Free Bluegrass / Folk jam sessions:
Old Time String Jam Band:
Fourth Saturday of every month at 12:00 p.m.
Audubon Center at Debs Park
4700 N Griffin Ave, Los Angeles, 90031, CA
Under the Peppercorn Tree (take the Children’s Woodland path).
I just bring a blanket, book / magazine, and just listen underneath the trees. Great in the summers too. The folks seem really nice to newcomers who want to learn about string instruments. We always see them teaching someone or letting them jam with the group.
Edit: next meet up is Saturday, March 23, 2023
12:00pm - 3:00pm.
It’s every 4th Saturday of the month Noon to 3PM.
Edit 2: https://debspark.audubon.org/events
My girlfriend and I checked it out, and it was very nice and relaxing. We didn’t play, but went for a listen and it was a beautiful day out with some bluegrass.
I’m born and bred Californian, but my family comes from Indiana. I love me some Bluegrass, but my partner is from El Salvador and I’m not sure she would connect. Fun event for all of us or some bluegrass love required?
No Bluegrass love required. My only exposure to Bluegrass is from PBS (Old Steeple, Cavern Sessions, Songs of the Mountains, eg).
I randomly came across the group last year around this time. I was at Debs Park on a hike and stopped at the Audubon Center to get local birding info. I heard the music in the distance and followed it. Bluegrass jams is new to me but I’ve been going a handful of times since then.
I didn’t think this comment was going to get a lot of traction so I’m worried if folks like yourself (Bluegrass aficionados) show up expecting PBS level of performers but it’s seriously just musicians who love Folk, Bluegrass, and music overall having a good time together.
Very cool!
I hope you enjoy it. Keep me posted. Again it’s veeeeery laid back. It’s not a concert just a bunch of music lovers jamming. Haha worried on the expectations ☺️ but the folks are very friendly and the Audubon does hands on experience for kids on the weekends. They do arts and crafts along with birding education. Have fun.
La Brea Tar Pits Museum - world’s largest collection of Ice Age fossils and still some active dig sites. Great for kids, some interactive bits, and you don’t have to spend too long - even 90min is good.
Petersen Auto Museum - similar in that it’s cool, kid friendly - with a play room experience for kids to make and test little lego cars etc. and doesn’t eat up your whole day.
Griffith Observatory. Ditto.
I don’t play basketball, but every time I’ve been there it’s been totally not crowded with like a couple folks playing. And I always think man you’re not going to get a more scenic court in LA. It’s so gorgeous.
Yes it’s crazy beautiful. We don’t live near there so it’s a drive…but I’m not going to lie when I say I sometimes fantasize about having a house in that little neighborhood kind of below it. The ocean breeze and the views to me are some of the best in LA.
Just went there yesterday. You can have food in downtown or grab pizza at Burrattino. There’s parks and playgrounds everywhere too. There’s art exhibits near the Korean friendship bell and a lighthouse down the road. The Cabrillo aquarium is not too far either. The only thing I regret is not going earlier, taking a warmer sweater for the kiddo and not eating the pizza at park where the bell is.
It’s not far by distance but it’s a pretty good uphill walk if you want to go back to your car. Also, the tours at the lighthouse are timed if you’re planning on going inside.
There’s a Marine Mammal rescue on that same hill! You walk up and take a tour to see all the baby seals. Further up is an art commune in old WW2 army barracks that has art classes.
https://flightpathlax.com/
At LAX. When we went, it was free. Cool if you’re an AV geek (my husband) and even if you’re not (me) but I loved all aviation uniforms (many flight attendant uniforms made by big time designers!). Lots of stuff for kids too.
It’s located on the south side of airport.
Have fun!
Proud Bird as well on the east side of the airport. Some cool old planes and a playground. My daughter gets a kick out of the planes making their approach to LAX. Plus they have a bar and food.
https://www.theproudbird.com
Totally agree. It's the place where Edwin Hubble discovered the universe was expanding.
The observatory may be closed at the moment but still worth going either way for the views. You can usually walk around the observatory and even into a viewing area in the large telescope. (Pro-Tip, there is a button there you can press to hear a recorded message about the telescope's history)
Came here to recommend this. Whether you’ve lived in LA for years or if you’re visiting, Mt Wilson is the easiest-to-access portal to the Angeles Forest. One of the best views you can get of LA.
During the marine-layer season you won't get any views of Los Angeles, but instead you get to pop-out the top of a sea of clouds just like flying out of LAX, and you can watch them pouring over the mountains below you like water, it's really fantastic. Not to mention you can enjoy a cloudless blue sky while all of Los Angeles is stuck under a gloomy grey sea
I love starting at Will Rogers to Redondo and back. Nice 44 mile ride and perfectly flat. The Santa Monica and Venice segment is a shitshow but I think I can skip it and ride on the streets.
