Hike or picnic at the Hollywood Bowl

A hike or picnic at the Hollywood Bowl is one of the best free and cheapest things to do in Los Angeles. The famous amphitheater serves as a kind of hidden county park. You are able to park for free and explore the grounds at your leisure as long as the location isn't hosting a performance (an admittedly uncommon event from July to September). Walk into the seating area where you might see people working out on the stairs or, if you're lucky, an open LA Phil rehearsal on summer mornings (classical shows typically take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but the schedule varies, so it's best to call 323-850-2000 to confirm). You can also hike all the way up the hilly surroundings to take in the views.

One of the best concert venues in the country is the Hollywood Bowl. Since it was opened in 1922, it has hosted a great number of renowned performers. If you haven't gone, you should definitely check out a concert there, but many people are unaware that the famed location is also a public park where you may visit and explore it during the daytime, presuming no rehearsals are going on.