Downtown Los Angeles Free Walking Tour
2h · rated 8.8/10 in 239 reviews
Guided in English
Reserve a spot- Home
- Los Angeles
Free things to do in Los Angeles
Los Angeles gives away more first-rate museums than almost any American city. The Getty Center, the Getty Villa, The Broad, MOCA, the Hammer, the California Science Center and Griffith Observatory charge nothing at the door on any day they are open. The catch is the car. Parking at the Getty is $25, the Broad's garage is $19, and the Observatory lot is metered until 10 pm. Arrive by Metro or the 50-cent DASH bus and the day really is free. Outside the museums, the beaches from Santa Monica to Venice and the trails of Griffith Park cost nothing, and the hilltop views are clearest on the morning after rain.
Free walking tours in Los Angeles1
These have no fixed price. You reserve a spot, and at the end you tip the guide what you think the tour was worth.
Spots are booked through Civitatis.
Always free in Los Angeles19
Open to everyone, every day they are open. No ticket to buy.
Getty Center
BrentwoodAlways freeBooking requiredIndoorGood with kids
European paintings, photography and a hilltop garden in Richard Meier's travertine campus, with a view from Downtown to the ocean. The tram ride up from the garage is part of the visit.
- Free when
- Always · Tue–Fri and Sun 10 am–6:30 pm, Sat 10 am–9 pm. Closed Mon. Some North, East and South Pavilion galleries are closed for renovation.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. Admission is free, parking is not: $25 per car, $15 after 3 pm, $10 after 6 pm, free on Saturdays after 6 pm.
- Reservation
- Free timed-entry reservation required, booked on getty.edu. Weekday slots are easy, weekends go a few days ahead.
- Time needed
- 3–4h
- How to get there
- Metro bus 761 stops at the entrance on Sepulveda Blvd at Getty Center Dr. Catch it at the E Line's Expo/Sepulveda station or in Westwood. The tram from the gate is free.
Worth it? Yes.The best free museum day in the city if you skip the garage. Take the 761, or drive up on a Saturday after 6 pm when parking costs nothing and the museum stays open until 9.
Source: Getty · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Getty Villa
Pacific PalisadesAlways freeBooking requiredIndoorGood with kids
Greek and Roman antiquities inside a re-created Roman country house on the coast, with a long reflecting pool and herb garden. It reopened in June 2025 after the Palisades fire.
- Free when
- Always · Wed–Mon 10 am–5 pm. Closed Tue.
- Free for whom
- Everyone with a reservation. Parking is $25 per car, $15 after 3 pm. There is no street parking, and people on foot are turned away unless they arrive by public bus or are dropped off inside the gate.
- Reservation
- Free timed-entry reservation required, online or at (310) 440-7300. Every person needs one, including those arriving by bus or rideshare.
- Time needed
- 2–3h
- How to get there
- Metro bus 134 from downtown Santa Monica stops at Pacific Coast Hwy and Coastline Dr, across from the entrance. Rideshares must pull inside the gate to drop you off.
Worth it? Yes.Smaller and calmer than the Getty Center, and the building is the main exhibit. If you do both on the same day, ask the information desk for the pay once, park twice coupon (not valid Mon or Tue).
Source: Getty · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
The Broad
Downtown, Bunker HillAlways freeBooking recommendedIndoorGood with kids
Postwar and contemporary art from the Broad collection: Koons, Basquiat, Kusama, Warhol, Kara Walker. Two floors, easy to see in one visit.
- Free when
- Always · Tue, Wed, Fri 11 am–5 pm, Thu 11 am–8 pm, Sat–Sun 10 am–6 pm. Closed Mon. An expansion is being built next door, so expect some construction noise.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. General admission is free. Some special exhibitions carry a separate charge.
- Reservation
- Timed tickets recommended, booked on thebroad.org. Extra same-day tickets are released online each day and walk-ups are taken. Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room needs its own advance reservation.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2h
- How to get there
- Metro A or E Line to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill, 2 minutes on foot. The garage under the museum is $19 for 3 hours with validation.
