Travel with Preschoolers in Southern California

Long Beach Bayou Festival June 21-22

2008-06-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

This is a fun place to be! There is some great entertainment on the schedule this year. Kids can do crafts, dance, and enjoy carnival rides.

Admission is $10 for kids over 12 and $30 for adults. Kids under 12 are free.

Rainbow Lagoon

400 East Shorline Drive

Long Beach, CA

Saturday 11 am - 9 pm

Sunday 11 am - 8 pm

Father's Day Train Ride and BBQ Luncheon Orange Empire RR Museum in Perris, CA

2008-06-13T05:54:00.000-07:00

June 14-15, 2008

Ride the Big Red Cars of the Pacific Electric and enjoy a Father's Day BBQ for dad!

PE cars operate at OERM throughout the year, but this is the event that features the largest group of them out to ride and photograph. This year, the Southern California Traction Club will also have their giant HO model trolley layout setup and operating in Town Hall.

Regular admission prices apply for entry, but advance paid reservations are required for the BBQ on Sunday (Noon - 2 pm).

Admission Information:

Access to the Museum Grounds is free, (except during certain special events). On regular weekends, an all-day pass to ride the trains costs $12 for adults, $8 for children 5-11, free for kids under 5. A family pass (for members of one family) is available for $60. Parking is always free. See the Calendar for dates and prices of OERM special events.

We love the Orange Empire Railway Museum because there are so many trains to ride and walk through. For a kid (and dad) who love trains, this is a very special treat. There is a little gift shop with books, souvenirs and of course Thomas the Tank Engine products. They often host A Day Out with Thomas.

Orange Empire Railway Museum

(951) 657-2605

2201 S. "A" St. in the City of Perris CA, 92570

Father's Day Pirate Adventure at the Children's Museum at La Habra

2008-06-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

Invite Dad for a special adventure at the Children's Museum at La Habra. You can go on a scavenger hunt, make a special keepsake and have a pirate snack. Admission for this event is $10 per person. Reservations are required. Call (562) 905-9793

www.lhcm.org
Pirate Adventure Saturday June 14, 2008 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. John 3:35

Kindermusik at the Children's Museum at La Habra 6/12

2008-06-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

June 12th from 10:30 - 11:15 Ms. Lydia, a Kindermusik educator, will host Kindermusik. This is a program for children 4 and younger with their parents. Activities will include clapping, dancing, singing, and giggling! Parent participation and reservations are necessary. Call the Children's Museum at La Habra (562) 905-9793 $15

Children's Museum at La Habra

Kindermusik

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. James 5:13

Sunset at the Santa Ana Zoo June 8th

2008-06-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

Visit the Santa Ana Zoo on Sunday from 5:30 - 7:30 pm for dessert and music. As always, you will be able to ride the train and see the animals. We love this zoo for little kids! It is just the right size, it's flat and there is a great playground that is covered by a canopy so it's always shaded.

Admission for Sunset at the Santa Ana Zoo is $10 per person 3 years and older.

Santa Ana Zoo
(714) 953-8555
www.santaanazoo.org

You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Genesis 6:19

Cherry Festival in Beaumont, CA June 5-7

2008-06-04T15:23:00.001-07:00

Celebrate the cherry season! There will be a bunch of great activities including a parade, carnival rides and live music. The cherry picking season continues through the next 3 weeks. If you want to know where to pick, just contact the Beaumont Chamber of commerce or view their site at www.ci.beaumont.ca.us

Cherry Festival Web Page

Stewart Park

9th and Orange St.

Beaumont, CA 92223

(951) 769- 8524

$5 per person

Children 6-11 $2

Kids under 5 are free.

Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. John 4:35

Free Admission at the Children's Museum at La Habra

2008-06-03T05:20:00.000-07:00

June 7th, The Children's Museum at La Habra invites you to a Jungle Safari! There will be a live animal show presented by Jurassic Pets! Learn about exotic animals and even get to pet a few. Show starts at 11:30am. Admission is free this day.

We absolutely LOVE this museum. It is completely hands-on with a carousel that children can ride, a whole room with a stage for dress up and even a room for toddlers and young preschoolers that has different exhibits designed for interactive exploration. They are planning a backyard safari exhibit that includes a butterfly pavilion!

Normal admission is $7 per person.

Children under 2 are free

www.lhcm.org

301 S. Euclid St.

La Habra, CA

(562) 905-9793

And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. Genesis 1:24

Free Admission Night at Kidspace, Pasadena CA

2008-06-02T06:29:00.001-07:00

Kidspace is an amazing place for young children to explore science and nature in a hands-on environment. A few of my favorite things about this museum are:

Parking is free
There is a grand patio that they fill with enormous balls for kids to play with together.
There is a cute little jumping water element (you have to go there to see what I mean)
There is a beautiful garden behind the museum with streams and natural exhibits to explore.

This is a great museum for kids toddler age on up to about 8 or 9 depending on the kid. Kidspace is hosting free admission night from 4-8pm on Tuesday June 3rd.

www.kidspacemuseum.org
480 N. Arroyo Blvd.Pasadena, CA 91103
Brookside Park near the Rose Bowl Stadium

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 NIV

Tanaka Farms Pick Your Own Strawberries Irvine, CA

2008-06-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

This is the last month to pick strawberries at Tanaka Farm! Don't miss out on this great tour. You will get a tour of the farm, a hay ride and the chance to pick a pint of strawberries. If you miss the strawberries, you can also pick watermelon later in the summer.

We really enjoyed doing this. My son loved tasting the vegetables from the fields as they stopped on the way to the strawberry patch. We learned alot about fruits and vegetables and it was an all around great day.

Some advice: This can be messy, so wear appropriate clothes. You will also be out in the sun for at least an hour, so bring water and wear sunscreen and a hat.

$13 per person, parking is free.

Children under 2 are free.

Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more.

