A lot of the best of Los Angeles costs nothing to enter. Several of the city’s major art museums have free general admission, the observatory is free, and every public beach is open to anyone who walks on. The catch is usually parking, and sometimes a timed reservation. This list covers the free picks we use most, with what you might still pay for.
In this guide
These picks come from our wider Los Angeles attractions guide. If you want to mix free and paid sights, start with our main list of things to do in Los Angeles.
Free in Los Angeles at a glance
- Free museums The Getty Center, Getty Villa, The Broad, the Hammer, MOCA Grand Avenue
- Free views Griffith Observatory and its grounds, the Hollywood Sign viewpoints
- Free outdoors Public beaches, Griffith Park trails, the Venice Boardwalk
- Usual extra cost Parking, which can run from a few dollars to $25 or more
- Cheapest way in Metro at $1.75 a ride, capped at $5 a day
Free museums
The Getty Center
General admission is free, but you need a timed-entry reservation. The center is open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 10am to 6:30pm and Saturday until 9pm, and it is closed Mondays. Parking is $25 per car, $15 after 3pm and $10 after 6pm, and it is free on Saturdays after 6pm. If you come by Metro bus 761 or by bike, the visit costs nothing. See our Getty Center guide.
The Getty Villa
The Villa in Pacific Palisades holds Greek, Roman and Etruscan art in a re-created Roman country house. Entry is free with a timed reservation. It is open from 10am to 5pm and closed Tuesdays. It reopened in June 2025 after the Palisades Fire.
The Broad
The Broad in Downtown has free general admission. Timed tickets are recommended, and walk-up entry is available daily. The Infinity Mirror Room by Yayoi Kusama needs a separate advance reservation. The museum is closed Mondays.
MOCA Grand Avenue and the Hammer
MOCA’s Grand Avenue building, across from The Broad, has free general admission, and advance reservations are recommended. It stays open until 8pm on the first Thursday of most months. The Hammer Museum in Westwood is free with no reservation and closed Mondays. Parking under the Hammer is $9 for three hours with validation.
Natural History Museum after 3pm
The Natural History Museum in Exposition Park offers free entry to LA County residents on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm, onsite only. Bring proof of residence. It is closed on the first Tuesday of each month.
Free views
Griffith Observatory
The observatory building, the exhibits and the public telescopes are free. Planetarium shows cost extra. It is open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 10pm and weekends from 10am, and it is closed Mondays. The paid lots near the building fill early. The free option is to park lower down near the Greek Theatre and walk up to a mile uphill, or ride the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus from the Vermont/Sunset B Line station. Read our Griffith Observatory guide.
The Hollywood Sign
The best free views are from the observatory and from the Hollywood & Highland area. For a closer look, the Mt. Hollywood and Brush Canyon trails are free and open from sunrise to sunset. Our Hollywood Sign guide lists each viewpoint.
Free walks and neighborhoods
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The stars run along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, and walking them costs nothing. Star ceremonies are also free and need no tickets. They usually start at 11:30am and are posted on the official site about 10 days before. See our Walk of Fame guide.
Venice Boardwalk and the canals
The boardwalk has street performers, Muscle Beach and the skate park, all free to watch. The Venice canals, a few blocks inland, are a quiet walk on footbridges past houses and small boats. Our Venice guide has parking tips.
Downtown on foot
Grand Central Market, the outside of Walt Disney Concert Hall and the museums on Grand Avenue are all within a short walk of each other. Olvera Street, the city’s oldest street, is near Union Station. See our Downtown Los Angeles guide.
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
This state park near Culver City has a steep staircase and trails that climb to a wide view of the basin, from Downtown to the ocean. Walking in is free. The park is open daily from 8am to sunset, and the paid lot at the top costs $2 an hour or $6 a day. Some visitors park on Jefferson Boulevard near the bottom of the stairs instead. See our best hikes in Los Angeles for more climbs like this.
Free beaches and parks
Every public beach in Los Angeles County is free to walk onto. Parking lots charge, especially in summer, so street parking or the E Line to Santa Monica helps. Our best beaches in Los Angeles list covers the main ones. After heavy rain, county health officials advise staying out of the ocean for 72 hours.
Griffith Park is free and open from 5am to 10:30pm. Travel Town, a free outdoor railroad museum in the park, is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Read our Griffith Park guide for trails and parking.
Free events
Markets
The Hollywood Farmers Market runs Sundays from 8am to 1pm. Smorgasburg runs Sundays from 10am to 4pm at ROW DTLA. Entry to both is free, and you pay for what you eat.
Parades and holiday events
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is free to watch from the curb on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 5pm. The Rose Parade in Pasadena on January 1, 2027, is free from the curb, while grandstand seats are sold separately. See our Rose Parade guide and the Los Angeles events calendar.
Star ceremonies and museum free days
Some paid museums have free days or hours. These change, so check each museum’s own site the week you visit. The Huntington in San Marino is free on the first Thursday of the month with an advance reservation.
Tips for a free day
Keep it free
- Take Metro. A day of rides costs at most $5 on TAP or a contactless card.
- Book free timed tickets early. Getty and Broad slots can run out on weekends.
- Bring food. The observatory does not allow food inside, but the grounds have space outside.
- Park once and walk. Downtown, Hollywood and Santa Monica are each walkable in a few blocks.
- Check closures. Mondays are the most common closed day for free museums.
Our LA Metro guide explains fares and caps.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Getty Center really free?
Yes. Admission is free with a timed reservation. Parking costs $25 per car, less later in the day, and is free on Saturdays after 6pm.
Is Griffith Observatory free?
Yes. The building, exhibits and public telescopes are free. Planetarium shows and nearby parking cost money.
Are Los Angeles beaches free?
The beaches are free to enter. Many beach lots charge for parking, and rates are higher in summer.
What free museums need a reservation?
The Getty Center and Getty Villa require timed reservations. The Broad and MOCA recommend them. The Hammer does not need one.
Can I see the Hollywood Sign for free?
Yes. The views from Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood & Highland area cost nothing, and the trails that get closer are free too.
Official sources: Getty; The Broad; MOCA; Hammer Museum; Natural History Museum; Griffith Observatory; Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Photo credits
Featured image: Rlumstead / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0