Top 10 Free Things To Do In Los Angeles

One of the most famous cities in the United States, Los Angeles can cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful. Home to overpriced tourist-targeted attractions and high-end shopping opportunities, it’s easy to part with your hard-earned money when you’re in the City of Angels. But it’s also possible to have the best time in L.A. without spending a dime on entertainment!

Los Angeles is a goldmine of free activities that are just as thrilling and satisfying as the paid attractions. Keep reading to find out about 10 free things you can do in L.A.!

10 Stroll Down Hollywood Boulevard

It may be incredibly touristy, but you can’t visit Los Angeles and not take at least one quick stroll down Hollywood Boulevard to check out the Walk of Fame. Even if you can’t find your favorite star, it’s fun just to walk the street and see who you can find.

Trip Savvy points out that the Walk of Fame also runs on Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard, so there’s plenty of opportunities to spot at least one star that you know. The area is also crawling with interesting characters that you probably won’t encounter anywhere else in the world!

9 Pay Your Respects At The Hollywood Forever Cemetery

A cemetery might not sound like a fun way to spend your hard-earned trip, but the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is not your average graveyard. This is the final resting spot of legends of show business, including Rudolph Valentino, Johnny Ramone, Jayne Mansfield, and the voice of Bugs Bunny himself, Mel Blanc. If you’re a fan, it’s nice to walk the ground and pay your respects.

The cemetery also hosts movie nights where you can watch your favorite films under the stars, but you’ll need to buy a ticket for those.

8 Take The Trolley At The Grove

It will cost you money to shop at The Grove, but you can simply meander around the iconic area for free. And while it’s fun to walk through the shopping arcades and window shop, it’s even more fun to take the famous Grove Trolley that runs between The Grove and The Original Farmers Market.

The Trolley was constructed using a Boston streetcar from the 1950s. According to Cheap Flights, the Trolley itself is quite famous, being the first streetcar in the U.S. transit system to use inductive power.

7 Travel Back In Time At The Brea Tar Pits

Los Angeles is a city of fascinating history. If you’re interested in traveling further back than the era of Hollywood’s Golden Age, you should pay a visit to the Brea Tar Pits, which will cost you nothing to enter. Walk around the pools of tar and pretend you’ve landed in the prehistoric age of wooly mammoths.

The on-site museum is only free to enter on the first Tuesday of each month, except the popular summer months of July and August. It is free to enter every Tuesday in September.

6 Explore The Secluded Beaches Near Malibu

L.A. has been blessed with some of the most naturally beautiful beaches and enjoys a beach culture. The good news is you won’t have to pay a cent to visit them! The city boasts more than 70 miles of beach, so it’s guaranteed that you’ll find at least one to fall in love with.

If you prefer a secluded and private beach, you’ll want to stay away from places like Santa Monica, which can be flooded with people. There are more secluded beaches if you head north along the coast toward Malibu.

5 Visit The Original Farmer's Market

When it comes to fresh produce, Los Angeles does it best. The Original Farmers Market has been standing for decades and continues to be a prominent landmark. While it will cost you a small fee to purchase some delicious produce, it won’t cost you a thing to visit the market and soak up the ambiance.

On Friday evenings between June and August, there is musical entertainment in the market just to add to the already exciting buzz. They also hold various celebratory events throughout the year. Definitely worth checking out!

4 Check Out The California Science Center

You don’t have to be a science lover to fall in love with this one! Located in Exposition Park, the California Science Center is one of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles for both children and adults. Here you’ll learn things that will blow your mind and witness exhibitions that will change the way you see the world.

Trip Savvy advises that the best time to visit the Center would be in the afternoons during the week or on weekends, as mornings during the week are often crowded due to school visits.

3 Walk By The Ocean At Venice Beach

Venice Beach definitely isn’t the most secluded beach in Los Angeles, but it is an ideal place to visit if you’re looking for a fun-filled atmosphere where there are a plethora of things going on at once. Take in the gorgeous view as you stroll along the boardwalk. It might be hard to resist the souvenirs sold on the east side of the boardwalk and the highly acclaimed restaurants in between them.

One of the best parts about the boardwalk is that it’s a great place to watch street performances from all types of creatives and skilled entertainers.

2 Be Part Of Ellen’s Audience

Going to a TV show taping is so Los Angeles. And if you’re going to visit any show while in town, it may as well be Ellen, which is known for giving away extremely generous prizes to the crowd and also hosting some of the world’s most famous celebrities.

It’s free to become a member of the audience, but the process does involve a bit of luck. You’ll have to apply online and wait for a representative to contact you. If you don’t hear anything back in two weeks, you’ll have to resubmit your form.

1 Witness The Beauty Of One Of The Public Gardens

The public gardens in Los Angeles rarely get enough recognition for their beauty and serenity. One of the best to visit is the Rose Garden at Exposition Park which is always free to enter. This is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.

You might also want to check out the James Irvine Japanese Garden which is located in Little Tokyo and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. In addition to native Japanese fauna, you’ll find lots of free exhibits on Japanese art and culture.

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