You have to make reservations for the tour

My last blog entry about Tanaka Farms, click here

www.TanakaFarms.com

5380-3/4 University Dr.

Irvine, CA

(714)968-6588

Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. Genesis 1:11 NIV

Feria del Libro A Family Book Fair June 7 L.A. CA

2008-05-31T11:33:00.001-07:00

The 6th Annual Feria del Libro will be on June 7th, 2008 at the Los Angeles City Hall from 10 am - 5 pm.

What a great place to go with your kids! You will be able to meet authors and do lots of activities. You can expect great entertainment too.

Visit their website for more information, maps and directions

Feria del Libro.net

Peter Alsop in Concert at Geffen Playhouse Los Angeles, CA

2008-05-30T05:47:00.000-07:00

Peter Alsop will be performing May 31 at the Geffen Playhouse at 11am. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children.

Peter has a great website with a link to listen to all your favorite tunes including "Poop Goes the Weasel" (which is wildly popular in my car.) He also has a myspace page!

10886 Le Conte Ave.

Los Angeles, CA

(310) 208-5454

www.geffenplayhouse.com

www.peteralsop.com

Peter's Myspace Page

Peter's Biography

PETER ALSOP is a nationally known singer-songwriter, educator and humorist with a Ph.D. in educational psychology. He graduated from Trinity College in Connecticut and did his doctoral work at Columbia University's Teachers' College and Columbia Pacific University. He worked as the Director of The Harbor Schools Residential Treatment Center for emotionally disturbed adolescents in Maine and as a New York City elementary school teacher in the South Bronx ghetto.

Peter has produced nineteen audio recordings and seven videos and dvd's for which he consistently wins "BEST CHILDREN'S" awards from Parents' Choice and the Association For Independent Music. His songs are used daily by thousands of parents, educators and human service professionals to help families discuss sensitive issues. His "Wake Up" video with John Ritter helps families prevent child abuse and abduction. He's acted on stage and on television, directed a feature film, and performs extensively at conferences, festivals and concerts through the United States, Canada as well as hosting an annual training workshops at his Otter Space conference center in Northern California. He lives in Topanga, California with his wife, actress /director Ellen Geer, and their two daughters Willow and Megan.

Dan Zanes in Concert in Costa Mesa

2008-05-29T05:46:00.001-07:00

He is so cool!

His music is definitely excellent, upbeat, fun and you could listen to him over and over and over and over again.

Dan is having a concert on May 30 and June 1, 2008 at the Orange County Performing Arts Theatre in Costa Mesa, CA.

Tickets range from $15 - $25
(714) 556-2787
www.ocpac.org
www.danzanes.com

Imagine

2008-05-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

An imaginary friend (who doesn’t even know he’s imaginary) gets dumped by his ‘real boy.’ It’s the beginning of the school year — the end of make-believe, time to grow up. T-Rex (his real boy was into dinosaurs!) goes on an adventure to find a new friend that takes him from the Amazon to the Moon in this musical delight about the wonder of imagination.

May 30 - June 15

$15 - $27 per ticket

South Coast Repertory Theatre Costa Mesa

(714) 708-5555

Angels Tee Shirt Giveaway Tomorrow

2008-05-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

On May 28th

If you purchase a ticket to this Angels game, you will receive a free tee shirt upon admission! Fun huh?

www.angels.mlb.com

(714) 940-2000

Orange County Zoo

2007-09-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

One of the great small zoos here in So. Cal. is the Orange County Zoo. It is smal enough to walk through in a couple of hours, have lunch and go home before nap time. There are some great animals to see of course and every month they offer special programs just for preschoolers. This month there are two activities:

9/13/2007Animal Art I - Toddler Program10:00am to 11:00am

Join us for an hour of creativity and fun with an animal theme! Come ready to get a little messy! Class includes hands-on learning and fun crafts. Please see special instructions.

Event Fee: $5.00 (includes zoo admission for child enrolled in the class and ONE parent)

Parking Fee: Irvine Park entry fee: $3 weekdays and $5 weekends

Age: 3-4 years old (parent must accompany child)

Orange County Zoo

1 Irvine Park Road

Orange, CA 92869

(714)973-6847

Special Instructions: PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Call Marcy Crede-Booth,

Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846.

Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo.

Please note spaces fill quickly for toddler classes.

9/28/2007Feathery Friends - Toddler Program

10:00am to 11:00am

Learn all about the world of birds - even those that can't fly!

Class includes hands-on learning and fun crafts.

Please see special instructions.

Event Fee: $5.00 (includes zoo admission for child enrolled in the class and ONE parent)

Parking Fee: Irvine Park entry fee: $3 weekdays and $5 weekends

Age: 3-4 years old (parent must accompany child)

Orange County Zoo

1 Irvine Park Road

Orange, CA 92869

(714)973-6847

Special Instructions: PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846.

Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo.

Please note spaces fill quickly for toddler classes.

This is a great opportunity for children to learn more about animals and offers parents an inexpensive excursion that you can reapeat over and over again. I can assure you that this zoo will be exciting no matter how many times it is repeated! For more info visit http://www.ocparks.com/oczoo

Download now available for $10!

2007-08-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

If you like the information you have found on this blog, the book is now avalable for download. The PDF is over 200 pages of great information about museums, beaches, aquariums and more that are perfect to visit with your family. The PDF format is perfect for printing out just the pages that you need for the day. You can also bring them with you on your PDA or smartphone. Each listing includes address, phone numbers, websites and directions as well as Thomas Guide map coordinates. Click this button to purchase the download via paypal and will be automatically e-mailed the password to access the PDF file. It's quick and easy.

Book will be available for download tomorrow!

2007-08-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

I have exciting news! The Preschooler's Guide to Los Angeles and Orange Counties will soon be available as a PDF download! Check back tomorrow and you will be able to download over 200 pages of information about really amazing places to visit with your kids. I know that you will love what you find in this book. Download price is only $10. That is half the price of the published version. It is well worth it especially when you will find that may of the places in the book are FREE!

