LA is a great travel destination for any traveler on any budget. Whether you’re using luxury vacation rentals in Los Angeles county or backpacking in hostels, there’s a lot of free things to see and do in this city. I’m going to describe how to have an amazing time in LA whilst being frugal.

Visit the Free Museums:

LA is full of museums about almost anything you can imagine. Some are always free whereas others have certain days of the month that give visitors free access. You can even reserve tickets for nothing at the Broad Museum on a first come first serve basis. Check in advance and plan your trips to the museums to get the best deals.

Griffith Observatory and Park:

The observatory has a number of exhibits and telescopes that are free and available for public use. You can also hang out and enjoy the park and see one of the shows. The best way to get here is to take the bus from the metro station as parking is expensive at $4 per hour.

The Getty Center:

This is one of the best places in LA to see art, beautiful gardens, and architecture. In order to secure your free visit, make sure you reserve your tickets online. This states the time and date that you’re going to arrive, which you need to show when you get there. It’s not a good idea to drive as parking is very expensive.

Stroll Along the Beach:

We all love the beach. It’s a great place to come and sunbathe for a few hours or go for a swim. LA is full of beautiful beaches. My favorite ones are Santa Monica and Marina Beach. A day at the beach is a great and cheap way to spend your time in LA, especially if you’re here with the kids. Just remember it gets real hot so don’t forget the sunscreen and a good beach shelter!

Go for a Hike at Runyon Canyon:

Runyon Canyon is near LA and a popular place to hike for both locals and tourists. Opening times are from dusk to dawn, but you won’t find any staff to enforce this or ask you to leave. Look online to find more information about how to get there. You could also use a backpacking tent during your adventures to make your hike easier!

Take a Free Yoga Class:

Yoga is one of my favorite ways to stay fit and healthy. You don’t need to go to the gym or hire an expensive instructor to practice this activity in LA. There are several free yoga classes that you can find around the city. Most are in the evening and in some of the parks, which are easy to find by doing a quick Google search. It’s customary to offer a tip at the end of the session.

Staying Fit:

You don’t need to go the gym to keep fit in this city. There are lots of free workout machines in the park for the public to use. Sometimes you can also find a fitness class in the park. Another great way to stay fit in LA is to go jogging. The city is full of parks and nice places to go for a run.

Join a Free Walking Tour:

Free walking tours are becoming more popular in major cities around the world. You turn up at a certain time and place and a guide shows you all the best things in the city. This is a great way to get your bearings and some insider tips when you first arrive. It also gives you the chance to learn more about the history and culture of the city from a knowledge guide. You can find a number of free walking tours in LA if you search online. Although technically free, most people like to leave a donation at the end.

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery

A trip to a cemetery usually isn’t at the top of the list of things to do for most tourists. In fact, it sounds rather macabre. But, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is different. This was founded in 1899 and has the largest number of Hollywood stars resting inside. You can visit the tombstones of some of the earlier stars of Hollywood as well as writers and producers.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame:

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is where you have the chance to take a photo with some of the more modern celebrities. You can see actors, musicians, and your favorite movie stars here. The most popular ones are from Michael Jackson and the Beatles. This is a nice place to spend an hour or two exploring and relaxing on one of the benches to indulge in some people watching.

The Takeaway Message:

A lot of visitors who go to LA think that it’s going to be a mega expensive trip. And it can be if you want to visit the major attractions. Costs can add up quickly. But, there’s also a number of things to do that are completely free. I hope this article has given you some inspiration on how to be frugal and have a good time in LA.