fun

We all need a break sometimes! When you’re going to school, holding down a job, and taking on adult responsibilities, you need to relax and kick back with friends sometimes. How can you do that and save money? Los Angeles is full of ways to have fun without spending a lot of money. Here are just some examples:

Free Fitness

Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy (J.U.i.C.E)
A non-profit weekly hip hop arts program that seeks to develop leadership and technical skills, creative expression and self-confidence through the artistic elements of hip hop which include breakdancing, urban art, dj-ing, emceeing/spoken word and music recording.
Date/Time: Every Saturday from 12-4pm
MacArthur Park Recreation Center 2230 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, 90057
Free for all age groups.
At their FREE sessions every week, you can learn, practice, or just observe and admire the hip-hop arts of graffiti, breaking, DJing & MCing from our talented & dope art facilitators!

Free Outdoor Yoga

Runyon Canyon Park (Hollywood area)
Come equipped with a yoga mat, a towel for sweat, some water and a SMILE.
2001 N Fuller Ave. Los Angeles, California 90046
323.666.5046
FREE daily yoga class: 3-5 times a day
Dates/Times: Mon-Sun. 8:45am, 10:30am, and 6pm

Free Archery Classes

To begin the classes, you must take a free Safety Class/Intro Class so try to arrive 30mins early. After you’ve already taken a class, you can shoot on Saturdays from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Once you have more experience, Wednesday from 6:30-8pm.
Date/Time: Every Saturday at 11am and the second Sunday of every month at 1:30pm.
Cheviot Hills Recreation Center
2459 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: 310.837.5186
For all ages
All the equipment you’ll need is for FREE.

Los Angeles Zoo’s Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel, Los Feliz

5333 Zoo Drive Los Angeles, CA 90027 323.644.4200
Admissions to the Zoo: $17 Adults, Children 2-12yrs: $12, under 2: Free
$3 ticket per person to ride the Carousel

Santa Monica Pier Carousel

Ride the carousel, look out over the ocean, and enjoy some ice-cream.

200 Santa Monica Pier?Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.458.8901
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11am – 5pm, Fri-Sun: 11am – 7pm, Closed Wednesday and Tuesday
$2 adults, $1 children

Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, Carousel

The Merry-Go-Round has 68 horses, each horse is finely craved with jewel-encrusted bridles, detailed draped blankets and decorated with sunflowers and lion’s heads.
4730 Crystal Springs Road Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.665.3051
Open weekends and summer weekdays: 11am – 5pm, $2

Art, Cinema, and Music

The Music Center – Active Arts – Sing, Dance, Make Music, and Tell Stories in Downtown LA – low to no cost do-it-yourself programs.
Free events and activities – Dates vary

Dance Downtown
Learn different dance styles outdoor! No experience necessary.
135 N Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.972.7211

Grand Performances
FREE performing arts that reflect the best global culture and inspire community among the diverse people of Los Angeles. People from all walks of life come together to share rich moments of cultural awareness, inspiration, introspection, and most importantly celebration.
350 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213.687.2190

Twilight Concert Series
Free summer concert series at the Santa Monica Pier held Mid July- Mid September
Every Thursday Night, Free Admission
Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, CA 90401

Street Food Cinema
Summer event series featuring cool outdoor movies, tasty food trucks and live music! (May-Sept. usually held on Saturday Nights)
General Admissions: $12 (Seating is on a first come, first serve basis)
Children ages 6-12: $6 and children under 5 are FREE!
Various locations throughout L.A.

Los Angeles Artwalk 
A monthly showcase and celebration of the best galleries, artists, and photography in downtown LA
Admissions: FREE
Date: 2nd Thursday of every month
Time: 6pm-10pm
4th St & Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.617.4929

Long Beach Artwalk
A street fair to discover local art galleries; enjoy street performances and live music.
Admission: FREE
Date: 2nd Saturday of every month
Time: 4pm-10pm, Free street parking after 6pm or $5 all day at Elm and Broadway.
Location: 117 Linden Ave, Long Beach, CA
Phone: 562.682.9735

Beaches

Take time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, especially during the summertime!
Activities may include: Beach volleyball, surfing, swimming, biking, rollerblading, playing ultimate Frisbee, building sand castles, taking a stroll to enjoy the scenery or relax by laying out on the sand and soaking up the sun! *Remember to put on sunblock so you don’t get sunburn.

Locations: Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, or head further to Manhattan, Hermosa, Marina Del Rey, Hermosa, and Redondo Beaches. Parking: street parking (free or meter) or fees may vary.

