EMBRACE A RAIN-FREE WEEKEND.

Byline: Cortney Fielding Staff Writer

The 3 to 4 inches of rain that kept Los Angeles in captivity for days made its exit just in time for Oscar weekend, which proves Mother Nature knows there's nothing scarier than watching makeup melt off wet celebrities parading down the red carpet.

While the A-list crowd will be relieved to know they won't have to match rubber galoshes with their evening gowns, those of us whose award-show tickets were lost in the mail should also take advantage of the dry weather, because it's probably not going to last long.

While the region will experience partly sunny skies with highs in mid-60s to low 70s through Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service is reporting a 40 percent to 50 percent chance of rain to set in again Sunday night, with showers falling intermittently throughout the week.

So get out while you still can. Here's 10 ideas to get you out of the house this weekend:

--Take your dog to the beach at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu. You can walk Fido along the shore - then spend the rest of the day picking out the wet sand caked in his paws.

--Head to the Los Angeles Zoo. Watch the primates dry out in the sun.

--Get some culture. Visit the North Hollywood Arts District - one square mile of small theaters, art galleries and restaurants.

--Let the kids air out at Six Flags Magic Mountain - or have them stay home and clean out the rain gutters while you go.

--Get out in nature. Go play in the Santa Monica Mountains. But don't think of walking back in the house with those muddy shoes on.

--Take a load off. Universal CityWalk is the perfect Saturday night destination for food, drinks and live entertainment.

--Act like a tourist before the real tourists get here for spring break. Strap on a fanny pack, put your pale legs on display in a comfortable pair of denim shorts and do the un-cool stuff you've secretly always wanted to do. Star map, anyone?

--Spend a night at the orchestra. The San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra will perform at 8 tonight at the Pierce College Performing Arts Theatre. Go to www.sfvsymphony.com for ticket information.

--Buy some art - or just look at it. Today is the last day to view and purchase artwork from 70 of the nation's leading contemporary artists at the Autry National Center's Masters of the American West fine art exhibition and sale at the Museum of the American West.

--Spend all weekend scouring Costco for the perfect cheese dip for your very own Oscar party. If the guests don't like the dip, it's never too late to begin work on your Truman Capote cheese sculpture.