It may seem intimidating to visit Los Angeles because there is a stereotype that it is an expensive city. While many things are pricey, there are also plenty of free things to do in Los Angeles as well. This city offers everything from amazing hikes and great beaches to museums and nightlife experiences. There’s something for everyone no matter what your interests are or your budget! If you’re planning a cheap Los Angeles vacation, then check out these top free things to do in LA and our Los Angeles budget travel tips.
This is a guest post by Rasika from Bae Area and Beyond
How to Have an Epic (and Cheap) L.A. Trip
I love finding free things to do wherever I travel, and you can have an amazing time with a very limited budget. However, there are some things that might be worth paying for if you have the budget to do it. Perhaps by compromising and saving money on some things, you can afford to splurge a little on something you really want to do.
For example, you could save money by staying in cheap accommodation and doing lots of free activities in Los Angeles, and then treat yourself to a food tour or a surfing lesson, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience like visiting Universal Studios!
We’ve picked out some of the best cheap places to stay in Los Angeles plus a bunch of free LA activities so you can do just that – and if you have the budget to treat yourself a little bit, these are some of the most popular tours and activities in Los Angeles that you might be interested in:
Cool things to do in LA don’t have to be expensive either – how about hiring a swan pedal boat on Echo Park Lake?
Or you can browse more activities and tours in Los Angeles on GetYourGuide here. I use GetYourGuide to book tours and tickets as I love how you can choose from a variety of options to find the best for you, comparing prices and reading reviews.
Using GetYourGuide means you also get immediate confirmation once you’ve booked which is perfect for last-minute plans, and when you book in advance you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity in case your plans change. However, If you prefer to use Viator you can find tours on Viator here.
That said, no matter what budget you have, there is no need to pay for activities in L.A. if you don’t want to. You can still have an amazing Los Angeles vacation without spending a lot of money, and have some unique experiences you will remember forever!
Cheap Places to Stay in Los Angeles on a Budget
Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or planning an extended vacation, there are many budget-friendly accommodations in Los Angeles. We recommend these top 3 options that are relatively low-priced but with great amenities:
The Rumi: This hostel is one of the most budget-friendly options with rates starting from $30 per night. Located in Koreatown, this place is surrounded by Korean restaurants and karaoke joints. It’s also within walking distance to grocery stores and cafes >>>CHECK PRICES
Location: 820 S Oxford Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Orange Drive Hostel: If you want to stay in Hollywood on a budget, choose this hostel. Starting from $43 per night, this place is near Hollywood attractions including the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This 1910 hostel also comes with its history: it was once a boarding house for many Hollywood celebrities between the 1920s and 1960s including Marilyn Monroe and Gary Cooper. >>>CHECK PRICES
Location: 1764 N Orange Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90028
HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica: Pricier than the above two options, this hostel is a great option if you want to stay in Santa Monica and close to the Los Angeles airport. Starting at $60 per night, this hostel is just a 9-minute walk from the Santa Monica Pier. Stay near the beach and explore Santa Monica throughout the day and night. >>> CHECK PRICES
Location: 1436 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
10 of the Best Free Things to do in L.A.
Griffith Park
Without a doubt, one of the best free things to do in Los Angeles is to visit Griffith Park, the second largest park in California. It’s home to the Griffith Observatory, Autry Museum of the American West, and the Los Angeles Zoo.
At Griffith Park, hike through the many trails and get a closer look at the Hollywood sign, one of the major attractions in Los Angeles. There is a lot of rugged terrain in this park so make sure you add hiking shoes to your packing list! Bring plenty of water and sunscreen for the hike too.
The Griffith Park Observatory is also free to visit. You’ll see an amazing view of Los Angeles and stay past sunset to see the beauty of the city at night.
Usually a paid attraction, the Autry National Center of the American West is free to go to on the second Tuesday of the month. Learn about the American West: its history, people and art.
Location: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Santa Monica Pier
At Santa Monica Pier, from watching street performers to strolling along the beach while listening to the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean, these experiences will help you understand why so many people love living in and visiting Los Angeles!
Stop by at the Chess Park to play a game of chess at the tables and check out the human chessboard. Also spend some time exploring Santa Monica and spot public art murals (there are more than 130 murals!).
Location: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Venice Beach Boardwalk is another great place to see street performers including jugglers, mime artists and musicians. This beach gets about 10 million visitors per year!
Check out the Venice Public Art Walls, painted by various graffiti artists. Work out at the free outdoor Muscle Beach Gym and use some of their free gymnastics’ equipment. The Muscle Beach Gym was once used by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Location: Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Runyon Canyon Park
If you are looking for another park to do some hiking and enjoy the outdoors, then Runyon Canyon Park is a great option. Situated between Hollywood and Beverly Hills, this 160-acre park offers a variety of trails for all skill levels, as well as unbeatable views of downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and the Pacific Ocean.
