Los Angeles is full of free things to do, probably even more so than most large cities. One reason for that is LA’s integration with nature. Most big cities are laid out like towering concrete jungles, but LA is different. It is spread very wide, literally from the mountains to the sea. Along the way it is rife with fabulous natural hot spots, including some of the best hikes and best beaches in the world.
However, LA’s free offerings don’t end with the natural. It is also home to interesting architecture, lush farmers markets, and some of the country’s best free museums. There is also an endless selection of entertainment-industry-related free activities—open mics, improv nights, storytelling forums, and, of course, the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Museums
LA is home to some truly great museums. The Getty Center, an architectural wonder that houses one of the world’s great art collections, is alone worth the trip. The best part: it’s free. The Paley Center, another free museum, may be the only “entertainment culture” museum in the country, if not the world. These two museums, and the others listed below, are proof of LA’s dedication to free culture.
Produce at Hollywood Farmers Market.
Farmers Markets
There’s a reason Southern Californians have a reputation for great bodies. Part of it is what we eat. Fresh, healthy food has always been a staple of LA culinary life, one supported by our many farmers markets. Taking a leisurely wander through one of LA’s free farmers’ markets is one of the best ways to experience local people and culture. In fact, we’ve got one for every day of the week. Find one closest to you here.
Hiking
Besides eating fresh food, the other influence behind Southern Californians’ healthy lifestyle is our dedication to physical fitness. Hiking might seem like a chore to some, but when you consider the stunning trails and beautiful vistas found throughout LA’s many parks and nature preserves, it’s easy to understand why Angelinos spend so much time outside. Griffith Park, an expanse of beautiful green carved out of the picturesque Hollywood Hills, is alone one of the largest city-parks in the United States. And that’s just one choice of many.
Santa Monica Beach.
Beaches
This one is a no brainer. Los Angeles is a beach. Not only are the quality of the beaches world class, but each different beach has a vibrant culture all it’s own. Whether you’re cruising the boardwalk in Venice, shredding the waves at Huntington, or spreading out on a towel in Malibu, you won’t truly be in LA until you hit the beach.
Open Mics/Readings
LA wouldn’t be LA without Hollywood. And with Hollywood comes wave upon wave of talented writers, actors and performers of all kinds, spending their nights honing their craft at free performances. Open Mics, readings, improv shows—we’ve got it all. While some of these wannabe stars might make your eyes roll, it’s worth it to discover that one gem that blows you away. And anyway, cringing at the bad performers is sometimes more fun than cheering for the good ones.
Walking Tours
People think Angelinos don’t walk. That is simply not true. Rather, the key to walking in LA is to stick to a single neighborhood, such as the Venice Canals, Downtown, Hollywood or Beverly Hills. Each of these lovely and historic neighborhoods is 100 percent walkable by even the most inexperienced pedestrian.
Architecture
Unlike some American cities, LA is not a forest of skyscrapers. Nor is it European— visitors won’t find many authentic cobblestones or old forts. Rather, it is a hodgepodge of diverse architectural styles and ideas. The freedom afforded by the wide open space of LA has lead to some of the great architectural works of our time. From the pre-modern masterpiece of the Bradbury Building to the contemporary beauty of Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA is full of fantastic architecture.
Follow Isaac Simpson on Twitter at @Isaco525
