Fieldtrip 101: Discovery Science Center

We're attempting to finish our Summer up with a bang and fitting in as much fun as we can! There are so many museums, theme parks, etc that I've been wanting to take Landon to, and this was on the list!

What a great place to take the kids! While it's geared towards kids who are 5+, it's still great to let the younger ones explore and get some hands on fun with science.

The facility is 2 levels with multiple exhibits. It looked smaller than I thought it would be, but it was packed with over 4 hours of fun. LC's favorite exhibit was the Dino Quest. You receive a "magic wand" and a mission to find items in their Dino Exhibit. When you find one of the items on your list, you scan it with your wand. At the end of your journey, you return the wand and receive a special Dino token as a reward. He also really enjoyed the NASA Rocket Lab where he could launch rockets high into the air.

They have restrooms located throughout the museum and a few hand sanitizer stations, too. Although, I recommend bringing your own. 

For lunchtime, they have a Taco Bell/Pizza Hut on site that isn't marked up to ridiculous prices! Just plan your dining time out or have someone grab a table for you because seating is limited and fills up very quickly during lunch hour.

Discovery Science Center
2500 North Main Street, Santa Ana

Admission: $15.95 (15+), $12.95 (3-14)
Parking: $4.00 Cash Only
Hours: 10am-5pm
Good for Ages: 3+
Notes: Bring Hand Sanitizer, Cash Only for Parking

Fieldtrip 101: San Diego Zoo Safari Park

For those that are wondering, yes it is the same place as the "Wild Animal Park", just under a new name. And it's still owned by the San Diego Zoo, but is not the same location as the San Diego Zoo. They're about 30 minutes apart.

LC and I had the chance to visit with family this summer. This is a great place for the family to visit and see the traditional animals that everyone loves about the zoo, plus a place to see animals interact together on the African Plains. Your ticket includes a safari tram ride that you must take. You get to circle the African Plains with an up close look at some of the animals.

Our favorite exhibit is the Lion Camp where the lions often lay right up against the glass. I'm also fond of the Gorilla Forest- especially since there is a baby gorilla who provides plenty of entertainment and laughs.

The have a petting zoo, playground and even a water play area for the kids to enjoy. If you're the more adventurous type, they have a variety of tours and activities available for purchase including a zipline over animal exhibits and a caravan safari where you are able to hand feed some of their animals.

If you go, be prepared for LOTS of walking. The exhibits are spaced out to allow the animals room to roam, so you'll get plenty of exercise during your visit.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido

Admission: $42 (12+), $32 (3-11)

Parking: $10

Hours: 9a-5p Open later during summer and holiday breaks

Notes: Bring water and snacks. Get there early- Animals are more active during the cooler hours. During the month of October, they usually promote "Kids Free" month. Take advantage of that!



The Cove Waterpark

In our search for fun local activities, we came across a Groupon deal for The Cove Waterpark in Riverside. We have a few other water parks nearby, but decided to give this one a a try. Afterall, we couldn't beat the price that Groupon offered (50% off)! 

We went on a Monday and got there about 20 minutes after the park opened. The first thing I noticed was the parking lot is fairly small (especially since they are also doing swim lessons in the lap pool next door). But, it's free and we found a spot immediately.

The next thing I noticed is lack of seating areas. Every lounge chair surrounding the little kid's play area was already taken. There is additional seating in the cabanas, but if someone reserves that cabana, then you're out of luck.  There is more seating on the other side of the park near the tower of slides, but if you have a little one, you won't be in that area.

The kid's play area is very nice. It's structured similar to playground equipment and includes 3 slides, water cannons, a small cargo net and a big dump bucket.  LC loved it and even though I wasn't able to find a nearby seat, I was able to sit on the edge of the water and relax while keeping an eye on him. There are plenty of lifeguards in this area to ensure safety and enforce rules. That's one thing that really stood out. The lifeguards here made sure kids weren't running, cutting in line or doing anything that could hurt them. Same goes for the lifeguards stationed on the lazy river.

