excursions

Secret Free Train ride available 2 days a month!

trainlovingmom — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:40:40 -0700

This is an incredible secret train ride! That's because it is a little known secret that OCME, Orange County Model Engineers, offers free train rides here in Orange County to the public once a month in Costa Mesa, California. Public ride days are on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of each month from 10:00 am till 3:30 pm. Orange County Model Engineers Inc. is a non-profit club that operates a 7 1/2" gauge railroad over a 5 mile layout of track at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, California. These are the model trains that kids and adults ride on top of the cars! It is such a great experience! They offer private birthday parties, and have a great gift shop, with the friendliest volunteers. Don't skimp too much! The club offers these free train rides, but please leave a donation for your visit. For more information visit: http://ocmetrains.org/ The picture included is a sample of the type of train that you might see on the tracks while you are on your ride.

Oak Canyon Nature Center - Anaheim Hills, CA

trainlovingmom — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:25:04 -0700

Last week we went for a hike along a stream at the Oak Canyon Nature Center, which really feels like a world away from OC. Wow! We had a blast. I just loved the nature center which was free and the kids were able to see a bunch of animals (taxidermy) up close, like real raccoons, rattlesnakes, live crayfish,live dove, 5 varieties of hawks, and little critters (like a pack rat) that I couldn't ever imagine being this close to in the wild. All were native to the area. We also took a short hike along a wonderful stream. My 5 year old son kept asking about poison oak, wanting to see what to avoid. He stopped at every bush asking if it was poison oak. My 3 year old son was just a happy camper trotting along the stream hike, which was very easy and shaded the entire time. The boys were very interested in hearing real animals like real rattlesnakes (we heard, but never saw). And we even saw a real coyote in the street, while we were loading up our car to leave in the parking lot. For those who live in OC, this is a great way for your suburban kids to get a nature hike without traveling far. This was a very great educational experience for all ages. No picnicking is allowed on the premises, but I probably small snacks in your backpack are allowed as long as you 'pack it out'. There is even a small, affordable gift shop in the Nature Center for the kids to get a souvenir. This is a great couple of hour excursion. They offer day camps during the summer and wonderful classes for the preschool to middle school aged kids. Oak Canyon Nature Center 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Rd. Anaheim, California For more info: http://www.anaheim.net/ocnc/

Momma-Palooza.com

mellika — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:07:58 -0700

Ok ladies if you love to lunch, shop and give your children the best of everything... this is the group for you! This is the "sorority" of mom's groups! This "sisterhood" is for mommies who like to feel pampered and have little bit of fun every once in a while.... and maybe make a great friend in the mean time! "La vie est trop courte!" All of our activities are baby friendly so you're welcome to tote baby along!

Fiona's Closet Baby Boutique

mellika — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:45:33 -0700

Where are the adorable baby clothes, accessories and gifts in this area? I found a terrific website at www.fionascloset.com Cutest things and FREE gift with every purchase! Same day shipping! Beautiful!

Redlands Baby Shopping & Walking Excursion

JetSet — Mon, 21 May 2007 00:55:21 -0700

Downtown Redlands is a great place for a shopping/walking excursion. There are 5 children's boutiques within walking distance of each other as well as many other shops. The best baby store is 'Kissui' located on the corner of Orange and Citrus. Kissui meaning pure in Japanese has: baby wearing goods, strollers, lots of shoes, clothes, and offers several different classes. www.shopkissui.com Right around the corner on Citrus is a baby furniture store. If you went the other way to State Street, there are two more baby boutiques and a childen's bookstore. 'Cherubini' features upscale clothing--see expensive. 'Garden of Roses' has infant sized clothing and a line of specially made hawaiian shirts. 'The Frugal Frigate,' a children's bookstore tucked back behind the main stores of State Street. After visiting all these stores you could grab a bite to eat at many eateries on State Street; from pizza to burgers to ice cream to really expensive/ yummy bourgeoisie artisan food. Or perhaps you'll want to continue south on Orange/Cajon Street for a coffee at the Fox cafe on your way to spend some quality time at Smiley Park and it's cooling fountains.

