List: Memorial Day Weekend in LA

Looking for something to do this long holiday weekend in LA?
The real question is how are you going to fit this all in? Click on each link for event details.

Memorial Day And The Soldiers Out to War
Originally uploaded by pappajohn1969

Friday, May 28th:

• 9. Happy Hour Tapas in Hermosa Beach
• 80. Free Live Jazz Concerts at LACMA
• 97. 100¢ Cocktail Night at The Edison
• 127. Grunion Run - Unique idea, must do at least once
• 140. Last Friday on Main Street, Santa Monica - Monthly event to sip, shop & stroll with music
• 143. The London Happy Hour - Five After Five
• 154. XIV Happy Hour by Michael Mina
• 179. Summer Live Music at Malibu Wines - kick off event, perfect for picnic
• Click HERE for more things to do on Fridays

Saturday, May 29th:

• 32. FREE at The Getty Center - Enjoy the sunset & Leonardo da Vinci plus free parking after 5 PM.
• 104. Shoot Arrows like Cupid for FREE - Beginner archery lesson
• 154. XIV Happy Hour by Michael Mina
• 179. Summer Live Music at Malibu Wines - perfect for picnic
• 180. Fiesta Hermosa - Twice per year festival with live music, arts & crafts & beer/wine garden
• 182. Cinespia Cemetery Screenings - watch North by North with picnic & BYOB
• Click HERE for more things to do on Saturdays

Sunday, May 30th:

• 38. Find Peace at Lake Shrine - Free hidden gem near Malibu
• 50. Farmer's Market in Santa Monica - Every Sunday
• 112. FREE Cooking Classes - at a Williams-Sonoma near you
• 114. Cheap (& FREE) Laughs at UCB Theatre
• 122. Kayak though Naples Canals
• 179. Summer Live Music at Malibu Wines - day time only, perfect for picnic
• 180. Fiesta Hermosa
• 182. Cinespia Cemetery Screenings - watch Purple Rain with picnic & BYOB
• Click HERE for more things to do on Sundays

Monday, May 31st:

• 9. Happy Hour Tapas in Hermosa Beach
• 80. Free Holiday Mondays at LACMA - music & entertainment, family-friendly
• 122. Kayak though Naples Canals
• 143. The London Happy Hour - Five After Five
• 154. XIV Happy Hour by Michael Mina
• 172. Free Bowling at Lucky Strike
• 180. Fiesta Hermosa
• Click HERE for more things to do on Mondays

For another resource at your fingertips, check out my Google Calendar. Whatever you do, have fun and be safe!

180. Fiesta Hermosa 5/29-31

Arts & crafts, live music, beer garden by the beach.
Fiesta Hermosa is back again! Actually it happens twice per year on the weekends of Memorial Day and Labor Day. So mark your calendar for Sat 5/29 - Mon 5/31, 3 days of fun under the sun (10 AM - 6 PM). I usually go once or twice per year since this is in my old stomping ground, Hermosa Beach. The arts and crafts are always interesting to see. As for the food booths, the freshly roasted corn is my personal fave. If you have kids, the carnival rides (not free) look like fun too.

Fiesta Hermosa
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

In my opinion, the best part of the festival is the live music at the 2 stages: Main Stage at Pier Plaza & Strand (family-friendly) and Beer Garden Stage at 11th Street & Beach Drive (21+ up). Click HERE to see the full lineup. Some tables and seating are available, otherwise be prepared to mix and mingle through the crowds. A small open area is available for rocking out in front of the stage in the beer garden (good spot for people watching). Drink tickets are usually $5, good for either beer (5 microbrews on tap) or red and white wines. Admission is free to either stage, but the line at the beer garden can get a bit long at times either due to ID check or overcapacity. In that case, the line does move, so check out the rest of the festival and go back when the line dies down.

Admission to all of this is free, but the food and drink can add up. As usual by the beach, parking is limited here. Knowing that, the City of Hermosa Beach offers complimentary off-site parking AND shuttle buses between 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM. For the environmentally-friendly, FREE valet bike parking is being offered 10 AM - 6:30 PM at 11th Street and The Strand. Click HERE for directions and more festival info. If you miss it this time, Fiesta Hermosa will be back in September.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free Admission.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.

138. Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza

Train rides, paddle boats and tandem bikes, oh my!
Both kids and adults can jump on the train at the Irvine Park Railroad every day of the week starting at 10 AM until 5 PM on weekends and 4 PM on weekdays. Train tickets are normally $4 per person, but click HERE to print a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) coupon. Bring a date and enjoy the 12-minute train ride through the Irvine Regional Park. Other fun things to do here year round are:

Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza
Originally uploaded by Irvine Park Railroad

• Paddle boats for $12/hour
• Tandem bikes for $15/hour
• Horse rentals for $40/hour
• Orange County Zoo for $2 per person
• Free walking/hiking (7 trails, 1-4 miles each, see wild flowers too)

For this season, you can also enjoy the Easter Eggstravaganza, open daily until April 3rd because it's closed on Easter Sunday. Admission is free but the family-friendly activities are $4 each, which include an Easter egg hunt (kids only), moon bounce, hay ride, cookie decorating (and eating), and carnival games. Bring a camera to take a silly photo at the free picture stands.

Parking is $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends. Click HERE for  and more info. Check the website for other fun activities throughout the year.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $4 Train ticket w/BOGO coupon + $3-5 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $13 Total.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @DealsDiva and @AAASoCalNews

94. Scavenger Hunt on Bikes

Looking for an active and creative cheap date idea?
Mark you calendar for the 3rd Annual Venice Valentine's Scavenger Hunt (and bike ride). If you're already booked for that Sunday, make it a full weekend of fun with your Valentine. There are 5 scavenger hunts from which to choose: Saturday, Feb 13th at 10 AM or 2 PM, and Sunday Feb 14th at 10 AM, 1 PM, or 4 PM. Admission is not quite cheap at $25pp, but at least $1 of it will go toward a good cause at the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The hunt sold out early last year, so buying tickets in advance online is recommended.

scavenger hunt flyer
Originally uploaded by ryanrocketship

The event host advertises that scavenger hunts are out of the box events that help build better teams. What an interesting and undoubtedly true concept! The hunts are designed for teams of two, so grab your partner in crime and 2 bikes. The top 3 teams win prizes! It's BYOB (bring your own bike), unless you want to save yourself some trouble by simply renting a bike there for $10 each.

If you were born to be creative and want to take the initiative, why not DIY and create your own scavenger hunt! Venice Beach is always a lively scene, but a hunt can be done practically anywhere you wish. This would be perfect for a surprise date idea on Valentine's Day or anytime of the year. I suggest making it a group date idea to stir up some friendly competition. Treat the winning couple to Happy Hour or agree on something mutually beforehand. Don't forget to bring your digital cameras on the scavenger hunt!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $25 pp Admission (or DIY for FREE).
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $70 Total.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by Eye Spy LA via @SoCalCoupons

88. Love Can Be Magical - 2/14

Or was it Cupid's arrow on Sunday, February 14th?
Watching a magic show at the Magicopolis in Santa Monica is definitely a unique and creative date idea for Valentine's Day. This performance includes a buffet, champagne toast a party favor- not a bad deal for 25 bucks. Get 50% discount off the $50 regular tickets on Goldstar.com. Being new, this particular event has not yet been rated, but the venue is 2.9 out of 4 stars overall.

Magic Shows
Originally uploaded by Mark McLaughlin

The public parking garage nearby is $3 flat after 6 PM, but the show does start at 6 PM. Or make it a full day of fun in Santa Monica: the weekly Farmer's Market in the morning (see Cheap Date Idea #50) and to the aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier in the afternoon (see Cheap Date Idea #84), which is only 0.6 miles or 13 minute walk away from the magic shop.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $25 Per Person + $6 Service Fee.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $50 Total.
Kiss & Tell Idea by @GoldstarLA

List: 1 Month 'Til Valentine's Day

For the next 30 days, this will be a growing list of things to do on Sunday, February 14th. Mark your calendars! Some romantic, some casual, just something to do on Valentine's Day around Los Angeles and Orange County! Click on the hyperlink for more info about each or search by category Valentines. 

