10 Free Things to Do in Los Angeles

With a reputation for being the land of the rich and famous, it’s no wonder why so many budget-conscious travelers avoid Los Angeles.

While there’s some truth to its reputation, and it’s definitely possible to spend a lot while here, as someone who’s lived here for the past several years (and is neither rich nor famous), I’m here to tell you that it’s way more doable to have a low-cost LA vacation than most people think.

There are actually a ton of cheap and free things to do in Los Angeles, but here are some of the best. I always take out-of-town guests to at least a few of these on each visit, and even as a local, I love returning myself, time and time again.

Please note that due to the recent Los Angeles fires that some of these attractions may be closed. Our hearts are with all who were affected by this tragedy.

1. Visit the Gettys

The Gettys, which include the Getty Center and the Getty Villa Museum, are two of my favorite spots in all of Los Angeles. The Getty Center in Brentwood has an enormous collection of mostly European art. Its building is also beautiful, with a large garden overlooking LA’s skyline.

Although, as of January 2025, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades is temporarily closed due to the recent fires in Los Angeles, luckily, the museum is unharmed. So be sure to remember it for a future visit when the Villa has reopened.

It’s a beautiful Roman-style villa with gardens, fountains, and an extensive collection of ancient art and artifacts, mainly from Greece, Egypt, and Rome.

While admission to the Gettys is free, parking isn’t. It’s $25, but I always try to show up after 3 p.m. when parking goes down to $15.

If you’re interested in both locations, going to both in one day means you only have to pay for parking once. They’re not close to each other, though, so I don’t suggest doing this as you’ll end up wasting time in traffic.

2. Stargaze at Griffith Observatory

This is another one of LA’s top destinations and one of the best places for a budget-friendly LA vacation.

Griffith Observatory houses several fascinating space-related exhibits and is particularly fun to visit at night for stargazing. Plus, it’s known for its incredible view of Los Angeles, which includes one of the best views of the iconic Hollywood sign.

The observatory is completely free to visit (unless you’d like to see one of the planetarium shows, which require a ticket).

As long as there’s no show at the nearby Greek Theater, you can even park there for free and either walk 20 minutes up to the observatory or take a quick bus ride, which is very affordable.

3. Attend a Live Show Taping

This is one of the most “Hollywood” experiences you can get, and most people don’t know that it’s actually free: You can be part of a live studio audience for a taping filmed in Los Angeles. 

There are a variety of talk shows, game shows, and sitcoms like the Jimmy Kimmel Show, Jeopardy!, and The Conners. It’s a really fun experience to be part of a taping!

The one downside is it takes a bit of organization and isn’t always guaranteed, as you generally have to reserve tickets ahead of time, and you may get put on a waiting list. 1iota is a popular website for applying.

4. Go to The Broad

Downtown Los Angeles is well worth a day on its own, for its many destinations, such as Grand Central Market and the Last Bookstore. The Broad, a modern art museum, is one of the best free spots that Los Angeles has to offer.

From featuring beloved contemporary artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Barbara Kruger, Cindy Sherman, and more, there’s plenty to see at this museum in Downtown LA. Although it’s free, reserve your spot ahead of time.

It is best known for the Infinity Mirrored Rooms, which features two immersive, light-filled permanent exhibits by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Due to its popularity, the Infinity Mirrored Room is a little more complicated to visit, as it requires a reservation. 

While you shouldn’t have a problem getting a reservation to the Broad on the day of, you should try to snag a spot in the Infinity Rooms as soon as you can — tickets open up a month ahead of time on the last Wednesday of each month.

You only get a minute in each room, which also isn’t great. But it’s worth it to experience one of the most memorable art exhibits around.

5. Visit Beverly Hills

Even if you’re on a budget, that doesn’t mean you have to skip visiting LA’s ritziest city.

There are a bunch of free things to do in Beverly Hills, from visiting the underrated Greystone Mansion, a historic architectural gem that also has a crazy Hollywood-esque mystery behind it, to walking around city parks, popping into art galleries, and even strolling down the world-famous Rodeo Drive.

