Cheap Art

To celebrate the big Pacific Standard Time promotion, the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA will be Free this Sunday, October 2. See Under the Big Black Sun, which showcases California art from 1974 to 1981.

Cheap Wheels

This is probably the coolest, cheapest thing to do in L.A. At the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo near LAX on Sundays, you not only get to see some great classic cars, you get to ride in them. Experience the road in everything from a DeLorean to Joe Stalin's 1936 Packard. The museum operates on donations only so be as generous as you can.

Cheap Mummies

See the spectacular Mummies exhibit at the California Science Center and catch one of their IMAX films at a discount. The discount tix are $25.75 for adults, $21.50 for ages 13-17 and $16.50 for ages 5-12.

Cheap Museum

Kids need an education, which is why it's worth taking them down to the California Science Center in Exposition Park near downtown. Parking is around $8, but admission to the main exhibits is free. There's also an IMAX theater with cutting-edge science films with tickets ranging from $5.00-$8.25, and the Exposition Park Rose Garden and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles is within walking distance.

Culture on the Cheap

If theme parks make you gag, let's hope you're in town on May 16. That's when there will be five museums open for free in the Pasadena area. These facilities include the majestic Gamble House, Heritage Square, the Lummis Home and Gardens, the Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum and the Pasadena Museum of History.

Cheap Pasadena

Visitors to L.A. usually look at staying in Hollywood, the Westside, downtown or in OC when they arrive, but they're often missing out. Hollywood is crowded, the Westside is expensive, downtown can be sketchy and the OC is great for Disneyland but you're far from everything in L.A. A good solution: Pasadena. There are some good hotel deals and lots of interesting attractions, especially if you love art and architecture.

Known mainly for the Rose Parade, Pasadena has a great Old Town with lots of restaurants and shops, the incredible Gamble House, a monument to craftsman-style; the Norton Simon Museum; and a little-known personal favorite: a tour of JPL's Space Flight Operations Facility where you can see what's happening in the universe (this one's free, but you have to jump through hoops to get tickets).

The town has lots of expensive hotels, but a cheap place to try is the Pasadena Inn, which is located near Old Town and gave us a price of $86/night for August 21-23, double occupancy.

Free (or Cheap) Museums in L.A.

Of course, a trip to the Getty Museum and the Getty Villa is a cheap must when you're in Southern California, but there are plenty of other cultural attractions in L.A. that won't break your wallet. For instance:

California African American Museum--Located in Exposition Park near downtown, you can find amazing photography, art and history about the area's African-American community.

California Science Center--Also in Exposition Park, they have some amazing exhibits for children and an IMAX theater (you have to buy tickets for the shows).

Fowler Museum--Situated on the UCLA campus, the Fowler features cutting edge art and photography from around the globe.

Hammer Museum--Located near UCLA in Westwood Village, the Hammer is known for its dynamic, challenging exhibits. Thursdays are free, otherwise adults are $7 and kids 17 and under are free.

L.A. Fire Department Museum--A must for any fire department geek, there are two locations, one in Hollywood and one in San Pedro that features fire boats. These museums are only open Saturdays, but they're fun and informative for both kids and their parents.
Paley Center for the Media--Also known as the Museum of Television, this center's collection of old TV shows and memorabilia in the heart of Beverly Hills is a fun way to break up your day.

Santa Monica Museum of Art--Home to some amazing traveling exhibits and known for their special programs.

Traveltown--If there's a train buff in your group, a trip to Traveltown in Griffith Park is essential. You can walk through antique locomotives and passenger cars and kids can ride a small train around that park.

And What NOT to do When it Rains...

When it's cold and rainy, like today, don't go here:

The Getty Museum and Getty Villa--The museum is stunning and a must-see, but part of its attraction is the incredible views of Los Angeles it provides. When it's raining and visibility is down, you'll lose part of the experience. At the Villa near Malibu, the ocean view is part of the attraction and it's best to wait till right after a storm passes to get a look at the collection there.

Magic Mountain--Yes, it's got some of the best roller coasters in the world, but it's no fun cheating death when you're being pelted by water...unless you're 13.

Catalina Island--A choppy boat trip coupled with cold wind and rain equal a miserable time at a location best seen in good weather.

What to do in L.A....

...when it rains. If you're coming during the winter or early spring you've got to be ready for the possibility that there will be some showers or a storm passing through. If there's a rainy day on one of your vacation days, here are some great, cheap indoor ways to spend the afternoon:

Peterson Automotive Museum--California's the heart of the car culture and this edifice, with 300,000 square-feet of rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles is a tribute to our love for motors. There's an interactive center for young children and dioramas explaining how cars work. Admission is $10 for anyone over 12, $3 for children 5-12.

Discover Science Center--If you're in the OC while the water's coming down and you've got antsy kids, consider taking them to this place, which is close to Anaheim in Santa Ana. They've got a 4-D theater, air and space exhibits and an area where you can dig for fossils. Admission is $13 for adults and $10 for kids 3-17. Get 10% off with your AAA card.

Reagan Presidential Library--No matter what your political views, a visit to a presidential library is special since there are so few of them around the U.S. This one is in Simi Valley, which is about a 45-minute drive from the Westside depending on traffic. They've got a Gallery of Presidents, which has memorabilia and clothing from several eras of the White House; a replica of the Oval Office and one of the retired Air Force One jets that you can walk through. Admission is $12 for adults 17-61, $9 for seniors 62 and over and $3 for kids 3-11.