Every month, The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens gives away free tickets on the 1st of the month for visiting on the first Thursday of the next month, such as tomorrow Nov 1st for Dec 3rd. The free tickets go fast, so make sure to call 800.838.3006 or go online at 9 AM on the dot. The limit is 5 free tickets per request. You can choose tickets to come at morning entry (10:30 AM to Noon) or afternoon entry (1:30 - 3:00 PM), but please note that the closing time is 4:30 PM. You may be tempted to lay on the greenery in 1 of the 7 botanical gardens so bring something to sit on. Unfortunately, no food and picnicking are permitted, but you can enjoy something from their tea room and cafe. The tea room is popular, so reservations are recommended. If you miss the free tickets, admission is $15-20 for adults and parking is free. When I visited The Huntington, I was amazed at how something this serene yet grand was in the middle of Los Angeles (actually, it's in Pasadena).
UPDATE 01/09/10: Get your FREE tickets on February 1st at 9 AM sharp for use on March 4th. Check online for the exact dates of the monthly Free Days.
UPDATE 02/23/10: Get 2-for-1 admission ANYTIME through the end of March 2010. Click HERE for a printable coupon.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $40.
Click here for map
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
12. Laugh at Comedy Shows for $5 - 11/3-11/4
The Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach is offering last-minute tickets to comedy shows next week for only $5 each! The shows are at 8 PM on Tues 11/3 (online special only) and Wed 11/4 (phone special only, 310.372.1193). There is a two drink minimum and $1 service charge per ticket. Parking options are available online, but parking is free around the neighborhoods away from the pier area in the evenings during off peak season. In case you want to laugh at a more familiar face, Jay Leno from The Tonight Show performs every Sunday for $30 pp. TIP: Sign up online for their emails and get 4 free tickets during your birthday month.
UPDATE 03/16/10: $5 Comedy Night is back for 3/16, 3/17, and 3/18. Enter the online discount code "MarchSpecial". Limit 4 tickets per group. There is a $2 convenience fee per person.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $7 per person + 2 drinks minimum.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $30.
Click here for map
UPDATE 03/16/10: $5 Comedy Night is back for 3/16, 3/17, and 3/18. Enter the online discount code "MarchSpecial". Limit 4 tickets per group. There is a $2 convenience fee per person.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $7 per person + 2 drinks minimum.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $30.
Click here for map
New Tool: Google Map for 365 Cheap Dates
To help plan your date based on location or region, I've created a new Google Map dedicated to 365 Cheap Dates. Just click on a blue marker in your area of interest for a hyperlink to the specific idea on 365CheapDates.com. This tool will be updated on a daily basis with every new cheap date idea. Send me an email if you want more tools or want to share your cheap date idea! Click on my profile to send me an email.
View 365 Cheap Dates in a larger map
View 365 Cheap Dates in a larger map
Thursday, October 29, 2009
11. Halloween Costume Carnaval - 10/31
Wanna be part of a parade in your halloween costume with hundreds of thousands of others?? On Halloween 10/31 at 6-11 PM, come out to West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny and La Cienega. Admission to the Annual Halloween Costume Carnaval is free to the public. Parking will be tricky due to street closures, so check out the traffic advisory and parking info online. Click here for photos from last year's event. The event will be broadcasted live by West Hollywood's Citychannel 10 at 9 PM, so stay tuned!
UPDATE 10/22/10: West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval is scheduled for Halloween night on Sunday, Oct 31st 6-11 PM. Click HERE for this year's event info. No costumes required. Great spot for people watching. Not sure about it being family-friendly. Have fun and be safe!
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
UPDATE 10/22/10: West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval is scheduled for Halloween night on Sunday, Oct 31st 6-11 PM. Click HERE for this year's event info. No costumes required. Great spot for people watching. Not sure about it being family-friendly. Have fun and be safe!
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
10. Adventures at Point Dume Beach
As a California State Park, Point Dume in Malibu offers a variety of options for activities at one location: rock climbing (Level 5.9 and easier according to this website), easy hiking, swimming, surfing, scuba diving, tide pool viewing, and more. In the north end of Santa Monica Bay, nothing beats the panoramic view from the top of the bluff. No eateries are available on this beach, so bring a blanket or towel and pack yourself a nice picnic, but there are several tasty seafood restaurants along the scenic drive up Pacific Coast Highway. Unless you are lucky to find a spot along the beach for free, general parking is $7 per car. Have fun!
