Los Angeles, California. A place many people dream of visiting with its picture-perfect waters, an allure of Hollywood Celebrities, and historical buildings. I am lucky enough to live close enough to go into LA as day trips, but if you are not careful things can still add up. There is no way around it, Los Angeles is expensive. Nevertheless, there are many ways to make your visit more budget-friendly. The following is a ton of free and cheap things to do in Los Angeles to help make your visit more affordable.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Los Angeles here.
US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in Los Angeles here. They are very affordable too!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
Table of Contents
Budget Lodging in Los Angeles
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best and cheapest Los Angeles hotels here!
The most expensive part of Los Angeles is finding a place to stay. One of the cheaper areas to stay is near the Los Angeles airport. However, this is not really around any of the main sites and public transportation. If you stay in this area, you will need a car to get around.
Another less-expensive area is Hollywood. It is a funky part of town to stay in, but sometimes you can find a decent deal. If visiting during the offseason, you can also sometimes find a deal in Downtown Los Angeles. I would not recommend staying at an Airbnb in Los Angeles if you are trying to save money. Due to a new law, they charge extra fees on top of the price a night.
Budget Transportation in Los Angeles
Unfortunately, public transportation in Los Angeles sucks. There are some buses, but they take forever due to traffic. There is also a metro, but it does not go to all of the areas of Los Angeles. Hopefully, this situation will be remedied by the time the 2028 Olympics come around! If you plan on using the Metro, make sure to buy a TAP card. You are able to reload this card and it is easier to swipe in and out of the Metro. It costs $7 for a day pass or $1.75/ride.
The more flexible way to get around in LA is by car (despite the horrible traffic). I always use Autoslash for renting a car. Another option is to Uber/Lyft around, but that can also add up. I recommend choosing one area to explore each day so that way you do not have to move the car around.
GoCity Pass
GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction. I have used it in several cities around the world and would recommend getting a GoCity pass! Check out the options for the Los Angeles GoCity pass here. It is a great way to save money!
Free and Cheap Things to Do in Los Angeles
The Beach Areas
There are so many beaches in the Los Angeles area. Each one is unique and offers a fun stop. It is free to visit the beaches, which makes for a very cheap things to do in Los Angeles! The beach areas are pretty much open 24/7 but use caution if wandering around the areas at nighttime.
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is the perfect beach to chill. There is a great bike path that runs along the shore. The pier contains a small aquarium. Stroll through the downtown area to check out some shops and good eateries.
Redondo Beach
This beach is near LAX so it is easily accessible if you have a long layover at the airport. There are places to rent kayaks, paddleboards, and other swimming equipment. Many harbor cruises leave from here as well.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is known for its amazing ride-filler pier. Although it does cost to go on the rides, it is free to walk around the area. On the weekends, there are usually many free events that go on in the area. Did you know that the infamous Route 66 ends in Santa Monica? Make sure to look for the sign that marks the end. Santa Monica also contains a huge mall and shopping area where it is fun to browse the shops.
Venice Beach
The Venice Boardwalk has many sites, shops, and people to see. Stop to watch a street show, skateboarders at the skatepark, check out the murals and graffiti walls as you stroll along the boardwalk. Make sure to grab a shot under the infamous Venice sign. One of the major sites of Venice Beach is the canals. These man-made canals were developed by Abbot Kinney in the early 1900s in an effort to recreate Venice, Italy in America. Today, it is a great place to take a stroll, look at houses, and take pictures. It is one of the best cheap things to do in Los Angeles.
Beverly Hills/Century City
Beverly Hills is known for being the “rich” area of Los Angeles and home to many celebrities. The area was originally settled in 1828, and continued to grow popular throughout the 1900s. Now, it is a cool area to drive through and see the impressive homes. Just remember to be respectful of the residents! Despite it being the “rich” area, there are a ton of cheap things to do in Los Angeles.
Beverly Hills Hotel
Cost: Free to look
Hours: 24 hours (but better during the day)
Although rooms at the Beverly Hills Hotel can cost hundreds of dollars, there is no cost to visit the hotel. You can take pictures in front of the infamous sign and see the ornate interior of the hotel. For a splurge, grab a drink at the bar and people watch for awhile.
Century City Mall
Cost: Free to look
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-10pm, Sun: 11am-8pm
This two-level mall contains numerous stores and restaurants. It can take a couple of hours to cover this 1.3 million square foot mall. There are many areas to take a load off and chill. You often see people sitting with a book or laptop. The mall often has events such as outdoor movies, yoga, and weekly runs. Meizhou Dongpo is a good option for sharing some authentic Chinese food or stop in at Eataly for an authentic Italian experience.