Red
Originally uploaded by fukutomi_r

• • 
    
    • 4. Star Gazing at Griffith Observatory
    • 5. Paint Pottery in Your Pajamas
    • 6. 360° Ocean View Aquarium
    • 7. FREE Fireworks at Downtown Disney
    • 10. Adventures at Point Dume Beach
    • 13. Huntington Botanical Gardens
    • 14. FREE Helium Balloon Rides
    • 31. Medieval Times Dinner Show
    • 32. FREE at The Getty Center
    • 38. Find Peace at Lake Shrine
    • 44. Tide Pools at Crystal Cove
    • 50. Farmer's Market in Santa Monica
    • 52. FREE Disneyland Tickets in 2010
    • 54. Paparazzi Day in Hollywood - Madame Tussauds
    • 57. Tide Pools at Abalone Cove
    • 59. Day Trip: Torrey Pines Hiking
    • 60. 20 Questions or All About Us
    • List: Anytime Date Ideas in Los Angeles
    • 61. Sunday Brunch & Bowling (& $2 Mimosas)
    • 66. Dolphins & Whales at Dana Point
    • List: Day Date Ideas in LA & OC
    • 68. Jon Lovitz Comedy Club Citywalk Universal
    • 71. Day Trip: San Diego Harbor Cruise
    • 72. FREE Bowling on Your Birthday & More
    • 75. Tide Pools by Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
    • 78. FREE Meetup Hiking in Griffith Park
    • 84. Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
    • 88. Love Can Be Magical - 2/14
    • 90. FREE Ice Skating at OC Great Park
    • 94. Scavenger Hunt on Bikes - 2/13 or 2/14
    • 96. The Getty Villa in Malibu
    • 99. 1/2 Off Cirque du Soleil Kooza
    • 100. Active Date Ideas on Valentine's Day (free yoga or hiking) - 2/14
    • 102. Naked at the Museum Scavenger Hunts - 2/13-14
• Stay tuned for more V-day date ideas... In the meanwhile, search by other categories, such as Sundays, anytime and romantic. Let the count down begin!
  

Happy New Year's Eve!

Here's a quick post... Click HERE for a list of things to do today in Los Angeles and Orange County. So much to do on the last day of 2009: FREE fireworks, FREE block parties, cheap bottomless champagne, FREE tidepool tours, and more! Happy New Year's Eve!

62. The Christmas Carol - Free & Live

Don't be a scrooge, go support your local theatre group!
Although Christmas has passed again, The Christmas Carol is a Dicken's classic that has been watched over and over. So why not watch it for FREE? Go watch a live performance next weekend at Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.

DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Originally uploaded by
Galeria de fotos Aumanack ano 5

Admission is regularly $20 per person, but Goldstar.com is offering free admission + $5 service fee (limit 2) for either Sat. Jan 2nd at 8 PM or Sun. Jan 3rd at 2:30 PM. This play is a family-friendly event, but the $5 tickets for 18 and under are available directly through the venue, not on Goldstar (comes out to the same price as adults anyway). Get your tickets online before the free tickets sell out, otherwise it will be $10 admission + $3.50 service fee (a 50% discount, not free, but still cheap).

Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE Admission + $5 Service Fee per person.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $40 Total.

59. Day Trip: Torrey Pines Hiking

Christmas Eve was a good day for hiking today in San Diego!
California is blessed with places, such as Torrey Pines State Park in the beautiful city of La Jolla (the "Jewel"). This is my first date idea outside of LA and OC! San Diego is usually a quick and easy day trip or weekend getaway, only 1-2 hours drive without traffic depending on where you live in So Cal.

Torrey Pines on Xmas Eve
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

You can park for free along the coast on North Torrey Pines Road in the North Beach and South Beach areas (see my photo on right), but you will be competing with the surfers. Otherwise, the Park Reserve offers parking for $10 with 4 available lots, which provide convenient access to the hiking trails. The state park fee includes a free map guide showing the parking lots, trails, and overlook points.

The 6 trails range from 0.5 to 1.2 miles each. Most of the trails are fairly easy except for the two which descend 300 feet in steps to the beach level. If you like a challenge hiking uphill, park at the first lot near the park entrance. Otherwise, you can save your energy by parking at the last 2 lots at the top of the hill. By the way, no food is allowed in the reserve, but picnicking at the beach is ok. This means you can bring water bottles on the trails, but you can carry food to the beach (no eating on the way).

Torrey Pines State Park offers FREE nature walks on weekends and holidays at 10 AM and 2 PM. Park hours are 8 AM to sunset, which varies 4-8 PM (during winter right now it's before 5 PM). I suggest going early or later in the day, especially during summer when it can be hot. If you take Beach Trail or Broken Hill Trail, cool down down at the end of a hike by taking a dip in the ocean. Stick around to enjoy the sunset across a panoramic ocean view by sitting on a bench at one of the many overlook points.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free or $10 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.

