Los Angeles sells a fantasy of luxury — but the city’s best experiences have always been free. The free things to do in Los Angeles include world-famous beaches, canyon hikes with skyline views, art museums with free admission days, and sunset spots that no ticket can buy. This guide collects 35+ free things to do in LA, organized by theme: beaches, hikes, culture, Hollywood magic, and gardens.
LA rewards the traveler who plans around its free rhythms — museum free days, summer concert series, and the golden hours when the light does all the work. Here’s how to do Los Angeles for nothing.
Beaches: LA’s Free Crown Jewels
Every beach in Los Angeles County is free and open to the public. Parking is the only potential cost — and even that’s avoidable with street parking or transit.
1. Santa Monica Beach and Pier
The pier itself is free to walk (rides cost extra, but the views don’t). South of the pier, the beach widens into one of LA’s best people-watching stretches. The Annenberg Community Beach House nearby offers free splash-pad access in summer.
2. Venice Beach Boardwalk
Two and a half miles of street performers, Muscle Beach’s outdoor gym (free to watch, small fee to work out), skate dancers, and mural-covered buildings. It’s chaotic, colorful, and completely free — go on a weekend morning for the full spectacle.
3. El Matador State Beach (Malibu)
Sea stacks, hidden coves, and some of the most photographed rock formations in California. The steep stairway down keeps crowds thin. Sunset here is legendary — arrive 90 minutes before sundown.
4. Manhattan Beach Pier and Roundhouse Aquarium
The pier is free to walk, and the small Roundhouse Aquarium at its end is free (donations welcome) — a perfect quick stop with kids.
5. Dockweiler State Beach Bonfires
One of the few LA beaches with fire pits. Bring wood, bring friends, watch planes land at LAX overhead. Free, first-come fire pits — arrive by late afternoon on weekends.
Hikes With Million-Dollar Views (Free)
6. Griffith Park Trails to the Observatory
The hike from the Griffith Observatory parking area up to Mount Hollywood’s summit delivers 360-degree views from downtown to the ocean — free, with the art-deco Observatory itself offering free admission and free public telescopes on clear evenings.
7. Runyon Canyon
LA’s most social hike: a 3-mile loop popular with locals, dogs (off-leash areas), and celebrity-spotters. The views over the city to the ocean are free and spectacular at golden hour.
8. The Hollywood Sign via the Hollyridge Trail
The classic free LA photo. The Hollyridge Trail from the Lake Hollywood Drive trailhead climbs to a viewpoint directly behind the sign. Go on a weekday morning for the thinnest crowds.
9. Temescal Canyon
A lush, shaded canyon hike in Pacific Palisades with a waterfall (seasonal) and ocean views from the ridge. Free street parking on Temescal Canyon Road — arrive early.
10. Eaton Canyon (Altadena)
A family-friendly trail to a 40-foot waterfall, free and close to Pasadena. The nature center at the trailhead is also free.
Museums and Culture (Free or Free Days)
| Museum | Free Policy | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| The Getty Center | Always free (parking $20; free after 3 p.m. Saturdays) | Van Gogh’s Irises, the Central Garden, hilltop views |
| The Getty Villa | Always free (timed tickets required) | Ancient Greek and Roman art in a recreated Roman villa |
| The Broad | Always free (timed tickets; same-day standby available) | Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms |
| LACMA | Free for LA County residents after 3 p.m. weekdays; free second Tuesdays | Urban Light installation, Resnick Pavilion |
| Hammer Museum (UCLA) | Always free | Contemporary art and free public programs |
| MOCA Grand Avenue | Free Thursdays 5–8 p.m. | Contemporary collection in an Isozaki landmark |
| Autry Museum | Free second Tuesdays | American West art and history in Griffith Park |
| California Science Center | Free general admission (IMAX and special exhibits extra) | Space Shuttle Endeavour |
11. The Getty Center’s Gardens
Even if you skip the galleries, Robert Irwin’s Central Garden — a 134,000-square-foot living sculpture — and the panoramic views from the hilltop tram are worth the trip. Free admission; the only cost is parking (free after 3 p.m. on Saturdays).
