LA on a budget - iconic sites that cost nothing
** Due to Covid restrictions, please check in advance if the places mentioned below are open or if their hours of operation are still the same.
Whether you are visiting Los Angeles, CA and don’t want to spend a lot of money, or you live in the Greater Los Angeles Area and want to get to know your own neighborhood, this list of fun things to do has you covered with some of the most iconic LA sites.
Before we start, there is a map detailing the location of all these sites at the end of the post. You can jump to it by clicking here -> go to map. Also, we’ve sprinkled in some food stops - these are of course not free but we figured you’d probably have to eat and some of these places are quite famous. And no, these are not part of the 20 free sites, they are just an add on ;).
Lastly, we grouped these by areas so all the sites will be relatively close by. We italicize relative because in LA almost everywhere requires a drive, downtown being perhaps the only exception.
West LA (Santa Monica & Venice Beach)
Ok, let’s dive in to the bucket list!
1 : Griffith Observatory
While the Griffith Observatory is also quite close to downtown LA we grouped it here b/c of the view of the quintessential Hollywood sign. The observatory was first opened to the public in 1935 and was renovated between 2002 - 2006. The Planetarium is paid but the grounds are free. For more info you can visit their site here -> Griffith Observatory.
How to get here
Driving - Map to the Greek Theater. Per their website:
Vermont gate into Griffith Park is open for inbound and outbound vehicle traffic. Vehicles may park for free in and around the Greek Theatre.
Public transport - You can catch the DASH Observatory shuttle from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station on the Red line. You can find more info here -> Griffith Park. (During the Corona Virus pandemic public transportation has been temporarily suspended)
2 : Hollywood Sign, up close
If you want a closer picture with the Hollywood sign, go to the Lake Hollywood Park. This is the place where you can take a decent picture of you, and the sign, and your relatives won’t have to squint to read what’s behind you. Just so we are clear, this isn’t the famous Hollywood sign hike, google Runyon Canyon Hike for that, which is also free.
How to get here
Driving - Map to the Lake Hollywood Park. There is street parking but it’s limited so we suggest you arrive early. Read the parking signage carefully.
Public transport - There is no Metro line that runs close by, the only option is a public bus. Use google maps to find the bus you’ll need.
3 & 4 : Hollywood Blvd & the TCL Chinese Theater
Technically the Avenue of the Stars, on Hollywood Blvd, starts about 10 blocks away from the Chinese Theater, at the corner of Vine St & Hollywood Blvd. We think it’s easier to kill 2 birds with 1 stone since so many famous stars are located around the Chinese Theater. If you have your heart set on finding a particular star, check out their website here -> Walk of Fame.
How to get here
Driving - Map to TCL Chinese Theater. There is free 2hr street parking in the surrounding residential area but be careful to read the signage carefully. Otherwise there are lots of paid parking options.
Public transport - take the Metro Red line and exit Hollywood/Highland station.
5 : Amoeba Music Store
Although this Amoeba store is the third one, after its San Francisco and Berkeley siblings, it has become iconic in Hollywood. The sheer amount of music that it houses is incredible and you can even trade your old music in for new (no, you probably won’t get much). So, if you are into collecting vinyl records (or even CDs) this place is a must-stop. As of Dec 2020 the store was moving but it’s expected to open sometime in early 2021.
How to get here
Driving - Map to Amoeba Music. Per their website:
There's a parking structure attached to the El Centro complex and we will validate.
Public transport - take the Metro Red line and exit Hollywood & Vine Metro stop.
Pinks Hot Dogs
We are mostly plant based so Hot Dogs are not our thing, but we know this is one of those must stops if you in the Melrose area (right next to Hollywood) so if you are hungry, check it out. (FYI, they do have vegetarian and vegan options). The original Pinks location is in 709 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles.