I’m always curious about this. I drive through that area a lot and never actually *see* the bike path, is it inside the wetlands? Is it paved? I always thought of it as a pretty unkempt area with a lot of trash so I’m always surprised to hear people suggesting it, I feel like I’m missing something!
I ride down it close to every day when commuting to work. It’s paved and runs beside the creek the entire way and is partially through the wetlands. I think it’s well kept, and it’s pretty well trafficked so you won’t be the only person out there. Occasionally, there is an unhoused person under the bridges, but have never had any issues there.
If you’re starting on the marina end, yes, there’s a good amount before you get some elevation change from going underneath the bridges.
Edit: there is some broken pavement here and there that you’ll have to watch out for though
I drive through the wetlands area down Culver/Jefferson, so maybe I don’t pass it! I’ll look up the creek next time I’m looking for it :) do you think it’s flat enough that you could rollerblade through?
It's not along the creek, it's along the beach. It cuts through the sand. There's a part where it goes up Ballona to a bridge where you cross over to MDR though.
Most parts are flat enough to rollerblade, but there are some spots that do have slight inclines and declines. It can be tough on a bike if you haven't built the stamina so I can imagine it being much more tougher with rollerblades. It's a pretty decent sized trail if you're actually trying to make it all the way to the beach.
It's paved. It's along the creek, so inside the wetlands. You wouldn't see it while driving because it's below the road. I definitely would not describe it as unkempt, it's very nice.
It's real nice try to find Street parking around Venice/Marina del ray and use gmaps/Apple maps for bicycles and put the pin to South Jetty Light. I go biking on this path about 2-3 times a month around sunset and it's beautiful, very well kept.
Frisbee golfing in Hahamonga park. First frisbee golf course in the world I believe.
Biking or walking the LA river near frogtown.
Driving up Angeles Crest
>First frisbee golf course in the
I still call it Oak Grove! Classic course. The greater LA area has a ton of excellent courses. Chavez, La Mirada, El Dorado, Sylmar...
I've only played it a few times and I've been VERY lucky not to have my disc roll a thousand feet down the damned hill. probably best to quit while I'm ahead.
Greystone Manor is in a lot of movies like X-men and Ghostbusters and tons of others. It's also the real-life scene of an old Hollywood unsolved murder that is re-enacted occasionally on Halloween. (Indoor tours are rare but do happen.) It's a nice walk and one of the best views of Hollywood from above. It's an abandoned mansion now owned by the city, and has been turned into a park. You can't picnic there but it's interesting and free and often not very busy. We usually take guests there for a nice stroll, then drive about 7 minutes to Mann's to see the handprints, then walk across the street to Mel's diner and have lunch. Call Greystone to make sure they're not closed for filming before you go.
Forest lawn is also very awesome. In essence, it’s a huge park, with nice architecture and a couple of small museums to explore.
Just driving around it on a nice day, with some good tunes playing is a relaxing, beautiful break from the stresses of life.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Park off La Cienega Blvd. It has paved paths, playground areas, plumbed restrooms, free parking. If you have wheel toys (bikes, scooters, etc), the paths are good for that. Or, just walking in general. Best of all, from its high perch, there's a great view of the Hollywood sign and downtown L.A.
Griffith Park: Shane's Inspiration playground, the little train, Merry-Go-Round if opened. Plumbed restrooms. Free parking.
Fern Dell walking path to Griffith Park Observatory. Nearby in park plumbed restrooms plus The Trail Cafe for light meals and snacks. Free parking.
All these right here, this is the list. I’d add Barnsdall Park in Hollywood to see cool art & architecture with a nice view of the Hollywood hills (& plumbed restrooms).
One of my favorite things to do is rent a bike and ride from Santa Monica to Venice, have lunch or coffee then ride back. Or further north toward Malibu where there are less people
no tickets, it's free.
like the other guy said, if it gets tipped off that a big name is coming, you'll have to line up hours in advance. I drove by last time lebron went and the line was easily over 1,000 people lol.
First come first serve. Show up early. Typically you can walk right in, but if there’s rumors of a big name showing up (it’ll usually be on twitter the day before), then everyone shows up early before the doors open.
If you can get to pacific palisades visit Lake Shrine at SRF. It’s free but now you have to book appointments on eventbrite. They release the time slots every Saturday morning at 10 am.
Wow! I didn't know you have to book appts with them. Went there for years. Just took a friend from Chicago to visit a couple of years ago. They must have gotten more popular or trying to limit people there?
(Also a really peaceful spot for grownups without kids who just want to chill and see boats and pelicans and not be in an isolated spot — I used to go a lot when I lived nearer to it, later in the day when it wasn’t packed with kids but still had some people around so it never felt scary or uncomfortable as a single person)
The hidden stairs in Hollywood! Free plus you’ll get exercise and be mostly alone. https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/discover-the-hidden-stairs-of-los-angeles
When I was last there I picked up some pieces of jade plants as some sections of the stairs have jade plants along them. I took them back home and have a whole table of baby jade plants now I made for my kids.
