Los Angeles on a Budget

LA has a reputation for being expensive, and hotels and restaurants can be pricey. But LA also has incredible free attractions, cheap ethnic food, and budget-friendly neighborhoods. With planning, you can experience LA authentically without spending like a celebrity. Focus on free activities and neighborhood exploration.

Stay in Hollywood, Koreatown, or Mid-City for lower rates than beach areas. Hostels: HI Santa Monica, Samesun Hollywood. Budget hotels: Freehand DTLA (dorm and private), Pod Hotels. Airbnb in residential neighborhoods. Avoid Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood if budget is tight. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends.

LA's best food is often cheap. Taco trucks: $1.50-3 per taco. Grand Central Market: affordable options. Thai Town: huge portions, low prices. Koreatown: Korean BBQ lunch specials ($15-20). SGV (San Gabriel Valley): authentic Asian food, incredibly cheap. Food trucks are generally affordable. Avoid tourist-area restaurants.

The Getty Center and Getty Villa — free (parking $20). The Broad — free timed tickets. Griffith Observatory — free. All beaches — free. Hiking — free. MOCA, Hammer Museum — free. Walk celebrity neighborhoods (Beverly Hills, Malibu). Farmers markets are free to browse. LA has more free world-class attractions than almost any city.

Metro day passes ($7) work for most touristy areas. Skip the rental car if staying beach-side or DTLA. Uber/Lyft shared rides save money. Bikes and scooters for short trips. Park in free street parking if you have a car (read signs carefully). LAX FlyAway ($9.75) beats rideshare.

Pick one nice meal and make it count — lunch is always cheaper than dinner. Happy hours offer great deals (4-7pm). Universal Studios is expensive but worth it; skip add-ons. One studio tour is plenty. Splurge on experiences, not things. LA's best experiences (beaches, hikes, neighborhoods) are free.