193. AVP Beach Volleyball Tourney

Do you need a reason to hit the beach?
As much as I love living by the beach, I'm not a volleyball fan. With that said, I do make a point to partake in the annual AVP Tour. Why? It's the beach scene that makes it a great day date idea, especially for a group date. Game tickets are not free, but walking around the vendor booths is! Some cool freebies include tote bags, frisbees, drinks, snacks and more. Afterward, hit the beach and/or local bars (do it early before everything gets packed).

AVP Hermosa Beach
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

For those who do enjoy professional volleyball tournament games, general admission is $20. For the upcoming game in Huntington Beach, buy tickets online now: (a) save 50% for Friday, June 4th, with a discount code AVPBOGO, so it'd be $10 each -OR- (b) save $5 for the rest of the weekend, $15 pp. More discounts may pop up closer to the other tour dates. By the way, sometimes you can watch the warm-up games for free (just look and ask).

The games bounce across the US beaches during summer, but here's the AVP tournament schedule for Southern California:

• June 3-6 Huntington Beach
• July 16-18 Hermosa Beach
• July 24-25 Malibu
• August 19-22 Manhattan Beach
• September 17-19 Hermosa Beach (finals)

However, if you don't like crowds, then you may want to avoid this event. Parking will not be easy, so carpool and come early. In my opinion, the AVP is worth checking out at least once this summer. As always, don't forget your sunblock, towel, hat, sunglasses, camera and whatever you need for fun in the sun. Click HERE for other free and cheap things to do this weekend, June 3-6th.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.

180. Fiesta Hermosa 5/29-31

Arts & crafts, live music, beer garden by the beach.
Fiesta Hermosa is back again! Actually it happens twice per year on the weekends of Memorial Day and Labor Day. So mark your calendar for Sat 5/29 - Mon 5/31, 3 days of fun under the sun (10 AM - 6 PM). I usually go once or twice per year since this is in my old stomping ground, Hermosa Beach. The arts and crafts are always interesting to see. As for the food booths, the freshly roasted corn is my personal fave. If you have kids, the carnival rides (not free) look like fun too.

Fiesta Hermosa
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

In my opinion, the best part of the festival is the live music at the 2 stages: Main Stage at Pier Plaza & Strand (family-friendly) and Beer Garden Stage at 11th Street & Beach Drive (21+ up). Click HERE to see the full lineup. Some tables and seating are available, otherwise be prepared to mix and mingle through the crowds. A small open area is available for rocking out in front of the stage in the beer garden (good spot for people watching). Drink tickets are usually $5, good for either beer (5 microbrews on tap) or red and white wines. Admission is free to either stage, but the line at the beer garden can get a bit long at times either due to ID check or overcapacity. In that case, the line does move, so check out the rest of the festival and go back when the line dies down.

Admission to all of this is free, but the food and drink can add up. As usual by the beach, parking is limited here. Knowing that, the City of Hermosa Beach offers complimentary off-site parking AND shuttle buses between 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM. For the environmentally-friendly, FREE valet bike parking is being offered 10 AM - 6:30 PM at 11th Street and The Strand. Click HERE for directions and more festival info. If you miss it this time, Fiesta Hermosa will be back in September.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free Admission.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.

116. St. Patrick's Day Parade - 3/13

What are YOU doing on Saturday, March 13th?
Every year, the city of Hermosa Beach hosts a St. Patrick's Day Parade with family-friendly festivities FREE to the public. The start time is 9 AM but the parade doesn't start til 11 AM on the corner of Pier Ave and Valley Drive. This is an easy day date idea by the beach... Just perfect for a picnic, so don't forget a beach blanket and sun block. Oh, and wear something green!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Originally uploaded by .Bradi.

Parking can be tricky due to all the street closures on Pier Ave, Valley Drive and Hermosa Ave, so make sure to arrive early. Street parking is available without permits since it's not peak season unless you are lucky to grab a meter, but that's only good for 3 hours. There is also a free parking lot behind the skate park on the south side of Pier Ave Click HERE for the event flyer.

The festivities wrap up around 2 PM. To continue the fun, check out South Bay Events website (click HERE) for a run down on local bars celebrating that day in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach.

Actual cost of creative date idea = Free Admission.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.

76. FREE Coffee Bean Ice Blended Drinks

Boy, am I feelin' the latte love this week!
After you're done getting your BOGO (buy one, get one) coffee at Peet's Coffee (download coupon from Cheap Date Idea #73), pick up your FREE drink at Coffee Bean & Teal Leaf (CBTL) TOMORROW afternoon. This offer is only good for one day, Thursday, January 14th, 4-7 PM (click HERE for more info, no coupon required). No date is required for this offer, but why go solo when it's one drink free per person?

If you don't like one of the two Ice Blended flavors, they are also offering a free cafe mocha.

Pin It Up.
Originally uploaded by love-letters

By the way, all Coffee Beans offer FREE Wi-Fi, so bring your laptops, if you two are techies. I do have to admit that it's a smart marketing move to force a 10-minute coffee break every 2 hours. It's still not a bad deal, plus it gives a leg up on Starbucks.

