Los Angeles on a Budget
Visiting Los Angeles on a budget can sound like an impossible thing to do because the city is all about glamour. However, with the proper planning and tips you can experience the bustling “City of Angles” without breaking the bank. Here are some tips on how to explore Los Angeles on a budget.
How to visit Los Angeles on a budget?
1. Go to Los Angeles in the off-season.
The summer season (June to August) is the best time to visit Los Angeles. It is the high season of Los Angeles with lots of tourists, which means the prices will be increased for almost everything – from accommodation to food! So, if you want to visit Los Angeles on a budget, you can visit in the off-season from November to February. The weather would still be great so that means you won’t miss anything, except for some beach time if you visit in December.
2. Eat where the locals go in Los Angeles.
Another one of the best budget-friendly things to do in Los Angeles is to eat like a local. That means buying from grocery stores and trying food truck meals. Some food trucks have even better food than the 5-star hotels in Los Angeles. You can also eat at the Grand Central Market, Bé Ù – Vietnamese Street Food & Comfort Food, Earle’s On Crenshaw, and Baja Subs Market & Deli.
3. Whenever possible, take public transportation.
Los Angeles has one of the best public transport systems in the United States, with subways, buses, and shuttle services. So why not take advantage of that? Riding the Metro varies depending on the length of your trip and whether you are using cash or a Tap Card, but it is usually less expensive than other transportation options. So, skip the Uber and taxi transfers and you will be amazed at how much you can save!
4. Make use of the free attractions!
Visiting Los Angeles on a budget does not mean that you won’t get to experience anything good. You can still visit free attractions like beaches, museums, and public parks. Here are some attractions to check out when you are in Los Angeles – Venice Beach, Venice Beach Boardwalk, LACMA (the L.A. County Museum of Art), Griffith Observatory, Grand Park, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, The Korean Bell of Friendship, Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Getty Center, TV Show Taping Tours.
5. Stay in less expensive places in Los Angeles.
While places like Beverly Hills, Malibu, and Santa Monica can be a little expensive for those with a tight budget, that does not mean you can’t still visit Los Angeles. You can check out places like Koreatown. Not only is it recommended by “Lonely Planet”, it is also one of the closest places to Los Angeles, meaning that you don’t need to spend on transportation much. Koreatown is itself a great place to explore with attractions like Koreatown Plaza, Korean Pavilion Garden, Soop Sok Karaoke (one of Koreatown’s most popular karaoke establishments), Wiltern Theater, and Chapman Market.
Lucas Miller is a passionate traveler and travel writer. He has visited over 50 countries and has written extensively about his experiences for magazines, websites, and blogs. Lucas is passionate about sharing his love of travel with others and helping them to create unforgettable memories.
