Los Angeles may be an expensive city but it does not mean that it’s running out of free things to do and check out. Here are the 10 best things in the City of Angles that cost nothing.
1. Catch some rays on the coastline
LA’s a very sunny city with a warm and arid climate and the people there always love their beach time. Check out the alternative scene of Venice and Muscle Beach, the pristine, swanky beaches of Malibu, or you want to find something in between like Will Rogers State Beach, there’s a sandy strip for you.
2. Explore a museum
There a bunch of free museums in LA and most of them are free on specific days. One that is always free is The Getty Museum, which offers some of the best views of the city, with a stunning garden and well-curated exhibitions. Another famous one would be LACMA, which is the largest one LA and is free every second Tuesday of each month and on some federal holidays. An oh, you can definitely visit those iconic Urban Light display at any time for free.
3. Get active, take a hike
Los Angeles is lucky to have a wide range of topography at its fingertips, and you’ll find hiking trails in many different parts of the city. Want to go for a hike near the water? Check out Will Rogers’ Inspiration Point hike. While not directly on the water, when you reach the top you get a gorgeous view of the whole coast. Interested in getting a glimpse of the Hollywood sign? Take the Griffith Park trail or the aptly named Hollywood Sign hike to get right up close for a perfect view. Locals also love Runyon Canyon.
4. Take a self-guided L.A. Conservancy tour
Explore LA on your own with the L.A. Conservancy guided tours. Join a free guided walking tour, or print out a guide and do the strolling alone.
5. Get lost in the book maze at The Last Bookstore
If you are a certified bookworm, you sure will die of happiness in The Last Bookstore, a massive bookstore with two storeys and countless sections. Its shelves contain books on any subject you could imagine. Devour the new releases, children’s books, records, comic books while lounging on some comfy couch downstairs.
6. Discover different artists at Bergamot Station
Grab a drink at the café and wander through the spaces exploring the variety of art, or hang out at the benches for a good chat.
7. Pedal your way to a free scoop of ice cream at Peddler’s Creamery
Peddler’s Creamery is a delicious ice-cream parlour downtown with a special selling point; all of their ice cream is churned by cycling.
8. Scope out The Chandelier Tree
The Chandelier Tree began when a local artist decided to start hanging chandeliers on the branches of a tree outside his home.
9. Get your groove on at The Echo or the Echoplex
The Echo and the Echoplex put on some great shows throughout the week, and for many shows, if you arrive before 10 or 10:30 pm (depending on the show), you can get in for free.
10. Attend a yoga class
The yoga community in L.A. is strong and energetic, and attending a class here will definitely help improve your personal practice. L.A. has a few free yoga classes on offer and countless more donation-based classes.
