Top Things To Do In Los Angeles, CA
Fun Things to do in Los Angeles are easy to compare for price and value here, from free Griffith Observatory views to under $25 Downtown LA food tours and affordable bike rentals along the Santa Monica Pier. Find local deals and discounts on top LA attractions, then fill your day with early hikes above Los Feliz, gallery hopping near The Broad, and sunset drinks along Abbot Kinney that feel like a mini vacation close to home.
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Best Los Angeles Activities With Big Discounts
Figuring out the best things to do in Los Angeles can feel like planning three different trips at once. There are beach days, studio tours, local parks, and a hundred little neighborhood rituals that only make sense if you live here. This guide focuses on practical choices, smart ways to use your time and money, and how to spot real experience deals without getting distracted by noise.
Smart Ways To Plan Things To Do In Los Angeles Today
Most locals plan their fun around traffic, weather, and who is actually willing to drive. When you search for things to do in Los Angeles you are usually deciding between staying nearby or committing to a cross city adventure. It helps to think in time blocks, like a half day or a full day, instead of trying to cram in a top 10 things to do in Los Angeles checklist.
If you want quick ideas for things to do in Los Angeles this weekend, start with the basics. Clear parking, a realistic drive, and something walkable nearby. For example, pairing a walk up to the Hollywood Sign or Griffith Observatory with a casual stop at a local coffee spot turns into a solid half day. On hot days, many people switch to indoor options like Los Angeles museums so they are not just stuck in sun and congestion.
Balancing free things to do and paid experiences
Free things to do are easy to underestimate here. A simple loop through Runyon Canyon Park early in the morning plus a slow drive past the Hollywood Walk of Fame is already a very LA morning. Mix that with one paid activity like a Dodger Stadium tour or a small gallery ticket and you get variety without blowing your budget.
When you do pay, lean on reviews and photos instead of hype. Groupon can help you compare options by rating, map location, and what is actually included in the voucher. That is usually more useful than chasing the cheapest deal or a random promo code that only works on certain days.
Fun Things To Do In Los Angeles For Different Moods
On any given day you are either in a social mood, a quiet mood, or a kids need to burn energy mood. Matching the activity to your energy level is one of the biggest differences between a great day out and a slog through traffic. Plenty of cool things to do are hiding in plain sight right along your normal routes.
Some of the most fun things to do in Los Angeles are actually pretty low pressure. A late matinee near the Downtown lunch rush food trucks, followed by a simple stroll past Los Angeles City Hall, feels more real than chasing once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles every weekend. Save those big bucket list days for when you really feel like dealing with crowds and planning.
Quick options when you want to stay nearby
When you want things to do for tonight and do not want to cross the entire city, stick to what is within a fifteen to twenty minute drive. Neighborhood theaters, a small comedy show, the occasional jazz night, these are easier than fighting for parking at the Santa Monica Pier or the Venice Beach Boardwalk on a busy evening.
- Movies or indie screenings that still feel special without being once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles
- Indoor activities such as bowling lanes or an arcade where you can show up without major prep
- Casual nightlife like a low key bar in Hollywood after Happy hour bowling in Hollywood wraps up
Best Things To Do In Los Angeles With Kids And Groups
Planning things to do in Los Angeles with kids or a mixed age group is a different puzzle. You need bathrooms, snacks, shade, and something that works if someone bails halfway through. Many parents keep a mental list of family things to do that do not require full day energy.
The easiest route is often a mix of structured and unstructured time. Start with one anchor activity, like a visit to the LA Zoo or a small local attraction, then give everyone free time for the playground, snacks, or wandering. Groupon lists a lot of kids activities in Los Angeles that bundle admission for multiple people, which helps when cousins or friends are joining.
Family friendly things to do that actually work
Here are some reliable patterns locals use when hunting for things to do in Los Angeles with kids that still feel like fun things to do in Los Angeles for adults too.
- Morning at an outdoor spot like the Santa Monica Pier or Runyon Canyon Park, then an indoor arcade or mini golf when the sun gets harsh
- Half day at a smaller event or one of the Los Angeles festivals, then an easy early dinner nearby
- Weeknight special for indoor climbing on a smoggy day followed by late-night ramen after a show if you have older kids or teens
Unique Things To Do And Once In A Lifetime LA Moments
Not every day needs to be big, but it is nice to keep a short list of unique things to do for visiting friends, birthdays, and anniversaries. That might mean something simple like a sunset hike or something a little dramatic, such as a helicopter ride over the city. The trick is to line up timing, budget, and expectations so you are not stressing the whole time.
If you are looking for things to do in Hollywood that feel different from the usual sidewalk photos, consider guided behind the scenes experiences or small group tours that focus on specific film history. For a real aerial perspective, helicopter ride options around Los Angeles can turn into that so good it makes you blink slow kind of memory, especially during golden hour.
Planning cool things to do for adults
For adults who want a little more adventure without going full skydiving, LA has plenty of middle ground. Wine tastings combined with a stroll through The Getty Center or Los Angeles County Museum of Art are a classic pairing. If you want something more active, outdoor adventures like zipline experiences or small group water activities along the coast can hit that sweet spot between chill and adrenaline.
Groupon is useful here because you can filter by map, skim the review count, and quickly compare whether a discount actually moves the needle for your group size. Sometimes the best deal is the one that saves time, not the one that is technically the cheapest.
Cheap Things To Do And How To Stretch Your Budget
Everyone looking for things to do for free or cheap things to do in this city eventually learns the same lesson, timing and neighborhoods matter more than listicles. Patio brunch in Highland Park on a weekday morning costs less and feels calmer than trying the same thing midday Sunday in Hollywood.
