The Brief

Dating is not cheap, especially in a place like greater L.A. And costs are rising.

The overall average date is running $189, according to a BMO Real Financial Progress Index. That’s up 12.5% from last year. We asked listeners of AirTalk, LAist’s daily news show, to share how they find ways to date without breaking the bank.

Head outdoors

A number of listeners said hikes are their go-to cheap date.

“ I like going into an area where you get into a canopy, a lot of trees, so you don't get too warm,” Adrian in Corona said.

There might even be some science behind Angelenos’ love of hiking dates. Dating coach Damona Hoffman said there are benefits to doing something active while on a date.

“It boosts your endorphins… when you do something physical, you can sort of transfer some of those feelings of excitement to the person that you're with,” she said.

Kiz in Beverly Hills recommended Los Leones Canyon in Pacific Palisades — which is open after the Palisades fire — where he went on an early first date with his wife, adding that it’s also kid-friendly.

LAist host Austin Cross pointed out this may not be the best idea for a first date though.

“If the conversation's not hitting, but you're two miles into this hike, you still gotta walk back with them,” he said.

Take advantage of the arts

Heidi in Los Feliz recommended taking an art class, specifically at Heavy Manners Library in Echo Park.

Read more: Beloved Heavy Manners Library in Echo Park is moving — and it’s looking for a few good volunteers

“During the summer, the Hollywood Bowl has $6 seats for the symphony,” Adriana in Hollywood said. “You can take in your own food, you can bring in a bottle of wine, you can sit under the stars, listen to the LA Phil, and to me, that is just the most romantic, gorgeous way to spend a summer evening.”

Simplicity can be a good thing 

Durie in Lomita said he and his wife like to go watch planes at the In-N-Out by LAX. He said it would even make a good spot for a first date.

“ It lends a lot to discussion of what you want in your future,” he said.

Elizabeth in San Bernardino suggests meeting up at a bookstore.

“Conversation came organically through looking at the type of books that we liked,” she said of her experience.

Cross used to go to IKEA on dates back in the day.

“It was also a fun cheap date because you could see a person in so many different settings,” he said. “You could see if they were game to pretend to play house.”

The beach triumphs as an all-time cheap date spot

 Diane in West L.A. said — even after 41 years of marriage — eating dinner on the beach never fails.

“One of you can carry the basket, one of you can carry the blanket,” she said.

Orange County cities are close to finalizing what ballot measures will go before voters in the November general election.

It’s never too early to be prepared, so here’s what we know is coming so far.

Santa Ana: Could a sales tax rate be permanent? 

Santa Ana’s 1.5% sales tax increase — called Measure X — is supposed to decrease in 2029 and then completely go away by 2039. Public officials have said the loss of Measure X could mean the city loses millions of dollars in revenue.

Santa Ana voters will decide in November whether to make the Measure X tax permanent.

The tax measure was approved by voters in 2018. Money from the tax has helped the city fund street maintenance, public safety, youth services and homelessness services.

Costa Mesa: A business tax hike 

Costa Mesa voters will be asked in November if business license taxes should be increased for some large businesses making more than $500,000 in annual revenue.

Currently, large businesses have a $200 limit for taxes to operate in the city. For example, big box stores like Home Depot and Target in Costa Mesa only pay $200 a year in business license taxes. The change, if approved, could increase that to as high as $15,000 based on gross income.

Small businesses — which the city defines as those with $500,000 or less in gross income — will not be affected.

Irvine: Ranked-choice voting 

In Irvine, voters will be asked whether the city should switch the local election system to ranked-choice voting in 2028.

The system would allow voters to rank their candidates in order of preference instead of casting a vote for one candidate.

If approved, the change would only take effect if the costs stay below 0.23% of the city’s general fund. If the switch goes above that amount, the ranked-choice voting system could be delayed until a future election.

Orange: Is a city charter coming? 

Orange is currently a general law city bound by state law and mandates. Voters will decide if Orange should become a charter city, joining other municipal governments like Los Angeles, Santa Ana and Huntington Beach.

Charter cities still have to follow state and federal laws, but can establish their own rules on issues such as mayoral authority, term limits and financial management.

Some council members say the move will give the city more local control over planning, contracting and revenue. Opponents worry that the council is moving too fast on the charter measure instead of tackling the city’s financial crisis head-on.

Orange: A sales tax increase proposal

Voters in Orange will decide on a one-cent sales tax increase that, if approved, would last for 13 years.

The city of Orange is looking at increasingly dire budget conditions. In the 2024 election, voters narrowly rejected a 10-year half-cent sales tax measure estimated to generate $20 million in annual revenue.

What’s next? 

Local governments have until Aug. 7 to call a local measure election to be included in November’s General Election. Registrar of Voters Bob Page told LAist that the county is encouraging cities to file much earlier to allow time for public review, arguments and analysis, as well as document processing.

It looks like the first weekend of August is going to look a lot like most of the month of July: hot and humid.

But the coming heat wave may be especially intense.

Most of Southern California has faced repeated heat advisories over the last few weeks. Ahead of this weekend, though, the National Weather Service has issued more severe extreme heat warnings for almost the entire region. Those will be in effect from 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday evening.

Temperatures are expected to peak on Saturday, when forecasters say highs could get within one or two degrees of daily records.

Parts of the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire will see highs well over 100 degrees. Intermediate areas between the coasts and the valleys, including downtown Los Angeles, will be mostly in the upper 80s to mid-90s. Coasts will be mostly in the 80s.

Humidity continues to add to the discomfort and make it harder to cool down at night.

Forecasters say the highest humidity will be along the coast, as high ocean temperatures drive up the moisture in the air. Those areas could see some dense fog on Friday morning.

The combination of heat and humidity will pose a particularly high risk for people over 65, young children, people who work — or spend a lot of time — outside and those without access to air conditioning.

Officials are warning against leaving children and pets in unattended vehicles. Under such extreme heat, temperatures inside a car can reach lethal levels in a matter of minutes.

Fire weather

Despite the humidity, this weekend’s heat wave is also going to drive up the risk of wildfires.

Inland areas, where the humidity is lower than on the coast, will be most prone to fires. The high temperatures, combined with possible wind, mean any fires that start could have the potential to grow large.

Wind gusts could get up to 45 mph in places, with the strongest expected along the 5 Freeway corridor near the Grapevine and in southwestern Santa Barbara County.

About 90% of California wildfires are sparked by people.

Beachgoers beware

A National Weather Service high surf advisory is in place through Saturday afternoon for all Southern California beaches — from San Diego County through Santa Barbara County, including Catalina and Santa Barbara islands.

Large, breaking waves and strong rip currents are the biggest risk to beachgoers, with the most dangerous conditions on south-facing beaches. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large waves can cause injury, wash people off rocks and capsize small boats.

Forecasters recommend staying out of the water, if possible. If you do go swimming, stay near lifeguards, heed their advice and stay off of tidal rocks and jetties.

The heatwave is also adding to the risk as it will likely drive more people to the beach, potentially putting them in harm's way.

Forecasters also issued a coastal flooding advisory that will be in effect through much of Saturday for the SoCal coastline and Channel Islands.

Flooding is likely around high tide. It could affect low-lying areas of beaches, walkways and parking lots, but significant damage to roads or structures is not expected.

The highest tides will likely be tonight, coinciding with the peak of a storm swell from Hurricane Genevieve, which has been whirling hundreds of miles off the coast of Mexico since it formed last week.

Genevieve, along with swells from other Pacific storms, are also responsible for the waves and rip currents.