Rodeo Drive
Cost: Free to look
Hours: 10am-6pm
Although it may be expensive to shop on the palm tree-lined Rodeo Drive, it costs nothing to look at! A great way to spend the afternoon is taking a stroll down the two-mile-long Rodeo Drive. This is also a very Instagrammable place in Los Angeles.
Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA)/The Arts District
Downtown Los Angeles is the business center of Los Angeles. However, there are still a ton of cool sites to see in this area. If driving, I recommend parking in the Pershing Square area. Parking is usually $10-$20 for the day. You can then walk all around the downtown area or hop on the metro to get to other areas of Los Angeles such as Hollywood.
Angel’s Flight
Cost: $1
Hours: 6:45am-10pm
Angel’s Flight is a funicular that takes visitors to the top of Bunker Hill. It is over 100 years old and is considered the steepest funicular in the world. At the top of Bunker Hill, visitors can get some views of Los Angeles. Angel’s Flight only costs $1 each way to ride it, so it should definitely be included as one of the best cheap things to do in Los Angles.
The Broad
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues & Wed: 11am-5pm, Thurs & Fri: 11am-8pm, Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-6pm, Closed Mondays
The Broad is a contemporary art museum that houses the popular Infinity Mirrored Room exhibit. There are always various rotating exhibits, so check online to see what you are interested in. Tickets are free, but make sure to reserve them in advance as sometimes it gets busy. There is also a stand-by line outside, but you are not guaranteed entrance. The Broad also offers daily free guided tours.
Chinatown
Cost: Free
Hours: Generally 10am-6pm
Chinatown is a great place to go for a free stroll. Established in 1938, it is full of Chinese style buildings, delicious restaurants, and temples. Make sure to grab some Dim Sum and stop into a tea shop.
The Garden at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
Cost: Free
Hours: 7am-10pm, but closed during performance.
Although tickets to the Walt Disney Concert hall start at $50, the rooftop garden is free for everyone to enjoy. To get there, head up the huge staircase on the left side of the building. From there you go around the corner and will be brought to a magical rooftop garden. Here you can enjoy a quiet place to eat, read a book, or get some work done.
The Last Bookstore
Cost: Free to Look
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-11pm
This independent bookstore is famous for its unique designs inside using the books. They have tunnels built using books and some cute other displays that are perfect for the gram! It is California’s largest bookstore and they sell both new and used books. It does not cost anything to visit and is a fun cheap thing to do in Los Angeles.
Little Tokyo
Cost: Free to walk around
Hours: Varies by place
Established in 1905, Little Tokyo transports visitors to Tokyo. There are many temples, gardens, shops, and restaurants to view while walking around this area. This area also contains the Japanese American National Museum and a part of the Contemporary Museum of Art.
Olvera Street
Cost: Free to walk around
Hours: Varies by place
Olvera Street is part of the historic part of Los Angeles and one of the oldest historic monuments. Originally established in 1781, it officially got its name in 1877. This street contains a Mexican marketplace and some amazing Mexican restaurants.
Union Station
Cost: Free to walk around
Hours: 24 hours, but avoid at night
Make sure to stop and take a peek at Union Station. It is the largest railroad terminal in the Western United States. Here, visitors can catch the Amtrak train or the metro to other parts of Los Angeles. Once a month, Union Station also offers a free art and architecture tour.
Exposition Park
Exposition Park is a small area located near the campus of the University of California. This area contains the famous Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, several museums, and tons of walking trails. This area has a ton of free and cheap things to do in Los Angeles.
California Science Center
Cost: Free
Hours: 10am-5pm
Admission to the general areas of the California Science Center is free! Visitors can view various exhibits ranging from learning about the ecosystem to air and space. The Endeavor Spaceship is located in this museum, but make sure to reserve your tickets ahead of time to guarantee a spot to see it. The California Science Center originally opened under the name California Museum of Science and Industry in 1951. It later closed due to earthquake damage and reopened under the new name in 1998.
Exposition Park Rose Garden
Cost: Free
Hours: 8:30am to Dusk
Looking for a place to chill away from the hustle and bustle of the city? The 7-acre Exposition Park Rose Garden offers some trails to walk through and is located between USC and the California Science Center and is a great cheap thing to do in Los Angeles. It is also where they filmed some scenes from the TV show “Bones.” The Rose Garden originally was part of the Agricultural Park, but later turned into the Rose Garden it is today.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Cost: $15, but select free days and FREE for California teachers!
