Pasadena, so near and yet so far in atmosphere. It’s a small town with a lot of culture. Start with Vroman’s Bookstore. Check out their events page and see if they have a reading, then roam this spacious old fashioned bookstore. On the ground floor they have a bargain section - beautiful art books discounted to a quarter of their price along with children’s books, CDs, and odd things that fit that strange person working in the space next to you. They even have a wonderful coffee shop for a much needed caffeine break.

The  Pasadena Museum of California Art, 490 East Union Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 is  $7 for Adults, $5 for Seniors and Students and free the first Friday of the month. However they have a special offer with the Pacific Asia Museum on Colorado and Los Robles: Attend both museums in the same day and receive 50% off admission at the second museum when you present proof of entrance. Two lovely niche museums for the price of a movie. The Norton Simon has a fantastic collection and beautiful out door area. 

Take a walk down Colorado and enjoy the architecture of Old Town Pasadena, stopping at the Pasadena City Hall Location 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena, CA  91109. You will also pass the Paseo Shopping Center at 280 East Colorado.  They have a huge DSW and a Loehmanns. If you keep going down Colorado you will reach an H & M, they are a fantastic place to pick up that trendy item at a low price. There are eateries for every taste and budget.

Besides the Old Towne area for dining there is also Lake Street  Some great choices are the Roma Italian Deli and Grocer, 918 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104, (626) 797-7748. Just go to the counter and buy some fantastic cold cuts and freshly baked bread. The Corner Bakery is another great spot at 345 S Lake Ave.Pasadena, CA 91101 , (626) 578-1281. They are part of the Lettuce Entertain You chain and that means great quality, huge portions, and a lot of choice. Step up to the counter and leave satisfied.

Drive around and see the old Huntington Hotel, classic craftsman homes, and the Rose Bowl.  People fly across country to enjoy this pocket of Los Angeles. For the rest of us it’s only a short drive.

What is an hour away from Los Angeles? Has a fabulous beach with free parking? And great food? Farm stands galore? Oxnard is a lovely day trip. Exit the 101 and enjoy beautiful vistas, fresh air, quaint shops, and great restaurants.

Walk along beautiful beaches after parking your car for free - yes really free parking. There are miles of uninterrupted sand and natural beauty.

Whale watching takes place almost year-round in the channel around Oxnard.  From the end of December through mid-April, the coastline is rife with gray whales that are migrating from their breeding grounds in Baja California to the nutrient-rich ocean in Alaska.  There are several boat tours  for prime viewing.

And what is California without a wine tasting. Herzog Winery has several tastings and is known for both their kosher and non kosher labels. Pick up some authentic Mexican bake goods at La Central Bakery. 

The McGrath Family Farm, in operation since 1868, has stands with organic produce, fantastic flowers, and you can take a tour for $7 to learn about sustainable farming.

With 35 miles of bike paths and kayak rentals, there is so much to do here you might want to stay overnight. 

The Annenberg Space for Photography is a great destination for those interested in the art of the photo. They have set up an intimate space at 2000 Avenue of the Stars in Century City.  With a design inspired by the photo lens, the space allows viewing each photo without crowding.  This is a very user friendly space with areas for watching videos related to the exhibit and reading photography books.

And this resource is free. How much better could this be? You can also park at the Century City shopping mall for three hours for free or 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.

And even better, they have a free lecture series on Thursdays (reservations are required).

Even though the Frugal Diva is not a sports aficionado, the current exhibit of iconic sports photography by Iooss and Liefer (which has been extended to March 14th) is fabulous.  Along with the photos isa  digital presentation about the featured photographers that gives you insight into their process.  The next show will feature National Geographic photos around the theme of water. And don’t forget about the lectures that illuminate the exhibits.

Break your cable chains.  Stop searching through 400 channels and finding nothing to watch.  Those who are trying to save on cable or giving up cable here is the solution. Hulu.com gives you access to television the way you want it - free, watch what you want when you want, and with the most minimal of commercial breaks (about sixty seconds altogether).  Start a show, stop it, take a break, and finish it later.

My only problem is tearing myself away when I could be watching five episodes of House.  Or catching up on the Jon Stewart Show or the Colbert Report. Actually as I am writing this, I have last night’s Daily Show on. Ricky Gervais is hysterical. Lost fans, here is your chance to figure out what is going on. Foodie fans watch your faves like Giada Cooks Italian and Bobby Flay. Introduce kids to old episodes of your favorites like the Dick Van Dyke show, the Rocky and Bullwinkle show, Sesame Street, and the Benji movies. And they have even more niche items like highlights from the Auto show, interviews with the stars, and the training of Olympic speed skaters.