The only other area LC could use was the lazy river and he loved it. They had plenty of rafts and enforced that children under a certain height wear a life jacket.

As far as dining options, you are not allowed to bring in outside food or drink. They have you sign a waiver up front stating that you understand that rule, but they didn't check bags. I saw several people eating their own food. We opted for their on-site cafe, but was disappointed that they had ran out of chicken nuggets and straws. The line was long and the cafe ordering was indoors (with a slippery tile floor). When it came to sitting down to eat, again you just hoped a cabana was open with a table to sit at.

We spent 4 hours there and definately got our money worth. It's cheaper than the other local water parks, so if you have kids under 5 and are looking for something to do for a few hours, I do recommend it. But, get there early if you want a lounge chair (Or rent a cabana with a group of friends).

The Cove Waterpark

4310 Camino Real, Riverside

Admission: $18 adults, $14 Junior (37-48"), $9 Tots (30-36")

Parking: FREE

Hours: 11am-7pm

Good For Ages: 2 and up

Family Fun: Pala Casino Review

Sorry for the long break between posts. LC has been enjoying his summer vacation and staying at different relatives houses for some lovely family bonding time. One thing we did do before sending him on his way was stay a couple of nights at Pala Casino in Southern California (San Diego County).

It's located about 90 minutes from home base and our extended family often enjoys casino excursions there. We spent most of our time pool side soaking up the sun (and LC learning to swim).

The Pros of the resort:
- If you have a single bed room, they'll bring up a roll-away for no additional cost
- The pool is only 4 feet deep- perfect for little ones
- If you forgot your swim rings or pool toys, they have some available for purchase
- The cabanas give ample room to lounge, enjoy poolside lunch & cocktails and spend time with the family. Definitely worth the rental! They even have a TV, fridge, separate changing area and ceiling fan for those who don't want to enter the water. non-alcoholic beverages and a fruit platter are also included.
- There is a big grass lawn that is used for concerts, but when one isn't taking place, it's a perfect place for the little ones to run around and play on. I saw one family playing football and we entertained the idea of throwing a frisbee around.
- The baths here are amazing! Huge and deep- perfect for bubble baths (and for relaxation for the adults)

The Cons of the resort:
- Nothing for the kids to do except the pool. No arcade.
- No kids channels on the TV (You have to pay for a Kid's Package that includes Disney, etc.)
- Movies are pricey at $16 a piece
- No kids menus at any of the restaurants. Which isn't a huge deal unless you want to head to an upscale restaurant or the buffet. $28 for a picky 5 year old isn't exactly what I had in mind. For adults, however, the buffet is AMAZING!!
- Nothing else to do in the area. It's surrounded by hills and farms. It's at least a 15 minute drive if you want to see anything else.
- You have to pay $10 for wi-fi

I recommend this resort if you're traveling with kids in the summer. At least they'll have the pool- which is where we spent most of our time and our trip was awesome! If it's winter time, I don't recommend a lengthy stay as they'll probably get bored pretty fast. If you're looking for an adults only trip- they have a wonderful spa, fitness facility, jacuzzi and of course, cocktails and gambling. Makes for a good night away!

Fieldtrip 101: Riley's Farm

Strawberries are probably the most loved fruit in our household, so it's no surprise that we love picking our own from a local farm.

Riley's Farm is about 15 minutes from Yucaipa/Beaumont and nestled in the small town of Oak Glen. Famous for it's U-Pick apples in the fall, there are plenty of activities to enjoy year round! From Revolutionary War reenactments to themed dinner events, and there's plenty of u-pick opportunities, as well- Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Pears, Apples and even Zinnias!

We spent the morning there picking fresh strawberries. I recommend calling ahead to check their crop availability, as it was a little sparse when we showed up. We still were able to grab a couple pints full of delicious red berries.

After your day of harvesting, you can browse through their general store or enjoy a slice of fresh baked apple pie from their bakery! (Crumb Crust is our fave!)

