Ooh la la, a romantic "French" date without the plane ticket!
I've had crepes before and it's not typically a cheap date idea. However, DealPerkOC.com is currently offering a $20 value voucher for 1/2 price at a mere $10. Buy your voucher online now and use anytime until 10/26/10 at Crepes de Paris, so that's plenty of time to plan your date (5+ months to be exact). Although up to 5 may be purchased, only one voucher may be used per visit. There are 4 locations between LA and OC, but this offer is only good for the creperie in Irvine. I just bought mine, so I'll have to post a follow up once I've enjoyed this scrumptious French food!
In case you don't know, there are 2 types: savory and dessert. The more well-known one is the dessert crepe, which is usually covered in a sweet sauce like chocolate or nutella and whip cream. Savory simply means non-sweet, so those are the ones you can have as a meal. For example, there are breakfast crepes with eggs and bacon, or if you fancy meat, get the chicken with the mushrooms and spinach in a nice wine sauce. The menu is not limited to crepes though. The price of crepes ranges at $5-12, while the rest of the menu at $5-8: sandwiches, soup, salad and omelettes. According to reviews, the coffees are worth ordering ordering just to see the art on the frothy foam. Bon appetit!
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $10 + Tip.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $20 Total.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @DealPerkOC.
Showing posts with label irvine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label irvine. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
165. Star Trek Movie in Park - 5/15
FREE movie in the park = Cheap yet romantic date idea!
If you missed it last year or are simply a Trekkie fan, come watch the movie, Star Trek (2009), on the lawn at the Orange County Great Park (OCGP) on Saturday, May 15th, at 8 PM. Admission AND Parking are free. Parking is plentiful and easy here in this part of Irvine. For more info, directions and to watch the trailer online, click HERE. Sure, you can buy or rent the DVD and watch it in the comfort of your own home, but it's cool to watch a movie on a big screen outdoors once in awhile. While you're at it, invite your friends and family too!
Sunset on 5/15 will be at 7:45 PM, which is great timing for the 8 PM show time. Arrive early to claim your spot on the grass and bring a picnic for dinner or just bring popcorn and soda. The average temperature in mid-May is low 40's, so blankets are highly recommended. What a good excuse to cuddle, right? If sitting on the grass for 2 hours sounds too long (actually the run time is 127 minutes to be exact), lawn chairs are ok here.
While you're down at the OC Great Park, enjoy a FREE helium balloon ride too! Registration starts at 6 PM for 7-10 PM rides, but you'll want to be back on earth for the 8 PM movie. See Cheap Date Idea #11 for details. As the date nears, I'll keep you posted if the event gets rained out (or check HERE for weather updates).
UPDATE 05/27/10: If you missed Star Trek, the next free movie in the park is scheduled for Saturday, May 29th. Click HERE for details. Thanks to @kimpanzii for kissing & telling about this one!
Approximate cost of creative date idea = 100% Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @OCGreatPark
If you missed it last year or are simply a Trekkie fan, come watch the movie, Star Trek (2009), on the lawn at the Orange County Great Park (OCGP) on Saturday, May 15th, at 8 PM. Admission AND Parking are free. Parking is plentiful and easy here in this part of Irvine. For more info, directions and to watch the trailer online, click HERE. Sure, you can buy or rent the DVD and watch it in the comfort of your own home, but it's cool to watch a movie on a big screen outdoors once in awhile. While you're at it, invite your friends and family too!
Sunset on 5/15 will be at 7:45 PM, which is great timing for the 8 PM show time. Arrive early to claim your spot on the grass and bring a picnic for dinner or just bring popcorn and soda. The average temperature in mid-May is low 40's, so blankets are highly recommended. What a good excuse to cuddle, right? If sitting on the grass for 2 hours sounds too long (actually the run time is 127 minutes to be exact), lawn chairs are ok here.
While you're down at the OC Great Park, enjoy a FREE helium balloon ride too! Registration starts at 6 PM for 7-10 PM rides, but you'll want to be back on earth for the 8 PM movie. See Cheap Date Idea #11 for details. As the date nears, I'll keep you posted if the event gets rained out (or check HERE for weather updates).
UPDATE 05/27/10: If you missed Star Trek, the next free movie in the park is scheduled for Saturday, May 29th. Click HERE for details. Thanks to @kimpanzii for kissing & telling about this one!
Approximate cost of creative date idea = 100% Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @OCGreatPark
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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:
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
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:
- 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)
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
Thursday, March 11, 2010
126. FREE Beehive Festival - 3/13-14
Playing laser tag at a charity event can be a fun date idea!