The Natural History Museum of LA County is Free on the First Tuesday of the month!

2006-08-06T23:59:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles County Natural History Museum is an awesome place to go with preschoolers and on the first Tuesday of every month you can go for free.

Head straight to the discovery center where kids can touch the exhibits including fossils, gems and rocks, hear stories, do crafts and more. Make sure to find the "Discovery Boxes" that hold toys and games. There are storytimes daily as well as live animal presentations.

Upstairs from the discovery center (elevators are available for strollers) is the Insect Zoo. There are thousands of creepy crawlies to view up close. Hissing cockroaches, millipedes and more! They also have feeding times when you can watch them eat!

The other favorite exhibit for the little ones is the Dinosaur hall located right outside the discovery center. There is a beautiful Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, and models and paintings of other amazing dinosaurs.

While you are at Exposition Park, you can have a picnic lunch at the Rose Garden, or the playground across the street.

The California Science Center (next door) is always free, and accepts donations for admission.

For more information check out their website at www.nhm.org

Nicole

Free Live Theatre Performances in & around Long Beach!

2006-08-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

The International Center Theatre group is holding free performances in local Long Beach parks for the rest of the summer. This summer's performance will be a musical called Pollution Solution. This show will run until August 17th

Pollution Solution! is a fun musical by Diane Doyle that entertains kids as it teaches them about caring for our earth - keeping it green and keeping it clean from litter and urban run off. Supporting Long Beach's litter-free campaign, this show offers lessons for litterbugs to promote the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Keep our oceans clean from litter and urban run off! Filled with fun songs and important information abour protecting our planet, this show is great for the entire family. Each of us is a Pollution Solution!

For more information, please contact Sheila Lee at 562.495.4595, extension 10, or email her at ict@ictlongbeach.org.

They also do a free Saturday series for children. Keep your eyes open for that to start up agian!

Nicole

Minor League Baseball

2006-07-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

Hey, have you checked out any of the local baseball teams lately? They put on a pretty great game. Not only are the tickets cheaper than the Dodgers or the Angels, but the seats are all great due to smaller stadiums. There are a lot of home town folks in the stands who give these games a small town feel. There are lots of favorite players too. You'll hear the regulars cheer (and heckle sometimes) louder for them.

They do fun games on the field with the kids and the mascots are all over the stands greeting fans and hamming it up for the team. This is a great excursion for little kids because they get to see a real baseball game, have a chance to meet real players and you don't have to travel as far! It's a great way for the little ones to get to know all the baseball traditions, like the wave, CHARGE, and the singing of the National Anthem. Since you didn't pay a lot for your tickets, you won't feel so bad about leaving after the 7th inning stretch or bedtime, which ever comes first.

If you are visiting games with infants and toddlers, they usually look the other way if you bring in snacks too, as long as you don't bring any glass bottles. As always, bring a hat, sunscreen and a sweatshirt just in case it gets cold at night, even in the summer.

Here's how to find out about your local minor league baseball team:

Check out www.goldenbaseball.com for information about the Fullerton Flyers, the Long Beach Armada, the San Diego Surf Dawgs, and the Chico Outlaws.

It's worth the time!

Nicole

For more excursions around L.A. and Orange County please check out my book at www.preschoolersguide.com you can now order by mail phone and fax! See the column on the left for more info.

Free Fun! Liberty Park, Cerritos, CA

2006-07-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but this summer we are looking for all the free adventures that we can find! This is one of our favorites. It's Liberty Park in Cerritos, CA (near long beach) where there is an amazing playground that is shaded as well as this great water feature! The water play area has a those great buckets that dump out water on you, a couple of sprinklers that squirt from the ground and the circle shoots water into the middle for kids to run through. It's a great time. It is also right off of the San Gabriel River bike path. They usually turn on the water at about 1pm and it's on until 4 pm.

Liberty Park
19211 Studabaker Rd.
Cerritos, CA
(562) 916-8525

Tanaka Farm in Irvine offers Pick-Your-Own fruits & veggies!

2005-06-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

Tanaka Farms Pick-Your-Own!

Tanaka Farm is an organic farm located in Irvine. The Tanaka family has been farming since 1938 and has been working this Irvine location since 2001. It is an organic farm which means that they don't use any synthetic pesticides!
The family has a great farm tour that is perfect for young kids. On the strawberry picking tour, families climb aboard wagons pulled by a wonderful blue tractor. Along the way to the picking site, Farmer Kenny Tanaka will stop to present different fruits and vegetables fresh from the field.

On our trip we tasted boysenberries, broccoli, green beans, carrots, onions, and more. Tasting all of these fresh fruits and vegetables made a huge impression on Isaac, my 5 year-old son. Farmer Kenny told us so much about these foods, and made them seem really cool. He now eats more veggies and fruits at home!

We then stopped at the strawberry field. We set off into the field and picked a basket of strawberries each. The field was full of beautifully red, ripe strawberries. It smelled wonderful too. It was fun to discover strawberries hidden under leaves and hanging down along the row. We ate some and put some in our baskets. They actually encourage you to eat them while you pick!

If you go on the strawberry tour, definitely wear clothes that you can get dirty. Some kids were covered in strawberries! The berries that you may taste on the way may also stain clothes. Wipes are also a good thing to pack, and sunscreen.

The Strawberry Tours are finishing up on July 3rd and on July 5th they start the Watermelon Tour.The Pick-your-own Pumpkin Patch begins October 1. During the pumpkin patch, they also have a petting zoo, tractor ride, straw maze and pick your own veggie patch.

Each tour is $12 per person. Group discounts are available! The strawberry tour price includes a basket of strawberries to take home. We will be taking the watermelon tour in July and will report what we think!

