Westside Weekend Get Out Guide

We know. You're waddling like the turkey you ate. That wallet is a lot lighter than you'd like. Redeem yourself this weekend. Get out and resolve to fight the flab, shop smart or take in these free or low-cost events. 

Santa Monica Downtown Walking Tour — Take a two-hour, six-block history walk and learn about Santa Monica, once a frontier town and now a robust city of surf, style and commerce. The tour starts off at 1436 Second St. on Saturday, 10 a.m., and wraps up at noon. Cost: $10 or $5 for Santa Monica and L.A. Conservancy members. Sponsored by the Santa Monica Conservancy.

Small Business Saturday — It's Small Business Saturday, when shoppers are encouraged to get out and support small businesses in town. The deal worth noting, however, is open to American Express card holders. Spend $25 at participating small businesses, many in the Westside including Culver City, and get $25 back. But you have to register here, enrollments are limited and certain rules apply.

Native Plant Garden volunteer workday — Put in a few hours at the Temescal Canyon Pacific Palisades Native Plant Garden in Pacific Palisades, where volunteers have been working for nearly three years to restore the garden. The work continues under the direction of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and is co-sponsored by the Pacific Palisades Garden Club and Palisades Beautiful. Meet on Saturday, 9 a.m., at Bowdoin Street and Temescal Canyon Road.

Art for Families — The Getty Center schedules family activities on Saturday for families with children 5 and over. Family Art Stops introduces art to children by exploring one work in a fun, half-hour, hands-on program. Register at the Information Desk at 2 p.m. for the 2:30 p.m. session or at 3 p.m. for the 3:30 p.m. program. Entry is free to The Getty Center, located at 1200 Getty Center Drive, but parking is $15. 

For more Westside weekend events, go to Santa Monica Patch, Venice-Mar Vista Patch, Brentwood Patch, Pacific Palisades Patch, Westwood-Century Center Patch and Culver City Patch.

What are you doing this weekend? Tell us in the comments and upload your pictures and video!