Expert: Steve Summers - 3/16/2006

Question
Dear Steve,

My husband and I (we are in our late 20's) want to plan a trip to the LA area from NC.  We are on a budget, but want to have a good time.  What are some fun affordable (or free) things to do in the area.  Is there anything that's a MUST DO, even if it's a little expensive?  

Thanks~ Corrina in NC

Answer
Hi Corrina,

SO much to do, so little time.

There are a number of free/cheap things that you can do here in SoCal, depending on your interests. I can give you a few suggestions, and you can do whatever pleases you.

Top ten lists are very subjective, let's start with mine:
Disneyland: "The happiest place on earth" is pretty much at the top of everyone's list. Yeah, it's expensive but here's a very cool trick: Go to eBay, and buy the last day or two of someone else's multi-day ticket. There's a small risk involved, but find someone with good feedback, and you can save a bundle. Also, check out some of my answers in the Disneyland forum about where to eat less expensively and how to make the most of your day at the Disneyland Resort. Ever had a churro? Try one and share it. They're pretty good here.

Universal Studios: A theme park that grew out of a studio tour. Yeah, more bucks. But again, check out ebay. You can find some discouneted tickets there. Definitely worth visiting once. And Universal City Walk is a fun place to hang out in the evening after your day inside the park.

Hollywood: Hollywood Boulevard is ready for its closeup, thanks to years of urban renewal and renovation. Enjoy the Walk of Fame, Entertainment Museum, Mann's Theatre and more. You can see a lot for free, and see if your husband can fill John Wayne's footprints. I like the El Capitan theater, which shows a lot of Disney movies. It has been restored to its former glory, unlike the Chinese, which was essentially gutted and turned into a multiplex.

Rodeo Drive, 90210: Packed with exclusive shops, full of gawkers. They all came to enjoy the excess. Free, unless you intend to buy something.

Venice Beach: Los Angeles kitsch and over-the-top culture at its best. Here you'll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore. Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste.

Sunset Boulevard: Perhaps one of the world's most famous streets, it began as a route between the stars' posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the "Sunset Strip" on its way. It makes for a fun drive. Along the way, you see a lot of different neighborhoods. Hollywood, West Hollywood, Bel Air, and Pacific Palisades. When you get to the ocean, stop at Gladstone's for Fish.

Santa Monica Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. (The Sting and "Three's Company" come immediately to mind). After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach.

Knott's Berry Farm: Knotts' Southern California Resort includes Soak City U.S.A. and a theme park-full of family shows and rides. If money's tight, though, stick with the first two theme parks. For a cheaper time, you can just visit Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner restaurant, just outside the park. Good chicken, mmmm. But if you took my advice and went to Disneyland, you could have had the chicken at the Plaza Inn, which is right up there with Cordelia Knott's chicken.

Queen Mary: Once the largest ship afloat, she's been docked in Long Beach for longer than she sailed, and her elegance never fails to impress. Free to visit. You can actually stay on board, for a price.

Six Flags Magic Mountain: Roller coaster heaven, if you are into such. I used to, but now I'm older and just don't like them as much.

Old Town Pasadena - Historic downtown Pasadena is filled with shops and restaurants, and is a very popular nightspot.

Farmers Market and The Grove - A new shopping complex right next to a Los Angeles landmark, The Grove and Farmers Market coexist. Enjoy a movie or shopping, then take the trolley to the Farmers Market for lunch or dinner. Farmer's Market is right next to CBS, so walk across the lot to see if they are taping "The Price is Right". You might even get in.

Santa Monica Third Street Promenade - Downtown Santa Monica's shopping promenade is often the scene of movie star-sightings. Just a short walk from the Santa Monica Pier.

Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, and Gene Autrey Museum of Western Heritage.

Getty Museum - The Getty's architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art or architecture better (or maybe you'll just enjoy the view), the Getty is sure to please. Free.

Catalina Island - It's in Los Angeles County, but it seems more like it should be on the Mediterranean. Things are different on Catalina. Fish fly. People drive golf carts instead of cars. It's a magical place that not many people realize is there.

Attend a TV taping - You can get free tickets at audiencesunlimited.com, or see the booth at Universal City walk. It's very interesting to see a show being taped. The most popular, by far, is the tonight show. Check the NBC web site for all the details there.

Go to the beach - There are a lot of nice beaches in adddition to the ones mentioned above. Huntington Beach, in the OC, is one of the more famous. But any beach on a warm day is great.

Hope this helps. Have fun!

Steve