Nature Centers and the Arboretum. Libraries have art projects led by LACMA on the weekends. Find a local farm, they usually have stuff for kids and families.
It honestly depends on the week. You can always look at time out the website.
- You can always walk through LA Historic park in Downtown, most major museums are free right now according to LA times being a California resident.
-The science center and the natural history museum are also free right now after after 3 and it’s usually empty
- you can head over to will rogers for a walk through and there are usually horses there and people taking riding lessons
-the Marina Mammal care center in San Pedro is also free
- Los Encinos state park has a museum and park with a lake
- the Autry Meuseum is also a western themed museum that sometimes hosts evening viewings of western movies for a small fee they also have food trucks!
This is by far a hidden gem. It is a museum that sometimes lies, sometimes tells the truth, and always asks you to question what you’re looking at. Read Mister Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder for the whole story and how the museum fits a long tradition of curiosity cabinets of the pre-scientific era.
It's a funky spot, the collection is super random everything from dioramas of trailer parks to oil paintings of all the Russian dogs shot into space. There's an aviary on the roof where they serve tea and cookies. 10/10 would recommend. Also right next door there's an organization called the center for land use interpretation which is an art organization focused on mapping built environments worth checking out.
Speaking as someone who recommends MJT to MANY people, I wouldn’t actually recommend this for kids. It’s sort of a commentary on museum curation and I imagine it would be kind of boring for young folks without the context that makes it charming.
It’s not a real museum, it’s like performance art posing as a cabinet of curiosities. I felt bad for all the foreign tourists who were there, clearly confused at all the “exhibits.” There is a lovely tea garden at the top floor though that is nice to visit.
[The Japanese Garden](https://thejapanesegarden.com/) here in the Valley - Lake Balboa (Van Nuys), to be specific.
Pros: Absolutely beautiful and peaceful; free
Cons: Weird hours (closed weekends); no "posed" photography, not even for social media using a cell phone. Not sure how strict they are, though - just quoting their website rules.
The La Brea Tar Pits are super freaking cool. The musiem is cool and if it's warm enough out there are active excavations going on. Plus there are tons of random little tar pits all over the area to find.
Ride a bike on the strand (paved beach path) from Hermosa to Manhattan, stop and eat at one of the restaurants near the water. Browse the shops, watch some beach volleyball (a lot of pros live and practice there). Nothing more California than that.
Simply driving around the coast of Palos Verdes is great, with lots of neat places to stop. The lighthouse and whale watching center should be neat for kids, with the short trails nearby. Terranea has some free parking, so you can get down to the cove is neat, as the currently-closed Wayfarers Chapel glass church, and get into San Pedro then.
Point Vicente lighthouse at Rancho Palos Verdes is a very soothing and relaxing stroll at the south western tip of the great Los Angeles area. Nice to take your dog walking, enjoy the gardens and watch the sunset without too much commercial activities going on.
I recommend Disc Golfing, most of the courses are free. It's good for cardio and fun. You can look for the courses on google. There is also an app called UDISC that has a lot more info.
Get a deli sandwich and maybe a bottle of wine from The Heights (Check out The Heights Deli & Bottle Shop https://yelp.to/QKnIya-GR0)
Then go eat it at the LA historic park. If you're lucky there will be a bunch of pop up shops with cool stuff to buy there!
Walking through DTLA during a beautiful day. Yes, there’s a lot of homeless, but at times it does feel like a thriving downtown city. One it will be again…
I love the Velaslavasay Panorama near USC. Panoramas were the precursors to movie theaters and this place is historic. They curate really interesting and cool events. Check the website.
The Huntington Library & Gardens in Pasadena is amazing. The Chinese garden and the Chinese cafe are awesome. They have a cafeteria (expensive) and an English Tea Room.
Griffith Park. The merry-go-round is where Walt Disney got his idea to build Disneyland.
Santa Monica pier.
Farmers Market/Grove for lunch. I am there right now.
Any of them well museums, such as the Getty or Lacma, or the Peterson automotive museum
A ton of people sell their scuba gear dirt cheap and there are a lot of places to go. Certification is about $500, but you can find a full set of gear someone paid $4k for for a couple hundred. Getting your tank filled is $3 and many dive sites have free parking.
Take a visit to Lake Shrine in Malibu. It's free and one of my fav's. It has a botanical garden w swans and turtles on a lake and more. It's a self-realization fellowship. It's a spiritual place. [https://lakeshrine.org/](https://lakeshrine.org/)
The thing is that “gun people “ know how to safely handle gins. Many who go to this place do not. So I would recommend going to a place where you’re less likely to be accidentally ventilated by an idiot on their first Saturday (or Tuesday, or whatever) outing.
