Free Things to Do in Los Angeles for Mother's Day

If there were a singular incident that brought down our marriage, it was the Mother's Day that came and went practically unnoticed...by one of us.

Not that I expected much of a present. A handmade card and a handheld stroll along the coast would have been just fine, especially in a new Rolls Royce. But none of that was to be. By the time the clock struck midnight and that second Sunday in May slipped away unbowed to my birthright as a Mother, the fairy tale was o-v-e-r. A fleet of Rolls Royce's could not have stopped the marriage breakup. Unless, my ex had been run over by them first.

The 24-hour span marking Mother's Day annually is so sacred it was first acclaimed in the United States from Christian Church pulpits as not just a Holiday, a true 'Holy Day.'

In 1912, Anna Jarvis, carrying forth the legacy of her own mother, who's original mission was to make Mother's Day a tribute to Mothers against war, handed out white carnations to her fellow parishioners at her Episcopal Church meeting.

The carnations, still a Mother's Day tradition, symbolized the "purity of a Mother's love." The ritual caught on and spread among the Nation's predominantly Christian Churches that chimed in with Mother's Day hymns and sermons the next year.

Since ancient times of the Greek Goddess, Cybele, "Great Mother," who was honored at the Vernal Equinox, many cultures and Countries have celebrated a similar day each Springtime.

The U.S. Nation made Mother's Day into official law on May 8, 1914 when the U.S. Congress unanimously approved its enactment and requested a proclamation from President Woodrow Wilson who promptly made one on May 9, 1914. Most recently, in May of 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives reaffirmed the Mother's Day act.
So, dear reader, in these lean economic times, I offer this free advice on no-cost Mother's Day adventures to prevent you from making a costly mistake in defiance of the Church, State and Mother Nature itself. NEVER MISS MOTHER'S DAY even if, like many of us now, you're being frugal...or you're plain broke.

Besides, history-wise, it's hip to be more homespun (or cheap) and less commercial on Mother's Day. In fact, that historic founder broad, Ms. Jarvis, actually trademarked the terms "Mother's Day" and "The Second Sunday in May" trying to prevent her 'Holy Day' from becoming a commercial sell-out.

Her anti-consumerism effort ultimately cost Jarvis her entire inheritance and failed miserably. According to the National Restaurant Association Mother's Day is the most popular dining out day of the year. (C'mon, we all know what that's about: Dirty Dishes!)

We also spend an estimated annual $2.6 billion on Mom's flowers, $1.53 billion on spa treatments and $68 million on Mother's Day greeting cards. And, the Nation's jewelry biz attributes 7.8% of its overall annual revenue to this one of 365 days.

Come Mother's Day morn, no matter how thickly showered in tokens store bought or handcrafted once Mom has sniffed the petals, recited the poems and devoured the chocolates, there's still a good eight hours left of Mother worship to fill before bedtime.

Yes, you'd BETTER pile out of the house fast before the dishes do pile up, or something has to be cooked, cleaned or changed cause it's Mom's day and she rightfully SHALL NOT do it.

Where to go if there's no coin left in your pockets, you've already broken into the kid's piggy banks and can't get a loan? In Los Angeles here's where:

1. LACMA. Los Angeles is home to the museum that houses the largest collection of artwork in the Western United States, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art or LACMA.
The sweet secret is that despite charging rather high admission prices to adults and children alike at the door, with some advance planning children under 17 can be admitted anytime at no cost. One adult is also admitted free anytime accompanying a child or children with registered "Nextgenkids" LACMA passes.

Whoever's the designated parent, whether Mom's at the spa or getting her old fashioned, low-cost Mother's Day massage from Dad while Grandpa holds the prized free adult pass, this LACMA program can keep the entire brood entertained at no cost on Mother's Day and beyond. You must, however, register in advance at: www.lacma.org/programs/NexGenKids.aspx

2. Music - Midtown LA SUNDAYS LIVE AT LACMA. Even if you forget
to register for 'Next Gen,' admission is free for ALL to the Concert Hall at 6:00 pm Sundays. Granted, if you have restless, hip-hop
teeny boppers these are classical chamber music performances but on Mother's Day it's full-on Mom's or, even, Grandma's way.

In fact, if the kids stage a sit-out protest at home you can do what
worked for me once, seize control of every music out-put device
in the household. It's Mom's Day to turn the tables. Viva′
MADONNA...without a headset! "Like a Virgin, woooo...!"

LACMA's near a metro stop, if you kids don't have the usual Mom
taxi, at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036, Bing
Center. Phone: 323 857-6115

3. If MUSEUMS ARE your thing here's a quick, comprehensive take on what's open without charge to the public on Mother's Day.

