Los Angeles Area Community Wellness Resources
There’s a lot going on in your community! Take advantage of these free or low-cost resources to stay focused on your total health.
All of Los Angeles
National Alliance on Mental Health – Urban Los Angeles: Provides an extensive list of mental health resources throughout the LA area. Click on the link to see resources for the following topics:
- Crisis Support, Helplines, and Warm Lines
- Organizations and Campaigns
- Mental Health, Rehab, and Counseling Services
- Psychiatric Inpatient Services
- Outpatient Clinics and Wellness Centers
- Urgent Care Centers
- Support Groups and Education Classes
- Transitional Age Youth Drop-In Centers/Services
- Benefits Assistance, Housing, Shelters, and Food
- Peer Centers and Respites
- Apps
- Holistic Health
Nutrition classes/Nonprofits:
- Grow LA Victory Garden Initiative Class Schedule: Prices vary by location. This initiative helps new gardeners start their own gardens — whether in a container, their backyard, or a community garden.
- Slow Food LA: Free programs that revolve around sustainable agriculture. Check out their website for updated event listings.
Downtown LA Area/Silver Lake
Physical Activities
- Elysian Park West Loop: About 2½ miles, a great beginner hike.
- Yoga Circle Downtown: 400 S. Main Street. They have prices listed but invite you to attend and pay whatever amount you are able to. Their perspective is that financial hardship should never be a barrier to practicing yoga. Suggested donation of $16. Check the website for updates.
- Yogala Echo Park: 1840 Echo Park Avenue Donation-based classes: Mon 10:30 am, 6:30 pm; Tue 5:30 pm; Wed 10:30 am; Thu 8:30 am; Fri 10:30 am. Give whatever you can! Check the website for class schedules and details.
- November Project Griffith Observatory: Free 45-minute cardio and core workouts! Meets every Wednesday at Griffith Observatory at 5:27 and 6:27 am and every Friday at 6 am with rotating destinations around the city. For future updates and information, follow along via Instagram and Facebook.
Art
- Watts Towers : Art installation that doubles as a nice walking trail.
- The Broad: Free admission to the museum, located in the heart of downtown LA. Get tickets online to avoid the lines.
Community Gardens
- Green Grounds: Based in South LA, the goal is to turn South LA yards into edible gardens. Check their website for how to get involved and see the schedule of events.
Eastside/Pasadena
Public Gardens/Museums
- Huntington Library and Gardens: Multipurpose cultural center. Look online to find when you can reserve free days and other rates throughout the year.
- Arlington Garden. Free public botanical gardens.
- Norton Simon Museum: European sculpture and paintings, contemporary art.
Physical Activities/Parks
- Brookside Park: Swimming pool, tennis courts, baseball fields, open grass area, picnic tables, and play area. Some areas require a reservation for use. View the website for more details.
- Eaton Canyon: Hiking, wildlife/environment educational programs.
Mid-City
Physical Activities
- Runyon Canyon Yoga: 2000 North Fuller Avenue Classes offered three to four times each day, free, but $5–$15 donations are welcome. View their Facebook page for updates.
- Runyon Canyon Hiking Trail: About 2.5-mile loop, dog-friendly!
Community Gardens
Crenshaw Community Garden: 1423 Crenshaw Boulevard. Garden classes and more. Check out their website for more information.
Westside/Santa Monica
Physical Activities
- November Project West LA: Free 45-minute cardio/core workouts every Wednesday morning at 6:30 at UCLA’s Drake Stadium.
- Will Rogers State Park: $12 to park, great hiking, the best of which is Inspiration Point and Murphy Ranch.
- Bhakti Yoga Shala: 207 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica. Suggested donation of $20 per class. Check their website for class schedules.
- 100 Free Things to Do in Santa Monica: Creative ideas all related to physical activities/wellness.
Art and music
- 100 Free Things to Do in Santa Monica: Creative ideas related to art and music.
