With a popularity for being the land of the wealthy and well-known, it’s no surprise why so many budget-conscious vacationers keep away from Los Angeles.
Whereas there’s some reality to its popularity, and it’s undoubtedly attainable to spend so much whereas right here, as somebody who’s lived right here for the previous a number of years (and is neither wealthy nor well-known), I’m right here to let you know that it’s far more doable to have a low-cost LA trip than most individuals assume.
There are literally a ton of low cost and free issues to do in Los Angeles, however listed below are among the greatest. I at all times take out-of-town visitors to a minimum of a number of of those on every go to, and at the same time as a neighborhood, I really like returning myself, time and time once more.
Please notice that because of the latest Los Angeles fires that a few of these points of interest could also be closed. Our hearts are with all who have been affected by this tragedy.
1. Go to the Gettys
The Gettys, which embody the Getty Middle and the Getty Villa Museum, are two of my favourite spots in all of Los Angeles. The Getty Middle in Brentwood has an infinite assortment of principally European artwork. Its constructing can be stunning, with a big backyard overlooking LA’s skyline.
Though, as of January 2025, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades is briefly closed because of the latest fires in Los Angeles, fortunately, the museum is unhurt. So be sure you bear in mind it for a future go to when the Villa has reopened.
It’s a gorgeous Roman-style villa with gardens, fountains, and an intensive assortment of historic artwork and artifacts, primarily from Greece, Egypt, and Rome.
Whereas admission to the Gettys is free, parking isn’t. It’s $25, however I at all times attempt to present up after 3 p.m. when parking goes all the way down to $15.
For those who’re fascinated about each areas, going to each in sooner or later means you solely should pay for parking as soon as. They’re not shut to one another, although, so I don’t counsel doing this as you’ll find yourself losing time in site visitors.
2. Stargaze at Griffith Observatory
That is one other one among LA’s high locations and the most effective locations for a budget-friendly LA trip.
Griffith Observatory homes a number of fascinating space-related displays and is especially enjoyable to go to at night time for stargazing. Plus, it’s recognized for its unimaginable view of Los Angeles, which incorporates the most effective views of the long-lasting Hollywood signal.
The observatory is totally free to go to (until you’d prefer to see one of many planetarium reveals, which require a ticket).
So long as there’s no present on the close by Greek Theater, you’ll be able to even park there without cost and both stroll 20 minutes as much as the observatory or take a fast bus journey, which may be very inexpensive.
3. Attend a Stay Present Taping
This is among the most “Hollywood” experiences you may get, and most of the people don’t know that it’s truly free: You may be a part of a dwell studio viewers for a taping filmed in Los Angeles.
There are a selection of speak reveals, sport reveals, and sitcoms just like the Jimmy Kimmel Present, Jeopardy!, and The Conners. It’s a extremely enjoyable expertise to be a part of a taping!
The one draw back is it takes a little bit of group and isn’t at all times assured, as you usually have to order tickets forward of time, and you might get placed on a ready record. 1iota is a well-liked web site for making use of.
4. Go to The Broad
Downtown Los Angeles is properly value a day by itself, for its many locations, akin to Grand Central Market and the Final Bookstore. The Broad, a contemporary artwork museum, is among the greatest free spots that Los Angeles has to supply.
From that includes beloved modern artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Barbara Kruger, Cindy Sherman, and extra, there’s lots to see at this museum in Downtown LA. Though it’s free, reserve your spot forward of time.
It’s best recognized for the Infinity Mirrored Rooms, which options two immersive, light-filled everlasting displays by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Attributable to its recognition, the Infinity Mirrored Room is a bit more difficult to go to, because it requires a reservation.
Whilst you shouldn’t have an issue getting a reservation to the Broad on the day of, you must attempt to snag a spot within the Infinity Rooms as quickly as you’ll be able to — tickets open up a month forward of time on the final Wednesday of every month.
You solely get a minute in every room, which additionally isn’t nice. Nevertheless it’s value it to expertise some of the memorable artwork displays round.
5. Go to Beverly Hills
Even for those who’re on a funds, that doesn’t imply it’s a must to skip visiting LA’s ritziest metropolis.
There are a bunch of free issues to do in Beverly Hills, from visiting the underrated Greystone Mansion, a historic architectural gem that additionally has a loopy Hollywood-esque thriller behind it, to strolling round metropolis parks, popping into artwork galleries, and even strolling down the world-famous Rodeo Drive.
Certain, procuring right here will set you again doubtlessly 1000’s, however the structure is spectacular and a sight to see. It’s greater than value spending a number of hours or a day right here, and it’s attainable to do it cheaply, too.
