County guide
29 outings for families, couples, seniors and groups. Every listing links to its source. Details can change. Check with the venue before you go.
Every listing links to its source · Updated
29 of 29 outings have a mapped location. Tap a pin, then its name to jump to the listing.
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Free entry, free admission days and free hours from every section.
Section: Free and Budget-FriendlymuseumCalifornia's State Regional Indian Museum, with exhibits on Native American cultures of the Antelope Valley, California coast, Great Basin and Southwest. Wheelchair accessible.
Section: Free and Budget-Friendlyart museumHilltop museum of art from the Middle Ages to today amid modern architecture, gardens and city views; admission is free with a timed-entry reservation.
Section: Free and Budget-Friendlyscience centerFree-admission observatory on Mount Hollywood with telescopes, exhibits, Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows and views of LA and the Hollywood Sign. Building and grounds are accessible for all visitors.
Section: Free and Budget-Friendlyart museumPasadena art museum; free for everyone on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 7pm, and always free for visitors 18 and under and students.
Section: Free and Budget-Friendlystate parkHigh-desert park east of Lancaster preserving native Joshua tree woodlands around Saddleback Butte, with picnic areas and a campground.
Section: Free and Budget-FriendlymuseumBrentwood cultural center with exhibitions, the Bloom Garden, Noah's Ark (timed entry), a Family Art Studio and an Archaeology Dig Discovery Center; free to all on Thursdays.
Section: Free and Budget-Friendlyart museumDowntown contemporary art museum with free general admission; Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room requires advance reservations. During expansion construction the pedestrian bridge over Hope St. is closed and Hope Street is closed near the museum; reach the garage via Grand Ave to the 2nd St. entrance.
Family-friendly events, hands-on activities and outings for all ages.
Section: Family OutingsfestivalAfter-dark fall celebration with glowing jack-o'-lanterns, giant hand-carved pumpkins, illuminated railroad displays and trick-or-treating on Oct 31; route navigable with wheelchairs and mobility aids. Free parking.
Section: Family OutingsfestivalThe Arboretum's first Día de los Muertos: a twilight garden celebration with a community altar, music, a marketplace of Latin-owned makers, food and drinks, and children's crafts.
Section: Family OutingsfestivalHoliday light walk marking its 10th year, with a new laser light show and 'snowfall' finale, Giant Koi for the Japanese Garden's 60th anniversary, and a Holiday Market Dec. 2-6.
Section: Family OutingsmuseumCalifornia's State Regional Indian Museum, with exhibits on Native American cultures of the Antelope Valley, California coast, Great Basin and Southwest. Wheelchair accessible.
Section: Family OutingsaquariumLong Beach aquarium with sea otters, sharks, sea jellies and frogs across Tropical, Northern and Southern California galleries; reservations required weekends and holidays.
Section: Family OutingsmuseumPasadena children's museum on a 3.5-acre outdoor campus with indoor galleries and water play; free parking in Rose Bowl Lot I.
Section: Family OutingsgardenArcadia botanic garden with Baldwin Lake, wildlife including peafowl, historic structures and walking tours; Peacock Café on site.
Section: Family OutingszooGriffith Park zoo with animal presentations and activities for all ages; animals start going in for the night at 4pm.
Section: Family OutingsmuseumExposition Park museum with dinosaur halls and the new exhibition Orcas: Our Shared Future. L.A. County residents get free admission 3-5pm weekdays (onsite only).
Section: Family OutingsmuseumBrentwood cultural center with exhibitions, the Bloom Garden, Noah's Ark (timed entry), a Family Art Studio and an Archaeology Dig Discovery Center; free to all on Thursdays.
Evenings out, views and classes for two.
Section: Date IdeasfestivalAfter-dark fall celebration with glowing jack-o'-lanterns, giant hand-carved pumpkins, illuminated railroad displays and trick-or-treating on Oct 31; route navigable with wheelchairs and mobility aids. Free parking.
Section: Date IdeaseventJimmy Eat World and The Format in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Jimmy Eat World plays all of Bleed American for its 25th anniversary; The Format celebrates 20 years of Dog Problems.
Section: Date IdeaseventMs. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean in concert at the Hollywood Bowl, celebrating 30 years of the Fugees' The Score.
Section: Date IdeasfestivalHoliday light walk marking its 10th year, with a new laser light show and 'snowfall' finale, Giant Koi for the Japanese Garden's 60th anniversary, and a Holiday Market Dec. 2-6.
Section: Date Ideasart museumHilltop museum of art from the Middle Ages to today amid modern architecture, gardens and city views; admission is free with a timed-entry reservation.
Section: Date IdeasmarketDowntown LA landmark food hall since 1917 with over 40 vendors; the Grand Central Market Bazaar of local makers runs every weekend.
