138. Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza

Train rides, paddle boats and tandem bikes, oh my!
Both kids and adults can jump on the train at the Irvine Park Railroad every day of the week starting at 10 AM until 5 PM on weekends and 4 PM on weekdays. Train tickets are normally $4 per person, but click HERE to print a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) coupon. Bring a date and enjoy the 12-minute train ride through the Irvine Regional Park. Other fun things to do here year round are:

Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza
Originally uploaded by Irvine Park Railroad

• Paddle boats for $12/hour
• Tandem bikes for $15/hour
• Horse rentals for $40/hour
• Orange County Zoo for $2 per person
• Free walking/hiking (7 trails, 1-4 miles each, see wild flowers too)

For this season, you can also enjoy the Easter Eggstravaganza, open daily until April 3rd because it's closed on Easter Sunday. Admission is free but the family-friendly activities are $4 each, which include an Easter egg hunt (kids only), moon bounce, hay ride, cookie decorating (and eating), and carnival games. Bring a camera to take a silly photo at the free picture stands.

Parking is $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends. Click HERE for  and more info. Check the website for other fun activities throughout the year.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $4 Train ticket w/BOGO coupon + $3-5 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $13 Total.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @DealsDiva and @AAASoCalNews

61. Sunday Brunch & Bowling (& $2 Mimosas)

Think of it as $11 Breakfast Buffet + FREE Bowling + $2 Mimosas!
Bowling is not necessarily my first choice for a date idea, but throw in $2 Mimosas with some bacon and eggs, then it makes it to my list of cheap date ideas, especially for day dates. Concourse Entertainment Center in Anaheim is much more than a bowling alley. With 40 lanes, a full sports bar and grill, and 25 plasma TVs in 42,000 square feet, this place does live up to it's name as an entertainment center. By the way, the website mentions that this "six million dollar facility is ready to cater to your every need..."

World's largest bowling pin
Originally uploaded by photomato

Goldstar.com is currently offering discounted tickets for $11 total per person ($8 ticket + $3 service fee). Only 11 bucks per person?!?! Yesterday I paid more than that for brunch alone! Think of it as Sunday Brunch for a mere $11 with 2 FREE hours bowling + FREE shoe rental. The brunch buffet includes the typical foods: eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, muffins, toast, fruits, juice and coffee. Tickets are available on Goldstar.com for Sundays 9-11 AM throughout the month of January.

To appreciate the true value of this cheap date idea, here's a cost breakdown at full price:
$40 for reserving a bowling lane for 2 hours on Sundays.
$6 for renting 2 pairs of bowling shoes.
Subtotal Value = $46 for 2 people bowling, not including breakfast yet.
$30 breakfast buffet for 2 (estimated).
Grand Total Value = $76 for this cheap date idea.
You can get all of this for only $28 Total!

Other beverages are additional but affordable. Mimosas are only $2 each, while Bloody Mary's, $4. I admit that I'm personally waiting for the Summertime special to come back, "Bowling with Bottomless Mimosas". However, I am not the early bird who catches the worm. If you are like me, then Sunday Fundays (9 PM - Close) may be up your (bowling) alley: $2 games + $2 shoe rental + $2 beers + $2 pizza slices. Have fun!

UPDATE 02/19/10: Tickets are still available for Sunday, Feb 28th (click HERE).

UPDATE 02/28/10: Tickets are available for every Sunday during the month of March (click HERE).

UPDATE 03/22/10: Tickets are available for Easter Sunday Brunch on 4/4 at 10 AM for $15 per person (click HERE). The rest of the Sundays in April are only $8 per person (plus $3 convenience fee).

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $11 per person + $2 Mimosas.
Actual value of the cheap date = $76 Total.