Outdoor Activities in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA's best outdoor activities include 33 Taps Silver Lake ($13-20), American Cinematheque - Aero Theatre ($8-14), Annenberg Community Beach House (Free), Autry Museum of the American West ($16), and California Science Center (Free).
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+
Space Shuttle Endeavour is here. Free. Combine with Natural History Museum and Rose Garden next door.
700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 · Daily 10am–5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. · Ages 0+
Free for LA County residents weekdays 3-5pm. Dinosaur hall, gem vault, nature gardens.
900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007 · Daily 9:30am–5pm. Closed first Tue of each month & major holidays. · Ages 0+
Kids wade in a real creek and hunt for bugs. Timed tickets -- book online. No cash.
480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103 · Tue–Sun 10am–5pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 1–10
Free to walk. $10 Ferris wheel. Sunset Deal wristband: $24.95 after 5pm.
380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Pier open 24hrs. Rides generally 11am–11pm summer, shorter off-season. Check pacpark.com for daily schedule. · Ages 0+
Animals start going inside at 4pm. Arrive early. Pair with a Griffith Park hike.
5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Daily 10am–5pm. Last entry 3:45pm. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. · 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. 3.5-mile loop. Go before 9am or after 4pm. West Trail closed (fire damage).
2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 · Daily 6am–9pm · Ages 5+
3.5-mile hike to a 40-foot waterfall. Free parking. Check fire closures first.
1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107 · Park open daily sunrise–sunset. Nature center hours vary. · Ages 5+
15,000 rose bushes. Free. Between the Science Center and Natural History Museum.
701 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 · Daily 8:30am–dusk. Closed Jan 1–Mar 15. · Ages 0+
Real farm. Pick your own produce. Fall Festival: corn maze, pumpkin patch, tractor rides.
3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021 · Farm Market daily 9am–6pm. Festival hours vary by season. · Ages 0+
Disney's 1926 movie palace. Live pre-shows and character appearances. Not a regular theater.
6838 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 · Opens 1hr before first show · Ages 0+
Free admission. Tram ride up. Pack a picnic -- terrace views are the real exhibit.
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue–Fri & Sun 10am–6:30pm, Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+
Free Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1-4pm. Cowboys, Native art, California history.
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Tue-Sun 10am-4pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+
Free splash pad on the beach. Pool and playground too. Santa Monica waterfront.
415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402 · Daily 8:30am-5:30pm (seasonal hours vary) · Ages 0+
Fern-lined creek trail, totally flat, stroller-friendly. Free playground at the end.
5375 Red Oak Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Daily 5am-10:30pm · Ages 0+
Free. At the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier. Touch tanks and local marine life.
309 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 · Mon-Fri 3pm-sunset, Sat-Sun 10am-sunset · Ages 0+
Always free. Cold War art and artifacts in a converted armory. Mural garden outside.
10808 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230 · Fri-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mon-Thu. · Ages 8+
Free. 575 acres near Dodger Stadium. Playgrounds, trails, wide-open fields.
929 Academy Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90012 · Daily 5am-10:30pm · Ages 0+
$3.50 per ride. Miniature train through a mile of Griffith Park. Since 1948.
4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Mon-Fri 10am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-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+
Free. 605 acres. The lake from the Andy Griffith Show opening. Easy trails.
2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · Daily sunrise-sunset · Ages 0+
Life-size Noah's Ark made from recycled materials. Kids climb, build, and play. Free Thursdays.
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue-Fri 12-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mon. · 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
Tournament Beach offers 18 sand volleyball courts along the Santa Monica coastline. Courts are free on a first-come, first-served basis when not reserved. Reservations available through the City of Santa Monica ActiveNet system up to 28 days in advance at about $15/hour. The epicenter of beach volleyball culture in LA.
1200 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Dawn to dusk daily
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)
One of LA's longest-running climbing gyms with top-rope, lead, and bouldering. Day pass is $17 for adults -- one of the most affordable in the city. Shoe rental $4, harness rental $3. Friendly community vibe with less crowding than newer mega-gyms.
