Canyon, Griffith Park Trails, Franklin Canyon Park, Wilacre Park, Eaton Canyon, Will Rogers State Park and more natural wilderness is waiting for you to explore. Whether you like to hike or bike, you can’t go wrong.
30. UCLA rose gardens. On UCLA’s campus you can enjoy two beautiful gardens for the price of nothing. Check out the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens and the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden.
31. Free archery lessons in Pasadena. Take a first time archers class for free and returning students it’s just $5. Classes are held ever Saturday o the year and it’s first come first serve.
32. Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve. Did you know LA has a jungle? Located in Van Nuys, the Wildlife Reserve has groves of trees and a variety of wildlife to observe and enjoy.
33. Korean Bell of Friendship. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Korean Bell of Friendship is a peaceful and beautiful outlook point. It was a gift from the people of Korea to the U.S. to further the relationship and trust.
34. Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels. One of L.A.’s most innovative buildings and the largest Catholic cathedral in the country, it inspires visitors with its warm, inviting interior, perfect for introspection.
35. Cruise the Venice Canals. Start between Washington Avenue and Venice Boulvard and cruse through the quaint little streets, arched bridges, and crazy cool (crazy expensive) houses. Makes the perfect bike ride.
36. Original Farmers Market. Opened on the corner of Third and Fairfax back in the 1930s, LA’s Original Farmers Market has the freshest produce, meats, cheeses and authentic home cooked food you’ll find the the city.
37. Chinatown. LA’s Chinatown was the first in America and is a great urban adventure into Chinese American culture.
38. Watch TV live. Be a part of a studio audience for your favorite show like Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune. Tickets are free, all you have to do is reserve them in advance!
39. Chinatown Art Nights. The modern side of Chinatown comes out quarterly at the Art Nights. This part food event, part summer party is full of art, experiences and delicious culture.
40. Hit the beach. Anywhere you want along the coast of Los Angeles, you can’t go wrong.
What’s your favorite free thing to do in L.A.? Leave a comment and share you local free loading knowledge!
