A 7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Bell, California

• Day 1: Visit the Bell Gardens Farmers Market where fresh produce and artisanal foods are plentiful. The market is held on Mondays from 10 am to 3 pm. After that, head to Bicycle Casino to test your luck and indulge in some of their famous food offerings. Located in nearby Bell Gardens, the casino closes at 2 am daily.
• Day 2: History buffs can visit the Bell Historical Society Museum on Atlantic Avenue which showcases the town's history. Afterwards, catch a movie at the Maya Cinemas Bell theater where tickets cost only $6.
• Day 3: Drive to the nearby city of Downey to visit the Columbia Memorial Space Center. It offers hands-on exhibits on space exploration and is open from 10 am to 5 pm. Drive back to Bell in the evening and have your fill of authentic Mexican food at El Pescadito Taco Truck.
• Day 4: Start the day with breakfast at Deli News Pizza, a local favorite, before driving to the Graffiti Alley in Lynwood to admire murals from local artists. From there, explore the stores at The Citadel Outlets mall in nearby Commerce.
• Day 5: Relish some seafood at Mariscos El Jaibo in Huntington Park before visiting the Watts Towers Arts Center. The center offers tours of the iconic, 100-foot high Italian-American architect Simon Rodia's Watts Towers.
• Day 6: Go on a picnic at Hollenbeck Park and then visit the Huntington Library Gardens and Museum in Pasadena, just a 30-minute drive away. The library and museum are open from 10 am to 5 pm.
• Day 7: Explore the downtown Los Angeles Arts District which is brimming with art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Check out La Cita, a popular bar that has free Salsa dance classes on Sundays, and have a nightcap at Tony's Saloon.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Bell Gardens Farmers Market (2 hours, free)
• Bicycle Casino (5 hours, $20)
• Bell Historical Society Museum (2 hours, $5)
• Maya Cinemas Bell (2 hours, $6)
• Columbia Memorial Space Center (3 hours, $10)
• Graffiti Alley (1 hour, free)
• The Citadel Outlets (4 hours, free)
• Watts Towers Arts Center (2 hours, $7)
• Huntington Library Gardens and Museum (5 hours, $25)
• Los Angeles Arts District (4 hours, free)
Total Estimated Costs: $78

Transportation

It is recommended to rent a car to get around Bell and its surrounding cities. Rental costs vary depending on the car model and rental period. Gas prices in the area range from $3 to $4 per gallon. Public transportation options include the LA Metro bus and rail system, with fares starting at $1.75 per ride. Taxis and ride shares like Uber and Lyft are also available.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting nearby tourist hotspots like Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, or Santa Monica Pier. However, these attractions can be costly. With less time, you can skip some of the locations in the itinerary that might interest you less.

Airports

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the nearest major airport and is located 16 miles from Bell. Other nearby airports include Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and John Wayne Airport (SNA).