Free things to do · Los Angeles · United States
10 free things to do in Los Angeles
Los Angeles without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jelson25, Public domain
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Los Angeles without paying an entry fee: Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, Getty Center and Santa Monica Pier are all free. The Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, The Broad's collection, the California Science Center and the beaches are free; at the Getty you pay only for parking.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–May and October–November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Griffith Park
1.Griffith Observatory
Parking near the building fills quickly around sunset; the LADOT DASH bus from Los Feliz runs up the hill.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- After dark
- Kids
- Couples
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Street · Hollywood
2.Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
Look up a favourite star's location in the Walk of Fame's online directory first; the stars stretch for more than 2 km.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
Museum · Brentwood
3.Getty Center
Visit on a clear afternoon and stay for sunset from the west-facing terraces and the cactus garden.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Views
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Waterfront · Santa Monica
4.Santa Monica Pier
Rent a bike near the pier and ride the beach path south to Venice, about 3 km along the sand.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
- Free
Neighbourhood · Venice
5.Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals
Walk the boardwalk in the late morning, then cut inland to the canals and Abbot Kinney Boulevard for lunch.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Food
Architecture · Downtown LA
6.Walt Disney Concert Hall
Book an LA Phil concert to hear the hall's acoustics; in summer the orchestra moves outdoors to the Hollywood Bowl.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
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Nature · Griffith Park
7.Hollywood Sign trails
Hike early in the morning, carry plenty of water and stay on marked trails; there is little shade and rattlesnakes live in the park.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
- Free
- Iconic
Gallery · Downtown LA
8.The Broad
Afterwards, cross Grand Avenue to the Walt Disney Concert Hall and climb to its public rooftop garden.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Historic site · Downtown LA
9.Olvera Street and El Pueblo
Eat taquitos with avocado sauce at one of the long-running stands, then walk through Union Station's grand waiting room.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Shopping
Neighbourhood · Downtown LA
10.Little Tokyo
Visit the Japanese American National Museum first, then queue for ramen at one of the shops nearby.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- History
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Griffith Park | Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Sign trails | 2–3 hours + 2–4 hours |
| Hollywood | Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre | 1–2 hours |
| Brentwood | Getty Center | 3–4 hours |
| Santa Monica | Santa Monica Pier | 2 hours |
| Venice | Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals | Half a day |
| Downtown LA | Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad, Olvera Street and El Pueblo and Little Tokyo | 1 hour + 1.5–2 hours + 1–2 hours + 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Miracle Mile
La Brea Tar Pits
Walk the park first: the Lake Pit and the outdoor excavation areas are free to see before you decide on a museum ticket.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Nature
- Rainy day
Market · Downtown LA
Grand Central Market
Ride Angels Flight up to Bunker Hill afterwards; from the top it is a short walk to The Broad and the Concert Hall.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Exposition Park
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Pair it with the California Science Center and the rose garden between them; the Metro E Line stops right outside.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Nature
More ways to save
- The Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, The Broad's collection, the California Science Center and the beaches are free; at the Getty you pay only for parking.
- Metro fares are capped daily and weekly on TAP, so rail is far cheaper than rideshare for longer trips.
- Happy hours, usually in the late afternoon, offer discounted drinks and small plates at many bars and restaurants.
- Budget for sales tax of roughly 9.5–10% in LA County plus a tip of about 20% on top of menu prices.
- Hotels in Koreatown, Downtown and Pasadena often cost less than on the Westside, though you trade time in traffic.
- Buy theme-park tickets online in advance and compare multi-day tickets, which lower the per-day price.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Los Angeles expensive to visit?
Los Angeles is expensive for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Los Angeles?
Griffith Observatory: Parking near the building fills quickly around sunset; the LADOT DASH bus from Los Feliz runs up the hill.