Take the time to explore any number of museums that are free this weekend. MuseumsLA.org has the complete list. This would be a great time to find out about LA’s Chinese heritage with a trip to the Chinese American Museum.  Current exhibits Breaking Ground: Chinese American Architects in Los Angeles (1945-1980) showcasing the architectural achievements of four pioneering Chinese American architects whose contributions were between 1945 and 1980.

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at Yang Chow’s in Chinatown. Try to get there early as the lines can get quite long after six.

When it’s time to go out with friends, try one of these great happy hours at restaurants that are too pricey for dining.

Flemings, an upscale steak house has 5 cocktails, 5 wines by the glass and 5 appetizers. $6 each, served at the bar until 7 PM.

The Yardhouse wins the appetizer selection with half price pizzas, chicken lettuce wraps, and Pastrami, Turkey Burger or Veggie sliders for $6.95.

While McCormick & Schmick’s wins for the best burgers during a happy hour featuring a half-pound cheeseburger along with steamed mussels and more.

Even Mortons gets into the act with bar bites starting at $6 with a newly added smoked salmon pizza.

If you like independent and foreign films, you will love the Laemmle Theaters. Now they have decided to return your affections. They offer a bulk package of 25 tickets for $150 on their website At $6 apiece, this is a great deal!  Split them up and slip two or more  into a Birthday card for a great gift or use them for holiday stocking stuffers.

Now since this is a big upfront price, maybe share it with a fellow movie fan or fans.  Or use the tickets a nice surprise for someone special.

You can form a movie club – five people can go five times and meet for coffee afterwards to discuss the films.  Since the tickets don’t expire, you can set the pace – once a week or once a month.  See “Margin Call” and “The Ides of March” to discuss social issues.   See “J.Edgar” and discuss the moral aspects of decision making.  Since this is Los Angeles, discuss the screenplays and how they can be improved. Catch up on Oscar selections, learn why other people like films that you hate or hate films that you love, and have fun.  This would be a $30 dollar per person investment for five movies, intellectual stimulation, and social activity.

Laemmles Frequent Movie Goer Tickets save you $100 off the admission charge, are good at any Laemmle Theatre, are good on any day, and never expire. There are a few restrictions so please read the web page before buying.

Check out their website for other savings and if you are eligible go for Student Sundays, all shows that start after 6pm on Sundays, Students with ID are $7 AND popcorn: $1 for Small, $1.50 for Medium and $2.00 for Large: (Students with ID only),   Senior Wednesdays or join the Sneak Preview club for free advance screenings.

The Frugal Diva loves to keep up on all the latest news for saving money and saving the planet. Many times these two coincide and what better place to find out then this weekend’s Green Festival LA on Oct. 29 and 30 at the Convention Center. When scrolling down the tickets page, there is a category for FREE tickets in LA. Even if you don’t qualify for any of the criteria, you can still get free tickets from any local Ford dealership.

Youth 18 and under

Students with student ID

Seniors

Bicyclist who park with Green Festival’s complimentary bike valet

LA Metro Pass/TAP Card Holders

Green America Members

Global Exchange Members

Union members with cards

Ford Drive One – Visit your local Los Angeles Ford dealership for complementary Tickets (I’m heading out to Buerge Ford)

Sierra Club – Free Admission to all Sierra Club members with valid membership card

Recycle your old, used electronics at Green Festival Acceptable electronics include: computers, televisions, microwaves and cell phones

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles members with valid membership ID

These festivals are also taking place in NYC and SF. Check out the criteria for free tickets in your city.

Parking can be pricy at the Convention Center so check out the lots a few blocks away. Walking is a very green way to exercise.  See you at the veggie food demo and free yoga classes!

Only Los Angelenos would think that they needed a special day just to walk around downtown. On Oct. 9th we are celebrating CicLAvia!

Ten miles of streets will be safe for people to walk, skate, play and ride a bike. There are also activities along the route. Shop owners and restaurants are encouraged to open their doors to people along the CicLAvia route.  This event connects communities and gives people a break from the stress of car traffic.

Another great way to enjoy LA!