- Santa Monica Human Resources: Information about careers/personal development/individual and family programs.
South Bay
Music, Art, Volunteering, and More.
- View a listing of South Bay events.
Physical/Wellness activities
- Madrona Marsh Preserve: 3201 Plaza del Amo, Torrance.
- Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Trail: 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes.
Community Gardens
- Hermosa Beach Community Gardens: 425 Valley Drive.
- Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden: Free admission, ability to volunteer if you’d like.
Long Beach
Physical Activities
- Free Yoga on the Bluff: 3141 E. Broadway, Long Beach. Classes seven days a week, seasonal 6 pm classes Mon‒Fri.
- Fitness Zones: Easy-to-use outdoor gyms, walking paths, and more for access to free workout equipment.
- Signal Hill Hike: A 2-mile loop, with scenic views of the city. Well-paved and great for beginners!
Public Gardens
- El Dorado Nature Center: 7550 E. Spring Street. Trails and a museum. About $7 to park on the weekends.
- Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden: Located in the heart of Cal State Long Beach; admission is only $5 ($4 for alums!). Closed on Saturdays, but open Sundays and Tuesdays‒Fridays.
- Rancho Los Alamitos: Free admission, with access to gardens and the barns area. Tours are available.
Tips For Finding Healthy Food
Use the following list of meal services, markets, and grocers available in your area to make healthier food selections for you and your family.
All of Los Angeles
Meal Delivery Services
- Sun Basket: Free delivery on first order, certified organic ingredients.
- HelloFresh: Various discounts offered on first order.
- Green Chef: $75 for the first three orders. All organic ingredients.
- Blue Apron: Get $20 off each of your first three boxes ($60 off total).
Grocery Delivery Services
- Imperfect Produce: Pay 30% less than grocery store prices, help fight food waste, and customize your box to whatever you’d like.
- Instacart: A variety of grocery store options to choose from. Makes purchasing healthy foods easy.
- Amazon Prime/Fresh: Delivers fresh produce/grocery items right to your door.
- Farmers markets throughout LA
- California Certified Farmers Market Association: This website lists locations throughout Los Angeles County.
Downtown LA Area/ Silver Lake
Natural Grocers
- Whole Foods Market 365: Multiple locations throughout LA.
Silver Lake location: 2520 Glendale Boulevard (smaller and a bit more affordable than normal WFs) - Grow: #C, 300 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles.
- Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins: Mid-City, Los Feliz, and Echo Park locations.
Farmer’s Markets
- Downtown Los Angeles Farmers Market: Near Pershing Square, 650 W Fifth Street, Wednesday afternoons only.
- Farmers Market at Los Angeles City Hall: At City Hall, 200 N. Main Street, Thursday morning/afternoon.
- Bank of America Farmers Market: On Bunker Hill, 333 S. Hope Street, Los Angeles, Friday morning/afternoon.
Eastside/Pasadena
Natural Grocers
- Granny’s Pantry: 560 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena.
- Grassroots Natural Market & Kitchen: 1119 Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena.
- Oh Happy Days Natural Food Grocery and Café: 2283 Lake Avenue, Altadena.
Farmer’s Markets
- South Pasadena Farmers Market: Meridian Avenue & El Centro Street, South Pasadena, Thursday evenings.
- Pasadena Farmers Market: Villa Park (363 E. Villa Street) on Tuesday morning, and at Victory Park (2900 block of North Sierra Madre Boulevard) on Saturday mornings.
- Altadena Farmers Market: 600 W. Palm Street, Altadena, Wednesday evenings.
Mid-City
Natural Grocers
- Erewhon Market: Multiple locations throughout LA.
Mid-City location: 7660 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles. - India Spices and Grocery: 5994 W. Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles.
- Co+opportunity Market & Deli: 8770 Washington Boulevard, Culver City.
- Natural Divine Store: 7901 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood.
