Diabloland at 50% Off

TO ENTER TO WIN, CLICK THROUGH TO THE STORY AND THE CONTESTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TEXT. With the economy in the tank, now might be the time to join a country club, buy a luxury car, or take sailing lessons. It’s true: Bargain-hunting season is here, and with a little help from our red-hot lifestyle guide to new deals and some East Bay classics, you can start saving on everything from hairstyling to happy hour. We even show you some amazing outfits that won’t break the bank. If all that’s not enough, go to www.diablomag.com for more ideas on how to get killer deals. News flash: You’re about to start having twice as much fun at half the price.

Photography by Jeff Tse

(page 2 of 3)

MASSAGE

Deal »

On Tuesdays through November 30, ask Spa Claremont for a 50-minute massage for $99, instead of the regular $145. www.claremontresort.com/spa.
 

Steal »

Emeryville’s National Holistic Institute offers a 50-minute Swedish or Shiatsu-style rubdown for $35 at its teaching clinic. www.nhi.edu/clinic.
 

Unreal »

The new Burke Williams spa in Danville’s Rose Garden is offering a buy one treatment, get one free deal until November 30. Just bring in this article to get the savings. www.burkewilliamsspa.com

Free

Win a massage at Burke Williams spa: Diablo’s editors recently took a tour of the massive new luxury spa in Danville’s Rose Garden. Believe us, it was sweet, and now a lucky reader will get to check it out, gratis. To enter our contest, click here.

PLAY FOR LESS

» | Country Club Deals
 

The economic slowdown is good news for golfers who have been waiting to join a private course—several East Bay clubs have slashed initiation fees. For example, Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill now charges $27,000 for initiation, down from $50,000 at the height of the dot-com craze. In Clayton, Oakhurst Country Club asks $6,000, down from a peak of $25,000. And the public Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon is waiving its $1,000 initiation fee ($1,500 for families) if you join for one year. www.contracostacc.org; www.oakhurstcc.com; www.thebridgesgolf.com.

» | Half-Price Yoga
 

The Yoga and Movement Center in Walnut Creek offers community classes, taught by yoga teachers in training, for a $7 drop-in fee, about half of what you’d pay for regular drop-in classes. Danville Yoga Center offers a similar class Mondays 4–5 p.m. for $10.

» | Sailing Lessons for $40
 

Berkeley Marina’s OCSC Sailing School has come up with an inexpensive way to test the waters: introductory two-hour sailing sessions for $40 per person. Classes are offered Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. www.ocscsailing.com.

Free

Elephant Pharmacy offers a range of free wellness-related classes at its Berkeley and Walnut Creek locations. Topics include better sleep through acupressure and celebrating organic wines.

BARGAIN BUFFET

» | 10 Killer Happy Hours
 

Newly opened Amaranta holds a happy hour 3–6 p.m. every day and 10–11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Caipirinhas, mojitos, and margaritas go for $3–$5; carnitas, ceviche, and tacos are $4–$5.

Late birds flock to Fonda restaurant from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for the $5 top-shelf cocktails and the $5–$6 small plates, such as Cuban mini burgers.

Forbes Mill Steakhouse’s daily bar menu features five appetizers (try the Kobe slider) and five cocktails for $5 each, noon–7 p.m.

Garibaldis serves $5 well cocktails and half-priced bar food, such as salads and wood-fired pizzas, daily 5–7 p.m. and 9 p.m.–closing.

Left Bank in Pleasant Hill has a daily happy hour, 3:30–6:30 p.m. and 8:30–11 p.m., featuring appetizers, beer, wine, and cocktails for $4–$5.50.

Skates on the Bay boasts unbeatable views and a weekday happy hour, with half-priced appetizers and drinks 4–6 p.m. and after 10 p.m.

The perennial Best of the East Bay–winning happy hour menu at Stanford’s offers a variety of pub grub for $2–$4, daily 3–6 p.m. and 9 p.m. until closing.

Sushi Groove in Walnut Creek serves a variety of $3 sushi rolls, beers, wine, and sake Tuesday–Friday 5–6:30 p.m., and $3 cosmos every Thursday 9–11 p.m.

Stacey’s at Waterford hosts a happy hour weekdays 4:30–6 p.m. Draft beers are $3, well drinks are $3.50, appetizers are $5, and a gourmet sliders menu is available during happy hour.

T-Rex BBQ offers $5 well cocktails, $5 riblets, $3 spring rolls, and $1 oysters weekdays 3–6 p.m.

» | Great Dinner Deal 

When Esin Restaurant & Bar moved to its new digs in Danville’s swank Rose Garden center in August, the owners made their bistro menu a permanent fixture. For $27, diners can enjoy a choice of soup or salad, an entrée, and one of chef Esin deCarion’s dessert specialties.

Free

Win dinner for two at Carlos Santana’s Walnut Creek restaurant, Maria Maria—and two tickets to see Santana perform at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord on October 12. To enter our contest, click here.