Sure, shopping here will set you back potentially thousands, but the architecture is impressive and a sight to see. It’s more than worth spending a few hours or a day here, and it’s possible to do it cheaply, too.

6. Check Out Hollywood

Although Hollywood tends to be a little grungier than many tourists expect, it’s still worthwhile if you overlook the lack of cleanliness and the slight chaos, especially when you consider all the free things there are to do here.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame spans over a mile (if your visit coincides with a star ceremony, those are also free to attend!), but some of the more interesting sights include the TCL Chinese Theatre, which opened in 1927 as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

It resembles a Chinese pagoda, and it’s become a Hollywood fixture, hosting movie premieres throughout the years and three Academy Award ceremonies.

The coolest part, though, is the handprint, footprints, and signatures in front of the theater’s entrance, from old Hollywood icons to modern-day stars.

Next door, you can check out the Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards are hosted. Also, in the area, you can visit Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where several legends from Hollywood’s golden era are buried.

7. Hiking in Los Angeles

LA is all about its generally lovely weather, and one of the best ways to experience it is by hiking on one of the many trails throughout the county.

Griffith Park (where the observatory is and one of the largest urban parks in North America) has a number of trails. 

Still, I also love spots like Escondido Canyon, where you can see a waterfall during rainy seasons (yes, it does rain here occasionally), and Rancho Palos Verdes, where you get some fantastic ocean views.

8. Hang Out in Venice

Venice is another top destination in Los Angeles and is surprisingly cost-effective.

The legendary Venice Beach Boardwalk dates back to Venice’s origins in the early 20th century when tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney built it to be a resort city. The two-mile boardwalk is home to some of Venice’s most iconic sites, from a skatepark to the legendary outdoor gym, Muscle Gym.

Today, it’s an eclectic, enjoyable place to walk through. It’s filled with vendors selling artwork, street performers, rollerbladers, and every kind of character you can imagine. 

There are some restaurants and shops along the way, and of course, Venice Beach.

About a mile away is another of Venice’s most unique features that many tourists overlook. Initially constructed to mimic Italy’s Venice, the California version also has canals running through its historic neighborhood.

So, after you’re ready for a break from the chaos of Venice Boardwalk, head to the canals for a relaxing walk through the picturesque neighborhood.

9. Enjoy LA’s Beaches

Los Angeles is known for its beaches, and the best news is that, unlike some other places in the country, beaches are free to visit.

There are many to visit beyond the most obvious ones (although if you’ve never been, it’s worth visiting the most notorious ones like Venice and Santa Monica). Still, I personally love more under-the-radar spots like Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach.

As an LA local, I’ll be the first to tell you that although the beaches may be free, where they get you is parking. So, depending on what area I plan to visit, whether Santa Monica or Hermosa Beach, I try to research parking beforehand to see the free or cheapest options.

More often than not, something reasonable is available, such as a lot that is free for the first couple of hours or a neighborhood that is a few blocks away from your destination but allows you to park for free.

10. LA’s Underrated Neighborhoods

Los Angeles has much to explore beyond its more well-known areas like Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

Pockets of LA such as Little Tokyo, Chinatown, and Olvera Street, all of which are around Downtown Los Angeles, all offer a deeper look into the rich history and diverse communities that make up Los Angeles and are also just fun ways to spend a few hours in Los Angeles.

Each features unique architecture, eateries, and shops. On Olvera Street, a historic Mexican marketplace and one of the oldest streets in Los Angeles, there are a number of small, free museums you can pop into for a cost-free outing.

Although they’re budget-friendly, it will be hard to resist spending some money on a meal here, but it’s well worth it for some of the best food that Los Angeles offers.

Free Things to Do in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles has a ton to do, and although it seems inaccessible at first, it’s more than possible to have a fantastic trip without breaking the bank.

Remember that Los Angeles is a large city with infamous traffic, so organizing your itinerary by geography will also ensure you get the most bang for your buck, allowing you to maximize your trip better and not spend time fighting the traffic or finding new places to park.

It’s a fantastic city with much to offer tourists regarding cultural experiences, nature, and sightseeing. And these free and cheap things to do are some of LA’s best.