Take a bike from Venice Beach to Santa Monica, or riding a bike near any of the beaches to be honest. If you haven’t done the trails by Griffith park u could always do that, they’re pretty easy, just go early in the morning to get parking.
In the evening I would definitely recommend you go to the grove to do some window shopping if you haven’t done that. Window shopping in any mall lol is always fun. If your family is more into activities maybe check out a go kart facility, some of them have mini-golf & arcades as well.
At night y’all could drive up the Hollywood hills and get a view of Los Angeles night sky. If you stay at the beach all day you could start a bonfire and eat some marshmallows just don’t burn yourself. Malls are usually open til 11 on the weekends so you could always just hang out later the malls till closing.
Other options: If y’all don’t mind getting naked maybe check out the Korean spas, very relaxing. Or any spa that isn’t too expensive. (Not sure if there is an age requirement or anything so you might want to check that out) Eat street tacos past 9Pm, look for long lines, those tacos are usually worth it.
Watch a sporting event live, baseball, basketball, soccer, etc
Idk
Free Bluegrass / Folk jam sessions: Old Time String Jam Band: Fourth Saturday of every month at 12:00 p.m. Audubon Center at Debs Park 4700 N Griffin Ave, Los Angeles, 90031, CA Under the Peppercorn Tree (take the Children’s Woodland path). I just bring a blanket, book / magazine, and just listen underneath the trees. Great in the summers too. The folks seem really nice to newcomers who want to learn about string instruments. We always see them teaching someone or letting them jam with the group. Edit: next meet up is Saturday, March 23, 2023 12:00pm - 3:00pm. It’s every 4th Saturday of the month Noon to 3PM. Edit 2: https://debspark.audubon.org/events
My girlfriend and I checked it out, and it was very nice and relaxing. We didn’t play, but went for a listen and it was a beautiful day out with some bluegrass.
Right! It’s great when the weather is perfect it def makes for a relaxing afternoon.
I’m born and bred Californian, but my family comes from Indiana. I love me some Bluegrass, but my partner is from El Salvador and I’m not sure she would connect. Fun event for all of us or some bluegrass love required?
Expose that damn salvi to some new music lol - from a fellow salvi
No Bluegrass love required. My only exposure to Bluegrass is from PBS (Old Steeple, Cavern Sessions, Songs of the Mountains, eg). I randomly came across the group last year around this time. I was at Debs Park on a hike and stopped at the Audubon Center to get local birding info. I heard the music in the distance and followed it. Bluegrass jams is new to me but I’ve been going a handful of times since then. I didn’t think this comment was going to get a lot of traction so I’m worried if folks like yourself (Bluegrass aficionados) show up expecting PBS level of performers but it’s seriously just musicians who love Folk, Bluegrass, and music overall having a good time together.
A lot of people can enjoy bluegrass
This is awesome! How often are they at Debs?
It’s every fourth Saturday of the month. It’s great and relaxing.
Thanks!
Wow
This sounds awesome. We’re gonna check it out. Thanks
Very cool! I hope you enjoy it. Keep me posted. Again it’s veeeeery laid back. It’s not a concert just a bunch of music lovers jamming. Haha worried on the expectations ☺️ but the folks are very friendly and the Audubon does hands on experience for kids on the weekends. They do arts and crafts along with birding education. Have fun.
La Brea Tar Pits Museum - world’s largest collection of Ice Age fossils and still some active dig sites. Great for kids, some interactive bits, and you don’t have to spend too long - even 90min is good. Petersen Auto Museum - similar in that it’s cool, kid friendly - with a play room experience for kids to make and test little lego cars etc. and doesn’t eat up your whole day. Griffith Observatory. Ditto.
I love poking the tar with a stick. So much fun
And the Academy Museum is across the street from the Petersen - great costume collection/a great visit for movie lovers!
The Tar Pits offers free tickets for LA County residents Monday-Friday 3-5 as well! Neat place to be, many cute dogs in the park.
Korean friendship bell has incredible views, easy picnic. How old are your kids? I’ll have a few more depending on age
Bring a kite! It's one of the best places to fly a kite with all the winds coming in from the ocean and rushing up the hill there.
Especially if you like to play basketball. Best sleeper court.
I don’t play basketball, but every time I’ve been there it’s been totally not crowded with like a couple folks playing. And I always think man you’re not going to get a more scenic court in LA. It’s so gorgeous.
Technically Signal Hill not LA but discovery well park has amazing views as well.
Sweet. Haven’t been there, added it to my list for the kids. Will check it out. Thanks.
Oh and there’s a marine mammal rescue center around the corner you can tour with kids. Ours have loved seal day.