6 : CBS - Television City
Los Angeles is, of course, famous for the countless shows and movies that are filmed here. You can always tour one of the studios but that can be pricey. The free option is to sign up for a live TV taping - yes it’s not exactly the same as a studio tour, but it’s pretty cool! We went to see the James Corden show and it was really fun. To find out if they will be filming when you visit, check out 1iota.com. You must sign up in advance but it’s well worth the effort. Also, arrive EARLY!
How to get here
Driving - Map to The Grove for paid parking or park in the streets around the CBS studio. Make sure you read the parking signage carefully.
Public transport - There is no Metro line that runs close by, the only option is a public bus. Use google maps to find the bus you’ll need.
7 : “Urban lights” Art Exhibit
Just 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Television City you can find the famous Urban Lights exhibit at the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA). Visiting this exhibit is free.
How to get here
Driving - Map to the Public Art “Urban Lights”. There is paid parking at LACMA or you can park in the residential area around the museum, just make sure you read the parking signage carefully.
Public transport - There is no Metro line that runs close by, the only option is a public bus. Use google maps to find the bus you’ll need. Checkout the LACMA directions page for more info.
8 & 9 : Rodeo Drive and LA Palm Trees
The classic picture of the LA palm trees is literally found right next to Rodeo drive, in the heart of Beverly Hills. See the map below for option 1 and 2. Most stores are prohibitively expensive along Rodeo drive but it’s free to visit.
How to get here
Driving - Map to the one of the photo ops in the map and park in that area for free. Again, make sure you read the parking signage carefully.
Public transport - There is no Metro line that runs close by, the only option is a public bus. Use google maps to find the bus you’ll need.
Famous for its beaches, some celebrity sighting and lots of healthy Cali cuisine, West LA is meant to be enjoyed slowly.
10 : Getty Center
Not to be confused with the Getty Villa in Malibu, the Getty Center is located in the Santa Monica mountains, close to West LA. Admission is always free but you must pay for parking. For more information on their hours and exhibits visit their site -> Getty.edu.
How to get here
Driving - Map to The Getty - There is no street parking, for more info check out this link -> Getty Center Parking.
Public transport - There is no Metro line that run close by, the only option is a public bus. Use google maps to find the bus you’ll need or for more info, scroll to the bottom of this link -> Getty Center Public Transport.
11 : Santa Monica Pier
You can’t miss the iconic Santa Monica Pier with its huge ferris wheel. The rides are not free but walking around is, and it’s just as much fun. We suggest you bring your beach chair, and a yummy picnic you can enjoy at the beach. And if you get tired of the beach and feel like shopping, or just window shopping, checkout Third Street Promenade.
How to get here
Driving - For paid parking map to The Santa Monica Pier. For free parking map to the area around 3rd St. and Bay St. Please note that free parking is maximum of 2 hours in most areas so BE CAREFUL you don’t go over that time.
Public transport - Exit at the Downtown Santa Monica station on the Metro E Line (expo).
12 & 13 : Venice Beach & Abbot Kinney.
Unlike its neighbor to the north (just 2.3 mi / 3.7 km), Venice Beach has a way more chilled feeling, for West LA. Don’t miss the boardwalk, the Venice Skate Park, Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals and the very trendyAbbot Kinney. In fact, you could bike from the Santa Monica Pier, along the bike path, all the way to Venice Beach.
How to get here
Driving - Map to the Venice Sign. Look for parking in the area and be careful to read the signage carefully.
Public transport - There is no Metro line that runs close by, the only option is a public bus. Use google maps to find the bus you’ll need or bike from Santa Monica.
Downtown LA is very walkable, in fact, it’s such a pain finding parking you’ll want to walk. We suggest parking and the walking around. In fact, this next bit we are going to guide you as if you were walking, but you can map to any of these places individually if walking is not your jam.
How to get here
Driving - There is no free parking in Downtown LA that is in safe looking areas. Some areas get really sketchy so it’s better to play it safe. We usually map to the Japanese Village Plaza and park there for the day. They accept credit cards and the max for the day is $10 USD. There are no in-n-out privileges but downtown is very walkable so it doesn’t matter. Alternatively you can look for parking by The Broad Museum or the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Public transport - Take the Metro and exit at Pershing Square; you’ll be right in the middle of it.
