After a long week of work, you have a limited amount of time to unwind and relax. Naturally, you want to get the most out of your weekend, though you may wish to avoid spending too much to do so. Luckily, there are plenty of low-cost and no-cost activities available to those who look for them. Here are our recommendations for budget-friendly weekend activities near El Monte, California.
Los Angeles Badminton Meetup
The Los Angeles Badminton Meetup is a group of badminton enthusiasts who regularly get together to practice the sport. Even if you’ve never played badminton, you’re welcome to join the group and learn the game. The cost to you is minimal: a few dollars for a decent racket and some shuttlecocks. As a new player, you can attend a one-hour Saturday welcome session to learn the basics of the game and become oriented with the group. From there, you can continue to play casually or take advantage of group resources to level up your play.
Locations may vary depending on the occasion. The group reveals venue addresses to members who wish to attend specific events. If you have any questions, contact the group moderator via the Meetup platform.
Vincent Price Art Museum
Named after the legendary actor Vincent Price, the Vincent Price Art Museum is an eclectic collection of artistic creations built on a foundation of donations from Price’s own art collection. Today, the museum houses more than 9,000 pieces, including paintings, prints, and objects spanning multiple traditions and artistic idioms. The permanent collection features pre-Columbian artifacts from Central and South America, including fascinating ceramics and statues. There is also an ever-evolving series of temporary showings, so check the upcoming exhibitions page to stay up to date.
To get to the Vincent Price Art Museum, head to East Los Angeles College at 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez in Monterey Park, California. Admission is free. Though currently closed for August in preparation for fall exhibitions, the museum will return to regular hours in September — Wednesday to Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Call 323-265-8841 or email info@vpam.org if you have any questions.
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center USA
If you’ve never spent a Saturday doing kung fu, here’s your chance. Shaolin Temple Cultural Center USA is a cultural organization whose mission is to educate others about the philosophies and practices of the Shaolin Temple, known as the principal temple of Shaolin Buddhism.
The center offers multiple specialized programs. The Kids and Adults programs focus on teaching the principles of confidence, leadership, responsibility, and goal-setting tailored to the respective age groups. The Teens program focuses on purpose, accountability, self-control, and mentorship. The Health program is about mental clarity, holistic well-being, self-esteem, and motivation. As suggested, kung fu is a key component of each of these. Full participation in a program involves a fee, but you can enroll in a free trial class to gauge your interest.
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center USA is located at 9143 La Rosa Drive in Temple City, California. It operates seven days a week. Inquire about enrollment and class schedules by calling 626-283-0011 or submitting a message via the contact page.
Bridgetown DIY
Now let’s head about 7 miles southeast to La Puente. There, we’ll find Bridgetown DIY, a community center designed to serve as a resource center and meeting space for members of the community. As such, Bridgetown DIY serves as a conduit for arts and music in La Puente. It operates via an open collective, which includes anyone who attends meetings and participates in events. Art shows and live music frequently feature at the center, and the space provides amenities for various artistic endeavors.
Basically, come here, meet interesting people, and enjoy yourself. It costs nothing, though the center does accept donations. To get to Bridgetown DIY, head to 1421 N. Valinda Ave. in La Puente, California. You can reach out to the organization via email at bridgetowndiy@gmail.com.
Los Angeles Conservancy Walking Tours
The Los Angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic buildings in Greater Los Angeles. If you’re interested in getting an up-close look at some of the amazing structures in the area, consider taking one of the conservancy’s regular weekend walking tours. There are several to choose from:
- Angelino Heights: the first Saturday of every month, starting at 9:45 a.m.
- Art Deco: every Saturday at 10:15 a.m.
- Broadway Historic Theatre and Commercial District: every Saturday at 10 a.m.
- Historic Downtown: every Saturday at 10 a.m.
- Modern Skyline: the second Saturday every month, starting at 10:30 a.m.
- Past Meets Present: the fourth Saturday of every month, starting at 10:30 a.m.
- Union Station: every Saturday at 11 a.m.
With that kind of variety, you can take a different walking tour every week for almost two months. You even have the option to arrange a private tour or a group tour. The walking tours aren’t free, but they’re rather affordable. Conservancy members pay just $10 per tour, while non-members pay $15. To become a member, sign up on the conservancy’s enrollment page.
The meeting location varies depending on the tour in question. The conservancy sends location details to participants after registration. If you have any questions about walking tours or other programs, call 213-623-2489 or email info@laconservancy.org. If you have any questions about membership, email member@laconservancy.org.
There you have our choices for budget-friendly activities around El Monte. If you give any of these a try, we’d love to know how it went for you. Let us know by submitting a form through our contact page with your name, email address, phone number, and message. If you’d prefer to speak with an associate directly, feel free to call us at 626-539-2109.
Should you need a vehicle to get to any of the destinations mentioned here, consider browsing our inventory of new Lexus models and used vehicles. When you find something you like, come down to our dealership for a test drive. We’re at 3530 North Peck Road here in El Monte, California, and operate seven days a week. Let us help you find the perfect vehicle for your weekend jaunts.
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