From the hottest spots in Los Angeles and San Francisco to the silliest things you can do with your friends. Here’s our annual “99 Things to do on a Saturday Night” idea list.

1. Swivel Chair Race
Go to an empty parking lot with your friends, take your swivel chairs and race. Don’t forget your helmet and your imaginary seat belt. If you really want it to become a tradition with your friends you could even customize a swivel chair specifically for your races and put a seatbelt on it.

2. Star Gaze
On a clear night, bring a blanket and a cute boy/girl to the beach or a park and look at the stars.

3. Throw a Bollywood Party
Watch Slumdog Millionaire, eat Indian food, and dance around in bejeweled and bright gowns.

4. Go to an Arcade
Arcades never get old no matter what your age is! For an adult environment check out an arcade like Dave & Buster’s. If you feel like being a kid again, go to Chuck E Cheese’s with a young sibling or cousin so you’ll have an excuse to be there, order a pizza, and play games. If you’re feeling daring, try going into the sky tunnels and see if you still fit!

5. Pub Crawl
Your mission, if you accept it, will be: one bar, one new drink. The big challenge for you will be to avoid taking the “usual” and to taste and maybe discover your next favorite beverage. Don’t forget to take a taxi to go back home or have a sober friend drive you home!


6. Picnic
Go to a nice park or the beach, and bring somecandles, food, and a bottle of wine to share with someone special.

7. Line Dancing
Them cowboy boots ain’t just for buckin’, y’all. Grab a pair of boots and head to a local line dancing studio or club. If you have two left feet when you dance, dance in the middle. Your friends will laugh as you throw off all the other patriots who are trying to stay in sync.

8. Make a “Single Ladies” Video
It may take hours and tons of dedication…but once you’re done and it’s posted on YouTube, you could become the next Internet sensation. Even if you don’t, at least you’ll be culturally-relevant.


9. Queen Mary Twilight
Historical Tour The Queen Mary in Long Beach is offering their classic historical tour on Saturday nights starting at 6:45 p.m. for $12 a person. Touring an old ship at night will definitely be spooky and exciting!

10. Bike Trip
There are many bike trails running all throughout California. Just Google “bike trails” and you’ll find different paths along beaches and rivers that will get you in touch with nature. There’s nothing like feeling the wind on your face and taking in the sights on your bike. Bring some friends along and race or be silly.

11. The Getty Center
Parking and admission are free after 5 p.m. on Saturdays at the Getty. You’ll get to see some of the world’s best art and a beautiful view of L.A. from the hill the Getty rests on.


12. Crystal Ball
Go to see a clairvoyant or invite some friends to your place, switch off the lights and call the spirits. You’re sure to get some answers!

13. High School Yearbooks
Grab a friend from high school and rate all the people in your class. Point out who you did and didn’t like. Better yet…compare who ended up doing what after high school!

14. Hollywood Wax Museum
Open until midnight and right on one of L.A.’s most iconic streets, Hollywood Blvd, the Wax Museum will be a great experience! Check out all your favorite stars in wax forms and enjoy being creeped out with your friends by the spookiness of so many wax figures.

15. Improve Your Photoshop Skills
Make fun of people you know by transforming one of their shots into something really different. Or, learn how to edit your favorite photos for creative projects like scrapbooks or just to post on Facebook or your blog.

16. Go to an Amusement Park
Universal Studios, Disney’s California Adventure, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Fisherman’s Wharf all bring out your inner dare devil and allow you to enjoy a full action packed day riding roller coasters and eating awesome food.


17. Swap Stuff
Swap old items like books and DVDs you have lying around for new ones you’ve been wanting to check out Websites like swaptree.com allow you to list things you own and find people who have the things you want in order to swap items. Some websites offer free shipping but even paying shipping is cheaper than buying the actual item new at the store. Save money during these difficult times by swapping with other people!