Section: Date Ideasscience centerFree-admission observatory on Mount Hollywood with telescopes, exhibits, Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows and views of LA and the Hollywood Sign. Building and grounds are accessible for all visitors.
Section: Date Ideasart museumLong Beach Museum of Art's oceanfront LBMA Ocean campus, with over 75 years of art, culture and community, featuring Southern California artists and dining at Claire's.
Section: Date Ideasart museumPasadena art museum; free for everyone on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 7pm, and always free for visitors 18 and under and students.
Section: Date Ideasart museumDowntown contemporary art museum with free general admission; Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room requires advance reservations. During expansion construction the pedestrian bridge over Hope St. is closed and Hope Street is closed near the museum; reach the garage via Grand Ave to the 2nd St. entrance.
Section: Date Ideasgarden6½-acre 'Garden of Water & Fragrance' in the San Fernando Valley with a dry Zen garden, a wet-strolling garden and a tea garden. Closed within 24 hours of rainfall.
Escape rooms, bowling, trivia nights and other group activities.
Section: Friends and GroupseventJimmy Eat World and The Format in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Jimmy Eat World plays all of Bleed American for its 25th anniversary; The Format celebrates 20 years of Dog Problems.
Section: Friends and GroupseventMs. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean in concert at the Hollywood Bowl, celebrating 30 years of the Fugees' The Score.
Senior discounts, accessible venues and community centers.
Section: Senior OutingsaquariumLong Beach aquarium with sea otters, sharks, sea jellies and frogs across Tropical, Northern and Southern California galleries; reservations required weekends and holidays.
Section: Senior Outingsscience centerFree-admission observatory on Mount Hollywood with telescopes, exhibits, Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows and views of LA and the Hollywood Sign. Building and grounds are accessible for all visitors.
Section: Senior OutingsmuseumPasadena children's museum on a 3.5-acre outdoor campus with indoor galleries and water play; free parking in Rose Bowl Lot I.
Section: Senior OutingsgardenArcadia botanic garden with Baldwin Lake, wildlife including peafowl, historic structures and walking tours; Peacock Café on site.
Section: Senior Outingsart museumPasadena art museum; free for everyone on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 7pm, and always free for visitors 18 and under and students.
Section: Senior OutingsmuseumBrentwood cultural center with exhibitions, the Bloom Garden, Noah's Ark (timed entry), a Family Art Studio and an Archaeology Dig Discovery Center; free to all on Thursdays.
Places whose official source says dogs or pets are welcome.
Section: Pet-Friendlystate parkHigh-desert park east of Lancaster preserving native Joshua tree woodlands around Saddleback Butte, with picnic areas and a campground.
Section: Pet-Friendlystate historic parkFormer ranch of 1930s 'cowboy philosopher' Will Rogers in Pacific Palisades; the ranch house and stable burned in the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
Parks, trails, beaches, gardens and nature reserves.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate natural reserveWestern Mojave reserve on California's most consistent poppy-bearing land, with spring wildflower displays, hiking trails and a visitor center. No dogs.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenArcadia botanic garden with Baldwin Lake, wildlife including peafowl, historic structures and walking tours; Peacock Café on site.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkHigh-desert park east of Lancaster preserving native Joshua tree woodlands around Saddleback Butte, with picnic areas and a campground.
Section: Outdoors and Naturegarden6½-acre 'Garden of Water & Fragrance' in the San Fernando Valley with a dry Zen garden, a wet-strolling garden and a tea garden. Closed within 24 hours of rainfall.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate historic parkFormer ranch of 1930s 'cowboy philosopher' Will Rogers in Pacific Palisades; the ranch house and stable burned in the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
Art, history and science museums, with hours and prices from each source.
Section: MuseumsmuseumCalifornia's State Regional Indian Museum, with exhibits on Native American cultures of the Antelope Valley, California coast, Great Basin and Southwest. Wheelchair accessible.
Section: Museumsart museumHilltop museum of art from the Middle Ages to today amid modern architecture, gardens and city views; admission is free with a timed-entry reservation.
Section: Museumsscience centerFree-admission observatory on Mount Hollywood with telescopes, exhibits, Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows and views of LA and the Hollywood Sign. Building and grounds are accessible for all visitors.
Section: MuseumsmuseumPasadena children's museum on a 3.5-acre outdoor campus with indoor galleries and water play; free parking in Rose Bowl Lot I.
Section: Museumsart museumLong Beach Museum of Art's oceanfront LBMA Ocean campus, with over 75 years of art, culture and community, featuring Southern California artists and dining at Claire's.
Section: MuseumsmuseumExposition Park museum with dinosaur halls and the new exhibition Orcas: Our Shared Future. L.A. County residents get free admission 3-5pm weekdays (onsite only).
