14 Fun and Free Things to Do Near Me in Los Angeles – Best Places to Visit Without Spending a Dime

Contrary to what you may believe, vacations do not have to be expensive.

Sure, spending a week at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean or taking a luxury cruise along Europe’s waterways can do some serious damage to your bottom line, but there are still plenty of places you can visit that offer a multitude of things to do that are actually free. Ah yes. Just the word free is music to my ears and saying “free” and “Los Angeles” in the same sentence is even more exciting.

As one of the most diverse cities on the planet, the Los Angeles area offers a multitude of cultural, active, musical, and completely unique things to do that won’t require cash or scanning your credit card. Here are some of our favorites.

Outdoor Activities for the Entire Family

Griffith Park – Famous as a location for many movies over the years (LA-LA Land, Back to the Future II, Transformers, etc.), this is the largest municipal urban wilderness area in the entire country. Who knew? There are incredible views to be had of the Hollywood sign and the sprawling city below. The park has a myriad of activities to consider depending on if your party is adults-only or includes kids. Be sure to allot some time for the Griffith Observatory and its planetarium and to walk the many trails which, like the park is completely free.

Venice Beach – If you want to really feel like you are in Los Angeles, this is a place not to be missed. Known for an energetic 2.5-mile long beach scene with a boardwalk, shops, restaurants, street performers, fortune tellers, surfers, and no shortage of more interesting “characters”, Venice Beach is the second most popular destination in all of Southern California with more than ten million annual visitors. Sport courts are available for paddle tennis, basketball, and handball, and you will probably come across body builders and yoga classes on the beach, too. Outdoor enthusiasts who are into fishing from the pier, running, biking, rollerblading, speedwalking, walking their dog, or just hanging out are here in abundance.

Venice Canal Historic District – For more than 100 years this wonderful walkway has been a reminder of Venice, Italy, for which the California coastal community is named. You will spend nothing ($0) as you stroll along the six man-made waterside canals while viewing small boats, beautiful historic houses, and plenty of ducks and other waterfowl. There’s a playground for the kids at Linnie Canal Park. Best to visit early or at midday as parking can be a nightmare later on. This escape from the hustle and bustle of the Venice Beach area is just a few blocks away from an eclectic assortment of restaurants, shops, and of course, people.

Santa Monica Pier – Since 1909 this favorite gathering place has been the heart of the Los Angeles coastal community, with visitors coming from miles around to ride the roller coaster, merry-go-round, and Ferris wheel, fish, people-watch, dine, swim from the adjacent beach, shop, play arcade games, and enjoy all kinds of family friendly activities including storytelling, incredibly talented street performers, and musical events.

Hollywood Sign – Drive to the free parking lot for the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park or take public transit for an excellent view of the world-famous sign. It’s not quite as close as you can get by hiking (also free) from the park and it can get hazy depending on weather conditions, but this is still a popular spot to see and photo the iconic sign. Come during the day as the sign is not lit at night.

Hollywood Walk of Fame – With more 2,800 stars stretching for several blocks on both sides of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, Hollywood Walk of Fame is internationally recognized and a top attraction in Los Angeles. Start in front of the TCL Chinese Theater (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theater), or wherever you are able to find parking, and see the famous icon imbedded in the sidewalks of famous stars and industry legends. The first eight stars were unveiled during the summer of 1958 and included Burt Lancaster and Joanne Woodward.

We suggest visiting the Walk of Fame during the day as downtown Hollywood and this popular tourist attraction can become somewhat seedy later in the day and evening. As always, but in particular here, leave valuables, especially jewelry, in your hotel room and never carry a wallet in your back pocket. Pickpocketing is the most prevalent crime in the area.

Urban Lights at the LA County Museum of Art – This outdoor public art exhibit is perfectly made for photos and can be visited any time of day or night. Of course, it is during the evening when the many distinctive styles and sizes of streetlights are illuminated directly in front of the museum. Find a parking place nearby and walk through the exhibit where a selfie is ideal to send to your friends back home. There are out-of-towners as well as locals that come here well after sunset, so there is a safe feeling with plenty of people checking this out.

