There are so many free things to do in Los Angeles. I will do my best to keep this post as up-to-date as possible with all the free things to do that I know about. I will also include discounted deals that can help you save money as well. If you know of other free things to do in Los Angeles that I can add to this post please reach out to me on social media and let me know.
Please note that this page is still a work in progress as there are so many free things to add to it.
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Free Things to Do in Los Angeles
There is an amazing variety of free things to do in Los Angeles. We have done our best to break this down in categories to help organize all of the options.
Rams Training Camp
Tickets are free but you may need to pay for parking. The training camp is moving from UCI to Woodland Hills for the 2024 season so I am waiting for updated details to share. You can get autographs from Rams legends and watch the team get ready for the season. There is limited shade so bring sunscreen, hats, and water. You can request free tickets here.
Cars & Coffee
Don’t miss out on Cars & Coffee at Porsche Santa Clarita on the first Saturday of each month. Arrive early, the event officially starts at 9 am but parking is difficult to find after 8:30 am. Complimentary coffee and pastries are provided. They do have other breakfast items for sale. There are so many cars outside but be sure to go inside the garage and inside the main floor as well to make sure you get to see all of the incredible cars. The garage made me feel like I was at the Petersen Museum.
Yoga on the Redondo Beach Pier
Don’t Miss Free Yoga at The Redondo Beach Pier on the 2nd Saturday of each month. From 10 am to 11 am, you will get a great workout with an incredible view. This was such a fantastic way to kick off the weekend. Parking at the pier is $2 an hour. I would encourage you to pay for 2 hours so you aren’t rushed. Bring your own yoga mat, water, sunscreen & a hat. The class is hosted by Cancer Support Community South Bay. They do accept donations for this free class. The pier is truly a great venue for this workout.
Free Museums in LA
The Getty & The Getty Villa
You can visit both The Getty and The Getty Villa for free. Please note that you will need to pay $20 for parking at the museums. However, if you visit both on the same day you can show your parking ticket for the first one at the second and they will let you park for free.
For the summer they are offering free concert tickets for the 405 series. Be sure to request your tickets for this free event in advance so that you don’t miss out. The concerts take place in the museum courtyard. You can request tickets here.
The Broad
You can sign up for free tickets for The Broad Museum & the Infinity Room (pictured above) through their website.
Walt’s Barn
On the third Sunday of every month, you can see Walt Disney’s Barn in Griffith Park. This is a really special experience for Disney fans.
California Science Center
The California Science Center is one of the best free and family-friendly activities in Los Angeles. I love how much there is to see the science center for free. They have exhibits on the desert, NASA, and so much more! Plus, you can see animals and at certain times in the outdoor area, you have a chance to touch some sea creatures. This is a must-have experience at least once in LA. Onsite Parking is $15. General admission is free. They have rotating special exhibits that are around $22. They also have an IMAX experience for an additional fee.
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is one of the most popular things to do for free in Los Angeles. If you want to watch the show in the planetarium there is a fee for that but beyond that, you can explore the interior and exterior for free. The lines for the telescopes up top can be long but if you come on one of the star party nights you’ll be able to see the sky with a variety of telescopes on the lawn.
Hammer Museum
The Hammer Museum, near UCLA, has rotating exhibits. I visited in May and recently they opened up a new Made in LA exhibit that I cannot wait to go back and see. They also host events and movie screenings here. It took me way too long to visit this museum. On the weekends parking is a flat rate of $8. I was able to find free parking on Wilshire Blvd. Be check first before paying for parking.
Free Tours in Los Angeles
Take a Free Tour of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Tickets are available at 9 am on specific dates and are released about 2 months in advance. They are very popular so you do have to be on the website right when they go live. I recapped my experience in this blog post.
Take a Free Docent-Led Tour of the LA Public Library
Visit the LA Public Library for a free docent-led tour to truly discover the beautiful architecture of this icon. Tours are free and take place on Saturdays. Please visit https://lapl.org/branches/central-library/docent-tours-central-library for more information.
