The Ponies

So, this option isn't exactly anything out of the ordinary, but it is one that many of us tend to forget about...the race track! Santa Anita (Arcadia) is open from December through April and Hollywood Park (Inglewood) is open from April to July. There are also autumn dates, but they haven't been announced yet. I personally prefer the Santa Anita race track.

It is always great to go to the track with a group of friends and enjoy the races, food and a few drinks, of course. The parks always have some type of promotion going on, so check the park's promotion calendar online and you may benefit from free admission, or a free towel.

Admission for Santa Anita ranges from $3.50 to $20.00 and parking is as little as $4! For more info visit: http://www.santaanita.com/

Admission for Hollywood Park ranges from $7.00 to $20.00 and parking is only $3. For more info, visit: http://www.hollywoodpark.com/

SoCal Savings - For a limited time, Santa Anita race track is offering free admission on Fridays. On Fridays, guests can also get $1 hot dogs, $1 sodas, $1 popcorn & $1 beer. Not so, shabby, huh? The outting can definitely be inexpensive, the key is not to go overboard with the betting!

Murder Mystery Dinners

Several years ago, I participated in a murder mystery dinner in West L.A. I have to admit, it was cheesy, but definitely "different."

Recently, I came across a murder mystery dinner option, except that instead of taking place in a restaurant, this one takes place on a train in Fillmore (Yes, I know, you're probably wondering, where the hell is Fillmore? It is in Ventura County...about 50 miles from Los Angeles).

For approximately $89 per person, you get a 3 course meal and entertainment aboard a train. Interesting, huh? For more info, visit: http://www.fwry.com/

As you'll notice, this company does not just limit their product offering to murder mystery dinners, they offer everything from Margarita Madness Trains to North Pole Express Trains among others. Sounds like LOTS of fun...if you go with the right people!

SoCal Savings - If you're tired of going to the same dive bar for happy hour, I came across a website that you may be interested in checking out: http://alexatucla.tripod.com/cheapdrinks.html. Seems like Alex at UCLA did some research and I don't think we should let it go to waste. The site lists over 50 places in the Los Angeles area where you can get a cheap drink. Cheers! Salud! Kanpai! Proost! Cin cin!

Gondolas in Southern California

When you think gondolas, you probably think Italy, right? Well, guess what? There are gondolas in Long Beach and Newport Beach, too! Yeah, I know, its not the same thing, but with this economy, do you really want to go to Europe where your dollar is worth even less? Hell, with this economy, can you really afford to go anywhere?

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, a gondola ride may be a nice, romantic thing to do with your significant other (if you haven't made any plans...and if it doesn't rain). Check it out!

Long Beach - http://www.gondolagetawayinc.com/

Newport Beach - http://www.gondolas.com/; http://www.gondolacruises.com/

SoCal Savings -If you happen to be in Long Beach, you may want to drop by and visit the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) http://www.molaa.com/. On Sundays, thanks to Target, visitors are admitted for free to the museum (oh yes, and parking is free, too!). For more info, visit: http://molaaprograms.wordpress.com/target-free-sundays-molaa/

The Big Screen

There is a great selection of Academy Award nominated films out right now, but if you've seen them all, there are a few different movies & theaters you may be interested in checking out.

IMAX - Yeah, yeah, I know you're probably thinking, 'eh, big deal,' but they do actually have some amazing documentaries at some of the locations. Presently, at the California Science Center near USC, you can catch Wild Ocean 3-D or Sea Monsters 3-D. You can park for free behind the Coliseum (regular street parking) for up to 2 hours or drop about $8 to park in one of the lots. Parking enforcement is very strict about the 2 hour street parking zones, so I don't recommend you take a chance. http://www.imax.com/

EL CAPITAN - Okay, so this one is geared more towards kids, but I finally went last summer and I liked it. You can park across the street at Hollywood & Highland for up to 4 hours for just $2, just don't forget to validate your ticket at one of the Hollywood & Highland shops (the Nestle Cafe and Auntie Anne's Pretzels are probably your cheapest options if you're watching your wallet). http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/

FAIRFAX SILENT MOVIE THEATER - This one is interesting. 'Built in 1942 by John and Dorothy Hampton, The Silent Movie Theatre ran for decades as the only fully functioning silent movie theatre in the country. It has been fully restored to its original, vintage 1940s art deco design, along with a brand new screen and sound system, to help a new generation enjoy the pleasures of cinema in a beautiful theatre.'

