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SHARES If you’ve seen our ultimate LA bucket list, then you know there is plenty to do in LA. You can never run out of things to do, and that’s one thing we loved about living there. Even if you’re on a really tight budget, you still have a lot of options. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible. Last Updated: December 21, 2021 25 Free Things To Do in LAWe’ve put together a list of the top 25 free things to do in LA. Let us know if we need to add anything else to the list. Content Menu
1. Explore the Old L.A. Zoo4801 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, map Sitting right in the middle of Griffith Park lies the ruins of the old LA Zoo. More: The Old LA Zoo Griffith Park 2. Griffith Observatory2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, map This is one of the most iconic views of LA and you can visit multiple times. The day time and night time give you totally different views of the city, and they offer free stargazing events too. More: Griffith Observatory LA | Things to Do in LA 3. Browse Around the Last Bookstore453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, map This bookstore feels like you’re walking into a fairytale world. They carry new and used books, but the big draw are the permanent artistic creations that literally have the pages from books flying. More: The Last Bookstore: Coolest Bookstore in America 4. Venice Canals33.9835027,-118.4698692, map The Venice Canals are hidden right between the Venice Boardwalk and Abbot Kinney. The three canal-lined blocks have beautiful pedestrian bridges and cute beach houses. You can even bring a non-motorized vessel or paddle board and view the neighborhood from the water. Pin 5. The Getty Center or The Getty Villa1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, map Admission is free at both of these museums, but you do have to pay $15 per vehicle for parking. If you want to save money, load up the car with all your friends. photo: David Jones 6. Watch Movies at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038, map Walk the grounds of this cemetery where many of early Hollywood is buried. Directors, writers, and performers make their home here. They have a summer outdoor movie screening series too and many are free. 7. DTLA Art WalkEvery second Thursday of the month, downtown LA comes alive with art, culture, and food. photo: Mikey Wally 8. Observation Deck at City Hall200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, map If you love getting great views, check out the 27th floor of City Hall. There is a free observation deck where you can get a great view of downtown. photo: Shabdro Photo 9. The Hollywood Sign34.1340213,-118.3238652, map There are several viewpoints around LA to see the Hollywood Sign, but have you hiked to it? 10. The Hollywood Bowl2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068, map The Los Angeles Philharmonic rehearses for their evening stage performances and often offers visitors a chance to watch the rehearsals for free. You can also check out the Edmund D. Edelman Hollywood Bowl Museum free of charge. photo: S. Savanapridi for Los Angeles County Parks 11. The Hollywood Walk of Fame6901 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, map Over 2,500 stars span across 2.4 miles of Hollywood Boulevard to make this iconic walk. Find the star you’re looking for and snap a photo with it. photo: Karol Franks 12. Hike to the Wisdom Tree34.1359778,-118.3342581, map On the top of Burbank Peak lies a lone tree that survived the 2007 wildfire. You’ll find ammo boxes at the foot of the tree where you can leave a diary-styled note or just enjoy the views. photo: Eugene Kim 13. Urban Light at LACMA5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, map Although LACMA has an entrance fee, you can still visit their Urban Light exhibit for free. A ton of people come here to take photos and you can visit day or night. If you’re interested in visiting the museum, check their website for their free days! More: Los Angeles County Museum of Art – Modern Art 14. Bradbury Building304 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013, map The Bradbury Building is the oldest commercial building remaining in the central city and has one of the most unique interiors around. As a visitor, you can only go to the second floor but it’s still worth the visit. Do you recognize this building from 500 Days of Summer? photo: Anson Chu 15. Get Free Archery Training405 Freeway, Van Nuys, CA 91411, map Woodley Park Archers offers free beginners lessons to the community every Saturday at 9am and Wednesdays at 6PM. They even provide equipment so go unleash your inner Katniss. 16. Visit the Original In-N-Out Replica13766 Francisquito Ave, Baldwin Park, CA 91706, map In-N-Out is pretty synonymous with the west coast, and especially LA. Although the original store no longer serves customers, you can still see the replica with the original potato peeler, cash box, and cigarette vending machines. 