Photo by Flickr/tiarescott
80. Sunbathe at the beach: Take your pick, whether it’s to show off your tan or to relax in solitude.
81. Wander around Griffith Park: Griffith Park is the largest city park in the country — 4,107 acres — and provides a mix of free activities for the whole family. Picnic on one of the broad lawns or hike one of the park’s many free trails.
82. Discover LA’s wilderness: Los Angeles possesses a wealth of natural wilderness, which attracts avid hikers and bikers to such sites as Topanga State Park, Griffith Park and the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles. Find the best hiking trails.
83. Go surfing: Whether you’re getting on a board for the first time or you’re a seasoned rider searching for LA’s best breaks, there’s something for everyone. Find the best waves.
84. Birdwatching at Audubon Center at Debs Park: The new Audubon Center at Debs Park is the first LEED Platinum-certified building, which alone might be reason enough for a visit, but the true gem is getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnecting with nature.
85. Hike the Urban Trail: At any given time of day or night, the renovated walking path around the Silver Lake Reservoir is filled with joggers, walkers, strollers and dogs on leashes. With a crushed granite surface, the flat, two-mile path has become an outdoor gym for residents of the artsy neighborhood.
86. Relax on LA’s own “Riviera”: The Marina del Rey harbor offers spectacular views and many outdoor activities, including jogging, roller-skating, bicycling or just relaxing in the park.
87. Palisades Park: Palisades Park features some of the city’s most magnificent sunsets and views of the ocean. It’s one of the city’s oldest parks, and also one of the most beautiful. A jogging and biking path runs along steep cliffs overlooking the ocean, while palm trees are scattered throughout, adding to the peaceful landscape.
88. Stop and smell the roses: On UCLA’s campus you can enjoy three beautiful gardens for the price of nothing. Check out the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens, the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden and the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden, as well as Exposition Park’s Rose Garden near USC.
89. Point Fermin Park and Lighthouse: Perched above the Pacific Ocean, Point Fermin is often overlooked by visitors. But the 37-acre park and its coin-operated telescopes offer some of the best views along the coast, while the 1874 lighthouse makes for picture-perfect photo-ops. Picnic, go for a jog or just sit and lose yourself.
90. Free archery lessons in Pasadena: Bet you didn’t think of this one. Pasadena Roving Archers offers free lessons every Saturday. Visit www.rovingarchers.com for more information.
91. Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve: Located in Van Nuys, the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve debunks the myth that LA is a concrete jungle. In the reserve, it’s difficult to tell that you’re in the city at all. Groves of trees fill out the landscape, while a variety of wildlife — waterfowl, ducks, herons and more — go about their day.
Free Activities (1-16) | Free Arts and Culture (17-30) | Free Attractions (31-43) | Free Health and Beauty (44-52) | Free Museums (53-66) | Free Museums with Special Admission Days (67-79) | Free Recreation (80-91) | Free Summer Concerts (92-100)
