Cheap & Cheerful Brush with Rock Fame - Hollywood

Placed at the threshold of Guitar Center, the Hollywood Rock Walk (7425 Sunset Blvd.) is rock and roll's answer to the Grauman's Chinese theaters tribute to stars. Founded in 1985, Rockwalk features handprints signatures and memorbilia from some of the all time greats.

FREE. But if you must spend something, the gift shop has collectibles.

Mon. - Fri. 10am-9pm. Sat 10am-8pm And Sunday 11-8pm

http://www.rockwalk.com
323-874-1060

Cheap & Cheerful Lakeside Walk - Hollywood

Okay so Lake Hollywood (2600 Lake Hollywood Drive) is actually a reservoir. But by any name, it is an oasis above the noise of the city. Put on your sneakers or bring your bike. And although a star or two has been sighted in broad daylight doing laps, Lake Hollywood is a star in its own right, used as a location for countless movies and TV shows Check out the superb view of Hollywood sign and the sculptures at base of the dam.
FREE Street parking. Park is open Mon-Fri 6:30- 10am, 2-7:30pm & Sat-Sun 6:30am-7:30pm.

http://www.hollywoodknolls.org/hollywood_reservoir.htm

Cheap & Cheerful Movie History -Hollywood

To come to Los Angeles and not see the Forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theater (6801 Hollywood Blvd) is unthinkable.

No where else in the world can you find a collection of film luminaries hand and shoe/footprints. What started as an accident, has evolved into one of the most prestigious traditions in show business. To be invited to lay your hands a feet at the Chinese is a announcement to the world's of one's true celebrity.

There is no charge to view the forecourt, and while you are at it take in the Hollywood Walk of Fame: a collection more than 2,000 five-pointed stars embedded into Hollywood's sidewalk . It features the names of celebritiies and characters honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry.


Best bet for parking is the $2.00 for 4 hours charged at the Hollywood and Highland complex.

http://www.manntheatres.com/chinese/

(323) 464-6266

Cheap & Cheerful Festivals - Greater Los Angeles

Friends have asked why I don't list festivals on Cheap and Cheerful. No argument festivals and fairs are a great, inexpensive way to enjoy LA. But there are SO MANY, it would be a job in itself. So I located two websites that provide this info.

laokay.com lists festivals by hosting city. Which is great if you know how willing you are to travel to a given event. Hotlinks to the festival websites are provided.

http://www.laokay.com/EventsFestivals.htm

eventful.com organizes listings by date, offering list for this week, weekend or month.
Performances and other events are also included in the listings.

http://eventful.com/losangeles/events/categories/festivals_parades?page_number=1

Between the two, I think you will be able to find what you are looking for. Enjoy!

Cheap & Cheerful Global Culture - Fowler Museum/UCLA

Situated on UCLA's beautiful Westwood campus, The Fowler Museum (308 Charles E Young Drive North) explores global arts and cultures with an emphasis on works from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas, past and present. The Fowler seeks to enhance understanding and appreciation of the diverse peoples, cultures, and religions of the world exhibitions, publications, and public programming.

Admission is Free

Pay by Space parking lots are located throughout the UCLA Campus. Maximum charge is $10.00.


The Fowler Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Thursday until 8 p.m. Closed: Monday and Tuesday, and major holidays.

http://www.fowler.ucla.edu

310-825-4361

Cheap & Cheerful Slice of Germany - Torrance

Renowned for its annual Oktoberfest, Alpine Village (833 Torrance Blvd.) is fun place to go anytime of the year. Open 7 days a week from 11 am for lunch and dinner, the village also has 22 specialty shops an an open air market.(which opens at 10am) While a Champagne Sunday Buffet Brunch is available for $17.95, there are many ways to to sample a taste of the Alps.

The authentic Omm Pa Pah brass band is a kick, visitors can also enjoy Latin/Salsa, Big Band and 50/60's rock on roll on various evenings.

And parking is free!

http://www.alpinevillage.net/about
310-327-4384

Cheap & Cheerful Towers - Watts

An "Only in Los Angeles" experience the Watts Towers, (1727 E 107th Street) is a testament to a single man's dedication to a project. An Italian immigrant construction worker, Sabato (aka Sam or Simon) Rodia built The Towers in his spare time over a period of 33 years, from 1921 to 1954.

The Towers are constructed from steel pipes and rods, wrapped with wire mesh, coated with mortar that were embedded with pieces tile and glass. They were then decorated with found objects including bed frames, bottles, ceramics, scrap metal and sea shells. Rodia built them with no special equipment or (so far as is known) predetermined design, working alone with hand tools and window-washer's equipment. Neighborhood children brought pieces of broken glass and pottery to Rodia in hopes they would be added to the project.

Rodia called the towers Nuestro Pueblo, or "our town."

Admission is $7.00 for Adults, $3.00 for 13-17 year olds, 12 and younger get in free

for a complete schedule of hours and tours visit

http://www.wattstowers.us/admission_opening_hours_tours.htm


(213) 847-4646