12. The Broad’s Infinity Mirror Rooms
Yayoi Kusama’s immersive installations are among the most Instagrammed art experiences in America — and general admission to The Broad is free. Reserve timed tickets online; same-day standby lines move faster than you’d expect.
13. Olvera Street and El Pueblo
LA’s birthplace: a Mexican marketplace with free entry, historic adobe buildings, and the Avila Adobe (1818), the city’s oldest surviving residence — free to tour.
14. The Last Bookstore
Downtown’s cathedral of books, with the famous book tunnel and floating-book art installations. Free to browse for hours; the upstairs art lofts host free gallery openings.
Hollywood Magic (Free)
15. Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
Finding your favorite stars’ terrazzo plaques costs nothing, and the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre — with celebrity handprints and footprints in cement — is free to explore.
16. Griffith Observatory
Free admission to the exhibits, free public telescope viewing on clear nights, free planetarium-adjacent wonder. The views of the Hollywood Sign and the city below are the real show.
17. TV Show Tapings
Free tickets to live tapings of talk shows, game shows, and sitcoms are available through audience-ticket sites. You’ll invest time (arrive early, expect waits), but the experience — and the stories — are free.
18. The Hollywood Bowl (Rehearsals and Free Events)
Concert tickets cost money, but the Bowl hosts free open rehearsals and community events throughout the season. For paid shows, our cheap concert tickets guide and best outdoor concert venues roundup will help you plan.
19. Rodeo Drive Window Shopping
Strolling Beverly Hills’ famous shopping street costs nothing — and the people-watching is elite. Pair it with the free Beverly Gardens Park cactus garden next door.
Gardens and Green Escapes
20. The Huntington (Free Days)
This San Marino institution’s 120 acres of themed gardens are worth every penny of admission — but the first Thursday of each month offers free admission with advance tickets. Book the moment tickets release; they go fast.
21. Descanso Gardens
Free admission on select days throughout the year (check the calendar). The camellia forest and Japanese garden are highlights.
22. Exposition Park Rose Garden
Free, open daily, and stunning in bloom (typically May–October). Pair it with the free California Science Center next door for a full no-cost day.
23. Franklin Canyon Park
A hidden 605-acre park in Beverly Hills with a reservoir, easy trails, and the lake from the opening credits of a famous 90s sitcom. Free parking, free entry.
24. Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Free on weekdays (small parking fee on weekends), with some of the best downtown skyline views in the city and 7 miles of trails through native wildflowers in spring.
Free Summer Events in LA
- Free concerts at the Santa Monica Pier — summer Thursday evenings with ocean breezes.
- Grand Performances at California Plaza — free downtown concerts, dance, and theater all summer.
- Levitt Pavilion concerts — free concerts in MacArthur Park and other locations.
- Cinespia cemetery screenings — these charge admission, but the free alternative is the city’s many parks-department movie nights. Our free outdoor summer events guide explains how to find them.
- Shakespeare by the Sea — free professional Shakespeare in parks across LA and Orange County each summer.
Heading to an outdoor show? Check what to wear to a concert for warm-weather outfit planning.
Free Markets and Neighborhood Wandering
25. The Original Farmers Market at The Grove
Browsing the 1934 landmark market is free — the people-watching and window-shopping cost nothing. (The food will tempt you; that’s the business model.)
26. Rose Bowl Flea Market
Admission is charged (around $10), so this one’s not strictly free — but the free alternative is the Melrose Trading Post at Fairfax High School on Sundays: $5 entry, or browse the free-adjacent street vendors along Melrose. For serious market-hopping, see our best flea markets and swap meets in the USA.
