Brea, California is a great place to call home. We all know that Orange County is home to the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland of course! Yet a day trip may not always fit in the family budget.
Like many communities one only needs to look around to find low cost or no cost activities or events. Just take the time to discover the opportunities in your own back-yard.
Here's a list of some of my favorites in good ole' Brea: 
- For the art lovers around town, Brea's Art In Public Places is a true delight. Over 130 works of art in a variety a mediums are local treasures ready for discovery. To see these daily is something I never take for granted, they just make my day around town that much better.
And not that I've seen them all, every now and then I discover a new one and it's always a treat for me. Take a tour and see for yourself. Cost~absolutely FREE!
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- Orange County Library, Brea Branch ~ The Brea Library offers a variety videos, books, tapes and compact discs. To make things more fun Brea's Library offers special programs including a pre-school story time for the little ones and after school crafts and a summer reading club.The Brea Library is located at the Brea Civic and Cultural Center, (just across from the Brea Marketplace) at One Civic Center, main level.
Open 5 days a week: Hours 10:00 - 6:00 Mondays & Thursdays. 12:00 - 8:00 Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 10: a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturdays. Closed on Friday and Sunday. Cost of a library card? Absolutely FREE ~ For more information, call (714) 671-1722
Stroll through Brea's Certified Farmer's Marketin Downtown Brea on Birch Street. That's right each Tuesday downtown Brea plays host to a wide variety of local growers, vendors and crafts. It's a great way to spend the late afternoon or early evening. Cost: The event and PARKING is absolutely FREE.
Be a sport, head on over to Brea's newest addition the brand new Brea Sport Park on Birch St. I was there myself on opening day the morning of Feb. 14th, 2009! It was an exciting event. The park is loaded with something for everyone. Sports fields of almost every imaginable variety, a colorful unique playground and even a vendor/refreshment area. Truly something for everyone! Cost: Absolutely FREE and plenty of FREE PARKING.
Enjoy the Brea's Art Gallery at the Civic Centre. In addition a gift shop is home to works of art from all over the world. When it comes to kids... a Children's Art space allows them to use their own creativity with displays and participation in hands on fun. Don't you just love that? The Gallery is located in the Brea Civic & Cultural Center (across from the Brea Marketplace) at One Civic Center Circle. Gallery hours are Wednesday - Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m., best of all it's FREE for Brea residents, all others pay $2.00.For more information, Call (714) 990-7730 for more info. o
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Brea Museum and Heritage Center in City Hall Parkat 495 S. Brea
Blvd. (At Elm St.) Take a look back in time and visit the days of Good Ole' Brea, when Brea Blvd. was a little two-lane road that took visitors through the canyon on the way to the L.A. County Fair. That's the journey we took as a family years ago. ~ Hours Saturdays 19:00 to 3:30. The museum is closed on holiday week-ends. Cost ~ Although donations are welcome, once again, the cost is absolutely FREE! -
Take a hike, Brea is surrounded on the north and a portion of the eastern boundary by the hills. Enjoy the outdoors with a nature hike at Carbon Canyon Regional Park, on Carbon Canyon Rd. in Brea, check it out.
If you're interested in learning more about Brea see why Sunset Magazine named it one of the best places in the west, or check out Living In Dowtown Brea, or Downtown Brea Nights, Visit Brea Family Fun, Brea's Curtis Theatre or Downtown Brea Dining.
~ CA Department of Real Estate License #00402040.
Lydna - great idea and great list of things to do in Brea, especially when it's important to consider finances. Would be a great marketing pipece for relocations. You are so knowledgeable about the Brea area!
Jeff
Hello Lynda. I can enjoy FREE anywhere and you listed great places in Brea to tour. I love museums particularly art collections.
Great information for folks looking for a way to get to know Brea... and do it without spending fortune.
Lynda - Just when I think I really know Brea you come up with something else. Great list of things to do. Yes you are truly the area expert.
Lynda, I think more and more families will be taking advantage of FREE events in our communities. I need to do some digging around Ann Arbor, although I know of a few like Top of the Park, Film Festivals etc...
have a great weekend.
LYNDA, I'm with Missy and need to dig around and come up with more free items. There's always our Arboretum but I'm sure there are other things to do also.
Lynda- You HAVE to put this in the Things to Do/Places to Visit group! This is an awesome example of what is supposed to be in that group. And within the next day or two, I'll be posting a list of recent blogs from the group, that exemplify the best from the group. I'd LOVE to include this!
Jeff, Gary & Jesse ~ Thanks, I love the idea of low cost fun, especially for families.
Jennifer ~ Thank you, I love my community.
Missy & Marchel ~ You know I'd imagine there are all kinds of things right in your own backyard. We've got lot's more coming up this summer.
Lisa ~ Be my guest and thank you. I somehow missed you group.
Hi Lynda, Nice Localism post on Brea. Investing through the many years that our communities built and created these marvelous community assets they remain the real life blood of our community culture. Disneyland and Seaworld are great but they were for the occasional participation while the other assets had to endure only with tax money, grants and volunteer community visionaries that understand what "Quality of Life " actually meant. Thankfully our community assets endure and when you put the spotlight on them , they shine magnificently. Good job.
Hi Lynda - Thanks for another great post. Brea is a wonderful city with a small town feel. It is one of the few cities in this part of the country that actually has a downtown. I especially like that you showed one of my favorite pieces of public art - the oil workers. It's reminiscent of Brea's heritage and what caused many to move to your beautiful city to begin with. Then, they remained when they discovered what a perfect place Brea is to call home.
Free is such a great price - and there is a lot to do.... and your weather is so great.... have a great Saturday and enjoy your area... now many others will know where and how to do the same
Great post. I think everyoone is looking for cheap ways to have fun these days. I wish you the best.
Hi William ~ Oh my, what can I say...thank you!
Marlene~ How nice, yes Brea was all about oil at one time, it's part of our heritage,...of course that was afterthe Basque sheep farmers. You know the funny part...is now I'm one of the old-timers from back-in-the-day during the 70's (LOL).
Thesa & Nate ~ Loved hearing from you both. In reality, there is something to say about today's economics, it makes us all think more creatively. We all know there are wonderful things to do and appreciate without spending the big bucks! I see it as a great learning opportunity to teach our youth.
Lynda FREE is good - of course, we have loads of that here in the National Capital Area, Karen
Hi Lynda, Thanks for reminding me about the Brea's farmer's market! I love strolling down Birch and enjoying all of the neat booths.
Hi Karen ~ Free is good for all, especially families!
Tina ~ Maybe I'll see you there.
Awesome resource list Lynda. With so many on a budget today this is great information on some of the less expensive activities.
Lynda - this is a great list, and a great idea to share with people looking for things to do. What a great blog to share with your clients.
I've always been a softie for things to do that are FREE, like walking around my neighborhood. Doesn't cost any money, helps me maintain my weight, and, with digital camera in hand, I get lots of pictures and ideas of things to blog about on ActiveRain -- LOL.
I am just...
Going around saying Hi to everyone today :)
TLW...ROAR!
Hi Friends ~ Glad to hear from you all, thanks!