Things to Do In LA
Everyone is always asking about things to do in LA. When I moved here, I was one of those people. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it has insider insight to make your trip more smooth. Hope this helps, feel free to add to this list. It is organized by section of town and will let you know whatever inside information available from parking to fees.
The Valley:
-Valley Plaza 6 movie theatre (Tues & Sunday $1.50 other days $3)
-Lake Balboa (Perfect for walking and grilling, great for outdoor activities, free parking)
Malibu:
-Getty Villa (Free Entry, need to book free tickets online prior to visit. Parking is $15)
-Lake Shrine (Free Parking and Entry)
-Los Liones Trail (Malibu Hiking)
-Malibu Hindu Temple (Gorgeous)
Pasadena:
-Eaton Canyon Hike (There's a waterfall at the end)
-Arlington Garden (free entry, small 3 acre garden to walk through, Mediterranean plants & California succulents)
-Wrigley Gardens (Small walk through of a pretty rose garden, free)
-Ernest E. Debs Park (Plenty of parking, perfect for outdoor activities and running around)
Downtown:
-California Science Center (Free Entry, Street Park to Avoid Parking Fee)
-Bootie LA (Echo Park: 2nd & 4th Saturday of Every Month $10 Dancing)
-Short Stop (Echo Park, fun dance area)
-Echo Park lake (Paddleboating and walking)
-Seven (Dancing and Bar, Casual-ish Fridays are fun)
-The Standard (get there before 10, Thursday nights are the best, parking is hard)
-Seven Grand (Whiskey Bar, with live jazz during the week)
Culver City:
-The Blind Barber (Speakeasy, dancing closer to 11)
Santa Monica:
-Pier/Slackline Park (Metered Parking or street parking)
-Summer Concert Series (free music on the beach)
-Third Street Promenade (park near Shutters and walk over)
Venice:
-Canals (Park near the canals and walk around, free and beautiful)
-Skate Park
-Art Vendors all over the beach.
Marina Del Ray:
- Brennan's Pub Turtle Racing Bar (Music is great, street parking is best)
Playa Del Ray:
-One of the few beaches that allow bonfires, great for Volleyball as well.
Hollywood:
-Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood, ticket prices vary, but an amazing experience)
-Hemingways (Dancing, no cover)
-Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Free movies outside)
-UCB Comedy shows Franklin & Sunset location ($5 at the door $6 online reservations. Street park or valet, get there early!)
-Jazz at the W (10 pm, rooftop of W Hotel, free, parking tough)
Outside of LA:
-Carlsbad Flower Fields & Strawberry Picking ($12, stunning)
-Disneyland (Anaheim)
-Apple Picking (Outside of LA, but fun drive and day trip)
Other:
-LA Arboretum Arcadia (Free on the third Tuesday of every month, otherwise $9 & below, bring ID for discount, free parking)
-Huntington Garden in San Marino (Free first Thursday of the month, need to get tickets online but they sell out fast! Otherwise in the $18-$25 range depending on weekday and weekend)
-Drive in movie theaters (across LA)
-Getty Center (West Side of LA: Free Entry, Parking is $15)
-Franklin Canyon (Beverly Hills Hike)
-Griffith Observatory (Free Parking, but gets so crowded)
-LACMA Jazz (Free on Friday Nights at 6)
-Universal Studios (Look for one day pass that's good all year)
-Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Movie (Student discount = $6 or less, Wednesday Matinee is $4.5)
-Santa Barbara (2.5 hour drive from LA, but fun to stay overnight)
-Solvang (Dutch town just outside of Santa Barbara, well worth a trip to feel you've escaped LA)
-Catalina (free on your birthday and so many free things on the Island, otherwise $72 for a roundtrip on a ferry)
-Vegas (roughly 4 hour drive from LA, go on a weeknight to get $35/night pricing on hotels)
-Hearst Castle (4 hour drive away but beautiful)