18. Planetarium
Get interested in astronomy by visiting a planetarium or observatory. One of L.A.’s most famous is the Griffith Observatory. Planetarium shows run all day on most days of the week and students only pay $5 with their I.D. University campuses like UCLA offer astronomy presentations once a week. You will be able to see stars in the night sky with their telescopes and learn about new findings in astronomy you never imagined existed.

19. Pillow Fight
Invite your friends to your place for a “classic meeting” and when they arrive, pounce on them with a pillow. Don’t stop until a winner is declared.

20. Ethnic Neighborhood Night
Enjoy a meal in Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles or Little Italy in San Francisco and enjoy a unique meal and small dose of culture without having to find your passport.

21. Baseball
Go support the Los Angeles Dodgers by rooting for the home team and having a famous Dodger dog. And note that Dodgers games also make for an excellent first date. You can also go to AT&T Park to see the San Francisco Giants play in this beautiful stadium.

22. Pink’s Hot Dog Stand
Located on the corner of La Brea and Melrose Ave. in Hollywood, Pink’s has been serving their famous hot dogs for decades and many stars make appearances at the stand.


23. Revival Cinema
Brush up on the classic movies of the twentieth century at a revival cinema! There are tons sprinkled around the city, and tickets are generally pretty cheap.

24. Get a Trashy Lingerie
Membership Trashy Lingerie is the hottest celebrity lingerie shop in town. Stop by L.A.’s bestcustom lingerie store for some exciting costume or outfit hunting. You never know, you might even run into a Playboy bunny!

25. Downtown Disney
This outdoor shopping center located right next to Disneyland in Anaheim has live music on Saturday nights, bands playing on the corners, and offers an array of different and fun restaurants!

26. Train Ride
You don’t need a car to get away. Grab an Amtrak ticket to the farthest city on the route. You never know who you might meet or what you might discover on this trip.


27. Pantages Theatre
One of Hollywood’s most famous theatres, known for hosting Wicked. Its beautiful architecture is worth seeing and the theatre’s seating design makes every seat a great view no matter where you sit.

28. City-wide Scavenger Hunt
These are pretty easy to set up. Just make a list of 50 or so things that you and your friends need to do in one night – go to a certain bar and order a particular drink, etc. – and then split up into teams and go. Even if you don’t cross off all the items on the list, you’ll still have tons of fun.

29. Organize Your Pictures
We’ve all got a bunch of digital pictures we still need to upload or that are just floating around in different folders on our computer. Take the time to make folders for each event or topic so it’ll be easier to find your pictures.

30. Treasure Hunt
We’re not talking about the nice treasure hunt that your mom used to organize for you and your friends when you were kids. We mean a real adult treasure hunt, in one of the most exciting cities in the world. Let the good girls and boys go bad.

31. Third Street Promenade
Located in the heart of Santa Monica, the Promenade offers shops and restaurants as well as live performances on Saturday nights.

32. Aquarium of the Bay
Check out all the interesting sea life and enjoy a small piece of the Pacific for the day! For you SoCalers, the Long Beach Aquarium is also a great spot to make some marine friends.


33. Make Him/Her pay
Do you remember that guy/girl who broke up with you by leaving you a message on your Facebook wall? And do you remember that night when you promised yourself to make him/her pay for their insensitivity? We think the time has come for payback! Call a friend and go to the culprit’s place to “redecorate” their car or house.

34. Vegas!
Vegas baby! It is calling you! There are hundreds of things to do in Vegas at night. Who says you have to gamble? From dancing on the bar at Coyote Ugly, getting a massage at Canyon Ranch Spa at the Venetian, partying in one of the various clubs to eating late at one of the many buffets, you will never run out of things to explore in Sin City!

35. Cooking Challenge
Take your cookbook (or go on the internet) and try to cook a meal that you never had the courage to attempt. If it doesn’t come out the way it’s supposed to, it’ll be a good story to remember. But if it does, you’ll have a delicious meal for the night and a reason to feel accomplished.

36. Ghirardelli Square
Enjoy the selection of shops and dessert places at the Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. A must-see is the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, which still has the original manufacturing equipment and offers samples of their chocolate squares.