Playa del Rey Beach – If spending some time at the beach is on your list of things to do, Playa del Rey beach is a much quieter option than Venice Beach. Just minutes northwest of LAX and south of the entrance to Marina del Rey’s harbor, you can come here for a walk, to sit on the beach, take a dip, have a picnic, read a book, or watch a spectacular sunset. It’s where the locals hang out, so there will be far fewer tourists, hawkers, and the kids can more easily play in the sand here.

There are restaurants and shops along Culver Boulevard and Pacific Avenue, but they aren’t jammed with out-of-towners. Not that being an out-of-towner is a bad thing, of course. Prices are more reasonable since the businesses mostly cater to folks who live nearby.

Free Museums

The Getty Center – Historical photos and manuscripts, medieval, impressionist, and modern art, the personal collection of John Paul Getty, and amazing outdoor gardens and views are all on display for your enjoyment here, and it won’t cost you anything. This FREE facility (except for parking) should be on your must-see list in Los Angeles. Starting with the tram ride to the top of this spectacular facility that affords fabulous views of the area, work you way through world-class exhibitions from museums around the world as well as Getty’s favorites.

Be sure to allot time for some fresh air as you view the Center’s spectacular architecture, fountains, and stunning gardens. And you won’t want to miss Spectrum 14, a fascinating array of prisms that turn the Museum’s rotunda into a colorful collection of spectral light that changes with the position of the sun.

Timed admission tickets are required and are available online six weeks in advance of your planned visit.

The Broad – This contemporary art museum in the heart of downtown Los Angeles is home to more than 2,000 works on display in an amazing setting. The eye-popping building’s design called “veil-and-vault” is just the beginning of an inspiring visit to the 120,000-square-foot facility. Established by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, be sure to reserve your admission tickets online well in advance as this popular museum often sells out. If early reservations aren’t possible an on-site stand-by line is available at the museum if you are willing to wait your turn to enter. On weekdays the average wait time for admittance is just 15-30 minutes. The Broad is closed on Mondays.

California Science Center – This incredible facility located in Exhibition Park features permanent exhibits about physics, air and space, ecosystems, Life!, and so much more. No general admission reservations are required with the permanent galleries always free. There are admission fees for the IMAX theater movies and special exhibits which we suggest reserving online in advance. The museum is located in south L.A. adjacent to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and just south of the University of Southern California.

Los Angeles Fire Department Museum – While it is only open on Saturdays from 10-4, the completed restored Old Fire Station 27 is especially fun for families. Still resembling what the station was like in the early 1900s when it was the largest fire station west of the Mississippi, visitors can see three apparatus bays full of early 1900s equipment and later. Other displays feature fire fighting equipment dating back as early as the 1880s. There is also a learning center where adults and kids can learn valuable safety lessons.

The Nethercutt Museum – Off the beaten path in the northernmost part of the City of Los Angeles in the community of Sylmar, the Nethercutt is only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9-430. There is a $5 admission fee for the museum, but parking is free, earning it a spot in this article. View one of the absolute best collections of more than 250 American and European restored automobiles, all of which are still drivable! There are also vintage mechanical and musical instruments on display, but it’s clearly the cars that make a visit so worthwhile.

Santa Monica Art Museum – Just when you thought you knew what type of art you would encounter when choosing a museum to visit, enter the SMAM. This museum like no other as what is on display has been chosen by some of the region’s top artists. Exhibits about AI and Star Wars collectibles may be interspersed with modern art, a collection of monster paintings and posters, or about anything else. In fact, the SMAM has offered artists from all genres an opportunity to turn their “blank space” into what they believe an art museum can be. Regional artists contribute through their belief the “there really is no such thing as Art. There are only artists”. Though a voluntary $5 per person donation is suggested, visitors can pay what they can afford.

Free Events During Your Stay

To learn about free events in the Los Angeles area while you are here, click on the following link.

Affordable and Fun L.A.

Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a longer vacation in Southern California, a visit to Los Angeles can be made affordable by doing your homework before setting out for this dazzling destination. The mind-boggling array of accommodations, dining and entertainment options makes coming here not only exhilarating, but surprisingly budget friendly. Again, that’s if you do your research in order to avoid surprises.

When it comes time to decide where to hang your hat, and you may decide to move around a bit if you are staying for more than a few days, Travelated is the perfect place to find hundreds of affordable hotel properties throughout the area.