Riley's Farm

12261 Oak Glen Rd, Oak Glen 92399

Parking: FREE

Cost: Varies per activity. Strawberries were 1/2 pint $3.00; 1 pint $5.00

Good for ages: 3 and up

Hours: Mon-Sat 10a-4p; Closed Sundays

Notes: Everything is outdoors. Please arrive early and bring sunscreen and water. Wear close toe shoes- remember this is a working farm. The ground may be uneven in places. They accept cash and credit cards for payment. Cell phone service is sparse. 

Knott's Berry Farm

I was going to stay away from the major theme parks because if you live in So. Cal, they're pretty much a given. But, then I thought there might be some people looking at this from out of state and planning a trip. Or possibly a first timer! So, here is the first major theme park- Knott's Berry Farm.

I think this is probably the most affordable theme park that offers rides of every thrill level for the whole family. There are rides for little ones in Camp Snoopy, water rides, roller coasters for the thrill seekers and there are actually a lot of educational opportunities at this park. Especially if you're looking for something with a Wild West/ Native American theme.

The first time I took LC, he was 4. The rides in Camp Snoopy are fairly small(cars that go a round in a loop, airplanes that fly in a circle, etc.). You can find some of the same rides when the fair comes to town. But this is exactly the kind of thing 4 year olds love. And because they're simple and in full view, you can let them go on it by themselves while you watch from the sidelines and cheer them on, take pictures, etc.  His absolute favorite was Woodstock's Airmail- which is a mini version of Supreme Scream. They even have a child sized roller coaster for the smallest thrill seeking guests that are 36" or taller.

For the older kids and adults in the family, there are several roller coasters and thrill rides.

Don't forget to check out the educational opportunities through out the park. LC's favorite was the Calico Railroad where he got to ride on a full size train, and deal with the bandits on board trying to steal every one's valuables! They also have great shows that incorporate Native American traditions or show how things were handled in the Wild West.

As a bonus, the park is hardly ever crowded. (I've been told that Knott's meets it's budget off of their Halloween Haunt promotion and the rest of the year is icing on the cake).

Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park

Admission: Adults $36.99, Kids $24.99 (current online prices)
Parking: $15
Good For Ages: 3-Adult
Notes: Shop for souvenirs in their marketplace! In addition to their yummy funnel cake and the famous Mrs. Knott's Chicken, they also have standard theme park food and well known restaurants such as Panda Express and Johnny Rockets

Summer Fun: Zoomars Petting Zoo

Yep, another OC post. You could make a great day trip out of this one. Zoomars is a petting zoo (and much more), but it's located next to a great park (Los Rios park) and walking distance from Mission San Juan Capistrano and historic downtown with little shops and yummy restaurants. The train depot is also located right there if you decided to take a trip by train!

I saw Zoomars Petting Zoo awhile back while surfing online for birthday party venues. It's an animal petting zoo in San Juan Capistrano. But, not JUST a petting zoo. They also offer a variety of other fun activities. I admit, we paid more than I would have liked (every activity is an additional cost), but LC had a blast!

You can purchase a bin of veggies to feed the animals. There are goats, sheep, llamas, turkeys, chickens, a cow and more! My personal favorite were the Zedonks- a cross between a zebra and a donkey. Such cool looking animals! My son's favorite was the guinea pig corral. Yep, dozens of guinea pigs and rabbits running around and looking for treats. A herd of guinea pigs is not something you see every day! He also liked the petting corral with the sheep and goats. They were a little anxious to eat. So, beware if you have a very timid little one. They walk right up to you and follow you around ready for their treats. They also have brushes in this area for you to groom the animals (which they love).

For an additional fee, you can also go on a pony ride, mini train ride or pan for gems or gold.  The pony ride is hand led down a little trail. (Parents are allowed to walk along if they want to). They have ponies of all sizes for kids of all sizes. For being a facility with animals, it is very clean. They have hand santizer and sinks to clean hands. The staff at Zoomars is very kid friendly and nice.

There is a little playground area and a corn box. What's a corn box? It's just like a sand box, but filled with dried corn kernels! LC had a blast in here. They provide buckets and shovels to dig and play.

They also feature birthday party packages with outdoor party locations that include access to refrigerators and bbqs!

