cheap, fun things to do

Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap - AC/DC

1. Pamper yourself with Groupon

For all things massage, day spa, and salon. Purchase Groupons on days that they are offering a local deals sale, like an additional 20% off or $10 off $30 or more.  For day spa deals beyond Groupon, Koreatown has a lot of cheap options.

2. Ice Skating at Toyota Center

Public ice skating at Toyota Center is fun! It’s $11 for adults, $10 for kids (12 and under), Senior/Military/Student ID is $8. Skate rentals are $5.

3. Bowling

Most of the AMF’s have been swallowed up by Bowlero chain but the Bowlero’s now have specials on certain days of the week (discounted games and shoe rentals - be sure to check out their “Specials” tab). Also check Groupon for bowling deals in your area. 

4. Karaoke (+ sneak in your own food)

Private Rooms: A lot of karaoke places like Max Karaoke won’t really monitor if you’re bringing in snacks of your own.

Max Karaoke (Torrance & Sawtelle) - Huge and current song selection, Asian Pop included,  book in advanced

The Venue (Koreatown) - 13 private rooms of different sizes, ranging from $50/hour - $120/hour, book in advanced. More strict on monitoring outside food 

Public Karaoke:

Boardwalk (Palms)

They have a small stage, perfect for people who have an inner performer. Get there early to put in your name and song requests (be sure to request crowd pleaser songs so that you have people dancing with you instead of staring at you, waiting in agony for your song to be over). 

Blue Goose Lounge (Los Feliz)

I almost don’t want to even list this one because it’s so good! The bartenders are super friendly and the people that come in are usually those who already know and love the place. As long as you’re a cool person, you’ll have an awesome time; it’s seriously a place where strangers become friends. 

Backstage (Culver City)

It gets really crowded here, they cut the list off pretty early so it’s best to get there before 10 pm if your main priority is getting your chance on the mic. People can also throw wedding receptions and office parties here so on any given day you’ll be competing with that.  

Karaoke Bleu (Sawtelle)

Karaoke is free, with a minimum drink charge. No cover ever. Open 7 days/week 7 pm on with Happy Hour M-Th 7 - 9 pm. They have snacks and drinks (no full kitchen) and usually feature a different $5 shot special everyday. 

I haven’t been, but there’s also:

• Gaslite (Santa Monica)
• Cafe Brass Monkey (K-Town)
• Tattle Tale Room (Culver City)
• Tower 12 (Hermosa Beach) Thursdays only

Karaoke is super fun regardless of whether you’re doing a private room with friends or just going for it in front of a crowd of strangers! Recently I’ve realized that singing badly in front of a crowd of strangers during public karaoke is fun and amusing!

5. Movies... going up on a Tuesday! 

Howard Hughes Cinemark (and all other participating Cinemark locations) has discounted tickets on Tuesday evenings. Additional discounts for students. For summer, also see this ongoing special: (ran Summer 2017)

Cinemark also now has a Movie Club. For $8.99/month you get 1 free movie ticket with your membership (with credits that roll over), 20% off the concession stand and waived online processing fees. Each additional movie ticket during the month is also only $8.99. 

6. hot yoga class

Push your heat-tolerance threshold to the limit and laugh with (and at) each other as you collectively nearly die in class (similar to karaoke, it’s actually more fun if everyone sucks). Places like Bikram’s or Hot 8 Yoga have multiple locations. Hot 8 Yoga offers a free week for new first-time clients.

Free week at Hot 8 Yoga!

7. OC Fair (Costa Mesa) 

Every summer, mid-July through mid-August. Admission is generally around $12/person. If you see a concert at the Pacific Ampitheatre during their Summer Concert Series that also gives you free admission to the fair that day.

*$ave: Check Groupon, some years (so far in 2016 and 2017) I’ve seen them throw discounted admission tickets up ($7) on there for all days except weekends. 

8. Strawberry Festival

Every summer in May. Family or date friendly, enjoy rides, games, arts and craft vendors and a whole lot of strawberry-flavored treats (strawberry beer and cocktails, chocolate covered strawberries, etc) and regular food vendors (burgers, hot dogs, gyros) as well.

*$ave: Check Groupon, some years I’ve seen them throw admission tickets up on there. 

9. Korean spa day 

Deals are on Groupon but also relatively inexpensive at regular price. Korean day spas are a one-stop shop for eating, relaxing, soaking, sauna-ing.