Hiking

Discover the best hikes in Los Angeles County. Hit the trail to improved health as you share a fun activity in the natural world with your friends and family.

Most popular locations:

Griffith Observatory Hike – Los Feliz
Much more than a city park, this urban parkland has numerous trails and historic attractions sprawled over 4,210 acres.

Griffith Park – the Hollywood Sign Hike
A great easy to moderate hike if you are visiting or new in town with great views of the Hollywood sign.

Santa Anita Canyon – Sturtevant Falls, Pasadena
A leisurely hike through an enchanted portion of the San Gabriel Mountains leading to a fifty foot waterfall.

Eaton Canyon – Altadena
A relatively easy less-than-four mile hike to a 40-foot waterfall.

Mount Wilson via Chantry Flats, Pasadena
There are several trails you can take to the top of Mt. Wilson, but this challenging 13- mile loop is the most beautiful.

Will Rogers State Park – Inspirational Point Trail
The trail offers excellent views of the Los Angeles Basin, Santa Monica Bay and the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains.

Sierra Club – Join on hikes and trail outings open to everyone. Check their website for dates and locations

Outings for Families with Kids: Little Hikers and Junior Explorers.
List of the most popular hiking near Los Angeles

Winter Activities

Downtown on Ice — (Opens November-January)
This tradition of affordable family fun features a host of FREE events like Lunchtime Concerts, Thursday and Friday Night Concerts, Saturday Youth Program, Sunday Afternoon Concerts, and a Weekend Winter Holiday Festival with snow and “make and take” arts & crafts, championship skating exhibitions, and more. New in 2012, “Mommie & Me Stroller Skate” sessions select Tuesday mornings.
Location:
Pershing Square
532 South Olive Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90014
213.847.4970
General Admissions:
$6 per one-hour skate session
$2 for skate rental

LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. LIVE — (Opens November-January)
An outdoor ice skating rink in the Nokia Plaza, across the street from STAPLES Center. This 70-by-50 foot rink will accommodate 200 skaters at one time. This family-friendly rink offer more than just skates—from wintry food and drinks to ice tubing and meeting Santa, there’s something for everyone!
General Admissions: $10 includes skate rental. $5 for active military and families and for seniors (prices may vary yearly).
Additional discounts may be available, call for details.
777 Chick Hearn Ct. Los Angeles, CA 90015
213.763.6030

Free Museum Days

Many of LA’s top museums open their doors free-of-charge on select days and times. Make sure you take advantage of this wonderful offer! Note: Check museum websites or call for more information and for any potential changes to the days below and parking arrangements.

Annenberg Space for Photography
      2000 Ave. of the Stars, #1000, Los Angeles 90067

 

      213.403.3000

 

    Free: Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Arboretum of Los Angeles County
      301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007

 

      626.821.3222

 

    Free: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
Armory Center for the Arts
      145 North Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103

 

      626.792.5101

 

    Free: Tuesday-Sunday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m
Autry Museum of Western Heritage
      4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027

 

      323.667.2000

 

    Free: 2nd Tuesday of the month, check museum for seasonal hours.
Bowers Museum
      2002 North Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92706

 

      714.567.3600

 

    Free: First Sunday of the month, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m
California African American Museum
      600 State Drive. Los Angeles, 90037

 

      213.744.7432

 

    Free: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
California Science Center
      700 State Drive. Los Angeles, CA 90037

 

      323.724.3623

 

    Free: Everyday!
Chinese American Museum
      425 N. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, 90012

 

      213.485.8567

 

    Free: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Corita Art Center
      5515 Franklin Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90028

 

      323.466.2157 ext. 21

 

    Free: Everyday! Mon-Fri 9-4pm but closed between 12-1pm and one Saturday a month.
Craft and Folk Art Museum
      5814 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

 

      323.937.4230

 

    Free: 1st Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
FIDM Museum and Galleries
      919 South Grand Ave., Suite 250, Los Angeles

 

      213.623.5821

 

    Free: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fowler Museum at UCLA, North Campus
      310.825.4361

 

    Free: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. and Thursday, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Getty Center
      1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049

 

      310.440.7300

 

    Admission is free, parking is $15
Getty Villa in Malibu
      17985 Pacific Coast Highway

 

      Pacific Palisades, 90272

 

      310.440.7300

 

      Admission is free, but you must

reserve tickets in advance

      .

