Bargain hunting in Southern California

Theme parks

A single day at Disneyland or California Adventure costs a not-very-happy $69 if you're 10 or older, $59 for those in the single digits. But on your birthday you can get in free to either. The trick? You have to register in advance on the Disney website, and two weeks before your birthday you'll receive a confirmation e-mail. Bring the e-mail and proper ID and voila! www.disneyland.com.-- Elina Shatkin, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer