Museums, parks in Southern California to visit when you want free fun

Stunning gardens, a lighthouse, and state park exploration. These are just some of the ways you can spend your afternoon in Southern California while keeping costs down this summer.

Of course, there's a myriad of things to do on your own or with loved ones for free across a region that spans as large as ours. Lounging at Sunset Beach, taking a stroll around Big Bear Lake and picnics at the scenic Kate Sessions Park in San Diego are just a few ways this reporter has enjoyed her day without totally hurting the wallet - gas prices aside, of course.

Here's just a sampling of museums, parks, and gardens that are free to visit and experience across Southern California - some perfect for beating the heat in July or when staying inside makes you feel a bit cooped up.

Arlington Garden

Arlington Garden is a scenic garden in Pasadena and the host of various events that are free to the public. Bonus: your pet is welcome at the three-acre garden, too - although they must be leashed and stay on pathways, according to the park's website.

Where: 275 Arlington Drive, Pasadena

Balboa Park

The expansive Balboa Park is home to numerous attractions like the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Natural History Museum. However, you don't need to visit these places to enjoy your day at Balboa Park, where gardens, grand architecture, and playgrounds await.

Where: 1549 El Prado, San Diego

The Broad

General admission is free at The Broad, a museum of contemporary art with two floors of gallery space and a collection that includes the popular and immersive Infinity Mirror Room by Yayoi Kusama. With The Broad's captivating architecture and various exhibits, visitors can easily lose several hours.

Where: 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles

California African American Museum

Check out numerous exhibits, including on celebrated poet Langston Hughes, and keep an eye out on its programming throughout July, from a zine workshop to discussions featuring creatives and experts at the museum located in Exposition Park.

Where: 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles

California Science Center

California Science Center's core exhibits are free. Visitors of the California Science Center can explore exhibits about the environment, about the human body, and about aerospace at this family-friendly destination.

Where: 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles

California State Parks

Visit the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Point Mugu State Park, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and more scenic sites in Southern California for free with the California State Library Parks Pass. California public library cardholders can check out a pass via their local public library, which grants them "free vehicle day-use entry for one passenger vehicle" at participating state parks, according to California State Parks.

Where: Across Southern California

Getty Center and Getty Villa Museum

View art spanning from the 1400s to today at the Getty Center, or experience a "re-created Roman country home" with the Getty Villa Museum where you can see Greek and Roman art and a stunning garden.

Where: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles; Getty Villa Museum, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades

The Huntington

The Huntington, known for its impressive library, art and botanical gardens, offers free admission with advance reservation for the first Thursday of every month. Tickets for Free Days are available the last Thursday of every month at 9 a.m. until sold out for admission the following week, according to The Huntington's website.

Where: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino

Mount Wilson Observatory

Mount Wilson Observatory and its grounds are open to the public, with free admission to the gallery inside the 100-inch telescope dome and the astronomical museum, the observatory said. Other things to do on site include hiking - the observatory is in the San Gabriel Mountains. Also free are the Los Angeles Astronomical Society's occasional free star gazing parties, which include one scheduled for July 17. However, the observatory's website said you will need a U.S. Forest Service pass to park at the observatory, which will cost $5.

Where: Mount Wilson Observatory said to use its website for accurate directions

Point Fermin Lighthouse

Climb up the lighthouse built in 1874 and that served the Los Angeles harbor, according to the City of Los Angeles' website. The beautiful property and lighthouse in San Pedro are open to the public and are near another fascinating sight: Sunken City. Sunken City refers to a portion of the coastal town where land began slipping toward the ocean nearly 100 years ago, LAist reported in 2014. People are not allowed to access Sunken City, which is full of graffiti and overlooks the ocean, but that doesn't stop visitors from walking the remains. Also nearby is the Korean Bell of Friendship.

Where: 807 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro

Riverside Art Museum and Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture

Art lovers can visit the Riverside Art Museum and The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture for free on Sundays through Sept. 6, according to the Riverside Art Museum. The latter of these neighboring art museums showcases Chicano art and explores its social, cultural, and political impact, according to the museum.

Where: Riverside Art Museum, 3425 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside; The Cheech, 3581 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside

Two affordable attractions in SoCal:

Tour the early 19th-century Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside and see its historic church, cemetery and grounds. According to the mission's website, admission is $8 for adults. Over in Riverside is UC Riverside's 40-acre botanical gardens, where the suggested admission donation is $5 per adult.

USA TODAY Network reporter Ema Sasic contributed to this story.

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Museums, parks in Southern California to visit when you want free fun

Reporting by Paris Barraza, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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This story was originally published July 15, 2026 at 9:55 AM.