The Beehive Expo and Fair is a 2-day charity event this weekend at the OC Great Park in Irvine. No, there will be no bees there, as far as I understand (the beehive represents family, I believe). The fun starts at 10 AM each day, ending by 7 PM on Saturday 3/13 and 5 PM on Sunday 3/14. This family-friendly festival will be full of free activities and live entertainment, including carnival rides, laser tag, arts & crafts and expo booths by 200+ vendors. Click HERE for a list of vendors and more info.
General admission is FREE with 2 cans of non-perishable food (or $5). Sounds like a good excuse to do some "spring cleaning" of your kitchen pantry, no? All donations go to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Although normally free, parking at the OC Great Park is $10 for this special event. Click HERE for map and directions.
While you're down at the park, enjoy a free helium balloon air ride too (see Cheap Date Idea #11).
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free Admission w/2 cans per person + $10 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @dippindotwoman
The Beehive Expo and Fair is a 2-day charity event this weekend at the OC Great Park in Irvine. No, there will be no bees there, as far as I understand (the beehive represents family, I believe). The fun starts at 10 AM each day, ending by 7 PM on Saturday 3/13 and 5 PM on Sunday 3/14. This family-friendly festival will be full of free activities and live entertainment, including carnival rides, laser tag, arts & crafts and expo booths by 200+ vendors. Click HERE for a list of vendors and more info.
General admission is FREE with 2 cans of non-perishable food (or $5). Sounds like a good excuse to do some "spring cleaning" of your kitchen pantry, no? All donations go to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Although normally free, parking at the OC Great Park is $10 for this special event. Click HERE for map and directions.
While you're down at the park, enjoy a free helium balloon air ride too (see Cheap Date Idea #11).
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free Admission w/2 cans per person + $10 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @dippindotwoman
Saturday, February 6, 2010
99. 1/2 Off Cirque du Soleil Kooza
Wow, only $20-30 pp for Cirque du Soleil in California?!
Cirque du Soleil is not the cheapest date idea, but it can be a cheap yet classy date when it's buy one get one (BOGO) free, especially when the performance comes to your neck of the woods. Consider it saying yourself two plane tickets to Las Vegas (even though I do think "O" Show at the Bellagio Hotel is worth doing at least once in your life).
The regular admission price for the Irvine show is $60-100 per person depending on the seating level. At this moment, tickets as cheap as $30-32.50 pp are available online for Thursday 2/11 through Valentine's Day. There are typically two show times per day at 4 or 8 PM, except on that Sunday it's at 1 or 5 PM. Going to a performance on Valentine's Day for $32.50 each is not a bad deal in my opinion. Please note that there is a $8 convenience fee per person and a one-time $5 e-ticket fee, so the fees do add up. Parking at the OC Great Park for this event is $10 cash.
While you're at the OC Great Park, take advantage of the other FREE things to do, including ice skating (see Cheap Date Idea #90) and helium balloon rides (see Cheap Date Idea #14).
If you can't make it to the Irvine showing this month, Kooza moves down to San Diego next month. Right now, you can buy advance tickets online for weekdays between March 2-12 for as cheap as $20 pp!! If you can make the trek, then this can be quick getaway for a cheap date idea. Check back later on the website for updates about the parking situation at the Del Mar Fair Grounds in San Diego. By the way, I do believe that you have to buy your tickets for the March shows by Valentine's Day.
UPDATE 03/10/10: Additional discounted tickets are available via Goldstar.com for almost every day during March 14-28.
UPDATE 03/22/10: Discounted tickets are still available for the last weekend at the San Diego location, 3/25-28, as low as $27 per person.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $30 pp in Irvine or $20 pp in San Diego + $8 Convenience Fee pp + $5 E-ticket Fee + $10 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $151 Total.
Kiss & Tell Idea by @SparkOC
Cirque du Soleil is not the cheapest date idea, but it can be a cheap yet classy date when it's buy one get one (BOGO) free, especially when the performance comes to your neck of the woods. Consider it saying yourself two plane tickets to Las Vegas (even though I do think "O" Show at the Bellagio Hotel is worth doing at least once in your life).
The regular admission price for the Irvine show is $60-100 per person depending on the seating level. At this moment, tickets as cheap as $30-32.50 pp are available online for Thursday 2/11 through Valentine's Day. There are typically two show times per day at 4 or 8 PM, except on that Sunday it's at 1 or 5 PM. Going to a performance on Valentine's Day for $32.50 each is not a bad deal in my opinion. Please note that there is a $8 convenience fee per person and a one-time $5 e-ticket fee, so the fees do add up. Parking at the OC Great Park for this event is $10 cash.
While you're at the OC Great Park, take advantage of the other FREE things to do, including ice skating (see Cheap Date Idea #90) and helium balloon rides (see Cheap Date Idea #14).
