List: FREE Summer Date Ideas

I was putting together a list of FREE things to do this summer in Orange County and Los Angeles for myself since my future in-laws are coming to visit. I figured that I'd share this with y'all too! This list includes previous date ideas (numbered) plus some new ideas (un-numbered). I did throw in a few items that are $10 or less (AKA cheap). Click on each for more info.

Huntington Beach Pier
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

• 14. FREE Helium Balloon Rides - Thursdays - Sundays at Orange County Great Park.
• 50. Farmer's Market in Santa Monica - Every Sunday 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM.
• 80. Free at LACMA - Free live jazz concerts on Fridays and latin music on Saturdays.
• 91. LA Friday Night Skate - Every Friday night in Hollywood or Santa Monica and then lessons on the first Sunday of every month.
• 104. Shoot Arrows like Cupid - Free archerly lesson every Saturday morning in Pasadena.
• 122. Kayak though Naples Canals - Anytime for only $8 per person.
• 131. Saturday Nights at The Getty - Free outdoor concerts at the Getty Museum on Saturdays through August.
• 140. Last Friday on Main Street, Santa Monica - monthly.
• 146. First Fridays on Abbot Kinney - monthly.
• 179. Summer Live Music at Malibu Wines at Saturdays and Sundays 1-3 PM or Fridays and Saturdays 7-9 PM.
• 181. Greek Fests 2010 - Usually free and once per month at various locations through summer.
• 182. Cinespia Cemetery Screenings - Watch movies under the stars and picnic w/ BYOB & DJ on Saturdays only (not FREE, but only $10 pp).
• 183. Devil's Night Drive-In - Watch movies in a drive-in like good ol' times on Saturdays (not FREE, but only $10 pp).
• 191. Free Bands in the Sand - Free sunset concert at Newport Beach every Saturday through Summer.
• FREE Orange County Great Park Celebration, which includes an aerial show, laser light show, live music and more on Saturday, July 10th 3-9:30 PM). Make sure to combine it with the free helium balloon ride (see #14 above).
• FREE Shakespeare by the Sea outdoor play and picnic on weekends at various locations throughout the summer, dog-friendly too!
• FREE Summer Concert Series in Dana Point, Huntington Beach and throughout Orange County on Sundays and other days (via @JustSpottedOC).
• FREE Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts 7/5-8/31 (click HERE for more info).
• FREE OC Fair 7/16-8/15.
• FREE Movies in the Park at The Grove every Thursday through August.
• FREE Twilight Dance Series every Thursday through September at Santa Monica Pier.
• FREE Dance Downtown at the LA Music Center Plaza on various dates through September.
• FREE Grand Performances at the Cal Plaza every weekend through August.
• FREE Long Beach Sea Festival - Movies at the beach Tuesdays through Thursdays at various locations.
• FREE Jazz Concerts at Hollywood and Highland every Tuesday through summer with an optional $10 wine tasting with apps.
• FREE Pasadena Film Festival every weekend in July.
• FREE Summer and Music Events every weekend through August in Long Beach.
• FREE Concerts in the Park at Manhattan Beach Polliwog Park every Sunday through September, picnic & BYOB.
• FREE Outdoor Cinema Food Fest on almost every Saturday in July and August at Exposition Park plus a few special days at Grand Hope Park and La Cienega Park, showing FREE movies but no picnic required here because food trucks galore show up every time.

Since I am not posting regularly at the moment, this "master list" will be a living document to which I'll add. Feel free to kiss and tell me when you find something free and cheap to do too! Use the comment section below, or submit the Contact Me Form (see at the top menu bar of my blog), or send me a tweet @365CheapDates. Have fun whatever you do!

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.

