12 fun things that you can do for free in Southern California in January
This may come as a surprise, but some of us are tapped out this time of year. The wallet is empty. The credit cards are maxed out. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit home and stare at the boob tube. Here are 12 free things you can do this month.
Always free
California Science Center, Los Angeles. This fascinating museum in L.A.’s Exposition Park is free to visit every day and chock full of things to see, including the awesome Space Shuttle Endeavor, which has its own pavilion. Kids love this place but so do adults. There’s an extra charge for the IMAX theater shows and some attractions. Parking at Exposition Park is $15, or you can ride the Metro. 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. californiasciencecenter.org
The Broad, Los Angeles. Open Tuesdays through Sundays. This contemporary art museum in downtown L.A. showcases the collection of the late developer Eli Broad, and includes many unique exhibits, including Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Mirrored Room — The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away.” It’s free every day, but strongly suggested to get advance tickets to avoid standing in line for walk-ins. Tickets are released online daily. There’s a fee for parking, but if you go on a Sunday you might be able to nab free street parking. 221 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles. thebroad.org
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Mount Rubidoux Park, Riverside. Get out and take a refreshing walk to work off those holiday calories. This unique city park encompasses 161 acres and includes a 3.2-mile paved, hilly loop trail to the top. Enjoy the scenic views from the walk uphill and visit the historic bridge and tower. Park at Bonaminio Park nearby and use the restroom there. Bring drinking water. 4706 Mount Rubidoux Drive, Riverside. riversideca.gov/park_rec/facilities-parks/mt-rubidoux
Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), Costa Mesa. In its new building at the Segerstrom Center, this contemporary art museum has free admission every day except Mondays, when it’s closed. They offer free kid events during the month. Pay parking structures are nearby. 3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa. ocma.art/visit/
Point Vicente Interpretive Center, Rancho Palos Verdes. Open every day, this small museum is not only interesting but also located on a gorgeous public point perfect for whale watching. Fine vistas reward the drive out there. It explores the human and natural history of the area. Also, this time of year volunteers with telescopes are counting whales as they go past on their way to Baja California to breed and give birth. 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes. rpvca.gov/1204/Visit-Point-Vicente-Interpretive-Center
San Pedro Red Trolley. This old-fashioned trolley line takes visitors on a loop route including the the Battleshop Iowa and downtown San Pedro. It runs every half hour from noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in the winter. sptrolley.com
Sometimes free
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Free to all on the second Tuesday of the month, free to LA County residents every day after 3 p.m. The largest art museum complex on the West Coast, this collection includes everything from David Hockney paintings to ancient artifacts to free arts workshops. Children 17 and under can sign up for the NexGen program, where they can get in free and bring one person with them. Paid parking is nearby, beware of street parking in the afternoon–you could be towed. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles lacma.org/tickets
Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA), Long Beach. Free every Sunday. Always has interesting exhibits, and offers free docent-led tours at 2 p.m. Sundays. Exhibits are always open on Sundays, but free tickets are recommended and can be booked online. Parking is free. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. molaa.org/visit
Jan. 9: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Yorba Linda. Free admission in honor of the late Nixon’s birthday. An interesting compendium of exhibits, including Nixon’s birthplace and gravesite, information about his resignation and changing exhibits on various subjects. 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. nixonlibrary.gov/
Jan. 9: Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles. This museum is free every second Tuesday of the month, and you can plan to spend a few hours here. Parking is free, too. Learn about Native American and cowboy ways of life, using historical artifacts such as stage coaches, serapes, beaded clothing, firearms, photos and more. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. theautry.org
Jan. 15 (MLK Day) The California Botanic Garden, Claremont. The garden, which features 22,000 California native plants spread over 86 acres, offers free admission annually to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Free tickets must be reserved online for this special event, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is also free. 1500 N College Avenue, Claremont. calbg.org/
Jan. 15 (MLK Day) Free national parks. In honor of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., all national parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on Jan. 15. Locally, a good suggestion is to drive before dawn out to Joshua Tree National Park, watching the sun come up over the desert. Take some easy hikes in the Wonderland of Rocks, finishing up just as the thundering hordes start pouring in. Then, stop in town for lunch and maybe a soak in a Desert Hot Springs spa on the way home. nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/mlk-day.htm