Free Art in Los Angeles
How to build a free art day in LA.
LA can feel spread out, so the trick is pairing nearby stops instead of crossing the city all day. Use this guide to combine free museums, gallery streets, and mural areas into one manageable route.
Anchor Stops: Always-Free Museums
LA is home to some of the best free museums in the country.
The Getty Center
The crown jewel of free art in LA. World-class collection spanning ancient to contemporary art, stunning architecture by Richard Meier, and spectacular views of the city.
- Address: 1200 Getty Center Drive, Brentwood
- Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5:30pm (Saturdays until 8pm)
- Parking: $20 (free after 3pm)
- Pro tip: Take the tram up to the hilltop campus
The Getty Villa
Ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art in a stunning recreation of a Roman villa overlooking the Pacific.
- Address: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades
- Hours: Wednesday–Monday, 10am–5pm
- Parking: $20 (free after 3pm)
- Note: Timed entry tickets required (free)
The Broad
Contemporary art powerhouse with works by Warhol, Basquiat, Koons, and more. One of LA’s most popular museums.
- Address: 221 S Grand Avenue, Downtown LA
- Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm (Thursdays until 8pm)
- Parking: Nearby lots, $15-25
- Pro tip: Book free tickets online in advance — walk-up lines can be long
Hammer Museum
UCLA’s contemporary art museum with rotating exhibitions and an excellent permanent collection.
- Address: 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Westwood
- Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11am–6pm
- Parking: $7 (3 hours)
Free-Day Museum Schedule
| Museum | Free Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LACMA | LA County residents always free | With valid ID |
| MOCA Grand Avenue | Thursdays 5-8pm | All visitors |
| MOCA Geffen | Thursdays 5-8pm | All visitors |
| Natural History Museum | First Tuesday | LA County residents |
| California Science Center | Always free | General admission |
| Japanese American National Museum | Third Thursday | All visitors |
| Skirball Cultural Center | Thursdays | All visitors |
| Autry Museum | Second Tuesday | All visitors |
Pro tip: Free days are popular. Arrive early to avoid crowds.
Gallery Areas You Can Walk for Free
Commercial art galleries are free to visit — always. Walk in, look at the art, walk out. No ticket, no purchase expected.
Culver City Gallery Row
The densest concentration of galleries in LA, centered around Washington Boulevard and La Cienega.
- Blum & Poe — Major contemporary gallery
- Various Small Fires — Cutting-edge contemporary
- Shoshana Wayne Gallery — Established artists
- Cherry and Martin — Contemporary photography and art
Downtown Arts District
Converted warehouses housing galleries and studios.
- Hauser & Wirth — Massive gallery with restaurant and bookshop
- The Box — Adventurous programming
- Night Gallery — Emerging and mid-career artists
West Hollywood / Beverly Hills
High-end galleries along Robertson and Beverly Boulevard.
- Gagosian — Blue-chip contemporary
- David Kordansky — Top LA gallery
- Pace Gallery — Major international gallery
Public Art Across the City
LA has thousands of public artworks across the city.
Downtown LA
The Broad Plaza
- Jeff Koons’ “Balloon Dog”
- Robert Therrien sculptures
Grand Avenue
- “Four Arches” by Alexander Calder (Bank of America Plaza)
- Various sculptures along Grand Park
Arts District
- Street art and murals on every corner
- The American Hotel murals
Santa Monica & Venice
Venice Beach
- The Venice Boardwalk murals
- “Ballerina Clown” by Jonathan Borofsky
Santa Monica
- Tongva Park sculptures
- Palisades Park art
Beverly Hills
Beverly Gardens Park
- “Electric Fountain” by Ralph Carlin
- Various sculptures along Santa Monica Boulevard
Mural Zones Worth the Walk
LA is the mural capital of the world.
Arts District (Downtown)
The epicenter of LA street art.
- Angel Wings on the Colette Miller building
- Every wall along Traction Avenue and 3rd Street
- Self-guided walking tour recommended
Hollywood
- Marilyn Monroe mural on Wilcox
- Various street art along Melrose
Venice
- Venice Public Art Walls (legal graffiti zone)
- Murals throughout Abbot Kinney
East LA / Boyle Heights
- Rich Chicano mural tradition
- Historic murals on 1st Street
Campus Galleries
UCLA
Hammer Museum (see above) — Always free
Fowler Museum — Art and cultures of Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas
- Free admission
- On UCLA campus
USC
USC Fisher Museum of Art
- Free admission
- Rotating exhibitions
- Campus parking available
Occidental College
Weingart Gallery
- Free admission
- Student and professional exhibitions
Nonprofit and Artist-Run Spaces
Non-profit and artist-run spaces showing adventurous work:
- LAXART (Hollywood) — Non-profit contemporary art space
- 18th Street Arts Center (Santa Monica) — Artist residency and exhibitions
- Angels Gate Cultural Center (San Pedro) — Artist studios and galleries
- Side Street Projects (Pasadena) — Experimental art
Free-Access Sculpture Gardens
UCLA Sculpture Garden
Free outdoor collection including works by major 20th-century sculptors.
Norton Simon Museum Garden
While the museum charges admission, you can see the sculpture garden from outside.
Getty Center Gardens
Included with free museum admission — Robert Irwin’s central garden is a masterpiece.
Sample Routes (Pick One)
Downtown Art Walk (2-3 hours)
- Start at The Broad (book tickets ahead)
- Walk to MOCA Grand Avenue
- Continue through Grand Park
- End in the Arts District for murals and galleries
Culver City Gallery Walk (2 hours)
- Start at Blum & Poe
- Walk Washington Boulevard hitting galleries
- End at Platform for food and shopping
Venice Beach Art Walk (1-2 hours)
- Start at Venice Public Art Walls
- Walk the boardwalk for murals
- Continue to Abbot Kinney for galleries
Before You Head Out
Find Tonight’s Stops
Check Arting for what is currently on in your part of LA, then filter by free admission before you set your route.
Quick Planning Checklist
- Book timed tickets for The Broad in advance
- Check museum websites for special free days
- Many galleries close Sunday–Monday