58. Holiday Celebration at LA Music Center - 12/24

Live music AND dance for FREE on Christmas Eve in Downtown LA.
Tomorrow, Dec 24th, marks the 50th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration, which is supposedly LA's biggest holiday show. The best part is the fact that it's free! Even the underground parking at the LA Music Center is free that day. Come enjoy 6 hours of live entertainment starting at 3 PM inside the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion of the LA Music Center in Downtown LA.

Music Center Tree
Originally uploaded by savemejebus

This Emmy-nominated event features multi-cultural music and dance by 40 different groups from US and other countries, including Japan and Africa. By the way, the best time for photo ops is before sunset for the Walt Disney Concert Hall and after sunset for the water feature (see photo on right). Make sure to bundle up for this outdoor event!

If you are already booked on Xmas Eve, watch the festivities from the comfort of your own home in real-time by one of the many options:
a) on television on channel KCET-TV
b) on the internet kcet.org
c) on the radio KPFK 90.7 FM.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Idea by LA Bargains (@LA Bargains)

48. Marina Del Rey Xmas Boat Parade & Fireworks - 12/12

Wow, a holiday boat parade AND fireworks?? This definitely is "Christmas in Paradise"!
That's the festive theme for Marina Del Rey's 47th Annual Holiday Boat Parade tomorrow, Saturday, December 12th.

Christmas Boat Parade 003
Originally uploaded by Dan Wuh

Make sure to get there before the fireworks show at 5:55 PM, then the parade goes 6-8 PM. Needless to say, there are several boat parades in LA and OC this month, but this might be the only one that is double the fun (including a fireworks display). The only other local fireworks that I know about for the holidays is on Sunday in Manhattan Beach (see Cheap Date Idea #21).

I must admit that this event's website is the most informative out of all! On the website, not only is there a list of the 10 FREE parking lots (no street parking available that day), but also photos of last year's Winners (see photo on right for the "Best Overall" Category) and also recommendations for the best viewing spots. Live music will be playing in Burton Chase Park. Or grab a bite to eat at Fisherman's Village. Enjoy!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map.

47. Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade - 12/13

Here's another FREE romantic date idea for the holidays!
For the 28th Annual Holiday Boat Parade, decorated kayaks, row boats, canoes and whatever floats will be floating through the Venice Canals along Dell Avenue this Sunday, December 13th, 4-8 PM.

IMG_2287
Originally uploaded by photoNiki

This boat parade starts earlier than most, which is perfect timing for enjoying the sunset! By the way, this is similar to the event at the Naples Canals in Long Beach next weekend (see Cheap Date Idea #23). Except the Venice Canals are supposed to emulate the famous canals of Venice, Italy. Ok, it's not Europe but at least you and your date can enjoy a romantic stroll here without the cost of 2 plane tickets!

I've personally...

46. Redondo Beach Xmas Boat Parade - 12/12

Here's yet another free thing to do this weekend!
On Saturday, December 12th from 5:30-7:00 PM, decked out boats (and dinghys as shown in the photo here) will be parading between King Harbor Marina and the Redondo Beach Pier (see route map online).

Santa's... dinghy?
Originally uploaded by snehls

This will be the 18th Annual King Harbor Christmas Parade in Redondo Beach. Come an hour or two early to take a romantic stroll along the one mile of waterfront during sunset. But make sure to stake your spot at one of the many restaurants, the Redondo Beach Yacht Club, the breakwalls or anywhere along the piers. Parking is available in the pier parking structure, Redondo Beach Marina and street parking (meters are free during this time of year). The weather bunny is predicting a 70% of light rain in the 50 degrees range, so bundle up (but I'm crossing my fingers that the weather bunny will be wrong again).

While you are having so much festive fun, why not...

List: Ice Skating Rinks in LA & OC

Here's a list of the ice skating rinks that are open this season! The admission price listed is per person for 1-hour skating session including the skate rental (except it's 90 min in Redondo). Click on the hyperlink for more details about each date idea.

