Things to Do in West LA

Free admission. Hilltop views. Tram ride up. Saturday nights until 9pm -- free date night.

Free admission. Take the tram up to a hilltop with panoramic city views. European paintings, photography, sculpture, rotating exhibitions. Saturday hours until 9pm make this the best free date in LA. Parking $20.

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue–Fri & Sun 10am–6:30pm, Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Mon.

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

Always free admission. Contemporary art exhibitions, film screenings, talks, and live music events on the UCLA campus in Westwood. The courtyard hosts free Thursday night concerts in summer. Smaller than the Getty or LACMA but more focused, and you never have to worry about the cost.

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

Free admission. Tram ride up. Pack a picnic -- terrace views are the real exhibit.

Free admission. Kids love the tram ride up, the garden maze, and the family room with art-making activities. Central Garden built for exploring. Bring a picnic -- eating on the terrace with city views is half the experience. Parking $20, free after 3pm.

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue–Fri & Sun 10am–6:30pm, Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+

Life-size Noah's Ark made from recycled materials. Kids climb, build, and play. Free Thursdays.

A life-size wooden Noah's Ark made entirely from recycled materials -- kids climb through it, build with blocks, play with puppets, and interact with folk-art animals. It is genuinely impressive for adults too. Free admission every Thursday. Regular admission $18 adults, $10 kids. Combine with a visit to the gallery upstairs.

2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue-Fri 12-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+

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 · indoor

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 · outdoor

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 · outdoor

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) · outdoor

Dry cleaner on Sepulveda near the Brentwood/West LA border. Delicates, suits, shirts, comforters, curtains. Same-day on items dropped before 10am.

641 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm · indoor

Pet grooming facility with a 4.7 rating offering both full-service professional grooming and self-wash stations where you can bathe your own dog. Self-wash stations include shampoo, towels, and dryers. A good hybrid option if you want to handle the bath yourself but need access to proper equipment and facilities.

3036 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034 · Daily 8am-7pm · indoor