Don't let the name fool you, it isn't just about silent movies at this theater. The theater has an obscure selection of movies on the calendar. If you're interested, they also offer various membership packages starting as low as $25 a month (and there is plenty of street parking available). http://www.silentmovietheatre.com/index.html

LAST REMAINING SEATS and CINESPIA CEMETERY SCREENINGS - These two unique "big screen" options are only available during the summer, so I'll be sure to write about them then.

SoCal Savings -
If you're thinking about going to Magic Mountain DON'T buy your tickets at the park! Instead buy them online and print them at home and you'll save $20 per ticket. Regular admission is $59.99 per adult, but if you plan ahead & get your tickets on the Six Flags website, you can get each adult ticket for only $39.99 and each child ticket for $29.99. For more info, visit: http://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/tickets/index.aspx

And More Food

Last summer, my friends and I decided to take a cooking class through HipCooks (http://www.hipcooks.com/). We were fascinated by the fact that we'd learn to prepare a Spanish feast and we'd get to bring our own wine and drink it while we learned to cook!

We went over a few different recipes:
1. Squid Salad
2. Seafood Paella, Chicken Paella and Chorizo Paella
3. Red-wine Soaked Oranges with Natilla

Each time we finished a recipe, we all sat down together to eat. The recipes were quite easy to follow and the food was delicious! The instructor also emailed us the recipes, so we didn't have to bother taking notes during the class.

The only disappoinment was that due to the strict permits held by the establishment, there was a limit to the amount of wine we could drink during the class. I think that between 12 of us, we only had 4 bottles...that's about 2 glasses each, if that!

If you're interested in taking cooking classes, there are plenty of places to look into in the L.A. area, including HipCooks and Sur La Table. Here is a link from Gridskipper.com, which lists a few other options: http://gridskipper.com/62270/los-angeles-cooking-classes#more

If eating is more your thing, there are several culinary school restaurants where you can get a multiple course meal at an unbelievable price. I haven't tried any of these restaurants yet, but I found write-ups on http://www.chowhound.com/. Check out the restaurant's website to see what is on the menu and what the prices are.

• 561 Restaurant 561 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101, 626.405.1561 http://www.561restaurant.com/
• The School Cafe 561 East Green Street, Pasadena, California 91101, 626.683.7319 http://www.theschoolcafe.com/
• Bistro 31 (Art Institute of Santa Monica) 2900 31st St., Santa Monica, CA 90405, 310-314-6057 http://losangeles.metromix.com/restaurants/contemporary/bistro-31-santa-monica/37823/content
  

SoCal Savings - My blog posting "Ordinary, but Either Free or Inexpensive" was quite popular... I assume that I received a good response because people are being very careful with their money during these tough economic times. The objective of this blog is not to inform you of free or inexpensive outings, but of "different" things to do in the area. Due to the popularity of the posting, however, I've decided to include a "SoCal Savings" blurb in my entries whenever I learn of a great offer.

This week's SoCal Savings is for Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona. If you're not familiar with Glen Ivy, it is a resort that offers mineral baths, a plethora of pools, a red clay mud bath, a spa and anything you need to help you relax, including alcohol. Admission during the week is $48 per person. Through February 26th, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, you can take advantage of 2 for 1 admission for $35! From February 26th through March 18th, the promotion is valid on only Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more info, visit: http://216.74.55.11/index.php/promos/C95/

Food, Food, Food

I'm totally fascinated by food and I'm a sucker for gimmicky restaurants like Korean BBQ (see pictures), Brazilian Churrascarias and Japanese Shabu Shabu. Oh yes, and how could I forget The Melting Pot (http://www.meltingpot.com/). I'm not particularly keen on restaurant chains, but The Melting Pot is definitely an exception.

Then, there are gimmicky menus, let's see, JAR has Mozzarella Mondays (http://www.thejar.com/jar_menu_moz.html), Grace has Doughnut Shoppe Wednesdays (http://www.gracerestaurant.com/index.php/grace_test/articles/dougnut_shoppe_night/) and Campanile has Grilled Cheese Thursdays (http://www.campanilerestaurant.com/).

All very clever, but I came across progressive dining and found the concept to be fascinating. I haven't tried it, but it is definitely on my things to do list. The idea of progressive dining is to have a 3 course meal, sometimes more, across numerous restaurants, instead of just one. So, for example, appetizers are served at one restaurant, the main course is served at another and dessert is served somewhere else. The pros: you get to test out the food and the service at different establishments. The cons: you can't get too comfortable at any one place.