Hours: 9:30am-5pm
This museum is the largest Natural History Museum on the west coast. Established in 1913, this museum now houses 35 million specimens and artifacts and is also a huge research facility. The dinosaur hall is my personal favorite. They also have a stunning nature garden.
Take a Stroll through USC
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
Spend some time walking through the University of California, founded in 1880 and famous for its film school and as a filming location. Visitors can opt to take a free campus tour or wander around the campus on their own. Make sure to stop by the Tommy Trojan statue, and take in the views outside of the Memorial Coliseum.
Hollywood
Ah, Hollywood. Hollywood is such a unique area that is unlike any other place in the world. Many locals call it “Holly-weird” due to the interesting characters you meet in the area. One of the times I was there I saw a random guy throwing out money from the back of his Bently. Established in the early 1900s, Hollywood is mostly known due to its association with the film industry and it contains many historic studios. I love that Hollywood has a ton of free and cheap things to do.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame
Cost: Free
Hours: 24/7 but be careful in the evenings
The most famous and also often called the “world’s worst” attraction is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Despite this, it is such a fun cheap thing to do in Los Angeles. It has over 2,600 stars given to celebrities across 15 blocks. Walk around the area and find the stars of your favorite celebrities. While walking the Walk of Fame, visitors can view some historical and popular buildings such as the Pantages Theater, El Capitan, The Roosevelt Hotel, the Dolby Theater, and Capitol Records.
Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory
Cost: Free
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Griffith Park is filled with tons of hiking trails and amazing views of Los Angeles. From this area, you can also get those epic close-up views of the Hollywood Sign. Although it is usually crowded, sunset views from Griffith are amazing. The Griffith Observatory is located at the top of Griffith Park and admission is free. Note that there are a few free parking lots, but once those are full you will need to pay for parking. Another option for getting there is to take the bus. It is one of my favorite cheap things to do in Los Angeles.
Hike the Hollywood Sign
Cost: Free
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
For hiking lovers, a hike to the top of the Hollywood sign is a must and another favorite cheap thing to do in Los Angeles. There are several different trails that take you to the top. The easiest way is to start at the Griffith Observatory. This infamous sign used to read Hollywoodland until the “land” part slid down the hillside. One of the best areas to view it is at the intersection of Hollywood and Highland or near Griffith Park.
La Brea/Fairfax
This historic neighborhood has been influenced by film and fashion throughout the years. There are tons of restaurants, shops, and museums in this area to keep you busy for at least a day.
Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust
Cost: Free
Hours: Sat-Thurs: 10am-5pm, Fri: 10am-2pm
The Los Angeles Holocaust Museum was founded in 1961 by Holocaust survivers. It was the first Holocaust museum in the United States. There are several exhibits giving information about the Holocaust, including a model of a death camp.
The Grove
Cost: Free to walk around
Hours: 11am-7pm
The Grove offers the usual: shopping, dining, a movie theater. However, this mall is outdoors and always immaculately decorated. Thus, it is such an awesome place to spend some time strolling around and window shopping. If visiting during the holiday season, make sure to check out the gigantic tree and their spectacular Christmas decorations.
La Brea Tar Pits
Cost: $15, but select free days and FREE for California teachers!
Hours: 9:30am-5pm
The La Brea Tar Pits have formed over thousands of years in the area. In 1964, they were officially designated a US National Landmark. In these pits are naturally preserved bodies of animals. During your visit, you can see various fossils and look throughout different observation pits. Sometimes you can even see the scientists at work!
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Cost: $25, but Free every Tuesday and select other days.
Hours: Mon-Tues, Thus: 11am-5pm, Fri: 11am-8pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-7pm, Closed Wednesdays
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art opened in 1910 and is the largest art museum on the west coast with over 150,000 works of art. It is most well known for the famous “Urban Lights” exhibit in front of the museum (free for everyone). Inside the museum, make sure not to miss the works by Diego Rivera, Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh.
The Original Farmer’s Market
Cost: Free to look
Hours: 9am-6pm
For a fun morning, take a stroll through the Original Farmer’s Market, full of over 100 vendors. Established in 1934, the farmers market is a haven for foodies. A streetcar connects the Farmer’s Market with the Grove.
Other Budget-Friendly Places in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has so many different areas to explore. You can find a ton of cheap things to do in all the areas. The following are still cheap things to do in Los Angeles but are not near many other major attractions.
