Living in Southern California can be expensive. No surprise there. But you may be surprised to know how many things you can do for free. Seriously. Always free (except sometimes for parking.)

So why spend a fortune to take the family out for the day? Here’s some cool things you can do without even opening your wallet. And if you know of something I missed, let me know!

ALWAYS FREE

Agua Dulce — Vasquez Rocks: This unique county park is worth the scenic drive toward the Antelope Valley, as it offers rustic walks among some of the most photographed rocks anywhere. This county park has been the scene of many a movie and TV shoot, as the closest “other-worldly” place to replicate for shows such as Star Trek. There are pleasant nature walks, and kids will love climbing on the rocks. Bring lots of water. There’s a small visitor center. Wear sensible shoes and sneakers. Warning: It’s hellishly hot in the summer. 10700 Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce. parks.lacounty.gov/vasquez-rocks-natural-area-and-nature-center/

Costa Mesa — Orange County Museum of Art:. Open Wednesdays-Sundays. This contemporary museum is located on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus and was designed by award-winning architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis Studios. The collection includes some 4,500 pieces on rotating exhibit. You will need to print out a free ticket that can be obtained online. 3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa. Adjacent paid parking. 714-780-2130 or ocma.art

Irvine — Turtle Rock Nature Center:. Open Mondays-Saturdays. This five-acre nature preserve is a great place for kids to run off steam, or just relax. It offers a paved trail, garden, a walking labyrinth and interpretive center.  Location: 1 Sunnyhill Drive, Irvine. 949-724-6738 or cityofirvine.org/parks-facilities/turtle-rock-nature-center

Jurupa Valley — Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center: Open Saturdays and Sundays only. Museum of Discoveries is free. Wander the botanical garden, turtle pond and see the dinosaur statues. Parking $10. 7621 Granite Hill Drive, Jurupa Valley. jmdc.org

La Habra Heights — Powder Canyon Family Hike: This two-mile easy hike in the Puente Hills nature preserve, on packed earth at the Black Walnut trailhead starts out a little steep, but afterward is relatively level and easy for most families. There are some nice trees along the way for shade. Nothing too dramatic to look at, but a pleasant time out of the city. There are also more rigorous hikes available here, along with biking and riding terrain. The parking and entrance are on Fullerton Road in the Puente Hills Preserve.  Learn more: Habitatauthority.org

Lake Forest — Heritage Hill Historical Park: Free visit and parking. Visit the 1863 Serrano Adobe, the 1890 El Toro Grammar School and the 1891 Episcopal Mission. Building interiors are open only during the free tours, at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No reservations necessary. Meet at the Serrano Adobe. 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest. 949-923-2230 ocparks.com/heritagehill

Long Beach — Rancho Los Cerritos: Open Wednesdays-Sundays. This remaining 4.74 acres of one of the huge ranchos that once covered California includes an historic adobe and allows visitors to imagine themselves as early Californios. The “Ranch of the Little Hills” once was part of a 300,000-acre Spanish land grant settled by Spanish soldier Juan Nieto. It eventually became a 27,000-acre working ranch that included two adobes and facilities for his descendants’ family and 12 children. Online reservations are requested but not mandatory. 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach. 562-206-2040 or rancholoscerritos.org

Los Angeles — The Broad: Open Tuesdays-Sundays.this modern art museum is always free, but get advance tickets to avoid the long walk-up line. This museum in downtown L.A. features contemporary art from the collection of the late developer Eli Broad. The general collection is always free to view.  There’s a parking garage that charges a few bucks, though if you’re lucky you might find free street parking on Sundays. Closed Mondays. Location: 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. 213-232-6250 or thebroad.org