Those who live in Los Angeles know that we have plenty of cultural events besides touring Universal Studios. Pacific Standard Time is a collaboration of cultural institutions celebrating the birth of the L.A. art scene. In October 2011, over 60 cultural institutions will make their contributions to depicting the L.A. art movement from 1945 to 1980. To start off these exhibits and events, there will be a free museum day on October 2nd for those listed on the PST website.

If you can’t make it this Sunday, check out Free Museum Day devoted to showing you how to get in free everywhere in the world. The Frugal Diva always checks this site before going out of town. Why pay when you can just play?

Now Divas occasionally we may have to pay for tickets however there are websites for theaters that make is easy to save on entertainment.

Goldstar has an amazing selection of tickets to theater, sporting events, wine tastings, and even some trade shows. They are in several cities so plan ahead when you are traveling.  I have used this website many times and always got good seats in the promised section and they keep a record of your transactions in case you want to recommend a production.

Theater tickets for a year with a subscription to Theater Extras

Gift Certificates to these sites also make wonderful presents for birthdays and the upcoming holidays. You pick the amount and send it in a Holiday card.  All the time avoiding traffic and parking hassles. That’s how divas do it.

When The Frugal Dude suggested going to Yosemite, The Frugal Diva replied that it was just a bunch of trees.  I could not have been more incorrect. The magnificent vistas, the fresh air, the beautiful meadows of wild flowers, and spectacular waterfalls made me realize that there was a whole world that awaited outside of urban areas. And the other good news, it did not involve any camping. I also believed that you had to pitch a tent and gather berries for sustenance.  Many National Parks have food and accommodations that are reasonable and don’t involve building your own fire. Of course for those who enjoy sleeping in the great outdoors there are numerous camp sites.

Just to make this more fun, these are the 2012 dates when entrance fees are waived.

January 14-16

Martin Luther King Jr. weekend

April 21-29

National Park Week

June 9

Get Outdoors Day

September 29

National Public Lands Day

November 10-12

Veterans Day weekend

Many of your 392 national parks NEVER charge an entrance fee. So start planning your visit!

And if you are over 62 get a Senior Pass for a one time $10 fee.  This is for a lifetime of free admissions.  The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free).

If you plan to visit several national parks in one year, consider the $80 one year pass.

The Frugal Dude was right, the national parks are a fabulous vacation and we have since been to the Grand Tetons, Glacier, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon (the north and south rims), Bryce, Zion and many others.  It is a great reminder what a vast and beautiful country we live in.

Let me know your favorites!

From the West Third Street Blog

West 3rd Street’s unique mix of hip boutiques, stores with flair, and restaurants you adore is having its seasonal sidewalk event for summer. Maybe you have been counting down the days to West 3rd Street’s 2011 Summer Sidewalk Sale since 2010 or maybe you are simply in summer sale shopping mode, excited to save some money at your favorite West 3rd Street’s boutiques and eateries. Well, the time is almost here. Our annual Summer Sidewalk Sale event hits West 3rd Street from La Cienega to Fairfax Saturday August 6th and Sunday August 7th during regular shopping hours. So come help stores get rid of their summer fashions as they make room for their Fall deliveries.

Huge savings. Incredible deals. Tons of cute stuff. Food. Drink. Merriness. Photobooths! See you on the sidewalk!

This is the month that Laguna Beach shines – the art fair, the wonderful downtown, and cheap eats in between the trendier restaurants. Take a day off from the world and step into the leisure atmosphere that makes it quintessential California.

Laguna Beach is famous for its artists’ community. However Art-A-Fair goes beyond to discover artists from around the world and in other parts of the country as well as those who live right here in Laguna.  On weekends, Art-A-Fair bustles with live entertainment and the works of 125 artists. Use the discount ticket on their site to save $3 off the $7 Admission.

The Frugal Diva enjoys walking along the ocean, rather then actually lying on the sand. There is a board walk to roam over the seven miles of beaches and coves for looking into the horizon and enjoying the splashy hotels such as the Montage. Remember sun block and hats since there is little shade.

All that art and walking can make a person hungry. However, I thought this might be the day to eat light and picked the vegan restaurant The Stand with fresh veggie burgers and smoothies. For a more traditional breakfast and lunch try the dog friendly Madison Square, where there are great sandwiches and omelets.

Visitors to Los Angeles, do not miss this unique town and Los Angelenos enjoy a mini vacation only an hour from home.