Things To Do In Los Angeles For Free: Ultimate Guide

Explore beaches, hikes, museums, street art, and epic views across Los Angeles for free.

Los Angeles rewards curious walkers and smart planners. I’ve spent years testing the best things to do in los angeles for free, from sunrise on secret stairways to stargazing at Griffith. This guide gives you my proven picks, how to time them, and how to avoid fees. If you want a friendly, expert roadmap to the most rewarding things to do in los angeles for free, keep reading.

The Essentials: Iconic Free Sights Worth Your First Day

Start with classics that feel rich yet cost nothing. This list of things to do in los angeles for free will anchor your trip and set your pace. Bring water, sun protection, and patience for parking. Go early or on weekdays to keep it stress-free.

Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park

Griffith Observatory offers free entry and sweeping city views. The museum exhibits are free, and the planetarium shows cost extra. Walk the West Observatory Trail for a quick workout and a better skyline photo. I like to arrive an hour before sunset to find a spot and breathe.

The Getty Center

Admission is free with a timed reservation. The hilltop tram is also free. The gardens and light-filled galleries make this a calm stop. Parking costs, so rideshare or pair with a friend to split the fee.

Santa Monica Pier and Beach

Walk the pier, listen to buskers, and watch surfers. The beach path is great for a long, easy stroll. Street parking fills fast, so I use public lots before 10 a.m. Sunsets here never get old.

Nature on a Budget: Hikes, Beaches, and Views

When friends ask me for things to do in los angeles for free, I send them outside. The city’s best art is sky, rock, and sea. These spots deliver views and calm with no ticket line.

Easy-to-Moderate Hikes

• Runyon Canyon Trail offers quick climbs and dog-friendly paths. Early mornings are cooler and less crowded.
• Temescal Canyon Loop rewards you with ocean views near the top. Carry water; the switchbacks heat up by noon.
• Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook has stairs and a panoramic platform. It is intense but short, great for a sunset sprint.

Ocean Time Without the Price Tag

• El Matador State Beach has dramatic sea stacks. Parking can cost; look for safe street parking nearby if allowed.
• Will Rogers State Beach is wide and mellow. Bring a blanket and a kite on windy days.
• Venice Canals are a calm wander near the beach. Please be respectful; it is a neighborhood.

Favorite Sunset Spots

• Griffith Observatory for the orange-to-purple glow over DTLA.
• Vista Hermosa Natural Park for skyline frames with fewer crowds.
• Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area for wide views and picnic areas.

Free Art, Architecture, and History

For arts lovers seeking things to do in los angeles for free, the city overdelivers. Plan a loop you can walk or ride between. Pair indoor stops with outdoor art for variety.

The Broad

General admission is free with a timed ticket. The collection is bold and photogenic. Infinity Mirror Rooms need separate reservations. I book early and show up 20 minutes ahead.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Take the free self-guided audio tour on select days. Walk the rooftop garden and find the hidden rose-shaped fountain. Music events are paid, but the building itself dazzles your camera for free.

Urban Light and Public Art

Urban Light at LACMA is free to visit outdoors. Go at dusk when the lamps turn on. Nearby, explore La Brea Tar Pits grounds from the outside and watch the bubbling pits for free.

Street Art in the Arts District

Murals change often, so every visit feels fresh. I park once and loop a few blocks on foot. Respect artists and don’t touch wet paint.

Culture Without Tickets: Markets, Neighborhoods, and Events

If you want new things to do in los angeles for free beyond the icons, dive into neighborhoods. These places are alive with food smells, music, and history. You can browse, listen, and learn without pulling out your wallet.

El Pueblo and Olvera Street

Walk the oldest part of the city. Browse stalls, listen to live music, and tour historic plazas. Museum entries vary, but many outdoor sights are free.

Downtown Art Walk

On select evenings, galleries open with free entry. The streets fill with pop-up art and performers. I bring small cash in case I fall in love with a print.

Farmers Markets to Wander

• Hollywood Farmers’ Market on Sundays has great people-watching.
• Santa Monica Downtown market is full of color and samples.
• Grand Central Market is free to enter and great for browsing, though food is paid.

Live TV Tapings

Many shows offer free audience seats with online reservations. Plan weeks ahead and read the check-in rules. It is a long sit, so bring a light sweater and patience.

Museums and Free Days Calendar

Families searching for things to do in los angeles for free love museum days. Some big names are always free for general entry. Others offer free days each month. Check each museum’s official site for current policies and timed tickets.

• The Getty Center and Getty Villa have free admission with reservations. Parking has a fee.
• The Broad offers free general admission with timed tickets. Walk-ups are limited.
• Griffith Observatory is free to enter. Planetarium shows cost extra.
• California Science Center has free general admission. Special exhibits and IMAX are paid.
• The Hammer Museum offers free general admission. It is a solid stop near UCLA.
• MOCA offers free general admission. Special exhibits may require tickets.
• Select museums host free monthly days. Plan your week around those dates.

Plan your week around these calendars to stack more things to do in los angeles for free into a single trip. Keep a list with times and transit options. Set alarms to grab tickets when they are released.

Local Tips to Stretch Your Budget

Use these local tips to find more things to do in los angeles for free and avoid surprise costs. Small choices add up fast in a spread-out city. I learned these the hard way so you do not have to.

• Use the Metro and bus for long hops. Tap cards are cheap and work on both.
• Read parking signs with care. A wrong turn can be pricey.
• Pack water, snacks, and layers. Evenings get cool near the ocean.
• Aim for weekdays or early mornings. You avoid both traffic and crowds.
• Save maps offline. Cell service drops in canyons and garages.
• Follow official event calendars. Free concerts, outdoor movies, and festivals pop up year-round.

One-, Two-, and Three-Day Free-Focused Itineraries

Use these simple plans to stitch together things to do in los angeles for free without backtracking. Adjust for traffic, heat, and your pace. Swap stops to fit your style.

One Day: Classics and Views

• Morning at The Getty Center for art and gardens.
• Afternoon at Santa Monica Beach and the Pier.
• Sunset at Griffith Observatory, with a short trail stroll.

Two Days: City and Sea

• Day 1: The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall tour, Grand Park, and Arts District murals.
• Day 2: Temescal Canyon Loop hike, Venice Canals walk, and Abbot Kinney window-shopping.

Three Days: Deep Cut Favorites

• Day 1: Runyon Canyon sunrise, Hollywood Walk of Fame browse, Urban Light at dusk.
• Day 2: El Pueblo and Olvera Street, DTLA Art Walk timing, rooftop views at a public park.
• Day 3: California Science Center, USC campus walk, sunset at Kenneth Hahn.

These plans keep your wallet closed while hitting the best things to do in los angeles for free. I group stops by area to save time and energy. Keep an eye on tram and building hours.

Frequently Asked Questions of things to do in los angeles for free

What are the best things to do in los angeles for free if I have one day?

Start at The Getty Center, then head to Santa Monica Beach, and end at Griffith Observatory. You get art, ocean, and skyline views in one sweep.

Are there things to do in los angeles for free at night?

Yes. Watch sunset at Griffith, walk Urban Light at LACMA, and stroll the Third Street Promenade. Check for free outdoor concerts and movies in summer.

Which museums are always free?

The Getty Center, Getty Villa, The Broad, the Hammer Museum, MOCA, and Griffith Observatory offer free general admission. Some require timed tickets and may charge for special shows.

Can I explore Hollywood for free?

Yes. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, see the TCL Chinese Theatre courtyard, and hike for Hollywood Sign views from Griffith Park. Go early to avoid crowds.

How can I avoid paying for parking?

Arrive early, use Metro, or pick areas with free residential parking where allowed. Read signs, set a timer, and consider rideshare for high-demand spots.

Conclusion

Los Angeles shines when you slow down and explore with intent. With the right plan, you can pack your days with ocean air, bold art, and big views while stacking real things to do in los angeles for free. Start with one neighborhood, add a hike, and chase a sunset.

Pick two ideas from this guide and put them on your calendar this week. Share your favorite free finds, or ask for a custom route in the comments. If this helped, subscribe for fresh, local ways to uncover more things to do in los angeles for free.