Investing in a good computer monitor will enhance the experience.  This is a one time expense as opposed to a huge monthly fee.

This is a perfect Frugal Diva experience - all choice and no fees.

A Big Thank You to Jennifer Moss of  BabyNames.com for providing this great list of activities that are free or low cost, build creativity and skills for kids, and are bonding experiences beween parent and child. She did forget to mention  how much fun it is to look up names on her site and things like character tips for writers, what are cool names now and in the past, and games for baby showers. 

1. Your local library - get your child his/her own library card, it makes them feel very important and introduces them to the awesome library system. Make it a weekly trip and allow them to pick out 3 books at a time.  Some municipal libraries even have bookmobiles that may be in your neighborhood!  The library is also an inexpensive place to rent videos. At the Los Angeles Public Library they are usually free!

2. Your local recreation center. Many rec centers (like Westwood on Sepulveda) allow you to swim for a couple dollars per person.  Hours of enjoyment for little money! Rec centers also have affordable summer programs for kids, since they are sponsored by the city.

3. After school day care: LAUSD public schools have a free after school program called “YS” (Youth Services).  Take advantage of this if you can’t pick up your child and don’t want to pay a babysitter! YS coordinators are usually teachers from the school and they do outdoor activities with the kids they know.

4. Make your own restaurant! For dinner one night, make it fancy without going out!  Type up a little “menu” and play restaurant with your kids. Decorate your table with candles and let them make a centerpiece. Take turns being the “waiter!” Variation:While eating dinner, let your kid pretend they’re you and you pretend to be them. It is very revealing what they say, how they act and how you’re seen from their eyes!  You can also use this opportunity to point out some of their bad habits (like whining or chewing with their mouth open).

5. Have “pioneer night” where no electricity is used. This is harder for the adults than the kids! Can you go one whole night without power? No internet, no tv, no videos! Be creative and spend a whole evening with your kids in the dark! Stock up on candles and flashlights before you do this. It saves on the electric bill AND prepares your kids for emergencies!

6. Don’t have bikes? Rent them! Many of the L.A. beaches have bike rentals. If you don’t have bikes of your own, take the kids down to the beach for the day and rent bikes. For less than $10 you can have a great active day that they’ll love.

7. Bowling! Remember bowling? There are still lanes out there and you don’t even have to keep score anymore! Bowling alleys have many “off” times that are only a couple dollars a game. Check out your local bowling alley and ask for the bumpers for the kids!(Bumpers guaranteed to improve your game too!)

8. Baking. Bake with your kids. It’s fun for them to be part of the creative process and only costs a couple dollars for cake mix and frosting (or cookie dough).

9. Walks, parks and playdates. Take advantage of walking in your neighborhood and local parks. Walk slowly and point out flowers and interesting landmarks to your child.  If they are younger, practice colors and counting (”what color is that flower?”, “How many red cars can you count during our walk?”).  Barter play dates with your kids and their friends.  Play dates are a great way for parents to get “alone time” without paying for sitters.  Take the kids and their friends to the local park!  Better than video games and they won’t get bored as easily! Take a picnic lunch or snacks so they have some downtime between running and jumping! Bad weather? Take them to the mall — most malls have child play-places for free.

10. Share your picture/video camera with your kids. Most kids pick up on electronics quickly, so show them how to use the video camera and tell them to make a TV show all by themselves–with commercials!! It usually keeps them busy for hours and the result is usually hilarious!

If you don’t have kids, many of these activities are fun for adults too!

 The Getty Museums are  free all the time and everyday of the week. They ask only that you pay to park. That means when you bring a carload of guests from out of town, you can take them to see the beautiful Getty, the collections, and the smashing view all for $15 (as of the last time I went and free after 5:00 PM on Saturdays). The more guests, the cheaper the visit, so carpool with four and enter for less then  $4 apiece.  They will be impressed and amazed.  Another great trick is to drop them off, enjoy a few hours of peace at home, wait for the phone call, and pick them up - with no charge at all. They have a fabulous day and you can run errands guilt free.

All the pertinent information is on their visitors page however it does not tell you that this is a spectacular experience.