The Getty & The Getty Villa
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies, check the website
The Getty Museums are one of the coolest cheap things to do in Los Angeles. These Museums showcase some amazing art collections. The Getty is more extensive and contains a wider variety of art. It also has an outdoor garden area to stroll through and awesome views of Los Angeles. The Getty Villa focuses more on Neolithic, Greek, and Roman art. This complex was once the home of J. Paul Getty and after his death, it was turned into the museum it is today. Both of these museums are free to get in, but for the Getty Villa, you must reserve tickets online ahead of time.
The Huntington
Cost: $25, but select days are Free
Hours: 10am-5pm, Closed Tuesdays
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, founded in 1919, is the former home of Henry and Arabella Huntington. This 120-acre property contains European and American Art collections, various landscaped gardens, and a huge research library. Throughout the year, they also do a ton of special programs and events that are often free. Make sure not to miss the Japanese and the Chinese Gardens.
TV Show Taping
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies by show
There are a ton of TV studios and backlots scattered throughout Los Angeles. Many of the shows, especially the talk shows offer free tickets to be in the audience. 1iota and TV Tickets are two sites to get free tickets. You can also check out sites for specific shows like The Ellen Show. TV show tapings are such a fun cheap thing to do in Los Angeles.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Cost: Free to walk around
Hours: Varies
The University of California, Los Angeles is another super popular college in the area to visit. Visitors can take a campus tour or do a self-guided tour. UCLA has a popular medical school and film school. You can also catch a sports game.
Cheap Things to do in Los Angeles: Food Edition
When traveling I am always looking for cheap places to eat that are still delicious and are a sample of the cuisine of the area. The following are some of the best cheap places to eat and drink in Los Angeles. These mouth-watering places will have you craving them again and again. It will also be helpful to your pocketbook!
Angel City Brewery
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 4pm-1am, Fri-Sat: 12pm-2am, Sun: 12pm-1am
Angel City Brewery is a great place to take a load off after a long day of walking and exploring. They have a plethora of beers on tap. There are plenty of areas to sit and chill and there is often live music and plenty of board games. You can opt to take a tour or grab some food from the food truck out front.
Cielito Lindo (Olvera Street, DTLA)
Cost: $
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 9am-12am
This is one of the best places to get taquitos in the Los Angeles area. They have been serving their popular taquitos since 1934. You can get a side of Beef Taquitos with their infamous avocado sauce for only $3! Anytime I am near Union Station, I run over to grab some.
Del Taco (multiple locations)
Cost: $
Hours: Varies by location
Del Taco is an American Mexican chain popular in California. They have a great value menu and it is a good place for a quick bite to eat. Del Taco even has mini shakes to satisfy your sweet tooth. Healthier options include a taco salad and fresca bowls.
Feast (Hollywood)
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon: 11am-9pm, Tues-Sat: 11am-10pm, Sun: 11am-8pm
Feast is a Mediterranean quick service place. They have a variety of plates that include meat and one of their yummy sides. They also have various sauces you can put on the entrees. It is located right across from the Pantages Theater.
Gloria’s Cafe (Westside)
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Tues: 9am-3pm, Wed-Sun: 9am-8pm
Gloria’s Cafe is a quick-service Mexican food stop. Mexican is always a must when visiting Southern California. They have giant burritos that can be split between two people, or various other mouth-watering options.
Grand Central Market (DTLA)
Cost: $$
Hours: 8am-10pm for most vendors
Grand Central Market is a good budget option if you are sharing a meal. It is full of mouth-watering places to eat. There are a plethora of stalls to choose from and communal tables throughout the complex. Horse Thief BBQ is a good place to share a meal.
In-N-Out Burger (Multiple Locations)
Cost: $
Hours: Varies by location
In-N-Out is a California staple. Established in 1948, In-N-Out serves the best fast-food burger I have ever had (better than Shake Shack or Whataburger in my opinion). Not only is it super inexpensive to eat here, but they also have a secret menu. Make sure to get an order of animal fries. Vegetarian? Fret not… you can order a grilled cheese! If you are on a health kick, order your burger protein style and it will come wrapped in lettuce.
Lemonade (Multiple Locations)
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by location
Although not as budget-friendly as some of the other options, Lemonade is a great choice if you are trying to eat healthily or are a vegetarian. They have a rotating menu and usually have at least 10 different types of salad. Lemonade also offers a couple of soups, sandwiches, meat dishes, and other hot sides. Make sure to grab a lemonade with your meals!