Worth it? Yes.Book the Infinity Mirrored Room at the same time as your entry ticket or you will not get in. Thursday after 5 pm is the quietest slot.
Source: The Broad · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
MOCA Grand Avenue
Downtown, Bunker HillAlways freeBooking recommendedIndoor
The Museum of Contemporary Art's main building, across the street from The Broad, with a strong permanent collection of Rothko, Pollock and Los Angeles artists.
- Free when
- Always · Tue–Fri 11 am–5 pm, Sat–Sun 11 am–6 pm, until 8 pm on the first Thursday of the month. Closed Mon. The Geffen Contemporary branch in Little Tokyo is closed between installations, check before going.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. General admission is free.
- Reservation
- Advance reservation recommended on moca.org, walk-ins usually fine on weekdays.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5h
- How to get there
- Metro A or E Line to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill, then cross Grand Ave. It is 250 S Grand Ave, directly opposite The Broad.
Worth it? Yes.Pair it with The Broad and you have a full afternoon of contemporary art for nothing. The galleries are below street level, so look for the stairs down from the plaza.
Source: MOCA · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Hammer Museum
WestwoodAlways freeIndoor
UCLA's art museum on Wilshire, mixing a small old-master collection (Rembrandt, Van Gogh) with ambitious contemporary shows and a courtyard to sit in.
- Free when
- Always · Tue–Sun 11 am–6 pm. Closed Mon.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. Parking under the museum is $9 for the first 3 hours with validation.
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 1.5h
- How to get there
- Metro bus 20 or 720 along Wilshire Blvd to Westwood Blvd. The museum is on the corner.
Worth it? Yes.No tickets, no line, and the exhibitions are often better than the paid ones across town. Check the calendar, the evening talks and screenings are free too.
Source: Hammer Museum · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
California Science Center
Exposition ParkAlways freeIndoorGood with kids
A big hands-on science museum with a kelp forest tank, a desert flash flood and a sports science floor. Space shuttle Endeavour belongs here but is off display until the new Air and Space Center opens.
- Free when
- Always · Daily 10 am–5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Endeavour is off display until the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens on November 13, 2026.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. The core galleries are free. IMAX and special exhibitions are paid. Parking in the Exposition Park lot is about $20 per car.
- Reservation
- Not needed for the core galleries. From November 13, 2026 the Air and Space Center will use timed reservations that carry a small service fee, and walk-up entry may be very limited.
- Time needed
- 2–3h
- How to get there
- Metro E Line to Expo Park/USC, then 5 minutes on foot through the Rose Garden.
Worth it? Yes.Great with kids on any day, including Mondays when most museums are shut. If you are coming for the shuttle, wait until after November 13 and reserve ahead.
Source: California Science Center · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
California African American Museum
Exposition ParkAlways freeIndoor
Art, history and culture of African Americans with a focus on California and the West, in a bright building next to the Science Center.
- Free when
- Always · Tue–Sat 10 am–5 pm, Sun 11 am–5 pm. Closed Mon.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. Paid parking in the Exposition Park lots.
- Reservation
- Not needed. No large bags, the bag check is closed.
- Time needed
- 1h
- How to get there
- Metro E Line to Expo Park/USC, then 7 minutes on foot. It is at 600 State Dr, just east of the Science Center.
Worth it? Yes.Small, well curated and rarely crowded. An easy add-on after the Science Center since they share a plaza.
Source: California African American Museum · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park, Los FelizAlways freeIndoorGood with kids
A 1935 observatory on the south slope of Mount Hollywood with free exhibits, public telescopes and the classic view of the city grid and the Hollywood Sign.
- Free when
- Always · Tue–Fri 12 noon–10 pm, Sat–Sun 10 am–10 pm. Building closed Mon. The grounds and terraces are open daily with Griffith Park, 5 am–10:30 pm.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. The building, grounds and telescopes are free. Planetarium shows are ticketed. Parking in the lot and along West Observatory Rd is paid (card only) from noon on weekdays and 10 am on weekends, until 10 pm.