If you can't make it to the Irvine showing this month, Kooza moves down to San Diego next month. Right now, you can buy advance tickets online for weekdays between March 2-12 for as cheap as $20 pp!! If you can make the trek, then this can be quick getaway for a cheap date idea. Check back later on the website for updates about the parking situation at the Del Mar Fair Grounds in San Diego. By the way, I do believe that you have to buy your tickets for the March shows by Valentine's Day.
UPDATE 03/10/10: Additional discounted tickets are available via Goldstar.com for almost every day during March 14-28.
UPDATE 03/22/10: Discounted tickets are still available for the last weekend at the San Diego location, 3/25-28, as low as $27 per person.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $30 pp in Irvine or $20 pp in San Diego + $8 Convenience Fee pp + $5 E-ticket Fee + $10 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $151 Total.
Kiss & Tell Idea by @SparkOC
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
90. FREE Ice Skating at OC Great Park - 1/30
FREE sledding, FREE ice skating, FREE helium balloon rides!
Celebrate Snow Day on this Saturday, January 30th, 11 AM - 4 PM, at the OC Great Park in Irvine. Where else can you go for a winter wonderland with free sledding, free snowman making, and free snow play? You don't even have to bring a sled because OC Great Park provides sleds for free on Snow Day. Just bring yourself and a fun date! Actually, this can be a good "group date" idea and even a first date idea...
The fun does not stop at Snow Day! It's also the opening day for the OC Great Park's "Great Skate Ice Rink". This is the ONLY ice skating rink that I know is absolutely FREE: free admission, free skate rentals, free helmets AND free parking. However, there is a small parking fee of $8 on special event days, such as the opening day 1/30. Ice skating is a pretty cheap date idea, but FREE is even better! Other rinks can cost $8-$15.50 per person in the LA and OC areas (click HERE for a list comparison), but most of the ice rinks are already closed for the winter season.
For the next month (Jan 30 - Feb 28), the rink will be open every weekend (Fri-Sun) at 11 AM - 10 PM, where skate session times start on the hour with 15 minute breaks every hour. The best time to go is on Sunday Nights if you want to skate to the music of your favorite decade: 70's at 7 PM, 80's at 8 PM, and 90's at 9 PM. Ice skating is a family-friendly activity, which means lots of kids. If you prefer less craziness, I suggest going later in the season before the rink shuts down.
Of course, this is first-come, first serve. Advance tickets are available for...
Celebrate Snow Day on this Saturday, January 30th, 11 AM - 4 PM, at the OC Great Park in Irvine. Where else can you go for a winter wonderland with free sledding, free snowman making, and free snow play? You don't even have to bring a sled because OC Great Park provides sleds for free on Snow Day. Just bring yourself and a fun date! Actually, this can be a good "group date" idea and even a first date idea...
The fun does not stop at Snow Day! It's also the opening day for the OC Great Park's "Great Skate Ice Rink". This is the ONLY ice skating rink that I know is absolutely FREE: free admission, free skate rentals, free helmets AND free parking. However, there is a small parking fee of $8 on special event days, such as the opening day 1/30. Ice skating is a pretty cheap date idea, but FREE is even better! Other rinks can cost $8-$15.50 per person in the LA and OC areas (click HERE for a list comparison), but most of the ice rinks are already closed for the winter season.
For the next month (Jan 30 - Feb 28), the rink will be open every weekend (Fri-Sun) at 11 AM - 10 PM, where skate session times start on the hour with 15 minute breaks every hour. The best time to go is on Sunday Nights if you want to skate to the music of your favorite decade: 70's at 7 PM, 80's at 8 PM, and 90's at 9 PM. Ice skating is a family-friendly activity, which means lots of kids. If you prefer less craziness, I suggest going later in the season before the rink shuts down.
Of course, this is first-come, first serve. Advance tickets are available for...
Sunday, January 10, 2010
72. FREE Bowling on Your Birthday & More
Bowling is a casual date idea for anytime, even on your birthday!
I just signed up for AMF eClub to get emails for a free bowling offer, a birthday bowling offer, and more! The online form is simple and quick: your email address, your name, birth date (no year required), zip code, and 2 side questions. My coupon arrived the next day, which is good for one free bowling game per person up to 10 friends with an expiration date of 30 days of issue. So I suggest to hold off on signing up until you need it, with at least one day in advance when you want to use it. This is a fantastic idea for a casual group date, maybe even a surprise birthday party for a loved one. Heck, if you two love bowling that much, sign up for the eClub in early February so that you can go bowling for free on Valentine's Day! Rental shoes are additional, so bring your own if you got it.
Based on your zip code, you can select one of the four nearest AMF bowling alleys. Close to Huntington Beach, the options are in Garden Grove, Anaheim, Cerritos, and Fullerton. As for Hermosa Beach, other locations include Torrance, Westchester, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica. Bowling alleys are normally open daily, but check the website for the hours of location nearest you.