The Fruit and Veggie stand is open year round. Hours are Weekdays 9-6, and weekends 9-5.
For reservations (which are necessary) call (949) 653-2100
Tanaka Farms, 5380 3/4 University Dr. Irvine, CA 92612 TanakaFarms.com

For more information about places to go with kids in So.Cal, subscribe to my free e-newsletter! Just send me an e-mail at info@preschoolersguide.com and write Newsletter in the subject box. This monthly newsletter has all the best, up to the minute information. Too see our past newsletters, log on to www.preschoolersguide.com and click the "newsletters" link.

"Pupptetolio" Santa Monica Puppet and Magic Center

2005-06-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

Steve Meltzer is a master puppeteer who brings life and song to his cast of amazing characters. We saw Puppetolio on a lazy Wednesday afternoon and we were blown away. The show is full of humor, singing and magic. It is a great show for everyone and the music is great. Fred is a silly puppet that sings the wrong words to songs and was our favorite. We laughed about his antics all day after the show. We went home with the CD and it has been a car favorite ever since. The show lasts about an hour and is great for preschool aged kids.

outside the 40 seat theatre, Steve has a museum that houses of 400 puppets from many eras including a great big full body puppet. He also has a workshop and guides tours of the museum after the show.

The theatre is located on 2nd St. in Santa Monica near the Farmer's Market. If you go to the Wednesday show, you can arrive early to shop at the Farmer's Market before the show! If you are going to Santa Monica with your kids, this is a great place to visit!

This is also a great place for school field trips and Steve does special shows for Birthdays! Call for more information.

Santa Monica Puppet & Magic Center

1255 2nd St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310)656-0583 Reservations Recommended!
www.puppetmagic.com
Showtimes: Wednesdays 1pm, Saturday & Sunday 1pm and 3pm
All seats $6.50

The Santa Monica Puppet and Magic Center can be found in "The Preschooler's Guide to Los Angeles and Orange Counties" By Nicole Adan on page 110. For more information about this amazing guide book, visit www.preschoolersguide.com

Shipwreck Playground-Santa Barbara

2005-05-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

Shipwreck Playground at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara

Chase Palm Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the city. This 8 million dollar park straddles Cabrillo Blvd. near Stearn’s Wharf. Named for its shape, this playground is very exciting due to the dynamic play structure and the surrounding aesthetic elements. The climbing structure, which is shaped like a ship, has a unique plank-like slide that 3 or 4 children can use at a time. There are stairs, which are helpful to little kids as well as ladders for more agile children, to access the structure. Very tall look-out points, and bridges create the perfect atmosphere for pirate play and other seagoing adventures.

The sand area that surrounds the structure has a variety of cement sea creatures and beautiful sculptures that help give shape to the playground and add to the ocean theme. There are even replicas of coral reefs, tide-pools and whales. It would be easy for children to imagine themselves out to sea, looking down from the high tower onto this remarkable ocean scene.

No sailor’s adventure is complete without reaching land. This park has that too. A cityscape with stucco buildings, painted with a beautiful pastel background and a lighthouse that children can actually enter is a great landing site. You could even add to the fun by bringing props with you. A bandana for a pirate’s hat, an eye patch, a sailor’s hat, be creative.

Whatever you do, this is a place that you absolutely must visit when you go to Santa Barbara with young children. It is a perfect place for a picnic, to take photographs and let the kids play. Here, children can really exercise their imaginations. They may also bug you to visit this park over and over again.

The beach is just across the street and each weekend there are vendors and artists that line the street to showcase their talents. Chase Palm Park is located at 233 E. Cabrillo Blvd. in Santa Barbara. Parking is available on the street and in the nearby lots. Fees for parking vary, some free parking is available.

Chase Palm Park Carousel-Santa Barbara

2005-05-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

This amazing carousel is located at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara. As you cross the threshold of the park, you will see a large and beautiful fountain. This is the focal point for this grand plaza entrance. Take a moment with your child, throw in a penny, and make a wish! You will soon hear the music of the next surprise the park holds. Past the fountain is a beautifully restored antique carousel.

This carousel was lovingly restored and placed here for all to enjoy. The beautifully painted wooden horses each move up and down and will delight any child. This carousel is one of only three produced by the Allen Herschell Company between 1915 and 1917. Each ride is only $2 and parents can stand next to their children for free.

Follow the garden path and it will lead you past a charming lagoon full of fish, turtles sunbathing on rocks, ducks, lizards and lily pads. Magnificent waterfalls create a tranquil sound and mask the noise of the street traffic. Children may even imagine that this garden is enchanted and full of fairies and magic. If they stand still, kids may spy a dragonfly skimming the water or butterflies searching for the right flower.

The beach is just across the street and each weekend there are vendors and artists that line the street to showcase their talents. Chase Palm Park Carousel is located at 233 E. Cabrillo Blvd. in Santa Barbara. Parking is available on the street and in the nearby lots. Fees for parking vary, some free parking is available

San Diego Wild Animal Park

2005-04-28T21:46:00.000-07:00

The Elephant Show
My friend who went with us said that "The elephant show is slow." This was true. It was not too long and I thought that the elephant did amazing things like lifting heavy things, nodding and shaking her head. The kids were most excited at the end when the elephant did a cool wiggling dance.

You can see lions up really close! The lion exhibit had some great interactive signs also. There is a place to measure your hand against a paw and a real lion's tooth. There were cubs playing too.

There is a playground, keep your shoes on! There are some splinters and woodchips as the surface. There are picnic tables nearby for lunch and a bathroom nearby.

We were unable to take the safari tram tour the day we visited because we went with a school group. Keep that in mind if you are planning an outing with a group because you may be excluded depending on the time of year that you visit.