Location: 2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Tar Pits at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
While there’s a fee to enter the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, you can still check out the tar pits outside the museum. Tar pits are pits of sticky asphalt that remained after mining and through rain and time, it collected to form a lake.
You can see it bubbling due to the oil field underneath. Under these sticky pits, scientists were able to find fossils of Ice Age wildlife.
Location: 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Public Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Photograph the popular “Urban Light” public art installation in front of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. You’ll see 202 cast-iron streetlamps, all solar-powered. Then take a walk to the “Levitated Mass” public art installation. Here, you can walk under and look up at a granite rock boulder that weighs 340 tons.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is also free to enter on the second Tuesday of the month. This renowned museum boasts an impressive collection of art from all over the world and throughout history.
The exhibits are always changing so there’s always something new to see. The collections range from ancient times to the present day, so you can really get a sense of how people have expressed themselves through different periods in history.
Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame can be found in and around Hollywood Boulevard. Each star costs $55,000 to produce and maintain, so it’s a bit surprising that the walk is free!
The stars are made of terrazzo and brass and were created in 1958. Over 2,700 celebrities have received the honor in film, television, radio, and music.
Location: Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Grand Park
Walk through Grand Park and stop by its fountain. The fountain’s splash pad is a blast all year long, but it gets particularly fun in the summer months when it turns into an interactive water playground.
Grand Park’s grassy lawn areas are perfect for picnics, and there are plenty of places to sit and eat in the park. There are also tables and chairs for picnics and food trucks if you decide to buy a snack instead.
Visit its farmer market every Tuesday between 10 am and 2 pm where you’ll find fresh produce and flowers from local vendors.
Location: 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Getty Museum
Visiting the Getty Museum has got to be one of the most beautiful free things to do in Los Angeles. The museum’s architecture and the gardens are stunning! The Getty Center is located in the mountains and there are incredible views of Los Angeles.
The museum focuses on European and American art. With so many different exhibits, you could spend an entire day at this museum!
Location: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Road Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
It’s hard to believe that Joshua Tree National Park is just 2.5 hours of driving distance from the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles. When you’re there, it feels like you could be a million miles away from civilization.
Even though this national park has an entrance fee, they offer 5 free entrance fee days throughout the year, and if you have the America The Beautiful Pass entry is included with your pass. Stop by the Joshua Tree Visitor Center to learn more about the park and its Joshua trees.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Conclusion: Free Things to do in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a great place for both locals and tourists. One of the benefits of visiting a city as large and diverse as L.A. is that you have a never-ending list of things to do. With so many free things to do in Los Angeles, you could be out every day being entertained without having to spend lots of cash. Book your next trip to Los Angeles and have a fabulous time – even on a budget LA trip!
About the Author
Rasika is the owner of the travel blog Bae Area and Beyond. She is from the Bay Area and her blog covers California destinations. She hopes that her readers will fall in love with California, just like she did.
More US Budget Travel Tips
Getting There
- Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to your destination.
- Public buses are the cheapest ways to get to your accommodation from the airport, but a shared shuttle transfer is quicker and cheaper than a taxi - you can pre-book those on GetYourGuide or Viator
- Try Omio for booking trains and Busbud for buses including Greyhound and Flixbus.
Where to Stay
- For hotels, I use Booking.com to check reviews and find the best deals on hotels and apartments wherever I'm travelling to. Hotels.com is another good site.
- If you're on a tight budget, use Hostelworld to find the best hostels all over the world
Hire a Car
- Get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip.
Book Tours and Activities
- I use GetYourGuide or Viator to book everything from skip-the-line entry tickets to food tours as I can compare options from several companies and choose the best one for me
- If you're staying in a hostel, check out their tours and activities which are usually free or very cheap - and a great way to meet people!
Get Travel Insurance
- Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. I never leave home without travel insurance, so consider getting insurance for your trip to cover things like adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, stolen items, trip cancellation and more.
- Get a quote for your trip from True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or World Nomads or SafetyWing which both offer travel insurance for backpackers and long-term travellers. Alternatively, use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.
Check Your Travel Documents
- Don't forget to check the validity of your passport and any other documents for your trip. Use iVisa to check if you need a visa to visit your destination, and get up to date official travel advice from your government, for example on the Department of State website in the US or the UK government website.
Get Cheap Currency
- When travelling abroad, using a travel bank account like Wise means you get great deals on foreign currency - including a fee-free transfer of up to £500 when you use this link to sign up.
Top Money Saving Tip for Backpackers
- Work exchanges are a great way to travel for longer and extend your trip as you can save a ton of money on accommodation. Get an extra $10 discount on Worldpackers here or learn more about work exchanges.
Want More Cheap Travel Tips for the USA?
Check out these blog posts about budget travel in the US, or click here to read all of my USA posts.- The Best Cheap Weekend Getaways for Couples
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