185. Free Malibu Beach Safari

Let's go on a Malibu Beach Safari!!
Going to the beach is a not a "special" date idea, especially when one lives by the beach. On the other hand, going on a "Malibu Beach Safari"... now that kicks it up a notch! On Sunday, May 23rd, the LA Urban Rangers will help you discover secret but public beach spots along the 20-mile coastline of Malibu. For FREE, learn how to find, park, walk, picnic and sunbathe legally and safely. The 1.5-hour tours are scheduled for 9 AM, 11:30 AM and 2 PM, but the first one of the day is the best to easily find free street parking. Reservations are not required, but it is first come, first serve and the tours start on time. Click HERE for safari details and directions.

Kenya Safari and beach holiday
Originally uploaded by 1denela

Ever since I learned about this activity last year through @unhipLA (click for blog post & Yelp review), I've been waiting for it start up again this summer. To my dismay (because I am already booked), this Sunday's safaris will be the last ones closing the 3-year project. Nevertheless, I am blogging about it now because it sounds like an awesome cheap (actually, it's free) date idea that YOU can go on and then kiss & tell me about it later (Read: please use comment box below). Then you can come back again as a group date and take your friends to areas other than the overcrowded Zuma and Surfrider.

As with all outdoorsy activities, bring sunblock, bottled water, comfortable clothes, snacks, a beach towel and a camera (optional for kiss and tell). If you miss out on Sunday like I will, click HERE for a free downloadable map to go on your own safari another time.

Disclaimer: The photo used here does not represent Malibu, but it just looked cool for my blog post.

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

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.

List: Cheap Dates Ideas at Tide Pools

To answer a Fellow Tweeter's question, what's my favorite cheap date idea?

I'd have to say that my fave ANYTIME date idea is tide pool exploration. Reason: I love discovering new creatures, like the Wavy Turban at Crystal Cove (see my photo below) and seeing what else my partner can find (yes, we are a bit competitive). Moreover, because it's F-R-E-E (usually) and anyone can do it anytime. Well, almost anytime, but it's better at low tide, speaking of which... Saturday, February 27th, marks the winter low-tide, which is expected to be a very popular day for tide pool exploration up and down the coasts.

It's staring at me!?
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

Here's a list of tide pool areas that are offering tours next weekend. Click on each cheap date idea for more info, especially for parking suggestions and an updated schedule of tours..

44. Tide Pools at Crystal Cove: 2/27 2 PM in Newport Beach/Laguna Beach.

57. Tide Pools at Abalone Cove: 2/27 1-3 PM in Palos Verdes.

75. Tide Pools by Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: 2/27 1-2:30 PM in San Pedro.

Other options include Doheny State Beach: 2/27 1-4 PM in Dana Point (click HERE for more info).


Tips: Wear comfy shoes and pants (or shorts, if you like) that you don't mind getting wet and bring a towel to wipe down before getting back into your car. Water bottles, hat, sunglasses and sunblock would be helpful too.

If you know of any other tide pool tours in different areas, let me know! So I now throw the question back to @JasonWheeler and you, "What's your fave cheap date idea?"

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

85. Champagne Brunch Cruise II

It's like a mini-romantic getaway in Newport Harbor!
If you missed out on Cheap Date Idea #65 in Marina del Rey earlier this month, you've got one more chance in Newport Beach this upcoming Sunday, Jan 24th, at Noon-2 PM. Or if you simply loved it so much, you want to go again! Hornblower Cruises does host the same excursion in multiple locations along the coast, including San Diego.

Champagne Breakfast
Originally uploaded by lewishamdreamer

Boarding time starts 30 minutes before the boat disembarks. Once aboard, you two may enjoy a scrumptious brunch buffet plus free-flowing champagne for two full hours while cruising around Newport Beach. Enjoy your breakfast inside, then head outside to enjoy the ocean views with a glass of champagne in hand. Do remember to bundle up with sunblock and sunglasses (and a camera) to thoroughly enjoy your time together outdoors.