We did walk through almost the whole park. We stopped for lunch at the playground (we brought our own food) and played for a while. We saw most of the animals. We were especally excited when we found out we could feed the giraffes. They come up close to the wall and you can feed them leaves for $2. By the time we got there, the giraffes were gone across the field. If feeding them is important, ask at the gate about good times to stop by that area.

Wear good walking shoes and bring plenty of water and sunscreen!

Here are the important details

The San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road,
Escondido, California 92027-7017.
For general information, you may call (760) 747-8702.
www.sandiegozoo.org

Open daily (including all holidays).
Spring hours (now thru June 17): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (grounds close at 5 p.m.)
Summer hours—Park at Dark—(June 18 thru September 5): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (grounds close at 10 p.m.)

General Admission Adult $28.50 Child 3-11 $17.50

Orange Empire Railway Museum

2005-04-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

We recently visited the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA. It was quite a hike from our home, but well worth the trip. What is uniqe about this particular collection is that they are REAL antique railcars and engines that actually run on a short looped track. We were able to ride in an antique streetcar that was attached to a WWII kitchen car. After the ride we were given the opportunity to tour the kitchen car which had a woodstove for cooking and ice boxes.

Each of the two cars we rode in that day were filled with families with young children. Everyone was excited to ride the railway and try out the different trains. The rest of the grounds are great for exploring as well. If you walk beyond the station, there is a children's garden that has displays of signials and working bells and lights. There are lots of buttons to push and descriptions of each item.

John Smatlak photo borrowed from www.oerm.org

Make sure to visit the Grizzly Flats Engine House #6. You will find a beautiful steam locomotive named Emma Nevada. She was born in 1881 and ran on the Nevada Central Railway. There are several other train cars in the engine house to look at as well.

There is a great gift shop at the museum that has a great collection of Thomas the Tank Engine items, train books and movies for children. There is also large seleciton of books and guides for adult train enthusiasts.

Here is the important information:

Orange Empire Railway Museum
2201 South "A" Street
Perris, CA

(951) 657-2605

www.oerm.org

Open daily 9am-5pm. Ride tickets are $8 for adults and children under 5 are free. This price includes all railcars all day. The museum is located 17 miles south of Riverside on the I-215.

Upcoming Events at the OERM

Thomas the Tank Engine will be visiting the Orange Empire Railway Museum!
2005 November 11,12,13,19,20

Pumpkin Train October 8,9,15,15,16

Christmas Train December 10,11,17,18

For all of you train people out there, here are more train musuems and events.

The Big Train Show

G guage garden railway train show aboard the Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA June 11th, 12th 2005. Register online at www.bigtrainshow.com

San Diego Model Railway Museum

1649 El Prado

San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 696-0239

www.sdmodelrailroadm.com

Tues-Fri 11am-4pm

Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

Adults $4, Children under 15 Free.

National City Depot

422 W. 23rd St.

National City, CA 91950

(619) 474-4400

www.sdera.org

Sat and Sun 12-4

Donations Appreciated.

Portola Railway Museum

P.O. Box 608

Portola, CA 96122-4131

www.wplives.org

Musuem open daily from 1st Saturday in March to the 1st Monday in November 10am-5pm.

Suggested Donation $5

Located 3 hours East of Chico via SR70

Roaring Camp Railroads

P.O. Box G-1

Felton, CA 95018

(831) 335-4400

www.roaringcam.com

Sevarall train excursions available to the beach and through the redwoods. Steam train rides.

Round trip fares: Adults $18, Children 3-12 $12. Children 3 and under are free.

2005 Day out with Thomas: July 29,30,31 and Aug 5, 6, 7.

Old Poway Park

P.O. Box 1244

Poway, CA 92074

(858) 486-4063

www.powaymidlandrr.org

Sat 10-4, Sun 11-2 no operation 2nd sunday of the month

Fares .50-$2.00 per ride

Western America Railroad Museum

Barstow, CA

(760) 256-WARM

www.barstowrailmuseum.org

Fri, Sat, Sun 11-4

Palm Spring Aerial Tram

Palm Springs, CA

(760) 325-1449

www.pstramway.com

California State Railway Museum

111 "I" St.

Sacramento, CA 95814

www.californiastaterailroadingmuseum.org

Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Village

Bishop, CA

www.lawsmusuem.org

(760) 873-5950

Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena California

2005-02-17T13:12:00.000-08:00

We recently visited Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena California. I want to share with you what we saw there. We had a great time and would like to visit again soon.

As you enter the building, you will pass through an amazing kaleidoscope tunnel with motion activated sounds, mirrors, mosaic tiles and interactive port holes. On the other side is the café, main entrance and central courtyard. The café has a selection of snack type foods.

The central courtyard, located just past the entrance, is a place to eat and play. There are tables and chairs and also a large open space for children to play with enormous playground balls. In some cases, the balls are larger than the children!

Inside the main building are twenty different exhibits. All of them are interactive. There is a replica of an ant hill to climb through, and trees to climb. There is a 45-foot tower to climb up that has transparent stairs shaped like raindrops. You can explore insect exhibits and a paleontologist dig complete with costume. You will even find a real bee hive. If your children love to collect natural objects, they can bring them to the Boone Foundation Nature Exchange to earn points to trade for other natural artifacts.

Outside, you will find a large paved area with a roadway for tricycle riding. There are a variety of wheeled vehicles, provided by the museum, of different sizes to ride along this path. Art tables with paint and other materials are often set up in the courtyard also.
Beyond the courtyard there are winding paths through beautiful gardens. You can explore the bat cave, interactive water and sand elements (bring a change of clothes and a towel!), and climbing structures. There is a large amphitheatre shaped like a frog that is used for performances, classes and demonstrations.

Near the entrance is a room that is especially for children younger than 4. It contains soft blocks to build with, small climbers, toys, balls and more. This is a sock-only environment.
The gift shop has a good selection of Kidspace tee-shirts, backpacks, hats and water bottles. They also carry a great selection of science toys, books and props.

