The first thing that comes to many people's minds when southern California is mentioned is, of course, beaches. The great thing about beaches, in addition to the sunshine, ocean, and scantily clad people, is that they're free. Fortunately, nobody has yet figured out a way to rope off the entire edge of the continent and charge admission to it, so these treasures of California can still be enjoyed by anyone, no matter how broke they are. Ask around to find out from locals which beaches are best. Some are sparsely populated while others are jammed with people watchers and exhibitionists. Some are mellow and inviting while others feature undertows that will kill you if you're not careful.
Southern California boasts a large number of National Parks and National Forests, any of which can be hiked in for free. Just east of Los Angeles is the Angeles National Forest, the San Bernardino National Forest, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and Joshua Tree National Park. Heading northeast from there, desert lovers can find the Mojave National Preserve and Death Valley National Park. A bit farther north is the world famous Yosemite National Park, which features the incomparable Half Dome. Any one of these places could keep a hiker busy for weeks or even months.
Watts Towers is a collection of structures located in Los Angeles. Constructed by Simon Rodia between 1921 and 1954, they resemble a post-nuclear Gothic cathedral tattooed against the polluted skies of LA. Two of the towers reach almost 100 feet into the air. They were built by Rodia in his spare time out of rebar, scrap metal, and found objects, and have become a huge tourist attraction, and a work of art that is truly unique. As of September, 2010, the cost of admission to the Watts towers site was $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors and children 12 to 17, and free for children under 12.
