Top 30 Free Things to Do in Los Angeles

You obviously think that sightseeing in LA costs a pretty penny? Well, think again! Free attractions and activities in Los Angeles give you a chance to see the city without spending your money!

1. Cruise Mulholland Drive: Mulholland is one of the most famous scenic drives in the world and winds from the Hollywood Hills, across the spine of the Santa Monica Mountains and borders the Pacific Ocean on the west.
2. Check out Pacific Coast Highway which is a sun-drenched road facing the coastline and is one of the Los Angeles’s signature drives.
3. See what’s happening on the Sunset Strip: Several other roads possess the multiple personalities of this popular 1.5-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard.
4. Peep into Hollywood history: The forecourt of Chinese Theatre has been one of the most famous free attractions since the 1920s, when actress Norma Talmadge accidentally stepped in wet cement during the premiere of the movie called King of Kings. Movie fans from around the world compare their feet and hands to those of film stars of the past and present.
5. Get a photo with a star: Madame Tussauds Hollywood museum has lots of movie stars’ and other pop culture figures’ wax copies. You never know which famous wax figure will be displayed near the box office entrance off Hollywood Boulevard, but a free photo opp waiting to happen.
6. Take the walk in Venice: Street dancers, chainsaw jugglers, swamis on rollerblades – the most wonderful street entertainers in the world are at Venice Beach.
7. Rodeo Drive’s window shop: Star gaze and treasure hunt along famous Rodeo Drive in tony Beverly Hills, home of the rich and very rich people.
8. Watch TV live: Become a part of a studio audience for your favorite TV shows and game shows like Wheel of Fortune. Tickets are free, but should be obtained in advance.
9. Walk Downtown: With lots of free cultural attractions, Downtown Los Angeles has become one of the city’s best spots to see the sights for free.
10. Follow the paparazzi: Seeing the paparazzi portion of the star-making cycle is a traditional experience in LA, and totally free. But first find and check out the top places to meet celebrities.
11. Gaze at stars at Griffith Observatory: To learn the stars at the sky, the exhibitions and displays in the renovated Griffith Park landmark are all free, as is an introductory video about the observatory and its contents.
12. See the reality beyond reality TV: No matter if it’s watching the American Idol final live, or dropping into a Top Chef restaurant, the fans of reality TV have lots of spots to see throughout LA.
13. Investigate Los Angeles’s Fashion District: Watching people along makes the Fashion District one of LA’s premier shopping places and an experience all its own.
14. Dance! You don’t need always to pay a cover charge to get in the Los Angeles dance scene. Great clubs with no paying can be found in the majority of neighborhoods, you just need to know where to look.
15. Visit Exposition Park: Five main cultural attractions are within walking distance of each other in the Exposition Park area. So be ready to take advantage of this walking tour.
16. Hike on the Hollywood sign background: Are you uninspired? Try to change your perspective on a familiar sight. While the Hollywood sing’s grounds are forbidden for public access, some nice nearby hikes allow for great angles for photos. Go north from Franklin Avenue in Hollywood to Beachwood Drive; turn left at Ledgewood Drive and wind uphill. After that go right at the three-way intersection onto Deronda Drive.
17. Visit the Los Angeles Central Public Library: The LA Central Public Library reflects the architecture in Egyptian style that swept the state in the 1920s, after the investigation of King Tut’s tomb.
18. Fossil fun: At La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park, there is the site of the richest discovery of Ice Age fossils in the world, more than one hundred tons of bones representing more than 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish.
19. Hollywood Walk of Fame: Since the 1960s, more than 2,400 stars have been unveiled on major sidewalks of Hollywood.
20. Korean Bell of Friendship: It represents spirits and goddesses of liberty, peace and victory, while architectural details show the colorful nature of Korean culture. It’s better to visit the Bell on a clear sunny day for a stroll or a picnic, the area features views complemented by the yachts and charter boats of the harbor below.
21. Visit Walt Disney Concert Hall: Though the stage and concert hall itself are off limits to even paid tours, the interior public spaces and garden are still quite spectacular to investigate.
22. Venice canals: Winding through little but very expensive houses, the canals represent arched bridges and awesome landscaping. It’s a nice place to cruise along on a bike. Begin from the Washington Avenue and Venice Boulevard.
23. Walk along the Hollywood Forever Cemetery: At this Hollywood landmark, fans always gather every August 23 to pay homage to Rudolph Valentino. Lots of famous people rest here.
24. Bradbury Building: The one-of-a-kind interior features a 5-story atrium with glazed bricks and wrought-iron grillwork together with the cage elevator that will be familiar from the lots of movies filmed here.
25. Watch the ceremonies on Hollywood Boulevard: The best way to see your favorite celebs up close and personal is to visit the star-dedication ceremonies. They are usually held twice a month.
26. Sunbathe at the beach: Take your pick, no matter if it’s to demonstrate off your tan or to relax in solitude.
27. Walk around Griffith Park: With 4000+ acres of both natural terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is the biggest municipal park with urban wilderness area in the country, and provides a mixture of free activities for the whole family.
28. Go surfing: No matter if you’re getting on a board for the first time or you’re a seasoned rider looking for Los Angeles’s best breaks, there’s something for everyone!
29. Relax on Los Angeles’s Riviera: The Marina del Rey harbor is known for fantastic views and lots of outdoor activities, such as jogging, roller skating, bicycling or just relaxing in the park.
30. Smell the roses: On UCLA’s campus you can visit two gorgeous gardens for free. Walk the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens and the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden, as well as Exposition Park’s Rose Garden nearby.