• 22. Seaside Ice Skating at Redondo Beach (11/10-1/18): $14, open daily until 9:30 PM, where else can you ice skate close to the beach and enjoy the sunset? Enough said.
• 35. Winterlit Ice Skating in Santa Monica (10/30-2/15): $10, open daily until 10 PM on weekdays and midnight on weekends, this rink is open the longest for the season. UPDATE 01/28/10: This rink has been extended from Jan 31st to Feb 15th! (Valentine's Date Idea, hint hint).
• 37. LA Kings Holiday Ice Skating (12/3-1/1): $10, open daily until 11 PM (open the latest), Santa visits at least once per day, grand opening this year at LA Live in Downtown LA, rink size: 50' x 70'. UPDATE: LA Live kept it open one more day on New Year's Day.
• 41. Downtown on Ice at Pershing Square (11/19-1/18): $8 (cheapest rink), open daily until 10 PM, been around 12 years in Downtown LA, rink size: 50' x 90' (largest rink), only rink offering FREE live concert series throughout the season, usually attracts 350,000 visitors per year.
• 42. Irvine Skate Spectrum (11/1-1/18): $15.50, open daily until 9 PM on weekdays and 11:15 PM on weekends, only rink in Orange County as far as I know.
• If you prefer one rink over another, please do share!

UPDATE: Actually there are 7 (yes, seven) ice rinks between LA and OC. Thanks for sharing, LA Bargain Hunter! (@LABargains) Click here for more info.
Rink #6: Woodland Hills Ice
Rink #7: Holiday Ice Rink at The Lakes in Thousand Oaks


UPDATE 01/28/10: Correction, there are 8! A new one opens this weekend in Orange County, just in time for Valentine's Day (hint hint). This one is the best because it's completely FREE!
90. FREE Ice Skating at OC Great Park (1/30-2/28)

45. Light Festival at Griffith Park

The Welcome Arch
Originally uploaded by RuggyBearLA

If you adore holiday lights, here's another option besides all the boat parades. The Light Festival at Griffith Park runs daily 5-10 PM through the month of December. Avoid traffic by going during the week, Mon-Thurs. However, the walking tour is the best way to see everything while it's vehicle-free during Dec 4-17. The festival will open up to cars on Dec 18-30. For the environmentally-friendly or active folks, you can bring your bike on vehicle-free Mondays, Dec 21st and 28th at 5:00-5:30 PM. Parking is available for free at...

List: Holiday Events in LA & OC

For the holiday planners out there, here's a quick summary of things to do this month of December or check out My Google Calendar for date ideas. Happy Holidays!

• 20. Sand Snowman Contest - 12/12
• 21. MB Holiday Fireworks Festival - 12/13
• 22. Ice Skating at Redondo Beach (11/10-1/18)
• 23. Naples Xmas Boat Parade - 12/19
• 24. Newport Beach Boat Parade - 12/16
• 29. 100-Foot Xmas Tree and More (11/22-12/25)
• 35. Ice Skating in Santa Monica (10/30-1/31)
• 36. Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Xmas (11/10-12/...
• 37. LA Kings Holiday Ice Skating (12/3-12/31)
• 39. Winterlit Celebration in Santa Monica - 12/5
• 40. More FREE Rides at Magic Mountain
  
  

43. Jump on the Xmas Train, choo choo!

Wanna be a kid again?
Head over to the Irvine Park Railroad this month (or any month since it's open all year round).

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch -
Orange, CA (Orange County)
Originally uploaded by Irvine Park Railroad

The special schedule for the Christmas Train will be daily every day until 8 PM for Dec 11th-23rd. The ticket prices are $8 per person. For the this special event, the tickets are available for purchase online in advance with a one-time service fee of $7.50 or a limited number of same-day use tickets for the end of the day will be available at the railroad (check the schedule online to see if that day is sold out). I suggest going on a weekday after 5 PM for free parking, otherwise it's $3 during weekdays and $5 over the weekends.

Want FREE tickets for next time? Make sure to...

41. Downtown on Ice at Pershing Square

Downtown on Ice at Pershing
Square, Downtown Los Angeles
Originally uploaded by alossix

Only $6 for 1-hour plus $2 for ice skate rental, this is THE best deal for ice skating in LA! Downtown on Ice is celebrating it's 12th season at Pershing Square. Even though the rink has been open since Nov 19th, the Free Winter Holiday Festival is next weekend, Dec 12-13th, 11 AM- 6 PM. The festival activities will include: Free Snow Zone for sledding and romping, Free live puppet shows, Free photo moments and more!

The fun does not stop there! Downtown On Ice is the only venue to provide a Free Winter Concert Series at the ice rink: at 8-10 PM on Wednesday through Friday nights, in the afternoons on the weekends, and also during lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check the calendar online for updates.

The rink is open daily until...