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

8. "Surf City Nights" Fair on Tuesdays

Surf City Nights
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

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.

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

3. Pumpkins = Yummy Treat

Our First Jack-o-lantern
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

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.

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