Did you spend too much on your flight to Los Angeles? Splurge on passes to Disneyland, or Madame Tussauds Hollywood? Believe it or not, there are plenty of things to do in the city that won’t cost you a dime. Here’s a quick look at seven options for free, family-friendly things to do in Los Angeles:
Do Some Road-Tripping
Los Angeles is home to some of the most famous streets in America: there’s Mulholland Drive (which always personally reminds me of Tom Perry’s Free Fallin), Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue, and Sunset Boulevard, to name a few. There’s plenty to see, from great views of such Hollywood landmarks as the Hollywood Sign itself to celebrities shopping at their favorite designer stores. The best part of exploring L.A.’s famous streets is that most if not all are walkable, and you’ll have to figure out transportation to and from.
See the Stars on Hollywood Boulevard
This is the one street in Los Angeles that you’ll have to walk – cruising down the boulevard could land you a $100. But don’t worry, you’ll want to amble down the strip on your feet anyway so that you don’t miss the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with over 2000 stars commemorating your favorite actors and actresses. If you time your trip correctly, you may even be able to witness the addition of a new star to the Walk; this year, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Walk of Fame Committee announced that Jennifer Anniston, Scarlett Johansson, and Jennifer Lopez will all receive stars.
Bum It On the Beach
Make the trip out to Los Angeles’s Pacific Coastline for an afternoon of cost-free relaxation on the sand. Each beach has its own distinct draw – there’s Venice Beach, famous for its body builders and sidewalk artists; Manhattan Beach, which draws the glamorous crowd; and Santa Monica Beach, with its well-known carnival rides on Santa Monica Pier. If you’re interested, you could also visit the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium or ride the sun-powered Ferris wheel (both of which are included in your Go Los Angeles Card).
Note that there may be parking fees if you park in any of the lots closest to the beach; there is free parking on some streets close to Los Angeles beaches, but try to get to them in the morning to avoid paying for parking later.
Get On Television
There are plenty of television shows that film in Los Angeles, including Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Dr. Phil, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Price is Right, among others. Tickets to these shows are free, you’ll just have to call ahead to reserve them. You can order tickets online or browse the audience hunters outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (on Hollywood Boulevard), but make sure to get to your taping early – they’re overbooked just like flights.
Mammoths were one of the mammals found in the tar pits.
Dig Around for History
The La Brea Tar Pits are a series of naturally created pits of asphalt over 40,000 years old. Over this time, mammoths, giant ground sloths, saber-toothed cats, and over 3 million fossils have been found submerged in the tar. Entrance to the Tar Pits outside is free, but you’ll have to plan your trip on the first Tuesday of the month to receive free admittance to the George Page Museum.
Tour the Hollywood Cemeteries
Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, and Charlie Chaplin Jr. are just a few of the celebrities buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. There’s an interactive cemetery site map online, so you can plan out your self-guided tour before visiting. For a price, there are also concerts (such as Sinead O’Connor’s upcoming February appearance) in the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and movies during the summer.
To see Marilyn Monroe, Truman Capote, or Dean Martin, visit the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in the Westwood area of Los Angeles; for Walt Disney, get yourself to the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. As operating cemeteries, entrance to all three burial grounds are free (though you may need to do some sleuthing to find your desired celebrity’s grave – not all cemeteries provide maps).
Take a Hike
For the complete no-cost outdoor experience, hike a trail in one of Los Angeles’s parks. There’s Griffith Park, the largest city park in the United States; a renovated path around the Silver Lake Reservoir, located close to Hollywood Boulevard; and, among others, Palisades Park, which has a reportedly unmatched view of Pacific Coast sunsets.