10. Fruit Picking (U-Pick options by city) 

Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara Blueberries

Best for: berries

I love that this farm is all-natural, no sprays. You can eat the berries straight off the vine and it tastes so sweet! Blueberries are in-season end of May to end of June. Raspberries and blackberries in the fall. To berry pick and fill up a tin is $15, but if you come back without the whole tin full, they will charge less. You may also bring outside food and drink and eat on a bench as well. 

Camarillo - McGrath Family Farm

Best for: strawberries and other crop

San Juan Capistrano - South Coast Farms

Best for: strawberries

Leona Valley - Leona Valley Cherry Growers Association

Best for: cherries (multi varieties)

Irvine - Tanaka Farms

Best for: strawberries, vegetables, melons and other tours, no reservation

Moorpark - Underwood Family Farms

Best for: dozens of crop selection, seasonal calendar

Oak Glen - Riley’s

Best for: apples, pumpkins, berries (check the calendar)

11. Community & Hotel Pool Days 

Malibu Community Pool - $3/day

Probably best for lap swimmers, not pool party-goers

Annenberg Beach House - $10/day

Great venue option for small party-oriented pool gatherings

Santa Monica Swim Center - $7 non-resident, $3.50 resident with discounted children and senior rates

Open recreational swimming

Alondra Aquatic South Bay - Free entrance & free vehicle entrance

Great pool & skate venue, close to South Bay beach cities

Also reference these links for more community pools by location:

• LA Parks summer and year-round pool options
• LA City Pools

Hotel Pools (day pass or cabana rentals)

• Intercontinental Century City - $20
• Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey - $40
• W Hotel Beverly Hills - $35
• W Hotel Hollywood - $30

If you have a birthday or a small celebration, rent a cabana for an entire day at a hotel like the Intercontinental DTLA. Per their website, “Poolside cabanas can be rented out for $250 per day plus taxes. Every rental comes with complimentary soft drinks, bottled water, a fruit platter and organic mixed nuts. Cabana experiences can also be upgraded to include other treats such as Moët & Chandon Champagne.” Obviously not the cheapest route, but if you’re looking for something a bit more upscale for your birthday or small celebration then hey, why not.

Resort Pass

Use resortpass.com to get pool, spa and amenity access at luxurious resorts. Book a day pass, spa pass, or cabana. Search by location and hotel, pricing, etc.

Pool Parties

• Summer Fridays at the Highlight Room (Dream Hollywood) Fridays 1 - 6 pm in the summer
• Adlt Swm Pool Parties at The Roosevelt (Hollywood) Sundays 1 - 7 pm in the summer. Tickets listed on Eventbrite. 
• Be sure to use Eventbrite for other free pool party listings, not just those exclusive to The Roosevelt.

12. Turtle Races at Brennan's

Watching turtle racing for sure also falls under my “Unique Experiences” page (internal link) Every third Thursday of the month, Brennan’s in Marina del Rey hosts turtle (yes, literally turtles) racing. It’s inducted into a list of local LA traditions. Brennan’s Irish Pub was recently renovated too, so go for the drinks, the turtles, to check out the new space, or all the above!

13. Secret Shows at Blind Barber

Most people know you can get a haircut out front or bomb grilled cheese in the speakeasy area, but not everyone knows you can see a comedy show on the last Monday of every month at Blind Barber. Good location in Culver City, the show is invite only. Past shows have featured comedians like Dave Chappelle, Kyle Kinane, Ali Wong, and many more. Email barbersecretshow@gmail.com to get on the list. 

*As of February 2018, Blind Barber now also has a Hollywood location (Highland Park)!

14. Game Night at GameHaus Cafe 

You can always host a fun game night at your own apartment or take it to GameHaus Cafe in Glendale if you’d rather pay $5 in reservation fee than clean your living room. Reservation rates are: $5/person Tuesday -Thursday and $10/person Friday - Sunday (these rates are only for reservations, for drop-in visits the rate is still $5 on weekdays and $7.50 Saturday and Sunday). GameHaus boasts a ton of fun game options and extensive food menu. (No food or outside drink, but if you’re having a party you can arrange for a cake to be made by their in-house pastry chef, obviously days in advanced).

15. Get Drunk at Brewport Tap House 

Make drinking more fun than it already is! When you first come in you’ll give your ID and a credit card and they’ll hand you a wristband. You can tap your wristband to keep track of all the beer and wine (60+ selection) you help yourself to. They have a whole wall of beer and wine on tap which makes it a fun, adult version of Yogurtland. (Also check out Brewport’s Tuesday Trivia Nights under my "Unique Things to Do" page under the Entertainment tab).