- California African American Museum (Downtown LA)
http://caamuseum.org/

- California Science Center (near Downtown LA)
http://californiasciencecenter.org/

- Fowler UCLA Museum (Westwood, at UCLA)
http://fowler.ucla.edu/

- The Getty Museum Los Angeles
http://getty.edu/visit/

- The Getty Museum Malibu

4. MUSCLE BEACH. Life is a beach in LA and some of them are 'public' (free) if you count out the tourist swim & sun gear trappings. At Muscle Beach in Venice, on the Santa Monica Pier Mom can chill on the boardwalk in her Sunday frock and take in the 'awesome dude' view from the benches.

This is the famous workout hotspot where 20 years or so hence the likes of our own CA Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger pumped and flexed his well-oiled stuff. The dumbbells are still there. So are the (mostly younger) studs. (Don't Dirty Old Moms need love too?) May make you blush or sweat a little but won't cost a cent with taxes.

For info including a live feed of the action visit:
http://www.santamonica.com/visitors/what%2Dto%2Ddo/attractions/muscle%2Dbeach/

5. THE SOUTHBAY BIKE PATH. Parking near the Santa Monica or ANY coastal Beach is, however far from free. Cut your car motor too close and you could be dipping into your child's college fund to get your ride out of ransom. But if you could use some pumping up yourself, perhaps after dropping Mom off in the muscle zone, you can park miles from costly lots and tow-away zones.

Bring your wheels: bikes, skates, boards or chairs and roll along the scenic coastal bike path that roils near the coast from Redondo to Malibu, passing through Muscle Beach and other scenic points. There are several easterly paths where parking is more freely plentiful that connect direct to the boardwalk.

You can plan your best route from map links found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Strand_(bicycle_path)

Source: http://www.coastalconservancy.ca.gov/Wheel/

6. CALIFORNIA CITRUS STATE HISTORIC PARK, RIVERSIDE. This fragrant, vast Citrus grove is a real treat not a lemon. There are tours or you may roam free, picture perfect picnic places, historic landmark buildings and lots of sweet orange and tangy lemon varieties. You can scoop the fallen fruit and not buy a thing but if the urge to splurge does strike there are unique, precious gifts that Mom will cherish and will make you feel like a big spender, such as a lemon-scented emery board for a couple of bucks.

For map and info: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=649
Or Call: 909-780-6222

7. THE JAPANESE GARDEN. Another different variety of Flora that's off the beaten path but may be close to you, is this lovely traditional Zen garden. There are dozens of surprise plant varieties, a teahouse and a gurgling creek bed meandering through the park. The proprietors call the garden a perfect Yin-Yang experience and it is certainly a wonderful spot to meditate on the meaningful joys of Motherhood.

This haven's incredibly near the freeway at 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, California, 91406.

For map and info: http://www.lacity.org/SAN/japanesegarden
Or Call: 818 756 8166

8. THE KIDS' ADVENTURE GARDEN. This botanical paradise will make Mom feel like a little kid again. Despite the name it's not just kid stuff either. There are even CARNIVOROUS, blood-lusting, live plants. So, watch where you stick your mitts. There's also a tree house, butterfly garden, hydroponic pod, zoo garden and preschooler games and activities.

This one's near the freeway, too, likewise won't cost you any green but you'll see plenty, 33 acres. It closes earlier, at 3:00 pm on Sundays.

Enter at 350 W. Gainsborough Rd. at Jeaunine Dr., between Lynn Rd. and Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks. 805-374-8255

For map visit: http://www.conejogarden.org/KidsGarden.html

9. NOSO POW WOW FESTIVAL. One of the State's newest parklands, the California State Historic Park just northeast of Chinatown will host a special Native American festival this Mother's Day weekend. It's the 14th Annual Pow Wow for the Northern Southern Winds org, a celebration of original American heritage.

ALL are welcome to experience some native food, music, costumes, dances, crafts and cultural activities without getting scalped on prices. There's no admission charge and free to look, listen, learn and even do a little tasting of native, clay-oven baked bread.

For directions and info visit: http://www.nosowinds.org/

10. THE GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY. The best place to observe heaven on Earth may be the view of a child through a Mother's eyes. But the Griffith Observatory is a mighty good alternative for starry-eyed sky watchers and serious scientists outside of NASA.

This is a wonderful trip for Moms who may be too busy keeping their feet on the ground to put their head in the clouds.

The hike can take awhile depending on what physical shape your groups' in. But for Mom's who got through childbirth, after all, it's never really too steep. And neither is the price of this perfect LA Mother's Day adventure!

For directions and info visit: http://griffithobservatory.org/