Get discounted tickets through Goldstar.com for $35 per person plus a $5 service fee. This does not include the gratuity, which will be suggested at $15 off the original price $55 pp, which is not abnormal to do ($16.50). The convenient parking lot is $8 or park across the way on PCH for free. Although this may not be quite the cheapest date idea yet, it's like a mini romantic getaway that's local and won't break the bank. It's just too bad that they are not offering the same deal for Valentine's. This Sunday is the last date available at the moment for the Champagne Brunch Cruise in Newport Beach, so stay tuned for schedule updates...

UPDATE 02/06/10: New cruise date has been added for Sunday, Feb 21st (unfortunately, not for Valentine's Day). Check Goldstar.com for more dates.


UPDATE 03/10/10: A special cruise for St. Patrick's Day has been added for Sunday, March 14th, at 6:30 PM (board at 6 PM and return by 8:30 PM). Buy tickets online at Goldstar.com  by the Friday afternoon prior to the cruise. Please note that the $20 ticket price + $3.50 Service Fee does include complimentary appetizers, but not alcohol.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $35 Per Person + $5 Service Fee + Tip (or $23.50pp on 3/14).
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $120 Total + Tip.

84. Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

Santa Monica Pier is always a good date idea anytime.
The Heal the Bay Aquarium is open daily except Mondays and some holidays: 2-5 PM on Tues-Fri and 12:30 - 5 PM on weekends during winter (Oct-Mar). The admission fee is $2-5 donation. There are many options for parking as low as free for first 3 hours (check website for map).

Under Water World 2 of 6
Originally uploaded by shannonmaria

For Valentine's weekend, the aquarium is sponsoring "Whale of a Weekend" with family-friendly activities all day. Be aware that it's a kid-friendly place all of the time, so this is something fun to do, but not necessarily the most romantic. If you're lucky to have kids, admission for each child is free with a paying adult during this special event.

I suggest going on Sundays, so you can also grab a coffee and bite to eat at the Farmer's Market in the morning (see Cheap Date Idea #50). Or come later in the day to enjoy the sunset by jumping on the ferris wheel or better yet for free by laying out on the beach.

If you love ocean life, check out the Roundhouse Aquarium at the Manhattan Beach Pier for FREE every day of the year (Cheap Date Idea #6).

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $2-5 Per Person + Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $4-10 Total.

75. Tide Pools by Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Exploring tide pools is a cool AND free day date idea anytime!
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers a FREE 90-minute tide pool tours once per day on most weekends. The walk usually starts anytime between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM, depending on the low tide, with a informative slide show. Then the tour continues long the shore of Point Fermin State Marine Park in San Pedro. The next ones are scheduled for Sat Jan 16th at 2:30 PM and Sun Jan 17th at 3 PM, but click HERE for the online schedule of the rest of the first quarter.

sea star
Originally uploaded
by Stuart Fingerhut

Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year, so a special 2-hour tide pool walk is scheduled for February 14th, 1:30 - 3:30 PM. This is the only tour that is not free, but it's still a cheap date idea at a mere $3 per person. The exploration will not only include the tide pools and salt marsh, but also the examination of fossils, native plants and a beach wreck. Afterward stay an extra hour or two for a romantic stroll along the beach. Bring a picnic blanket or beach towel and maybe chocolates or something sweet to enjoy at sunset...

Outdoor clothing and sneakers are always recommended for tide pool walks. And don't forget sunblock and your camera. Pack a snack and a bottle of water for your beach walk too. I also suggest bringing a towel and plastic bag to wipe off your shoes before getting back into your car (I learned the hard way once).

If you love tide pools, check out Abalone Cove in Los Angeles (see Cheap Date Idea #57) and Crystal Cove in Orange County (see Cheap Date Idea #44). No matter where you are, tide pools are always a nice day date idea by the beach!

UPDATE 03/16/10: Here's the schedule for the next quarter for FREE tide pool tours.