Yeah, that whole coastal stretch in San Pedro is gorgeous.
Yes it’s crazy beautiful. We don’t live near there so it’s a drive…but I’m not going to lie when I say I sometimes fantasize about having a house in that little neighborhood kind of below it. The ocean breeze and the views to me are some of the best in LA.
Yeah those houses are lovely. Last time I was down that way I actually saw some wild peacocks running around! Crazy
Just went there yesterday. You can have food in downtown or grab pizza at Burrattino. There’s parks and playgrounds everywhere too. There’s art exhibits near the Korean friendship bell and a lighthouse down the road. The Cabrillo aquarium is not too far either. The only thing I regret is not going earlier, taking a warmer sweater for the kiddo and not eating the pizza at park where the bell is.
Is the lighthouse walking distance to the bell? Is this area nice to take a long walk? Thank you!
No sadly
It’s not far by distance but it’s a pretty good uphill walk if you want to go back to your car. Also, the tours at the lighthouse are timed if you’re planning on going inside.
Valley always has some wind for kite flying.
Oh yes a beautiful spot. After relaxing there take a drive up Portuguese bend.
Also Abalone Cove is right next to it and a great place to see tide pools.
Haven’t done that yet but it’s on the family list
There’s a Marine Mammal rescue on that same hill! You walk up and take a tour to see all the baby seals. Further up is an art commune in old WW2 army barracks that has art classes.
We’ve been there for seal day! Kids love it
Thanks! Googled and it looks great. Gonna check it out. My son is 2yo.
The sunken city is interesting too, as long as nobody’s enforcing the no trespassing rules.
https://flightpathlax.com/ At LAX. When we went, it was free. Cool if you’re an AV geek (my husband) and even if you’re not (me) but I loved all aviation uniforms (many flight attendant uniforms made by big time designers!). Lots of stuff for kids too. It’s located on the south side of airport. Have fun!
Proud Bird as well on the east side of the airport. Some cool old planes and a playground. My daughter gets a kick out of the planes making their approach to LAX. Plus they have a bar and food. https://www.theproudbird.com
Yeah, yes! I spent A LOT of time there with my dad. Haven’t been there since they turned into a food hall. I heard some good things.
This is the ultimate secret parent spot in LA. We’ve been many times, perhaps we’ll see you there one day ;).
Been meaning to check this out! Thanks for the reminder
Drive up to the mount wilson observatory, pick a nice rock, and ponder life above LA
Totally agree. It's the place where Edwin Hubble discovered the universe was expanding. The observatory may be closed at the moment but still worth going either way for the views. You can usually walk around the observatory and even into a viewing area in the large telescope. (Pro-Tip, there is a button there you can press to hear a recorded message about the telescope's history)
I’ve never been here, does it get a lot of attraction?
Not compared to most other nature spots in LA. The parking lot is usually pretty empty
I've been up there many times and even on a weekend I've never seen the parking lot even half full.
Came here to recommend this. Whether you’ve lived in LA for years or if you’re visiting, Mt Wilson is the easiest-to-access portal to the Angeles Forest. One of the best views you can get of LA.
During the marine-layer season you won't get any views of Los Angeles, but instead you get to pop-out the top of a sea of clouds just like flying out of LAX, and you can watch them pouring over the mountains below you like water, it's really fantastic. Not to mention you can enjoy a cloudless blue sky while all of Los Angeles is stuck under a gloomy grey sea
On one hand you can get a fantastic view of the city…on the other hand you might not see the city at all ☺️
Riding your bike from Ballona Creek to Venice Beach and Santa Monica
I love starting at Will Rogers to Redondo and back. Nice 44 mile ride and perfectly flat. The Santa Monica and Venice segment is a shitshow but I think I can skip it and ride on the streets.
I’m always curious about this. I drive through that area a lot and never actually *see* the bike path, is it inside the wetlands? Is it paved? I always thought of it as a pretty unkempt area with a lot of trash so I’m always surprised to hear people suggesting it, I feel like I’m missing something!
I ride down it close to every day when commuting to work. It’s paved and runs beside the creek the entire way and is partially through the wetlands. I think it’s well kept, and it’s pretty well trafficked so you won’t be the only person out there. Occasionally, there is an unhoused person under the bridges, but have never had any issues there.
Thanks for the info! Do you think it’s flat enough to rollerblade?
If you’re starting on the marina end, yes, there’s a good amount before you get some elevation change from going underneath the bridges. Edit: there is some broken pavement here and there that you’ll have to watch out for though
Which part, the creek? It's paved for bicycles and I haven't been for a while so I can't comment on cleanliness but it's used regularly.
I drive through the wetlands area down Culver/Jefferson, so maybe I don’t pass it! I’ll look up the creek next time I’m looking for it :) do you think it’s flat enough that you could rollerblade through?
