Okay people.... Lots to do and little money to do it, what with furloughs, paying myself first, and finding multiple excuses to visit Yogurtland. Time to get serious about my quest for big fun on a small budget. April is a great month in Southern California. Not only does my birthday occur toward the end of this month, but it is also the beginning of an exciting start to more available free events throughout the summer. I've chosen some of my So Cal favorites below.

1. National Park Week, April 17-25 - Free Access to 392 National Parks incl. Grand Canyon! Click here for details. Go straight to the source fore more details: www.nps.gov
2. Active Arts the Music Center - Los Angeles - Sing, dance, play music, tell stories and just have fun! These opportunities never cease to amaze me. Some events are already in progress. Details here or watch this video.
   
3. Shark Lagoon Nights - Long Beach. Feeling brave? Nothing beats hanging out on a Friday night in downtown Long Beach to "pet" a bunch of sharks. Get up close and personal with bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers as well as rays in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon. Snacks and beverages are available for sale, plus there is often a live band playing. A nice, relaxing Friday adventure. Click here for more details.
4. The Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) - Long Beach. A calendar of events helps you navigate free or inexpensive performances, family fun, adults only nights, and fundraisers. My favorite new addition? En La Noche - Explore a region of Latin America though music, wine and art. A beautiful combination and only $10 for a full evening of fun. Check it out: MoLAA Events.
5. 30-Minute Beach Cleanup - Long Beach - Who knew you could feel so great after spending 30 minutes picking up trash! Granted, it is on the beach in Belmont Shore, but this activity helps maintain the beauty of the area. This Sat., April 17, 10 a.m. will be the 130th consecutive monthly cleanup All cleanups are at 1 Granada Ave., Belmont Shore in Long Beach, 90803. Free parking when you enter the beachfront parking lot from the end of Granada Ave. Check it out! Details here.
   
6. Hollywood Bowl - Visit the the largest natural outdoor amphitheater in the United States! People gather each summer to picnic and enjoy outstanding music under the stars. A wide range of genres and featured arts means you can continue to come back for more and never get bored. Want to learn more? Check out the calendar and get some helpful tips. Go with a group to get some nice group discounts.
   
7. LA Metro Day Pass Adventure on the Blue Line. For $5 you can purchase a day pass and enjoy an entire day of fun exploring from Long Beach to LA. With the Tap card travel is more easy than ever. Not sure how to make the most of your day? Check out these great options: 1 | 2 | 3| 4|
8. Free Downloadable Audiobooks - Long Beach Public Library website. Read a book or have it read to you! Download to your computer or your portable device. Learn more here.
   
9. Long Beach Sea Festival & Parks and Recreation - Summer in Long Beach is full of free concerts, movies at the beach, the Dragon Boat Festival, and much more. Keep your eyes open for details coming soon. Examples: Sea Festival | Municipal Band
   
10. Food, Music, Activity & Cultural Festivals throughout the area: LA Tofu Festival, Lobster Festival, Pride Parades, Long Beach Shakespeare in the Park, Bicycle Festival, Long Beach Blues Festival, etc. My favorite series from 2009 was probably the Long Beach Summer and Music Series (SAM), whcih ended with the Funkfest. See last year's SAM events here. I am hoping summer 2010 will be full of similar fun.
    

This is my short list of favorites. Many of these events may be familiar to you, but when's the last time to took advantage of what this area has to offer? Get out the house and out of your car and explore! There are so many things to enjoy and discover. Let me know if you have anything you want to share and I can pass it along the blog waves and connect people to big fun on a small budget.