We love LA and with so many free things to do in LA, you’re going to love it too. Don’t let the smog cloud your vision, Los Angeles clearly has a ton of free things and stuff to do.
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Go Hollywood
Do some Hollywood stuff.
Become a member of the studio audience at the taping of a TV show or game show.
Check out the over 2,400 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Each five-pointed terrazzo and brass star is a tribute to an actor, musician, director, producer, musical or theatrical group or fictional character like Mickey Mouse.
Visit Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the most famous movie theatre in the world, and see the nearly 200 hand prints, footprints and autographs of the movie stars in the concrete outside.
But that’s not all.
Try and find imprints from the wands of Harry Potter, the legs of Betty Grable and the noses of Jimmy Durante and Bob Hope.
See the headstones, monuments and tombstones of the stars at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Wander the grounds and see if you can locate the final resting place of famous names such as Charlie Chaplin, Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., the gangster Bugsy Siegel, Fay Wray the damsel from the orginal King Kong and Mel Blanc the voice of Bugs Bunny and so many other animated characters.
Go for a Drive
The convertible may cost you but the drive is free.
Head onto the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and enjoy LA’s most famous coastline-hugging route. Designated as one of the most scenic roads in America, the PCH is a 123-mile stretch that starts in Monterey and twists and winds it’s way past amazing stuff including stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the coast, mountainsides, rolling hills, vineyards and more, until ending at Morro Bay.
Cruise Mulholland Drive and enjoy awesome, panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills, the LA basin, San Fernando Valley and landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Park Observatory.
Crave a little city action?
Point your car to the Sunset Strip, the centre of LA’s nightlife. This mile and a half stretch along Sunset Boulevard is located in West Hollywood. Here you will find clubs, restaurants and shopping boutiques. You may even spy a star or two as actors, musicians and entertainers frequent this happening end of Hollywood.
La La Land Must-dos
No trip to LA would be complete without doing some of the must-do free things to do in LA. We’re talking stuff like becoming a California girl or boy and spending a day at the beach.
Grab a board and try surfing the waves.
Check out the funky shops, cool cafes, street performers and the Muscle Beach outdoor gym along the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
Go window shopping where the super rich like to shop—Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. This three block stretch of boutiques and shops is home to luxurious clothing, perfume and jewellery retailers such as Coco Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Armani, Gucci, Cartier, Tiffany and more.
Be sure and take some time to peek inside Bijan, the most expensive store in the world, where the average customer will spend $100,000 on men’s clothing.
And what trip to Hollywood would be complete without snapping a shot of the famous “Hollywood” sign.
Unique Spots
Tour the Avila Adobe, the oldest house in LA, by visiting Olvera Street.
Checkout the Cathedral of Lady of Angels, the third-largest cathedral in the country and one of the most innovative works of architecture.
Take a stroll through Venice Canals and discover one of LA’s most unique neighbourhoods.
And explore the Bronson Caves at Griffith Park; they’re easy to get to and have been used in many Hollywood productions including serving as the entrance to Batman’s bat cave. This stuff is cool and they’re all free things to do in LA.
Nature is a Co-star Too
Star gazers will want to pay a visit to the Griffith Observatory. It features brain tantalizing stuff like 60 free space displays and one of the most stunning views of the City.
The New York Times called Runyon Canyon “one of the most scenic, unusual urban parks in the country.” Where else can you pass by abandoned mansions and estates and get beautiful views of the San Fernando Valley and the Pacific Ocean at the same time.
Dinosaur enthusiasts will want to roar over to the La Brea Tar Pits, where many of the world’s dinosaur fossils were discovered. Visit during the summer months, and you’ll probably see paleontologists excavating another find.
For some of the best views of the Pacific Coastline visit Point Fermin Park and Lighthouse. Or take in some of LA’s most amazing sunset views at beautiful Palisades Park.
Museums
The Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural amphitheater in the United States. Everyone from the Beatles to the Los Angeles Philharmonic have played there. Discover the history for yourself by visiting the free Hollywood Bowl Museum or take the free Hollywood Bowl Walk.
Art lovers will want to visit the striking Getty Center, home to artwork from the 19th century to the present, including Irisis by Vincent van Gogh which once sold for over $59 million dollars.
You can see more awe-inspiring stuff by van Gogh, as well as Monet, Rembrandt and others at the Hammer Museum where admission is free on Thursdays.
Challenge your senses with a stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, where you’ll enjoy one of the best permanent,contemporary art collections in the United States. It’s a free thing to do on Thursday nights when admission is complimentary.
And Film Buffs will appreciate a visit to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with its 15,000 objects representing over 200 years of fashion history, including fashions from Academy Award winning films.
Be thrifty and practical! This information was accurate when published, but can change without notice. We recommend you confirm all details with the provider in question before planning your excursion.
Don’t Forget to Check Groupon for Los Angeles Deals
One great way to save on local fun things to do in Los Angeles is to peruse Groupon, the money-saving website that features local discounts in 150 cities.
Visit the Los Angeles “Things to Do” Groupon page or Los Angeles “Food & Drink” Groupon pageand you’ll find savings of anywhere from 40-90% on attractions, tours, boat cruises, theatre tickets, dinner spots and accommodations.
The Groupon Los Angeles pages are a smart place to start when you’re first planning your trip and even when you’re in the middle of your Los Angeles visit because new deals get added weekly and even daily many times.
Get last minute tickets to a concert or game
You never know who might be in Los Angeles playing a concert or show, or what sporting event could be going on.
A great, reliable source for last minute tickets is Stubhub.
Photo Credits: simonov, Lola’s Big Adventure!, Fat Elvis Records, faungg’s photo, Neil Kremer, Daniel Flower, La Citta Vita, “Caveman Chuck” Coker, fsteele770, blmurch, r3v || cls, Prayitno/more than 2.5 millions views: thank you! and SharonaGott.