Family-friendly Outdoor Mall

anastasia — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 23:56:43 -0700

Typically, I don’t spend much time in malls. Just not my thing. However, the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks is not just a mall. It’s really a lovely outdoor vista, with shops and food surrounding. With plenty of kid-friendly food to choose from (a burger stand, a pizza place and the ubiquitous Cold Stone Creamery, just to start) and lots of room to run for the high-energy crowd, the Marketplace offers typical shopping fare (Mervyn’s, Marshalls, Gold’s Gym, Old Navy, Toys ‘R’ Us, Linens-N-Things) along with conveniences like a post office, a wonderful newsstand and a small food court. Also, be sure to bring change for the bank of kiddie mechanical rides if you have children in that age range. Particularly of interest to those who want to clothe their kidlets on the cheap (in price, not quality) will be the Kids Club Outlet store. Open for 18 years, this shop is choc-a-block full of cool clothes in non-typical patterns and prints, plus toys and figurines and stuffies galore. Great, great prices can be found – which is a bonus in traditionally spendy Thousand Oaks! All outdoors, the only downside to Janss Marketplace is that Thousand Oaks is notoriously hot in the summer. Lots of wooden tables and chairs with umbrellas are provided for shade, and several fountains give the illusion of coolness. Of course, the Mann Multiplex theater caps off one end of the mall, and entices all comers into its cool, dark interior. Worth an afternoon stroll or meet-up with other pals with kids, to be sure.

Traveling with Babies

TravelBaBees — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 16:18:48 -0800

If you are like me, than you probably have been on a family vacation with your little ones. You probably remember carrying everything from a car seat, stroller, Pack N'Play and toys across the airport, on the airplane, off the airplane and to the hotel. You probably remember that you never want to do it again, right? I have your short or long term solution for a stress free family visit, vacation, conference, or relocation. Remember that your travels are as much about the journey as the destination! Traveling is much easier when you aren't loaded down with strollers, car seats and suitcases full of toys. You can breeze through the airports when you eliminate the extra baggage. We take the worry out of wondering if the house or hotel you are staying at will have the baby furniture set up for you when you get there. Our #1 mission is to make your travel as convenient and stress free as possible. In return, your family can enjoy all that your destination and the surrounding area has to offer. We make this possible by personally delivering your baby equipment and if you prefer, we can deliver prior to your arrival so that you can immediately begin making memories. We provide service to hotels, resorts, private residences, and the airport. We also accommodate local families that may not have the baby equipment you need when you come to visit, but know where to get it. We love children and understand your concerns. All of our equipment is JPMA certified and is safety inspected and sanitized prior to every rental. Lighten your travel load and hire what you need from Travel BaBees, Inc. www.travelbabees.com

Jump Fun Zone

mommysimon4christ — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:13:25 -0800

Jump Fun Zone is awesome for parents to take their kids for some indoor fun. For $5.00 your child(ren) can jump for almost 2 hours. They have 2 slides, trampoline, and 2 toddler zones. Check them out sometime. They are located in N. LV. Off of Cheyenne and Simmons.

a half day trip in Kauai

noelle — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 09:24:34 -0800

A good half day excursion when you need a break from the beaches of Kauai would be getting in the car and driving up to Waimea Canyon with a stop at Jo-Jo's Shave Ice ! It is a beautiful drive up to the canyon and on your way up or down, stop at Jo Jo’s for a shaved ice! There is plenty of hiking to be done up in the canyon. It is a long drive, but beautiful and well worth it.

The Grand Wailea in Maui

jasher — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 20:40:06 -0800

I wrote a post for Silicon Valley Moms Blog about our holiday trip at the Grand Wailea in Maui. It was an incredible place to take your family and I listed a bunch of activities you could (and should) do with your family while staying there. You can read more about our excursion at http://svmomblog.typepad.com/silicon_valley_moms_blog/2007/01/heaven_is_the_g.html As you will read from the post, I believe that this is an awesome place to take the family - assuming you can afford it! :) Jill Asher Co-Founder, Silicon Valley Moms Blog http://www.svmoms.com