Of course some things in Los Angeles are very expensive. However, not everything in the city comes with a enormous price tag. In fact, there are many fun and interesting things to do in the Los Angeles area that don’t cost a penny. In addition to the obvious choices, such as strolling on the beach or walking along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, here are some of the best free things to do in Los Angeles.

See a TV show taping

Did you know that you can be in the studio audience of many television shows for free? Whether you are a fan of the Late Late Show, The Price is Right, or any number of other television shows, you can find free tickets from websites such as HollywoodTickets.com and TVTickets.com. Just let them know the dates you are visiting Los Angeles and they’ll send you free tickets. You can also contact the studios directly for tickets to many TV shows.

Check out the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

Admission is free and open to everyone. The Academy gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 6:00pm. The Academy is located in Beverly Hills at 8949 Wilshire Blvd. To learn more about the Academy, please visit oscars.org.

Visit the J. Paul Getty Museum

Believe it or not, one of the best museums in the Los Angeles area is totally free. Visit Getty Center where you can see paintings, sculpture, drawings, photographs and much more. The Getty is closed on Mondays and parking is $8 in the museum lot. The museum also features spectacular architecture and panoramic city views.

Experience the Gardens at UCLA

On UCLA’s campus in Westwood, you will find the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens, the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden, and the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden. Each of these Gardens are very different, but all are free! Visit ucla.edu to learn more about these terrific attractions.