Saturday, March 27, 2010 • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Sunday, March 28, 2010 • 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Saturday, April 10, 2010 • 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Sunday, April 11, 2010 • 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Sunday, April 25, 2010 • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Saturday, May 22, 2010 • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

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

73. Latte Love with Free Coffee

"Buy one, get one free" deals make for a cheap date!
In general, grabbing a cup of joe is a relatively cheap date idea, except Starbucks every day can add up to a pretty penny. Peet's Coffee & Tea is offering a special of "buy one beverage, get one free" now through Martin Luther King's Day (only one week left until Monday, January 18th). Either print the coupon or simply show it on your mobile device at the cash register (click HERE). By the way, you can email this cheap date idea to yourself (and your friends, share the latte love!) by clicking on the white envelope icon next to the orange Share button at the end of this blog post.

DSC01873
Originally uploaded by nicely85

Most coffee shops provide an atmosphere for a casual meet up anytime, especially for a day date (click HERE for more day date ideas). The Peet's on Manhattan Beach Boulevard is an easy 3 blocks from the beach. After coffee, check out the Roundhouse Aquarium at the Manhattan Beach Pier for FREE (see Cheap Date Idea #6). Or find other Peet locations near you online.

If by any chance there is a lull in your coffee conversation, challenge your date! Try to make art out of the foam of your latte or cappuccino (see the heart formation in the photo on right). This is your chance to be creative and romantic. Cheers!

UPDATE 01/13/10: Check out new Cheap Date Idea #76 for a FREE coffee at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL).
UPDATE 01/14/10: Couple your FREE coffee at Peet's with a FREE bagel from Noah's (click HERE for Facebook Fan coupon and use before it expires on Jan 18th). Thanks, @LABargainHunter! For 2-freebies-in-1, the best place to go is Manhattan Beach since both establishments are on the same block. Double yum!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = One FREE beverage + $4.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $8 Total.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @Frugalytics

66. Dolphins & Whales at Dana Point

The first grey whale of the season was spotted on Monday!
Dana Point Harbor boasts a 85% success rate in sighting sea mammals (dolphins and whales). That's not bad for spending 2 hours on a catamaran and $14.50 per person plus $4 Service Fee (tickets are regularly $29 pp). If you are not sure about this, more than 200 people have survived so far and rated this excursion 3 out of 4 stars and another 1,340 reviewers on Zerve.com gave it an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Blue Whale Watching @ Dana Point
Originally uploaded by Jordan Colley Photography

Did you know that Grey Whales swim south to Baja California, passing by Dana Point every year between November through April, while Blue Whales, May through October? The cruises depart daily three times per day, but you can get cheap tickets through Goldstar.com for every weekend this month of January, Fri-Sun at 2 PM. If you prefer weekdays, half-price tickets are available directly through Dana Wharf for Tuesdays throughout the season or on Wednesdays during the last month of the whale watching season, April 2010.

Make sure to be at the dock at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Parking is easy and free for 4 hours. Food and drink are available for sale on the boat. Even though the weather is expected to be partly cloudy and sunny for the next 10 days, make sure to bundle up and wear sunscreen. Don't forget your camera and bring binoculars! Just something cheap and different to do in the OC... outdoorsy and family friendly too!

UPDATE 01/27/10: More dates added for the month of February! Go on Valentine's Day!!

UPDATE 03/11/10: Buy 1/2 price tickets directly on Zerve.com for any Tuesday through April and also on Wednesdays during April at 10 am, Noon, or 2 PM. Zerve's service fee is a little cheaper at $2 per ticket. Dana Wharf guarantees that you will see a whale or come back again for free. Thanks to @DealsDiva for sharing this discount.


UPDATE 03/31/10: This is even a cheaper date! Click HERE for a $15 coupon (regularly $30) for whale watching with Davey's Locker in Newport Beach. Reservation is required, but at least there is no processing fee. Coupon expires May 15th. Say thank you to @SoCalCoupons!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $18.50 Per Person.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $58 Total.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @GoldstarOC

57. Tide Pools at Abalone Cove

Explore nature at the beach = free yet quite romantic!

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is a hidden gem in The City of Ranchos Palos Verdes right off Portuguese Bend. Here you can find 2 beaches (Abalone Cove and Sacred Cove), tide pools, bluff top viewing areas, 2 long yet easy hiking trails, and apparently fighting hermit crabs (see photo on right).

Pick On Someone Your Own Size
Originally uploaded by Nick Carlson

Sea anemones and star fish are also easily visible from the shoreline, but sadly abalone are nonexistent nowadays. A convenient parking lot is available for a mere $5 unless you can snag a spot along Palos Verdes Drive South and don't mind a 5-minute walk from the neighborhoods.

This place gets my vote for one of the best date ideas because it hits 5-in-1 categories: free, day date, romantic, outdoors and active. The park is open daily from Noon - 4 PM on weekdays and 9 AM - 4 PM on weekends, but is closed for some holidays. Make sure to stick around to enjoy the spectacular view of the ocean and Catalina Island during sunset, which is less than an hour after closing during this time of year. If you were not aware, the best time to go is during low tide, so that the most sea life will be exposed. The lowest tide of the year is expected on New Year's Eve around 2 PM. If you want to learn fun facts and don't mind the trek, take advantage of the FREE tide pool tours at Crystal Cove in Laguna Beach (next one is scheduled on 12/31, see Cheap Date Idea #44).

UPDATE 01/09/10: Point Vicente Interpretive Center offers a FREE monthly 2-hour activity, which includes tide pool tours of of Abalone Cove Shoreline Park. Any parking fees at PVIC are waived for 30 minutes before and after the event. Click HERE for a map of PVIC and more info. The schedule for 2010 include the following tide pool tours:
Feb 27th at 1 PM
May 22nd at 10 AM
Sept 18th at 9 AM
Nov 20th at 1 PM
Dec 18th at 12:30 PM.


UPDATE 04/05/10: "A Los Angeles Love" went on Cheap Date Idea #57 last month (read their blog post HERE).

Approximate cost of creative date idea = FREE + $5 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map

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

46. Redondo Beach Xmas Boat Parade - 12/12

Here's yet another free thing to do this weekend!
On Saturday, December 12th from 5:30-7:00 PM, decked out boats (and dinghys as shown in the photo here) will be parading between King Harbor Marina and the Redondo Beach Pier (see route map online).

Santa's... dinghy?
Originally uploaded by snehls

This will be the 18th Annual King Harbor Christmas Parade in Redondo Beach. Come an hour or two early to take a romantic stroll along the one mile of waterfront during sunset. But make sure to stake your spot at one of the many restaurants, the Redondo Beach Yacht Club, the breakwalls or anywhere along the piers. Parking is available in the pier parking structure, Redondo Beach Marina and street parking (meters are free during this time of year). The weather bunny is predicting a 70% of light rain in the 50 degrees range, so bundle up (but I'm crossing my fingers that the weather bunny will be wrong again).

While you are having so much festive fun, why not...

44. Tide Pools at Crystal Cove

A Living Flower
Originally uploaded by ladyinpink_1

The lowest tide of the year is expected on Thursday, Dec 31st, at 2 PM. For this special event, you can go on a FREE guided tide pool walk to Little Treasure Cove, the north-most part of Crystal Cove (meet your guide at Pelican Point). What makes this State Park unique and interesting is the free offering of various docent-led tours every month (check the schedule online for updates). You may visit the tidepools on your own at anytime, but why not learn some new things about sea life for free? If the timing doesn't work, don't worry, most of the tours are normally on the weekends.

The activities at this 3-mile "underwater park" in... Laguna/Newport Beach are non-stop: surfing, scuba diving, skin diving, horseback riding (BYOH, bring your own horse), hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping (not beach camping though and not free). If camping is not your cup of tea, there are some beach-front cottages at various rates. Check the website for more information and online reservations (but it's better to call since these are usually booked way in advance). Enjoy!