Los Angeles — California Science Center:  This fascinating museum in L.A.’s Exposition Park is open daily, free to visit and chock full of things to see. Kids love this place but so do adults. All permanent exhibits are free, but there’s an extra charge for the IMAX theater shows and some attractions, including the current show on Leonardo da Vinci that closes Sunday, Jan. 5. (Note that the Space Shuttle Endeavor is temporarily off exhibit.) Parking is $20 (ouch!), or you can ride the Metro. 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. californiasciencecenter.org

Los Angeles — Getty Center: The world’s richest museum offers priceless art treasures, including Van Gogh’s “Irises,” which was the most expensive painting ever sold when the Getty bought it.  The billion-dollar white complex, open Tuesdays through Sundays and free with online tickets, sits atop a hill in West Los Angeles. Kids enjoy riding the free tram to the top from the parking garage.so bring your lunch and nonalcoholic drinks. Admission is free, but timed admission tickets must be ordered online. Parking costs $20, or $15 after 3 p.m. Active and veteran U.S. military with ID park free. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles.  Getty.edu or call  310-440-7300.

Los Angeles — Griffith Observatory: Located in scenic Griffith Park and open Tuesdays through Sundays, this observatory built in 1935 is well worth seeing, including an Egyptian sundial and a Foucault pendulum. The planetarium shows cost $6-$10. Every night it’s open and the sky is clear, there are free telescopes to observe the sky. There’s a memorial monument to actor James Dean, who starred in the movie “Rebel Without a Cause,” which has a climactic scene at the observatory.  Look for the Hollywood Sign behind the building. Parking is expensive; park down at the Greek Theatre and walk up, or ride the bus for 50 cents. 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles. 213-473-0800 or griffithobservatory.org

Los Angeles — MOCA, Museum of Contemporary Art: Open Tuesdays-Sundays, the Museum of Contemporary Art is free to visit, with advance tickets available online. There are two facilities: A striking sandstone building across from Walt Disney Concert Hall that was designed by a famed architect Arata Isozaki at 250 S. Grand Ave., and the Geffen Contemporary in an old police car warehouse renovated by architect Frank Gehry, in Little Tokyo at 152 North Central Ave. moca.org/visit

Los Angeles — UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden in Westwood: This is one of the few free public gardens around, encompassing 7.5 acres including California natives, desert, ferns, palms, bromeliads, herbariaum and more. Open 7 days a week. You can bring your leashed pooch, too. Main entrance is at La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles. (Campus parking in Structure 2 costs $4-16, or look for street parking.) Learn more: botgard.ucla.edu

Newhall — Placerita Canyon State Park: Take the family to the San Gabriel Mountain foothills, go for a bird walk in the oak woodlands, see the hummingbird gardens, visit the nature center and explore more than 12 miles of trails, including a seasonal stream. One trail is wheelchair friendly. Open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. placerita.org

Northridge. Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Open Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Founded in 2005, this museum is now located at the historic Rancho Cordillera del Norte in Northridge. Exhibits have included the history of author Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of the Tarzan series, who founded the city of Tarzana and the history of “The Hollywood Shorties,” who were actors and stuntmen little people ranging in height from 3-foot-5 to 4-foot-9 who played baseball and basketball games for charity. 18904 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 818-347-9665 or themuseumsfvnow.org

Oak Glen — Oak Glen Preserve: Drive up to apple country for the day. Look for wildflowers and hummingbirds while strolling this property near Yucaipa owned by the Wildlands Conservancy, which includes the entire Los Rios Rancho Apple Farm. Check out the Southern California Montane Botanic Garden and Children’s Outdoor Discovery Center. Bring a picnic and walk on miles of trails. 39611 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen. wildlandsconservancy.org/preserves/oakglen

Orange — Hilbert Museum of California Art: Check out the new expansion of this always-free museum, open Tuesdays-Saturdays in Old Town Orange near Chapman University.  It specializes in California scene painting, but also has Disney art and more. 216 E. Chapman Ave. Orange. Street parking. or in the city lot in back. 714-516-5880 or hilbertmuseum.org

