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

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

 

Community Gardens

Crenshaw Community Garden: 1423 Crenshaw Boulevard. Garden classes and more. Check out their website for more information.

 

Westside/Santa Monica

 

Physical Activities

Art and music

South Bay

 

Music, Art, Volunteering, and More.

Physical/Wellness activities

Community Gardens

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

Downtown LA Area/ Silver Lake

Natural Grocers

Farmer’s Markets

Eastside/Pasadena

Natural Grocers

Farmer’s Markets

Mid-City

Natural Grocers

Farmer’s Markets

Westside/Santa Monica

Natural Grocers

Farmer’s Markets

South Bay

Natural Grocers

Farmer’s Markets

Long Beach

Natural Grocers

Farmer’s Markets

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.