UPDATE 12/21: If you love tidepools or the OC is too much of a trek, check out Abalone Cove in Palos Verdes (see Cheap Date Idea #57).
UPDATE 01/02/10: Here are some new FREE events for January 2010. Check back for updates on the calendar online.

• Jan 10th 9 AM Winter at Crystal Cove
• Jan 16th 9 AM Grey Whale Twalk
• Jan 17th 3 PM Sunset Photo Walk
• Jan 24th 3 PM Tidepool Walk to Little Treasure Cove

UPDATE 03/16/10: FREE Events for March: Sunday 3/21 Hike at 9 AM and Sunset Photography Walk at 5 PM; Saturday 3/27 Spring Wild Flower Hike at 9 AM; Sunday 3/28 Tide Pool Walk at 2 PM.

UPDATE 04/16/10: The FREE tide pool walks in April are set for 1 PM on both Saturday 4/24 and Sunday 4/25. Click HERE for the full April calendar of free events.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + $15 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map

34. Bonfire at Aliso Beach

Football
Originally uploaded by joshua_d

A cheap yet romantic date idea...
Aliso Beach Park is one of the bonfire locations that have remained open in California. This flat sandy beach in Laguna Beach is user-friendly: convenient on-site paid parking lot, restrooms, picnic tables, bonfire pits, except it's BYOFW (bring your own fire wood). Duraflame log could run you about $10 and don't forget the matches! I suggest hitting the beach in the early afternoon so you can claim a bonfire pit and set it up before sunset, but you can hang out until closing at 10 PM. Some other free things to do: bring a football, explore the tidepools, wander on the hiking trails, pack a beach blanket and a picnic basket, and don't forget the...

33. Long Beach Turkey Trot - 11/26

Long Beach Turkey Trot - Fourteen
Originally uploaded by Gloomy Little Cloud

I'm still catching up between my Twitter and my blog, so this event has passed and gone. On the bright side, you have 365 days to train for the next one! The Long Beach Turkey Trot is more of a fun charity event than a competitive race, so this is a date idea for people who are active and have a good heart. There are no timers for this 5K/10K run/walk because the $10,000 is donated, but you can see race time on a race clock at the end. To provide some motivation at the finish line, about 400 FREE holiday pies are randomly given away (pumpkin, apple, oh my!). And don't miss the Chicken Chucking Championship!! You can enter the contest for free and try to beat the 2006 champion record of 120-foot throw. Where else can you go on a run/walk near the beach? Save the date for next year, Thanksgiving 2010.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $25 pp early registration + Free parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless + good karma.
Click here for map

28. MB Holiday Open House - 11/18

Merry Christmas!
Originally uploaded by Dan90266

On this Wednesday, Nov 18th, the streets will be merry in Manhattan Beach for their 15th Annual Holiday Open House and 20th Annual Pier Lighting. Live entertainment starts at 5 PM, the pier lighting ceremony at 7 pm, and the festivities come to a close at 9 PM. Carolers and musicians will be strolling the streets to spread the cheer. Of course, Santa and his helpers will be at the pier for photos. The local stores typically provide some kind of beverage or tasty treats for free, which you can enjoy while they decorate their store front windows for the competition. Besides your date and yourself, bring an unwrapped toy for the annual toy drive. Ho, ho, ho!

P.S. If you can get there before sunset, check out the Roundhouse Aquarium on the pier (more info at previous Cheap Date Idea #6).

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map

21. MB Holiday Fireworks Festival - 12/13

Annual Holiday Fireworks
Originally uploaded by 365 Cheap Dates

Come join the crowd at the Annual Holiday Fireworks Festival at Manhattan Beach Pier on Sunday, December 13th. The streets are blocked off for the Snow Park to open at 4 PM and the live bands to play music at 5 PM. Claim your spot on the Strand walkway along the beach before the fireworks display starts at 6:30 PM. The event is open to the public and the parking meters are free during the holidays in Manhattan Beach, but come early or take a cab to beat the crowd. Bundle up because it can get nippy at night during this time of the year!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Click here for map