Central Park Huntington Beach, Surf City's Affordable Park

                                              

                                                            Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
                                                              One of the lakes at Huntington Beach Central Park

Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City USA, is known for its attractive beaches. But another local spot that is known for its beauty and affordability is the Huntington Beach Central Park.

Located off of Goldenwest Street, this cost-free park is considered one of the biggest city-owned parks in Orange County, covering over 350 acres of land.

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Video Tour of the Huntington Beach Central Park

Parking there is free, although spots are limited. But, it is walking distance from the local neighborhoods for anyone who doesn't want to hassle with the parking lot.

If you enter the park from Goldenwest Street, there is a little restaurant called The Park Bench Cafe. Opened in the mornings and afternoons all seven days of the week, this cafe provides park patrons a pleasant meal in the beautiful park.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
People in front of The Park Bench Cafe

If the sit-down cafe doesn't fit the budget, bring food and have a picnic at one of the many tables located in the park.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
Picnic tables are provided within the park's grounds

With over 350 acres of land, the park provides a vast opportunity for natural beauty. Take a bike ride, or walk the dogs along the path that wraps around the park. Following this path also makes it more convenient for newcomers navigate around this large park.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
The bike path provides easy transportation within the park

The two lakes adds a little touch of water life within the Huntington Beach Central Park.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
Ducks and other wildlife swimming among the Lake

                                  

                                         Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
                                   One of the other lakes among the tree life at the Huntington Beach Central Park

The free workout areas adds a variety of exercises to help supplement a good walk.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
One of the workout booths to help meet any exercise need.

The beautiful herbal life at this park is magnificent. From large trees, to different colored plants, Huntington Beach Central Park sheds a new light of green nature.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
Many of the trees with their Fall season colors.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
the trees provide the park much of its natural beauty

Whether its a family picnic, or just a walk in the park, Huntington Beach Central 

Park is a great place to get in touch with nature while “saving the green” in your wallet.

Bolsa Chica State Beach, affordable Fun Under the California Sun

The one thing that makes Southern California so unique is its great, year-round weather, and the beautiful beaches! One beach that is great for a budget is the Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, CA.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
Lifeguard tower with the sunset at Bolsa Chica State Beach

Located off of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and just south of Sunset Beach, Bolsa Chica provides affordable fun for everyone.

The beach is open from 6 am-10 pm Monday through Sunday. The regular day parking price is only $15, but Sunset Beach has free parking!

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
Sunset over the ocean. Picture angle facing south towards Sunset Beach

The activities at this state beach are almost endless. Similar to other Southern California beaches, you can surf, swim, sunbathe, and participate in other common beach fun.

Video credit: Michael Palumbo/ Youtube.com

A surfing video at Bolsa Chica State Beach, CA

Bring some fire wood and camp food, because the Bolsa Chica's fire pits are are open year-round at no extra charge. Come early to reserve a pit for your bonfire before they run out!

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
A fire pit used for bonfires at Bolsa Chica State Beach

Want to exercise with a beach view? The free bike path provides bikers, runners, walkers, joggers, roller-bladders and others travelers easy transportation along the beach.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
The bike path that takes you through the whole beach

Bring a motor home or trailer and have a camping experience at the beach! Bring it just for the day, or rent a spot at the campground for a weekend get-a-way. These spots are a little more expensive than the regular fee, but the prices are still reasonable compared to other local beach resorts.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
Camp trailers are allowed access in Bolsa Chica State Parks

Bolsa Chica State Beach also neighbors the Huntington Beach Wetlands. Located on PCH, the Wetlands provide visitors a unique interaction with the local natural life. The Wetlands are free of charge, so it fits any budget size.

Video Credit: John Dutton/Youtube.com
A video for the Huntington Beach Wetland Restoration

Bolsa Chica State Beach is a great place to get outdoors and enjoy the great Southern 

California vibe without a heavy burden on the wallet.

Regency Charter Centre Cinema Huntington Beach: The Wallet’s Friendly Movie Theater

People love going out to the movies, but many fear the theaters will empty their wallet. But fear no more, because the Regency Charter Centre Cinema in Huntington  Beach provides an

affordable movie experience.

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Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth
Neon sign of the Regency Charter Centre Cinema in Huntington Beach, CA

For $3 a regular ticket, and $5 for a 3-D film, the Regency Charter Centre Cinema allows their customers a great movie experience for a fraction of the regular theater price. Even though most of the food prices are similar to a normal movie theater, they do provide delicious hot dogs for only $1!

With about a half dozen movie screens, they show films that are a little older than the larger theaters. This provides a great opportunity for anyone to see a particular film they may have missed in the regular theaters!

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth

Movie goer Amelia Gabriel poses with some snacks in front of a movie entrance

They also keep the same times for their movies for a longer period of time. This allows their frequent customers to familiarize themselves with the film schedule without a constant showtime check-up.

Video Credit: RegencyTheatres/Youtube.com

"Regency Theatres Policy Trailer" shown before the films at the Regency Theaters

The address of the theater is 7822 Warner Ave Huntington Beach, CA 92648. There is also a free, convenient parking garage right next to the theater. Anyone can grab a meal at some of the nearby restaurants before or after the movie. Some of these restaurants include Wahoo’s Fish Tacos and Woody’s Diner, which are both across the street from the theater.

Whether its a date night, or a family day-out, the Regency Charter Centre Cinema is a great 

place for an affordable movie experience!

