Cheap Disneyland

If you're planning a late summer trip to Disneyland and you're tempted by the park's deal on the Five-Days-for-the-Price-of-Three-Park-Hopper ticket, don't click "Buy" just yet. If you go to Ares Travel, they're offering the same ticket for $5 less: $179 for adults/over 10, and $149 for kids 3-9. If you use all five days going to both parks, that breaks down to $17.90 and $14.90 per visit per person. They also must be used by September 30.

Cheap Silver Lake

It's hard to stay hip in L.A., but not if you're in the near-downtown neighborhood of Silver Lake. Once a rundown area, it's become the hot place to find new restaurants and it's centrally located so you're not too far from Hollywood, the Westside or parts beyond. Checking on a couple of hotels, we found for the weekend of August 13-15, two could stay at the Comfort Inn on Sunset (free wireless, microwave and fridge) for $114/night. Or, go with the Silver Lake Hotel & Suites and its Hollywood views for $120/night. Plan on spending an evening at the El Cid, a classic Silver Lake Spanish restaurant built by D.W. Griffith which features flamenco dancing.

Cheap Movies

Looking for a quintessentially L.A. experience? Check out the "Dive In" movies at the Beverly Hilton. At twilight on Tuesdays and Thursdays between now and September 2, you can go out to the pool area sit and buy drinks, popcorn or dinner, and watch a Hollywood classic that's screened on the 60-foot-high pool wall.

Cheap Convertible

If you're going to rent a car in L.A., and you can swing it, you need to be driving a convertible. Of course, these are usually among the most expensive cars to rent, but there are deals out there. Checking for the weekend of July 16-18, we found Fox Rent a Car has topless PT Cruisers on sale for $65/day plus taxes; Payless Rent a Car can give you a Mustang for $76; and a Mustang Convert from CarRental8 for $61.