A one-week trip to Los Angeles usually costs around $1,807 for one person and $3,614 for two people. If you want to be budget-minded or find free things to do in LA, we have listed 12 places that won’t cost you a penny, including free attractions and free activities. You will find one that suits you. Grab your camera, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready to discover the best of LA’s free attractions.
Free Activties to Do in LA
1. Visit the Getty Center
Location: 1200 Getty Center Dr N Sepulveda Blvd & Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049-1657
The Getty Center houses a colossal museum featuring masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne, a free place to visit in Los Angeles, though there is a parking fee. Tourists are free to see the world’s most extensive private art collection. We recommend that you and your friends plan on spending 4 hours viewing the art and magnificent gardens. Exploring the diverse art pieces and learning about various painting styles. Whether strolling through pavilions or admiring the gardens, the experience offers something for everyone. The duration of the visit can vary, ranging from a leisurely hour to an immersive three-hour journey, depending on your pace. Don’t miss out on the scenic views that are perfect for photo opportunities! Gazing at Van Gogh’s “Irises” and Monet’s “Spring”, you will feel this place never be overrated.
2. Stroll through The Broad
Location: 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Broad is a contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. The museum is named for philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, who financed the $140 million building that houses the Broad art collections. This art museum is not too big, so you can easily see everything in an hour or two, suitable for people who can’t find fun, free things to do in Los Angeles. The rooms are well organised and house a fantastic variety of unique and thought-provoking modern art, with beneficial descriptions that add background and context to each piece. Reserve on their website in advance to access the mirrored lights ‘infinity room’ which is worth it.
3. Hike to the Griffith Observatory
Location: 2800 E. Observatory Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90027-1299
Griffith Observatory, a world-famous free attraction in LA, has been featured in many movies, from Rebel Without a Cause to La La Land. Nestled on Mount Hollywood, it boasts some of the city’s best views and is most charming at sunset. Inside, the observatory offers quite the experience—a planetarium, various exhibits, free-to-use telescopes, and more. You will find amazing panoramic views of LA; once you climb the mountain, you will never be disappointed. The planetarium show often left tourists in awe of the universe’s vastness.
4. Relax at the Santa Monica Pier
Location: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401-3126
Boarding at the weekend? Want to find free places to go in Los Angeles? The pier is a good choice, as it is one of the landmarks of the American West Coast. Probably no other area allows you to feel the “Californian Spirit” better. Santa Monica Beach is a must-visit, a hot beach with California sunshine, sandy beaches, and hot guys and girls enjoying the free air. The view here over the beach and Santa Monica Bay is incredible. It is a fun place to visit if all you do is see the sign and experience the pier.
5. Explore the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036-4597
There are several fantastic art museums in Los Angeles. LACMA is one of the best if you are looking for modern and contemporary pieces and exhibits. It is well located in the middle of the city, which is convenient for people to spend their weekends in Los Angeles.
Since its inception in 1965, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has been devoted to collecting works of art that span both history and geography and represent Los Angeles’s uniquely diverse population. Today, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States and includes over 120,000 objects dating from antiquity to the present, encompassing the geographic world and nearly the entire history of art. The building is also a stunning piece of art. It should be appreciated from the outside rather than the inside. The garden areas are tranquil and peaceful, forgetting that you are in a busy area.
6. Take a Tour in Chinatown
Location: N Broadway at North Hill St Downtown, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Los Angeles Chinatown is right across Olvera Street, not far from Union Station, about a five-minute walk, the appearance is immaculate. You can beat the sightseeing, shopping, eating, and cultural experience all in one place. The best part is that you can come to Chinatown if you live nearby or want to find free attractions in LA. Emerge yourself into a unique Eastern culture that has mesmerised and captivated the world. You can find everything here, from your favourite dumplings to dim sum, and even get your Chinese horoscope read. Most of the signs in Chinatown are in traditional Chinese characters and are full of the flavour of old Hong Kong.