Zoomars Petting Zoo



31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano

Admission: Adults $8, Children $7 (animal food $3, pony rides $5, train rides $3)
Parking: FREE
Hours: 9a-5p daily
Good For Ages: ALL
Notes: Gets crowded early on weekends due to birthday parties. Arrive before 11am if planning to attend on the weekend. Restrooms on site are port-a-potties, but there is a park next door with restrooms if your little one has a fear of these. They accept Visa, Mastercard and Cash. If you plan on taking advantage of all of their activities, check out their "Golden Ticket" special.

Summer Fun: Jump 'n Jammin

What has climbing structurs, foam ball cannons, rocking climbing walls and dozens of happy kids? Jump 'n Jammin! I usually try to post about places close to the Inland Empire, but I figure it's the summer. Summer.... vacation... beach cities. You get the point. So, if you're headed to the OC (Mission Viejo to be exact), don't forget to check out Jump 'n Jammin.

There are two large multi level climbing structures- filled with slides, cargo nets, obstacle courses and more. One of them is designed around foam ball wars. It has cannons and sling shots to try to shoot your friends. (LC's favorite). There's also a rock climbing wall, inflatable bouncer and a special play area designated just for toddlers.

Every child and adult must be wearing clean socks. At the door, they take your shoes and place them in a numbered bin. Then, everyone in your group is given a wrist band that matches each other (as a security feature) and it also has your shoe bin number on it. As an additional security feature, you must be buzzed in and out at the front gate and each band is checked to make sure children are leaving with their guardians.

There is no outside food or drink allowed, but they do have a few vending machines with reasonably priced snacks. There are also restaurants located literally right outside of the facility. The facility is very clean and maintained well. The restrooms are also very clean (which is a good thing since you have to wear your socks in there!)

Jump 'n Jammin

27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, Mission Viejo (inside Kaleidoscope Mall)

Price: $12 per child (1 free adult per child), Additional Adults $3, Toddlers (under 2) $5 or FREE with paid sibling
Parking: FREE
Hours: Su-Th 10a-6pm; Fr-Sa 10a-8p
Good for Ages: 2-10
Notes: Socks must be worn by everyone entering. Including adults. No exit and re-entry.  No outside food and drink. Visa/Mastercard and cash accepted.

Summer Fun: Family Summer Camp at Bass Pro Shops

Do you love the outdoors? Then you probably don't need an excuse to visist Bass Pro Shops, but just in case you do, here's a good one for you...

They have a "Family Summer Camp" event taking place every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, June 9th- July 15th, 1p-5p


FREE carousel rides, FREE shooting range for the kids (great way for them to try out a bow or bb gun before purchasing one), FREE shooting arcade, FREE casting targets, FREE crafts, FREE Workshops and of course... FREE Smores (Saturdays 6-7p).

Catch and Release Fishing Pond Saturday June 9th & 10th and Father's Day Weekend they will also have a catch and release fishing pond for the kids to enjoy with Dad (or Mom) from 1-5pm.

Crafts Tuesdays & Thursdays 2-4p and Saturdays & Sundays 1-4p. Each week will feature a different craft. Your kids will have a chance to decorate a seedling pot, paint a wiggle snake, creat their own catch-a-fish game, paint a bear track, stamp a leather wristband or paint a birdhouse. All for FREE!

Workshops Each workshop will be approximately 20 minutes in length and give kids the chance to learn about a variety of outdoor related topics including camping, wildlife exploration, fishing, archery and more! They'll also receive a FREE lanyard and FREE pin for every workshop they complete (while supplies last).

Bring the kids for an educational, fun and memory making time... Turn your husband lose like a kid in a candy shop... and then enjoy a delicous dinner at Islamorada Fish Company (I highly recommend the Alligator appetizer).

Bass Pro Shops
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Dates: June 9-July 15, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Hours: Most events are 1p-5p
Cost: FREE
Notes: Please visit their website for more details and workshop schedule

Summer Fun: Movie Madness

Some of you may have read my post on the upcoming Kids Series at Krikorian Theatres. For those that don't live near a Krikorian Theatre, here are two other great options!

