5 Free Things To Do In Los Angeles

Free Things To Do In Los Angeles – When we think of Los Angeles, we generally see long stretches of beach meeting urban sprawl, sunny skies, famous people and a big Hollywood sign. The city is full of a great sites and attractions, restaurants with all types of cuisine, and it is the world capital of film entertainment.

Cheap LA hotels and hostels can be found spread across the city. Despite a reputation of being expensive, there are lots of things you can do for free – check out the stuff below for some ideas…5 Free Things To Do In Los Angeles

Free Things To Do In Los Angeles

Hollywood Walk of Fame

One of the most popular things to do in LA is to visit Hollywood’s walk of fame. 15 city blocks make up the black sidewalk within which the pinkish stars are embedded. This is the best way to appreciate the talents that have brought us film, television and music for many decades.

Some 10 million people visit the Walk of Fame a year, not counting the locals who walk over the stars daily. You will find some 2,400 stars, many of which have names you might not recognize.

But don’t worry; there are tons that you will recognize, from Frank Sinatra and Charles Chaplin to Matt Damon, Mickey Mouse and Michael Jackson.

Griffith Observatory

Located atop the hill park of the same name, the observatory is a great place to check out for all ages, but especially for kids. Inside you’ll not only find a free astronomy museum, but also a giant telescope.

The telescope is called Zeiss, and in the evenings they offer the option to look through the telescope. There’s really nothing like seeing the stars through some of the thickest smog in the country!

California Science Center

If the observatory sparked your interest, head over to the California Science Center, another superb place for people of all ages.

The place is very interactive, which makes it popular for families with small kids, but adults who are not afraid of letting their inner child come out will have a good time as well.

It’s one of the best science museums in the United States, and the exhibits change regularly to provide fresh reasons to return. There is also a large 7-story IMAX theatre inside, though you’ll have to pay to enter.

Venice Beach

Finally, and without further ado, the Venice Beach boardwalk is a must-see and free attraction. The vibe the neighborhood gives is comfortable and different, and the roller-skating bathing suited bodies make for a distinctly Southern California atmosphere – you simply can’t see LA without checking out Venice Beach.

The Getty Center

If fine art is your cup of tea, then head to one of the most involved galleries in the world, The Getty Center. The building itself is beautiful to look at, and inside you’ll find plenty of priceless works of art.

The collection is quite impressive, with works from Van Gogh and Monet, and the gardens are wonderful to stroll around in. This place also has concerts on some nights, so if you plan to visit it’s always worth checking out if there is any event happening.

Another good reason to visit is the spectacular view you get from there, overlooking LA and the ocean. On a side note, another way to get a good view is to hike to the Hollywood sign, which might take a bit more effort, but it’s also free, and totally worth it.

What’s your favorite things to do in Los Angeles for free?

Top Beaches To Visit In Los Angeles

Los Angeles has many beaches – in fact, if you have to choose, there are almost too many to choose from – if you are planning to visit and don’t know where to get started – here are five beaches to check out:

Point Dume State Beach

Have you seen Planet of the Apes or The Big Lebowski? Well, both of them were filmed here at Point Dume State Beach.

It is uniquely sheltered between sand dunes and the ocean, and from the top of the sand, you can enjoy some great views.

In fact, the first piece of land directly south of its tip is Antartica. Especially if you like swimming, scuba diving, tide pooling, rock climbing or whale-watching (from December to March), you will find delight at Point Dume State Beach – it’s a good destination for all of them.

The fact that it is further out from the LA metro area also means that it is usually less crowded than many of the other Malibu beaches.

Paradise Cove 

This beach is what its name already says it is: a paradise cove.

A private beach in the 28,000 block of the Pacific Coast Highway, Paradise Cove charges you $25 to park and $5 per person if you walk in.

If you dine at the Paradise Cove Restaurant, you automatically get validated for four hours.

But all this exclusivity doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get crowded; quite the contrary, be sure to arrive before noon on weekends because it fills up fast.

The Strand, Manhattan Beach

If your time is limited, head to The Strand. It’s an easy drive from the city and its strip comes with some serious real estate.

When you stay at one of these impressive homes, you can stare out into the Pacific (while thinking about Keanu Reeves in the surf board-buying scene from Point Break, which was shot nearby).

The paved pathway is also an ideal place to walk, run, jog, rollerblade or bike.

Heavens Beach

Another beach that is what its name entails. It is uniquely situated in Leo Carrillo State Park.

Here, you can grill a relaxing BBQ after a day of surfing, the waves are pretty consistent and great for all levels.

All of this against a stunning backdrop; giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds throughout the park and there’s plenty of tide pools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring, too.

Santa Monica Beach

With 3.5 miles of Southern California beaches and over 300 days of sunshine, the Santa Monica Beach is a prime piece of California coastline and a welcome retreat for vacationers and locals alike.

There are countless activities you can pursue here year-round, including swimming, surfing, fishing, volleyball and biking.

Those who enjoy people-watching, can catch some of the finest views here, too. The beach is considered a natural asset, and the city cleans and rakes the sand every day – lifeguard stations are also staffed 24-hours a day.