37. Google Earth
Try to locate people’s houses. We’re not saying you should stalk anyone but it’s fun to see your town from a satellite and be able to zoom into all the houses. Go to your house and see which cars were parked when the picture was taken!

38. Barbecue
Grab some chicken and steaks and get that BBQ going! Tell your friends to bring chips or drinks and keep the whole shindig casual.

39. eBay or Craigslist
Go on eBay or Craigslist to sell stuff that’s been cluttering up your room and that you never use and will never use again. The bonus: You’ll get cash!

40. Go-Karting
Well, how’s this for exciting – a night of go karting! You can pretend you’re a character in that old cartoon, Speed Racer…or you can just not. Either way, it’s a surefire way to have fun on a Saturday night.


41. Bungee Jumping
If you’re feeling extra daring, go bungee jumping at night. Screaming is a really good way to relieve stress from the week!

42. Attend a Premiere or Private Screening
Most people don’t know of the many premieres and screenings that go on for the public prior to movie releases. They’re absolutely free and most of the time you will also get popcorn and soda. Some websites to check out are: filmmetro.com and mycinemaaccess.com. If you live in the L.A. area, most premieres take place in Westwood or on Hollywood Blvd.

43. Drive-in Theater
Going to the movies is fun but checking out a drive-in theater is a whole different experience. With the sky above you and a cute guy or girl next to you…you’re bound to enjoy it!

44. Check Out a New Band
It doesn’t matter if the band hasn’t acquired a cult following yet, listen to a not-so-big band with your friends and keep an open mind. You may find their music to be really refreshing and there is nothing quite like the energy of a live performance!

45. Prank Call
Spend the night calling strangers and make them believe that you are a celebrity. Between those who won’t want to believe you because it can’t be happening and those you believe every single thing that you can say… you will have something to laugh about.

46. Do Yoga
After a stressful week, the best thing to do is unwind with some yoga. It’ll give you the workout you need but also relax and stretch your body. Turn the lights down low, put on a yoga DVD, lay out your mat and forget all your worries. Namaste!

47. Learn a Language
Being bilingual is very beneficial in our melting pot society. It can give you an extra edge when being considered for a job. You can get free tutorials online on YouTube or through iTunes podcasts . If you’re really serious about learning the language, buy a CD like Rosetta Stone.

48. Start taking a Self-defense Class
It’s never too late to start learning how to defend yourself. The simple fact of knowing you’ll be able to take down any random guy who attacks you when you’re on the streets alone at night will make your life easier.

49. Test Drive Your Dream Car
Go to a car dealer and test drive the car of your dreams. Just try and make sure to fight off the urges to drive away with it because, trust us, that will not end well.


50. Grab Dessert
Go to an ice cream shop and ask to taste the different flavorsthen leave without buying anything! Try gelato or go to Yogurtland to make your own creation. Have fun experimenting with different toppings on your froyo. Look for a local cupcake shop and enjoy choosing from all the beautifully decorated cupcakes.

51. Harry Denton’s Starlight Room
This rooftop club in San Francisco boasts a luxurious view of the city. The place has a classy vibe to it so if you feel like going somewhere more upscale for the night, this is the place to try!

52. Do Random IQ tests on the Internet
Maybe you will discover that you are the next Einstein! Or, you’ll just discover that you’re not. Either way, it’s fun! Oh, and if you do discover that you’re the next Einstein, be sure to thank us for this suggestion in your Nobel Prize acceptance speech.

53. Take a Bubble Bath
What’s more relaxing than a bubble bath? Even Chandler from Friends admitted it. Put soft music on, like Jack Johnson or classical and just let your senses relax. What a perfect way to forget your problems!

54. Bus Tour
It’s easy to lose touch with a place if you’ve lived there for a while. So let’s take this Saturday night to be the perfect tourist even if it’s in your own city. You might discover cool places you didn’t know about. Plus, lit cities are always beautiful at night.

