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With apologies to Frank Sinatra LA is my free day.

And with thanks to our friends in the City of Angels as we plan our return next year.

For sending us a list of surprisingly days out you can have for free in Los Angeles.

A LA-La Living Museum

LA is home to more museums, galleries, and cultural institutions than any other US city, with many offering free entry.

You like your Jeff Koons, he of the Bilbao Guggenheim florid dog.

Well, The Broad in Downtown have jazzy Jeff, Yayoi Kusama and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Now few things are as LA as the Hollywood sign, 100 years old this year.

And this here gets personal as I missed out on our day trip to the best vantage point to the free Griffith Observatory because of a 24-hour bug.

Although I did have the consolation of recuperating in the boutique Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood.

Now Los Angelinos are often accused of living on a different planet.

Well, space cadets or not we’re all able to reach for the stars at The California Space Center.

With over 100 permanent exhibitions, including the NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour. Free general admission.

The outdoor life

Now, we’re all used to the grandeur of the Great Canyon (and yes, it is all that) but LA boasts its gargantuan gorges, like the Runyon Canyon, favoured by celebrities and the Bronson Canyon, loved by superheroes as the home of the Batcave.

For those more interested in strolls or picnics than hikes, the reservoir at Lake Hollywood Park has a direct view of the sign and is accessible by car and a short walk.

While as we all know that LA is all about image, then go people spotting and take a selfie at Muscle Beach Venice Hall of Fame.

Where to stay

Going to the Chapel: Pray and play in West Hollywood

Accommodation is consistently one of the biggest travel expenses so it’s good to get some local knowledge from the locals.

To maximise savings when booking a hotel, keep in mind that the lowest prices for hotel rooms are typically found just 15 days before your stay.

To find a good deal, go beyond the most-popular neighbourhoods and look at options in surrounding areas such as the San Gabriel Valley or near the Los Angeles International Airport.

With 98 direct, non-stop weekly flights from the UK and Ireland to Los Angeles this summer, offering more than 28,000 seats, there are plenty of options to find a flight that fits your budget.

For more budget-friendly ways to experience cool California activities in LA, check out their guide to the 100 Cheap Things to Do in Los Angeles.

Holy Hollywood Batman, shine the Bat Signal on that sign… there’s something happening this year.

Well, a lot actually, as Hollywood marks 100 years of its iconic sign.

Our friends from LA, who clearly hang with the Caped Crusader, have brought us up to date with the celebrations.

And pointed us in the direction of Batman’s Cave which Batfans will tell you he carved out in Batman Begins.

And which LA tells us is one of the best vistas to see the Hollywood sign.

It’s a sign

Now those of you who follow my meanderings, you loyal Bandanini and Bandanettes, will already know how close I got to the sign.

From my Starline Tours bus on my Weekend with Marilyn.

Missing out on our party’s hike up to the Griffith Observatory because of a 24-hour bug.

But availing of the hospitality of the Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood and binge watching Golden Girls.

Star status

Bandanaman… The star and the duck in Hollywood

Starline have the inside story on Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice Beach and it’s all light.

With their mantra ‘Starline doesn’t do politics’.

They do do one-hour Hollywood Sign tour, with views of Lake Hollywood.

The vista of Downtown LA and the tinsel town glamour of Hollywood Boulevard.

Walking or bussing it aren’t the only way of getting within sight of the Hollywood sign, of course.

Get there how you can

With Bikes and Hikes doing what they say on the tin.

And Sunset Ranch Hollywood offer guided horseback riding tours with spectacular views of the Sign day and night.

While if you want to go all action you can always take a helicopter over the hills.

The Group 3 Aviation will see you flying out of Van Nuys Airport on a 35-minute Hooray for Hollywood Tour.

While Orbic Air takes to the skies from Hollywood Burbsnk Airport on a ten-minute tour.

And that includes bird’s eye views of Universal Studios Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory.

Bat crazy

And, of course, if you want to see Batman himself and join in his adventures then you’re only a stone’s throw away.

From Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood.

Where every September 17 they hold an annual Batman Day.

And who knows you could even mock yourself up in a scene.

With a Hollywood sign background and a bubble quote: Holy Hollywood Batman.

CalAerfornia Dreamin’

Of course you need to know how best to get there and where to stay.

And we always recommend availing of Aer Lingus’s pre-clearance through Dublin.

We’re advised too of the best hotels to stay at from which to get the money shots of the Hollywood Sign.

And often the best place to start is at boutique hotel specialists Kimpton.

Hotel signs

The Kimpton Everly Hotel: Right in the heart of Hollywood glitz and glamour the Everly offers views from the rooftop and select guest rooms.

Thompson Hollywood: The chic rooftop pool, dining experiences and event spaces at the laid back, yet refined Thompson Hollywood offer impressive vistas.

Loews Hollywood: An urban oasis at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, Loews Hollywood a collection of guest rooms and meeting spaces offer the best observations.

W Hollywood: On Hollywood Boulevard, W Hollywood offers expansive vistas from their rooftop pool and lounge, guest rooms and suites, and event venues.