Cheap & Cheerful Music History - Grammy Museum - Downtown

Opened just this year, The GRAMMY Museum(corner of Olympic Blvd and Figueroa) occupies four floors of exhibit space at the heart of L.A. LIVE.

The museum's offers cutting edge experiences, films, and exhibits that offer a multimedia and interactive celebration of the power of music. Once visitors enter the museum lobby, they are directed up an elevator to the fourth floor where the "experience" begins.

Ticket Prices are as follows: Adults: $14.95, Students Seniors $11.95, Youth (6-17) and Military $10.95, Children 5 and Under FREE.Something to keep in mind for your visit: parking downtown can be expensive. Rates vary and are subject to change throughout the day. Before 3pm, parking rates start at $8. After 3pm, many lots charge "event parking" rates.The Museum entrance and box office are located off of Figueroa Street.
Box Office Hours Sunday - Friday 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM - 7:30

213-765-6803

http://www.grammymuseum.org/interior.php?section=tickets&page=ticketsindex

Cheap & Cheerful World Class Photography - Century City

The Annenberg Space for Photography (2000 Avenue of the Stars-that's former site of the Shubert Theatre for you old-timers) is dedicated to "exhibiting both digital and print photography in an intimate environment." State-of-the-art, high-definition digital technology, traditional prints by some of the world's most renowned photographers as well as the emerging photographic talents- it's all here!Hours are Wed-Sun: 11am - 6pm. Admission to the exhibits at the Annenberg Space for Photography is free. Some workshops, forums and other special events have registration fees. 1 to 2 hours should be sufficient to take in all the galleries.

Validated self-parking is $3.50 for three hours in the garage directly beneath the building, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Weekdays after 4:30PM and on Saturday and Sunday, parking is a flat rate of $1.00 with validation.

http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/about/hours-info.asp

213-403-3000

Cheap & Cheerful Skateparks - Venice, Simi Valley, Glendale

I'm old enough to remember the drought and water rationing in to 1970's that forced many backyard swimming pools to sit empty. That didn't last long, soon kids all over Los Angeles were grabbing their skateboards and doing all kinds of breath-taking tricks in the first skateboarding "bowls."

Now there are whole parks dedicated to pushing the limit of what one can do on a board with four wheels. For the uninitiated, the venerable Skatelab in Simi Valley offer a 3-hour class for $25.00. For those who already have their own gear, many of these parks have free entry, others list a "moderate" charge.

For a basic overview check out

http://discoverlosangeles.com/play/activities-and-recreation/outdoors-and-sports/skateparks-in-los-angeles.html

For the more serious among you, here is a list of skateparks by county.

http://www.socalskateparks.com/parks/SkateParks?OpenView&count=200


Don't forget your helmet and pads!

Cheap & Cheerful Mexican Culture - Olvera Street Downtown

Looking to take a vacation without leaving town? Olvera Street (845 Alameda Street) celebrates the spirit of Old Mexico ...and early Los Angeles.

Officially known as El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Park, Olvera Street the location of original Pueblo of Los Angeles established in 1781. But this is no dusty monument! The place is alive with music, handcrafted Mexican wares, street performers and a great selection of Mexican restaurants. The colorful village features 27 historic buildings with a traditional Mexican style plaza area. On weekends you can enjoy strolling bollero musicians, Mariachis music and performances by Aztec Indians and folkloric dancing.

Olvera Street is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the City of Angels, and no wonder- it's a great starting point for a day downtown being one block away from Chinatown and across the street from historic Union Station.

Olvera Street is open everyday from 10am -7pm However, some stores may open earlier and close later. Street and lot parking are close at hand.

http://www.olvera-street.com/html/olvera_street.htm

Cheap & Cheerful Paddle Boats -Downtown, Valley

Nothing has the goofy charm of a paddle boat ride.

And in Los Angeles you have a choice of lakes to paddle around! The Westlake neighborhood of downtown has the MacArthur Park and Echo Park; Lake Balboa in Encino also has boats. And the Hansen Dam Recreational Center in Lakeview Terrace maintains a fleet as well. Boats are rented either for a half hour to an hour. Special rates are available for seniors, but $5.00 -$10.00 is a realistic range.