When hunting for affordable or even cheap things to do, do a quick mental check. Parking cost, likely food spend, ticket price, and whether you will get tempted into extra purchases on site. Groupon can surface a lot of experience deals under $25 or under $50 that already include parking or rentals, which simplifies the math.
| Plan type | Typical total spend | When it feels worth it | Where Groupon helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple free outing | Under $25 for snacks and parking | Walks near the Hollywood Sign, farmers markets, neighborhood parks | Occasional family passes or parking bundled with small attractions |
| Mid range day | Under $100 for two adults | Mix of museum entry and casual food, maybe a movie | Bundled tickets and movie offers that include concessions or multiple visits |
| Group adventure | Varies, often better per person | Paintball, escape rooms, go karts, amusement parks | Multi person paintball sessions or discounted group entries that beat paying at the door |
Instead of chasing every discount, pick one main paid activity per day and let the rest be free wandering. Coupons and vouchers help, but if you spend the whole time checking your phone for another promo code, the day loses its flow.
Nighttime Things To Do In Los Angeles Tonight
Nights in LA split into two main categories, go big or keep it low key and close to home. Whether you choose flashy nightlife or a quieter plan, checking the time it takes to get back to your side of town is just as important as any discount or deal.
If you want proper nightlife, areas near Hollywood and Downtown LA have a steady rotation of events, cocktail spots, and live shows. Groupon can help you scan Los Angeles nightlife deals for comedy, lounges, or club nights where pre sale tickets cost less than paying at the door. For a more relaxed plan, something like Neighborhood coffee walks in Echo Park before a late movie can be the whole night.
Low stress ideas when you are tired but still want out
Sometimes the brain wants outside but not a production. That is where small and local wins. An early evening stroll around The Broad followed by tacos nearby, a quiet drink after Outdoor spin class in West Hollywood, or just sitting at the Santa Monica Pier to watch the lights come on. Short, simple, enough.
How To Use Reviews And Ratings To Find The Best LA Experiences
Locals rely on reviews because there are just too many options. When you are sorting things to do in Los Angeles you can save a lot of time by learning to read between the lines of ratings and comments. Look for patterns, not one loud review, especially when picking experience deals for a big day like a birthday or anniversary.
On Groupon, a place with a high rating and many reviews is usually safer than a brand new listing with a massive discount that looks too good. Skim for mentions of parking, crowd control, and staff attitude, these are the details that actually shape your day. For once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles such as special tours or big ticket shows, look at how recent the reviews are before you compare prices, since older reviews may not reflect current quality.
Who different LA activities work best for
Here is a quick way to match people to activities when you are organizing a group and trying to stay under $100 per person without feeling cheap.
- Families and mixed ages, smaller attractions, zoo visits, and mellow amusement parks
- Adults who want something social, evening tickets and events, local theater, or small concerts
- Adventure seekers, water sports, escape games, or even skydiving options for the bold
In the end, the best things to do in Los Angeles are the ones that match the day you are actually having. Check traffic, check the weather, glance at a few reviews, and pick one thing that feels manageable. There will always be another Sunday thrift finds in Atwater or Metro ride to Santa Monica sunsets waiting when life slows down a bit.
Frequently Asked Questions
For first timers, the must see things to do in Los Angeles often start with hiking to a Griffith Observatory overlook of the Hollywood Sign, walking the Venice Beach Boardwalk, and catching sunset at the Santa Monica Pier. Add a few museums like The Getty or LACMA, plus a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and you get a solid feel for the city in just a couple of days.
Costs vary a lot, from free hikes in Runyon Canyon and farmers market mornings at The Grove to paid experiences like studio tours, rooftop bars, and comedy shows. Many locals keep activities under 50 dollars by mixing free parks or beaches with one paid highlight. For extra savings, some people grab a Groupon discount or voucher for attractions, tours, or local experiences, which can cut the price significantly.
There are plenty of free things to do in Los Angeles, especially outdoors. Watch surfers in Venice, walk the canals nearby, hike above Los Feliz or in Griffith Park, explore The Broad with a free timed ticket, or window shop along Abbot Kinney. Even a simple late night taco run in Highland Park can feel like a classic LA memory.
Look to local bars with no cover in Silver Lake or Echo Park, cheap happy hour in Koreatown, and midweek comedy nights in Hollywood. Many museums have discounted evenings, and some galleries in Downtown LA stay open later. Checking Groupon for last minute experience deals, from bowling and escape rooms to live shows, is a common way locals keep nights out under 25 or 50 dollars.
Families often mix beach time with light sightseeing, such as riding the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier, renting bikes along the path to Venice, or visiting the La Brea Tar Pits near LACMA. Kid friendly museums in Pasadena and Griffith Park attractions like the carousel or trains are easy hits. For a treat, consider a Dodger game, kids usually love the energy even if they barely watch the score.
For bar hopping and dancing, people usually head to West Hollywood or Hollywood. Silver Lake and Echo Park lean more toward indie shows and intimate bars, while Downtown LA offers rooftop lounges with skyline views. Venice and Santa Monica stay lively near the beach, especially around sunset drinks along Abbot Kinney or the Third Street Promenade.
An easy hack is to plan big ticket attractions on the same day so you spend less on parking and driving. Use the Metro ride to Santa Monica to skip pricey beach parking, and line up museum free days for culture on a budget. Many locals quietly check Groupon for discounts on city tours, studio visits, rooftop movie nights, and even yoga or fitness classes in Culver City, which helps keep the overall trip cost under control.
At night, LA shines with options like live music at the Hollywood Bowl, jazz night in Leimert Park, stand up comedy in Silver Lake, or rooftop cocktails Downtown. Some people prefer late night ramen after a show in Little Tokyo or a twilight walk at the Santa Monica Pier. Driving up to Mulholland Drive for a city lights view is a simple, romantic way to end the evening, and it barely costs more than gas.