The best things to do in Los Angeles mix free landmarks with a few paid museums, the beach and one great view. Start with Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center and the Santa Monica coast, then add neighborhoods that match your taste. Many top sights cost nothing, but parking and timed reservations can trip you up.
All hours and prices below were checked on official venue pages in late October 2026. They apply to the fall and holiday season of 2026.
Free things to do that are worth the trip
Los Angeles is unusually generous with free culture. Several of its best-known attractions charge nothing to enter, so a full day can cost only gas or a transit fare.
Griffith Observatory. Admission to the building and grounds is free. According to the Griffith Observatory visitor page, it is open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is closed on Mondays. Planetarium shows cost extra, and the nearest parking is paid. Go near sunset, because the city lights come on as the sky turns dark.
The Getty Center. Entry is free, but the Getty now asks for a timed-entry reservation. Parking is $25 per car, $15 after 3 p.m. and $10 after 6 p.m., and it is free on Saturdays after 6 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays. Check Getty Center hours and parking for current times, since the Saturday schedule runs later.
The Broad. General admission to this downtown contemporary art museum is always free. Walk-ups are allowed, but a reserved time lets you skip the standby line. The Broad is closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Infinity Mirrored Room needs its own free ticket.
Beaches and piers. The Santa Monica Pier and the Venice boardwalk are free to walk. Rides, games and parking cost money. In November, mornings are often cool and clear, which makes it a good time for a bike ride on the beach path.
Museums with tickets, and how to pay less
A few paid museums are still worth the money. However, most have free hours that locals use, so it pays to check before you buy.
| Place | Adult price (fall 2026) | Free or cheaper options | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| LACMA | $30, or $25 for L.A. County residents | Free for everyone the second Tuesday of each month; free for county residents weekdays after 3 p.m. | See LACMA site |
| Natural History Museum | $18 | Free for county residents 3 to 5 p.m. on weekdays | First Tuesday of most months, Thanksgiving |
| The Huntington | $29 Monday to Thursday, $34 Friday to Sunday | Monthly free day tickets, released in advance | Tuesdays |
| Getty Center | Free (parking from $10) | Free parking Saturdays after 6 p.m. | Mondays |
The big news at LACMA this year is the David Geffen Galleries, which opened on April 19, 2026. The new building holds the permanent collection, and it is included with a general ticket. See the LACMA ticket page for discounts, including a small one for Metro riders.
Plan around closures too. For example, the Natural History Museum closes on the first Tuesday of most months, which falls on November 3 this year. The Huntington, in San Marino, is closed every Tuesday and stops check-in at 4:15 p.m.
One change surprises many visitors. The museum building at La Brea Tar Pits is closed for a two-year renovation. Still, parts of Hancock Park and the outdoor excavation areas remain open, so you can see bubbling asphalt for free on a walk next to LACMA.
Classic Hollywood, done quickly
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is free and open all day. It is also crowded and commercial, so most people need about an hour. Pair it with the TCL Chinese Theatre forecourt, where the handprints sit outside and cost nothing to see.
For the best Hollywood Sign photo, skip the residential streets below it. Instead, use the observatory terraces or the trails of Griffith Park. Bring water and start early, because shade on the trails is limited. If a fire warning is in effect, some trails may close, so check before you go.
Neighborhoods to explore on foot
A lot of what makes Los Angeles fun happens at street level. Pick one or two areas per day rather than crossing the whole county.
- Downtown. Grand Central Market, The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall and the historic Olvera Street fit in one walk.
- Little Tokyo and the Arts District. Food, galleries and murals, all close to Metro stations.
- Venice. The canals are a quiet contrast to the busy boardwalk a few blocks away.
- Koreatown. Late-night dining and karaoke make it a good evening choice.
- Pasadena. Old Town shops, plus The Huntington nearby.
Our guide to Los Angeles neighborhoods explains what each area is like if you are thinking of staying longer.
Seasonal events in November and December 2026
Fall is a good time to visit. Crowds are smaller than in summer, and the weather is usually mild.
Día de los Muertos events at Olvera Street and Grand Park run into the first days of November. Altars, music and processions are free to see. Later in the month, the Hollywood Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026, along Hollywood Boulevard, according to the parade organizers. Thanksgiving falls on November 26, and several museums close that day.
The holidays also bring plenty of volunteer drives. Local groups such as the one in our archive story on the Los Angeles Conservation Corps holiday drive often welcome help, which can be a fun way to meet locals.
A simple three-day plan
If this is your first visit, a loose plan helps. Each day below stays in one part of the city, so you spend more time doing things and less time in traffic.
Day one: downtown and the hills. Start at Grand Central Market for breakfast. Then walk to The Broad and the Walt Disney Concert Hall exterior. After lunch in Little Tokyo, drive or take a rideshare to Griffith Observatory in time for sunset.
Day two: museums on the Westside. Spend the morning at the Getty Center, since the light on the gardens is best early. In the afternoon, head to LACMA and the Tar Pits grounds on Wilshire Boulevard. If you live in the county, arrive after 3 p.m. on a weekday to get into LACMA free.
Day three: the coast. Rent a bike in Santa Monica and ride the beach path south to Venice. Walk the canals, then return for dinner near the pier.
Want a slower trip? Swap one day for The Huntington and Old Town Pasadena. That works well on a Monday, when the Getty, The Broad and the observatory are all closed.
Sports fans can also catch a game, because basketball and hockey seasons are underway in November. Check team schedules directly, as dates and ticket prices change.
Getting around without losing half the day
Distances in Los Angeles are long, and traffic is heavy at rush hour. So group sights by area. Santa Monica and Venice fit one day, while downtown and Little Tokyo fit another.
Metro trains reach downtown, Hollywood, Pasadena, Little Tokyo and Santa Monica. That covers many of the places above. Our guide to LA Metro fares and passes explains what a ride costs in 2026 and how daily fare caps work.
If you drive, budget for parking. Museums and beaches often charge $10 to $25 per visit. Also allow extra time for the Getty tram and the observatory hill, since both have lines on weekends.
For more local coverage, see our Los Angeles and California guides.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free things to do in Los Angeles?
Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, The Broad, the Santa Monica Pier and the Walk of Fame are all free to enter. Parking and special shows may cost extra.
What fun things are there to do in Los Angeles at night?
The observatory stays open until 10 p.m. most days. Koreatown, downtown and Santa Monica also have busy evening food and music scenes.
How many days do you need in Los Angeles?
Three to four days covers the main sights if you group them by area. A week lets you add the Huntington, a beach day and slower neighborhood walks.
Do I need reservations for Los Angeles museums?
The Getty Center asks for a timed-entry reservation. The Broad accepts walk-ups, but booking skips the line. Paid museums usually sell timed tickets online.
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