Los Angeles on a budget: Affordable holidays in one of the most expensive cities in the US

With its sunny streets sprinkled with stardust and famed hillsides dripping in million-dollar mansions, celebrity-favourite Los Angeles isn’t an obvious choice as a budget holiday destination. In fact, it’s famously expensive. But if you’re careful, do your research and plan ahead, there are plenty of ways to experience the magic of a trip to glamorous Tinseltown while still being thrifty with the dollars.

From low-cost film screenings to free museum days, endless street food options and happy hours galore, here are some tips on having an economical trip to California’s City of Angels.

Where to stay

Room rates vary depending on the time of year you visit and which area of Los Angeles you choose to stay in. You’ll find the best deals if you’re able to travel in shoulder season, which falls between January and March and September to October, avoiding US bank holidays.

Mama Shelter Los Angeles is a stylish, wallet-friendly option with an unbeatable location in the heart of Hollywood, one block from famed Hollywood Boulevard, the setting for the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The decor is eclectic, and the vibe is youthful. Its 70 rooms are spread across six floors, each with a spacious bathroom and high-tech features, such as iMacs with Apple TV. There’s a cool coffee shop and a rooftop bar-restaurant with epic views of Los Angeles.

If your heart is set on Venice Beach, it’s hard to beat funky Hotel Erwin slap bang on the…