7. Immersive Experience in Little Tokyo
Location: 100 N. Central Ave., Los Angeles 90012
Little Tokyo is a vibrant and culturally rich neighbourhood in downtown Los Angeles, California. Also suitable for people wants to find free things to do in LA, Japanese immigrants settled in the area around 1884 and established a thriving community. Little Tokyo is a paradise for food lovers and shoppers, dotted with numerous restaurants serving authentic Japanese cuisine ranging from sushi and ramen to tempura and yakitori. Don’t miss a visit to the Little Tokyo Galleria, where you can find a variety of Japanese fashion, cosmetics, and snacks. Visit the James Irvine Japanese Garden koi ponds, stone lanterns, and meticulously pruned trees, providing a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city.
8. Picnic at the Hollywood Bowl
Location: 2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068-2742
A free picnic at the Hollywood Bowl encapsulates LA’s vibrant spirit, integrating entertainment, nature, and community. This unique experience allows you to immerse yourself in the magic of live music while enjoying a culinary adventure. As you revel in the infectious energy and artistic beauty, you’ll appreciate the wealth of free activities that Los Angeles offers. So, gather your loved ones, prepare a savoury picnic, and let the Hollywood Bowl take you to enchantment and joy.
9. Relax at Los Angeles Central Library
Location: 630 W 5th St Free Tours Daily, Los Angeles, CA 90071-2002
Interesting place to visit while exploring Downtown LA. The building has a long history and some nice bits of architecture, just looking around was a treat! Escalators take you to the various floors, which are organized by topic. The garden out front and the artwork inside were very nice The rotunda worth a walk, it is not bad choose to spend your free time here, take some photos and read a book.
10. Explore the California Science Center
Location: 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037-1254
Tourists must be fantastic to see one of the space shuttles close up, and see how they go to toilet in space. Exploring California Science Center is one of the best free activities to do in Los Angeles; people could easily spend most of the day here. Some exhibits are just to look at, but there were also interactive exhibits which will entertain and educate all ages. Shuttle simulator and the imax movie about space travel are charged services. Highly recommend if you like space.
11. Take a Tour of Walt Disney Concert Hall
Location: 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3034
Home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall is designed to be one of the most acoustically sophisticated in the world. Taking a tour is free stuff to do in LA. There’s very little inside the concert hall to appreciate, exterior of the hall is highlight. Unless you come here for a concert, save time and take a couple of shots from the outside. If you are interested, you can take a self-guided tour of this beautiful concert hall, which will take about an hour.
12. Walk along the Venice Beach
There is a chill vibe to this beach that is different from its neighbourhood, Santa Monica Beach, to the north. Still, in the daytime, it felt safe. Lots of people exercising or strolling, just doing their own thing. This beach is about acceptance and tolerance, as long as you go in thinking that way, you’ll enjoy it. Funny that this is where Barbie and Ken arrived in the movie. The skate park is fun to watch the skills and creativity in front of you. Visitors could pause to watch the muscle builders and skateboarders; both were a source of entertainment. Many shops, including Tarot and Psychic Readings, Henna Tattoos, sunglasses and souvenirs, provided beachgoers with many options for remembering their visit.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an INFP or an ESTJ, there are always suitable activities for you among the 12 free things to do in LA listed above. You can find places to relax and daydream or explore lively tourist attractions like Venice Beach, which is a beach with a strong artistic vibe and offers opportunities for water sports. Santa Monica Pier is another must-visit spot, featuring an iconic Ferris wheel. If you happen to ride it during sunset, it will be an unforgettable experience. Griffith Observatory, one of LA’s iconic landmarks, lets you take in the breathtaking cityscape and so on.
FAQ
Sure, there are lots of things to do in LA that are free, depending on your interests. Going to the piers would be free, looking at the stars along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, going up to the Hollywood sign, Funko Pop store, Japanese Garden at Tillman Water Reclamation Plant, Bronson Cave, and various places to hike.
Green curbs outside of metered areas are specifically designed for short-term parking.
Los Angeles, a city known for its congested traffic and dominant car culture, has been ranked as the 8th most walkable city in America by a Smart Growth America study.
Food is approximately $30 per meal for basic food. It can get much more expensive than that, but it isn’t much cheaper. It usually costs 2 people $50-$60 for breakfast (just eggs, bacon, French toast type breakfast) and the same for lunch for some sandwiches or salads. Dinner was usually closer to $100-$150 for a mid-range nicer dinner.
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