11866 La Grange Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025 · Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
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
Well-maintained recreation center with outdoor basketball courts, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, and a large playground. Known for quality pickup basketball without the chaos of bigger-name courts. Free Park District programming available. A neighborhood gem on the Westside.
2551 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064 · Daily 6am-10pm
Free donation-based outdoor yoga classes held at the top of one of LA's most popular hiking trails. Combines a solid hike with a yoga session and panoramic city views. Classes typically offered on weekend mornings. Bring your own mat. The canyon itself is free to hike daily from dawn to dusk.
2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 · Park open daily dawn to dusk, yoga on weekends
Four lighted beach volleyball courts near the Santa Monica Pier -- one of the only lit court locations on the beach, allowing evening play. Free on a first-come basis when not reserved. Court reservations available at approximately $15/hour through the city. Perfect for after-work games year-round.
1560 Appian Way, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Dawn to 10pm (lighted courts)
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
4,210 acres of urban wilderness with over 70 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. Routes range from flat, paved paths to strenuous climbs to the Hollywood Sign. The Fern Dell trail is stroller-friendly, the Griffith Observatory hike is a solid workout with panoramic views. Free, no reservation needed, open dawn to dusk.
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Daily 5am-10:30pm
Pedal boat and swan boat rentals on Echo Park Lake with the downtown skyline as a backdrop. $15 for 30 minutes. The lotus bed blooms spectacularly in July. The surrounding park path is free for walking, jogging, and people-watching. A low-key afternoon for couples or families.
751 N Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026 · Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (seasonal hours vary)
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)
Free City of LA rec center with basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball diamond, playground, indoor gym. Free youth sports leagues, fitness classes, after-school programs. Rarely crowded.
11430 Woodbine St, Los Angeles, CA 90066 · Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
401 acres in the Baldwin Hills with hiking trails, fishing lakes, picnic areas, playground. You can see the ocean, downtown, and the mountains from the same spot. Trails easy to moderate. $6 parking, everything else free.
4100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90056 · Daily sunrise-sunset
22 miles of paved coastal bike path from Pacific Palisades to Torrance Beach through Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach. Free. Bike rentals along the route at $10-25/hour.
Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Daily, open 24 hours
Free City of LA rec center with lighted basketball courts, baseball diamond, tennis courts, playground, indoor gym. Lights mean you can play after dark. Free youth and adult programming.
7341 Willoughby Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 · Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
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)
Gym with indoor basketball courts, pool, free weights, group fitness classes. Monthly from $30. Day passes sometimes available ($5-15 with promotions). Pool and basketball under one roof, which is hard to find in Silver Lake.
3746 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 · Mon-Fri 5am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm
A wide, flat beach with volleyball courts, a paved bike path, and body surfing. Less crowded than Santa Monica and Venice -- the trade-off is slightly colder water. Free beach access, $8-15 parking in the lot. Popular for pickup volleyball and beach running. Lifeguards on duty year-round.
17000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 · Daily sunrise-sunset, lifeguards 9am-6pm (summer hours extended)
50,000 free tickets and 50,000 $1 tickets every season. Picnicking allowed.
2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068 · Box office: Tue–Sat 2pm–show start (concert days), Tue–Sat 12–6pm (non-concert days)
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 admission. Hilltop views. Tram ride up. Saturday nights until 9pm -- free date night.
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue–Fri & Sun 10am–6:30pm, Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Mon.
Free after 3pm weekdays for LA County residents. Urban Light is the photo everyone takes.
5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Mon–Tue & Thu 11am–6pm, Fri 11am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10am–7pm. Closed Wed.
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 entry. VR, story rooms, arcades -- pay per attraction. $5-$35 each.
634 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90021 · Thu–Fri 6pm–12am, Sat 1pm–12am, Sun 1pm–8pm. Closed Mon–Wed.
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.
Active paleontological dig in the middle of the city. Watch scientists pull out Ice Age fossils.
5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Daily 9:30am-5pm. Closed first Tue of month & major holidays.
