If you appreciate sea life and want to support a good cause, come out to the 18th Annual Seal Day on Sunday, May 16th. Enjoy a full day of fun (11 AM - 5 PM), including family-friendly games and activities PLUS live music and a free movie screening of "Sea Lions" (a documentary by a dear friend @RioFilms). The event is only one day, but all year round the Marine Mammal Care Center rescues, rehabilitates and releases seals, while allowing the public to view these creatures of nature anytime for free. It's not a big facility, but it's one with a big heart. Event admission is free but donations are always appreciated. For those who do, you will receive a VIP tour and a raffle ticket for their "Getaway" drawing. Click HERE for details.
If you miss out, this animal shelter is open for free every day 10 AM - 4 PM. Based on Yelp, this organization is rated a 4 out of 5, something worth checking out in San Pedro, especially if you have kids and a heart. One Yelper shared an excellent reason to come back: To witness the release of a seal back into the wild. How cool is that? Better yet, how about volunteer here for a philanthropic date idea! While you're in the neighborhood (less than 1 mile away), double the fun at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium for grunion run events (Cheap Date Idea #127) and free tide pool tours (Cheap Date Idea #75).
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea (and adorable photo) by @riofilms
Showing posts with label san pedro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label san pedro. Show all posts
Friday, May 14, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
127. Grunion Run 2010
This is something worth doing at least once...
The grunion are back to spawn on our California beaches again, like they do every March - August (closed season is April and May). These silvery fish are up for grabs in 2-hour windows around 11 PM - 1 AM on designated days. If you have never done this before, it's worth checking out at least once. When I was a teenager, we went and caught them for dinner in San Diego. It's not my cup of tea, but I can say that I've been there, done that.
For a learning experience, come out earlier at 8 PM at the (almost) semi-monthly events at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium on: 3/17, 3/31, 4/30, 5/15, 5/28, 6/14, 6/28, 7/13, and 7/27. Click HERE for the schedule and more info, including some videos showing the laying and hatching of the eggs. CMA does charge $5 per person or you can hit one of the beaches on your own for free, but Cabrillo Beach is supposed to be a good spot.
Watching this spectacular act of nature is free, but technically anyone over 16 years needs a fishing license if you "fish" with bare hands and take your catch home. Since it's still nippy out, make sure to bundle up and bring a flashlight and a camera. Waterproof shoes or boots would be good too. For more aqua adventures, check out the free tide pool tours (click HERE) or go on Cheap Date Idea #6. If San Pedro is too far from you, the grunion are running up and down the coast, so check it out a beach near you.
UPDATE 03/30/10: RSVP is not required, but you can on Cabrillo Aquarium's Facebook page for tomorrow's event 3/31 8-11 PM, click HERE.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $5 pp at CMA but FREE otherwise.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
The grunion are back to spawn on our California beaches again, like they do every March - August (closed season is April and May). These silvery fish are up for grabs in 2-hour windows around 11 PM - 1 AM on designated days. If you have never done this before, it's worth checking out at least once. When I was a teenager, we went and caught them for dinner in San Diego. It's not my cup of tea, but I can say that I've been there, done that.
For a learning experience, come out earlier at 8 PM at the (almost) semi-monthly events at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium on: 3/17, 3/31, 4/30, 5/15, 5/28, 6/14, 6/28, 7/13, and 7/27. Click HERE for the schedule and more info, including some videos showing the laying and hatching of the eggs. CMA does charge $5 per person or you can hit one of the beaches on your own for free, but Cabrillo Beach is supposed to be a good spot.
Watching this spectacular act of nature is free, but technically anyone over 16 years needs a fishing license if you "fish" with bare hands and take your catch home. Since it's still nippy out, make sure to bundle up and bring a flashlight and a camera. Waterproof shoes or boots would be good too. For more aqua adventures, check out the free tide pool tours (click HERE) or go on Cheap Date Idea #6. If San Pedro is too far from you, the grunion are running up and down the coast, so check it out a beach near you.
UPDATE 03/30/10: RSVP is not required, but you can on Cabrillo Aquarium's Facebook page for tomorrow's event 3/31 8-11 PM, click HERE.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $5 pp at CMA but FREE otherwise.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
List: Cheap Dates Ideas at Tide Pools
To answer a Fellow Tweeter's question, what's my favorite cheap date idea?
