193. AVP Beach Volleyball Tourney

Do you need a reason to hit the beach?
As much as I love living by the beach, I'm not a volleyball fan. With that said, I do make a point to partake in the annual AVP Tour. Why? It's the beach scene that makes it a great day date idea, especially for a group date. Game tickets are not free, but walking around the vendor booths is! Some cool freebies include tote bags, frisbees, drinks, snacks and more. Afterward, hit the beach and/or local bars (do it early before everything gets packed).

AVP Hermosa Beach
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

For those who do enjoy professional volleyball tournament games, general admission is $20. For the upcoming game in Huntington Beach, buy tickets online now: (a) save 50% for Friday, June 4th, with a discount code AVPBOGO, so it'd be $10 each -OR- (b) save $5 for the rest of the weekend, $15 pp. More discounts may pop up closer to the other tour dates. By the way, sometimes you can watch the warm-up games for free (just look and ask).

The games bounce across the US beaches during summer, but here's the AVP tournament schedule for Southern California:

• June 3-6 Huntington Beach
• July 16-18 Hermosa Beach
• July 24-25 Malibu
• August 19-22 Manhattan Beach
• September 17-19 Hermosa Beach (finals)

However, if you don't like crowds, then you may want to avoid this event. Parking will not be easy, so carpool and come early. In my opinion, the AVP is worth checking out at least once this summer. As always, don't forget your sunblock, towel, hat, sunglasses, camera and whatever you need for fun in the sun. Click HERE for other free and cheap things to do this weekend, June 3-6th.

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

110. FREE Cabaret Show at UML

Burlesque dancing with live music is fun to watch, especially when it's free!
Upper Manhattan Lounge (UML) is a classy spot in Manhattan Beach, about 1 mile north of the pier area. When you walk into this joint, you feel like you stepped into a high-end Hollywood lounge, but you're still by the beach in the South Bay. Dress to impress, but you don't have to be on a guest list or have the "look" to get in unlike some hot spots in Hollywood.

Cabaret Show at UML
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

For the Cabaret Show, the girls come out once every hour starting 8:30 PM (3 shows per night) and dance to the tunes of a live band. For this burlesque dancing, some pieces of clothing come off, but the lingerie does stay on, so no worries for the bashful types like me. The themes for the shows change off and on, i.e. new latin-themed nights, "Salsa Cabaret", will be coming with happy hour and food/drink specials in April-June. Right after the 10:30 PM show, a DJ starts playing and the stage extension retracts in order to open up a small dance floor. The crowd (mostly female) is welcome to jump on stage to show off their dancing skills... maybe get a taste of the bar and beads to swing around like in my photo here (but the bouncers may stop you).

There's no cover charge before 9 PM, otherwise it's $10 pp for boys and girls alike. I personally like going early in order to avoid the line and use the money toward drinks. Speaking of which, drinks are not cheap at UML, but the entertainment makes up for that, in my opinion. Street parking is free in Manhattan Beach after 8 PM (double check the signs) if you are lucky to find a spot on Highland Avenue. Otherwise, there's a small metered parking lot across the street (Rosecrans Ave) or a paid parking lot behind that. If you can't make it tomorrow, the cabaret show is usually every Saturday, sometimes Friday too.

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

76. FREE Coffee Bean Ice Blended Drinks

Boy, am I feelin' the latte love this week!
After you're done getting your BOGO (buy one, get one) coffee at Peet's Coffee (download coupon from Cheap Date Idea #73), pick up your FREE drink at Coffee Bean & Teal Leaf (CBTL) TOMORROW afternoon. This offer is only good for one day, Thursday, January 14th, 4-7 PM (click HERE for more info, no coupon required). No date is required for this offer, but why go solo when it's one drink free per person?

If you don't like one of the two Ice Blended flavors, they are also offering a free cafe mocha.

Pin It Up.
Originally uploaded by love-letters

By the way, all Coffee Beans offer FREE Wi-Fi, so bring your laptops, if you two are techies. I do have to admit that it's a smart marketing move to force a 10-minute coffee break every 2 hours. It's still not a bad deal, plus it gives a leg up on Starbucks.

