Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’re lucky to live in a vacation paradise, and all that. Which is why our friends and family want to come visit us.

But not only does Uncle Charlie eat like a plow horse, but entertaining all the folks can bankrupt you faster than a day at Disneyland.

Speaking of Disneyland, here’s my list of ways to show your guests around Southern California during the holidays without taking out a second on your house:

1. Go to Downtown Disney instead of Disneyland: Did you know that Disneyland has a drop-off-and-pick-up lot on Harbor Boulevard? Look carefully, you’ll see the small sign, somewhat hidden by shrubbery, southwest of where the shuttle buses enter and exit. My suggestion: Take your guests who want to visit Disneyland in Anaheim first thing in the morning, explain to them about Fast Passes and make sure they’ve downloaded the official app, drop them off at the designated lot, and then park later to meet them at Downtown Disney, where you can get two hours of free parking. You can stroll around Downtown Disney for free. And note that there’s an AMC movie theater there that will validate you for an extra two hours of parking.

2. See the Space Shuttle: Visiting the California Science Center downtown in Exposition Park is free, and it’s fun, too. Kids love it. During the holiday period, you’ll need to pay $2 online for advance timed reservations to visit the fascinating Space Shuttle Endeavor exhibit. Note: When you go online to reserve your visit, they’ll offer you packages including an IMAX movie, special exhibits and such, but you don’t have to buy, just scroll to the bottom of the page to reserve your shuttle ticket. You can also call 213-744-2019 and pay $3 each to reserve tickets in advance. (When it’s not a peak period, you don’t need a reservation). You will have to pay $12 for parking when you get there, or ride the Metro Expo line. Note that some special attractions inside the museum charge additional fees. Go to CaliforniaScienceCenter.org or call 323-SCIENCE (724-3623) to learn more.

3. Enjoy free dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum: While we’re on the topic of Exposition Park, allow me to note that the extremely cool Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, which has a newly renovated dinosaur exhibit, is free on the first Tuesday of most months, which will be coming up on Jan. 3 (order free tickets online). Also good for the La Brea Tar Pits, which feature Ice Age animals. The Family Plus Membership, good for an entire year, costs $129 and includes admission any time for two adults, four named children, plus an extra guest any time to three different museums including the La Brea Tar Pits and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall. That is a good deal, my friends. Learn more: nhm.org or call 213-763-DINO (3466).

4. Explore the California African-American Museum: The museum, also at Exposition Park, is always free. It offers paintings, drawings and sculpture and right now also has an exhibit on the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Learn more: caamuseum.org or call 213-744-7432. Closed Mondays.

5. See ocean critters at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center: This fascinating rescue center in Laguna Canyon for seals and sea lions is a busy place, with calls coming in from all over. Come in any day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to see the marine mammals getting well before they’re released back into the wild. Kids love this. It’s a self-guided tour, you just walk around and look at the animals. There’s no charge. Warning, though: They’re so cute you’ll be moved to donate fish for their dinner. 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Learn more: pacificmmc.org or call 949-494-3050.

6. Take in the Getty, richest museum in the world: There are two sites named after oil zillionaire J. Paul Getty and they’re both worth visiting, particularly on a clear day. Both are free, except for $15 parking. The most famous is the white “city on the hill” designed by noted architect Richard Meier. It covers 110 hilltop acres in West L.A., includes 1.2 million square feet of travertine stone and cost $1.5 billion. You take a tram to the top, making it accessible for wheelchairs. There’s a kid-friendly room with activities. Probably the most famous item is Van Gogh’s “Irises.” Make sure you see the gardens. The center has free architecture tours daily. Learn more: getty.edu/visit/center/

7. Also see the Getty Villa: The original Getty museum on Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades is a beautiful replica of an ancient Roman country house. It’s now devoted to classical art and sculpture from Greece and Rome. It’s free to visit, but you need to download free tickets. Enjoy the mosaics and the gardens. Learn more: getty.edu/visit/villa

8. Stroll gardens at the Fullerton Arboretum: Enjoy this secret garden, hidden behind Cal State Fullerton next to the baseball stadium, seven days a week, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. There are more than 4,000 plant species, along with ponds and wildlife. My favorite is the desert garden. They have periodic free tours. There’s a donation box at the entrance, if you want to contribute, and wooden benches to stop and relax. Kids like watching the turtles in the pond. 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton. fullertonarboretum.org

9. Wonder at the Wayfarers Chapel: You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the beauty of this tiny glass-and-stone building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son. It’s free to visit, and open most days. After a scenic drive along the Palos Verdes Peninsula to get here, park in the free lot, and pass a small flower garden and fountain on your way into the chapel. You’ll find yourself surrounded by spectacular glass walls that soar up and meet the ceiling, providing a panoramic view of the redwood trees surrounding it. Wright, who was particularly interested in landscape architecture, predicted when he built the structure in 1951 that someday the fledgling trees would grow up around it, and indeed they have. Low stone walls complete the structure. Walk outside to find benches overlooking the ocean. 5755 Palos Verdes Drive S., Rancho Palos Verdes. Information: 310-377-1650 or wayfarerschapel.org

10. Explore Point Vicente: One of the best places to look for migrating whales this time of year, Point Vicente, also on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, juts out into the Pacific Ocean, providing panoramic views of the coastline. Named after a friar at Mission San Buenaventura, this park has reasonably clean picnic tables, a nearly 90-year-old lighthouse and a small, nice, free museum and interpretive center that’s frequently staffed by local docents. You may see photographers with tripods lined up, looking for whales through their long lenses. Location: 31501 Palos Verdes Drive W., Rancho Palos Verdes. Information: 310-377-5370 or palosverdes.com/rpv, and search for “Point Vicente.”

