Home | Leisure | Travel Destinations | Los Angeles | Things to Do for Free in Los Angeles

Things to Do for Free in Los Angeles

by Cheyenne Cartwright

Overview

Los Angeles may be the home of glitz and glamor, but there still are some things you can do there for free. Surprisingly, they include some of the most iconic L.A. experiences, and you don't have to make arrangements in advance to enjoy them.
Hollywood Sign

That classic sign perched on the side of Mount Lee originally spelled out "Hollywoodland," an advertisement for a new subdivision. It may surprise you to know, however, that you can't hike to the sign or climb on it, so you'll have to train your camera on it from a different spot. The Hollywood Sign Trust, a California nonprofit organization devoted to protecting and repairing the sign, recommends you check out these possible vantage points: the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and North Highland Avenue; Beachwood Canyon Drive; Franklin Avenue and Gower; Lake Hollywood, which actually is a residential neighborhood; and the Griffith Park Observatory.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Created in 1958 to honor artists who have excelled in live theater, motion pictures, television, recording or radio, the Hollywood Walk of Fame extends down Hollywood Boulevard from La Brea to Gower, and down Vine Street from Sunset to Yucca, on both sides of both streets. The bronze stars are set in a background of pink terrazzo that in turn is surrounded by gray terrazzo squares. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the Walk of Fame and maintains a directory of locations of honorees' stars.
Griffith Park Observatory

Located high up the south side of Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Park Observatory is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Its striking façade and spectacular location have made it a seminal Southern California attraction since it opened in 1935. Admission to the grounds and observatory is free, though there is a small charge if you want to attend shows in the planetarium. After nightfall, the view of the lights of the valley from the terrace is spectacular.
Getty Center

The Getty Center houses one of the most stupendous collections of art from the Middle Ages to the present. Immediately adjacent to Interstate 405 north of Sunset Boulevard, and clearly visible from the highway, the white travertine- and aluminum-clad buildings designed by architect Richard Meier stand out markedly against the backdrop. The collections are a huge attraction, but the architecture and the gardens also are well worth a look. Admission to the Getty is free, but parking costs $15. If you go after 5 p.m., however, parking also is free. The Getty Center is open till 5:30 p.m. on Sundays and Tuesdays through Fridays, but it stays open till 9 p.m. on Saturdays.