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 2h
- How to get there
- Metro B Line to Vermont/Sunset, then the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus, every 20–25 minutes from 10 am to 10 pm. Fare is 50 cents cash or 35 cents with a TAP card.
Worth it? Yes.Go an hour before sunset and stay for the lights. Do not drive up at dusk: the road backs up and gets closed. Take the DASH, or park free near the Greek Theatre and walk the mile uphill.
Source: Griffith Observatory, City of Los Angeles · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Wende Museum
Culver CityAlways freeIndoor
A museum of Cold War life in a former National Guard armory: East German furniture, Soviet posters, surveillance gear and a sculpture garden.
- Free when
- Always · Fri–Sun 10 am–5 pm. Closed Mon–Tue, school groups only Wed–Thu.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. Exhibitions, programs and tours are all free. Free parking in the city lots next door.
- Reservation
- Not needed. Free guided tours usually run Fri at 11:30 am and Sat–Sun at 2:30 pm, RSVP encouraged.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5h
- How to get there
- 10808 Culver Blvd, near Overland Ave. Culver CityBus runs along Culver Blvd, or it is a short ride from the E Line's Culver City station.
Worth it? Yes.Unlike anything else in Los Angeles and nobody seems to know about it. Time your visit for the guided tour, the open storage only makes sense with someone explaining it.
Source: Wende Museum · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Mount Hollywood hike in Griffith Park
Griffith ParkAlways freeGood with kids
A wide fire-road trail from the Observatory to the top of Mount Hollywood, with the Hollywood Sign to the west and the whole basin to the south.
- Free when
- Always · Griffith Park is open daily 5 am–10:30 pm. Inbound park gates close at 10 pm.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. Park entry is free. Parking is free around the Greek Theatre (not after 1 pm on concert evenings) and paid next to the Observatory.
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 1.5–2h round trip
- How to get there
- DASH Observatory/Los Feliz from Metro B Line Vermont/Sunset to the Observatory or the Mt. Hollywood Dr stop. The trailhead is at the north end of the Observatory parking lot.
Worth it? Yes.The easiest proper view of the Hollywood Sign without a tour. Bring water and a hat, there is almost no shade, and start before 9 am in summer.
Source: Griffith Observatory, City of Los Angeles · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Santa Monica Pier and State Beach
Santa MonicaAlways freeGood with kids
A 1909 wooden pier with an amusement park on top and three miles of wide sand on either side. Walking on, watching the fishermen at the far end and using the beach all cost nothing.
- Free when
- Always · Pier open daily 6 am–10 pm. Rides, the carousel and restaurants keep their own hours and are paid.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. Beach parking lots charge posted rates.
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 1–3h
- How to get there
- Metro E Line to Downtown Santa Monica, the last stop, then 10 minutes on foot down Colorado Ave. About 46 minutes from Downtown L.A.
Worth it? Yes.The pier itself takes 20 minutes. The reason to come is the beach and the sunset, so walk north along the sand afterward, away from the crowd under the Ferris wheel.
Source: Santa Monica Pier Corporation · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Venice Beach and Ocean Front Walk
VeniceAlways freeGood with kids
A mile and a half of beachfront promenade with street performers, the skate plaza, the outdoor Muscle Beach gym and a fishing pier at the south end.
- Free when
- Always · Open every day. It is liveliest from late morning to sunset and thins out fast after dark.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. Watching the skate plaza and Muscle Beach is free, using the gym is not.
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 1.5–2h
- How to get there
- From Santa Monica Pier, walk or cycle 2 miles south on the beach path. Big Blue Bus 1 runs from downtown Santa Monica down Main St to Venice.
Worth it? Yes.Scruffy, loud and still worth an hour, mostly for the skaters. Stand on the ocean side of the skate plaza in late afternoon when the light is behind you.
Source: City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Culver CityAlways freeGood with kids
A state park on a hilltop above Culver City, reached by a steep stone staircase straight up the slope, with a view from the Pacific to the Downtown towers.
- Free when
- Always · Daily 8 am to sunset. Visitor center Wed–Sun 9 am–5 pm.
- Free for whom
- Everyone on foot. The lot at the top charges $2 an hour or $6 a day. Park on Jefferson Blvd at the bottom and climb instead.
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 1h
- How to get there
- Metro E Line to La Cienega/Jefferson, then about 20 minutes on foot west along Jefferson Blvd to the base of the stairs at Hetzler Rd.
Worth it? Yes.A wider view than Griffith on a clear day and far fewer tour buses. Go the morning after rain, when you can see snow on the San Gabriels.
Source: California State Parks · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Walt Disney Concert Hall self-guided tour
Downtown, Bunker HillAlways freeIndoor
Frank Gehry's steel concert hall, with a free audio tour on your own phone narrated by John Lithgow that takes you through the lobbies and up to the hidden rooftop garden.
- Free when
- Always · Most days 10 am–3 pm, last start at 2 pm. Tours are cancelled or shortened around rehearsals and matinees, so check the Music Center tour calendar that morning.
- Free for whom
- Everyone, individuals and groups of up to 14.
- Reservation
- Not needed. Start in the Grand Lobby on Grand Ave. If you have no smartphone you can borrow an audio player with photo ID.
- Time needed
- 1h
- How to get there
- Metro A or E Line to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill, or B/D Line to Civic Center/Grand Park and walk two blocks uphill.
Worth it? Yes.The tour does not go inside the auditorium, which disappoints people. Do it anyway for the rooftop garden and the rose fountain made of broken Delft china.
Source: The Music Center · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Fowler Museum at UCLA
Westwood, UCLA campusAlways freeIndoorGood with kids
Art and objects from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas, shown in a brick building in the middle of the UCLA campus.
- Free when
- Always · Wed 12–8 pm, Thu–Sun 12–5 pm. Closed Mon–Tue.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. Campus parking in Lot 4 is $5 an hour, $17 a day maximum.
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 1h
- How to get there
- Buses to the UCLA transit stops at Hilgard and Strathmore, then a 10-minute walk across campus. From the Hammer it is about 25 minutes on foot up Westwood Blvd.
Worth it? Depends.Worth it if you are already at the Hammer or want a look at the UCLA campus. Royce Hall and the sculpture garden are a few minutes away and cost nothing.
Source: Fowler Museum at UCLA · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
Arts DistrictAlways freeIndoor
A non-collecting contemporary art space in a converted warehouse on 7th St, showing three or four exhibitions at a time.
- Free when
- Always · Wed–Sun 11 am–6 pm. Closed Mon, Tue and public holidays.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. Free onsite parking during opening hours.
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 45 min
- How to get there
- Metro bus 60 or 62 to 7th/Decatur. It is at 1717 E 7th St, about 25 minutes on foot from Little Tokyo/Arts District station.
Worth it? Depends.One of the few museums in town where the parking is free as well. Short visit, so combine it with a walk around the Arts District murals.
Source: ICA LA · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Runyon Canyon Park
Hollywood HillsAlways freeGood with kids
A steep loop trail a few blocks above Hollywood Blvd, popular with locals and their dogs, with views over Hollywood to Downtown.
- Free when
- Always · Daily sunrise to sunset. The city has posted the West Trail as closed after a fire, the rest of the park is open.
- Free for whom
- Everyone
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 1–1.5h
- How to get there
- Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland, then 15 minutes on foot to the gate at 2000 N Fuller Ave. Street parking nearby is tight and mostly permit only.
Worth it? Depends.More of a workout with a view than a nature walk, and it is crowded by 9 am. Fine if you are staying in Hollywood, otherwise Griffith Park gives you more for the same effort.
Source: City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
El Pueblo and Olvera Street
Downtown, next to Union StationAlways freeGood with kids
The plaza where Los Angeles was founded in 1781, with a brick-paved Mexican market street, the city's oldest surviving house and several small free museums.
- Free when
- Always · The plaza is open daily. Shops, restaurants and the museums keep their own hours, so come between late morning and mid-afternoon.
- Free for whom
- Everyone. The city-run museums and exhibits in the historic district are free.
- Reservation
- Not needed. The free guided tours of the district must be requested at least two weeks ahead by email.
- Time needed
- 1h
- How to get there
- Any train to Union Station (Metro A, B, D Lines), then cross Alameda St.
Worth it? Depends.The stalls sell the same souvenirs you will see everywhere, so skip the shopping and go into the Avila Adobe halfway down the street. Walk through Union Station's old ticket hall on your way out.
Source: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, City of Los Angeles · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park
Miracle MileAlways freeGood with kids
Bubbling asphalt seeps in a city park, where Ice Age mammoths and saber-toothed cats were trapped. The museum is shut for a full rebuild but parts of the park stay open.
- Free when
- Always · Outdoor areas of Hancock Park only, in daylight. The museum building is closed for a renovation with construction phases mapped through summer 2028, and fenced areas change.
- Free for whom
- Everyone, for the outdoor areas that remain open.
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Time needed
- 30 min
- How to get there
- Metro D Line to Wilshire/Fairfax, then 5 minutes on foot east along Wilshire.
Worth it? You can skip it.Right now this is a quick look at a tar lake through construction fencing, not a visit. Stop only if you are already at LACMA next door.
Source: La Brea Tar Pits, Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Free on certain days, or for certain people5
Mostly museums. The free window, who it applies to and the booking rule are on each card.
LACMA free second Tuesday
Miracle MileFree on certain daysBooking requiredIndoorGood with kids
The county art museum, now centered on the new David Geffen Galleries spanning Wilshire Blvd. General admission is free for everyone one Tuesday a month.
- Free when
- Second Tuesday of each month · 11 am–6 pm. On other days adults from outside L.A. County pay $30.
- Free for whom
- Everyone on the second Tuesday. Bank of America cardholders also get in free on the first full weekend of each month.
- Reservation
- Timed-entry ticket required for all visitors. Reserve the free ticket on lacma.org ahead of time, slots do run out.
- Time needed
- 2–3h
- How to get there
- Metro D Line to Wilshire/Fairfax, right at the museum. Metro bus 20 or 720 on Wilshire also stops outside.
Worth it? Yes.The only way a visitor from outside the county sees LACMA for nothing, so plan the trip around it if you can. Urban Light, the lamppost installation on Wilshire, sits outside the ticketed area and can be seen any day.
Source: LACMA · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
LACMA free after 3 pm for L.A. County residents
Miracle MileFree on certain daysResidents onlyBooking requiredIndoorGood with kids
The standing weekday deal at the county art museum for people who live in Los Angeles County.
- Free when
- Mon, Tue, Thu after 3 pm until 6 pm, Fri after 3 pm until 8 pm. Closed Wed.
- Free for whom
- L.A. County residents with valid ID only. Visitors from outside the county pay $30 at these times. County residents 17 and under are free at all times.
- Reservation
- Timed-entry ticket required, reserve the free resident ticket on lacma.org and bring ID showing a county address.
- Time needed
- 2h
- How to get there
- Metro D Line to Wilshire/Fairfax. Metro bus 20 or 720 on Wilshire.
Worth it? Depends.Friday is the one to pick, since you get five hours instead of three. Tourists should not count on this: staff check ID, so use the second Tuesday instead.
Source: LACMA · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Natural History Museum free hours for L.A. County residents
Exposition ParkFree on certain daysResidents onlyBooking recommendedIndoorGood with kids
Dinosaur Hall, the gem vault and the Becoming Los Angeles galleries, free for locals in the last two hours of each weekday.
- Free when
- Mon–Fri 3–5 pm. The museum is closed on the first Tuesday of each month, except June to August. Regular adult admission is $18.
- Free for whom
- L.A. County residents with ID or a utility bill. Also free every day: California teachers and school staff, active or retired U.S. military, EBT cardholders, USC students and faculty, and children 2 and under.
- Reservation
- Free resident tickets can be reserved online with an ID upload, or picked up at any ticket desk from 3 pm.
- Time needed
- 2h
- How to get there
- Metro E Line to Expo Park/USC, then 5 minutes on foot.
Worth it? Depends.Two hours is enough for the dinosaurs and one more hall, so go straight upstairs at 3. Special exhibitions and the Butterfly and Spider Pavilions still cost extra.
Source: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Autry Museum free first Wednesday
Griffith ParkFree on certain daysBooking requiredIndoorGood with kids
A museum of the American West, from Native California to Hollywood westerns, on the northeast side of Griffith Park across from the zoo.
- Free when
- First Wednesday of each month · 10 am–4 pm. Regular adult admission is $20.
- Free for whom
- Everyone on the first Wednesday. Active-duty U.S. military and veterans are free every day. Parking is free for Autry visitors.
- Reservation
- Register for a free spot on theautry.org before you go.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2h
- How to get there
- Metro bus 96 to the L.A. Zoo and Autry stop. By car, free parking in the museum lot at 4700 Western Heritage Way.
Worth it? Depends.Better than its cowboy reputation suggests, and one of the few free days in town with free parking attached. The Colt firearms gallery and the movie costumes are the parts people remember.
Source: Autry Museum of the American West · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
The Huntington Free Day
San MarinoFree on certain daysBooking requiredGood with kids
A 130-acre botanical garden with a desert garden, a Chinese garden and a Japanese garden, plus an art collection and a rare-book library. Regular tickets are among the priciest around Los Angeles.
- Free when
- First Thursday of each month, at the time on your ticket.
- Free for whom
- Everyone with an advance Free Day ticket. Limit of 5 tickets per household per year, and every guest needs one, infants included.
- Reservation
- Required. Tickets are released at 9 am on the last Thursday of the month for the following week, through a virtual waiting room that assigns places at random. They sell out, so be online before 9.
- Time needed
- 3–4h
- How to get there
- Metro A Line to Allen station in Pasadena, then about 1.5 miles south down Allen Ave on foot or by rideshare.
Worth it? Depends.Worth the effort if you get a ticket, but it is a lottery and San Marino is 45 minutes from Downtown. Head for the Desert Garden first, it empties out by midday heat.
Source: The Huntington · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps
Before you go
- Free admission rarely includes parking, so check the garage price before you decide to drive: the Getty charges $25 per car but only $15 after 3 pm.
- Reserve Getty and Broad tickets a few days ahead for weekends, and book The Broad's Infinity Mirrored Room at the same moment.
- Group your day by area, Downtown, Exposition Park, the Westside or the beach, because crossing the city between stops can eat an hour each way.
Questions people ask
Is the Getty Center really free?
Yes, admission is free every day it is open, Tuesday to Sunday, with a free timed-entry reservation. Parking costs $25 per car, $15 after 3 pm and nothing on Saturdays after 6 pm. Metro bus 761 stops at the entrance.
Can tourists use the free hours at LACMA and the Natural History Museum?
Not the weekday ones. Free entry after 3 pm on weekdays is for L.A. County residents with ID at both museums. Visitors from elsewhere can see LACMA free on the second Tuesday of each month with a reserved ticket.
Is Griffith Observatory free and how do I avoid paying for parking?
The building, grounds and telescopes are free; only planetarium shows are ticketed. Take the DASH Observatory bus from the Vermont/Sunset B Line station for 50 cents, or park free near the Greek Theatre and walk about a mile uphill.
Can I see space shuttle Endeavour for free right now?
Not until November 13, 2026. Endeavour is off display while the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is finished. After opening, general admission stays free but timed reservations will carry a small service fee.
Is the La Brea Tar Pits museum open?
No. The museum is closed for a multi-year renovation. Some outdoor parts of Hancock Park, including views of the tar seeps, remain open and free.
PAID · ONE PER CITY
If you spend on one thing in Los Angeles, make it this.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Los Angeles is a company town and nothing free gets you inside the company. The tour drives through working backlots and soundstages in Burbank, which the Walk of Fame and a distant look at the Hollywood Sign cannot stand in for.
Everything above is free. This is the only paid pick on the page, chosen because no free option replaces it.
See tickets and prices