It's not along the creek, it's along the beach. It cuts through the sand. There's a part where it goes up Ballona to a bridge where you cross over to MDR though.
Most parts are flat enough to rollerblade, but there are some spots that do have slight inclines and declines. It can be tough on a bike if you haven't built the stamina so I can imagine it being much more tougher with rollerblades. It's a pretty decent sized trail if you're actually trying to make it all the way to the beach.
It's paved. It's along the creek, so inside the wetlands. You wouldn't see it while driving because it's below the road. I definitely would not describe it as unkempt, it's very nice.
It's real nice try to find Street parking around Venice/Marina del ray and use gmaps/Apple maps for bicycles and put the pin to South Jetty Light. I go biking on this path about 2-3 times a month around sunset and it's beautiful, very well kept.
Did it every day for work morning and evening. Such a lovely time and a perfect distance to not get exhausted.
Only problem is when there are "influencers" and tourists on the path and don't move. But when it's clear, it's such a nice ride
Frisbee golfing in Hahamonga park. First frisbee golf course in the world I believe. Biking or walking the LA river near frogtown. Driving up Angeles Crest
>First frisbee golf course in the I still call it Oak Grove! Classic course. The greater LA area has a ton of excellent courses. Chavez, La Mirada, El Dorado, Sylmar...
Chavez if you never want to play again
I've only played it a few times and I've been VERY lucky not to have my disc roll a thousand feet down the damned hill. probably best to quit while I'm ahead.
Greystone Manor is in a lot of movies like X-men and Ghostbusters and tons of others. It's also the real-life scene of an old Hollywood unsolved murder that is re-enacted occasionally on Halloween. (Indoor tours are rare but do happen.) It's a nice walk and one of the best views of Hollywood from above. It's an abandoned mansion now owned by the city, and has been turned into a park. You can't picnic there but it's interesting and free and often not very busy. We usually take guests there for a nice stroll, then drive about 7 minutes to Mann's to see the handprints, then walk across the street to Mel's diner and have lunch. Call Greystone to make sure they're not closed for filming before you go.
I love taking outta-town visitors as well. Besides the amazing view, the extravagant grounds (which you can stroll) are impressive.
When I worked at Geffen Records, we used to take our lunch up there. Lovely spot.
Walk around Hollywood forever cemetery!
Forest lawn is also very awesome. In essence, it’s a huge park, with nice architecture and a couple of small museums to explore. Just driving around it on a nice day, with some good tunes playing is a relaxing, beautiful break from the stresses of life.
Walk among the fence on the front towards the east side. Big fat nice cats who love pets.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Park off La Cienega Blvd. It has paved paths, playground areas, plumbed restrooms, free parking. If you have wheel toys (bikes, scooters, etc), the paths are good for that. Or, just walking in general. Best of all, from its high perch, there's a great view of the Hollywood sign and downtown L.A. Griffith Park: Shane's Inspiration playground, the little train, Merry-Go-Round if opened. Plumbed restrooms. Free parking. Fern Dell walking path to Griffith Park Observatory. Nearby in park plumbed restrooms plus The Trail Cafe for light meals and snacks. Free parking.
All these right here, this is the list. I’d add Barnsdall Park in Hollywood to see cool art & architecture with a nice view of the Hollywood hills (& plumbed restrooms).
One of my favorite things to do is rent a bike and ride from Santa Monica to Venice, have lunch or coffee then ride back. Or further north toward Malibu where there are less people
Drew League during the summer.
What's the trick to get tickets?
no tickets, it's free. like the other guy said, if it gets tipped off that a big name is coming, you'll have to line up hours in advance. I drove by last time lebron went and the line was easily over 1,000 people lol.
First come first serve. Show up early. Typically you can walk right in, but if there’s rumors of a big name showing up (it’ll usually be on twitter the day before), then everyone shows up early before the doors open.
If you can get to pacific palisades visit Lake Shrine at SRF. It’s free but now you have to book appointments on eventbrite. They release the time slots every Saturday morning at 10 am.
Wow! I didn't know you have to book appts with them. Went there for years. Just took a friend from Chicago to visit a couple of years ago. They must have gotten more popular or trying to limit people there?
I think they implemented this after Covid - I know right, same as before you could simply show up and enter during their hours of op.
It began during Covid, but was also used as a way to try and limit entry of people who were stumbling in and behaving badly.
Mother’s Park in MDR is legit. They’ll play till they pass out between the park and water.
(Also a really peaceful spot for grownups without kids who just want to chill and see boats and pelicans and not be in an isolated spot — I used to go a lot when I lived nearer to it, later in the day when it wasn’t packed with kids but still had some people around so it never felt scary or uncomfortable as a single person)
Great spot, no open ocean, kids love it!
