Freebies-- food, things to do and more

Your budget got you down?  Want to find a place to exercise for free?  How about restaurants where kids can eat for free?

Everyone is penny-pinching these days and even if don't have a clunker sitting in your garage waiting to cash in, you still want to save a few bucks here and there.

We've got a few suggestions.

How about a little peace, quiet and beauty?  Over 100 national parks have reserved several free admission weekends and this coming weekend is one of them.

No admission will be charged for those visiting Muir Woods National Monument on August 15 and 16.  The stately, tall redwoods are a great antidote to the stress and rush of the week.  The park is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but we urge you to get there early as the parking lots fill up.  There is also a shuttle that operates at the Tam Junction interchange at 101 and Hwy 1, but they charge $3 per person.

If you prefer to find your inner zen in the studio, then take a look at the College of Marin list of free exercise and fitness classes for the upcoming fall term.  These are non-credit classes but again, they are totally free. You can meditate, learn Tai Chi, do some yoga or enjoy some tranquil aqua exercise.  Much of it is geared for the older adult. 

If you need to develop those photos from your weekend at Muir Woods, CVS is offering up to 50 free photo prints when you create a new account.  

After the exercise, you'll want to eat and it's even better when you can bring the kids for free.  Here's a list of restaurants in Marin that offer free meals for kids.  Most of the specials are on Tuesday.

Denny's in Corte Madera (and for that matter, most everywhere else) let's kids up to age 10 eat for free from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday.  Kids must order off the child menu, two kids eat free per one adult and drinks are not included. 

If you have a hankering for Mexican, then head over to funky Fairfax to Pancho Villa's.  Here, the ratio is one free kid's meal for every paying adult.  The offer is good on Tuesday, for kids up to ten and the restaurant is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

Steak lovers can drop by Izzy's Steakhouse in Corte Madera where kids up to 12 can enjoy a free meal with one paying adult.  Kids order off the kids menu, and no drinks are included.  The special is on Tuesday and the restaurant is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

An incredibly popular choice for pasta lovers is Pasta Pomodoro which has restaurants all over the Bay Area and three in Marin; San Rafael at Montecito Plaza, Novato at Vintage Oaks and Strawberry Shopping Center in Mill Valley.  Pomodoro offers free meals every Tuesday, for kids up to 14 (parents of early teens take note!) and the ratio again is one free kids meal to one paying adult.  The deal is good all day and no drinks are included. 

And for a final sweet treat freebie, every Thursday, drop into the Teacake Bake Shop in Corte Madera and if you donate a new, or lightly used children's book, they'll give you a free baked good of your choice.  We've tried their cupcakes and they are wonderful!  The Bake Shop is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and the offer is good all day.

If you have other freebie ideas or suggestions for Marin, please leave a comment! 

Here's to free stuff!!

Comments

[Melody J]

Pamela at Marin Mommies did a similar article and she lists a few more restaurants:

http://www.marinmommies.com/kids-eat-free-or-almost-free-marin

[MoreMarin]

Melody

Thanks for the comment!

Marin Mommies did a nice article, but it is over six months old and we figured it was time for an update. Also some of the restaurants on that list no longer offer the free specials.

[Vandy Seeburg]

Hi Pam--The Bolinas Museum is FREE too as is a visit to Bolinas Beach.