You should visit Los Angeles for its entertainment, cultural diversity, and varied landscapes, which include famous beaches, iconic landmarks like the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory, a world-class museum scene, and diverse neighborhoods with...
A stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a fascinating and free thing to in Los Angeles. No other place says “Tinseltown” quite like the famous sidewalks along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, which are marked by 2,700-plus terrazzo-and-brass...
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Save Up To $40 Online vs Front Gate. One Day General Admission Only. Restrictions Apply. Go Behind-The-Scenes Where Movies Are Made And Where Hollywood's Biggest Stars Work Daily.
Universal Studios Hollywood
One of the best free things to do in Downtown Los Angeles is in the same spot where you can get a marriage license or apply for a construction permit. Head to the observation deck at the top of City Hall for a stunning 360-degree view of the city.
City of Los Angeles
With 3.7 miles of sandy oceanfront, Dockweiler Beach in Playa del Rey is a great all-day spot to sunbathe and splash. But the best time to visit is just before sunset. Stake out a free fire ring, break out the marshmallows, and watch the sky put on a...
Dockweiler State Beach – Beaches & Harbors
Dotted with flowering bushes and towering palms, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery provides a peaceful resting spot for famous musicians and movie stars. Walk the grounds to visit the graves of Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Rooney, Johnny Ramone, and Toto fro...
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
This 4-mile, out-and-back hike crosses a few shallow streams before reaching Escondido Falls’ beautifully streaming cataract. Visit the waterfall soon after rainfall and you’ll be amazed at the volume of water. Note that if you park in the official p...
Escondido Falls
Dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of the sea, the Thien Hau Temple is an arresting example of Taoist architecture. If you’re lucky enough to visit during Chinese New Year, you’ll be treated to lion dance performances and firecrackers popping in the sky....
Chinatown LA | Business Improvement District
Every Friday evening from April to November, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) hosts one of the best free activities in Los Angeles. Pack a picnic and enjoy the joyful tones and rhythms of internationally known names and local acts. Betwee...
LACMA
The serene campus of the Getty Center seems a world away from the hustle of West Los Angeles. You’ll feel fully transported when you ride the free tram from the street-level entrance to this hilltop oasis of culture, where you can stroll through 86 l...
Getty Museum
CAAM has been a free-admission cultural institution in Exposition Park for nearly 50 years. Visit any time to see the permanent collection of more than 5,000 works from Black artists in California and around the world. Time your visit to coincide wit...
California African American Museum
Indulge your Pretty Woman dreams without spending a dime with an afternoon of window shopping along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Breeze down palm-lined streets where some of the world’s poshest brands—like Gucci, Valentino, and Van Cleef & Arpel...
RODEO DRIVE – THE INTERSECTION OF LUXURY, FASHION AND ...
Want a cheap, fun thing to do in Los Angeles that’s completely unexpected? Visit the Echo Park Time Travel Mart. Dubbed “the convenience store for all time-travelers,” the little shop sells quirky knickknacks like cans of high-protein “mammoth chunks...
Time Travel Mart
The legacy of Exposition Park dates back to the late 19th century when this land was used for farming, camel racing, and even housing a high-end brothel. Today it’s home to more than 2,000 fragrant blooms. Admission is free, but parking is not, so fi...
Exposition Park
Mural Mile on Van Nuys Boulevard is a stunning display of public art that began as a grassroots effort by local artists. Look for the mural Danny Trejo, an ode to the famous actor by muralist Levi Ponce, and the 3D mural Decolonized by Kristy Sandova...
Kiss the Ground Mural by Miles Lewis - 11:11 Projects
Perched on Mount Hollywood’s southern slope just above Los Feliz, Griffith Observatory is the most visited public observatory in the world. Plan your trip for a clear night to explore the solar system through public-viewing telescopes. Step into one ...
Griffith Observatory
If you’re looking for a free thing to do in Los Angeles that also helps you work up a sweat, make your way to Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades and jog, rollerblade, pedal a bike, or walk the 22-mile trail north toward Torrance County Beac...
Bike Path - LA County Beaches
Ensconced in a honeycomb-like façade of concrete and steel, The Broad contains incredible contemporary art by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and Jasper Johns. But the most crowd-pleasing installation is Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room. Reserve a free...
Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms
Few sights in Los Angeles rival the iconic Hollywood sign. I lived in Hollywood for about a decade and the most common question from travelers was “Where is the sign?” Well, folks, I’m here to tell you, the Hollywood sign is… not in Hollywood.
Origi...
Hollywood Sign
Originally Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, TCL is no mere movie house. This cinema palace is one of the original top attractions in Hollywood.
The best thing to do here is to see a film. Big-name projects are showcased on an IMAX screen with top-tier Dol...
TCL Chinese Theatre
Santa Monica beaches are sublime. Soft sand, gentle waves, and lots of kid-friendly activity areas make it a great choice for a family beach trip. Folks of all ages set up umbrellas and play music, lending to a festive atmosphere.
There are ample b...
Guide to Santa Monica Beach: Parking and Activities on the Beach
This one is so fun!! The Escape Game LA has fantastic, immersive escape challenges that will keep you engaged and entertained.
You get to choose from four one-of-a-kind experiences: The Depths, Prison Break, Special Ops: Mysterious Market, and a ne...
The Escape Game LA
Head on over to Venice Beach if you’re looking for a full-on immersion in Cali vibes.
Street performers serenade passersby perusing souvenir shops, while artists make and sell handmade, one-of-a-kind items. The air tends to be fragranced by traces ...
Venice Beach Boardwalk (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with ...
I recently took this brunch cruise from Marina del Rey and really enjoyed it. They offer free-flowing champagne and a hearty buffet while the cruise glides smoothly around the marina among sailboats and sea lions.
Live music rounds out the pleasant...
Marina del Rey Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise
Sports fans will be right at home in L.A. Live. Across from the Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center), this complex is packed with busy sports bars and restaurants.
The Novo and Microsoft Theater host massive concerts and other performance art...
L.A. Live
Hermosa Beach is a fun, funky surf town in the heart of South Bay. Cafes at the end of Pier Avenue deliver hearty servings and bottomless mimosas. DJs and bands provide live music day and night, adding to the party vibe.
City of Hermosa Beach | Home
Get wild at the LA Zoo! Dedicated to creating a better future for wildlife, this destination provides active, inspiring experiences for all ages.
Los Angeles Zoo
Getty Villa transports guests to a world of classical luxury. It’s a recreation of the largest villa in pre-Vesuvius Herculaneum. This tranquil setting is cooled by the ocean breeze.
Partners on a romantic day out can enjoy leisurely walks in a drea...
Visit the Getty Villa
Greystone Mansion is a palatial mansion on the northeast side of Beverly Hills. It was built in 1927 by Los Angeles oil baron Ned Doheny. Visitors can enjoy lush, green grounds featuring Gothic and neoclassical styles.
Greystone has been a setting...
Greystone Mansion & Gardens: The Doheny Estate
Located in the same complex as MOCA Geffen, the Japanese American National Museum holds an insightful curation of cultural heritage, interactive storytelling, history, and art. Ongoing exhibitions provide a poignant, illuminating look at Japanese Ame...
Japanese American National Museum
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is a cultural complex in San Marino, which is around an hour southeast of central Los Angeles. Those with an interest in books or botany will find it well worth the drive.
Among locals, the b...
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens