Los Angeles · Los Angeles County, CA
Cheap things to do in Los Angeles
Scout analyzed 159 Los Angeles places and surfaced the ones that actually fit cheap day out.
Places analyzed
159
Matches
24
Typical spend
$20
Typical visit
1.3 hr
Best neighborhoods for cheap day out
Ranked by how many matching spots Scout found in each area.
Scout-verified spots
Arts District
Urth Caffe
Urth Caffe is a bustling spot for a casual breakfast or lunch with friends or family, often involving a wait. Expect to spend $15-35 per person for coffee and a meal, with visits lasting about an hour.
Wilshire Center
Awesome Coffee Ktown
This is a good spot for a quick coffee break, whether solo or with one other person, and pairs well with nearby shopping or errands. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for coffee and a treat.
Los Feliz
Obet & Dels Coffee, Hollywood
This coffee shop is a good spot for a quick caffeine stop or a casual, relaxed break. Expect to spend 30 minutes and around $5-15 per person for coffee and a light snack.
Beverly Grove
Bohemia Cafe
Bohemia Cafe is good for a casual coffee, light meal, or a quick working session, fitting well as a morning or afternoon stop. Expect to spend $10-25 per person for about an hour-long visit.
Pico-Union
Coffee MCO
This is a good spot for a casual coffee, brunch, or an early afternoon beer. Expect to spend about an hour and $10-25 per person.
Beverly Grove
The Little Door
The Little Door is a romantic spot for dinner and drinks, suitable for a date or a special occasion. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $100-$250 per person on a meal.
Financial District
Bottega Louie
Bottega Louie is good for a bustling, upscale meal with friends or a date, and their pastry shop offers great grab-and-go treats. Expect to spend $30-75 per person for a 1.5-hour dining experience in a lively atmosphere.
Downtown Los Angeles
Redbird
Redbird is a stylish restaurant for an upscale dinner or cocktails, pairing well with a show or event downtown. Expect to spend 2 hours and $100-200 per person.
Arts District
Manuela
Manuela is a good choice for a relaxed yet upscale meal with cocktails, suitable for a date or group outing. Expect to spend $50-100 per person for an experience lasting 1.5 to 2 hours, potentially pairing with a visit to the nearby arts complex.
Historic Core
Maccheroni Republic
This Italian restaurant with handmade pasta is good for a casual but delicious meal, taking about 1-1.5 hours and costing around $30-60 per person. It pairs well with an exploration of Downtown LA or a show nearby.
Hancock Park
République
République is ideal for a special meal, be it brunch or dinner, offering modern French cuisine in a striking setting. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $75-$150 per person.
Hollywood Hills West
Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon is a popular spot for a 1.5-2 hour urban hike with sweeping city views and many dogs. It's free to enter, but expect difficult parking and large crowds, especially on weekends.
Outdoors
Solstice Canyon
Solstice Canyon offers a free outdoor experience with hiking trails to a waterfall and historical ruins, taking 2-3 hours. It's a good standalone activity or can be paired with a drive along the coast.
Wilshire Center
Alchemist Coffee Project at The Pearl
Alchemist Coffee Project is a good stop for a quick coffee and pastry, perfect for a solo break or a casual meet-up. Expect to spend about 30 minutes and $5-15 per person.
Hollywood Hills
Yamashiro Hollywood
Yamashiro is a scenic choice for an upscale dinner with a view, typically lasting 1.5 hours. Expect to spend $100-$250 per person on Japanese and Cal-Asian cuisine and drinks.
Historic South-Central
Holbox
Holbox is a casual spot for Yucatan-style seafood like ceviche and tacos, suitable for a quick meal or a relaxed lunch. Expect to spend $15-35 per person for a visit lasting about an hour.
Hollywood Hills
Bronson Caves
Visit Bronson Caves for an hour-long outdoor walk through famous filming locations, offering views of the Hollywood Sign. It's a free activity that pairs well with other nearby Griffith Park attractions.
Griffith Park
Charlie Turner Trailhead
This trailhead offers a free, scenic outdoor activity for families or solo adventurers, typically taking 1.5 to 2 hours. It's a good standalone activity for a clear day, but parking can be difficult.
Griffith Park
Firebreak Trail to Griffith Observatory
This is a 1.3-mile unmade trail that can be done as a solo or family adventure to reach the Griffith Observatory. It takes about 1.5 hours round trip, offers great views, and is free, though parking can be a challenge.
Outdoors
Angeles National Forest
This is a great destination for a half-day to full-day outdoor escape, offering hiking and scenic drives. It can be a very inexpensive outing, costing mostly for gas and an Adventure Pass if needed.
Melrose
Nobu Los Angeles
Nobu Los Angeles is an upscale restaurant suitable for special occasion dinners, offering Peruvian-accented Japanese fare. Expect to spend 2 hours and upwards of $100-$250 per person for food and drinks.
Outdoors
Trail Canyon Falls
Trail Canyon Falls is a natural hiking destination good for a few hours of outdoor exercise and scenic views, making it a good standalone cheap day out, especially on a weekend morning. Expect to spend 3-4 hours hiking to and from the falls.
Pacific Palisades
Temescal Canyon Park
Recreational area with hiking trails (with ocean views), a native garden, playground & BBQ pits.
Outdoors
Malibu Creek State Park
Spend a few hours or a full day hiking rugged trails, enjoying scenic views, and swimming at the rock pool. Expect to pay a parking fee and bring your own food and water.
Under $35
Cheap dates and low-spend afternoons.
Worth the splurge
When the night needs to land.
Outdoors
Patio, trail, or open-air.
No reservation needed
Walk in tonight.
What Scout found
- 60 of the 159 analyzed Los Angeles places fit cheap day out.
- 45% of matches are outdoor or partly outdoor.
- 6% have easy parking.
- Dominant moods: Relaxed, Social, Scenic, Adventurous, Quiet, Upscale.
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