Harkins Theatres "Summer Movie Fun"
Visit Harkins Theatres for locations (Chino Hills and Moreno Valley) and schedules

- All 10 movies for only $5!
- You purchase one ticket good for all 10 movies (1 shown each week during the promotion)
- Your ticket is good for same theatre, same day of the week. (Ex: Thursday of each week during the promotion)
- Showings at 9:45 am every week day.
- Special $4.50 Kid's Concession Combo

Regal "Summer Movie Express"

Visit Regal Entertainment Group for locations (Corona, Eastvale, Ontario, San Jacinto and Temecula) and schedules

- Movies only $1

- Showings on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10am during the promotion

- Portion of proceeds will be donated to Will Rogers Institute

- This program seems to have a wider variety of movies showing. Check out the listings for your local theatre



Summer Fun: West Coast Thunder

Memorial Day is only a couple of days away. Some might think this is national BBQ day, a chance to celebrate Summer or just another day off of work. But please don't forget to pause and reflect on the real reason we celebrate Memorial Day. Don't forget to thank those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy living ours.

This is also a perfect chance to teach your children the true meaning of the Holiday. If you're in the Riverside area, I highly recommend watching the procession of West Coast Thunder. Each year, the streets are packed with over 7,500 motorcyclists who participate in the ride from Skip Fordyce Harley Davidson to Riverside National Cemetery. Proceeds from this annual ride benefit Riverside National Cemetery.

It's quite an experience as people line the streets in true American honor, waving flags and wearing our country's colors. As the bikes approach, you can feel the rumble before you can see them. The sight of so many bikes parading together leaves the children (and adults) in awe. I took my son a couple of years ago and I plan to take him this year, too.

The parade departs at 9:11am and will travel the following route: From Indiana Ave. turn right onto Arlington Ave. Proceed on Arlington Ave. and turn right onto Alessandro Blvd. Proceed on Alessandro Blvd. and bear to the right at Trautwein Rd. Proceed on Trautwein Rd. and turn left onto Van Buren Blvd.

You can pull over on the side of the road or park on a side street. I suggest chairs or blankets (if you have a pick up) to hang out and watch. Bring water, sunscreen, snacks and your camera!

West Coast Thunder

Riverside, CA

Date: Monday, May 28, 2012

Time: Parade starts at 9:11am

Good for ages: ALL

Cost: FREE

Notes: See parade route above for locations to park

Fieldtrip 101: Los Angeles Zoo

When you think California and Zoo, San Diego instantly comes to mind. But, if you're looking to "Go Wild"  and don't want to drive that far or pay that much, then be sure to check out the Los Angeles Zoo.

Nestled in middle of Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Zoo holds an afternoon of fun for the whole family.  They have all of the major animals that kids love to see (Lions, Tigers, Zebras, Elephants, Giraffes, etc.) and some of the more unusual creatures as well. Be sure to check out their new LAIR exhibit- dedicated solely to reptiles. (My son loves the floor to ceiling snake cages and watching the zookeepers feed the crocodiles out front.)   They have a petting zoo where kids can groom some of their resident sheep and goats, a fun prarie dog exhibit with tunnels below them that allow you pop up into domes in the middle of their habitat and a great children's playground.

Enjoy lunch while looking out over the giraffe exhibit or pack your own picnic- there's plenty of space for picnics near the Neil Paipano Play Area.

My family and I have annual passes (a great deal with exclusive member events!) and it typically takes us 3-4 hours to do the whole zoo. It tends to get more crowded in the afternoon, so we usually go in the morning when it opens. For those who don't want to be on their feet all day and want to see the best of the zoo, there is a Shuttle ride for a small additional fee.



Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA

Admission: Adults $16; Seniors (62+) $13; Child (2-12) $11; Under 2 FREE
Parking: FREE
Hours: Mon- Sun 10am-5pm (closed Dec 25th)
Notes: Please note that the zoo starts putting animals away for the night at 4pm. Ticket sales will cease one hour prior to closing.

