While Los Angeles is a place where many of the rich and famous call home, couples will find plenty of free things to do in the city. You might even run into a few celebrities along the way. Budget-conscious couples can enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches, great parks and so much more, all with no admission fees.
Take a Television Studio Tour
On any given day in L.A. there are dozens of shows, including everything from sitcoms to talk shows like “The Late Late Show with James Corden” that might be taping in front of a live audience, particularly during the peak production season that typically runs between August and March. There are usually multiple television pilots being shot too, which means you and your loved one will have the opportunity for potential bragging rights if it happens to become a hit. Some require tickets, but they’re complimentary.
People Watching In Venice Beach
World-famous Venice Beach is a must-experience. It’s not only home to a beautiful beach but it’s considered one of the best destinations for people watching. A place to see and be seen, as well as being a mecca for many eccentric characters, it’s easy to spend an entire day here, enjoying the wide stretch of golden sands that are backed by a walkway that’s nearly always filled with joggers, walkers, rollerbladers, cyclists and more. Browse the fun shops that sell all types of goods, and check out the hundreds of street vendors and performers along the west side of the path, with everything from mimes to musicians to jugglers, break dancers and performers who dare to walk on broken glass.
Stroll the Hollywood 'Walk of Fame'
To get a slice of Hollywood life, be sure to visit Tinseltown and stroll the Walk of Fame. This L.A. suburb has long been associated with the film and TV industry, glitz and glamour. To date, there are over 2,600 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street, with figures from throughout the entertainment world immortalized here. You can also put your own hands into famous handprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, a popular locale for big movie premieres. During major Hollywood screenings, you can stand along the red carpet and watch the arrival of the stars, with many celebrities stopping to talk to the crowd before going in to see the film.
Browse Rodeo Drive
Only a few blocks long, the famous part of Rodeo Drive looks like a film set and runs between Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards – the very place Julia Roberts’ character in “Pretty Woman” went shopping to transform here look. You’ll be mingling among plenty of other tourists who browse among the more serious spenders along the $200-million European cobbled walkway Two Rodeo – celebs like to shop here too and you’re likely to see very pricey luxury cars parked along the curb. Even if you can’t buy, there are plenty of great photo-ops that make it worth the visit.
See the Stars at Griffith Park and Observatory
One of the largest urban parks in the U.S., Griffith Park isn’t just a park. While you’ll find plenty of space to play along with magnificent views of the city, it’s filled with attractions like the Los Angeles Zoo, a Greek theater, an equestrian center and Griffith Observatory. At this top-rated L.A. attraction, you could easily spend several hours exploring the Hall of the Sky and Hall of the Eye, with displays exploring the connections between people and space. It sits on a hilltop overlooking Los Angeles and couples can observe the views through telescopes free of charge.
Browse Broad Museum of Contemporary Art
The Broad Museum of Contemporary Art is a new institution focused on contemporary art, created by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad as a place to house their extensive collection along with visiting exhibits, allowing the public to view interesting pieces for free. Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room — The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, is the most talked-about exhibit, putting the museum on the map and is where art literally mirrors reality. While there’s no admission cost, it’s a good idea to reserve the complimentary tickets in advance.
Tour Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is part of the J. Paul Getty Museum, the permanent home of the J. Paul Getty Museum’s Greek and Roman art collection. Here couples can see the large-scale bronze known as Statue of a Victorious Youth, one of the world’s few surviving life-size Greek bronzes that remains. The Adriatic shipwreck discovery is kept in a temperature-controlled room to preserve the metal. Modeled after the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy, the architecture itself is a highlight.
Catch a Free Concert at Amoeba
Amoeba Music is a mecca for music enthusiasts who want to buy music they can hold, from vinyl and cassettes to CDs, but it’s also a place to go to enjoy free in-store concerts. As space is limited, you’ll want to arrive early to catch one. Plus you can take advantage of the many listening stations around the store while you wait.
See the La Brea Tar Pits
There’s no cost to see the La Brea Tar Pits, one of the most famous ice age fossil excavation sites in the world, formed 40,000 years ago when oil seeped through the rock. The pits would entrap passing animals which would get stuck in the substance and the tar has served as a natural preservative for the fossils throughout the ages.
Stroll the Beaches in Malibu
Couples can gaze up at the extravagant homes, many owned by celebrities in Malibu, and it’s a great place to enjoy outdoor activities, including miles and miles of scenic trails in the hills and across the breathtaking stretches of sand. Afterward, enjoy a refreshing dip in the Pacific.