Cruise one of the world’s most famous scenic drives, winding from the Hollywood Hills, across the spine of the Santa Monica Mountains, and west towards the Pacific Ocean.
Pacific Coast Highway is a sun-drenched road that hugs the coastline and is undoubtedly one of LA’s signature drives.
Few other roads have the multiple personalities of this legendary 1.5-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard. Take a drive!
The forecourt of TCL Chinese Theatre has been one of the most popular free attractions since the 1920s. Now fans from around the world compare their hands and feet to those of stars past and present.
You never know which famous wax figure will be on display near the box office entrance, a free photo opp waiting to happen.
Chainsaw jugglers, swamis on rollerblades, street dancers...the most amazing street entertainers in the world are at Venice Beach and it's free to watch!
Treasure hunt and star gaze along famed Rodeo Drive in tony Beverly Hills, home of the rich and super rich.
This LA-based nonprofit has helped spearhead ecotourism by offering opportunities for visitors to volunteer. For 30+ years, Treepeople has helped plant trees, educating people about the environment.
With so many free cultural attractions, Downtown LA has become one of the city's best places to see the sights for free. Take a free walking tour with our guide on discoverLosAngeles.com
Witnessing the paparazzi portion of the star-making cycle is an authentic LA experience, and totally free.
To learn about stars that are truly out of this world, the exhibitions and displays in this Griffith Park landmark are all free.
Ilan Hall is one of two LA-based Top Chef champions, and his restaurant The Gorbals is just one place reality TV fans can see throughout Los Angeles.
The people-watching alone makes the Fashion District one of LA’s premier shopping destinations and an experience all its own.
Dance the night away! The Mayan nightclub plays all music from house, top 40, hip hop, reggaeton, and more.
Five major cultural attractions are within walking distance of each other in the USC/Exposition Park area, so be sure to take advantage of our walking tour on discoverLosAngeles.com!
Take the Purple Line to check out the cool murals at each station along the way!
Learn about LA’s birthplace at the site of its original settlement in 1781.
Visitors can shop, listen to mariachis, watch folk dances & dine at authentic Mexican restaurants. Tour Avila Adobe, LA's oldest house. Other historic spots include the Old Plaza Church & Firehouse.
Located in the heart of the Crenshaw district, Leimert Park Village lures tourists with the distinct African American culture of its shops, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and jazz clubs.
Check out the latest and hippest at the Downtown LA Art Walk, which occurs the second Thursday of the month.
Support locally owned businesses in Venice by stopping by First Fridays, what is becoming one of LA’s top art walks.
Discover the modern side of Chinatown by checking out the quarterly art walks along Chung King Road. The scene is surprisingly hip and young.
San Pedro’s 1st Thursday Art Walk began in 1996, but more recently locals and cruise tourists from nearby Port of LA have flocked to experience the community, street performances & art.
Discover the refreshingly authentic scene in Little Ethiopia, where you can smell tumeric and paprika, and hear colorful African pop blaring from store radios.
Lovers of all things Japanese will have to make Little Tokyo a stop. Take a self-guided tour of the National Historic Landmark District’s cultural sights.
For many, the best way to approach Chinatown is as a distinct culture both Chinese and American. As the first Chinatown in America, the area quivers with cultural history, a modern bustling community.
A square-mile area that is quickly turning into one of LA’s artsier communities, with galleries, public art, theaters, boutiques, vintage clothing stores, ethnic restaurants and outdoor cafes.
Watts Towers represent 33 yrs of work by an Italian immigrant who made the project his life. Similar to the style of Catalan architect Gaudí, 17 structures represent the American Native art movement.
While the sign’s grounds are barred from public access, you can still get great angles for photos. From Franklin go N on Beachwood; turn L at Ledgewood. Right at the 3-way intersection onto Deronda.
The Los Angeles Central Public Library reflects the Egyptian-style architecture mania that swept the country in the 1920s, after the King Tut discovery.
Site of the richest discovery of Ice Age fossils in the world, 100 tons of bones representing 200+ species of mammals, birds & reptiles have been unearthed from asphalt dating back to prehistoric time
Opened in 1934 and with much of its original flavor — the freshest produce, gourmet meats and cheeses, and hot donuts — plus a few extra touches (gluten-free pizza, gumbo, authentic Mexican food).
Intricate reliefs represent goddesses of liberty, victory & peace, while architectural details impart the nature of Korean culture. Visit on a clear day for a picnic w/ pristine views of the harbor.
One of LA’s most innovative buildings and the largest Catholic cathedral in the country, it inspires visitors with its warm, inviting interior, perfect for introspection.
Though the stage and concert hall itself are usually off limits to even paid tours (due to rehearsals), the public spaces of the interior and the garden are still quite spectacular to explore.