17. Bike Up the LA River33.974415,-118.5211928, map Hop on a bike and ride along the LA River. If you start at Atwater and end at Glendale Narrows, it’s a solid 7.4-mile ride with beautiful greenery. photo: @serenagrace 18. Santa Monica Pier200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, map The pier at Santa Monica Beach is the focal point here and is home to the iconic Ferris wheel, aquarium, fairground games, and food stands. It’s a great place to people watch and enjoy the sunny LA weather, and they also hold special events throughout the summer. More: 7 Fun Things to Do in Santa Monica on Your First Visit 19. Amoeba Music6400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, map Amoeba Records is an iconic and massive music store on Sunset, but they also host free shows from surprisingly large artists and great up-and-comers. photo: Celia Alba 20. Hike Runyon Canyon2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, map Join the locals and tourists for a run or hike up Runyon Canyon. It is definitely a workout, but you’ll be rewarded with a great view of the city, and you may even spot a celebrity or two. 21. The Broad Museum221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, map This is LA’s newest contemporary art museum in DTLA and general admission is free. photo: Melly Lee 22. Explore Hidden Nazi Ruins2050-2054 Sullivan Fire Rd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, map Murphy Ranch in Rustic Canyon is covered with graffiti but was once a secret Nazi sympathizer compound. Since then it has become a popular spot to hike to. photo: Melly Lee 23. Tour the Disney Concert Hall111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, map Check out the mind-bending architecture by Frank Gehry at this concert hall. You can do a self-guided or led tour for free. photo: Will Hastings 24. Go on a Tour of All the Popular Instagram Spots in LALA is full of Instagrammable murals and walls. We’ve put together a guide of the 25 Best Instagram Spots in Los Angeles, and you’ll be happy to know that most of them are free too! More: 37 Most Instagrammable Places in Los Angeles 25. Annenberg Space for Photography (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067, map Anyone who loves photography needs to stop by the Annenberg Space for Photography. Free admission and $1 parking make this a great stop to admire amazing works. photo: Carin Map of Free Things to Do in Los AngelesEssential Tips
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Are there any other free activities that we missed? What is your favorite place to visit in LA? Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for laterSEE MORE THINGS TO DO IN LA⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡ 49 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN LOS ANGELES 37 MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES IN LOS ANGELES ULTIMATE LOS ANGELES BUCKET LIST (101 THINGS TO DO IN LA) 15 MOST POPULAR DAY TRIPS FROM LOS ANGELES 15 WEEKEND TRIPS FROM LOS ANGELES YOU SHOULD TAKE NOW “Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust Pin Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas. PrevPreviousHow to Pack for A Snorkeling Trip – Best Snorkel Gear for Beginners NextSwimming with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island IndonesiaNext You might also lovePin Pin Pin ARE YOU AN EVERYDAY ADVENTURER?
What can you do in LA without money?Best free things to do in L.A.. Stroll along the Venice Canals. ... . Stare into infinity at the Broad. ... . Hike or picnic at the Hollywood Bowl. ... . See and be seen at Runyon Canyon. ... . Unpack a picnic at the Getty Center. ... . Watch the city and sky sparkle from the Griffith Observatory.. What to do in LA when you're broke?🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!. See the LA Phil for a buck at the Hollywood Bowl. ... . Visit both Getty locations in the same day. ... . Take the bus to Griffith Observatory. ... . Watch a midnight Tarantino movie at the New Beverly Cinema. ... . Ride the rails up Angels Flight for 50 cents.. How can I spend my day in LA?One Day in L.A.: The 10 Best Things to Do in a Single Day. Hike to the Hollywood Sign.. Visit Griffith Observatory.. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame.. Roll Down Sunset Boulevard.. Lunch at In n Out Burger.. Explore Getty Center.. Stroll on Santa Monica Pier.. Sunset at Venice Beach.. What is the coolest place in LA?Cool Places to Visit in Los Angeles: The Sights. LACMA. What is this? ... . Griffith Park & Observatory. Looking for a spectacular view of Los Angeles? ... . The Hollywood Sign. ... . Sandstone Peak. ... . Mulholland Drive. ... . Echo Park. ... . Hollywood Forever Cemetery. ... . Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles.. |