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + $7 parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + $7 parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
9. Tapas Tuesdays in Hermosa Beach
Mediterraneo in Hermosa Beach offers Happy Hour with 1/2 off tapas and $3 draft beer and house wine on week days from 5-7 PM, except tapas are 1/2 off all night on "Tapas Tuesdays". Reservations are highly recommended, especially for the outdoor patio seating during happy hours, sunset and summertime, but inside seating is just as lively. The atmosphere at Mediterraneo tends to be on the classy and trendy side compared to the other restaurant bars in Hermosa Beach.
This place is ideal for a first date or a birthday party or simply a friendly gathering. Most tapas range $5-7 per plate, but the full menu is available online. A parking garage is available between Coffee Bean and Starbucks on Hermosa Ave for a $1 per hour but it does get full at the end of the day during summer and weekends. If you are lucky, some street parking in the neighborhood away from the pier is free since permits are not required after 5 PM during off-peak season (Sept-May). Click here for my review about Mediterraneo on Yelp.com.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $25 depending on how much you order.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
This place is ideal for a first date or a birthday party or simply a friendly gathering. Most tapas range $5-7 per plate, but the full menu is available online. A parking garage is available between Coffee Bean and Starbucks on Hermosa Ave for a $1 per hour but it does get full at the end of the day during summer and weekends. If you are lucky, some street parking in the neighborhood away from the pier is free since permits are not required after 5 PM during off-peak season (Sept-May). Click here for my review about Mediterraneo on Yelp.com.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $25 depending on how much you order.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
Monday, October 26, 2009
8. "Surf City Nights" Fair on Tuesdays
Every Tuesday night 5-9 PM, downtown Huntington Beach (AKA Surf City USA) closes down Main Street for "Surf City Nights". FREE admission, live entertainment, Farmer's Market, international food booths, arts and crafts for sale, and more! As you can see by the Kodak Moment here, the little kids trying to pop large bubbles were amusing. Several restaurants will validate for parking (Tip: BJ's will validate even if you don't eat there). This is a great place for tasting different foods for only $3 each! The pupusas from El Salvador and empanadas from Argentina were yummy! Again, this is every Tuesday, but there is a special Halloween Fest on Saturday (see website for more info).
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $15.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = $15.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
7. FREE Fireworks at Downtown Disney
Disneyland in Anaheim shoots fireworks EVERY night at 9 PM. Not only can we get a glimpse of it, we can hear it all the way from Huntington Beach. You can get a close up view of the fireworks display in Downtown Disney without having to pay the amusement park entrance fee. Although there are several shops and restaurants, you can simply go on a stroll and window shop. The first 3 hours of parking are free with validation, plus another 2 after going to the movie theatre or eating a sit-down restaurant. EVERY night can be a magical night, not just on 4th of July.
UPDATE 12/28/09: Disneyland will have a fireworks display at midnight on NYE. Enjoy it for FREE at Downtown Disney. This is definitely a family-friendly venue as long as you are ok with crowds and traffic. By the way, Disneyland closes at 2 PM and California Adventure closes at 1 PM.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + $5 snack/drink for FREE parking validation.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
UPDATE 12/28/09: Disneyland will have a fireworks display at midnight on NYE. Enjoy it for FREE at Downtown Disney. This is definitely a family-friendly venue as long as you are ok with crowds and traffic. By the way, Disneyland closes at 2 PM and California Adventure closes at 1 PM.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + $5 snack/drink for FREE parking validation.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, October 24, 2009
6. 360° Ocean View Aquarium
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
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
Friday, October 23, 2009
5. Paint Pottery in Your Pajamas
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
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
Thursday, October 22, 2009
4. Star Gazing at Griffith Observatory
Go star gazing for free this Saturday, October 24th (or every one Saturday per month)! The Griffith Observatory hosts monthly "Public Star Parties". Amateur astronomers bring their gargantuan telescopes (and their passion) to share with the public on one Saturday per month from 2-10 PM. I recommend going right before sunset to see the contrast between the sun, moon, planets, and stars. There are plenty of grassy areas to have a nice picnic. Admission to the Observatory and parking are free, while $7 pp to see a show at the planetarium theater (dome-like screen in the ceiling). If you're lucky, you might be able to capture an image of the planet Saturn and it's rings with your digital camera peeking through a telescope! In case you can't make it this Saturday, check out the calendar online for the next one because it's usually one Saturday per month.
UPDATE 01/14/10: The 2010 Schedule for the FREE Public Star Parties is now posted online (click HERE): 1/23, 2/20, 3/20, 4/24, 5/22, 6/19, 7/16, 9/18, 10/16, 11/13, 12/11.
UPDATE 02/16/10: Rain is expected on Saturday, 02/20/10, so it will be an "indoor" Star Party (BYOB = Bring your own binoculars). I did receive an email that The Observatory is asking for $20 for non-member admission.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless and out of this world.
