Bureaucracy is the killer of good ideas, but a foundation is finally paying for the little guy. Thanks to the LA County Arts Commission, the Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA) offers free admission to all guests every Friday. Like many of its peers, the LBMA can be hit or miss depending on its current exhibit. But with money taken care of, art-lovers and those simply looking for something different to do can enjoy Southern California's best-kept, artsy secret.
Even with bare walls, the LBMA is worth visiting. Its majestic location atop a bluff overlooks the Pacific Ocean, and the museum is a renovated 1912 home whose property includes a fountain, cafe, and views of the Queen Mary and the Port of Long Beach.
The two current exhibits feature portraits from more than 35 artists. And even if they suck, at least you got in for free.
Fridays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 2007
