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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Fun on the Frugal Side: Free L.A.

FreeLA_cover.jpg

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

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.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

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