The wonderful thing about Los Angeles in the summertime is that there are so many entertaining things to do and interesting places to explore. Unfortunately, many of these experiences will cost you a pretty penny or two. If you’re trying to conserve money this summer, but don’t want to miss out on all the fun, we’ve got you covered. Here are five fun and free things to this summer in LA.
Go to the Beach
Beach days are a budget-friendly summertime staple. There are so many fantastic beaches to choose from in LA county. If you’re aiming for a zero spend day, pack a lunch and choose a beach that has a free parking option. Leo Carrillo, Zuma Beach in Malibu, and Malibu Lagoon State Beach have free parking along Pacific Coast Highway. Dockweiler State Beach, Playa del Rey Beach, and Abalone Cove Beach all offer free street parking, but get there early as spots are limited.
Visit the Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park is one of LA’s most popular landmarks and it’s the perfect outing for cool summer nights. Enjoy spectacular views of downtown LA and the Hollywood sign before heading inside. Admission to the Observatory is free to the public. Visitors can explore various exhibits and get a glimpse into space using the Zeiss Telescope on the east rooftop dome or one of three solar telescopes located in the West Rotunda.
Get up close and personal with prehistoric fossils at the La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. The La Brea Tar Pits is the only active urban fossil dig site in the world. While admission to the Page Museum is not free, visitors can roam the park and observe the tar pits and outdoor exhibits free of charge. During the summer, you may even get a chance to watch the excavators carve fossils out of the asphalt.
Enjoy Movies in the Park and Summer Concert Series
Free outdoor movies and concerts are a must for your summer bucket list. Pack some snacks and a lawn chair and enjoy a family film or a fun cover band under the night sky. You can find Movies in the Park and Summer Concert Series all over LA County during the summer months. In Cerritos, you can enjoy free movies on select Mondays, and concerts on select Thursdays and Fridays. Arcadia and Monterey Park also host their own Summer Concert Series and Movies in the Park. Norwalk has free summer concerts from June to August and La Mirada combines Concerts Under the Stars with the La Mirada Night Market. There is no better way to spend your summer evenings than with some free entertainment amongst your neighbors.
Take Advantage of Museum Free Admission Days
With are over 200 museums in LA County, you’re sure to find something that interests you. From contemporary art to ancient artifacts, LA’s museums house some of the best exhibits in the country. Most museums do charge an admission fee, but many offer free admission on certain days of the week and/or during certain hours. Escape the summer heat and enjoy one of these free museum days:
- Long Beach Museum of Art: Thursdays from 3pm – 8pm
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Free admission to LA County residents after 3pm, Monday through Friday
- Museum of Latin American Art: Free family days every Sunday from 11am to 5pm, and free admission from 5pm to 9pm on the 4th Thursday of every month
- Skirball Cultural Center: Free on Thursdays from 12pm to 5pm
- Kidspace Children’s Museum: Free family night on the 1st Tuesday of the month (except in September) from 4pm to 8pm
Many of Los Angeles’s most popular attractions aren’t necessarily budget-friendly, but there are still plenty of exciting and interesting things to do for free. A summer full of fun activities doesn’t need to cost you an arm and a leg. With free activities such as these, you can stay on track this summer and still have fun.
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