20 Secret Bargains of Los Angeles

Amusement park deals are rare, but check with your employer's human resources department, which may have access to them. Or make nice-nice with a Californian, as residents can often get discounted rates at Disneyland (1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, 714/781-4565, disneylandresort.com), Knott's Berry Farm (8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714/220-5200, knotts.com), and Universal Studios Hollywood (100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 800/864-8377, universalstudios.com).

13. More discounts

Disneyland offers multiday discounts and after 4 p.m., Knott's halves admission. Finally, CityPass (citypass.com) offers dynamite $166 ($127 kids) passes that cover the Disney parks, Knott's, SeaWorld Adventure Park, and the San Diego Zoo.

14. Get funky by the sea

Eclectic Venice Beach and its upscale neighbor, Santa Monica, are the most entertaining and accessible public beaches in L.A., with hawkers, bodybuilders, sidewalk shows, and an array of characters. Metered or free parking is usually available a few blocks away (arrive early), and bicycle and in-line skate rentals start at $6.

15. Asian escapes

Sadly, most tourists never discover the streets of Chinatown and Little Tokyo. The "Garden in the Sky" on the third floor of the New Otani Hotel (120 S. Los Angeles St., 213/629-1200), a half-acre version of the historic 400-year-old garden in Tokyo's New Otani, provides much-needed zen relaxation. Try meditating in the hard-to-find James Irvine Garden, tucked under the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (244 S. San Pedro St., 213/628-2725). Or roam Chinatown for exotic treats and collectibles.

16. Worldly flavors

L.A.'s melting pot cooks up some of the best food this side of Tokyo or Tijuana. For Asian fare, try all-you-can-eat sushi and shabu-shabu at Todai (12400 Wilshire Blvd., 310/979-8655) for $14.95 weekdays, $15.95 weekends (lunch $12.95); Sawtelle Kitchen (2024 Sawtelle Blvd., 310/445-9288) for fabulous fish with Japanese flair ($9.95 to $11.95); and Ramenya (11555 W. Olympic Blvd., 310/575-9337) for steaming masses of ramen noodles for $5.75. Yang Chow (819 N. Broadway, Chinatown, 213/625-0811) is known for its $12.75 "slippery shrimp." Latin American contributions include $8.95 Cuban roasted garlic chicken or pork with mounds of rice, beans, and plantains at Versailles (1415 S. La Cienega Blvd., 310/289-0392); and Mexican grub with L.A.'s best homemade tortillas at La Caba a in Venice (738 Rose Ave., 310/392-6161) starting at $8.60.

17. Pillow talk

Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel (8018 Beverly Blvd., 323/651-2441; $84/double) is hip, central, and a good value. Casa Malibu Motel (22752 Pacific Coast Hwy., 310/456-2219; $90/double) is an oceanfront address that won't soak you. For ultrabudget, Hostelling International Santa Monica (1436 Second St., 310/393-9913, hiayh.org; from $30 per person) is beside both the beach and Santa Monica's trendy promenade.

18. Seaside galleries

Santa Monica's Bergamot Station (2525 Michigan Ave., 310/829-5854, bergamotstation.com) is a free collection of small galleries, and the Eames Office Gallery (2665 Main St., 310/396-4677, eamesoffice.com) is the world's most important display of Eames furniture.

19. Fancy footwork

The "beautiful people" stay fit on a multitude of hiking trails, including those in expansive Griffith Park (America's largest urban park). Some trails have close-up views of the beloved Hollywood sign-you'll find trail maps at cityofla.org/rap/grifmet/griffith.htm. The Santa Monica Mountains, including Will Rogers State Park and Runyon Canyon, are also local hiking favorites.

20. Unwinding in Santa Monica

Students at the Shiatsu Massage School of California (2309 Main St., 310/396-4877, shiatsumassageschool.com) provide one-hour rubdowns for a measly $30-less than half the norm. Or stretch body and dollar at the pay-what-you-can Power Yoga Center (522 Santa Monica Blvd., 310/281-1170, suggested: $10).