Cheap on the Beach

If you were told you could stay on the beach in Southern California for $25 per night, you'd think we were crazy, right? But the ultimate cheapest way to stay here other than crashing on a friend's dirty couch is to camp. If you can get a tent and a sleeping back, you can stay at three beachfront campgrounds: Leo Carillo and Pt. Mugu in the far reaches of Malibu or Doheny State Beach, down in South Orange County. Now, it may not be the Four Seasons, but the Four Seasons doesn't have a property on the sand. (Note: photo courtesy of daytrippen.com, which focuses on Southern California day trips.)

Two for One

Some say Southern California's climate and culture are not unlike that of the ancient Romans. That could be a compliment or a dig, but you can check it out yourself by going to see the Pompeii and the Roman Villa exhibit at the L.A. County Museum of Art on Wilshire ($25/person) then drive up Sunset to the Getty Villa where your museum ticket stub will get you in free without a reservation.

Dirty Dancing...Again

The production of Dirty Dancing at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood is getting past the cheap preview performances and now the company is offering a deal on advance purchase tix. It's $49 per orchestra seat on select Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings (regularly $98) and Friday evenings it's $64. You can also pick up side orchestra seats for $39, from $75. Go here for details.

Getty Update

A hat tip to LA Observed who noted that the Getty Center and the Villa will be offering free parking for evening events and after 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays at the Getty Center. The new parking price at other times is $15.

Neon Tours of L.A.

L.A. is flashy, which is why it's a good idea to visit the Museum of Neon Art downtown. They've got displays of neon signs from long ago and explanations of how it all works. Admission is between $7 and $5 depending on your age. And if you get really interested, try splurging for one of the museum's "Neon Cruises." Each Saturday evening from June through November, a double-decker bus picks you up near the museum and takes you on a unforgettable tour of L.A.'s neon. It's not exactly cheap, $55, but well worth the splurge.

Discounts at the Aquarium

Not far from Disneyland and Knott's is the historic town of Long Beach with its Aquarium of the Pacific. The aquarium is running its "Shark Summer Sundays" promotion, meaning that from May 31 to September 6, the facility is open until 10:00 p.m. Sunday nights. And the best part is that admission on these Sundays after 5:00 p.m. is only $11.95, which is about half-off their regular ticket. The aquarium's Shark Lagoon has more than 150 species of sharks and rays and a pool where you can reach in and touch one. (No refunds on lost fingers!).

Biking in L.A.

You normally don't think of biking in L.A., but a writer from the Toronto Globe & Mail did a great piece about his experience renting and riding through L.A. neighborhoods. He does make it sound as though Southern California isn't bike friendly, but that's not the case. There are hundreds of thousands of bikers roaming nature trails to city streets. Bike rentals are around $25 per day, the story lists a couple of rental locations in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.