Summer Fun: Interactive Fountain at Victoria Gardens

If you're like me, shopping with a little one is a comparable to pulling teeth. So what do you do in order to get some retail therapy in? Bribe them of course! I make a deal with LC. If he's good while we do a little shopping, then he can go play in the water. It works like a charm. Get some shopping done, grab an iced latte, sit in the shade and let the littles go crazy. It works like a charm to tire them out too!

Victoria Gardens
12505 N. Mainstreet, Rancho Cucamonga
located in the Town Square

Admission: FREE
Parking: FREE
Good for Ages: ALL
Notes: See rules above

Fieldtrip 101: Amy's Farm

If you're looking to give your kids a taste of farm life, then Amy's Farm is the place to go! Located on the border of Ontario and Chino, Amy's Farm offers tours for all ages. If you have a group of 10 or more, you can schedule a tour of your own. If it's just you and your kiddos, send them an email and ask if they have tours that you can add on to. (This is what LC and I did).

Each tour is a little different based on what they have going on at the farm, but here is a little bit of what we did. It starts off with a tour of the garden area. The farmer shows different types of food they're growing and kids get to smell different herbs that are growing in the garden. We got to meet and learn about one of their resident cows on the farm. Later in the tour, kids were able to pet her nose and get up close to say hello. We then moved on to the petting zoo where we got to meet some of their brand new baby sheep. The kids were then allowed to grab a handful of veggies (taken from their garden of course) and feed geese, a pig, a turkey or chickens. We moved on to meet some cuddly bunnies, brush a mini horse and my favorite- milk a cow!

Amy's Farm also offers fresh produce for sale and self-guided tours on Saturdays.

Amy's Farm

7698 Eucalyptus Ave, Ontario

Admission: $7 per person

Parking: FREE

Hours: By reservation only. Check out their website for more information

Good For Ages: 3-12

Notes: Bring water. Bring Sunscreen. Tour is on dirt, but can accomodate larger strollers (not umbrella strollers). It gets hot out in the sun- the earlier the tour, the better!



Fieldtrip 101: Ocean Institute

A couple of weeks ago I posted about Baby Beach in Dana Point and mentioned the Ocean Institute. Well, this weekend we made a visit to the beach with some friends, and since it was on a weekend, we decided to also visit the Ocean Institute.

I use to come here often as a child- way before the remodel when it was just a one room facility. This is probably the place that sparked my love of ocean animals for many years to follow.

It's small, but there are great learning opportunities around every corner. It hosts a variety of sea creature viewing tanks with everything from Jellyfish, to giant Lobsters and even an Octopus. The kid's favorite exhibit was the touch tank where they were able to feel Starfish and Sea Cucumbers.

We happened to get there in time for a tour of one of the tallships. If you have a pirate enthusiast in your family, this is a must see! I'd recommend it for older children. Our 5 year olds weren't into all of the mechanics and history of the ship, but they did enjoy turning the steering wheel and ringing the bell.

The Ocean Institute also hosts educational programs and camps throughout the year for all ages. Check out their website for more information.

Left: Touch tank with starfish and sea cucumbers    
Right: "Steering" The Pilgrim

Checking out Orca and Bottlenose Dolphin skulls

Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point

Admission: Adults $6.50, Ages 3-12 $4.50, Under 3 FREE
Parking: FREE
Hours: Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm
Good for Ages: 3-13
Notes: Closed to the public Mon-Fri. Don't forget to pack water safe shoes to visit the tide pools. Please be aware that this is a protected site and is illegal to remove any animals, shells, rocks, etc.

Summer Fun: Solar Eclipse May 20, 2012

The first solar eclipse of 2012 will take place this Sunday, May 20th. Depending on where you live, some may be able to witness an annular eclipse in which the moon blocks out all but a ring of the sun's light. Others will see the sun as a crescent, partially obscured by the moon for a period of 4 to 5 minutes. This is a great time to teach your children about solar eclipses and have a little fun with it, too!

