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Free Things to Do in Los Angeles
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
All Ages / All Types / Casual
Party Earth Review Mostly obscured from view near the eastern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains, Franklin Canyon Park is a hidden gem for LA denizens looking to escape the crowds that so often invade the city’s better-known nature retreats. Unless they remember its cameo in the opening credits of the classic Andy Griffith Show, many longtime ... more
North Entrance: Mulholland Drive & Franklin Canyon Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90210
West Entrance: Franklin Canyon Drive & Moreland Drive West
Los Angeles, CA 90210
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All Ages / All Types / Artists
Party Earth Review The largest stretch of nature in Los Angeles, Griffith Park’s 4,000 acres boast a plethora of attractions and activities, from horseback riding and swimming to the study of the cosmos, that draws visitors of every stripe. Mornings often see tourists wandering through the zoo, as weekend warriors take to the tennis and basketball ... more
4730 Crystal Springs Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
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All Ages / All Types / Artists
Party Earth Review A carnivalesque 1.4-mile pedestrian walkway bursting with frenetic weirdness, the Venice Boardwalk is one of LA’s prime gawker destinations. A whirlwind of activity keeps shutterbugs busy, while tourists crowd around storefronts to peruse the cheap knickknacks, postcards, handicrafts, t-shirts, and knock-off sunglasses ... more
Ocean Front Walk, between Navy Street to the north and Washington Boulevard to the south
Venice, CA 90291
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Affluent / All Ages / All Types
Party Earth Review Featured in films like Pretty Woman and known for its uber-exclusive designer labels and haute couture fashions, the world-renowned Rodeo Drive is LA’s most famous high-end shopping district. A short three-block stretch of exclusive boutiques, Rodeo has become a mecca for wealthy female shoppers and celebrities, as well ... more
Rodeo Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
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All Ages / All Types / Bars / Cafés
Party Earth Review With its charming Main Street, European architecture, and rich local history, The Grove outdoor shopping center and Farmers Market draws a diverse and upbeat crowd of local shoppers and tourists of every kind. Organized as a city center complete with street lamps and a small park in the center, The Grove is usually ... more
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
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All Ages / All Types / Beach / Free
Party Earth Review A nearly seamless continuation of the famed Venice Beach to the south, Santa Monica Beach offers a bevy of waterfront fun to suit almost any visitor’s tastes, from intense recreation to avid shopping to burning away the day on 245 acres of sand. The hundred-year-old Santa Monica Pier marks the beach’s southern edge, where ... more
Bordered by the Santa Monica Pier to the south and Will Rogers State Beach to the north
Santa Monica, CA 90291
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Casual / Great View / Locals / Free
Info Located south of the tourist-packed Santa Monica Beach, Manhattan Beach draws local 20-somethings, families, and good-looking young professionals. While drinking is not allowed at this sandy haven, that’s not a problem for partiers, who can hit up a variety bars along nearby streets. This seaside spot features ... more
117 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
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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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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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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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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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LA Free Things to Do Overview
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.
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