6. Examine Out Hollywood
Though Hollywood tends to be somewhat grungier than many vacationers count on, it’s nonetheless worthwhile for those who overlook the dearth of cleanliness and the slight chaos, particularly when you think about all of the free issues there are to do right here.
The Hollywood Stroll of Fame spans over a mile (in case your go to coincides with a star ceremony, these are additionally free to attend!), however among the extra attention-grabbing sights embody the TCL Chinese language Theatre, which opened in 1927 as Grauman’s Chinese language Theatre.
It resembles a Chinese language pagoda, and it’s grow to be a Hollywood fixture, internet hosting film premieres all through the years and three Academy Award ceremonies.
The best half, although, is the handprint, footprints, and signatures in entrance of the theater’s entrance, from outdated Hollywood icons to modern-day stars.
Subsequent door, you’ll be able to take a look at the Dolby Theatre, the place the Academy Awards are hosted. Additionally, within the space, you’ll be able to go to Hollywood Endlessly Cemetery, the place a number of legends from Hollywood’s golden period are buried.
7. Mountaineering in Los Angeles
LA is all about its usually beautiful climate, and the most effective methods to expertise it’s by mountaineering on one of many many trails all through the county.
Griffith Park (the place the observatory is and one of many largest city parks in North America) has various trails.
Nonetheless, I additionally love spots like Escondido Canyon, the place you’ll be able to see a waterfall throughout wet seasons (sure, it does rain right here sometimes), and Rancho Palos Verdes, the place you get some implausible ocean views.
8. Hold Out in Venice
Venice is one other high vacation spot in Los Angeles and is surprisingly cost-effective.
The legendary Venice Seaside Boardwalk dates again to Venice’s origins within the early twentieth century when tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney constructed it to be a resort metropolis. The 2-mile boardwalk is residence to a few of Venice’s most iconic websites, from a skatepark to the legendary out of doors fitness center, Muscle Gymnasium.
Right this moment, it’s an eclectic, pleasant place to stroll by way of. It’s crammed with distributors promoting art work, road performers, rollerbladers, and each sort of character you’ll be able to think about.
There are some eating places and retailers alongside the best way, and naturally, Venice Seaside.
A few mile away is one other of Venice’s most unusual options that many vacationers overlook. Initially constructed to imitate Italy’s Venice, the California model additionally has canals working by way of its historic neighborhood.
So, after you’re prepared for a break from the chaos of Venice Boardwalk, head to the canals for a soothing stroll by way of the picturesque neighborhood.
9. Get pleasure from LA’s Seashores
Los Angeles is thought for its seashores, and the most effective information is that, in contrast to another locations within the nation, seashores are free to go to.
There are various to go to past the obvious ones (though for those who’ve by no means been, it’s value visiting probably the most infamous ones like Venice and Santa Monica). Nonetheless, I personally love extra under-the-radar spots like Redondo Seaside and Hermosa Seaside.
As an LA native, I’ll be the primary to let you know that though the seashores could also be free, the place they get you is parking. So, relying on what space I plan to go to, whether or not Santa Monica or Hermosa Seaside, I attempt to analysis parking beforehand to see the free or least expensive choices.
Most of the time, one thing affordable is accessible, akin to rather a lot that’s free for the primary couple of hours or a neighborhood that may be a few blocks away out of your vacation spot however permits you to park without cost.
10. LA’s Underrated Neighborhoods
Los Angeles has a lot to discover past its extra well-known areas like Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
Pockets of LA akin to Little Tokyo, Chinatown, and Olvera Avenue, all of that are round Downtown Los Angeles, all supply a deeper look into the wealthy historical past and various communities that make up Los Angeles and are additionally simply enjoyable methods to spend a number of hours in Los Angeles.
Every options distinctive structure, eateries, and retailers. On Olvera Avenue, a historic Mexican market and one of many oldest streets in Los Angeles, there are a variety of small, free museums you’ll be able to pop into for a cost-free outing.
Though they’re budget-friendly, it is going to be onerous to withstand spending some cash on a meal right here, however it’s properly value it for among the greatest meals that Los Angeles affords.
Free Issues to Do in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles has a ton to do, and though it appears inaccessible at first, it’s greater than attainable to have a implausible journey with out breaking the financial institution.
Keep in mind that Los Angeles is a big metropolis with notorious site visitors, so organizing your itinerary by geography can even make sure you get probably the most bang on your buck, permitting you to maximise your journey higher and never spend time preventing the site visitors or discovering new locations to park.
It’s a implausible metropolis with a lot to supply vacationers concerning cultural experiences, nature, and sightseeing. And these free and low cost issues to do are a few of LA’s greatest.
Tess Kazenoff is a author based mostly in Lengthy Seaside, California. Her journey weblog, Tess the Traveler, shares culture-focused itineraries and guides for funds vacationers.