7 Offbeat, Fun and Free Things to Do in Los Angeles

From Gold-Panning to Free Museums

First off you have plenty of cheap and almost-free places to choose from at Hostelsclub’s Top Hostels in Hollywood or Venice. But then what?

Don’t worry… We’ve got 7 cool suggestions for what you can do without spending a dime, in one of the world’s craziest and most unique cities in the world. Cause in L.A –if you want to melt in with the crowd, you have to be different than everyone else... Get it?!

Catch a movie at the cemetery

Don’t go and buy a Stalker-Star-Map. Pay your respect to the old Hollywood stars like Bogart, Monroe, and Betty Davis at the cemetery instead. “Hollywood forever Cemetery' is a popular excursion in L.A. And in the summer they screen old Hollywood classics in this beautiful cemetery. Check out the program at Cinespia and bring the Picnic basket and your date for the evening.

Go gold panning

No, this is not a joke, recreational gold panning is growing in popularity together with the financial crises in the States. Just buy a gold pan and download a gold map from the Internet and you are ready to start digging. If you need more guidance, you can join an organized tour. Try your luck and one day it can be you who live in one of the palaces in Beverly Hills!

Getty Center

The Museums and galleries in L.A have one day a week or once a month with free admission, but the best museum in town is always free - The Getty Center! You can stay here all day, and enjoy the good view over the city, as well as good exhibitions. At LACMA you’ll also get in for free after 5 pm every day.

The Beach

The beach from Venice to Santa Monica is perhaps the most well-known among us out-out-towners, and the best part is you can combine it with very good shopping on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica or Main Street in Venice. If you find the water too cold to take a swim, rent a bike or a pair of rollerblades and enjoy the fresh breeze from the sea without getting wet.

For beaches with a less urban feel, take the Pacific Coast Highway towards Malibu, and visit Malibu Lagoon State Beach, for example. For splendid surfing, we recommend Topanga State Beach, where you’ll also find one of L.A’s best fishing restaurants, The Reel Inn.

Hiking

Hiking in Topanga Canyon’s Topanga State Park, will make you forget you’re in a city with a population of over 20 million people. This legendary hot spot for hippies has a rich culture of Indian culture, and is fairly nearby, in the mountains by the sea, just before Malibu.

Mullholland Drive

Pretend that you’re a movie-star and drive up and down the famous Mullholland Drive, used as location in numerous films due to the view over L.A and also the home adress of many actors. Sounds desperate? Maybe so but it's fun!

Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood Bowl is L.A’s famous arena for pop, rock, as well as classical concerts. It’s free to visit day-time and if you’re lucky you get to see Los Angeles Philharmonics morning rehearsal...for free!

Well, what are you waiting for? –Book your L.A hostel now! You can afford it.