The Brentwood Getty affords you a view of the city that is unparalled. On a clear day you can see forever and since they are open until 9 PM on Saturdays you can see the city light up at night.  Walk the interesting garden path, see some art, eat at the reasonable cafeteria or coffee kiosks or the more upscale restaurant or bring your own sandwich - they are user friendly to the point of putting out umbrellas for visitors when it’s raining.  They have free talks and tours about the exhibits. They have fee hands on workshops for kids. The one this week end is  Family Drawing Hour: Exploring Color! Saturday February 20, 2010 3:30 PM geared for families with children ages 7 and up.

Saturday Nights at the Getty (formerly Friday Nights at the Getty) is a free, contemporary performance series featuring an eclectic mix of music, dance, theater, and spoken word events in the auditorium. Only reservations are needed. In the summer they have free outdoor concerts and dancing.  And remember parking is free after 5:00 p.m. and the galleries are open.

The Getty Villa  in Malibu is a museum of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. You can view antiquities, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities -plus inspired architecture and gardens with a view of the ocean. There are tours and family activities here also. They also have evening activities with play readings and talks. Parking after 5 PM is free for cultural events.

Did I use the word free too many times? These places are so fabulous it’s amazing they and all the activities are free. Give yourself a treat and enjoy them this weekend!

This is a charming town with a fun main street, beaches, and outdoor activities.  And free parking.  There is something here for a day trip, one night, or two nights. Hotels are in every price range so check your favorite site for the best prices.

On Main Street you can browse through both thrift shops and upscale boutiques. And don’t miss the beautiful beaux arts city hall and the Mission San Bueanventura’s lovely garden. This area is completely walkable with restaurants that include 50s era burger places, Thai, Mexican, Italian, and cafes for a coffee break.

Eleven miles off shore are the Channel Islands National Park .  As you know about the Frugal Diva, walking on the beach is enough of a hike.  However for those who need to explore trips can be arranged through Island Packers, prices vary per season and type of excursion. This is a low-impact adventure and a chance to see sea lions and whales.

On the way home I wanted something fresh, interesting, and inexpensive. The perfect choice is Pho Saigon, 826 N Ventura Rd
Port Hueneme, CA 93041-2647, (805) 240-9334‎.  A fantastic soup loaded with the protein of your choice, rice noodles and gobs of fresh vegetables.  There are many great places in Oxnard so let me know your favorites.

Stop at the Camarillo Outlet Mall.  They have added stores and sales are everywhere.  Now that’s my kind of adventure.

Valentine’s Day has so many possibilities this year. Since it falls on a Sunday you can celebrate love for the weekend or even three days if you have President’s Day off.  Or it’s one miserable day when you are reminded that you are not part of a couple. Don’t worry, the Frugal Diva has suggestions for all.

For those in the mood for a terrific French meal this place is lovely.  Saint Amour in Culver City Dinner will be served from 5pm to 11pm
Regular Menu + 3 course prix fixe @ $49.00 and a Valentine’s Day Brunch

For those who love the out doors commune with nature at these events.

FREE Chinese New Year Celebration
Sat, Feb 13, 5:30 - Temescal Gateway Park, 15601 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades
Come celebrate the Chinese New Year early , and learn more about the traditions that are steeped in animals and nature. Traditional Chinese treats served. Meet in the front parking lot. 1.5 hrs. Program Free, parking $7. Capture a Nature Moment

FREE Meditation in the Mountains
Sun, Feb 14, 5 pm - 6:30 - Franklin Canyon, Sooky Goldman Nature Center, 2600 Franklin Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills
Connect with the spirit of this canyon on this peaceful guided meditation. Bring water. Picnic with your Valentine afterward. Program Free, parking $7.

ALMOST FREE For a family Valentine’s Day enjoy the Santa Monica pier and learn about whales on Sat & Sun, Feb 13 & 14, 12:30 - 5 pm - Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Beach level, Santa Monica Pier
Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium will express its love of the Pacific gray whale by celebrating Whale of a Weekend. Inside the Aquarium, guests can make a variety of whale related arts and crafts - some with a Valentine’s Day theme. Both days will be packed with activities, including: story time, face painting, film screenings and a 2:30 p.m. staff presentation on changing ocean temperatures and how they affect whales, presented in a game show style that will be fun for the whole family. Be sure to stop by to show your love for this magnificent migratory marine mammal. Admission $2, Children under 12 FREE.