Section: Museumsart museumPasadena art museum; free for everyone on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 7pm, and always free for visitors 18 and under and students.
Section: MuseumsmuseumBrentwood cultural center with exhibitions, the Bloom Garden, Noah's Ark (timed entry), a Family Art Studio and an Archaeology Dig Discovery Center; free to all on Thursdays.
Section: Museumsart museumDowntown contemporary art museum with free general admission; Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room requires advance reservations. During expansion construction the pedestrian bridge over Hope St. is closed and Hope Street is closed near the museum; reach the garage via Grand Ave to the 2nd St. entrance.
Theater, concerts, dance and comedy, with dates and tickets from each source.
Section: Arts and ShowseventJimmy Eat World and The Format in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Jimmy Eat World plays all of Bleed American for its 25th anniversary; The Format celebrates 20 years of Dog Problems.
Section: Arts and ShowseventMs. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean in concert at the Hollywood Bowl, celebrating 30 years of the Fugees' The Score.
Farmers markets, food festivals, cooking classes and food halls.
Section: Food and MarketsmarketDowntown LA landmark food hall since 1917 with over 40 vendors; the Grand Central Market Bazaar of local makers runs every weekend.
Section: Food and Marketsfarmers marketCertified farmers' markets at Villa Parke (Tuesdays) and Victory Park (Saturdays) with growers selling only what they grow, plus other vendors offering jams, jellies, fish and more; no craft vendors. EBT and Market Match accepted.
Section: Food and Marketsfarmers marketCity-run certified farmers market on Arizona Avenue, held Wednesdays and Saturdays year-round, rain or shine; the Wednesday market dates to 1981 and is one of the largest and most diverse in the nation. CalFresh EBT accepted.
Section: Food and Marketsfarmers marketSunday certified farmers market on Main Street with about 40 California farms and live music; year-round, rain or shine; established 1995.
Section: Food and Marketsfarmers marketSaturday neighborhood certified farmers market on Pico Boulevard with produce from about 35 California farms, live entertainment and prepared food; Market Match available.
Section: Food and Marketsfarmers marketAward-winning Thursday afternoon certified farmers' market by the Metro A Line South Pasadena station, with prepared food vendors and live music under towering trees; run by the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.
Dated pumpkin patches, holiday lights and seasonal festivals.
Section: Seasonal and HolidayfestivalAfter-dark fall celebration with glowing jack-o'-lanterns, giant hand-carved pumpkins, illuminated railroad displays and trick-or-treating on Oct 31; route navigable with wheelchairs and mobility aids. Free parking.
Section: Seasonal and HolidayfestivalThe Arboretum's first Día de los Muertos: a twilight garden celebration with a community altar, music, a marketplace of Latin-owned makers, food and drinks, and children's crafts.
Section: Seasonal and HolidayfestivalHoliday light walk marking its 10th year, with a new laser light show and 'snowfall' finale, Giant Koi for the Japanese Garden's 60th anniversary, and a Holiday Market Dec. 2-6.
Venues that host kids' birthday parties.
Section: Party Venuesparty venueTwo-hour nature-themed children's parties in a private, mostly outdoor space at the LA County Arboretum, with two Arboretum Educators, an animal and discovery table, a themed scavenger hunt and all-day garden admission for guests.
Section: Party Venuesparty venueParty packages with a reserved indoor or outdoor space for two hours, all-day museum admission for guests, staff help with setup and clean-up, and free digital invitations.
Indoor outings for wet or cold days.
Section: Rainy Day and IndooraquariumLong Beach aquarium with sea otters, sharks, sea jellies and frogs across Tropical, Northern and Southern California galleries; reservations required weekends and holidays.
Section: Rainy Day and Indoorscience centerFree-admission observatory on Mount Hollywood with telescopes, exhibits, Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows and views of LA and the Hollywood Sign. Building and grounds are accessible for all visitors.
Section: Rainy Day and IndoormuseumExposition Park museum with dinosaur halls and the new exhibition Orcas: Our Shared Future. L.A. County residents get free admission 3-5pm weekdays (onsite only).
Section: Rainy Day and Indoorart museumPasadena art museum; free for everyone on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 7pm, and always free for visitors 18 and under and students.
Section: Rainy Day and IndoormuseumBrentwood cultural center with exhibitions, the Bloom Garden, Noah's Ark (timed entry), a Family Art Studio and an Archaeology Dig Discovery Center; free to all on Thursdays.
Section: Rainy Day and Indoorart museumDowntown contemporary art museum with free general admission; Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room requires advance reservations. During expansion construction the pedestrian bridge over Hope St. is closed and Hope Street is closed near the museum; reach the garage via Grand Ave to the 2nd St. entrance.