I suggesting hitting the Coffee Beans in Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach since those locations are only a block or two away from the beach. While you're at the beach, check out other date ideas in those areas, such as Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach (click on hyperlink or pull-down menu bar above). The MB store has a a good-sized covered patio area if you prefer outdoor seating, while the one in HB offers more tables upstairs. There is a parking structure with cheap meters right behind the CBTL in MB (2-hour limit, 75 cents per hour). Street parking (not metered) in the Hermosa neighborhoods about 2 blocks is free right now during off-peak season until May (double check the street signs when you park).

If you miss out on this freebie, check out Cheap Date Idea #73 before it expires on Monday, January 18th (Martin Luther King's Day). Enjoy!

UPDATE 03/01/10: Come back again for a free drink on Thursday, March 4th, 4-7 PM, for their Spring Peach Tea Party. Enjoy the Peach FruTea or Spring Peach Tea Latte (hot or cold). Click HERE for info, but no coupon is required.


UPDATE 05/09/10: Enjoy a FREE Ultimate Ice Blended drink at a participating CBTL near you on Tuesday, May 11th, at 4-7 PM (click HERE for details). Thanks to Savings Cents with Sense! If you miss that or you want to go on another coffee date, Starbucks is still offering their happy hour: 1/2 off Frappuccinos at 3-5 PM daily until May 19th, so it's like a BOGO deal. Enjoy.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $7.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @FreeFunGuides

20. Sand Snowman Contest - 12/12

SandMan
Originally uploaded by TexturaObscura

Yessirree, Hermosa Beach hosts the Annual Sand Snowman Contest! This must be how Californians compensate for missing seasons. On the bright side, sand snowmen don't melt, so we can thoroughly enjoy our works of art (until high tide, that is). On Saturday, Dec 12th, 9 AM - Noon, check in before 8:45 AM to claim your spot on the beach and start sculpting at 9 AM. Pull out supplies from your closets (nothing new!): shovels, towels, scarves, mittens and accessories for your sand snowman. Also, don't forget your camera to have your photo taken with Surfing Santa! Metered parking usually starts at 10 AM but is free for 3 hours usually during the holidays. After the contest, reward yourselves to a nice brunch at Martha's on 22nd Street (be prepared to wait a bit, especially if you want a spot on the outdoor patio with a peak ocean view). You and your partner in crime have a little over a month to design your Mr. (or Mrs.) Sandman. Good luck!!

Approximate cost of creative date = Free plus brunch is optional.
Actual value of the cheap date = Priceless.
Click here for map

19. Annual Hermosa Tree Lighting - 12/3

Downunder Christmas
Originally uploaded by jayspost

Since the holidays get busy, I'll be posting about upcoming events so you can mark your calendars (and plan your date nights in advance). On Thursday, Dec 3rd, 6-8 PM, the Hermosa Beach Mayor will be lighting the 25-foot tall Christmas tree at the Hermosa Beach Pier. In addition to live music, a special visitor will be arriving directly from the North Pole! So bring your cameras to capture this holiday moment! TIP: The parking meters are normally free for 3 hours during the holidays. Come earlier to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate at Cafe Bonaparte in the Hermosa Pier Plaza, which offers outdoor seating with an ocean view (a casual way to sneak in a sunset moment with your date, hint hint).

Approximate value of creative date idea = Free plus $7 for hot chocolate.
Actual cost of the cheap date idea = Priceless.

18. Buona Vita is Buona Anytime

Buona Vita in Hermosa Beach
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

Buona Vita is my personal favorite Italian restaurant in Hermosa Beach for any occasion, whether it's a first date, your 365th date night or even a group birthday dinner. This cozy restaurant is popular especially during summer time, so the atmosphere is always lively during weekdays and weekends. Since it's first come, first serve, put your name down on the wait list, if there is a wait, then take a quick stroll on The Strand walkway to admire the sunset on the beach.

The menu is quite reasonable (see online), especially after a $25 gift certificate from Restaurant.com, which you can buy online right now for ONLY $4 instead of the regular $10 each. The discount code "harvest" expires on Nov 5th (yes, tomorrow, so I posted this a half-day early), but gift certificates have NO expiration date in the state of California. The minimum food purchase is $50, so you can spend as little as $25 out of pocket. That easily covers appetizer, salad, 2 entrees, and dessert. The best part is that there is no corkage fee at Buona Vita, making it a favorite among the locals to no surprise. TIP: Trader Joes is a fantastic place for picking up a good bottle of wine for about $6-10. Another TIP: Park behind the "Skate Park" about a block away for free or try to find a spot in the neighborhood for free during off-peak season (double check the street signs). Have a buona time!

UPDATE 12/11/09: Sale on Restaurant.com, buy a $25 gift certificate for only $2! Use discount code SHARE until 12/14/09. Metered parking is free for 3 hours during the Christmas holidays in Hermosa Beach.

Approximate cost of creative date idea= $2-4 Gift certificate + $7 Bottle of wine + $25 Dinner.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $70.
Click here for map

12. Laugh at Comedy Shows for $5 - 11/3-11/4

3.5 hours ago (6:30pm Sat.)
Originally uploaded by Peggy_G

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

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.

Mediterraneo
Originally uploaded by « Joseph »

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