9 Inexpensive Things to Do In Los Angeles Year Round

Visiting LA? Here Are 9 Cheap Things You Can Do Anytime Of The Year.

Taking a trip to Cali was a bucket trip for sure, finding things to do in Los Angeles wasn’t hard at all. Whatever you’re into its there times 10. We are talking food, art, fashion, nightlife, the possibilities are endless in LA. My cousin and I were in town for the Smoking Grooves Festival, an all day event featuring the dopest artists from Erykah Badu to Jhene Aiko. I highly recommend doing this festival at least once in life.

Anyway, the festival was only for a day of our four day adventure. With three other days to spare, we made the most out of our trip. We found tons of things to do and of course I’m going to share them with you.

With all of the things to do in Los Angeles, it’s impossible to do everything in one trip. However, I’ve summed up a list of cool things to do within a short visit. It’s a plethora of categories from art to nature and most of it is free or inexpensive.

Little spoiler, I’m NOT going to to recommend walking down Hollywood Blvd. (Soo cliche). *Warning* There are tons of pictures. Keep reading to find out 9 cool things you too can do should you go California Dreamin’. The best part? Everything on this list can be done year round.

1. View The Hollywood Sign From Bronson Cave

Bronson Cave @ Griffith Park
3200 Canyon Drive, Los Angeles California

One of the main things to do in Los Angeles is visit the Hollywood sign. However, we took a different approach. Hidden in “The Hills”, this enormous state park is filled with scenic views and fresh air. There are several trails and tons of incline. If you’re feeling frisky you can take the ultimate hike and go directly to the infamous Hollywood sign. BUT, it takes about 45 minutes one way and is by foot only.

Not really into athletics? There’s a shorter trail which leads to the caves which give a clear and gorgeous view of the sign. Picture perfect.

2. Be a Glutton, Eat Randy’s Donuts

Granted Cali has tons of donut spots on every other corner. However, THIS is the place to go. I’ve heard the urban legends about this place and made it priority to indulge. Imagine the look on my face when we stumbled across the huge trademark donut unexpectedly. Not stopping was not an option. The donuts? Ooey Gooey deliciousness. I promise they are all the hype.

3. Embrace The Views At The Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, California

Beach, people, music, and food; Santa Monica Beach is a beautiful spot to chill. From food spots to the mini amusement park, this is a family friendly spot and a site to see. I would recommend a place to eat. However, I was NOT impressed with my food and I’d rather not send you to a place not worth your time. lol.

4. Grab Cannabis From The Cookies Store

Cookies
5815 Maywood Ave, Maywood California

All my 420 friendly baddies out there know that Cali is a recreational state. Coming from Florida where this is not the case, visiting the Cookie’s store was on of my first stops

Being able to walk in a store similar to Willy Wonka but for marijuana is a true pleasure and freedom. The staff at the Maywood store was awesome and informative about the buds.

Perk: you can smell your picks before you purchase. (I was told the other location doesn’t allow this) Also, you get a free pre-roll when you leave a review about your experience. Surprisingly the store was reasonably priced. Get high and eat a Randy’s donut. Yikes!

5. Visit Neighborhoods Where Black Television Was Filmed

Craig’s House
418 W 126th St, Los Angeles, CA

After visiting the Cookie’s store on a Friday we found it fitting to go to the neighborhood of one of the best black comedies… Friday. That’s right you can go to Craig and Smokey’s neighborhood where the event of the film took place.

The homes are occupied. However, the gentleman that lives in Mrs. Parker’s house will give you a full background story of how the 20 days of filming went and a few other interesting facts. He’s been in the same house for 50 years!

Aside from showing you photos from the movie’s background scene and true history, you can snap “Heyyy Mrs Parker” pictures for a hot $10.00.

We went to Craig’s house, but I wont lie the resident wasn’t as friendly (chile, lol) . But there were signs up and you can take pictures on the porch for $10.00 as well.

If you’re an insecure fan than you already know this apartment, Issa’s place during season 1. The front is about as far as this tour goes; this is an actual apartment complex, the front gate is locked.

The Dunes
705 N Inglewood Ave, Inglewood, California

6. Be a Tourist, Snap Pictures at Urban Light

Urban Light
5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California

I’ve always seen the “it” people take pictures at this famous art exhibit. It was a thing on my list, make it yours.

Per wikipedia… “Urban Light is a large-scale assemblage sculpture by Chris Burden located at the Wilshire Boulevard entrance to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The 2008 installation consists of restored street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s. Most of them once lit the streets of Southern California.” Photos of this one is for the scrapbooks. If you’re an art person.. you get it.

7. Visit The Black Hair Experience

The Black Hair Experience
3650 W Martin Luther King Blvd, Los Angeles, California

Located in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (Crenshaw Mall). This is self guided selfie museum. Enjoy snapping pics in front of displays that if you’re a black woman, you can appreciate the references. From the hot combs on the stove to the trivia Bingo about getting popped in the head while getting your hair done. This is an interesting take on Black Culture.

8. Eat Amazing Food

Los Angeles is the spot for just about any cuisine you’re into. Here are a few good spots to try in a nutshell

Post & Beam – 3767 Santa Rosalia Dr, Los Angeles, California

Little Sister DTLA – 523 W 7th Street Los Angeles, California

Leo’s Food Truck – 1515 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles – 1514 N Gower St, Los Angeles, CA

9. Scout Out Cool Murals Throughout The City

LA has murals, lots of them. If you’re into the artsy stuff you can look up at any given time and fine interesting ones to capture.

Aside from the Nipsey Hussle location behind the Fat Burger just behind The Marathon store, I honestly can’t recall where any of these one are located.

But that’s the fun in this one, find your own. 🙂

9 Things To Do In Los Angeles Final Thoughts

LA is truly a vibe. The weather, fresh air, scenic views, food, culture, give it ALL to me. I hope this list of things to do serves as a guide for a mini journey. Have you been to Los Angeles before? What cool spots have you discovered? Gimme deets!

If you aren’t already, be sure to follow me on Tiktok and Instagram @Eatnbougie. I also post on my Youtube Channel weekly. It’s really hard not to notice me lol. On these platforms you can get more frequent updates on what’s going on in the Bad Babe Lifestyle.

– Ash

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Visiting LA? Here Are 9 Things You Can Do Anytime Of Year.