LA on a Budget: How to Do a Weekend for $300
Ready to make your way to Hollywood for a weekend escape to the city's bright lights and palm-tree-lined boulevards? Not so fast. LA ranks among the top 10 most expensive cities to visit in the US, which means a little extra planning can go a long way. But finding cheap things to do in Los Angeles isn't impossible, especially with a little help from us. Here's how to see the best of La-La-Land in a weekend for just about $300.
Hotels: about $200
We bet you thought when we said a $300 budget, we'd have you spending the whole thing on hotels. Nope! You can actually nab a room for about $120 a night or less. Here are a handful of hotels we recommend checking out:
Dixie Hollywood Hotel: Retro-style murals pair with contemporary guest rooms at this centrally located hotel with a cute outdoor pool (starting at $96/night).
The Cadillac Hotel: This cozy art deco hotel just steps from Venice Beach has hosted the likes of Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin (starting at $124/night).
Lincoln Plaza Hotel: The best value on our list, enjoy free WiFi and parking only about 15 minutes from downtown (starting at $99/night).
Eating Out: about $67
Shop deals for LA restaurants under $30
Los Angeles's diversity is almost unparalleled, and nowhere is that more obvious than its constantly evolving culinary scene. You can take a veritable trip around the world without leaving the zip code. Here's what we recommend to keep costs low:
Lunch on Day 1: $15.50 for $20 worth of tacos, burritos, and more at Lupe's Burritos
Dinner on Day 1: $13 for $20 worth of Ethiopian food at Little Ethiopia Restaurant
Lunch on Day 2: $12.50 for $20 at the famous diner in American Graffiti, Mel's Diner
Dinner on Day 2: $13.50 for $20 at India's Clay Pit
Tours: about $20
LA is big. Like, really big. And not just big, it's sprawling, which means one of the best ways to see it is on a guided tour. Whether by bus, boat, or your own two feet, you'll not only see a lot more, you'll learn more, too. We suggest taking one of these tours:
Hollywood Tours LA: Climb aboard an open-air van that allows for panoramic views as you cruise through Beverly Hills and down the Sunset Strip ($24 for admission).
LA Waterfront Cruises: Shake things up a little bit and scout for whales near Long Beach on this cruise ($15 for admission).
Hollywood Haunted Tours: Go searching for Hollywood's more spectral starlets on this ghost tour that includes a stop at the infamous Roosevelt Hotel ($19 for admission).
LA Hollywood Tours: Focus on celeb spotting with tour that shows of the homes of some of the biggest A-listers ($27 for admission).
Other Sightseeing: about $20
Shop for deals on sightseeing and other activities in LA
Not burnt out on LA just yet? Got something else on your bucket list? We've got a few ideas for how you can spend a free afternoon in the City of Angels before you head back to reality.
Greenbar Craft Distillery: Sip organic, handcrafted spirits and learn how they're made on this educational and delicious tour ($15.50 for a tasting and tour for two).
Museum of Tolerance: This unique and enlightening museum earned a 5-star rating from more than 3,000 of our customers, proving it's well worth a visit ($17.50 for admission for two).
Los Angeles Dodgers: What better way to enjoy the sunny weather than with a day at the ballpark? Catch games all season long (check here for tickets April–September).
Autry Museum of the American West: This hidden-gem museum in beautiful Griffith Park whisks visitors to the Old West through exhibits on everything from the Colt revolver to American Indian art and artifacts ($25 for admission for four).
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