I suggesting hitting the Coffee Beans in Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach since those locations are only a block or two away from the beach. While you're at the beach, check out other date ideas in those areas, such as Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach (click on hyperlink or pull-down menu bar above). The MB store has a a good-sized covered patio area if you prefer outdoor seating, while the one in HB offers more tables upstairs. There is a parking structure with cheap meters right behind the CBTL in MB (2-hour limit, 75 cents per hour). Street parking (not metered) in the Hermosa neighborhoods about 2 blocks is free right now during off-peak season until May (double check the street signs when you park).

If you miss out on this freebie, check out Cheap Date Idea #73 before it expires on Monday, January 18th (Martin Luther King's Day). Enjoy!

UPDATE 03/01/10: Come back again for a free drink on Thursday, March 4th, 4-7 PM, for their Spring Peach Tea Party. Enjoy the Peach FruTea or Spring Peach Tea Latte (hot or cold). Click HERE for info, but no coupon is required.


UPDATE 05/09/10: Enjoy a FREE Ultimate Ice Blended drink at a participating CBTL near you on Tuesday, May 11th, at 4-7 PM (click HERE for details). Thanks to Savings Cents with Sense! If you miss that or you want to go on another coffee date, Starbucks is still offering their happy hour: 1/2 off Frappuccinos at 3-5 PM daily until May 19th, so it's like a BOGO deal. Enjoy.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $7.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @FreeFunGuides

73. Latte Love with Free Coffee

"Buy one, get one free" deals make for a cheap date!
In general, grabbing a cup of joe is a relatively cheap date idea, except Starbucks every day can add up to a pretty penny. Peet's Coffee & Tea is offering a special of "buy one beverage, get one free" now through Martin Luther King's Day (only one week left until Monday, January 18th). Either print the coupon or simply show it on your mobile device at the cash register (click HERE). By the way, you can email this cheap date idea to yourself (and your friends, share the latte love!) by clicking on the white envelope icon next to the orange Share button at the end of this blog post.

DSC01873
Originally uploaded by nicely85

Most coffee shops provide an atmosphere for a casual meet up anytime, especially for a day date (click HERE for more day date ideas). The Peet's on Manhattan Beach Boulevard is an easy 3 blocks from the beach. After coffee, check out the Roundhouse Aquarium at the Manhattan Beach Pier for FREE (see Cheap Date Idea #6). Or find other Peet locations near you online.

If by any chance there is a lull in your coffee conversation, challenge your date! Try to make art out of the foam of your latte or cappuccino (see the heart formation in the photo on right). This is your chance to be creative and romantic. Cheers!

UPDATE 01/13/10: Check out new Cheap Date Idea #76 for a FREE coffee at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL).
UPDATE 01/14/10: Couple your FREE coffee at Peet's with a FREE bagel from Noah's (click HERE for Facebook Fan coupon and use before it expires on Jan 18th). Thanks, @LABargainHunter! For 2-freebies-in-1, the best place to go is Manhattan Beach since both establishments are on the same block. Double yum!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = One FREE beverage + $4.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $8 Total.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @Frugalytics

51. Winter Craft Weekend at the Beach

Ok, that's not a real shark in the photo!
But there are live sharks inside the 3,500 gallon tank at the Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of Manhattan Beach Pier. The aquarium is open all year round, but why not go during Winter Craft Weekend!

Jaws spotted in Manhattan Beach
Originally uploaded by smhyla

This will be a family-friendly event with many activities for kids, but aren't you a kid at heart? Surround yourself here with holiday spirit (and sharks and eels). Don't worry, they won't touch you, but you can touch them... Nothing bites in the "touch tank", at least not as far as I know.

The event is Dec 19-20th at 10 AM til sunset. The City of Manhattan Beach shows their holiday spirit every year by making metered parking free for 3 hours. Get there in the afternoon for the event, then enjoy the sunset by taking a romantic stroll along shoreline or on The Strand (paved path for runners and bikers). Heck, bring your bikes while you're at it! It's an easy 2-mile bike ride south to the twin pier in Hermosa Beach. See Cheap Date Idea #6 for more info about this aquarium. For ideas on other things to do in the area, search this site by city or keyword, i.e. beach (use the search toolbar on the left or the new dropdown menu above). For more shark action, don't miss out on Cheap Date Idea #15.