Repertory cinema in Santa Monica. Double features, Q&As with filmmakers. $14.
1328 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · Screening times vary, 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.
Outdoor movies projected on a mausoleum wall. Bring a picnic. Summer Saturday nights.
6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038 · Summer Saturdays, gates 6:30pm, film at dusk
Restored vaudeville theater. Comedy, concerts, podcasts, drag. 500 capacity.
1020 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029 · Show nights, check schedule
Free admission. Roman villa recreation on PCH. Timed tickets required. Stunning gardens.
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 · Wed-Mon 10am-5pm. Closed Tue.
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
Disney's own 1926 movie palace. Live pre-shows. 4D effects. Character meet-and-greets.
6838 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 · Opens 1hr before first show, closes 30min after last show
Full-service locksmith with 4.9 rating and 500+ reviews. Offers residential, commercial, and automotive locksmith services. Rekeying runs $70-130, deadbolt replacement with installation $150-350. Mobile units dispatched across LA with typical 15-30 minute arrival times.
1801 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 · 24 hours, 7 days a week
Dry cleaner and tailor in Los Feliz. Walk-ins welcome. Hemming from $4, dress alterations around $100.
2617 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm
Clean, well-maintained self-service laundromat in Echo Park with commercial washers and dryers in multiple sizes. Offers wash-and-fold drop-off service for those who prefer to leave it. Part of a small local chain with additional locations in East LA and Hyperion Ave. Open early to late for convenience.
1448 N Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90026 · Daily 6am-10pm
Hand car wash and detailing near LAX. Classic hand wash $39, hand wax $99. Full detailing packages available. No gimmicks, quality work.
8801 Sepulveda Westway, Los Angeles, CA 90045 · Daily 8am-5pm
Full-service auto detailing shop in Highland Park offering hand wash, paint correction, ceramic coating, and interior detailing. Exterior hand wash with water spot removal runs $70-170 depending on vehicle size. Higher-end than a basic car wash but delivers professional results. Good option for detail work beyond a standard wash.
7320 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90041 · Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm
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
Tailor in Koreatown with strong reviews. Suit alterations, hemming, tapering, custom fitting. Pants hemming from $10, suit jacket from $25. Walk-ins welcome.
975 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
Dry cleaner on Hillhurst Ave in Los Feliz. Dry cleaning, laundered shirts, basic alterations. Consistent quality, reasonable turnaround.
1804 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm
Mobile auto detailing service that uses waterless and eco-friendly products. Comes to your location -- home, office, or parking garage. Waterless exterior hand wash starts at $40 for a regular car, $50 for SUVs. Full detail packages available. Convenient for anyone who does not want to leave their car at a shop.
8000 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 · Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, by appointment
A well-reviewed tailor near the Grove offering suit alterations, hemming, tapering, and custom fitting. Known for precise work on both men's and women's garments. Pants hemming from $12, suit jacket sleeves from $25. Walk-ins welcome. Convenient location for Fairfax and Mid-Wilshire residents.
6311 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
Self-service laundromat on Sunset Blvd in Silver Lake. Modern machines, free Wi-Fi. Small loads from $3, triple-load from $6. Wash-and-fold drop-off available.
4446 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Daily 6am-10pm
Neighborhood dry cleaner in Silver Lake handling suits, shirts, dresses, delicates, and household items. Same-day service on items dropped off before 10am. Shirts from $3, suits from $12. No frills, just reliable cleaning and fast turnaround. A local option for the Sunset Junction area.
2701 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm
Neighborhood dog grooming salon on the Hyperion Ave strip in Silver Lake. Full grooming, baths, nail trimming, and de-shedding treatments. Small dogs from $55, large dogs from $85. Walk-ins accepted but appointments recommended on weekends. Known for handling anxious dogs patiently.
1926 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
Koreatown locksmith with a storefront and mobile service. Key cutting from $3, residential lockout from $75, rekeying, lock installation, automotive keys. Walk-in key cutting same day.
3525 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm