173. Free Wine Tasting, Venice

WTF, did you say FREE wine tasting in Venice Beach?

In general, a wine tasting is a classy date idea, while FREE wine tasting is a classy and cheap date idea! Next Tuesday, May 18th, WTFLA is hosting a complimentary wine tasting on the rooftop of Hotel Erwin in Venice. Enjoy tasting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Maria wineries (Byron and Cambria). No reservations are required, but due to limited space, it's first come, first serve at 7-9 PM (AKA early birds get the wine). With the sun expected to set by 7:45 PM that day, what can be better than sipping on free wine on a hotel's rooftop lounge with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean at sunset? I think this cheap date idea has kicked it up a notch to romantic cheap date idea!

DSC04639
Originally uploaded by huliana90212

At first glance, I assume that WTF was an acronym for cursing, but in fact the these letters stand for Wine Tasting for Los Angeles. Now that's a brilliant and unforgettable name for an organization! The tasting is just the beginning of summer, so stay tuned for future events on the WTFLA website. As for parking, the hotel offers valet but the parking lots and street parking will be more cost effective (click HERE for map). Enjoy!

UPDATE 05/19/10: Street parking is free in Venice after 6 PM at most spots, so double check the signs. The event was interesting, but the venue was not the best set up for mixing and mingling at the High Rooftop Bar. Make sure to arrive early to WTFLA events so that you don't have to wait in line when it gets to capacity. You get (4) 1-ounce pours, but only one fill at a time so it's best to get back in line for another while enjoying the first one.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @CitysearchLA & @wtfla

167. Grunion Party, Venice - 4/30

You have to do this at least once!
This is like Cheap Date Idea #127, so I'll keep this short and sweet! The Venice Oceanarium is hosting a Grunion Party TONIGHT, April 30th, at 11 PM, in Venice. It is late, but that's when the silvery fish come out to lay their eggs on our beaches. For details and directions, click HERE. You can do this on your own, but this is a fun group activity, especially for families.

Grunion Run
Originally uploaded by Jessierocks

The grunion are expected to be spawning 10:55 PM - 12:55 AM tonight. You can try catching them but have to throw them back in since it's closed season right now (see schedule online). To best watch and document the work of nature, bring a flash light and a camera. Make sure to bundle up but prepared to roll up your pants and wear flip flops.

Since the Grunion Party doesn't start until 11 PM, go "next door" to Santa Monica for their monthly event, Last Fridays on Main Street (see Cheap Date Idea #140). If you miss this party or Venice is too far, check out Cheap Date Idea #127 for other organized grunion runs in San Pedro.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @KatelynMichele

147. Cooking Class + Dinner + Wine = $35

This is a recipe for fun!
Within 2.5 hours, you and your partner will make a 5-6 course meal and wash it down with wine. Normally these cooking classes with a full dinner and wine go for $70 per person, but thanks to SwoopOff, it's only $35 pp! This is an awesome deal to learn from the culinary expert, Amanda Cushman (author of Simple Real Food). As demonstrated in my fave chick flick, "Hitch", cooking classes make for a great first date or even a group date! Hurry and get your vouchers online at SwoopOff.com before it's sold out.

Cooking class
Originally uploaded by Roving I

The cooking classes are available at 3 different locations between Venice and Culver City. According to Yelp reviewers, these cooking classes got rated perfectly at 5 out of 5 stars. For more info, check out www.amandacooks.com.

For more fun in the kitchen, check out the FREE Technique Classes at your local Williams & Sonoma (see Cheap Date Idea #112), but you don't get a full meal and wine here. Tip: Before the end of class, secure your next date to show off your newfound culinary skills in your own kitchen!

UPDATE 04/26/10: The deal was so popular that it's back on! Click HERE to get your voucher at SwoopOff.com now!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $35 per person.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $140 Total.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @SwoopOff

146. First Fridays on Abbot Kinney

Enjoy free live music, food, massage & yoga in Venice!
On the first Friday of every month, the stores along Abbot Kinney Boulevard stay open late (6-10 PM) with various activities. For April 2nd, enjoy live music & free munchies at several spots, including Altered Space Gallery, Aviator Nation and G2 Gallery. Also get a free 5-minute Thai massage at Lamai and your first free yoga class at YAS. For more info about this monthly event in Venice, check AbbotKinneyonline.com and AbbotKinneyNow.com.

First Fridays Abbot Kinney Venice
Originally uploaded by stephanie schneider

I plan on going for my friend's birthday, so I'll post an update with my review. This does sound like a good group date idea. As for parking, street parking is probably the best bet near Abbot Kinney Blvd and Venice Blvd (zip code for Venice is 90291 in case you want to map it out). Plus it's free after 6 PM at most spots, so double check the signs.

For more fun, check out the sister event called the Last Fridays on Main Street in Santa Monica (Cheap Date Idea #140). Another fun thing to do in Venice is the Free Skate Practice on the first Sundays of every month in preparation for the weekly Free Friday Night Skate Night (see Cheap Date Idea #91 for more info).

UPDATE 05/17/10: Last month, Aviator Nation seemed to be the hot spot for free wine (by the glass) and free beer (by the 12-oz can). We missed the sangria at another place (name escaping me at the moment). Next time, I'm bringing my appetite and trying out one of the many food trucks lined up along Abbot Kinney (the line was wrapped around the BBQ truck). I wonder how the Last Fridays on Main Street in Santa Monica (Cheap Date Idea #140) compare to this First Fridays on Abbot Kinney in Venice, stay tuned!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free Admission.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by Pilates Princess

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

91. LA Friday Night Skate

Dust off your old roller skates and let's rock & roll!
Believe it or not, a group of 40-80 roller skaters (and don't forget the roller bladers) meet up every Friday, usually in Santa Monica and sometimes in Downtown LA and once in awhile in Hollywood. You don't have to be an expert, but prepared to boogie for 10 miles or so. For motivation, a skater will have a sound system strapped to his/her back playing 70's Disco and Funk music. Consider it a big rolling block party!

Roller Skate Disco
Originally uploaded by paulinuk99999

This isn't a new organization. It looks like FNS (Friday Night Skate) group leaders have been around since 1997 and 2000. I'm guessing this activity is a "locals" secret, but now I'm inviting you all from Los Angeles and Orange County to break out your old roller skates and have some fun! This is definitely a great group date idea!

Tomorrow on January 29th, skaters start gathering at 8:30 PM near Santa Monica Pier on the corner of Ocean and Colorado Ave, then start rolling by 9 PM (just look for other folks on wheels). If you can't make it, check online at www.FridayNightSkate.org for the schedule and more info, especially to find out when there will be a special theme. Since it's still "winter" time in LA, bundle up for a night of outdoor fun. It's BYOS (bring your own skates, or borrow your own skates). Oh, and don't forget knee pads and helmets (if you are clumsy like me).

UPDATE 01/30/10: @YoSantaMonica just informed me that FNS is starting a FREE skating practice on the First Sunday of every month at 11 AM in Venice. Don't be shy! That will give you 5 days to practice before the big night on Fridays. Good luck!

UPDATE 05/20/10: Skating will be in Hollywood tomorrow, May 21st.

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

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...