With all of its vacations, barbecues, and outdoor concerts, many people would say that the summertime is the most expensive season of the year. If you’re looking to stay active this summer without spending a lot of money, however, consider these fun and inexpensive activities — some of which are totally free!

1. Go on a hike. You might not know it, but your town likely has hiking trails traversing its wooded areas and public parks. Do a quick online search to find the ones nearest to you.
2. Have a picnic in the park. Invite a few of your friends to each bring a dish to a low-key picnic in the park. With just a few sandwiches, a light blanket, and some good conversation, you can have a wonderful afternoon outdoors.
3. Go to a flea market. Instead of spending your hard-earned money at the mall, hit up a flea market to hunt for antique treasures.
4. Go geocaching. If you enjoy uncovering hidden items, try your hand at this high-tech type of treasure hunting. Use your smartphone to create a geocaching account, then follow the instructions to find the geocache sites located throughout your town.

50 Cheap, Creative Ways to Have Fun (Tiny Buddha)
102 Things to Do on a Money-Free Weekend [The Simple Dollar]
12 Free or Low-Cost Summer Activities for Your Kids [U.S. News]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr apardavila

Originally opened by owner Naomi to foster the budding fashion designing interests of her daughter, Random Chic Style is a gem of a thrift store in Garden Grove. Here, you'll find gently used, trendy clothing and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. But the boutique doesn’t stop there. You’ll also find accessories, kitschy knick-knacks, shabby-chic furniture, kitchenwares, and much more.

Local patrons of the store say Naomi and her daughter are very kind and willing to help shoppers find exactly what they are searching for. Regular shoppers say they keep returning for Naomi’s reasonable pricing, which is better than many thrift stores in the area, according to one Yelp reviewer. It’s truly a unique store with many hidden treasures to find!

Random Chic Style is open from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Random Chic Style
9141 Garden Grove Boulevard
Garden Grove, CA 92844
(714) 561-8196
www.randomchicstyle.com
www.yelp.com/biz/random-chic-style-garden-grove-4

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/PV KS

The Irvine Park Railroad is but one attraction of many in Orange’s Irvine Park. The railroad itself is a 1/3 scale old fashioned train that offers children and adults a scenic ride through the park. The train ride, lasting about 10 minutes in duration, offers whistles, tunnels, and an introduction to the park and its history. Other attractions in the park include bicycles and paddle boats for rent, a petting zoo, pony rides, and a seasonal pumpkin patch. The park has plenty of amenities like picnic areas, restrooms, and a snack bar, making it a popular place to celebrate children’s birthdays or to take the family for a fun outing. During holidays, the park hosts special events like the “Easter Eggstravaganza” or a specially decorated train ride to meet Santa at Christmastime. Visitors rave about the affordable prices and friendly park staff, but note that special events get quite crowded due to the park’s popularity.

Irvine Park Railroad
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-3968