Click here for map
UPDATE 01/14/10: The 2010 Schedule for the FREE Public Star Parties is now posted online (click HERE): 1/23, 2/20, 3/20, 4/24, 5/22, 6/19, 7/16, 9/18, 10/16, 11/13, 12/11.
UPDATE 02/16/10: Rain is expected on Saturday, 02/20/10, so it will be an "indoor" Star Party (BYOB = Bring your own binoculars). I did receive an email that The Observatory is asking for $20 for non-member admission.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless and out of this world.
Click here for map
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
3. Pumpkins = Yummy Treat
This is your chance to be creative AND spontaneous... Surprise your partner by taking him/her to a pumpkin patch to select your pumpkin (one is ideal for teamwork). After the "lobotomy" (as my significant other called it), start roasting the seeds, so that the this tasty treat will be ready when the real fun starts (carving, that is). Here's a trick for you: To help separate the pulp, the seeds will float to the top in a bowl of water. Also, boil the seeds for 10 minutes prior to baking for a toasty finish. Being my first time, I tried an easy recipe from the Food Network (salt, pepper, and garlic powder) with a longer bake time. Why not share the fun? Invite friends over for a friendly contest of pumpkin carving. Make sure to proudly display your pumpkin to show off to friends and family. Better yet, take a photo of your masterpiece! 10 Days and counting...
Approximate cost of cheap date idea = $4.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Approximate cost of cheap date idea = $4.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
2. Great Park Pumpkin Harvest - 10/24
This Saturday, October 24th, will be the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Harvest at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine (near the 5/405/133 freeway intersection). Between 1-5 PM, the FREE activities include pumpkin picking (only 1 per child while supplies last!) and decorating, games, kids crafts and activities, a costume parade, Halloween treats, a petting zoo, and more. Not only will this be a fun and unique date, but it's for a good cause! Your date may even give you bonus points when you offer to help them clean out their kitchen cabinet for long-forgotten can food. Admission is free, but parking is $8, so it's a good reason to pick up your date and carpool. Remember to dress warm for this outdoor event. Enjoy!
UPDATE 10/22/10: Annual Great Pumpkin Harvest is back! Enjoy this free fun family-friendly event tomorrow, October 23rd. Click HERE for details.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + $8 parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
UPDATE 10/22/10: Annual Great Pumpkin Harvest is back! Enjoy this free fun family-friendly event tomorrow, October 23rd. Click HERE for details.
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + $8 parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map
Monday, October 19, 2009
1. Go Chicken Dancing at Oktoberfest
The annual Oktoberfest at Old World Village in Huntington Beach is always a good time for friends and family, especially for dates! Where else can you go chicken dancing and get away with it?
Enjoy a beer and brat from Sept. 6th through Nov. 1st, on Wednesdays to Sundays.
Happy Hour is Wednesdays to Saturdays 3:00 - 6:30 PM.
Wednesdays and Thursdays are always free admission.
Sundays are free with the flyer (click here to print).
Fridays before 6 PM are free.
Otherwise, save $5 with the flyer before 7:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Parking is free and easy, especially across the street at the Bella Terra Mall off Beach Blvd.
Cheers!
UPDATE 10/22/10: Click HERE to print the 2010 coupon. Enjoy!
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Can be free! (or $20 on Sat) plus beer and brats.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $30.
Enjoy a beer and brat from Sept. 6th through Nov. 1st, on Wednesdays to Sundays.
Happy Hour is Wednesdays to Saturdays 3:00 - 6:30 PM.
Wednesdays and Thursdays are always free admission.
Sundays are free with the flyer (click here to print).
Fridays before 6 PM are free.
Otherwise, save $5 with the flyer before 7:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Parking is free and easy, especially across the street at the Bella Terra Mall off Beach Blvd.
Cheers!
UPDATE 10/22/10: Click HERE to print the 2010 coupon. Enjoy!
Approximate cost of creative date idea = Can be free! (or $20 on Sat) plus beer and brats.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $30.
Welcome to 365 Cheap Dates!
This website is for YOU. The goal is to share cheap dates ideas for every day of the year! When I say "cheap", I mean at cost that is reasonable and affordable, something that is important to many of us during these economic times. Not only is it for the single man or woman, but also for the married couples seeking something new to do after so many years of being out of the dating scene. The focus will be on the dating scenes in Southern California, primarily Los Angeles (LA) and Orange County (OC), but may include quick getaways, such as San Diego (SD) and San Francisco (SF). Last but not least, YOUR ideas are more than welcome, so feel free to comment here. Follow me on Twitter too! Click here to continue reading for date ideas on 365CheapDates.com.