According to NASA, If you're living in the Riverside area, it will begin at 4:26pm, with the maximum eclipse time at 5:38pm, and the end of the eclipse at 6:42pm.

VERY IMPORTANT: NEVER VIEW THE SUN WITH THE NAKED EYE OR WITH ANY OPTICAL DEVICE, SUCH AS BINOCULARS OR A TELESCOPE

So, how do you view the eclipse? There are commercial glasses and viewers that you can buy, or you can go the very simple route as described below:

1 Get 2 pieces of white cardboard or cardstock
2 Cut a square in one piece of cardboard and tape a piece of foil over the square
3 Poke a pin hole through the middle of the foil
4 With the sun behind you, hold the pinhole cardboard as far from the other piece of cardboard as you can. The second piece will act as a screen. Remember, the farther away you are from the screen, the bigger the image.

Photo courtesy of Exploratorium

Check out their "How To" guide HERE

Summer Fun: Baby Beach in Dana Point

I've been coming to this beach since I was about 5 years old. It's by far my favorite kid beach. Why? No waves, shallow water, grass picnic areas, clean sand, free parking, bathrooms, showers, nearby tide pools, Ocean Institute and tall ships. Yep, there's a lot to do here and it's a good family environment.

The swimming area is marked off by buoys (as seen in the photo). We arrived around 10am and a crew was just finishing cleaning up trash from the beach. The bathrooms were as clean as a beach bathroom can be and in the summer time, there is a lifeguard on duty. I definitely recommend the trip if you have little ones who aren't quite big enough to battle waves and rocky shores.
If you plan on visiting the Ocean Institute, keep in mind that they are only open to the public on weekends.

BABY BEACH OF DANA POINT
Directions from Inland Empire

Depending on where you're coming from, there are various ways to get to Dana Point.
Once you're heading on the 5 South, exit Camino Las Rambles/PCH 1 and turn Right.
You'll pass under the pedestrian bridge and turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive.
Take that all the way to the end. You can park on the left hand side or across the street for free. It's a very short walk to the actual sand.

Summer Fun: March Field Airfest

March Field Airfest 2012 "Thunder Over The Empire" is coming May 19th and 20th to March Airfield in Riverside. If you haven't taken your kids to see an air show, I definitely recommend it! This is one of the few times they can get an up close look at static displays and witness airplanes as they perform right in front of them. The best part of this event? It's FREE! If you go, please keep in mind that you will be sitting in the open without shade/cover. They suggest bringing folding chairs or blankets to sit on and sunscreen. I also suggest snacks, bottled water and a misting fan if you have one. The schedule, directions and more information can be found on their website below. Have fun!

March Field Airfest 2012
Riverside, CA
www.marchfieldairfest.com

Dates: Saturday May 19th and Sunday May 20th, 2012
Hours: Gates Open at 8AM and Close at 6:30PM each day
Admission: FREE!
Parking: FREE!

Notes: There will be a mandatory metal detection and bag search.
NO coolers, pets, bicycles, glass containers, alcoholic beverages, E-Z ups, skateboards or roller blades

Summer Fun: Kids Bowl Free

Looking for a way to beat the heat and get in some good family time? Kids Bowl Free is a great program that allows kids to bowl FREE every day in summer. Each participating bowling alley's rules vary, but I'm going to post the information for our local alley- Empire Bowl in Redlands, CA.

All you have to do is sign your kids up at Kids Bowl Free. You can add up to 6 kids per account ages 15 and under. They will give you weekly vouchers for each child to bowl up to 2 games every day! All you have to pay for is bowling shoes.

They also have a great Family Pass offer that allows you to add up to 4 adults. For a one time fee of $24.95, they will also be allowed to bowl 2 games all summer long!

Kids Bowl Free
Empire Bowl Inc.
940 W. Colton Ave., Redlands

Admission: FREE for kids. Option to add Family Pass for $24.95
Hours: June 1- Aug 31, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Good for Ages: Kids program good for ages 15 and under
Notes: Must register on website and print weekly vouchers. Good for various bowling alleys nationwide. Must pay for bowling shoes or bring your own.