El Dorado Park West Long Beach Provides Affordable Fun

For some great outdoors fun at no price, El Dorado Park West in Long Beach is a great place to visit! This park is off of Studebaker Boulevard and near the Los Altos baseball field and the El Dorado Nature Center.

One unique element of this park is its beautiful duck pond. It features a large pond with an island, rock fountain, walk path, and picnic benches. It also holds a variety of animals, including ducks, geese, swans, and other unique birds. If you get lucky, you may even spot a turtle out near the water! The dock pond is a great place to take a walk or have a picnic. This duck pond cost absolutely nothing to enter, so it fits any budget!

photo credit: Kyle Wirth

The pond with the island and swimming ducks at El Dorado Park West

Photo credit: Kyle Wirth

Rock fountain that can be see at El Dorado Park West

The skate park is another component featured at the El Dorado Park West. Often called “El-do” by the locals, kids and young adults of all ages show off their skills and “shred” at this popular skate park at no cost.

video credit: Iloveskateparks.com/youtube.com

A tour of the skate park at El Dorado Park West

 

photo credit: Kyle Wirth

Variety of ramps are featured at the El Dorado Skate Park West

 

The 18-hole disc golf course also provides a cost-friendly activity at the El Dorado Park West. The rules are similar to regular golf, but the trick is to throw specialized disks at the target baskets. Its a great competitive activity to play with a group, and the course is free to the public!

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth

A basket for disk golf at El Dorado Park West

There are also a basketball court, volleyball court, baseball and softball fields, a community center, and a park play area.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth

A backstop at one of the baseball fields at the El Dorado Park West.

Whether its a competition among friends, or a leisure walk, the El Dorado Park West in Long Beach is a great place to have fun without a big budget!

Beach area of Downtown Long Beach

Another great area to visit for a relatively low price is the downtown, beach and tourist area of Long Beach, CA. The places in particular are Rainbow Harbor, Shoreline Village, The Pike, and the actual beach.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth

View of the harbor and part of the Downtown area of Long Beach
Now anyone who has traveled down to that area before will know that there are plenty of fancy and expensive places. But in this post, it will focus on the affordable activities in the downtown beach area.

One reason this area of Long Beach is so attractive is the beauty of its location. Its right on the beach, and the harbor design is extremely fascinating. There is a lighthouse on top of a grass hill that is a great walking location, and it provides an amazing view of the area. Its understandable that many big cities has a bad "dirty urban landscape" connotation. But Long Beach’s downtown building landscape and its location right on the water creates its own unique beauty.

Photo Credit: Kyle Wirth

The lighhouse in the Hill in the Harbor area of Long Beach

If the big restaurants intimidates the wallet, Rainbow Harbor and Shoreline Village both have some great food stands and shops that serves affordable meals. Ice cream and funnel cakes are also available for dessert at Shoreline Village. Rainbow harbor and Shoreline Village also sell collectible souvenirs to take home at the end of the day. 

Photo credit: Patty Wirth

View of Shoreline Village, Long Beach

If you get tired of the stores and restaurant, the actual beach is walking distance away. If the walk is too far, take a bike or roller blades for a fun exercise along the bike path.

Whether you love to go to the beach, or to check out some cool shops, the downtown beach area of Long Beach is a great place to tour around for an affordable price.

Video Credit: Long Beach Post/Youtube

Highlights of the 2010 RedBull Flugtag on Rainbow in Long Beach,

USU Center at Cal. State University, Long Beach

      Need a great place to hangout where the price is right? University Student (USU) Center at California State University, Long Beach is a great place to hang for an affordable price.

       

       The USU Center has multiple floors, which includes ballrooms, restaurants and an information booth. But the Union Game Center, which is on the bottom floor, is the best hangout spot.

photo credit: Kyle Wirth

Frontal view of the USU Center from lower campus at CSULB

The Game Center is designed for students in need a good break from the stressful school days. But its open to the public, so everyone can enjoy the great leisure opportunities at the USU Center.

   

With the stick's lounge also available to everyone, enjoy some action-packed video game. Who says video games isn't cool at school?

      

One great element of the USU Game Center is the bowling alley. Set up like a normal alley, this section attracts big groups and couples who want a fun competition. The best part about it is that one game of bowling only $3 for students, $3.50 for CSULB almuni, staff and faculty, and $4 non-students! Those prices are reasonable for anyone with a tight budget!

   

Video credit: fystie01        

Cosmic Bowling at the Bowling Alley in the USU at CSULB

Photo credit: Kyle Wirth

The bowling Alley is a great place for some group fun

Not a bowling fan? No worries, because there are other great activities in the Game Center at the USU. For only $5 an hour for students, pool tables are open for billiard fans in need for some competition.

Photo credit: Kyle Wirth

The pool tables are great fun for the billiard fans. 

     

     For anyone who needs to relax and watch some television, the USU Center has multiple TV areas that provides great entertainment for no price for everyone!

     

 Also, grab a paddle and plastic ball, because ping pong is a great game at the USU Game Center for a great price. Compete with a friend to see who is the "king of the table."

photo credit: Kyle Wirth

Ping pong games are a great way to let off steam

    With the stick's lounge also available to everyone, enjoy some action-packed video game. Who says video games isn't cool at school?

     The USU Center also has a pool for a nice cool dip on a warm day. During the fall and spring semesters, the pool is free for everyone!

photo credit: Kyle Wirth

The swimming pool right outside the USU buiding

    Whether you're a student in need of rest before class,  or a host of a group in need for some fun activities, the USU Center at CSULB is a great hangout spot for an affordable price!