Fun on the Frugal Side: Free L.A.

It's your day off. You're uninspired and under-funded (aka bored and broke). "But I live in Los Angeles!" you remind yourself. "There's got to be something I can do that won't break the bank." Art, music, museums, theatre, workshops, gardens, and more always seem to come with a price tag, unless you're totally in the know. Well, it's not too complicated to file yourself under the in-the-know column. Free L.A. is a publication that you can keep on your bookshelf to use when you need low-cost fun on the fly, or hand off to those out-of-town couch surfers you're hosting who would otherwise spend their vacation days fondling your remote control and eating you out of house and home.

The book is organized in helpful categories, starting with sections on popular areas that are option-dense, including Downtown, Santa Monica, and Hollywood. Next you can find happenings and destinations broken down by broader categories, such as Art Spaces, Historic Places, Art Walks, Green L.A., Gardens, Films, Tours, and more. The last segment looks at Los Angeles month-by-month with the 411 on annual events that are free or just plain affordable. The listings offer straightforward descriptions and vital info, such as the website, parking cost and specifics, Metro bus and rail lines/stops, Thomas Guide page, kid-friendliness, in addition to the basics.

Okay, so the book itself isn't free; it retails for $14.95. Get it on Amazon, or at your local bookstore. Follow Free L.A. on Twitter for other bargain-conscious local opportunities.