27. Arts District Murals
Downtown’s Arts District is an open-air gallery of large-scale murals. Free to wander, best on weekend mornings before the crowds.
28. Little Tokyo and the Japanese American National Museum (Free Days)
The neighborhood is free to explore; the museum offers free days and free Thursday evenings. The James Irvine Japanese Garden next door is free on select days.
29. Sunset at the Griffith Park Sundial… and Other Free Viewpoints
Beyond the Observatory: the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (free, 282 steps to panoramic views), the Palos Verdes bluffs, and the free-admission Greystone Mansion grounds in Beverly Hills.
Free Things to Do in LA With Kids
- California Science Center — free general admission, Space Shuttle Endeavour, hands-on exhibits.
- Travel Town Museum — free railroad museum in Griffith Park with vintage locomotives kids can climb on.
- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium — free in San Pedro, with tidepool touch tanks.
- The La Brea Tar Pits — the park and lake pit are free; the museum charges, but watching bubbles rise from 40,000-year-old asphalt is free.
- Kidspace-adjacent free days — check Pasadena museums’ free-day calendars for family programming.
How to Find Free Events in LA This Weekend
- Discover LA’s event calendar — filter by “free” for the tourism board’s picks.
- LA County Parks calendar — free concerts, movies, and nature programs.
- Eventbrite (free filter) — set the price filter to “free” for workshops, classes, and pop-ups.
- Library calendars — LAPL’s Central Library and branches host free author events, concerts, and classes.
- DoLA and Time Out LA — both maintain regularly updated free-event roundups.
Sample Free LA Itineraries
One Perfect Free Day: Beach to Hills
- 8:00 a.m. — Runyon Canyon hike at sunrise (free)
- 10:00 a.m. — The Broad (free, timed tickets)
- 12:30 p.m. — Olvera Street and El Pueblo (free)
- 2:30 p.m. — The Last Bookstore (free)
- 4:30 p.m. — Santa Monica Pier and beach (free)
- 7:00 p.m. — Sunset at El Matador or Dockweiler bonfire (free)
Free Culture Day
- Morning — The Getty Center (free) — galleries, gardens, views
- Midday — Picnic in the Getty’s gardens (bring your own)
- Afternoon — Hammer Museum (free) or LACMA on a free afternoon
- Evening — Grand Performances concert at California Plaza (summer, free)
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Things to Do in Los Angeles
What is the best free thing to do in LA?
The Getty Center — free admission, world-class art, stunning gardens, and panoramic views — is the consensus top pick. Griffith Observatory (free) and the beaches are close behind.
Are LA beaches free?
Yes — all beaches in Los Angeles County are free and open to the public. You’ll only pay for parking in some lots; street parking and public transit keep the whole day free.
What museums in LA are free?
The Getty Center, Getty Villa, The Broad, and Hammer Museum are always free. LACMA, MOCA, the Autry, and the California Science Center offer free days or free hours — and the California Science Center’s general admission is always free.
What free events happen in LA in summer?
Free concert series at the Santa Monica Pier, Grand Performances downtown, Levitt Pavilion concerts, Shakespeare by the Sea, and parks-department outdoor movie nights run all summer.
Can you see the Hollywood Sign for free?
Yes — the Hollyridge Trail from Lake Hollywood Drive leads to a viewpoint directly behind the sign, and Griffith Observatory offers free views of it from across the canyon. Both are free.
Free Viewpoints and Sunset Spots in LA
LA’s geography — ocean on one side, mountains on the other — creates an absurd number of free overlooks.
30. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
282 steps (or a winding trail) to a panoramic view from downtown to the ocean on clear days. Free parking, free entry, and a genuinely good workout.
31. The Getty Center Terraces (Revisited at Sunset)
Worth a second mention for golden hour: the west-facing terraces watch the sun drop into the Pacific. Time your free visit for the last two hours of the day.
32. Palos Verdes Bluffs
Cliff-top trails with Catalina Island views, tide pools below, and far fewer people than the famous beaches. Free street parking along Palos Verdes Drive.
