Despite the reputation that Los Angeles gets for being expensive and luxurious, there are some INCREDIBLE things to do here for cheap…and even completely free! With careful planning and a bit of insider knowledge (it helps that I work with the locals), you can enjoy a memorable week in the City of Angels without straining your wallet. If you have one week in LA, here’s my budget-friendly guide to LA’s attractions, food, and culture.
Day 1: Hollywood Boulevard & Griffith
Start your trip by immersing yourself in the glitz and history of Hollywood. . Stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where you can spot the stars of your favorite celebrities. Take a tour of the famous TCL theatre for around $10, totally worth it! It’s beautiful inside the theatre and you get to learn all kinds of cool history. If you’re a Disney fan, I recommend catching a movie at the El Capitan theatre where nearly every Disney movie premiers. I recommend checking out the stores lining Hollywood Boulevard, my personal favorites are the Funko store, Amoeba Music, & Ghiradelli (because who doesn’t love chocolate?).
After shopping and exploring hollywood boulevard, grab a bite to eat at the MANY food trucks up and down Hollywood Boulevard. Take your pick, they’re all delicious! I always recommend grabbing some Mexican though while in Los Angeles! After some food, capture the iconic Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory for a stunning view without any cost (yes, for FREE). I recommend taking an Uber to the top though or catching the bus. I tried hiking and thought I was going to pass out, so beware! The Griffith Observatory is open late and is beautiful at night!
Day 2: Beach Day
Spend a relaxing day at Santa Monica Beach. Pack a picnic and soak in the sun, the salt air, and the sounds of the ocean. The Santa Monica Pier is free to explore, and you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, street performers, and the famous Pacific Park Ferris wheel. This is also where the famous Route 66 ends, so be sure to check out the sign for that!
If you want a little exercise, I highly recommend taking a walk down the pedestrian walkway to visit Venice Beach, known for its bohemian atmosphere and bustling boardwalk. People-watch, enjoy the colorful street art, and be sure to spot the skaters showing off their amazing skills! Roller skating is so common here you’ll probably spot lots of them. If you’ve seen Barbie, I’m sure that it looks familiar to you!
Day 3: Cultural Immersion Downtown
Discover the cultural side of LA in downtown. Visit The Broad museum, which offers free admission to its impressive collection of contemporary art. Walk around the historic Olvera Street for a taste of Mexican heritage, and explore the vibrant street art scene in the Arts District.
While by The Broad, stop by the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You can tour for free (and the concerts are actually pretty affordable). After a day of museums and music, take your laid back culture day to the next level with the Last Bookstore. Take a trip to all kinds of worlds in this bookstore. My favorite part is they have a little art hallway where you can shop from local artists, a coffee shop, and the famous tunnel of books! On the way there, see if you can spot the street vendors that line the roads sometimes. It’s so fun!
Day 4: Museum & Farmers Market
Take a dive into the culture of art at one of LA’s many museums. LACMA is an excellent choice (get in free on the second Tuesday of each month!), it’s one of my favorites! The Oscar Museum, also found in the same area, is extremely cool too but it does cost around $25 to get in, so it’s not my top choice for a cheap trip!
After a museum excursion, head to The Original Farmer’s Market & The Grove! The food at The Original Farmer’s market is DELICIOUS. There are so many options that it’s so hard to decide. There’s a ton of little shops and big stores in this area, so be sure to walk around and enjoy! I love the sticker shop in the middle of the farmers market, so definitely don’t miss that!
Day 5: Free Museums
Many of LA’s museums offer free admission… There’s a good bit to pick from! Take advantage of this and explore the Getty Center, renowned for its impressive art collection and stunning architecture. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) which I mentioned above, has free admission on Tuesday, giving you access to its vast array of exhibits. Getty Center’s sister location (The Getty Villa) is also free. Not to mention, The Broad is free as well.
My personal favorite is Getty Center. It’s located on top of a beautiful mountain and has some incredible plans and flowers. A lot of people visit and hang out in the garden to read or eat!
Day 6: Secrets of Hollywood
One of LA’s claims to fame, is of course, Hollywood! One of the most fun experiences (even though it’s a bit more on the pricey side) is getting to see the studio lots! Warner Brothers studio tours does one of the best backlot tours ever. Paramount and Universal also do tours, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them!
However, if you’re trying to save some money, you don’t have to go to the studio lot in order to see a little bit of Hollywood behind the scenes! Studios film all over the city, from LaLa Land to Ghostbusters, there are movie sites everywhere.
Day 7: Entertainment Central
If you’ve never done so before, I would recommend trying to sign up and attend a live screening of one of your favorite talk show programs! It was incredibly cool to see what it’s like behind the scenes. LA is known for their entertainment so you can find quite a bit of them here through one Google search!
With careful planning, Los Angeles can be an affordable destination offering a variety of experiences. From its beaches and outdoor spaces to its cultural attractions and vibrant neighborhoods, LA provides a budget-friendly itinerary that allows you to make the most of your week in this captivating city.
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