21 Free Things to Do in Southern California

From the beaches and piers to parks and downtowns, SoCal offers plenty of pastime adventures to enjoy without relying on your credit card. Ditch the pricey restaurants and theme parks and challenge yourself to compile a full trip itinerary of exclusively free things to do in Southern California.

Take advantage of the beautiful scenery, cool landmarks, unique cultural attractions, and awesome SoCal perks. Have yourself the best budget-friendly trip, starting with these 21 ideas.

Free Things to Do in San Diego

1. Spend a Day at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park 

Old Town San Diego has museums and historical landmarks galore. A definite top thing to do in San Diego, this historic district features several essential attractions and landmarks that makes every trip to San Diego worthwhile.

2. Swim at Coronado Beach 

There’s nothing quite like spending a relaxing day by the beach, and Coronado is one of the most beautiful places in SoCal to do so. Soak in the sun, take a dip in the calm waters, and admire the spectacular views along this sandy stretch. Whether you're bringing your date or your pup, Coronado Beach is a spot your itinerary can’t do without. 

3. Watch the Sunset at Sunset Cliffs

Another awesome dog-friendly spot in San Diego is none other than Sunset Cliffs. And as expected, the best time to visit this scenic spot is during sunset. Enjoy a beautiful picnic with your S.O. while gorgeous orange hues light up the sky and waves crash in the background. We’re swooning just thinking about this romantic thing to do in SoCal.

4. Walk Down the San Diego Embarcadero

Adjacent to Downtown San Diego, the Embarcadero is a one-stop-shop for many San Diego essentials. Seaport Village is the place for seafood and souvenir shops—the same goes for the Headquarters at Seaport. The Marina has great ocean views and sprawling grassy lawns. These are all free things to do in San Diego you can’t miss out on.

Free Things to Do in Orange County

5. Surf at Huntington Beach 

The SoCal paradise of Orange County is home to the iconic Huntington Beach, aka Surf City U.S.A. Known for playing an integral part in shaping California’s surf culture, this top surfing spot is a must for outdoor enthusiasts.

6. Stroll Around Old Towne Orange 

Hit up Old Towne Orange to enjoy a leisurely stroll, admire century-old buildings, and get a taste of classic O.C. As one of the largest registered Historic Districts in California, this free thing to do in Orange County can’t be missed. Visit during September and you’ll get a chance to see the popular Orange Street Fair in action.

7. Hike the Crystal Cove Perimeter Loop

The Crystal Cove Perimeter Loop is a hike for serious explorers. Over nine miles in length and with serious elevation gain, this hike will satisfy all your cravings for a backcountry adventure. Traipse through ridges and valleys, see the Santiago and Modjeska Peaks, and enjoy the most beautiful views of the Pacific as the perfect reward on your free O.C. adventure.

8. Check Out the Old Orange County Courthouse 

Learn about the history of the O.C. and significant events throughout its history at the Old Orange County Courthouse. Offering free admission to visitors, the Romanesque Revival structure is SoCal’s oldest court building and one of the best free things to do in Orange County.

9. Plan a Picnic at Irvine Regional Park

The 160-acre locale is the county’s first regional park and a beautiful place to plan a romantic afternoon date. Activities to enjoy at the park include biking, paddle boating, a train ride, pony rides, and more.

Free Things to Do in Los Angeles

10. Check out Griffith Observatory and Park 

Visiting Griffith Observatory is one of the top free things to do in L.A. year-round. Go at night to watch the twinkling skies above with a telescope and the beautiful city of Los Angeles below. While you can never get enough of the stars, Griffith Park is also fun to explore at nighttime. (May we suggest a midnight stroll?)

11. Explore the Getty Center’s impressive Collection 

The Getty Center is impressive in more than one way. The free art gallery has an extensive collection of European and American art to admire, beautiful gardens to explore, and one of the most unique architectural buildings in L.A. Overall, when it comes to free things to do in Los Angeles, paying a visit to the Getty Center is a must.

12. Go for an evening stroll at the Venice Canals

Escape to the Mediterranean Coast by heading to the beautiful Venice Canals. After spending a day by the beach, this unique spot is the perfect place to wrap up the day. Other free things to do in Venice include walking along the boardwalk, checking out Muscle Beach, and exploring Abbot Kinney Boulevard.

13. Visit the Hollywood Forever Cemetery 

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery is where many industry legends rest. Located on the same block as Paramount Pictures, this cemetery is one of the oldest in L.A. and the only one in Hollywood. Participate in the outdoor community events hosted by the cemetery, such as live music and summer movie screenings, for fun free things to do in Hollywood.

14. Hike the trails at Runyon Canyon Park

No itinerary of free things to do in Southern California is complete without a hike or two. One of the most popular hiking destinations in the city, Runyon Canyon Park offers great loop hikes with unbeatable views. Hike the 2.7-mile Runyon Canyon Trail and you’ll have the Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills keeping you company.

Free Things to Do in Ventura

15. Take a Walk on the Ventura Pier

This historic pier is popular among walkers, joggers, and bikers, and that’s partly due to the killer views. You’ll see the City of Ventura, Channel Islands National Park, Surfers Point, Santa Barbara Channel, and Topatopa Mountains from the pier. Talk about a strategic location.

16. Visit Mission Basilica San Buenaventura

Visiting the local missions is one of the top free things to do in Southern California. Not only do you get an exclusive sneak peek of California’s Spanish history, but you also see beautiful and historic structures that aren’t as common as they used to be.

17. Smell the Flowers at the Ventura Botanical Gardens

Every Friday is a free day at the Ventura Botanical Gardens. Here, you’ll see local plant species such as ceanothus, lemonade berry, California pepper trees, and California oak, as well as endangered species like the Chilean wine palm. While the admission is free on Fridays, consider making a small donation to help the park become even more of a magical place.

Free Things to Do in Santa Barbara

18. Hit up Hendry’s Beach With your Pup 

Officially called the Arroyo Burro Beach Park, this beach is the go-to place to let your dog run along the coast leash-free. Enjoy beachcombing, bodyboarding, hiking, sunbathing, swimming, and more free things to do along the coast. Hendry’s Beach also has all the amenities you need—dog wash, showers, picnic tables, barbecue grills—to make your visit as comfortable as possible.

19. Explore Stearns Wharf 

Built in 1872, Stearns Wharf is one of the oldest operating wooden piers in California. You’ll find souvenir shops, food stands, and restaurants along the pier—it’s also a great spot for people-watching. The best part about this free thing to do in Southern California is watching the local surfers and fishermen in action at the very end of the pier. Stay a while, you might just catch a glimpse of a frolicking dolphin or two.

20. DISCOVER THE MAJESTIC MORETON BAY FIG TREE

Regarded as the biggest fig tree in the United States, this natural marvel is a must-visit during your trip to Santa Barbara. According to local lore, a visiting seaman from Australia gifted a fig tree seedling to a young resident in 1876, who then planted it at 201 State Street, the current location of this towering tree.

21. Escape to Thousand Steps Beach 

Looking to escape to a breathtaking secluded beach? Head to Thousand Steps Beach in East Mesa to witness a piece of heaven on earth. Going down to the beach requires a long (but easy) hike. Make sure to visit at low tide for excellent tide pooling opportunities.