21 Fairly Inexpensive And Fun Things To Do When You Come To Los Angeles

Please, for the love of GOD, don't go to the Walk of Fame.

1. Picnic and/or hike at Griffith Park.

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I've lived in Los Angeles for five years and have no problem saying that Runyon Canyon...isn't worth it. (Sorry! Don't come for me.) It's a struggle to find parking and because it's a popular location, there's always a crowd. You can still see the Hollywood sign if you hike at Griffith, and the parking lot is bigger. There's also plenty of spacious green areas to have a picnic once you're done.

2. Take in the sights from the Griffith Observatory.

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Listen, I know La La Land made it a little more popular than it already was, but I firmly believe that the Griffith Observatory is worth it. Get there at least two hours before sunset if you don't want to encounter a traffic nightmare. Also, make sure and grab a ticket to the show if you're into space. Take note: they're closed Mondays.

3. Rent one of the swan peddle boats at Echo Park.

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I walk my dog around Echo Park Lake fairly often and think it's so lovely and peaceful. I've never done the peddle boats, but it looks like a lot of fun and also a cute date or family-friendly activity. Bring a picnic or buy a snack off of vendors who frequent the park.

4. Get an epic Los Angeles photo for your 'gram.

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I'll probably get yelled at for telling you this, but whatever. If you want content for your Instagram, you can take an ~iconic Los Angeles~ photo on South Windsor Blvd and 5th Street. You even get the sign in the background. Just...you know...be smart and watch for cars.

5. Watch a movie outdoors at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

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This activity will require a little planning on your part if you plan on visiting Los Angeles. Check the Cinespia website for times, movie selections, and ticket prices. You can even bring your own food/wine instead of paying a buttload for popcorn at the theater.

6. Walk through a FREE museum by going to The Broad downtown.

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Have you seen a million and one pictures of this Infinity Room by Yayoi Kusama on Instagram? It really is as cool as it looks, and you can experience it at The Broad. This museum is only contemporary art, and it's really cool to check out. Make sure to reserve your free tickets in advance in order to skip waiting in line when you arrive.

7. Experience the food scene downtown, especially Donut Friend and Little Damage.

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I know, I know. Both of these dessert spots feel like they were created just for Instagram content, right? But take my word for it: they're DELICIOUS. Little Damage is ice cream, but Donut Friend is 100% vegan. Grand Central Market is another good place to check out tons of different food spots, but it can get super crowded. Don't say I didn't warn ya.

8. And while you're downtown, pop into The Last Bookstore.

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I'm a huge book nerd, but I really believe people who love music and art will love The Last Bookstore, too. The aesthetic is incredible, there are SO many aisles to browse, and there are a few art shops on the second floor as well as a music selection on the bottom floor.

9. Swing by Little Tokyo downtown, too.

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Grab some lunch or just pop in and out of shops in Little Tokyo. It won't eat up a lot of your day and it's a super chill/cute area.

10. Walk around and shop around at the Melrose Trading Post on a Sunday.

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Go to the Melrose Trading Post to pick up a non-tacky Los Angeles trinket for yourself if you happen to be visiting. They have everything from clothing, jewelry, art, furniture, shoes, plants, food vendors, and live music. I guarantee you'll find something you love there. FYI: this only happens on Sundays, and there is a $3 entry fee that benefits the local high school.

11. Watch the sunset at Hermosa or Redondo Beach.

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Listen, if you haven't been to Southern California before and absolutely want to experience Venice and Santa Monica — go live your best life. Both areas are iconic, but of course super touristy. That's why I prefer watching a good ole California sunset away from those beaches. Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo tend to be on the quieter side.

12. Have a cute tea experience at Rose & Blanc Tea Room.

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Yeah, there are tons of great brunch spots in Los Angeles, but why not change it up and make it a cute tea afternoon? The aesthetic at Rose & Blanc is incredibly adorable, and basically everything inside is photo-worthy. It's a little bit of a splurgy thing to do, but you were gonna spend that $$ on brunch, anyway.

13. Try stand up paddle boarding at Redondo Beach.

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You can also do stand up paddle boarding in Marina Del Rey, but I prefer Redondo. It's a great way to get outside, get some exercise, and enjoy the beautiful ocean and views.

14. Skip bar hopping and spend an evening at Moonlight Rollerway.

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If you're looking for a fun evening activity that's also family-friendly, go to Moonlight Rollerway. It's such a vibe and a really fun place. It also might look familiar because a few different shows and movies have filmed there.

15. Take a cute stroll around the Huntington Gardens.

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I really enjoy the Huntington Gardens. It's beautiful, and Southern California usually has beautiful weather, so why not find this as an excuse to be outdoors? There's no way you can have a bad time.

16. Experience The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Nuart Theater.

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If you've seen/read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, this is exactly that scene you're picturing. People come to the Nuart specifically to dress up and have the interactive experience with Rocky. Oh, and don't forget to tell them if it's your first time. ;)

17. Drive down Pacific Coast Highway.

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A free and beautiful activity! Personally, I recommend a sunrise drive on a weekend when traffic is almost non-existent. Sure you gotta rise early, but once you're sipping your coffee and cruisin' as the sun rises over the Pacific, you'll forget all about how early your alarm woke you up.

18. Conquer part of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail.

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This hands down might be my favorite summer activity. I do it every year! It's 22 miles round trip, but you don't have to do the entire thing. I like starting in Hermosa and going up to Dockweiler Beach. It can get tricky navigating around crowds once you get to Venice or Santa Monica, but it's not impossible. Plus, there are tons of cute shops and restaurants you can stop at along the way if you need a break. You can rent bikes for as little as $15 for half a day, or $25 for a full day.

19. Enjoy a beach bonfire at Dockweiler Beach or Huntington Beach.

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If you want to spend an entire day at the beach, why not stay til sunset and cook dinner over a fire pit? You can't rent fire pits at these locations beforehand, so I recommend getting there pretty early if you want to claim one for the day. Bring your hot dogs and s'mores and you're golden.

20. Buy tickets to the WB Studio Tour.

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I've given you a lot of cheap/free things to do, but one thing I highly recommend splurging on is the WB Studio Tour if you're a big TV/movies person. You'll see props and interactive experiences from Harry Potter, Gilmore Girls, Friends, Lord of the Rings, and more. Plus, there are tons of photo-ops — like posing on the Friends couch in Central Perk. Tickets start at $69.

21. Finally, treat yourself to tacos at a taco truck.

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Sure, In-N-Out is fine, but I highly recommend stopping by a taco truck, like Leo's Tacos. It's what SoCal is known for. It would be a sin to leave without trying one.