11. Learn about Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest: There are four restored buildings spread over four acres here in South Orange County, including the Serrano Adobe, built in 1863, which shows the Mexican Rancho era. The El Toro Grammar School, 1890, and St. George’s Episcopal Mission, 1891, showcase the nascent town of El Toro. The Harvey Bennett Ranch House, 1908, is an example of an early citrus farmhouse. The park is open Tuesday through Saturday, but the building interiors can only be viewed on a free guided tour. Tours are 2 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays. Meet the volunteer docents on the front porch of the Serrano Adobe. 25151 Serrano Road. Learn more: 949-923-2230 or ocparks.com/historic/heritage

12. Stargaze at the Griffith Observatory: This famed Los Angeles landmark is free to park at and visit (at least for now – there’s a move afoot to require payment for parking). It would be worth driving up here just to see the view, but there’s so much more, such as a statue of James Dean, who filmed some of “Rebel Without A Cause” here. Check to see if there’s a free nighttime star party on the calendar. There’s a hiking trail above the observatory on a fire road that leads to even better views. The observatory is free, it’s worth spending $7 adults, $3 kids on the planetarium shows. Note: Closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 2. Open Jan. 1. Location: 2800 E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles. Learn more here: griffithobservatory.org or call 213-473-0800.

13. Cheer for the ponies at Santa Anita: Opening day of live racing at Santa Anita is Monday, so head on over and enjoy. If you go online now, you can get $10 off an Opening Day package that includes admission, craft beer, clubhouse admission, commemorative hat and more. For everyone, opening day freebies include a calendar and stuffed horse for kids, while supplies last. General admission is $5, parking costs $4. At this writing, Travelzoo.com was running a $35 special that included box seats for four. Location: Santa Anita Park, 285 W Huntington Dr. Arcadia. Learn more: santaanita.com or call 626-574-7223.

14. Pet a shark for free: Check out Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on many Friday nights, when everyone can come to the outdoor shark exhibit and touch bamboo sharks and see other types from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The entire aquarium isn’t free, just the shark exhibit. However, they’re also offering discounted Late Nights from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 26 to Jan. 7 (except New Year’s Eve), when admission is only $14.95. That’s a deal. The entire aquarium is open for the late nights, except for the Lorikeet exhibit. Sometimes, there’s free entertainment too. Upcoming Shark Lagoon Fridays: Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. Rain cancels. Learn more: AquariumofPacific.org or 562-590-3100.

15. Visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art: This fascinating museum on Wilshire Boulevard has a membership program called NexGen that gives free admission to kids 17 and under, with one adult also admitted free, all the time, every visit. Even babies and out-of-towners can join. Exhibitions that require a special ticket are not included. Ask for a membership card at the ticket window when you get there or call 323-857-6512. It’s open extended holiday hours Dec. 26-Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Regular adult admission is $25. Note that L.A. County residents get in free every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. and Friday: 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd. L.A. Learn more: lacma.org

16. Get artsy at the Norton Simon: This museum in Pasadena that displays the collection of the late industrialist is always worth visiting, but especially on the first Friday of the month, when it’s free to visit from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The next first Friday is Jan. 6. No tickets required, just show up. Regular adult price is $12, and kids 18 and under are always free. Parking is always free, too. The extensive Degas collection is my favorite. Location: 411 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena. Learn more: nortonsimon.org or 626-449-6840.

17. Commune with nature in Huntington Beach: See herons, egrets and other birds along the 18 acres of trails and wetlands at the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach. It’s open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. There’s also an interpretive center and a water-wise garden. Location: 17851 Goldenwest St. Huntington Beach. Learn more: shipleynature.org

18. Stroll the Festival of Lights: This downtown Riverside tradition attracts tens of thousands of families every year for good reason: It’s simply spectacular, and will be until Jan. 7. The Mission Inn hotel is the centerpiece of the light displays, and decorated to excess with every sort of Christmas whimsy, but the entire downtown is lit up, with carriage rides, street vendors and more. They flip the light switch at 5 p.m. and a gasp goes up from the crowds. Parking is free at meters and surface lots on weekends, holidays and after 5 p.m. on weekdays. Paid parking lots also surround the area. Yes, you need some hot popcorn. If you want to eat downtown, make a reservation. And note there’s a free New Year’s Eve family celebration from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 31 with music, piñatas and more at the Library Plaza, 3581 Mission Inn Ave. Learn more: riversideca.gov/fol or call 951-826-5273.

19. Visit the Newport Back Bay: Check out Community Science Sundays at the Newport Back Bay Science Center, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. With activities for adults, kids and their parents. There are tidepool touch tanks, see coastal and estuary birds, check out the Teaching Lab, walk a loop trail. Open to all ages. Location: 600 Shellmaker Rd., Newport Beach. Learn more: Backbaysciencecenter.org/

20. Look for whales at Dana Point: Take your guests on a scenic stroll along three miles of trails at the Dana Point Headlands conservation area and look for gray whales heading south for Baja. It’s at 34558 Scenic Drive in Dana Point. There’s also a small nature center to check out. Learn more: danapoint.org