Los Angeles, the city of stars and glamour, doesn’t have to be an overly expensive destination as you might think. With insider tips from locals, you can absolutely enjoy a memorable trip without breaking the bank. Let’s explore budget-friendly travel tips to experience Los Angeles to the fullest!
Glamorous Los Angeles isn’t just for the wealthy. With experiences shared by locals, you’ll discover countless ways to save money while still having a memorable journey in the “City of Angels.” From unique street food and convenient public transportation to free museums and exciting outdoor activities, everything will be revealed right here.
Eat Like a Local: Discover Unique Street Food
Forget fancy restaurants, Los Angeles has a world of rich and affordable street food waiting for you to explore. Food trucks are an indispensable part of LA’s food culture, where you can find delicious dishes from around the world at very reasonable prices. Chinatown is also a great option to enjoy distinctive Asian cuisine at affordable prices, don’t miss the famous Lao Tao!
Diverse food trucks in Los Angeles
If you’ve never tried In-N-Out Burger, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a delicious cheeseburger for less than $3. This is definitely an ideal stop for travelers looking to save on dining costs.
Get Around by Public Transportation: Convenient and Economical
Many people think Los Angeles is only about cars, but in reality, the public transportation system here is quite developed and convenient. If you want to save money, forget Uber and use the subway or bus. Tickets are very cheap, only $1.75 for a single ride, $7 for a day pass, and $25 for a weekly pass.
Modern subway system in Los Angeles
You can buy a TAP card (subway ticket) at any subway station and use it to pay for both buses and Metro Bike sharing services. Using public transportation not only helps you save on travel costs but also contributes to environmental protection.
Enjoy Beach Days: Free and Relaxing
Los Angeles has over 30 miles of beautiful public coastline where you can sunbathe, swim, and relax to your heart’s content. Spending a day at the beach is not only a budget-friendly activity but also a great way to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful natural scenery.
Colorful Venice Beach in Los Angeles
Santa Monica, Venice, and Manhattan Beach are popular choices, each beach offering its own beauty and style. If you go by subway or bus, you won’t have to worry about finding parking and paying expensive fees.
Travel in the Off-Season: Cheaper Prices and Fewer Tourists
The weather in Los Angeles is almost always beautiful year-round, so you don’t need to worry about bad weather affecting your trip. Consider traveling in the winter or early spring to enjoy more affordable prices and avoid crowds of tourists. Even if the temperature drops below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), you still have plenty of indoor activities to choose from.
Visit Free Museums: Explore Culture and Art
One of the best ways to save money when traveling in Los Angeles is to visit free museums. The Broad, Getty Center, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) are famous museums that you can visit for free.
Contemporary artworks at The Broad museum
Some other museums, like Huntington Gardens, also have free days at certain times of the year. Do some research on schedules and take advantage of this opportunity to explore the culture and art of Los Angeles without spending a dime.
Go Hiking: Immerse Yourself in Beautiful Nature
Los Angeles is not just about skyscrapers and crowded streets, but also has stunning natural landscapes. Hiking is a great activity to explore the city’s natural beauty and it’s completely free.
Hiking up to the Hollywood sign is a classic experience, or you can visit Runyon Canyon, a local favorite because dogs are allowed to roam free here.
Choose Budget-Friendly Accommodation: Koreatown Instead of Beverly Hills
Instead of staying in expensive hotels in Beverly Hills, consider choosing accommodation in Koreatown. This neighborhood is not only walkable but also has plenty of delicious Korean restaurants and lively karaoke bars.
Bustling Koreatown with entertainment activities
From Koreatown, you can easily get to other parts of Los Angeles by public transportation. This helps you save on travel costs and have the opportunity to explore a unique and multicultural neighborhood.
Learn About Happy Hour: Enjoy Cheap Drinks
Los Angeles is famous for bars and restaurants with happy hour deals offering attractive discounts on drinks. Get information from locals or on happy hour websites to find the best places at affordable prices. This is a great way to relax after a long day of exploring the city without spending too much money.
Explore Street Art: Free and Creative
Los Angeles is an art center with many free galleries and art events. The Downtown Art Walk in downtown Los Angeles takes place on the second Thursday of each month, Venice hosts the “First Fridays” walk with many food trucks, and Culver City also has an art walk on the second Saturday of the month.
Colorful street art in Los Angeles
Take advantage of this opportunity to explore unique and creative artworks without any cost. However, always be careful and take safety precautions when walking at night, as Los Angeles is still a big city.
Attend a TV Show Taping: Experience Behind-the-Scenes of Film
If you are a TV enthusiast, try attending a live taping at a studio. You can request tickets in advance for shows like The Voice, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and CONAN.
Taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
This is a fun and unique experience to explore the behind-the-scenes of the entertainment industry without having to spend too much money on an expensive studio tour.
Conclusion
With these budget travel tips in Los Angeles from locals, you can absolutely enjoy a memorable trip without worrying about exceeding your budget. Plan carefully, research thoroughly, and be ready to discover the exciting things that the “City of Angels” has to offer! Have a fun and meaningful trip!