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Los Angeles
Things to Do
Free Things to Do

Free Things to Do in Los Angeles

Sunset Strip

Actors / Agents / All Ages / Bars

Party Earth Review Although Sunset Boulevard runs all the way from Downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean, the most famous stretch of this road is the roughly mile-and-a-half span through West Hollywood known as The Sunset Strip. A nightlife hotspot as far back as the 1920s, The Strip today packs in a massive collection of high-end boutiques ... more

Sunset Boulevard roughly from
Sierra Drive on the west and
North Crescent Heights Boulevard on the East
West Hollywood, CA 90046

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LA Live

20s / 30s / Bar Food / Bars / Blouses

Party Earth Review Hip Angelenos who used to venture east of Western only for jury duty now go for LA Live, the jewel of the city’s gentrified downtown scene. An entertainment complex with the Staples Center arena as its centerpiece, the venue offers a vast range of options including a sports bar and restaurant, upscale dining establishments ... more

800 West Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90015

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Santa Monica Pier

All Ages / Arcade Games / Casual

Info The Santa Monica Pier is a 100-year-old SoCal landmark and popular destination for tourists, locals, and beach-goers of all ages. The pier is located on Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica and is comprised of two separate bridges: the Municipal Pier and Pleasure Pier. The Santa Monica Pier offers attractions for both daytime ... more

200 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, 90401

Hammer Museum

Free / Art / Artsy / Intellectuals

Info The Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Culture Center, known simply as the Hammer Museum, is a unique art institution that aims to connect the past with the present. Positioned in Westwood, the three-story building is one of three public art units located within the School of Arts and Architecture at the University of California ... more

10899 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Melrose Avenue

All Ages / All Types / Bars / Beer

Party Earth Review Once the center of LA’s underground and counterculture scene, Melrose Avenue may have lost a bit of its edge in recent years, but it’s still a vibrant destination for an oddly mixed, hyper-eclectic crowd. Although the brightly-painted head shops, thrift shops, sex shops, comic book stores, and tattoo parlors still thrive ... more

Melrose Avenue between Fairfax Avenue and La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046

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Runyon Canyon

Actors / All Ages / All Types

Party Earth Review Named after a Depression-era coal tycoon who used the property for hunting and riding, Runyon Canyon is a popular Hollywood hiking spot and something of a pick-up scene for fit and attractive locals and dog lovers. As the paved lane of the strenuous 1.6-mile main trail gives way to dirt and dust higher up, hikers will be ... more

South entrances at the top of Fuller Avenue and Vista Street and north entrance off the 7300 block of Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90046

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Zuma Beach

All Ages / All Types / Beach / Free

Info Located in Malibu, CA, Zuma Beach is one of the best surf spots in Los Angeles. The alcove is known for its wide sands and is annually recognized for having some of the cleanest water conditions in Los Angeles County. Since it can be accessed directly by the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), Zuma Beach is as much a tourist ... more

30050 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265

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Third Street Promenade

All Ages / All Types / Bars / Cafés

Party Earth Review The vibrant seaside community of Santa Monica is also home to the Third Street Promenade, a lively three-block stretch of boulevard that is one of LA’s most popular outdoor malls. Dedicated to pedestrian traffic only, the Promenade sees a diverse mix of people during the day, from camera-toting tourists to suited professionals ... more

Third Street between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90403

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Robertson Boulevard

20s / 30s / 40s / Actors / Affluent

Party Earth Review Nearly as exclusive as Rodeo Drive but with a younger and hipper vibe, Robertson Boulevard features a two-block stretch of exclusive boutiques and restaurants that has become a shopping mecca for young Hollywood and reality star wannabes. Visitors are almost certain to catch a starlet or two flitting in and out of uber ... more

Robertson Boulevard (between Beverly Boulevard and Third Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90048

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Malibu Creek State Park

All Ages / All Types / Chill / Free

Reviewed by Heather P.

"A day at Malibu Creek State Park is going to be filled with activity, gorgeous views, and plenty of nature. I personally went to Malibu Creek for a ..." more

1925 Las Virgenes Road
Agoura, CA 91376

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Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Surfrider Beach)

Affluent / All Ages / Beach / Chill

Party Earth Review The official name for this sandy expanse – located steps from the affluent mansions that line Malibu like (really, really fancy) weeds – is Malibu Lagoon State Beach, but most people know it as Surfrider Beach thanks to the preeminent importance it has played in California surfing history. Centered on Malibu Lagoon where ... more

23200 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265

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Abbot Kinney

All Ages / All Types / Artists

Party Earth Review Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a cozy corner of Los Angeles where the notion of the “mom and pop” retailer is alive and thriving. Named for the 1900s-era father of Venice who worked to create an American version of the eponymous Italian city, the area is lined with specialty boutiques, casual bars, and top-rated restaurants ... more

Abbot Kinney Boulevard roughly from
Main Street on the north to
Washington Boulevard on the south
Venice, CA 90291

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All free things to do in Los Angeles →

LA Free Things to Do Overview

Sunset Strip - Nightlife Area | Outdoor Activity | Shopping Area in LA

Los Angeles is an expansive metropolis that stretches from the sandy beaches of the Pacific to the gritty streets of Downtown. From one end to the other and everywhere in between, there are plenty of free things to do in L.A.

From the South Bay to Malibu, Los Angeles beaches offer a slice of sun-kissed paradise that draws locals and tourists on any day with a clear sky and warm temps. While in-the-know Angelenos and surfers head to Zuma or Manhattan Beach, out-of-towners flock to the touristy shores of Santa Monica and Venice. Those who do choose Venice have an added treat in the Boardwalk, where street performers, hard bodies, oddballs, and the homeless are some of the interesting characters who wander on this shop-laden strip.

Of course, a visit to Hollywood Boulevard is one of the most popular free things to do in Los Angeles. Whether checking out the iconic cinema stars whose names grace the Walk of Fame, or eyeing the handprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman's Chinese Theatre), there’s always a gaggle of sightseers crowding the sidewalks in this neighborhood.

Anyone looking for a free educational experience in Los Angeles should check out the astronomy museum at the Griffith Observatory, the art collection at the Getty Center, or the California Science Center, which is home to Space Shuttle Endeavour. Admission to all these spots won’t cost a penny, though they make up for it with pricy parking.

Then there’s the outdoor Mexican marketplace at Olvera Street. The historical site features shops and authentic Mexican food in the oldest part of Los Angeles. Visitors can enjoy a free walking tour Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10am to noon.