Outside the museum, near the parking lot is the playground of Brookside Park. It includes two climbing structures. One is for older children with wiggly balance beams, tall slides, and long ladders. The other play structure is for younger children and includes a periscope, underground telephone, smaller slides and ladders as well as swings. This is a great place to begin or end your visit to the museum or have a picnic. There are bathrooms near the larger playground.
The museum offers several classes and field trip packages for different age groups. Information is available online and you can order an information kit by phone.

Membership packages are available. Members receive free family admission, discount admissions for guests, invitations to special events, store discounts, event discounts and e-mail updates. There are a few membership levels to choose from ranging in price from $100 - $250 per family.

Here is the important info:

Kidspace Children’s Museum
www.kidspacemuseum.org
480 North Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 449-9144

Admission: $8 per person, Children under 1 Free
Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Parking: Free

Great Holiday Events to Share with your Preschooler

2004-11-29T22:43:00.000-08:00

There are so many events this holiday season. Check out your local parade and candy cane lane. Here are a few of the other holiday events to check out.

The Reindeer Romp at the Los Angeles Zoo

You can pet real reindeers, participate in holiday crafts and ride the Christmas train! For more details visit www.lazoo.com

Breakfast with Santa at the La Habra Children's Museum

Santa Clause visit's the museum and stays for breakfast, and photos. Reservations are required and tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. Visit www.lhcm.org for more information.

The Tournament of Roses Pre-Parade Events

You can see the parade bands, visit the horses and watch equestrian performers practice, and participate in the Family Festival. You can even see the floats being created. The Family Festival is free, the other events have nominal fees. For more information visit www.tournamentofroses.com

Go Ice Skating at Pershing Square in Los Angeles

Skate rentals are available every day for all sizes. Pershing Square is in the middle of Downtown L.A. and very close to the L.A. Central Library. If you go on a Sunday, you can check out the children's event at the library then go skating at Pershing Square. You could even have a snack at the library's cafe. For ice skating information log on to www.laparks.org and for information about children's events at the L.A. Central Library log on to www.lapl.org

I hope that you have a great holiday season!

Check out these lights at Griffith Park in L.A.

2004-11-23T14:48:00.000-08:00

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Light Festival on Now from Nov. 24-Dec 30, 2004 5pm-10pm daily

The Department of Water and Power invites you to see thousands of brilliant lights and many displays including the L.A. sky line, anamatronic dinosaurs, a covered wagon and western scene, the city hall building, and the tunnel of lights at the end, all at Griffith Park. Admission is free and it is a wonderful way to spent a winters evening. Bring some hot cocoa and enjoy the view. You could even pack a picnic dinner to eat in the car as you drive through. You may drive through the display, take a shuttle or you may walk. It is about a mile long. The path is stroller accessible. For more information call (323) 913-4688 ext. 9 or online at www.dwplightfestival.com

If you visit this year, let us know how it was!

2004-11-22T11:46:00.000-08:00

Pink's World Famous Hot Dogs on Wilshire and La Brea in Los Angeles.
This is a great place to visit with your preschooler if you want to taste real L.A. culture.

Established by Paul Pink in 1939, Pink’s hot dog stand is by far the most famous hot dog stand in Los Angeles. It is a favorite spot of many Hollywood celebrities and they often leave an autographed photo for display on the walls in the dining room. Hot dogs are favored by many preschoolers and why not take them to the best one in town. The menu is full of unique choices from chili dogs to the Martha Stuart Dog. Of course you can get a plain dog for the kids even though it is not on the menu. The full selection is available on the web site if you care to plan your choice ahead of time.
There are bathrooms available as well as indoor and outdoor seating.

Visit the website at www.pinkshollywood.com

Travel with Preschoolers in So.Cal; What to Bring.

2004-11-20T18:27:00.000-08:00

Things to bring
Here is a list of all the things you should bring on your adventures. I like to have a trip bag packed all the time. Sometimes I just leave it in the car and I know I have it in case of an emergency. I keep it stocked with all the things we may need on any given day. The contents may change depending on where we are going. Sometimes I take out things to carry in my purse instead of taking the whole bag. Here it is:

Extra Clothes in a 2 gallon zip lock bag
This includes a short and long sleeve shirt, socks, underwear or pull ups, sweats, and shorts. I try to pack the most lightweight items I can. You may want to pack more than one pair of underwear depending on your child’s level of potty training.

A plastic grocery bag
This is handy to have to hold wet clothes, gather trash from the car, carry items etc. This is one item I always have and find useful.

A hat or visor for kids and grown ups

Sun glasses for kids and grown ups

A first aid kit
You can make your own custom kit in a zip lock sandwich bag. In ours I have band-aids, wound cleansing wipes, a cold pack that you squeeze to activate, a small package of candy (helps Isaac forget about the boo boo), chap stick, antacid (for me), Advil (for me), and children’s chewable Tylenol. This is the basic kit good for headaches and boo boos. This is not for a major incident. It is always a good idea to have a larger kit at home and in the car. Try to think of the things that will make your trip more comfortable when kids get scrapes and cuts or if you have a headache or other minor pain. Happy grown ups make for happy kids so think of yourself too. The American Red Cross has a list of items to carry in case of a severe emergency.

Water, Water, Water
Always bring more than enough water for yourself and the kids. If we are going hiking or to the beach I will bring each of us a large water bottle and have a large full thermos of 42 oz or more in the car for refills.

A snack
Things that will last that you can keep in your trip bag are: Hard Granola bars, fruit snacks, pre-packaged fish crackers etc. This can be an emergency stash when you forget other snacks or are out longer than you expected.

Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!
Everyone should always wear it SPF 30+

Bug Spray

A small rag

Good for wiping noses, spills, etc.

