The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Los Angeles has something for everyone: lifelong residents, the fresh transplant, and the tourist alike. Though there are no earth-shaking secrets revealed, the guide offers a huge selection of ideas readers might have overlooked or forgotten about, or lacked information for. For example, everyone knows you can get tickets to see the huge variety of TV shows filmed here—game shows, talk shows, reality shows, talent shows—but the guide spells out the policies and procedures for each.
It’s an incredibly useful collection of information, ranging from dog beaches and parks to free movie venues, from flea markets to art museums, and it’s presented in a fun way. In addition to attractions and activities, the guide has some great suggestions for low cost services like salon treatments and massage, classes, and healthcare. There’s even a section on housing, which includes hostels and some eco-living options.
The section on transportation will come in particularly handy for those who are new in town. Collins gives a bunch of specific routes to avoid driving on the most congested portions of freeway, an overview of public transport, and explains how to rent a car for $8 an hour for a quick jaunt.
This is anything but a list of things that are cheap and free because they’re boring crap no one wants to do! Visitors and newbies will benefit from the advice of one who has been the outsider before (Collins’ story of visiting L.A. and trying to scarf a Cliff bar while catching a Metro train is hilarious!). Residents looking to shave some dollars off the entertainment budget are sure to appreciate Collins’ sense of what’s fun and interesting…and the knowledge she’s gained about our city since that day on the Metro train platform. Try something new and save a few bucks while you’re at it. Dare ya!
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