55. The Grove
Check out one of L.A.’s most famous outdoor malls to listen to some underground musicians or just to shop and have a nice time with friends or a special someone. You might even spot a celebrity!

56. A Night At The Roxbury
A Night at the Roxbury has become a classic comedy of the ‘90s. Watch the movie with some friends, then go out and reenact its most infamous scene. All you have to do is drive around town with the windows rolled down and your stereo blasting “What Is Love.” Bop your head to the beat and ask any innocent bystanders, “How do you get to the Roxbury?” If they don’t laugh at the reference you’ll be teaching them a very valuable lesson.


57. Drunken Truth or Dare
A little alcohol can make anything more interesting. Enjoying a round or two of this old childhood favorite with the added twist of some drinking will simply make the truths more revealing and the dares a little juicier.

58. Have a Bonfire
Whether it’s at the park or the beach, channel your inner-pyromaniac and have a bonfire with your friends. Just grab a few logs along with lighter fluid and matches and you’re ready to go. Don’t forget the marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate for the perfect s’mores.

59. Hookah Lounge
Gather your friends and head down to a local lounge. The trick is to guess the flavor of the shisa.

60. Go Night Boarding
There is nothing like heading towards the snowy mountain for an exciting night of snowboarding or skiing. Head to the top of the mountain and, while you’re speeding down the mountain, try not to crash into the trees or bushes. If you’re looking for an exciting adrenaline rush, look no further than your local mountains.

61. Start a Protest
There has to be something in this world that bothers you. Maybe it’s an injustice that needs to be made right or a cause that needs more attention. In the 1960s and 70s, the youth of America protested all the time. They gathered together and used their First Amendment rights to the fullest extent. Not many young people take action in such a big way. So stop complaining, get off your couch and do something! A lawful protest is a great way to spend a Saturday night.

62. Become a YouTube Sensation
If you can rant about the injustices committed against Britney Spears or perform an uncoordinated, rhythm-less rendition of a Beyonce music video, you have the potential to become a YouTube star. Get your friends together to film your oddest, craziest talents (or lack of talent) and post the videos on YouTube. Even if you don’t get 15 minutes of Internet fame, you’ll have some hilarious videos that you and your friends can enjoy for years to come.

63. Take a Bartending Class
Do you often find your drunken alter-ego behind the bar at parties serving drinks as if you own the place? Well, then it’s time to perfect your natural born skills and make them more legitimate. You may think you know alcohol, but a bartending class will introduce you to new and wonderful mixtures you never thought of. You’ll definitely be the life of the next party when you’re making drinks left and right and actually know what you’re doing. Maybe you can wow the crowd by flipping a bottle or two in the air.

64. 1990s Night
Stop cutting your oversized sweaters and putting your ponytails to the side. Put those leg warmers back in a box and keep away from Madonna. 80s parties are so overdone. Instead ,celebrate the 1990s. It was a time when boy bands like N*SYNC and Backstreet Boys ruled and Britney Spears was innocent enough to sing, “I’m not a girl, not yet a woman.” Now those were the good old days. Anyone up for some 98 Degrees? (Yeah, us neither.)

65. Pier 39
There are so many different things to do and to see at Pier 39: Shopping, dining, attractions, live music and street performers, just to name a few! Check out the magic shop or have a sourdough bowl of clam chowder…the possibilities are endless.

66. Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
With locations in both in Hollywood and San Francisco, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! is a staple tourist attraction in California. Check out some interesting myths and decide for yourself what is believable!

67. Golden Gate Park
The Golden Gate Park is a Garden of Eden for nature and sports lovers. It’s the perfect place to run and to breathe in some fresh air in an amazing environment. Additionally, there are lots of attractions to see here, including a giant windmill. Awesome? Yes. Yes it is.

68. Rockit Room
This two-story hotspot in San Francisco boasts one of the greatest music venues in the nation – that alone should be enough to sell you on spending a Saturday night here. If it’s not, there’s also a foosball machine on the first floor of this bar. And if that’s not enough, then you’re clearly just allergic to fun.

