Being a full-time student and a part-time worker I forget to make time for myself and even worse I forget to make time for my partner.
As much as I would love for the two of us to go on fancy dates and spend over $100 easily on a nice dinner and some drinks. I’m poor. Lately our dates have been spending a good half hour trying to decide on a feature to watch, and falling asleep minutes into the intro of a movie we’d already seen.
So if you’re like me and my partner or maybe you’re just a bit more frugal I made a list of things to do in the LA and Long Beach area that are kind of cheap. Most of these dates cost less than $100.
- Picnics
I love picnics. You plan what you want to take and you can go anywhere. We usually make sandwiches or salads but sometimes I mix it up. It all depends on the theme I’m feeling that day. Themes make picnics way more fun cause I can plan activities around the theme.
- Museums
There’s something about just learning and walking around that just is so relaxing. Trips to local museums are typically pretty inexpensive, and are a great way to enjoy art and culture within your own city. I will always recommend going to a museum.
- Pacific Island Ethnic Museum ($5 per person) https://www.pieam.org
- Museum of Latin American Art ($15 per person) https://molaa.org
- The Long Beach Museum of Art ($12 per person) https://www.lbma.org
- The Getty (Currently Free) https://www.getty.edu
- Outdoor Movies
We go to a few different spots. Movies at the beach should be starting back soon since it’s almost summer. But for now we use these sites cause I dont always want to be in a movie theater. They do play old movies but I like it better than staying at home and watching netflix.
- https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/movies/all-of-las-outdoor-movies-in-one-calendar
- https://www.streetfoodcinema.com/schedule (usually have food trucks)
- https://www.paramountdrivein.com (if you love a classic drive-in theater)
- South Coast Botanic Garden
It’s a pretty place to visit and have picnics on a regular day. But starting on May 25th on Thursdays they are bringing back their Sunset Series. It starts at 5pm and there’s music, food and games we went last year. It’s so fun and only $18 per person.
- LA Smorgasburg
Giant Food Market, need I say more?!? You have to take at least $40 per person, you are going to want to try everything.
- Angel City Brewery
For all my 21+ LA babies. I love this place. They do sip and paint nights and other events
- Golf N Stuff
Sometimes I want to act like a kid and just play minigolf. Their current 2hr wrist bands are $30 per person. Usually they are $40. It doesn’t seem like much but I’d rather save that $20 and spend it on food.
- Pedal Boats
Ever since I saw 10 Things I Hate About You I have been obsessed with pedal boats. They have these all over the place and during covid they got so popular again.
- Happy Hour
Literally any happy hour makes me happy. Check out Playa Amor and Mercado and Bo Beau Kitchen (this one has gluten free and vegan options). I can’t currently remember if UOVO has a happy hour but it’s pretty cheap even without it.
- Go on a scavenger hunt at a department store
I’m definitely not original. I got this idea off of tiktok. My boyfriend and I did this in Target once, and it was one of the most entertaining and thoughtful date nights I’ve had in a while. The rules are simple: Grab a grocery cart, set a budget, grab your things and head separately to checkout. Were competitive so the “winner” was whoever checked out first. The goal of this scavenger hunt is to yield items you think that your partner would love. In the end we were both winners. The things we searched for:
1) Favorite drink
2) Favorite snack
3) Favorite color
4) Something that reminds you of them
5) Something that you think they need