Cheap Los Angeles Vacations

At first glance, LA may appear to be off-limits for the budget traveler. Guess again. Whether you're strolling Sunset Strip or soaking up rays on Santa Monica Pier, the beauty of a Los Angeles vacation lies in the people-watching. Forget hours inside museums, LA is all about the Angelenos – the ones who have made their mark on the past, and the ones still dreaming of making their marks on the future.

Let CheapTickets give you the 411 on living large and spending small on your Los Angeles travels.

Los Angeles is known for its year-round warm temperatures, but the ideal time for travelers to plan Los Angeles vacations is during the late fall. In November, the city is relatively smog-free and clear, which offers perfect weather for outdoor excursions and tours. In late summer, hotel rates are quite expensive due to the large number of tourists who come to the area, so the best time to reserve Los Angeles travel accommodations is fall or winter when rates are more affordable. Many of the city’s annual events are held in May, including the Valley Greek Festival and Earth Day WorldFest.

Tour the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which offers a “Pay What You Want” admission special after 5 p.m. every day.

Visit Griffith Park, an outdoor green space home to hiking trails, children’s train rides, and the Los Angeles Zoo.

Enjoy the vintage Hollywood memorabilia at Off the Wall, a novelty museum located on Melrose Avenue.

Book a public tour of the Hollyhock House, a private residence designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Plan a trip to the San Gabriel Mission, a massive church dating back to the late 18th century.

When people talk about seeing the stars and heavenly bodies on their Los Angeles travels, they're rarely thinking astronomy. To see stellar bodies that have aged naturally, head to Griffith Park Observatory. Entry is free, but for an extra treat you can pay just $7 (even less for students, kids and seniors) for entry to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.

If strutting your stuff was an art form, Venice Beach Boardwalk would be a world-class museum. For the cost of a hot dog and a beer, you can spend an afternoon of your Los Angeles vacation watching characters play out their dramas, comedies or action films … at least the ones they're starring in inside their heads.

This museum is famous for a few reasons. Firstly, the art collection is incredible, featuring everything from manuscripts and photographs to paintings and sculptures. Secondly, since the Centre is nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, the view takes in the LA skyline, the ocean and the Bernardino Mountains. Add to this the fact that entry is free and you've got yourself a date on your Los Angeles vacation.

If you're into Old Hollywood, it doesn't get much older than those stars already six feet under – many of whom are resting in peace at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Throughout the summer, patrons can enjoy classic films under the stars. Check out Cinespia's website for show times and details.

Forget Jurassic Park – the La Brea Tar Pits are the real deal, with over three million fossils. The pits contain woolly mammoths, saber-toothed tigers and ground sloths that were trapped in the asphalt that's been leaking out of the ground for the past 40,000 years. The exterior of the pits is free to the public, but for a small fee (under $10) you can head into the complex and learn all about the process.