FREE Crafters enjoy the Vintage Paper Fair
Sat, Feb 13, 10 - 6 & Sun, Feb 14, 10-4 - Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 N Verdugo Rd, Glendale
Under a Paper Moon you can celebrate Valentine’s at The West Coasts’ biggest antique paper show featuring postcards, photography, labels, local history, prints, Victorian, trade cards, and more vintage paper. Admission free.

FREE Concert at the Getty Center-Mythili Prakash. Parking is FREE after 5:00 p.m. for the Getty Center’s evening hours on Saturdays when they are open until 9:00.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Saturday Feb. 13 - 7:30 p.m. - Getty Center - Reservations required. Visit getty.edu or call (310) 400-7300.
As one of the leading young exponents of Bharata Natyam, the classical dance of southern India, Mythili Prakash brings an intrepid dynamism to the form. In a special program celebrating the connections between music and dance, Prakash performs with an outstanding group of musicians from India and the United States.

LA Street Food Fest on Saturday, February 13th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., over 35 food trucks and vendors, including some from Breed Street, will gather at LA Center Studios on 500 S. Beaudry Ave. in downtown L.A.  

FREE Day at LACMA
Mon, Feb 15, All Day - Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles.  A free day at the museum (all day!) and enjoy the Goin’ South Band’s performance of diverse American folk music at 12:30 and 2:45 p.m. Visitors of all ages are invited to a free day at the museum thanks to Target.

My idea of a great Valentine’s Day is a movie before noon at the AMC Theaters for $7 and dim sum in Chinatown afterwards. 

Divas let me know what is your ideal Valentine’s Day outing. What you do indoors is your business.

As divas, we all need a night out and as we know live theater is an unparalleled experience - it is also an expensive experience. That is why I am going to tell you about a theater ticket service in Los Angeles and New York so amazing that no one even believes it exists. Theater Extras allows you unlimited access to a variety of small and large theaters, musical performances, and special events around town. Memberships may be used in either Los Angeles and New York, so if you travel back east, you can use it to see all that they offer there!

Theater Extras has two levels of membership. The Marquis Plan is $99 per year and entitles its subscribers to up to 2 tickets per event. That means you can bring a friend or spouse, return a social or business favor, or ask someone who is a person of interest romantically. Your guest thinks you shelled out big time for tickets while you smile graciously. The Premier Plan is $175 per year and this package includes up to 4 tickets per performance. Both are based on availability. There is a $4 per ticket processing fee, which is automatically charged to your credit card each time an order is placed.  They donate a portion of all processing fees to Broadway Cares and Equity Fights AIDS.

After 2 or 3 shows you have paid for the membership! You check online for new shows and order any time of the day or night. These include plays at the smaller more intimate theaters and some larger venues too. And some weeks there are also musical events, films, and comedy at various sites around town. If something is booked before you have a chance to order just skip to another play on the list or wait and see if it is available on future dates. Print out a confirmation page and present it at the box office for your tickets.

Could this be simpler? You can go as often as you like, alone or with a guest, see one, two, three or four things in the same week. All for less then $9 per month for the Marquis Plan and $15 per month for the Premier Plan plus $4 per ticket. The best part is attending performances that you never would have even known about and being surprised with a spectacular show.

Go to Theater Extras or email manager Justin Okin ( justin@theaterextras.com)  in Los Angeles for more information. And remember this also includes shows in New York where you can reach them at info@theaterextras.com.  Ask about some of the available shows and prepare to be dazzled.

This is one Disney ride you should definitely take . They have a new program Give A Day Get A Disney Day where you volunteer at one of the listed organizations and redeem your good work for a free day at Disney.

Here are some of the basic rules from their website however please check to get all the details. This program began on January 1, 2010 and continues until tickets are distributed or until December 15, 2010, whichever occurs first. Your voucher for a free ticket must be redeemed by December 15, 2010, and used on the same day of redemption. You must be at least 18 to sign up and children must be at least six to participate. And it is one ticket per person regardless of how many times your volunteer.

Now this is the kind of opportunity that works for everyone. Worthy causes have a great way to get volunteers and you feel great helping others. In the Los Angeles area there are over a 1000 organizations listed. Check your zip code and see what is needed in your area.

Now divas, I know what you are thinking. Do I really want a free day at Disney? Well you have the opportunity to be generous twice. Your free day can be donated to a charity.