I'd have to say that my fave ANYTIME date idea is tide pool exploration. Reason: I love discovering new creatures, like the Wavy Turban at Crystal Cove (see my photo below) and seeing what else my partner can find (yes, we are a bit competitive). Moreover, because it's F-R-E-E (usually) and anyone can do it anytime. Well, almost anytime, but it's better at low tide, speaking of which... Saturday, February 27th, marks the winter low-tide, which is expected to be a very popular day for tide pool exploration up and down the coasts.
It's staring at me!?
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates
Here's a list of tide pool areas that are offering tours next weekend. Click on each cheap date idea for more info, especially for parking suggestions and an updated schedule of tours..
44. Tide Pools at Crystal Cove: 2/27 2 PM in Newport Beach/Laguna Beach.
57. Tide Pools at Abalone Cove: 2/27 1-3 PM in Palos Verdes.
75. Tide Pools by Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: 2/27 1-2:30 PM in San Pedro.
Other options include Doheny State Beach: 2/27 1-4 PM in Dana Point (click HERE for more info).
Tips: Wear comfy shoes and pants (or shorts, if you like) that you don't mind getting wet and bring a towel to wipe down before getting back into your car. Water bottles, hat, sunglasses and sunblock would be helpful too.
Tips: Wear comfy shoes and pants (or shorts, if you like) that you don't mind getting wet and bring a towel to wipe down before getting back into your car. Water bottles, hat, sunglasses and sunblock would be helpful too.
If you know of any other tide pool tours in different areas, let me know! So I now throw the question back to @JasonWheeler and you, "What's your fave cheap date idea?"
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
75. Tide Pools by Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Exploring tide pools is a cool AND free day date idea anytime!
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers a FREE 90-minute tide pool tours once per day on most weekends. The walk usually starts anytime between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM, depending on the low tide, with a informative slide show. Then the tour continues long the shore of Point Fermin State Marine Park in San Pedro. The next ones are scheduled for Sat Jan 16th at 2:30 PM and Sun Jan 17th at 3 PM, but click HERE for the online schedule of the rest of the first quarter.
Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year, so a special 2-hour tide pool walk is scheduled for February 14th, 1:30 - 3:30 PM. This is the only tour that is not free, but it's still a cheap date idea at a mere $3 per person. The exploration will not only include the tide pools and salt marsh, but also the examination of fossils, native plants and a beach wreck. Afterward stay an extra hour or two for a romantic stroll along the beach. Bring a picnic blanket or beach towel and maybe chocolates or something sweet to enjoy at sunset...
Outdoor clothing and sneakers are always recommended for tide pool walks. And don't forget sunblock and your camera. Pack a snack and a bottle of water for your beach walk too. I also suggest bringing a towel and plastic bag to wipe off your shoes before getting back into your car (I learned the hard way once).
If you love tide pools, check out Abalone Cove in Los Angeles (see Cheap Date Idea #57) and Crystal Cove in Orange County (see Cheap Date Idea #44). No matter where you are, tide pools are always a nice day date idea by the beach!
UPDATE 03/16/10: Here's the schedule for the next quarter for FREE tide pool tours.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers a FREE 90-minute tide pool tours once per day on most weekends. The walk usually starts anytime between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM, depending on the low tide, with a informative slide show. Then the tour continues long the shore of Point Fermin State Marine Park in San Pedro. The next ones are scheduled for Sat Jan 16th at 2:30 PM and Sun Jan 17th at 3 PM, but click HERE for the online schedule of the rest of the first quarter.
Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year, so a special 2-hour tide pool walk is scheduled for February 14th, 1:30 - 3:30 PM. This is the only tour that is not free, but it's still a cheap date idea at a mere $3 per person. The exploration will not only include the tide pools and salt marsh, but also the examination of fossils, native plants and a beach wreck. Afterward stay an extra hour or two for a romantic stroll along the beach. Bring a picnic blanket or beach towel and maybe chocolates or something sweet to enjoy at sunset...
Outdoor clothing and sneakers are always recommended for tide pool walks. And don't forget sunblock and your camera. Pack a snack and a bottle of water for your beach walk too. I also suggest bringing a towel and plastic bag to wipe off your shoes before getting back into your car (I learned the hard way once).
If you love tide pools, check out Abalone Cove in Los Angeles (see Cheap Date Idea #57) and Crystal Cove in Orange County (see Cheap Date Idea #44). No matter where you are, tide pools are always a nice day date idea by the beach!
UPDATE 03/16/10: Here's the schedule for the next quarter for FREE tide pool tours.
| Saturday, March 27, 2010 • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
| Sunday, March 28, 2010 • 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Saturday, April 10, 2010 • 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM |
| Sunday, April 11, 2010 • 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
| Sunday, April 25, 2010 • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
| Saturday, May 22, 2010 • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.