 

    Parking is $15
Griffith Observatory
      2800 East Observatory Road,

 

      Los Angeles, CA 90027

 

      213.473.0800

 

      Free Admissions

 

      Weds-Fri. 12pm-10pm, Sat-Sun. 10am-10pm

 

    *Charges vary to see shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium
UCLA Hammer Museum
      10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024

 

      310.443.7000

 

    Free: Every Thursday
Hollywood Bowl Museum
      2301 N. Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90078

 

      Los Angeles CA 90078

 

      323.850.2058

 

    Admissions: Free year-round
Huntington Library
      1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108

 

      626.405.2141

 

      Free: 1st Thursday of the month with advance

 

      tickets, 10:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m.

 

    Request tickets at 800.838.3006. You may also reserve your tickets online.
Japanese American National Museum
      100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

 

      213.625.0414

 

    Free: Every Thursday, 5pm-8pm.; 3rd Thursday of the month, 12pm-8pm
Kidspace Children’s Museum Brookside Park
      480 N. Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103

 

      626.449.9144

 

    Free: Free Family Night -1st Tuesday evening of the month, 4-8 p.m.
Laguna Art Museum
      307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

 

      949.494.8971

 

    Free: 1st Thursday of the month, 5pm – 9pm along with Laguna Art Walk that is also happening!
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
      501 North Main Street, Los Angeles, 90012

 

      213.542.6200

 

    Free: Wednesday-Monday, 12pm – 7pm
Long Beach Museum of Art
      2300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90803

 

      562.439.2119

 

    Free: Thursday evenings 3-8pm & Every Friday!
L.A. County Museum of Art (LACMA)
      5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 930036

 

      323.857.6000

 

      Free: After 3pm for LA county resident Mon-Fri. and on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

 

      Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs: 11-5pm, Fri: 11-8pm,

 

    Sat-Sun. 10am-7pm. Closed on Wednesdays.

Tuesday Matinee at LACMA

      Every Tuesday at 1pm, LACMA screens a Hollywood classic!

 

    Admission: Tickets: $4 for general admission, $2 seniors (62+) and LACMA members
Los Angeles Fire Museum & Memorial Hollywood Museum
      1355 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

 

      323.464.2727

 

    Free: Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Los Angeles Fire Museum & Memorial Harbor Museum
      638 Beacon Street, San Pedro, 90731

 

      323.464.2727

 

    Free: Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
      250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012

 

      213.626.6222

 

    Free: Every Thursday, 5-8pm
MOCA at the Geffen Contemporary
      152 North Central Ave, Los Angeles 90013

 

      213.626.6222

 

    Free: Every Thursday evenings 5-8pm
MOCA Pacific Design Center
      8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

 

      310.657.0800

 

    Free: Tues-Fri. 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun. 11am-6pm
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
      628 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach, 90802

 

      562.437.1689

 

    Free: Every Sunday 11am – 5pm
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
      900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007

 

      213.763.3388

 

    Free: 1st Tuesday of the month, except July and August. Every Tuesday in September is free 9:30 am -5pm
Norton Simon Museum
      411 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, 91105

 

      626.449.6840

 

    Free: 1st Friday of every month from 6-9pm
Pacific Asia Museum
      46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101

 

      626.449.2742

 

    Free: 4th Friday of the month, 10am-6pm
Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits
      5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

 

      323.934.7243

 

    Free: 1st Tuesday of the month, 9:30am-5pm, except July and August. Every Tuesday in September is free
Paley Center for Media
      465 North Beverly Drive., Beverly Hills, 90210

 

      310.786.1091

 

      Free: Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm– 5pm

 

    Library Screening, a 150ft Theater – showing classic TV shows and Art Galleries!
Pasadena Museum of California Art
      490 East Union Street, Pasadena 91101

 

      626.568.3665

 

    Free: 1st Friday of the month, 12pm – 5pm and every 3rd Thursday of every month from 5-8pm
Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA)
      Bergamot Station G1, 2525 Michigan Ave.

 

      Santa Monica, CA 90404

 

      310.586.6488

 

    Free: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am – 6pm
Skirball Cultural Center
      2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, 90049

 

      310.440.4500

 

    Free: Every Thursday, 12 pm – 5pm
USC Fisher Gallery
      823 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089

 

      213.740.4561

 

    Free: Tuesday – Friday, 12pm – 5pm, Saturday 12-4pm

For a detailed list of ALL activities happening in L.A, visit Experience LA

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