33. The Griffith Park Sundial and Amir’s Garden
A hidden five-acre garden planted by one volunteer over 30 years, tucked above the Observatory area. Free, peaceful, and unknown to most tourists.
34. Elysian Park Overlook
LA’s oldest park offers downtown skyline views from Angels Point — a local favorite for sunset picnics, free and rarely crowded.
Free Studio and Entertainment Culture
- TV tapings — as noted above, free audience tickets to talk shows and sitcoms; book through 1iota or On Camera Audiences.
- The Academy Museum (free days) — the film museum offers free admission days and free community programs; check the calendar.
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery events — beyond the famous (ticketed) Cinespia screenings, the cemetery hosts free Day of the Dead celebrations and cultural events.
- Street performers at the Santa Monica Pier and Venice — the buskers are free entertainment; tipping is appreciated but optional.
Free LA at Night
- Griffith Observatory evening telescopes — free public telescope viewing on clear nights; check the sky conditions before driving up.
- Downtown LA Art Walk (second Thursdays) — galleries open free with extended hours; the streets fill with people and pop-up performances.
- The Hollywood Bowl’s free rehearsal nights — watch for announcements of open rehearsals and community concerts.
- Santa Monica Pier’s free summer concerts — Thursday evenings, ocean breeze, dancing on the pier-adjacent sand.
- Neon cruise — drive or walk Hollywood Boulevard, the Sunset Strip, and downtown’s Broadway corridor after dark for the free neon show.
Free Day Trips From LA
- Malibu Creek State Park — the M*A*S*H filming site, rock pools, and canyon trails; small parking fee, or park free on surrounding streets and walk in.
- Vasquez Rocks — the tilted rock formations from countless films and TV shows; free entry, otherworldly landscapes, excellent for photos.
- Downtown Long Beach — the free-admission Museum of Latin American Art (select days), the waterfront, and the Queen Mary viewed from shore.
- Pasadena’s Old Town and the Arroyo — free to wander; the Colorado Street Bridge offers stunning views and a dose of local legend.
Free LA for Repeat Visitors: Going Deeper
- Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine — a free meditation garden in Pacific Palisades with a spring-fed lake, swans, and waterfalls. Donations welcome, entry free.
- The Murphy Ranch ruins — an abandoned 1930s Nazi-sympathizer compound in Rustic Canyon, reachable by a free hike. Eerie, fascinating, and free.
- Sunken City (San Pedro) — a cliffside neighborhood that slid into the ocean in 1929, now a fenced-off (view from the fence) street-art-covered ruin. Free to visit the viewpoint.
- The Stahl House (exterior) — the famous glass Case Study House #22 is visible from below on a free drive through the Hollywood Hills; interior tours are ticketed and sell out far ahead.
- Echo Park Lake lotus beds — free pedal-boat-adjacent beauty; the lotus flowers bloom spectacularly in summer and the lake walk is free.
Free LA in One Sentence Per Neighborhood
Still deciding where to start? The free highlight of a dozen more neighborhoods: Silver Lake — the reservoir meadow and weekend flea market (free entry); Los Feliz — the Vista Theatre marquee and Griffith Park trailheads; Highland Park — the Arroyo Seco trails and York Boulevard murals; Eagle Rock — the namesake rock viewpoint; Mar Vista — the farmers market (free entry) and street art; Culver City — the Baldwin Hills steps and the free Wende Museum garden; Manhattan Beach — the pier and strand bike path; San Pedro — the Korean Bell of Friendship and Point Fermin Park; Altadena — Eaton Canyon’s free waterfall trail; Glendale — Brand Park and the free trails of the Verdugos; Burbank — the Warner Bros. water tower viewed from the street and Johnny Carson Park; North Hollywood — the NoHo Arts District murals and free gallery nights. Every one of these is a free wander waiting to happen.