Wet wipes

Hand sanitizer

A small travel toy
It’s nice to have a self contained item in your bag just in case you are stuck waiting with nothing to do. You might bring a travel sized etch-a-sketch, a small notebook and pen/pencil, a travel magna doodle, small book, etc.

Crosswords, book or other adult boredom buster
For when you are waiting for your child at swim class or other supervised activity.

Long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt for adult and child
It does get cold at night in Southern California. Even in the summer time.

Quarters
These are important for those pesky parking meters at the beach. It is handy for vending machines, rides outside the store and the ice cream truck. A roll of quarters could last you all summer.

Keep a few sand toys in your car, a bucket and shovel at least.

DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!

Children's Nature Institute

2004-10-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

Head outside and join other families in a nature walk! What a wonderful way to take advantage of the wonderful weather we have here in Southern California.

The Children’s Nature Institute has hikes specifically designed for Children under 8 years old. They offer hikes and walks at over 40 different sites in the Los Angeles area. Each walk is approximately 2 hours long so bring water, a snack and sunscreen with you. Some walks are stroller accessible. Your guide will call you a few days before the hike to let you know where to park, what special items to bring, and to confirm your attendance. They will also give you directions.

You and your children will learn about touch and smell many different plants, observe animals and their behaviors within their natural habitats. Your guide may lead a craft, songs and other activities on the way. We watered bushes with squirt bottles on our walk and made our own binoculars! There is always something for children to do on the trails to keep their attention.

The organization also sponsors a kid’s festival annually every summer. Check out the web site or call for details regarding events and nature walks. They can also send you a free schedule in the mail. They do require that you register for their hikes.

Here is the important info:

Children's Nature Institute 1440 Harvard St. Santa Monica, Ca 90404 Phone (310) 998-1151 www.childrensnatureinstitute.org

Suggested Donation: $7 per family, $5 for members
Hours: Vary
Parking: dependant on site

The Santa Paula Airport Open House

2004-10-11T23:50:00.000-07:00

The Santa Paula Airport opens its hangers and Museum to the public on the first Sunday of every month. Visitors can walk next to the run way and watch small planes take off, land, gas up and park. There are a variety of planes and some are replicas of military fighters.
Along the runway are many open hangers. Inside each privately maintained hanger you may find people working on various improvements, or hobbies. Some hangers store classic cars, or model trains. These folks are happy to tell you about what they are working on and some even have formal exhibits. One hanger has a working model train that children can watch.

The museum is located in a hanger at the end of the runway. There is a sign that will direct you to the entrance. Outside the museum are planes in an open hanger and a large red plane.
Inside the museum are exhibits that commemorate the opening of the Santa Paula Airport in 1930. There are several exhibits at the Aviation Museum. Mannequins model clothing worn by pilots in the 1930’s. There are also exhibits celebrating the 1st Chinese woman pilot in 1932 and the 1st black woman pilot who was also the 1st black pilot in 1921. They also have a good size collection of model planes.

At the other end of the airport many show car owners come to display their hot rods and classic cars.

There is a gift shop outside behind Logsdon’s restaurant where you can buy toys, small planes, helicopters, tee shirts and more.

Logsdon’s is a family style Restaurant with runway views and offers a champagne brunch every Sunday.

Here is the important info:

Santa Paula Airport and Aviation Museum
www.amszp.org
824 E. Santa Maria St.
Santa Paula, Ca 93060
(805) 525-1109

Hours: 1st Sunday of the month 10am-3pm
Admission: Airport is free, Museum suggests $2 donation
Parking: Free

Adventure City, Anaheim California

2004-10-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

Adventure City is the perfect amusement park for young children. It is small and easy to maneuver but has enough rides, shows and attractions to keep kids entertained for the whole day.

There are 10 great rides at Adventure City. The Rescue Ride was one of our favorites because there was a great firefighter video playing while we were in line. There is a collection of police patches, badges and other artifacts on display as you enter the building. Children can ride in a rescue vehicle and work the siren during the ride itself. As you exit the building you can try on real fire fighter clothes, boots and helmets. It’s above and beyond what you may expect from an amusement park ride.

The biggest ride in the park is the Tree Top Racers. Daredevils who are at least 42” tall can ride this roller coaster. It is very high and fast. There is also a train ride that travels around the whole park. All of the rides are described in detail on the Adventure City web site. Parents can ride almost all of the rides with their children.

The attractions are as much fun as the rides. There is a children’s theatre with shows throughout the day. Each show is full of songs, dancing and audience participation.

The Thomas & Friends area is a large shady and enclosed play yard. Hundreds of Thomas trains, tracks, bridges and accessories are available for children to build with. Children create very long and winding railways. There are two train tables as well. There are plenty of chairs for grown ups. It is a great open ended play area where grown ups can rest and chat and children can play and share. Thomas accessories are for sale outside the play yard.

The petting farm is an animal encounter area for children. They are able to touch and observe farm animals such as goats, sheep and chickens.

For very young children, there are cool taxicab strollers for rent. There are changing tables in the bathrooms also.

The gift shops at Adventure City carry a variety of inexpensive dramatic play props and dress up clothes. There is also a series of videos for sale about firefighters, trains, police officers and more.

There is no place in Southern California like Adventure City.
Here is the important info:

Adventure City
1238 S. Beach Blvd.
Anaheim, Ca
(714) 236-9300
www.adventurecity.com

Admission: Adults and Children $11.95
Seniors $8.95
Infants 12mo and younger free
Hours: Subject to change, call ahead.
Weekends only in the winter season.

Visit the L.A. Audubon Society with your Preschooler!

2004-10-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

There is so much to do at the Audubon Center at Debs Park. Here are some of the activities that the center offers.

Children’s Woodland is a short trail that winds around past several activity areas. You may pass a place to make a spider web, a habitat creation area, a garden house and children’s garden, a reading area and an outdoor block area. There are lots of things to discover on this trail. There is also a pond that is full of small fish and attracts dragonflies. It is a beautiful place to observe nature. This path is stroller accessible.