Pacific Palisades — Getty Villa Museum: On a spectacular site, this replica of a Roman country house contains the Getty’s collection of old and rare Greek and Roman antiquities. The villa itself is an attraction, with its mosaics, art, gardens and architecture. It’s modeled after the Villa dei Papiri that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79, which destroyed Pompeii. Picnics are allowed, so bring your lunch and nonalcoholic drinks. Open Wednesdays through Mondays (closed Tuesdays). Admission is free, but timed admission tickets must be ordered online. Parking costs $20, or $15 after 3 p.m. 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. getty.edu/visit/villa/

Rancho Palos Verdes — Point Vicente Interpretive Center: This place is guaranteed to lift your mood. Located on a rocky point with a spectacular ocean view, you might see whales here. The small but interesting museum explores the history of the area. Check the route before you go, because there has been some subsidence lately.  31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes. And, while you’re in the area, you can also take one of the hikes in the scenic nature preserve. rpvca.gov/1204/Visit-Point-Vicente-Interpretive-Center

Riverside — California Citrus State Historical Park: Learn about the era when citrus was king in Southern California, visit the 200 acres of groves that produce navel and Valencia oranges, grapefruits, and lemons and stop by the museum visitor center. Bring a picnic! Tables are available. Hiking and biking trails are available. Citrus tastings are sometimes available. The visitor center and museum is open Fridays through Sundays. Parking is $7. 9400 Dufferin Ave., Riverside. 951-780-6222 OR parks.ca.gov/?page_id=649

Riverside — Mount Rubidoux Park: Get outside and take a walk along the wide paved trail in this landmark 161-acre city park, which offers fabulous views and even a historic bridge and tower toward the top. On average, it takes around 60 to 90 minutes to hike the hilly 3.2 mile loop trail. Park at Boniminio Park nearby and use the restroom there. Bring water. 4706 Mount Rubidoux Drive, Riverside, 951-351-6250 or riversideca.gov/park_rec/facilities-parks/mt-rubidoux

San Bernardino — Norton Air Force Base Museum: Located in the former NCO Club, this small museum tells the history of the base, which trained 30,000 pilots and became a jet aircraft maintenance facility, among other uses. The base closed in 1994. Always free, open Thursdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The museum is still looking for donations of historical items. 1601 E. 3rd St. San Bernardino. nafbmuseum.org

San Pedro — Fort MacArthur Museum: This interesting bit of military history allows visitors to take a look at underground bunkers and weaponry that were built to protect Los Angeles Harbor from enemy attacks. It was part of the Army coastal defense system from 1914 to 1974. Movies such as “Pearl Harbor,” “The Usual Suspects,” “Private Benjamin,” “Tora! Tora! Tora!” and more have been filmed here. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Note that the Angels Gate Park with its Korean Friendship Bell is nearby. 3601 S. Gaffey St. San Pedro. 310-548-2631 or  ftmac.org

San Pedro — Point Fermin Park and Lighthouse: People who love lighthouses should not miss this visit to the historic 1874 Victorian lighthouse here, one of the first in the region. The lighthouse is openTuesdays through Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., but you must take a (free) tour at 1, 2 or 3 p.m. (Check for special closures.) The park is open every day and has beautiful coastal views, especially at sunset. Look for whales on their way to or from Baja California in season. There’s also a playground and picnic area. 807 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro. 310-241-0684. discoversanpedro.org/visit/explore#http://www.pointferminlighthouse.org/

Got more suggestions? Email me at mfisher@scng.com

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. – A traffic stop in California led to an unusual discovery…a spider monkey found inside a Rolls-Royce.

Officers with the California Highway Patrol’s Madera Office pulled over a Rolls-Royce Ghost that was traveling northbound on the 99 freeway for excessive speed. 

The driver was found to be under the influence and arrested for DUI and possession of cannabis.

Officers also found a Spider Monkey inside the car. California Fish and Wildlife took possession of the monkey and transferred it to the Oakland Zoo.  