Pasta Sisters (Mid City or Culver City)
Cost: $$
Hours: 11:30am-8:30pm (Mid City), Sun-Wed: 11:30am-9:30pm, Thurs-Sat: 11:30am-10pm (Culver City)
This quick service pasta place offers gourmet pasta at an inexpensive price. The dishes are definitely large enough to share, especially if you get a side salad or garlic bread. All are delicious and the service is pretty fast.
Philippe’s (DTLA)
Cost: $$
Hours: 11am-7pm
Philippe’s is known for its original French Dip sandwiches. They are delicious and can be large enough to share! My favorite is the beef dip. Philippe’s also offers soups, salads, and some other sides.
Pink’s Hot Dogs (Hollywood)
Cot: $
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 9:30am-2pm, Fri-Sat: 9:30am-3am
Pink’s Hot Dogs is the most popular hot dog place in Los Angeles. It was started in 1939 when Paul and Betty Pink with a $50 loan. Pinks has now expanded to 15 different locations across the United States. Their menu consists of hot dogs, burgers, and various sides.
Porto’s (Multiple Locations)
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by location
Porto’s serves delicious baked goods and is also a cafe. It is a perfect stop for any budget-friendly meal. A soup and sandwich combo is my go-to.
Public School 213 (DTLA)
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 7:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat: 7:30am-11pm, Sun: 10am-10pm
Although Public School is not as cheap as some of the other options, they have a fabulous cheap happy hour. Plan to go during that time to save some money. This restaurant is the perfect place for a teacher (or anyone) to grab a bite to eat. They also have an extensive rotating tap list! Make sure to try the peanut butter and jelly burger.
Looking for more places to eat? Check out more DTLA Food tour for more places!
Hopefully, this ultimate guide to budget Los Angeles helped you save some money on your trip. These are some of the best free and cheap things to do in Los Angeles to make the most of your trip. Have more time in California? Head out on a California road trip. What other budget-friendly sites do you know of in the Los Angeles area? Drop a comment below with your favorites.
26 thoughts on “40+ Free and Cheap Things to do in Los Angeles, California (from a local)”
I’ve been to LA but I feel like I’ve missed out on so much! Fantastic guide, think I might have to go back at some point!
There is seriously so much to do in LA. I’ve lived here all my life and still haven’t done very thing.
Great post! I used to live in La! These are all great suggestions. Reading this really makes me want to visit!
It’s a fun city when you can find free things to do.
This is such a useful guide! I’ve pinned it so that I can refer back to it when I go back to LA! 🙂
Thank you! Hope you can visit soon.
I’ve only been to L.A. once, and it was like 8 years ago when I was in high school! I’d love to go back and it’s great to see that there actually are a lot of free things and affordable things to do there. Definitely pinning this for later!
I think it is time you came back. You just have to know where to look for the free thjngs
I’ve been to LA six times and had idea how much free stuff there was to do there! This was such an amazing and informative read that I’ll be saving for when I next travel to LA! Thanks so much!
Yay! Glad you liked it and could find some new things.
So many things to do in a budget! LA has always seem to me like a pricey destination, it’s great to know the city can be enjoyed without breaking the bank!
I love this budget-friendly guide to L.A. A vacation there can be so expensive so it’s nice to know there’s room to save. Plus, I hadn’t heard of most of these attractions even though I’ve visited a few times. I had no idea the holocaust museum was free there! Thanks for sharing!
I visited LA last summer and I can say that it was *not* a budget friendly trip. I wish I would have seen this post before then! haha
haha yes! Los Angeles can be so expensive!
LA is so expensive so I have all the options for free things to do and budget places to eat!
Yes! Things add up quickly in Los Angeles if you aren’t careful.
Really handy guide. We are going this summer as a family (fingers crossed) and will be sure to use this as a resource! Thanks for sharing.
I hope you get to go! It’s really got a great diversity of things.
I always love a budget guide and you listed some pretty great cheap things to do in Los Angeles. We are planning a road trip to LA soon and these are great tips. Thank you!
Yay! I hope you can use some of them!
Wow that’s an awese itenerary ,last time I missed visiting Los Angeles.when I visit USA this time,I will visit there surely
Thank you! Hope you make it one day.
Going to tapings up there is one my favorite things to do! But also the eating… 🙂 Great post!
I do love the taping as! Especially since they are free!
As someone who lived in that area, I can attest that these are wonderful highlights! I didn’t even do some of them, but I wish I had (like a tv show taping haha).
TV show tapings are SO much fun!