At this Hollywood landmark, fans still gather every August to pay homage to Rudolph Valentino. Cecil B. DeMille and Douglas Fairbanks also rest here. Catch outdoor movies during the summer (for a fee)
The Victorian era had its influence on local architecture, as evidenced by the homes in the 1300 block of Carroll Avenue in Angelino Heights.
The best way to see your favorite celebrities up close and personal is to check out the star-dedication ceremonies. They are typically held twice a month.
Sephora stores offer Express Service, a free, quick makeover. It’s a nice stop while you’re experiencing some of LA’s malls, like Americana at Brand, Beverly Center and Hollywood & Highland Center.
The network of free farmers markets throughout LA has helped bring fresh-from-the-field produce to urban neighborhoods.
The hills inspired early housing developers to connect streets via sets of stairs, which led to now-defunct trolley car stops. An online search connects you to online communities that share locations.
The city of Los Angeles operates nine dog parks where your canine friends can roam off leash. These fenced areas within parks offer a variety of facilities for humans and animals.
The city operates 19 skate parks that are a haven for skateboarders seeking challenging terrain.
Venice Beach is world famous for its funky folks, but it’s at least as well known for Muscle Beach, home to amateur and professional bodybuilders alike.
For years, the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has been leading guided hikes through the many trails of Griffith Park.
At select facilities, the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks offers Operation Splash, free summer swimming lessons sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.
The 1864 Greek Revival residence, the Banning Residence Museum, is the former home of General Phineas Banning, the "father" of the Los Angeles Harbor.
The California African American Museum’s exhibitions enhance public knowledge of African American contributions to society.
Free meditation instruction and public sittings twice a week!
This magnificent Malibu property includes an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria.
This historic site features two homes dating from the 1840s and 1920s, and a private cemetery.
The Santa Monica Museum of Art organizes dynamic exhibitions of contemporary art in all mediums and across disciplines, complemented by outstanding educational programs for people of all ages.
FIDM's collection of more than 15,000 costumes, accessories and textiles from the 19th century through the present day includes film and theater costumes.
LAMH dedicates itself as a primary-source institution that commemorates those who perished and survived the Holocaust by housing the artifacts that miraculously weathered war, ghettos and death camps.
The center’s galleries explore broad themes relating to the history and diverse cultures of the American West. Free admission on the second Tuesday of every month.
Primarily focused on folklore and folk art, features exhibits that cover artistic expression from around the globe, showcasing a wide variety of cultures. Free admission on the 1st Weds of every month
Collections include works by Monet, van Gogh, Rembrandt and Sargent. The venue also hosts lectures, symposia, film series, readings and musical performances. Free admission every Thursday.
Free admission on the first Thursday of every month with advance tickets, which can be reserved online or by phone.
Free admission every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and every third Tuesday of the month.
Free admission on the second Tuesday of every month; Target sponsors free admission on select holidays (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents Day; Memorial Day).
MAK Center for Art & Architecture in the Schindler House features rotating art exhibitions about cultural issues. Free admission Fri 4-6p, as well as Intl Museum Day (May), Schindler's bday (Sept 10)
Downtown’s premier art museum features one of the best permanent collections in the country, with works by artists like Roy Lichtenstein & Mark Rothko. Free admission Thursdays 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
With cutting-edge exhibitions, hands-on education programs and popular evening events, this is a must-see for contemporary art enthusiasts. Free admission every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
With rotating exhibitions, the museum highlights contributions to contemporary Latin American art. Permanent collection features works by Wilfredo Lam & Alejandro Colunga. Free admission every Sunday.
Holds the title of being the 3rd-largest museum of its type in the U.S., w/ more than 3.5 million specimens. Free admission first Tuesday of most months, except July/August; free every Tuesday in Sept
Enjoy museum exhibitions including the ever-popular Noah’s Ark at the Skirball, family programs, performing arts, world music, film, lectures, classes and more. Free admission every Thursday.
At any given time the walking path is filled with joggers, strollers and dogs on leashes. With a crushed granite surface, the flat, 2-mile path has become an outdoor gym for residents.
The Marina del Rey harbor offers spectacular views and many outdoor activities, including jogging, roller skating, bicycling or just relaxing in the park.
Features some of the city’s most magnificent sunsets & ocean views. It’s one of the city’s oldest parks! A jogging and biking path runs along steep cliffs overlooking the Pacific.
Offers free lessons for first-timers every Saturday (a small donation applies to subsequent classes).
In the reserve, it’s difficult to tell that you’re in the city at all. Groves of trees fill out the landscape, while a variety of wildlife — waterfowl, ducks, herons and more — go about their day.