69. Rubik’s Cube
Figuring out how to solve the Rubik’s cube is something everyone should be able to do by the end of their lives. Spend the night trying to solve one of the most well-known puzzles in the world. There are numerous tutorials online that’ll show you how to solve it.

70. Clean-up Your Friends List
You know… the group of people called your “friends” on Facebook when you actually only know about half of them. It’s time to delete some of them, including those who haven’t had a status for years and who you’re not even sure exist because you never talk to them.

71. Lead a Fountain Run
You were born a leader! Gather your friends and plan your unforgettable marathon. Make sure you wear your best running shoes as you might need to use them when you see campus security near by.

72. Chinatown
We know we mentioned checking out ethnic neighborhoods, but Chinatown is in a class of its own. Both L.A. and San Francisco include large Chinatowns near the downtown area. Between shopping for rare medicines or unique jewelry and dining at traditional restaurants, Chinatown is always a good idea.

73. Strip Club
Strip joints aren’t just for sleazy guys. Girls can have just as much fun watching musclehead dudes shaking it to the latest R&B jams, or making bitchy/admiring comments about that chick spinning upside down on a pole. Why not even take a strip tease class yourself? It’s a good way to boost your body confidence and sex appeal — and earn yourself some extra dollar bills on the weekends!

74. Make a Scrapbook
Some people and events in your life deserve not to be forgotten. If you’re into designing creative projects, or even if you’re not, scrapbooks are a great way of preserving the past. Visit a specialty crafts store like Michael’s to get supplies or try looking at Walmart and Big Lots! for good deals.

75. LA Live
Located across from the Staples Center near downtown, this entertainment complex has many dining options like the Conga Room, which serves Latin cuisine and has live music. If you feel like dancing, Club Nokia is a trendy place to check out. The Grammy museum will give you some background on music and the recording industry.


76. Biscuits and Blues
This famous Blues club in San Francisco features live performances by some of the best names in Blues, and serves awesome Southern cuisine. And yes, they really serve biscuits there.

77. Bury a Box
Choose a bunch of things which are valuable to you and put them in a small box. Bury it or put it away where you will find it later and don’t open it for 10 years. It’ll be worth the wait when you open it and see all the things that meant a lot to you in the past.

78. American Conservatory Theater
Watch a contemporary or classic play at this San Francisco theatre. It’s got a history of having some of the most famous actors of our time perform there – Denzel Washington and Annette Bening to name just two – so make sure to be on the lookout for any rising stars.


79. Play a Sport
A Saturday night is the perfect time to play a sport, after the day has cooled down. Round up some friends and a couple of tennis rackets and play at your local tennis courts to get your heart pumping. Or meet up at a basketball court for a couple of games.

80. Volunteer
There are plenty of organizations that need volunteers all day. Volunteering can be a way to discover things about yourself and knowing you helped people out is a satisfying feeling. If you’re looking for an especially adventurous volunteering experience, try helping out at a needle exchange program in your area. It will be
an eye-opening experience that you will always remember.

81. Go to a Bookstore
Catch up on all the new bestsellers and spend hours with a friend having coffee and looking through magazines or reading your childhood favorites to one another. The self-help section will definitely give you a laugh!

82. Buena Vista Café
Located at the Fisherman’s Wharf, this historic café is famous for its exotic cocktails and Irish coffee, the latter of which is made from a recipe they perfected in 1952. Seriously, there’s a whole story behind it on their website. You can look it up before you go there.

83. A Little Acting Lesson
Be someone else for the night—no, this does not make you a pathological liar with an alter ego. Simply create your background story and accent, if possible. Our favorite: being a transfer student from London and asking questions like “Where’s the toilet, mate?” Keep track of how many drunk people actually believe you.

84. Fake a Bachelor/Bachelorette Party
Okay, so maybe you aren’t engaged, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a group of friends that aren’t willing to pretend you are. Commit to being the bride or groom for the night and don’t break character, chances are you will get lots of congratulatory drinks bought for you!


