Spring is the time for enjoying wildflowers! Even when LA doesn't get enough rain for a hashtag-worthy superbloom, our hills in March and April look more like Ireland than Southern California. You won't have to go far to see carpets of flowers. There are several locations known for spectacular annual displays of spring wildflowers (not to mention the famous fields of Carlsbad), and areas recovering from recent fires can surprise us by bouncing back beautifully. Large displays typically last two to six weeks, so you need to make plans quickly when word comes of a good one. (Don't have time to drive outside the city limits? We know plenty of local hikes worth checking, too!)

The sticker price for kids' birthday celebrations can be huge, but did you know there's lot of free stuff to do with kids on their birthday? Many SoCal businesses offer birthday clubs, treats, and freebies for kids on their big day. As the parent, you will need to register the birthday kids—and oftentimes yourself, too, before adding your children as family members. Check the age ranges on the offers below, as they vary. Go ahead and sign up now, and the coupons and emails will start rolling in while you are busy planning a birthday party.

What's better than a day at a museum? A FREE day at a museum! If you have a large family, museum tickets can add up fast—which gets particularly frustrating if you then need to beat a hasty retreat to avoid a meltdown. SoCal has some great museums that have free general admission every day of the year, including The Getty, California Science Center, and The Broad. As for the rest of them (once kids are old enough to have to pay), many LA and OC museums have monthly or even weekly free days or evenings, and we have collected a list for easy reference. Go ahead, bring the extended family, meet friends, or check out a place you have never been before—all for just the price of parking or Metro tickets. And if there's a meltdown? At least it's free.