Free things to do around Los Angeles
Free Things to Do in University Park
The historic heart around USC — grand old West Adams homes, neighborhood parks and Exposition Park's free museums nearby.
Free events near University Park
Happening now and coming up within walking distance.
USC Hospitality Certified Farmers' Market Certified Farmers Market
Wednesdays · 10:00 AM · USC Hospitality Certified Farmers' Market
USC Hospitality Certified Farmers' Market
Wednesdays · 10:00 AM · USC Hospitality Certified Farmers' Market
Adams & Vermont Certified Farmers Market
Wednesdays · 2:00 PM · Adams & Vermont
Adams & Vermont
Wednesdays · 2:00 PM · Adams & Vermont
9/9/2026 Zilkha Nights Series
Wed, Sep 9 · 3:45 PM · Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute (ZNI)
HSC Fall Resource Fair- USC Student Health
Thu, Sep 10 · 11:30 AM · Pappas Quad
Songs in the Key of Life at 50
Thu, Sep 10 · 7:00 PM · Bovard Auditorium, USC
Songs in the Key of Life at 50: A Conversation with Stevie Wonder's Collaborators
Thu, Sep 10 · 7:00 PM · Bovard Auditorium (ADM)
CAAM Docent Circle Open House and Tour
Sat, Sep 12 · 12:00 PM · California African American Museum
CAAM Docent Tour - September 2026
Sat, Sep 12 · 1:00 PM · California African American Museum
Zine Workshop: Sadie Barnette - How to Fly
Sun, Sep 13 · 2:00 PM · California African American Museum
PIPE Workshop: Stan Oklobdzija, UC Riverside
Tue, Sep 15 · 12:00 PM · Ralph and Goldy Lewis Hall
JLF Los Angeles: What is the New World Order?
Tue, Sep 15 · 6:30 PM · ASU California Center at the Herald Examiner
Freak March: A DIY Community Parade with Freak Nature Puppets
Wed, Sep 16 · 12:00 PM · Founder's Park
Freak March: A DIY Community Parade with Freak Nature Puppets
Wed, Sep 16 · 12:00 PM · Founder's Park, USC
The Visions of Simone Machard 2.0
Thu, Sep 17 · 7:00 PM · Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall
The Visions of Simone Machard 2.0
Thu, Sep 17 · 7:00 PM · Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall, USC
Self Care: Yoga at CAAM
Sat, Sep 19 · 11:00 AM · California African American Museum
The Fight for a Fairer City: Los Angeles as Testing Ground
Sat, Sep 19 · 1:30 PM · Autry Museum of the American West
CAAM Scavenger Hunt - September 2026
Sun, Sep 20 · 2:00 PM · California African American Museum
Designing the Lucas Museum with Ma Yansong
Tue, Sep 22 · 6:00 PM · Bovard Auditorium (ADM)
Designing the Lucas Museum with Ma Yansong
Tue, Sep 22 · 6:00 PM · Bovard Auditorium, USC
Ashley Oscal: Ser Oaxaqueña Es...
Wed, Sep 23 · USC
Active Citizenship and Our Democratic Future: A Conversation Between the Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown and Robert Putnam
Wed, Sep 23 · 7:30 AM · USC Capital Campus
About University Park
University Park surrounds USC in one of LA's oldest residential districts, full of preserved Victorian and Craftsman homes along the West Adams and Chester Place corridors. St. James Park and several recreation centers give it free green space.
Exposition Park, with its free museums and rose garden, sits just to the south, making this one of the best areas in the city for a free, history-rich day.
What's here
Free places in University Park
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Hoover Recreation Center
Rec Centers
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Hoover Recreation Center
Parks
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Hoover Recreation Center
Parks
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Playground
Playgrounds
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Saint James Park
Parks · near transit
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Saint James Park
Parks · near transit
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Saint James Park
Parks · near transit
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Playground
Playgrounds
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Playground
Playgrounds
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Toberman Recreation Center
Rec Centers
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Pico Union Vest Pocket Park
Parks
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Pico Union Vest Pocket Park
Parks
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Toberman Recreation Center
Parks
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Toberman Recreation Center
Parks
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Toberman Playground
Parks
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Playground
Playgrounds
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Pico Union Park
Parks
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Playground
Playgrounds
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Estrella Park
Parks · near transit
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Estrella Park
Parks · near transit
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Playground
Playgrounds · near transit
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Harbor–Santa Monica Freeway Interchange
Landmarks · near transit
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World Harvest Food Bank
Food Assistance
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Adams & Vermont
Food
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Pico Union Pollinator Friendly Garden
Gardens
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Pico Union Pollinator Friendly Garden
Gardens
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Lovelace Avenue
Trails · near transit
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Lovelace Avenue
Trails · near transit
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House Porch Path
Trails
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House Porch Path
Trails
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Great Lawn
Parks
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Great Lawn
Parks
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House Porch Walkway
Trails
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House Porch Walkway
Trails
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Stimson House
Landmarks · near transit
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Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Memorial Interchange
Landmarks · near transit
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Ella's Foundation
Shelters · near transit
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Vermont Parkway (City of Los Angeles)
Parks
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Alvarado Terrace Park
Parks
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Terrace Park
Parks
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Terrace Park
Parks
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Hecuba, Queen of Troy
Public Art · near transit
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Playground
Playgrounds
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Hope-Net - St. John's Episcopal
Food Assistance · near transit
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Hoover Pedestrian Mall
Parks · near transit
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Doolittle Raid Mural
Public Art · near transit
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Playground
Playgrounds
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Richardson Family Park
Parks
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Richardson Family Park
Parks
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Elinor and Don Richardson Family Park
Parks
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Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital Playground
Rec Centers · near transit
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Angelus Rosedale Cemetery
Cemeteries
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Venice Hope Park
Parks · near transit
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Hutton Park
Parks · near transit
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Hutton Park
Parks · near transit
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Founders Park
Parks · near transit
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USC Hospitality Certified Farmers' Market
Food · near transit
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Associates Park
Parks · near transit
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Associates Park
Parks · near transit
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McCarthy Quad
Parks · near transit
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McCarthy Quad
Parks · near transit
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Normandie and Cordova Park
Parks
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Salvation Army Red Shield Youth And Community Center
Rec Centers
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Alumni Park
Parks · near transit
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Alumni Park
Parks · near transit
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Tommy Trojan
Public Art · near transit
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"The Giant Chair"
Public Art · near transit
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Gilbert Lindsay Plaza
Parks · near transit
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Gilbert Lindsay Plaza
Parks · near transit
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Joe Widney
Public Art · near transit
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Los Angeles Public Library - Pico Union Branch
Libraries · near transit
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LA Kings Monument
Public Art · near transit
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L.A. LIVE Dog Park
Parks · near transit
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L.A. LIVE Dog Park
Parks · near transit
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Normandie Park
Parks
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Normandie Park
Parks
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Normandie Recreation Center
Rec Centers
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George Tirebiter
Public Art · near transit
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Playground
Playgrounds
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Loren Miller Recreation Center
Rec Centers
Frequently asked: free things to do in University Park
What are the best free things to do in University Park?
Walk the historic West Adams streets, relax at St. James Park, and visit nearby Exposition Park's free museums and rose garden — all free.
Why is University Park historic?
It's one of LA's oldest neighborhoods, home to USC and preserved Victorian and Craftsman mansions along streets like Chester Place.
What free attractions are nearby?
Exposition Park, with the free California Science Center, the African American Museum and the Rose Garden, is just to the south.
Are there free events in University Park?
Yes. Free events happen at nearby Exposition Park and USC. The list on this page updates with current ones nearby.