85. Go to an Outdoor Mall
There are many outdoor malls all over California that allow you to enjoy the night sky while doing some shopping or having coffee with a friend. Among them are The Grove, Birch St. in Brea, The Block at Orange, Irvine Spectrum, and 3rd Street in Santa Monica. Most of these malls have a movie theater and many food options to choose from. You may even get to hear some live music for free!

86. Try Out Your One Liners
Of course it’s flattering to get hit on but it’s obviously more flattering when the pick-up lines are cheesier than Taco Bell’s nachos. Are you tired? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.

87. Video Game Night
Play an interactive game like Wii Sports or Raving Rabbids with your friends. Or battle them in Super Smash Brothers or Street Fighter IV. Order some pizza along with the games and you’ll have a fun and silly Saturday night.

88. Conquer your Biggest Fear
If you can’t go to the circus because the thought of clowns petrifies you or if going to your friend’s fifth floor apartment is a struggle because being more than a few feet off the ground terrifies you, then it’s time to conquer your biggest fears. Don’t let anything hold you back in life. Rally up your friends and do what you thought was impossible.

89. Spoil Strangers’ Photos
Go out and when you see strangers taking photos, jump in front of them. You’ll end up in their picture. Or yell at them to surprise them and make them have funny faces in their picture.

90. Make A Dream Board
Sometimes it’s easier to make your goals and dreams come true if you can visualize it actually happening. Make a board with pictures from magazines or other photographic sources of inspiration to motivate you to reach your goals.

91. Become a Paparazzi
Follow the hottest celebrity around town. Grab a $1 camera if you need to and head to the local hot spots in your area. Make sure to get those exposing shots. No need for a Photo 101 class. Just point and shoot.

92. Wikipedia Prank
Go on Wikipedia and invent a famous historical character. Someone who changes mankind’s history by, for instance, finding the vaccine against fits of laughter. Wait to see how long your fake article stays up!

93. Dance Dance Revolution Challenge
Go to an arcade or a friend’s house and have a dance off. Plus, it’s totally healthy – you’ll be exercising and having fun at the same time! Productivity at its best.

94. Shooting Range
Go familiarize yourself with a 9 mm handgun at a shooting range. A little training can’t “kill” you…and you never know, maybe one day your life will depend on your ability to use a gun to defend yourself – as in, when the zombie apocalypse comes.


95. Mob Freeze
Gather some friends and some acquaintances because if you want your Freeze Mob to be effective you will need people. Lots of people. You can even start an event page on Facebook to get a bunch of your friends to come out. Take a camcorder with you too, it can be useful. The plan is to go to a mall or meet at a certain spot on campus and try to surprise people by freezing all in place at the same moment. It should seem real, people have to freeze while doing something: eating, calling, walking, running…

96. Horse Racing
Hollywood Park in Los Angeles and San Francisco’s Bay Meadows Racetrack offer you a chance to experience one of history’s oldest sports! Horse racing! Remember in The Simpsons when Bart found that horse and raced him and he became really cocky and stuff? And then all the other jockeys kidnapped Homer and made him promise that he’d sabotage Bart’s winning streak? Yeah, that won’t happen. But, you’ll probably have fun anyway.

97. Mechanical Bull Ride
We dare you to mount the beast and hold on for eight seconds. We guarantee this will be the wildest eight seconds of your life – that is, if you’re able to last the whole eight seconds.


98. Ride-a-long
Ever wonder if the “Freaks come out at night?” This Saturday is your chance to find out. Take a ride-a-long with your local firefighters or police officers. Bring a camera. You might run into a friend passed out on the streets or streaking around the neighborhood.

99. Create your own list of "99 things to do on a Saturday night"
Our list is not the only one so don’t hesitate to come up with your own with some help from your friends. You’ll realize it’s not as easy you think it is and it’ll probably take you all night long…

By Audrey Pradel, Ivana Wynn, Alex Sandoval and Tanya Ghahremani