The Mega-List of Free Things to do in Los Angeles
Short on cash? Try anything on this list of FREE things to do in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and other areas for a good time on the cheap.
From natural distractions and public tourist areas to window-shopping areas and other free-to-wander-in attractions, It’s easy to find something to do in LA without spending a dime.
| 1. | Walk in Runyon Canyon (wear comfortable shoes) |
| 2. | Visit Hollywood and Highland (bring tip money for street performers or be made to feel guilty) |
| 3. | Go to Griffith Observatory (watch for little kids terrorizing their parents) |
| 4. | Hit the beach at Santa Monica Pier (and watch street performers do crazy stuff) |
| 5. | Hike along the Griffith Park trails (don’t get lost) |
| 6. | Go to the Los Angeles Public Library (much like Hogwarts’ library) |
| 7. | Hang around in Beverly Hills (just don’t buy anything) |
| 8. | Be in a gameshow audience (or catch one of the ticket guys somewhere) |
| 9. | Visit the La Brea Tar Pits (those are absolutely real mammoths) |
| 10. | Cruise the Hollywood Walk of Fame (look, the Beatles!) |
| 11. | Mess around in Guitar Center (everyone else does it) |
| 12. | Go to Third Street Promenade (bring tips for the street performers) |
| 13. | Go to Venice Beach (and buy cheap pizza slices) |
| 14. | Watch movies in the cemetery weekend nights in the summer (park off cemetery grounds to avoid the $5 parking fee) |
| 15. | Stroll through Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station art galleries (there are many) |
| 16. | Visit Travel Town railroad museum (DO climb on the trains) |
| 17. | Watch rehearsals at the Hollywood Bowl Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings in summer (yep, it’s true) |
| 18. | Go to the Melrose District (good people watching) |
| 19. | Morning yoga in Griffith Park (popular and well attended) |
| 20. | Experience audio-visual overload at Universal CityWalk (get a ride to avoid parking fees) |
More coming…
By Peter Kimmich