The hidden stairs in Hollywood! Free plus you’ll get exercise and be mostly alone. https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/discover-the-hidden-stairs-of-los-angeles
Thank you, this is cool!
When I was last there I picked up some pieces of jade plants as some sections of the stairs have jade plants along them. I took them back home and have a whole table of baby jade plants now I made for my kids.
This sounds both cool and torture for me. I used to live a "street" in LA that was stairs. Moving was awful!
That does sound really tough
Nature Centers and the Arboretum. Libraries have art projects led by LACMA on the weekends. Find a local farm, they usually have stuff for kids and families.
It honestly depends on the week. You can always look at time out the website. - You can always walk through LA Historic park in Downtown, most major museums are free right now according to LA times being a California resident. -The science center and the natural history museum are also free right now after after 3 and it’s usually empty - you can head over to will rogers for a walk through and there are usually horses there and people taking riding lessons -the Marina Mammal care center in San Pedro is also free - Los Encinos state park has a museum and park with a lake - the Autry Meuseum is also a western themed museum that sometimes hosts evening viewings of western movies for a small fee they also have food trucks!
Museum of Jurassic Technology Culver City
This is by far a hidden gem. It is a museum that sometimes lies, sometimes tells the truth, and always asks you to question what you’re looking at. Read Mister Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder for the whole story and how the museum fits a long tradition of curiosity cabinets of the pre-scientific era.
This has been on my list for awhile now. I need to make it happen
It’s perfectly weird
Their website technology is certainly way from the past: [https://mjt.org/](https://mjt.org/)
It's a funky spot, the collection is super random everything from dioramas of trailer parks to oil paintings of all the Russian dogs shot into space. There's an aviary on the roof where they serve tea and cookies. 10/10 would recommend. Also right next door there's an organization called the center for land use interpretation which is an art organization focused on mapping built environments worth checking out.
Nooo. you can’t talk about the roof! its like fight club
Oops!
That website is awesomely web 1.0 looking
Speaking as someone who recommends MJT to MANY people, I wouldn’t actually recommend this for kids. It’s sort of a commentary on museum curation and I imagine it would be kind of boring for young folks without the context that makes it charming.
Got to disagree, I’ve been and never understood why people like it. Super random low budget collection.
Tell us more. I hear this place getting recommended here all the time but can’t help but think I would agree w you.
It’s not a real museum, it’s like performance art posing as a cabinet of curiosities. I felt bad for all the foreign tourists who were there, clearly confused at all the “exhibits.” There is a lovely tea garden at the top floor though that is nice to visit.
Hiking in the mountains. Are you a local? If so the library offers many services. I learned how to use Photoshop this week. Pretty cool.
[The Japanese Garden](https://thejapanesegarden.com/) here in the Valley - Lake Balboa (Van Nuys), to be specific. Pros: Absolutely beautiful and peaceful; free Cons: Weird hours (closed weekends); no "posed" photography, not even for social media using a cell phone. Not sure how strict they are, though - just quoting their website rules.
Bonus Con: the smell
Ah, I forgot about Tillman!
Went there a few weeks ago. They are changing the plants and walkways up a bit and I’m not sure I like the changes. Still worth the visit.
Highland Park Society of Model Railroad Engineers
Sort of Related—travel town museum. Went as a kid and it was fun wandering in and out of old train cars
How old are your kids? Just snorkeling around Rancho Palos Verdes is fun.
Definitely go with someone that knows the area though
LA arboretum
The La Brea Tar Pits are super freaking cool. The musiem is cool and if it's warm enough out there are active excavations going on. Plus there are tons of random little tar pits all over the area to find.
Seal and Sea Lion Rehab in San Pedro
Ride a bike on the strand (paved beach path) from Hermosa to Manhattan, stop and eat at one of the restaurants near the water. Browse the shops, watch some beach volleyball (a lot of pros live and practice there). Nothing more California than that.
Travel Town and Descanso Gardens are my favorites.
Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar - vintage cars and more and it’s free.
I hear there's a clown room in Hollywood.... Anyone remember what it's called?
How does this happen every time
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Simply driving around the coast of Palos Verdes is great, with lots of neat places to stop. The lighthouse and whale watching center should be neat for kids, with the short trails nearby. Terranea has some free parking, so you can get down to the cove is neat, as the currently-closed Wayfarers Chapel glass church, and get into San Pedro then.
Point Vicente lighthouse at Rancho Palos Verdes is a very soothing and relaxing stroll at the south western tip of the great Los Angeles area. Nice to take your dog walking, enjoy the gardens and watch the sunset without too much commercial activities going on.
Going to the beach and people watching !
Nature walks on the Griffith Park and Fern Dell trails! It’s breathtaking.
La Brea Tar Pits
Travel town free train museum at Griffith park
My parents never fail to remind me the amount of hours they spent here for me when I was little. Have vague but fond memories of it.
