Nightlife in Los Angeles, CA

Free. Open until 10pm. Free telescope viewing every evening. Best city views in LA.

2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Tue–Fri 12–10pm, Sat–Sun 10am–10pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+

$3 carousel, $5 pony rides. Griffith Park tradition since 1926 and 1948.

4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Weekends & holidays 11am–5pm. Summer: daily 11am–5pm. · Ages 0+

Free movies on the beach. Bonfire pits. Planes flying overhead from LAX.

12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa del Rey, CA 90293 · Summer Fridays, film at sunset · Ages 0+

Eight free public courts on a hillside in Griffith Park. No lighting, so play ends at sunset. First-come first-served, no reservations. Hiking trails nearby.

2715 Vermont Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Dawn to dusk daily

Four full courts right on the Pacific Ocean boardwalk, home to some of the most competitive pickup basketball in the country. Games have been running continuously since the early 1980s. Free and open to the public. Expect high-level runs on weekends and summer evenings. Bring your own ball or join a game in progress.

1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291 · Daily, dawn to dusk

Public beach facility with pool, splash pad, playground, volleyball courts. Pool is seasonal. Grounds are free to visit and include the Marion Davies guest house gallery. Pool and some programs cost extra.

415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402 · Daily 8:30am-5:30pm (seasonal hours vary)

Year-round free public outdoor pool in Hollywood. Lap swim Tue-Fri, recreational swim sessions. Free for LA residents.

1122 Cole Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 · Tue-Fri 12pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

Popular neighborhood park known for reliable pickup basketball runs. Features outdoor courts, a recreation center, playground, and walking paths. Free and open to the public. The courts attract a regular crowd of solid players, especially on weekday evenings and weekends.

7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Daily 6am-10pm

Year-round free public outdoor pool on the Westside. Recreational swim and lap swim. Basketball courts at the adjacent Westwood Rec Center.

1350 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 · Mon 2:30pm-7pm, Tue-Fri 3:30pm-6pm, Sat-Sun 1pm-5pm

Two 50-meter Olympic pools, a 25-yard dive well, and a rec pool next to the Rose Bowl. Open for public lap swim, rec swim, lessons. Day passes available, Pasadena residents get a discount. Has hosted Olympic trials.

360 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103 · Mon-Fri 5:30am-8pm, Sat-Sun 7am-5pm (hours vary by season)

Well-maintained outdoor basketball courts in Veterans Memorial Park, a hub for pickup basketball on the Westside. The courts draw a regular crowd for competitive but friendly runs on weekday evenings and weekend mornings. Free and open to the public. The park also has a skate park, tennis courts, and a playground.

4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230 · Daily 6am-10pm

Eight free public tennis courts in the Palisades. First-come first-served. Less crowded than central LA courts. Rec center next door has basketball and a gym.

851 Alma Real Dr, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 · Daily dawn to dusk

Year-round public outdoor pool on the Westside, operated by the City of LA. Free lap swim and recreational swim sessions. Also has basketball courts and a playground. Less crowded than the Westwood and Hollywood pools because most people do not know about it.

1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025 · Mon-Fri 12pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm (seasonal hours vary)

Elton John, James Taylor, Tom Waits all had career-defining nights here. 500 capacity.

9081 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 · Doors typically open 7–8pm on show nights

A-list comedians drop in unannounced. Every show feels like a one-time event.

366 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 · Will Call opens 6pm, doors 7pm, shows typically 8pm

Pryor, Robin Williams, Chappelle all cut their teeth here. Three rooms, shows nightly.

8433 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 · Daily 6:30pm–2am

Free open mic every Tuesday at 5:30pm. Sign up at 5pm. 2-minute sets.

8001 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90046 · Mon 7pm–2am, Tue 5pm–2am, Wed–Sun 7pm–2am

$5-$12. No drink minimum. Seven nights a week. Best comedy deal in LA.

5919 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 · Shows nightly 7–10pm, box office opens 30 min prior

Oldest bowling alley in LA (1927). Eight lanes, Italian food, craft cocktails. Reserve weekends.

5621 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042 · Mon–Thu 5pm–12am, Fri 5pm–2am, Sat 12pm–2am, Sun 12pm–12am

Free concerts year-round. Lunchtime Wednesdays at 12:30pm. Just show up.

200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 · Park open daily 5:30am–10pm. Event times vary.

Sunset Strip since 1973. Bob Marley, Springsteen, Guns N' Roses all played here.

9009 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 · Show nights, doors typically 7-8pm

The Lab is a 50-120 seat black box for experimental comedy. $10-20. No drink minimum.

8162 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 · Show nights, check schedule

Always free. Contemporary art, film screenings, live music. UCLA campus.

10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 · Tue-Sun 11am-6pm, Thu until 8pm. Closed Mon.

Restored vaudeville theater. Comedy, concerts, podcasts, drag. 500 capacity.

1020 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029 · Show nights, check schedule

Two rooms: Echo (350) upstairs, Echoplex (800) down. Indie rock, Latin, DJ nights.

1822 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 · Show nights, doors typically 8-9pm

Dog grooming in Koreatown, 4.6 rating. Full grooming, baths, nail trimming, breed-specific cuts. Small dogs $60-120, large dogs $90-170. Walk-ins accepted, appointments recommended.

4407 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90004 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

Downtown LA tailor specializing in suits, pants, and shirts. Custom tailoring and alterations available. Located in the Fashion District adjacent to Santee Alley. Good for both off-the-rack alterations and custom work. Competitive pricing for DTLA given the high concentration of tailors in the area.

111 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm