Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

The 99th annual Newport Beach Christmas Parade will set sail beginning Wednesday Dec 12th for five consecutive nights. The New York Times has called it one of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation. This year’s theme is “Twas the night before Christmas”

The parade starts off Collins Island at 6:30 pm and finishes at the same site at approximately 8:30 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9:00 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Two separate routes are run on different evenings.) The boats follow a longer route on the weekend, taking about three hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Parade takes about two and a half hours to make its rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.

You can view the parade from pretty much anywhere along the harbor free of cost. The only problem is finding parking. All city parking lots will be open throughout the parade to accommodate viewers. There are also private lots along the parade route but they can be pricey. The lots I encountered ranged from ten to fourteen dollars.

One of the best places to view the Boat Parade is at the Balboa Island Ferry Landing at the Fun Zone on the Balboa Peninsula. Another great spot is from the bridge to Balboa Island. We decided to watch the parade from Balboa Island and had a fantastic view. We arrived thirty minutes before the start of the parade and it took us about thirty-five minutes to find a spot. I strongly recommend arriving at least one hour before the parade start time. Make sure to bring a jacket as it gets very cold. We brought plenty of blankets, scarves, hats and mittens. I would also suggest to bring something warm to drink. It is chilly on the bay!!

Although parking is a bit of a hassle the extra effort is well worth it. The parade is spectacular and you will thoroughly enjoy it!!

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Zimmer Children’s Museum

If you are in Los Angeles or planning a visit to Los Angeles make sure to visit the Zimmer Children’s museum. The museum’s mission is to promote values that help make a better society through interactive learning, creative self-expression and art experiences for children and families. The Zimmer is located on Museum Row in Los Angeles and features hands on exhibits for children 0-8. My two year old daughter and year old son had a fantastic time.

The museum has 9 exhibits split between two levels. The lower level of the museum holds most of the exhibits. My children’s favorite exhibit was the Zimmer neighborhood located on the lower level of the museum. The exhibit is made up of different displays. There is a corner market where the kids can shop for groceries. A home complete with kitchen and dining room where your children can cook up a meal . The neighborhood also has a synagogue where kids can explore and learn about Jewish traditions. There is also a bookstore and puppet theatre, a community park, toddler playland and the Blue Bagel cafe where your children can take turns playing a restaurateur or customer.

People helping people is an exhibit that shows children that being a true hero is helping others. The exhibit has a full size ambulance where the kids can learn about saving lives and even take turns “driving”. There is a section where you can make well cards for patients at local hospitals and a hospital desk where you can intake patients. This exhibit was a big hit with my two year old daughter . She loved “driving” the ambulance.

My personal favorite was the replica of the Western Wall (the Kotel) in Jerusalem . Here you can write your wishes or hopes for the future on a piece of paper and tuck the note between the stones of the wall as people do at the wall in Jerusalem.

The lower level also contains a water exhibit where kids can learn about conserving water and can also splish slash around. There is a water table that was a big hit with the kiddos where you can sail a boat or a duck through a water maze. Music Island is the Zimmer’s newest exhibit and allows children to compose their own music or play a musical match game. There is also a newsroom where kids can learn about what goes on in the making of a newspaper.

The ground level has the Zimmer plane exhibit which allows you to be a pilot for a day. Put on your safety vest and be prepared for a ride. My two year old was able to “pilot” the plane which is equipped with navigation tools, a flight simulator and electrical control panels. I had to literally pry my two year old and also my 23 year old baby sister from this exhibit. There is also a theater complete with a blue screen that allows you to be star. You can change costumes and partake in as many productions as your heart desires.

I can’t rave enough about this little museum. If you visit you will discover why Los Angeles magazine named it the “best little known museum”. It truly is a gem!!

Zimmer Children’s Museum
6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Located on the lobby level of The Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center

Parking when available is free in the west parking structure

Museum Public Hours
Wednesdays 10:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays: 12:30pm – 5:00pm
Fridays 10:00am – 12:30pm
Closed Monday and Saturday and on most Jewish and national holidays.

Admission
Adults: $8.00
Children 3-12: $5.00
Children 2 and under are FREE
Grandparents are FREE when accompanied by a grandchild

Aquarium of the Pacific-Long Beach

Ever wanted to touch a shark? or have a lorekeet land on your head? If you have or even if you haven’t, load up the kids and head down to the Aquarium of the Pacific. We took the kids and they had an absolute blast.

The aquarium is one of the largest in the United States and has more than 500 species of marine life on display. There are three main galleries that represent distinct areas of the Pacific Ocean. The Southern California/Baja gallery contains 18 exhibits that give us a peek into the coastline that runs between Southern California to the Sea of Cortez. The Northern Pacific gallery features twelve exhibits and gives us a glimpse of sea life in the Bering Sea and Alaskan coast. The third gallery is the Tropical Pacific gallery which showcases marine life in the warm Pacific waters. The Tropical gallery consists of 16 exhibits and is my personal favorite because it holds thousands of brightly colored fish

Another personal favorite is Lorekee Forest. It’s an outdoor adventure where you can get up close and personal with these fun little birds. You can buy some nectar at the entrance to the exhibit and be prepared to have them land on your arms or even your head.

Once you have had your fill of birds head over to Shark Lagoon for an unbelievable experience. The exhibit contains almost every type of shark imaginable and you can even touch a couple . There are also live presentations and displays.

There is only one downside to your visit , well at least there was with ours – our daughter didn’t want to leave at the end of the day!!

Hours :
Open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day of the year, except December 25 and during the weekend of the Grand Prix of Long Beach (April 13-15, 2007).

Address :
100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 590-3100

Aquarium Admission Aquarium admission includes all the galleries, hands-on labs, and presentations as noted on the daily handout.

Adult: $20.95 Child (3-11): $11.95 Senior (62+): $17.95

A new thing at the aquarium is the Aquarium Admission Plus Harbor Tour. We plan to try this soon. Your tour takes you through the Long Beach/Los Angeles Harbors with Harbor Breeze Cruises for a 45-minute narrated cruise around one of the most active ports in the world. See the downtown shoreline, ocean vistas, ships from around the world, and even sea lions. Tours are offered daily throughout the day. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 562-590-3100, ext. 0 or at the ticket window.

Adult: $28.95 Child (3-11): $14.95 Senior (62+): $23.95
Member Prices: Adult: $10 Child (3-11): $5 Senior (62+): $8

For additional information click here