Insider's Guide to Southern California Home Page

Visit our new Bookstore!

We know that leisure-time dollars are a resource that needs to be conserved. It's also true that extra-curricular activities in SoCal can add up in a big hurry. Well, fret no more...we here at the Insider's Guide to SoCal have come up with this handy-dandy guide to fun activities that don't cost a cent! Well, you may have to pay a small charge for parking at some places, but that won't break the budget (and we'll note those for you below).

BEACHES

All of Southern California's legendary beaches are absolutely free. There are parking charges at just about every beach ranging from almost nothing to $7. per day.

On Sundays, you don't have to pay at most parking meters in Long Beach. Free, limited time side stree parking is available at most Orange County beaches but goes very fast. See our Beaches page for our top recommendations.

BOTANICAL GARDENS

We have some truly spectacular gardens here in sunny SoCal. The Arboretum, Huntington Library, and Descanso Gardens just to name a few. Unfortunately in this era of budget cutbacks most gardens have had to institute admission charges to keep afloat.

This in no way diminishes these gardens...all those mentioned are visions to behold and are definitely worth a visit. However, a family outing can add up fast at $7.50 a pop to get in.

There is at least one garden left that is still free...Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden in Claremont. Let's get that again...it's NOT in Santa Ana...despite the name, it's in Claremont.

This garden specializes in California native plants and showcases its collection over miles of trails that lead from desert communities to cool mountain streams with fern-grotto waterfalls. And it's FREE!

Take the 210 freeway east to Hwy. 30. Continue on the 30 to the end at Foothill Bl. Continue east on Foothill. The garden is on the left just past Indian Hill Bl.

MUSEUMS

L.A. is in the midst of a museum reinessance. We have some of the best in the world now and many of them are still absolutely free. We have so many that I have to split this category of freebies into subcategories:

Recently relocated from its Malibu home to a mountaintop in Brentwood, the multi-billion dollar endowed Getty is drawing rave reviews for its collection of priceless artwork. It's also packing 'em in with turn-away crowds. It easily eclipses the other area art museums such as the Norton Simon in Pasadena; the L.A. County Museum of Art on Wilshire; and the Gene Autry Museum in Griffith Park...all of which charge a hefty admission.

Admission is free but you need a parking reservation. Parking is $5. You can also arrive without a reservation via bus or taxi (or any other mode of transport) but you are not guaranteed admission if the crowds are heavy. Call (310) 440-7300 for parking reservations.

The brand-new California Science Center in Exposition Park is another smashing success story. Replacing the aging Museum of Science and Industry, the Science Center is sparkling new with great interactive exhibits to keep kids & their parents busy for hours.

Admission is free but their is a separate charge for the IMAX theater, the Museum of Natural History, and parking. Check out the very historic L.A. Colosseum right next door while you're here used in the 1928 and 1984 Olympic Games.

The premiere auto museum in L.A. is the Petersen Museum on Wilshire Bl. at Fairfax. A great place and well worth the visit & admission charge but there are two other, little known, auto museums in the area that are also extraordinarily significant in the field and absolutely free.

The Penske (as in Roger) Racing Team Museum is located in the basement of Longo Toyota in El Monte and open Monday through Saturday. Dedicated to the racing legacy of Team Penske, this small museum hold many of the team's Indy winning cars, pace cars, and other momentos of the team's history that includes such drivers as Al Unser, Al Unser, Jr., Rick Mears, Emmerson Fittipaldi, Paul Tracy, Rusty Wallace, and more. This is a must-see stop for any racing fans...especially Indy fans! Located off the 10 (San Bernadino) Freeway at Peck Road North.

The Justice Brothers Racing Museum in Duarte is a magnificent showcase of local and national racing lore as seen through the eyes of Ed Justice, owner of the Justice Brothers Automotive Additives Company and the Justice Brothers Racing Team.

Ed has used a considerable portion of his fortune in assembling this collection that will just blow your socks off. Open Monday through Friday, 9:00-5:00. Take the 210 Freeway east to Irwindale Ave. Go north on Irwindale to Huntington Dr. and turn left to Las Lomas. Make a u-turn at Las Lomas and park in the Justice Brothers parking lot.

See our Other Places of Interest page for more information on these two museums.

AMUSEMENT PARKS with free admission

Yes, there are still some amusement parks around that don't charge you to walk in the gate...you still have to pay for the rides though. Check out our Amusement Parks page for more information on the parks listed below:

...and these parks that charge a nominal (say $1) admission:

Pharoah's Lost Kingdom, Redlands

Scandia, Ontario

PLAZAS

Pedestrian-friendly areas are entertaining in and of themselves and also offer many other attractions such as restaurants, bars, theaters, and more. More info available on our Plazas page. Free parking unless noted:

The best known plaza is like a mini amusement park combined with an outdoor plaza and mall. Parking fee charged.

A stereotypical SoCal laid-back beach area with lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and of course beach! You can also take a gondola ride through the canals (see picture) or rent a kayak and do it yourself.

More family oriented than the others, this renovated stretch of the city's oldest area (some buildings date back to the mid 19th century) is coming back to life. Already, an old-fashioned country fair type festival is held on the stree every Friday night (the largest of its kind in the state), March - December. There's also restaurants rangin from fast-food and old fasioned soda fountains to upscale formal dining. A nightclub, a bar, and two coffee houses now anchor the evening entertainment schedule and a new Krikorian theater is under construction.

Pasadena took its run-down downtown section and turned it into a jewel with this very popular hangout. Many theaters...both movie & live..., top-notch restaurants, bars, pubs & clubs, and great street life. Many are now complaining that it's too popular now because it's attracting the attention of some major chains such as the Gap and California Pizza Kitchen. Parking fees charged in most of Old Town Pasadena.

The epicenter of this neighborhood is the intersection of Pine Ave. and 1st St. in Long Beach. Along with movie theaters, restaurants (one even featuring live flamenco dancing), clubs, bars, coffee houses and more, it's just a short (and free) hop over to the Queen Mary and the brand new Aquarium of the Pacific. Parking fee charged, though many merchants validate, and admission charged to the Queen and the Aquarium.

STUDIO TOURS

Why pay big bucks to tour a studio when KCET, the local PBS affiliate, offers free tours of their studios located on Sunset Bl. This is worthy because before it was KCET it was site of the first movie made in Hollywood.

Also, check out the list of frequently used movie shooting locations on our Other Places of Interest page to find out where you just might stumble onto a movie shoot in progress.