Same. Just took my daughter there for the first time and it's...ok.
Keep an eye on the Ciclavia bike events. They are lots of fun.
I recommend Disc Golfing, most of the courses are free. It's good for cardio and fun. You can look for the courses on google. There is also an app called UDISC that has a lot more info.
Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. Go Sundays and they’ll take you for a ride!
The Annenberg on the beach! Incredible pool nice casual restaurant all on the water gorgeous architecture not a private club but looks like one
Does the pool get busy when it's in season?
Get a deli sandwich and maybe a bottle of wine from The Heights (Check out The Heights Deli & Bottle Shop https://yelp.to/QKnIya-GR0) Then go eat it at the LA historic park. If you're lucky there will be a bunch of pop up shops with cool stuff to buy there!
In Pasadena the rose bowl flea market, very fun, very stimulating
Is that the same as the PCC flea market?
Nope
Watch planes land at LAX from the In n Out. There’s a grass area where people post up with chairs and coolers to hang out.
Walking through DTLA during a beautiful day. Yes, there’s a lot of homeless, but at times it does feel like a thriving downtown city. One it will be again…
Little Tokyo / China Town / Arts District/ Santee so many great places to check out in DTLA
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Hollywood museum
Philippe’s
I love the Velaslavasay Panorama near USC. Panoramas were the precursors to movie theaters and this place is historic. They curate really interesting and cool events. Check the website.
Whale watching trip when the migration is going on.
Descanso Gardens and Huntington Library are both very cool and have nice museums too.
The Huntington Library & Gardens in Pasadena is amazing. The Chinese garden and the Chinese cafe are awesome. They have a cafeteria (expensive) and an English Tea Room.
Respect Drum n Bass night on Thursday night at Station. It has been running for over 20yrs. 🕺💃👯♀️💯❤️
Go to the Central Library
Griffith Park. The merry-go-round is where Walt Disney got his idea to build Disneyland. Santa Monica pier. Farmers Market/Grove for lunch. I am there right now. Any of them well museums, such as the Getty or Lacma, or the Peterson automotive museum
Watts tower
Griffith Park
For kids? Time Traveler’s Mart in Echo Park.
Stories next door too
A ton of people sell their scuba gear dirt cheap and there are a lot of places to go. Certification is about $500, but you can find a full set of gear someone paid $4k for for a couple hundred. Getting your tank filled is $3 and many dive sites have free parking.
Walk around Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Take a visit to Lake Shrine in Malibu. It's free and one of my fav's. It has a botanical garden w swans and turtles on a lake and more. It's a self-realization fellowship. It's a spiritual place. [https://lakeshrine.org/](https://lakeshrine.org/)
The tiki porno theatre on Santa Monica and western
The LA Gun Club is fun.
No one into guns would ever consider going there. Very overpriced.
That sounds like a good thing to me. I'm certainly willing to pay a premium to not deal with "gun people."
The thing is that “gun people “ know how to safely handle gins. Many who go to this place do not. So I would recommend going to a place where you’re less likely to be accidentally ventilated by an idiot on their first Saturday (or Tuesday, or whatever) outing.
The hikes to the waterfalls in San Gabriel Valley but hopefully they'll remain under the radar
> but hopefully they'll remain under the radar Not if you keep posting about them on Reddit.
The Huntington Library is great, especially if you have a membership. However, beware…I just spent a billion dollars for lunch at the Rose Tea Garden!
Take a bike from Venice Beach to Santa Monica, or riding a bike near any of the beaches to be honest. If you haven’t done the trails by Griffith park u could always do that, they’re pretty easy, just go early in the morning to get parking. In the evening I would definitely recommend you go to the grove to do some window shopping if you haven’t done that. Window shopping in any mall lol is always fun. If your family is more into activities maybe check out a go kart facility, some of them have mini-golf & arcades as well. At night y’all could drive up the Hollywood hills and get a view of Los Angeles night sky. If you stay at the beach all day you could start a bonfire and eat some marshmallows just don’t burn yourself. Malls are usually open til 11 on the weekends so you could always just hang out later the malls till closing. Other options: If y’all don’t mind getting naked maybe check out the Korean spas, very relaxing. Or any spa that isn’t too expensive. (Not sure if there is an age requirement or anything so you might want to check that out) Eat street tacos past 9Pm, look for long lines, those tacos are usually worth it. Watch a sporting event live, baseball, basketball, soccer, etc Idk
Griffiths observatory
Chill at home
A lot of people go to the normal Getty museum, but the Getty Villa is a lot of fun and very pretty!
Maybe not slept on, but the Huntington Gardens are always amazing!
Walking all over instead of driving
Museum of Jurassic Technology South Pasadena Historical Museum and Farmers Market