14 : The Last Bookstore
Let’s start at a quirky bookstore, housed inside what used to be a bank, The Last Bookstore is a little off-the-wall, pun intended. You’ll find a great selection of used books and sculptures made with overstocked or damaged books. According to Atlas Obscura, “Most of the fiction is purposefully unarranged, meant to inspire treasure hunts among shoppers. In short, every inch of the place is designed to make book lovers fall in love with it, and it succeeds.” Oh, and it makes for great Instagram photos if you are into that.
15 : Grand Central Market
Just 2 blocks away you’ll find Grand Central Market. The market opened its doors in 1917 and is still in operation today. The building has gone through several transformations and today the market still sells it’s classic fares but has also become a culinary destination. If you are hungry, there will be plenty of options to choose from. Try an egg sandwich at Eggslut (hey, that’s their name, don’t judge us); a Salvadorian pupusa at Sarita’s Pupuseria; grilled cheese sandwich at DTLA Cheese; or a Filipino sisig at Sari Sari. And honestly, there are so many good options you can’t go wrong with any of them.
16 : Angels Flight Railway
On the west side of the market, you’ll find the Angels Flight Railway that used to take the affluent citizens who lived in Bunker hill, down to the market and back. It’s a short, steep, ride (for $1 USD) but even if you don’t ride it, it’s still worth checking it out.
17 : The Broad Museum
Keep going north west, although it’ll just feel like up, a couple of blocks to Grand Ave., here you will find The Broad Museum. Admission is free for the permanent collections of this contemporary museum of art. According to Wikipedia, the architects of The Broad designed the building to play on a concept they called “the veil and the vault”. Stand on the corner of 2nd St. and Grand Ave. and you’ll have a vantage point to see both the veil of the Broad Museum and the vault of Walt Disney Concert Hall.
18 : Walt Disney Concert Hall
The building is a stunner! and the inside is breathtaking too. Home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, performances here are incredible and not cheap. However, you can tour the inside for free! If you do want to splurge make sure you buy your tickets in advance.
19 : Observation deck at the Los Angeles City Hall
Walk south east on 1st street 5 blocks and you’ll arrive at the Los Angeles City Hall. Sadly the observation deck is only open on weekdays from 9am - 5pm. If you happen to be there when it’s open, get a visitor’s pass at the entrance and then take the elevator to the observation deck located on the top floor.
20 : Union Station & Olvera Street
3 blocks north east you’ll find LA’s Union Station. Built in 1939 in a Mission Revival and Art Deco architectural style, the terminal is still in use, albeit not much as in its heyday. Stroll around and admire how “the station was designed as an expression of the California lifestyle with a spacious ticket hall” says their website. And they offer free tours too, checkout their site for more info -> Union Station LA.
And just across from the station you can find Olvera Street, literally the oldest part of Los Angeles - dating back to 1818 when the Avila Adobe (the oldest building) was constructed. There is a small artisanal market too, of Mexican goods, symbolically since at that time California would have been a part of Alta California, Mexico. Just FYI, Los Angeles was technically founded in 1781 but there are no surviving buildings from that time.
Philippe’s The Original French Dipped Sandwiches
If you got hungry after all that walking then we suggest walking over to Philippe’s The Original to get a french dipped sandwich. This restaurant has been around since 1918 and when you walk in you can still see the meat carvers working on orders. This isn’t a fancy place and it’s definitely not vegetarian friendly (since the dip is beef brothy) but it’s still very affordable and the ambiance can’t be beat.
The Map
Hover over the map, zoom in and out, to check out all the places listed above. Uncheck the boxes next to each section if you only want to see one section at a time.
Wowza! Another super long blog post. We hope you like the sites we’ve picked for a frugally inspired tour of LA. If you have any tips of your own, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. Until next time, happy exploring!