FREE & Nearly FREE Things to do in Beverly Hills

Some of the wealthiest people, highest priced real estate, and celebrities of all sorts, call Beverly Hills home, making it a rather exclusive and expensive place to live and visit.  But that doesn’t mean there aren’t bargain to be had.

Here are 5 FREE things to do in Beverly Hills this summer:

1. Outdoor concerts at Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza as part of the Summer Nights in the Plaza series, starting July 11th.
2. Take a self-guided walking tour of the various public art sculptures around town.  Give Fido a work out as well by taking him along on your walk.
3. Wander the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market, Sundays from 9 am – 1 pm on Civic Center Drive.
4. Get a fix of classic television with daily screenings at The Paley Center for Media.  Or, for a mere $5 charge, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences offers “Best Picture of 1939” screenings every Monday at 7:00 pm throughout the summer.
5. Enjoy some beautiful scenery while hiking Franklin Canyon Park at the north end of the city.

And since all those FREE activities are going to make you hungry and thirsty, here are 5 Beverly Hills food and beverage bargains, where you can grab an inexpensive bite to eat or something to drink without losing any of the BH swank:

1. Score a 2-course prix fixe lunch at one of the top spots around town with the Business Express Lunch at Crustacean.  Only $15.
2. Enjoy “Groove on Blue” DJ nights at the Avalon Hotel’s pool therapy happy hour.  You’ll find $8 drinks (that’s cheap for BH) and small bites every Thursday, 7 – 10 pm.
3. Signature martinis for $3.60 is the special at Bar 360’s Happy Hour, Monday – Friday, 4:30 – 7:30 pm.  Located at the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive.
4. Feel like your part of the Golden Triangle, lunching at the new Mediterranean restaurant, Villa Blanca, where you’ll find a fresh lobster and crab salad lunch for $15.
5. Sweets aren’t just for dessert, so try pastries at Fulfilled ($2.95), truffles at Madame Chocolat ($14 for four), cupcakes at Crumbs ($3.75) and frozen yogurt at Yogen Fruz ($2.95 and up).

Photo credit: jonlclark @flickr