Bon Voyage!

For address, phone and rate information go to:

http://www.laparks.org/info/paddleboat.htm

Cheap & Cheerful Shopping -Santee Alley/Downtown

This blog just simply would not be complete without mention of discount shopping mecca, Santee Alley. (between Santee St. and Maple Avenue from Olympic to 12th Street)

Every major U.S. city has a shopping street like this, and Santee Alley is ours. Located in the LA Fashion District, it is legendary for its amazing bargains. Santee Alley's over 150 stores and vendors sell everything from apparel, accessories, toys, perfume, gift items and much more. Park in a nearby lot (fine for an expired meter is $75.00!) Bring cash and be prepared to haggle. And skip the electronics.

Santee Alley is open 365 days a year, 10am -5pm.

http://www.thesanteealley.com/

Cheap & Cheerful Laker/Clippers Tickets - Online

I have one word for people who just want to see a basketball game for the sake of seeing a game: Preseason. If you have guest visiting, or just want to go ot with friends, a night of professional basketball can be a great time. And if you go through ticketzoom you can save some serious cash.

A recent check showed Preseason tickets for Lakers running $29.00, as low as $4.00 for the Clippers. ( this is of course if you don't mind viewing the games from a higher vantage point.) The price goes up with better proximity--but you knew that.

http://www.ticketzoom.com/ResultsEvent.aspx?event=Los+Angeles+Clippers&pid=589&gclid=CKLesb-a7JwCFRBbagodsFzYiw

Cheap & Cheerful Wine Tasting - Downtown

Since 1917, the Riboli family has run the San Antonio Winery (737 Lamar Street). With land holdings both in Southern and Norther n California, their wine tastings give a sampling of California's finest.

Two tastings are offered: the complementary tasting: offering 3 free samples from a selected list and the Artisan Series tasting: for $8.00 you will enjoy a wine flight consisting of three highly limited reserve wines from the Riboli Family's estates.

Tours of the Los Angeles winery are available Monday - Friday 12 pm - 2 pm on the hour; Saturday - Sunday 11 am - 4 pm on the hour. Reservations are required for tour groups of 8 or more.

A Wine Boutique and the Maddalena Cucina restaurant, are also located at the Winery.

http://www.sanantoniowinery.com/wine-tasting

323-223-1401

Cheap & Cheerful Clothes Shopping - Downtown

Here's a great "two-fer". Shop the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) Scholarship Store (919 S. Grand Avenue) for contemporary clothes and great prices and help support Los Angeles' blossoming fashion talent.
The store is open Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm; Saturday 10am - 4 pm

http://fidm.edu/resources/scholarship-store
213.624.1200

Cheap & Cheerful Women's Spa - Koreatown

For those weary of the hyper-priced spa, Olympic Spa. (3915 W. Olympic Blvd.) is a great escape. Open everyday except December 25 and January 1 from 9am -10 pm, Olympic's "spa rituals" are consistently and considerably less than westside spas. Parking is available in 2 adjacent lots with
tip only valet service.

Take a look

http://www.olympicspala.com/rituals.htm

323-857-0666

Cheap & Cheerful Horse Racing - Hollywood Park/Santa Anita/Del Mar

You don't have to be a high roller to enjoy a day at the races. But it helps to know where the horses are running during the year.

January - mid April the action is at Santa Anita Racetrack (285 W. Huntington Blvd. ) Mid April - mid July, Hollywood Park ( 1050 S. Prairie Avenue) is the place to be. The ponies then head south mid-July to early September to Del Mar Racetrack (2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.). They then return to Santa Anita for September- November, and then the last week of the year and into the new year.

Santa Anita offers General Admission for $5.00, Parking starts at $4.00. Hollywood Park General Admission is $8.00 (FREE on Thursdays), Parking is $3.00. Del Mar has a Stretch Run Admission for $6.00 that is good any day other than opening day. Parking there runs $8.00.


Hollywood Park
http://hollywoodpark.com/visit-ticket-info


Santa Anita
http://www.santaanita.com/content/2008-2009-santa-anita-winter-spring-meet-pricing


Del Mar Racetrack
http://www.dmtc.com/season/tickets/sabo.php