The butterfly trail is a short hike through the mountains. It is ¾ of a mile long loop with trail markers that alert you to special areas. Make sure to borrow a free trail book at the information office. The trail book guides you to look for specific items, animals or habitats along the trail. We were able to see a bee hive in a tree when we visited. It was fascinating. This trail is narrow and not good for strollers.

At the information center you can borrow many items that make your visit more fun. You can borrow a backpack, bug net and bug box, binoculars, field guides, strollers, baby backpacks (really good ones!) and more.
There are a variety of events that occur year round. They have gardening workshops, animal studies, story times and more. Check the web site for the most recent calendar of events. Many of these programs are free, some charge a $5 suggested donation.

Whenever you visit the Audubon Center it is a good idea to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, walking shoes and a jacket if it’s cool.
For educational groups the Audubon center offers a program called Nature’s Little Sprouts. This is a half-day program that may include a nature hike, Children’s Woodland exploration, and an earth caretaking project. This program supports the California Science Content Standards.

L.A. Audubon Society
www.audubon-ca.org/debs_park.htm
4700 N. Griffin Ave.
Los Angeles, Ca 90031
(323) 221-2255

Admission: Free for unguided activities,
some programs have minimal fees
Hours: Summer daily 9-5, School year Wed-Sun 9-5
Parking: Free

Bright Lights Bookstore Los Angeles, Ca

2004-10-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

We recently visited a great bookstore in Inglewood, Ca. called Bright Lights Children's Bookstore. As you walk into this bookstore it feels like home. This building was built as a residence, then became a dentist office and now is a wonderful children’s bookstore.

This bookstore focuses on titles and authors that represent the African American and Caribbean cultures and peoples. There are hundreds of stories, picture books, non fiction, gift books, board books, chapter books, and unique titles that you won’t find anywhere else. Mr. McLinn, the owner is always available to answer questions, make suggestions and lend his expertise.

Special events such as storytelling, author visits and educational events occur throughout the year. Call to find out about upcoming events and to be included in the mailing list.

All the books here are 20% off for everyone. They are able to order any book in print and can honor purchase orders from educators.

There are two main areas in this store. The front area has picture books and story books for the youngest children. Make sure to check out the back of the store. You will find a history section and chapter books. There is a cozy reading area and play area with toys.
This bookstore is well worth the visit!

Here is the important information:
www.brghtlghts.com
8461 S. Van Ness Ave.
Inglewood, Ca 90305
(323) 971-1296

Hours: Saturday Only 11am-5pm
Admission: Free
Parking: Free

2004-10-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

Beyond the Pilot's Seat at San Diego Aerospace Museum

San Diego Aerospace Museum

2004-10-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the San Diego Aerospace Museum. It was surprising how many replicas and models they had. The musuem represents the history of aviation and aerospace development.

What was cool for young kids, (besides looking at all the cool planes) was the "Beyond the Pilot's Seat" exhibit in the museum. There is a small experimental aircraft that kids can sit in. It has knobs and dials children can manipulate. The foot pedals activate the rudder which actually moves. There is also a flight simulator that kids can try out. It has a model airplane mounted in a wind tunnel and kids can use a joystick and pedals to make it go up, down, and side to side. Included in the exhibit is a fuselage from a boeing 737 and coveralls to dress up in. You will also see a mock up of an air traffic control center. We spent at least a half hour in that area.

The museum offers family programs once a month. Each program lasts 45 min. and includes an activity children can take home. Call ahead or check the web for dates.

The rotunda area of the museum had static displays of various military aircraft. The helicopter on display has moving rotors and each of the aircraft have pilots in the cockpits. They have the real Apollo 9 space capsule on display as well as replicas of the Apollo space craft and space suits.

The gift shop has a great collection of videos, books, models and toys.

This is a great place to visit with young children. Here is the important info.
San Diego Aerospace Museum, 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, Ca. 92101 (619) 234-8291 www.aerospacemuseum.org Admission: $9 Adults, $4 (6-17yrs), $7 (65+), $7 Students, Children under 6 and Active Duty Military are Free. Parking is Free.
Hours of Operation: 10am-4:30pm, Summer Hours 10am-5:30pm

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Do you have any insider information about Disney resorts, Disneyland or California Adventure? We would love to know what you love about Disney!

See you soon!

Nicole

The Preschooler's Guide to Southern California!

2004-10-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Welcome to the Preschooler's Guide Blog! I will be writing about the best places that I have gone with my son Isaac, who is 4, in Southern California.

We have gone everywhere and are currently developing a travel guidebook that will be available on January 28th, 2005.

I hope that you will write in my blog about the places that you have visited with your preschooler.

Today we visited the George F. Canyon Nature Center in Rolling Hills Estates. They are located at 27305 Palos Verdes Drive E. in Rolling Hills, Ca (310) 547-8062. They are open Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 4pm.

We hiked thier 3/4 mile trail today. We didn't make it to the end. It is a straight trail 3/4 miles up and 3/4 miles back. It was beautiful. The trail begins at the nature center and is well marked. There is a map at the trail head just a little past the center. The markers are numbered and many also include signs with poems about some of the animals, birds, butterflies and brush. There is a sign that has information about animal tracks and has a cement spot on the ground with animal tracks embedded in it. It was fun for us to examine them and guess what animal made them. It was a great hike. There were other families on the trail today also. There is a discovery center inside the main building that has animals and other information as well as a little gift shop. The nature center offers a guided hike for $2 on the 1st Saturday of the month. Check thier web site for more info www.pvplc.org/georgef.htm

Tommorow we are starting our San Diego Sweep! We will be going to the San Diego Aerospace Museum and the Gillespie Field Annex. Isaac is wild about flight so it should be fun.

Where have you been? Let us know!
We are aways available at preschoolersguide@comcast.net