Recently in Frugal Fun Category

Olympic Spa
Koreatown
3915 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019

Cost: $15 (and up for additional services)
Parking: Complimentary Valet (just don't forget gratuity!)

A Korean spa, for those of you who've never heard of one, is a spa unlike any you've ever been to. It is a place to shed old skin cells along with all your preconceived notions. When you think of a spa you probably think of private massage rooms, spa robes, candles and soft music. Forget all that before you step into the Korean spa. Massages here are done basically in the open with no draping to cover your..ahem... parts. And the therapists themselves? Well, don't expect them to be cloaked in "professional" attire, their uniform is black bra and panties which is way more than anyone else in the place is wearing. I'm certain reading this probably makes you want to giggle but when you're there it just seems like the natural order of things.

There's something spiritual and empowering about walking around in near silence with beautiful naked women - the kind of beautiful that comes, not from being perfect, fit, or slender but from being open, honest, and WOMAN. Women of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and ages walk proudly through the spa's many rooms joining strangers in a silent soak or a jade steam.

If any of this sounds uncomfortable or you're hung-up about any body issues this IS the place for you. This is a place you can come and be your whole authentic self, any anxieties you might have will melt away with your first communal shower. Did I mention $15 gives you access to all the mineral baths, saunas (steam and dry), and detoxifying oxygen rooms? Besides where else will you have the opportunity to nap next to naked strangers on a jade floor?

The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, California 90049
Admission: Free!
Parking: $15 per car/$0 for motorbikes






On our never ending quest to find cheap/free fun things to do we (re)discovered The Getty Center. The Getty was one of the first places Dominic took me to when we came to L.A. on our honeymoon. It's beautiful and romantic enough for a honeymoon date yet affordable and interesting enough to keep us coming back.

Recently,we heard about the Da Vinci exhibit so we hopped on our scooter and made the drive to see it (for free!). Turns out loads of people were just as interested which made Da Vinci's tiny illustrations a little hard to see. If you could get close enough the Getty provided magnifying glasses through which you could really appreciate the detail and thought in each piece. Overall it was well worth the zero dollars we spent, even if we did have to muscle our way through the crowd.




Additionally, The Getty is a great architectural site to see even if the exhibits don't interest you. Join one of the many (free) guided tours and learn about the meticulous care that went in to building the famous all white grid. Enjoy the many beautiful outdoor spaces and bring a camera for the photo ops!

Between my teaching internship and my husbands rocky architecture career we're hardly raking in the dough of our Hollywood neighbors so we're constantly searching for cheap/free fun things to do around LA. Taking advantage of free things while enjoying the amazing weather is on the top of our fun list and we've fallen in love with many local hikes but as it turns out so has everyone else in Los Angeles. Most nearby hikes feel like secret treasure one day and a crowded dirt mall the next. But that's just LA's m.o., all things wonderful get discovered and devoured in practically the same breath. So we've moved on to a new "secret" that is currently being shared and spread with hopes catching on before its gone again.

Our latest venture is being guided by Charles Fleming's Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles. Fleming has documented and mapped over 40 walks that take you through old neighborhoods and forgotten paths. He includes intriguing and odd details about the walk that connect you to the neighborhood in a unique way.

You can grab a copy of the book or get started with the walks posted on the Secret Stairs site We're definitely enjoying exploring these areas with Fleming as our guide. Happy walking!

I've written in the past about hiking up Runyon Canyon. I previously thought it was a great local place to escape some of the city in favor of nature. Well, it's more like escaping the city for a dusty, hot, dog pee drenched hike through the hills. At least you can let your (good) dog off leash and you're more than likely to see a celebrity in their sports bra.

After a few dozen times up Runyon it began to wear thin. I just didn't want to deal with the parking hassle and dog poo. An alternative came from an unusual place; when we moved into our new accommodations I'd wake every morning and see this lonely little tree perched atop the hill directly across the 101 (a "peak" over from the Hollywood sign):

I began to wonder if it would be possible to hike up to this little tree. Well, thanks to Google Maps and it's satellite imagery I found that there's a visible path all the way up.

The hike is more difficult than Runyon (as most of the trail is a drainage ditch) but the air is cleaner and the views are just as good if not better.

If you'd like to hike it map out 3629 Wonder View Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068 and park as close to the water tower as possible and then look for the path/drainage ditch.