I did some research and found a company, Melting Pot Tours, that offers various progressive dining experiences in the Los Angeles area (http://www.meltingpottours.com/). If you look on http://www.goldstar.com/ sometimes they offer tickets at nearly half price for these tours. If you decide to sign up for goldstar, please use this link: http://www.goldstar.com/tr/nc/6112/908640/?p=f908640ff26&ref=sub908640&mar=news6112

I also came across an even more interesting one that includes water taxi transportation (yup, that's right, a water taxi!), but it is in Oxnard (Channel Island Harbor, to be exact). Be sure to check it out, Progressive Dining (http://www.progressivedining.com/progressivedining/index-1.html#Testimonials). I'll have to test this one out for myself sometime this summer. Sorry, not aware of any coupons/discounts for this tour.

On another note, I found out today that the Queen Mary in Long Beach is offering free admission to Southern California residents throughout the month of January. The admission includes a self-guided tour of the Queen Mary. All you need is a CA ID/Driver's License. Parking is only free for the first 30 minutes, then the prices are as follows: 31 minutes to 1 hour: $3.00; 1 hour to 12 hours: $12.00; 12 hours to 24 hours: $15.00. For more info, visit: http://www.queenmary.com/index.php?page=eventcalendar

Ordinary, But Either Free Or Inexpensive

In light of the economy and the number of people I know that are unemployed, I thought this week I'd write about free and inexpensive things to do, instead of "unusual" things to do. You'd be suprised at all the special offers!

LACMA - The Los Angeles County Museum of Contemporary Art offers "Pay What You Wish" admission any day after 5pm; Free admission on the 2nd Tuesday of the month; and Free Holiday Mondays on various holidays throughout the year. For more info, visit: http://www.lacma.org/info/HoursDirections.aspx#free

MOCA - The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles offers free admission on Thursdays between 5pm and 8pm. This offer applies to MOCA Grand Avenue and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. Admission to the MOCA Pacific Design Center is always free. For more info, visit: http://www.moca.org/museum/visit_home.php

Getty Center & Getty Villa - If you've never been to the Getty, you're missing out. Both locations are absolutely gorgeous and FREE! Parking for either location is $10 per car. For more info, visit: http://www.getty.edu/visit/

The California Science Center - Admission to the permanent exhibition galleries is free, but they do accept donations. Right now they're featuring a DEA exhibit, which is pretty fascinating. For more info, visit: http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/PlanningYourVisit/Hours/Hours.php

Natural History Museum - Admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month. The pictures posted in this entry are for this museum. For more info, visit: http://www.nhm.org/information/

As far as parking is concerned for both the California Science Center and the Natural History Museum, you can park for free on Menlo Ave. between Exposition and King. Right in front of the Los Angeles Swim Stadium, there are several free 2 hour parking spots.

The Skirball Cultural Center - All exhibits are free on Thursdays. For more info, visit: http://www.skirball.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26

Huntington Library - Admission is free to all visitors on the first Thursday of every month with advanced tickets. Hours on Free Day are 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more info, visit: http://www.huntington.org/Information/hours.html

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens - Admission is free on the third Tuesday of the month (the tram is not available on free days). For more info, visit: http://www.arboretum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=getFeature&catagory=about&FeatureID=dcc4890b-0952-11d6-a271-00d0b76949cb&PageNumber=1&CFID=1306186&CFTOKEN=35647931&StoryID=b9e905bc-1e8b-11d7-a27a-00d0b76949cb

Center Theater Group - The Ahmanson Theater, the Mark Taper Forum and the Kirk Douglas Theater make up the Center Theater Group. All 3 of them offer great shows and you can get tickets for as little as $20 through a program called Hot Tix. Apparently, the theater puts aside a small percentage of tickets for each show and sells them for $20 each. The catch is that if you order over the phone, they won't tell you where the seats are located, but if you go to the box office, they'll tell you. If you order over the phone, they'll also mail the tickets to you for free and will not charge you any lousy Ticketmaster fees. I've purchased a few of these Hot Tix seats and I've sat in the front row (on the end), in a box and in the front row, center of the balcony. Not bad, if you're on a tight budget...and aren't picky about your seats. For more info, visit: http://www.centertheatregroup.org/

I also recommend you check out http://www.goldstar.com/. They offer discount tickets to many shows, sporting events, etc in the Los Angeles area. They do have a service fee on each transaction, but its still lower than Ticketmasters' (can you tell I'm not a fan of those fees?). If you decide to sign up, please use this link: http://www.goldstar.com/tr/nc/6112/908640/?p=f908640ff26&ref=sub908640&mar=news6112

Last but not least, if you, like me, have no shame using coupons, you may want to consider getting your hands on an Entertainment '09 book http://www.entertainment.com/. The book offers some great deals (e.g. buy one get one half price or buy one get one free) for restaurants, museums, movie theaters, etc.