Farmer’s Markets
- La Cienega Farmers Market: 1801 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, Thursday afternoon/evenings.
- Culver City Farmers Market: Downtown Culver City, on Main Street, Tuesday afternoon/evenings.
- Wellington Square Certified Farmers Market: 4394 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, Sunday mornings/afternoons.
- Original Farmers Market Association: 6333 W. Third Street Los Angles, open every day. See website for hours.
Westside/Santa Monica
Natural Grocers
- Co+opportunity Market and Deli: 1525 Broadway, Santa Monica.
- Montana Natural: 930 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica.
- Whole Foods Market 365: Locations throughout LA.
Santa Monica location: 2121 Cloverfield Boulevard, Santa Monica. - Bob’s Market: 1650 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica.
- Rainbow Acres National Foods: 13208 W. Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles.
Farmer’s Markets
- Santa Monica Farmers Markets: Various locations on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, check website.
- West LA Farmers Market: Santa Monica Boulevard/Purdue Avenue, Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm.
- Brentwood Village Farmers Market: 741 Gretna Green Way, Brentwood, Sunday morning/afternoon.
- Mar Vista Farmers Market: Grand View at Venice Beach Boulevard, Sunday morning/afternoons.
South Bay
Natural Grocers
- Lazy Acres Natural Market: 2510 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach.
- Mother’s Market & Kitchen: Locations in Long Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach.
- Sprout’s Farmers Market Grocery: Multiple locations throughout LA area.
South Bay location: 4230 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance. - Grow: 1830 N. Sepulveda Boulevard, Manhattan Beach.
Farmer’s Markets
- El Segundo Farmers Market: 300 Main Street, Thursday evenings.
- Palos Verdes Farmers Market: 27118 Silver Spur Road, Sunday mornings.
- Torrance City Farmers Market: 2200 Jefferson Street, Tuesday mornings.
Long Beach
Natural Grocers
- Lazy Acres Natural Market: 2080 N. Bellflower Boulevard.
- Kress Market: 443 Pine Avenue.
- Sprout’s Farmers Market Grocery: Multiple locations throughout LA area.
Long Beach location: 4253 Woodruff Avenue, Lakewood. - Whole Foods 365: Multiple locations throughout LA area.
Long Beach location: 3881 Lakewood Boulevard.
Farmer’s Markets
- Bixby Park: Bixby Park, Long Beach, Saturdays, 9 am‒2 pm.
- Long Beach Marina: 6602 E. Marina Drive, Long Beach, Sundays, 9 am‒2 pm.
- Find many locations throughout the week, here.
Note: In general, chain grocery stores like Ralphs, Trader Joe’s, etc., have fresh and affordable healthy options and produce. Yelp is a great resource for finding farmers’ markets and reading reviews about the vendors.
Financial Wellness
Keep your wallet as healthy as your body with these financial wellness resources and discounts.
Highest-rated 529 Plans in California
ScholarShare 529: California’s ScholarShare 529 is available to residents of any state. It offers a variety of investment options from TIAA-CREF, T. Rowe Price, and others.
Credit Unions
- California Credit Union: Special credit union products and services for educators and school staff.
- Provident Credit Union: Provident Credit Union was established in 1950 to serve the California Teachers Association.
- Schools First Federal Credit Union: Serving the educational community in the state of California.
- Summer Saver Accounts at Schools First: This account lets you make deposits from your paycheck through payroll deduction or direct deposit throughout the school year. While you’re working, your money will earn 2.00% – 3.00% APY (depending on which version of the account you sign up for). Once summer rolls around, you can have your funds automatically transferred to your share account, and you can withdraw your money anytime, penalty-free.
California Teachers Association (CTA) Discounts
If you are a member of the California Teachers Association, click here to find discounts on everyday items such as food, clothing, car care, travel, entertainment, home and garden, car rentals, magazines, wireless products, appliances, theme parks, and more.