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

28. MB Holiday Open House - 11/18

Merry Christmas!
Originally uploaded by Dan90266

On this Wednesday, Nov 18th, the streets will be merry in Manhattan Beach for their 15th Annual Holiday Open House and 20th Annual Pier Lighting. Live entertainment starts at 5 PM, the pier lighting ceremony at 7 pm, and the festivities come to a close at 9 PM. Carolers and musicians will be strolling the streets to spread the cheer. Of course, Santa and his helpers will be at the pier for photos. The local stores typically provide some kind of beverage or tasty treats for free, which you can enjoy while they decorate their store front windows for the competition. Besides your date and yourself, bring an unwrapped toy for the annual toy drive. Ho, ho, ho!

P.S. If you can get there before sunset, check out the Roundhouse Aquarium on the pier (more info at previous Cheap Date Idea #6).

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

16. Champagne, Sparklers & Bubbles, Oh My!

Champagne, Sparklers and Bubbles, Oh My!
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

Bristol Farms offers something more than a simple wine tasting. For a set price ($23 plus tax), they serve you while you sit at a table and enjoy 6 wine tastings PLUS a light meal (bread, soup or salad, and a main entree with one or two sides, AND a dessert). Considering the value, this may not be the cheapest date idea, but perhaps a first date idea. You can't order any more or any less (besides a tip), so sticking to a budget will be easy. Depending on the location, the wine tastings are on either Tuesdays or Thursdays starting at 5:30 or 6 PM for 2 hours, with the theme changing every week (see schedule online). Please note that the wine tastings will end in 2 weeks but will resume after the new year. The last one of the year sounds fun, "Champagne, Sparklers, and Bubbles, Oh My!" on Thursday, Nov 12th, in Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach or their other 6 locations. Due to the limited seating, advance reservations by phone is a must. If you're not a wine enthusiast, this is an easy way to try a few different ones locally without making the trek to Napa.

UPDATE 01/0710: Wine tastings will resume in February 2010, so check back for the schedule online.

UPDATE 06/02/10: The wine tastings are on sale right now with buy one and get one for 1¢ (yes, one cent), so that's $23.96 plus tax for two tastings with a light meal (or ~$12 pp). Reservations required.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $12 Per Person + Tax.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $80 Total Minimum.
Click here for map

6. 360° Ocean View Aquarium

Shark Attack in Manhattan Beach
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

The Roundhouse Aquarium is located at the very end of the Manhattan Beach Pier, which makes it quite unique. It's open to the public free of charge all year round! Donations are kindly accepted of course. According to a recent article in the local paper, Daily Breeze, Manhattan Beach celebrated the 30th Birthday of the aquarium on October 8th, 2009. However, the Roundhouse building is actually a historical building born in 1922 (read more history on Roundhouse Aquarium Blog). Don't let the small and cozy size of the building fool you, there are many different types of creatures to inspect and even touch with your bare fingers! Gentle fingers are permitted in the "touch tank" but not in the 3,500 gallon shark tank for obvious reasons. The hours are 3 PM to Sunset on weekdays and 10 AM - Sunset on weekends. I suggest heading down at least 2 hours before Sunset to visit the aquarium, take a stroll on The Strand and enjoy the sunset at Manhattan Beach. There is a small restaurant at the Roundhouse if you want a bite to eat. Or you can always bring your own brown bag and take a seat on the bench next to the folks casting lines (watch out for fish hooks). You can't beat this 360 degree ocean view at this price.

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

5. Paint Pottery in Your Pajamas

the princess and the pig
Originally uploaded by Christina Krantz

Skip the messy pumpkin carving and stay in your pajamas, then head to Color Me Mine. At the Manhattan Beach studio, they have PJ Nights, where you save 50% off the studio fee on Saturday nights (open til 9 PM). So that's only $10 for a couple, plus the cost of the pre-maid pottery piece (as low as $4 each). The studio has a wide selection, including cookie jars, coffee mugs, piggy banks, and your favorite animals and characters, such as Dumbo the Elephant. The meters in the parking structure below Color Me Mine is less expensive than those on the streets (note that meters stop at 8 PM in Manhattan Beach). Make one for each other as a keepsake and don't forget to sign and date it!

UPDATE 12/04/09: No more Saturday PJ Nights, but there is 2-for-1 Special on Tuesdays or $4 pp on Sundays after 5 PM!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $5 per person + $4 or more for pottery.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $30 Total.
Click here for map