If you love bowling, check out $2 Bowling on Cheap Date Idea #70 in Irvine or Cheap Date Idea #61 in Anaheim, which also offers Sunday Brunch and Bowling for only $11 pp.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE Games + Paid Shoe Rentals.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $60.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @OCDeals
I just signed up for AMF eClub to get emails for a free bowling offer, a birthday bowling offer, and more! The online form is simple and quick: your email address, your name, birth date (no year required), zip code, and 2 side questions. My coupon arrived the next day, which is good for one free bowling game per person up to 10 friends with an expiration date of 30 days of issue. So I suggest to hold off on signing up until you need it, with at least one day in advance when you want to use it. This is a fantastic idea for a casual group date, maybe even a surprise birthday party for a loved one. Heck, if you two love bowling that much, sign up for the eClub in early February so that you can go bowling for free on Valentine's Day! Rental shoes are additional, so bring your own if you got it.
Based on your zip code, you can select one of the four nearest AMF bowling alleys. Close to Huntington Beach, the options are in Garden Grove, Anaheim, Cerritos, and Fullerton. As for Hermosa Beach, other locations include Torrance, Westchester, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica. Bowling alleys are normally open daily, but check the website for the hours of location nearest you.
If you love bowling, check out $2 Bowling on Cheap Date Idea #70 in Irvine or Cheap Date Idea #61 in Anaheim, which also offers Sunday Brunch and Bowling for only $11 pp.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE Games + Paid Shoe Rentals.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $60.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @OCDeals
Friday, January 8, 2010
70. 2 Buck Bowling, Beers & More
Yes, $2 on weekdays, Mondays through Thursdays, after 6 PM.
At Irvine Lanes, it's only $2 for each of the following: bowling games, rental shoes, draft beers, well drinks, chili dogs, and nachos! Don't forget to sign up for their email newsletter online to get free coupons on your birthday and more. I'm not a bowling expert by no means but have found that it's something easy (unless you are competitive, of course) and casual to do. Funny moments are bound to happen in any bowling alley.
Bowling for Beer
Originally uploaded by trigger.is
Originally uploaded by trigger.is
If you love bowling AND breakfast buffets, then you might want to go bowling AGAIN on Sundays (check out Cheap Date Idea #61). It's only $11 total per person with special $2 mimosas. Concourse Entertainment Center in Anaheim also offers a similar 2-buck deal in the evenings for Sunday Fundays.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $4 Per Person + Food & Drink.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $8 Total + Food & Drink.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @OCdeals
Thursday, December 10, 2009
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)
Monday, December 7, 2009
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...
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
Want FREE tickets for next time? Make sure to...
42. Irvine Skate Spectrum (11/1-1/18)
If any of the 4 ice skating options are too much of a trek (Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, LA Live and Pershing Square), then Irvine will be the ice skating spot in Orange County.
An outdoor tented ice skating rink is set up next to the 108-foot ferris wheel. From Nov 1 to Jan 18th, the Skate Spectrum is open every day in one hour intervals til 9 PM on weekdays and 11:15 PM on weekends with 15 min breaks for re-icing, but check the schedule online for exceptions.. Skating admission is $11 per person and the skate rental is $4.50, while helmets are free. Parking is free and plentiful at the Irvine Spectrum.
After your ice skating escapade, explore the rest of the Irvine Spectrum, a great place for people-watching. One of my fave spots there is...
An outdoor tented ice skating rink is set up next to the 108-foot ferris wheel. From Nov 1 to Jan 18th, the Skate Spectrum is open every day in one hour intervals til 9 PM on weekdays and 11:15 PM on weekends with 15 min breaks for re-icing, but check the schedule online for exceptions.. Skating admission is $11 per person and the skate rental is $4.50, while helmets are free. Parking is free and plentiful at the Irvine Spectrum.
After your ice skating escapade, explore the rest of the Irvine Spectrum, a great place for people-watching. One of my fave spots there is...
Sunday, November 1, 2009
14. FREE Helium Balloon Rides
Not hot air balloon, but rather helium balloon. Free every day on Thursday to Sunday, 10 AM - 3 PM and 7 - 10 PM, at Great Park in Irvine. You and up to 25 others can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Orange County at 500 feet in the air. Dress warmly or bring a blanket to cuddle. Good to call in advance about flight conditions (click here for website). Happy flying!
Approximate cost creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $148 pp for 1-hour hot air balloon rides for comparison.
Click here for map
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by Mrs. Roberts
Approximate cost creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $148 pp for 1-hour hot air balloon rides for comparison.
Click here for map
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by Mrs. Roberts