The monkey was believed to be only a month old. 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says it is illegal to pet trade and own primates as animals in California. 

The driver was booked into the Madera County Jail and is facing several charges, including possession of an exotic animal.

Insurance companies that stopped providing home coverage to hundreds of thousands of Californians in recent years as wildfires became more destructive will have to again provide policies in fire-prone areas if they want to keep doing business in the state.

The new state regulation, announced on Monday, will require home insurers to offer coverage in high-risk areas, something the state has never done, the office of the California insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara, said in a statement.

Insurers will have to start increasing their coverage by 5% every two years until they hit the equivalent of 85% of their market share. That means if an insurer writes 20 out of every 100 state policies, they’d need to write 17 in a high-risk area, Lara’s office said.

Major insurers such as State Farm and Allstate have stopped writing new policies in California due to fears of huge losses from wildfires and other natural disasters.

In exchange for increasing coverage, the state will let insurance companies pass on the costs of reinsurance to California consumers. Insurance companies typically buy reinsurance to avoid huge payouts in case of natural disasters or catastrophic loss. California is the only state that doesn’t already allow the cost of reinsurance to be borne by policyholders, according to Lara’s office.

Opponents of the rule say that could increase premiums by 40% and doesn’t require new policies to be written at a fast enough pace. The state did not provide a cost analysis for the potential impact on consumers.

“This plan is of the insurance industry, by the insurance industry and for the industry,” Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, said in a statement.

The requirement is under review by California’s office of administrative law before it takes effect within 30 days.

“Californians deserve a reliable insurance market that doesn’t retreat from communities most vulnerable to wildfires and climate change,” Lara said in a statement. “This is a historic moment for California.”

The new rule is part of Lara’s effort to persuade insurers to continue doing business in the country’s most populous state. He presented another rule earlier this month to let insurers consider the climate crisis when setting their prices. Insurance companies have said that because they can’t consider the climate crisis in their rates, many opted to either pause or restrict new business in the state. The new rule to include the climate crisis in rates will take effect later this week.

The ultimate goal of the new rules is to get homeowners out of the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (Fair) plan, which often serves as the last resort when insurance companies stop providing coverage for those living in areas threatened by wildfires, Lara’s office said. The Fair plan could help a homeowner fulfill insurance requirements imposed by mortgage companies, but it is mainly designed as a temporary safety net with basic coverage until policyholders find a more permanent option. The number of people on California’s Fair plan more than doubled between 2020 and this year, reaching nearly 452,000 policies.

Wildfires have always been part of life in California. But as the climate has gotten hotter and dryer, it has made those fires much larger and more intense. Of the top 20 most destructive wildfires in state history, 14 have occurred since 2015, according to the California department of forestry and fire protection (CalFire).

A 2018 fire in Paradise, California, killed 85 people and destroyed about 11,000 homes, and some residents have struggled to find home insurance since.

Steve Crowder, the town’s mayor, lost his house and business. Since then, his family has rebuilt their home but struggled to find insurance. The Crowders were forced to enroll in the Fair plan earlier this month. Despite paying roughly $5,000, the mayor said his home is insured for about $100,000 less than its value and the house’s contents are only half covered.

“You couldn’t rebuild what you got for what it’s insured for,” he said.

His constituents face similar problems. With policies skyrocketing from approximately $1,200 annually before the Camp fire to $5,000 now – or even up to $20,000 a year for large homes – some have abandoned attempts to find coverage altogether.

In the years after the Camp fire, Crowder said the town has successfully brought back some insurers after enacting new ordinances with high standards to keep structures safe, such as rules regarding clearances, vegetation and fences.

While the mayor welcomed the state’s new rules, he said he and his constituents are skeptical things will improve.

“Anything that will help get insurance in California, period, is helpful,” he said, but added: “Let’s wait and make sure it happens before we get excited.”