Places to go in LA, OC

MAINSTREAM 8 Cheap alternatives in LA, OC

By KIRSTEN ALTO

For the Daily Titan

A ticket to Disneyland is $56. A ticket to Knott’s Berry Farm is $45. A night at the movies can be $20 with popcorn and candy. Prices on popular events and attractions in Southern California are so much because people are willing to pay.

Students living on a budget do not always have the luxury of endless amounts of cash, but you don’t always have to pay 10 bucks to see poorly rated movies.

Poker Tournaments: Texas Hold’em poker tournaments are so popular, they’ve even replaced hockey on ESPN. You don’t need to be at a casino to play either. FindPokerPal.com, PokerPal.org and LocalPokerPlayers.com will all tell you dozens of local sponsored and non-sponsored, real money and fake money tournaments in your neighborhood. Yes, that’s right, fake money. This event can entertain for hours and is completely free.

Curtis Theatre: Coming up at this 199-seat quaint theatre in Brea, a mere 3 miles from Cal State Fullerton, are live theatrical performances all for under $20 for great seats. Get dressed up and go see a live show locally for much less than the $75 it costs to see hits at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles.

Seal Beach Bay Theatre: This movie theater shows classics such as “Citizen Kane,” “Dracula” and sometimes silent movies accompanied with the live organ. Movies at this theatre cost only $6 with student ID.

International Surfi ng Museum: This Huntington Beach museum is a far cry from most museums. For $2 you can experience the past and present of surfi ng.

“We have Dick Dale’s fi rst guitar [and] movies running constantly from classics to new releases,” said Gary Sahagen, chaiman of the museum.

Going to Los Angeles? Live closer to Hollywood? Just don’t mind a drive?

La Brea Tar Pits: This famous landmark may seem like something you’d only go to on a third grade fi eld trip, but it can be and educational. For $4.50 students can see fossils and artifacts from the area, look at timelines and shop. Afterwards, take a walk around outside and see the real tar pits and some dig sites where there are skeletal remains being discovered everyday. This part is free!

The Museum of Neon Art (Mona): Yes, there is a museum of neon art. According to its Web site, Mona was founded 24 years ago to show off art and educate the public on the cultural history

behind electric art. There are signs, vintage and new, and artwork from 24 artists displayed in the Hollywood location. For only $3.50, students can have this unique experience. And, for a little more, you can also take a tour around Los Angeles and look at all the neon lights in Hollywood, including the 150 vintage signs that Mona has helped relight.

The Getty: The Getty Museum of Art is so well known and yet, barely anyone considers going there for an afternoon. With tens of thousands of art pieces, ranging from paintings to sculptures to furniture, the museum has six buildings fi lled with exclusive works of art. And if you don’t fancy art, go for the modern architecture and the view surrounding the museum. It will fi ll up the whole day, so plan to bring a lunch or eat at the onsite café. Did I mention the Getty is free?

GABRIEL FENOY/Daily Titan The Garden at the Getty offers beauty at no charge.