What do you do Sunday if you are allergic to pigskin? I know, I know, there’s always guacamole available when you watch the Big Game. But here are things you can go and do that might be much more satisfying than staring at the tube. Sunday is supposed to be partly cloudy with a high of 66 degrees, so you can get out there into nature with a sweater.
Visit a tall ship: Get a free deck tour of the American Pride, the city of Long Beach’s official tall ship. On Sundays, there are free deck tours and 1 p.m. lessons on maritime topics. The Weekend Wonders program is offered from noon to 3 p.m. and is for both adults and kids. You can also purchase tickets for an afternoon sail, but only if you’re sure you won’t turn green. Seriously. It happens. Paid parking lots nearby. Pine Avenue Pier, Long Beach. www.childrensmaritime.org/weekendwonders
Have a cheap date: Go to a cheap all-day Happy Hour, then skip the actual game. Lots of restaurants are running all-day happy hour deals. But there’s no reason you can’t go early, eat those half-price appetizers and then do something else. For example, at the Long Beach Towne Center, Lucille’s BBQ is offering all day happy hour with appetizers from $5-10 and well cocktails $5. Then walk across the street and see a movie for $6.99 at the Regal Edwards. (You must join their free rewards program to get the cheap seats.)
Go to the gym: Trust me on this. World Series. Super Bowl. No one goes to the gym during big sporting events. You’ll have that swimming lane and machine all to yourself.
Visit the critters at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro: This is the place that people bring sick and injured seals, sea lions and such when they need care to return to the wild. The center cares for 250-500 animals per year. It’s free to visit on the weekends, though an online donation is requested. After you see the cute critters, you’ll open your wallet to buy them a fish from the suggested donation of $5. On Sundays, the hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Look for street parking. 3601 S Gaffey St #8, San Pedro; 424-450-0570 marinemammalcare.org/visit-us/
Take a docent-led art and architecture tour of the Los Angeles Central Library downtown: It’s free and available most Sundays at 2 p.m. The hour-long tour’s guide will share stories about the history, art, and architecture of L.A.’s landmark downtown library. Meet up in the main lobby in front of the library store. 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles. Look around, you might score free Sunday parking. (And note that library cards are free to California residents with ID and proof of address.)
See a cheap movie: Regal theatres in Long Beach and South Gate sell movie tickets for $6.99 on Sundays. (And Tuesdays) You need to belong to the free loyalty club. “Mufasa the Lion King” is playing at the AMC La Mirada 7 for $12.58 per ticket at the afternoon show.
Visit the Getty Center:Normally this billion-dollar palace of European art that sits atop its own hill in Brentwood is hard to visit. Tickets for Sundays are usually long gone, and the traffic, oy ve, don’t even talk to me about that. But as of this writing, there were still plenty of tickets available for this Sunday, plus my best guess is that the traffic won’t be bad. Even better, the tickets are always free, although you have to pay to park. It’s definitely worth visiting, so take a shot. Note that I’m talking about the big white thing on the hill, not the Getty Villa in Malibu, which is still closed after the fires. Parking is $25, $15 after 3 p.m. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles Getty.edu
Stroll around the Orange County Museum of Art: This contemporary museum is located on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus in Costa Mesa and was designed by award-winning architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis Studios. The collection includes some 4,500 pieces on rotating exhibit. You will need to print out a free ticket that can be obtained online. 3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa. Adjacent paid parking. 714-780-2130 or ocma.art
Check out the newly remodeled Egyptian Theatre: The historic venue has been purchased and fixed up by Netflix. You can see “Shrek” and the 11 a.m. Sunday showing is free. You can RSVP online, but that doesn’t promise entry, so I’d still get there plenty early. The good news is that most street parking is free on Sundays. 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. americancinematheque.com/now-showing/shrek-2-9-25/
Explore an elegant Victorian mansion: The 1891 Riverside Heritage House is open for free tours Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but you need to reserve online. The last tour is at 3:30 pm. The house was owned by Mr. and Mrs. James Bettner, who exuded the glamour of the Roaring ’20s, and now belongs to the Museum of Riverside. The museum is also extending its Roaring Riverside: Fashions of the 1920s exhibit until Feb. 16, due to popular demand. 8193 Magnolia Ave., Riverside. 951-826-5273 Reserve here: riversideca.gov/museum/heritagehouse
Hope this gives you some ideas to do something other than stare at the tube. But save me some guacamole.