Tour the Walt Disney Concert Hall
On most days you can take a free self-guided tour of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The tours are one hour long and begin in the Grand Avenue Lobby. You can find more information here. If the Blue Ribbon Garden is not included in the self-guided tour be sure to go there after. It is located up the exterior stairs at the back of the concert hall.
Tour the Tournament of Roses Mansion
You can take a free tour of the Tournament of Roses Mansion on Thursdays at 2 pm & 3 pm. The tour is only offered at select times of the year. I did the tour in June and really enjoyed my experience. The headquarters is at the Wrigley Mansion in Pasadena. Even when the tour is not taking place fans can stop by to see the Rose Garden. You’ll want to check out their Facebook page or website to see when the tour is up and running. I learned about the tour dates for 2022 by following them on Facebook. You can also view the Rose Parade for free.
Randyland
Have you heard of RandylandLA? This incredible and unique mosaic consists of over 1,000 bottles at a home located in Echo Park. The art changes depending on the time of day and where you are standing. You can see the installation from the street but the truly special experience is meeting Randy and seeing this come to life at the right time of day. You can find Randy’s email on the RandylandLA Facebook group. He encourages people to reach out through email to coordinate a visit.
Free Gardens to Visit in LA
Visit the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
This is a beautiful, spiritual, and relaxing place to visit. Visitors of all religions are welcome to come and walk around, pray, and meditate. It is a special place to visit. You can reserve tickets here. This technically isn’t a garden but it can feel like one.
Rancho Los Cerritos
Located in Long Beach, Rancho Los Cerritos is a pretty spot to go for a walk and history. Not only can you visit this beautiful area for free but they even offer free tours of the house. You can also visit Rancho Alamitos for free in Long Beach.
Garden of Oz
Last spring I was finally able to visit the Garden of Oz in the Hollywood Hills. This garden is only available for visits from 10 am to 12 pm on Thursdays if the owner is there to water the plants. It is difficult to find parking nearby. The best option would be to park near Beachwood Market and walk .3 miles from there. If you can’t make it during that short time frame on Thursdays you can see a small amount of the garden through the gate. The address is 3040 Ledgewood Drive
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at CSULB
It is free to visit the Japanese Garden but you will need to pay for parking. I believe I paid $3 to park for thirty minutes. If you would like to feed the koi fish you can buy food for around $1. Reservations are needed which you can make here.
We have blog posts that share information on how to get tickets to free days at the Huntington Library & Gardens, Descanso Gardens, and the LA Arboretum.
Other Free Things to Do in Los Angeles
Visit the Observation Deck at City Hall
The Los Angeles City Hall observation deck is available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. The visitor’s entrance is located at 201 N Main Street. After you check in with security they will give you directions to get to the observation deck. It is really fun to get to see different parts of the city from that high up.
Free Jazz at LACMA
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Every Friday night at 6 pm now through November you can enjoy Jazz at LACMA. This event is free. They do have chairs but they will fill up before the show starts. I arrived around 4:30 pm to get a front-row seat.
Funko Pop Store
The best part about a visit to the Funko Pop Store is that entry is free! This store is unlike any other shop I have ever been to. It is so immersive and full of incredible photo ops. The Funko Pop store is located at 6201 Hollywood Blvd #100. At the entrance, I was handed a map, and honestly, you need the map just to make sure you are not skipping any areas. The layout of the store is really good with each fandom having its own area. And the merchandise is not just limited to Funko Pops. You’ll find super cute shirts, purses, and more.
How to See Movies for Free in LA
Going to the movies is one of my favorite things to do. Because of my interest in movies, I love going to advanced screenings, red-carpet movie premieres, and special events. Did you know that all of the things I just mentioned are free? I want you to be able to have the same fun experiences that I do. If you want to learn how to see movies for free please check out this post.
Birthday Freebies in LA
For several people, their birthday is one of the best days of the year. Well, if you join enough birthday clubs you can enjoy birthday freebies in Los Angeles for several days. From free food to free experiences, and shopping discounts, this post has you covered.
