Month: March 2009

Daytrippingmom picks- Things to do this weekend- 03/21-03/22

Here are my top picks for the weekend of 03/21/09-03/22/09.The events listed below are perfect for your family and most importantly that the kiddos will enjoy. The best part is that most of the events listed are free or almost free. Enjoy!!

Saturday March 21, 2009

  1. Return of the Swallows- Mission San Juan Capistrano
  2. http://www.musiccenter.org/events/aa_tasteofdance.html– Downtown Los Angeles- Dance classes only $1.00!!!
  3. Samuel Oschin Planetarium@ Griffith Observatory- Griffith Park
  4. Free Train Rides- Southern California Live Steamers– Torrance
  5. Free Train Rides- Goat Hill Junction- Costa Mesa
  6. Caterpillar Adoption Days @Kidspace Museum- Pasadena

Sunday March 22, 2009

  1. Return of the Swallows – Mission San Juan Capistrano
  2. Free Train Rides- Southern California Live Steamers– Torrance
  3. Free Train Rides- Goat Hill Junction– Costa Mesa
  4. The Great Train Expo@ OC Fair Grounds- Costa Mesa
  5. Sesame Street Presents The Body@ Hollywood and Highland- Los Angeles
  6. Visit Centennial Farms- OC Fairgrounds- Costa Mesa

Orange County’s Great Park Balloon – now open

,Have you heard of the Great Park In Irvine? If you live in Orange County you probably have. It’s the new park that has been developed over the old El Toro Military Base.  There hasn’t been much open to the public except for The Great Park Balloon ride. It was closed for a bit but it’s back and it’s open!! The Great Park Balloon is the first major attraction of the Orange County Great Park.  It’s a pretty cool little ride and a treat that your kiddos will love!! The best part of the whole thing is that it’s free!! We love free around here!!

TIMES & DIRECTIONS Thursdays; Fridays: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm; 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Weekends: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm  Tel: (866) 829-3829 (toll-free) 

From the I-5 Freeway Heading South 1. Exit Sand Canyon Ave and turn left 2. Turn right on Marine Way 3. Turn left at the T intersection onto Perimeter Rd 4. Follow the orange signs to the Balloon The parking lot opens 30 minutes before regular operating hours. Registration begins 15 before the first flight. (Tip: Wind conditions for flying are best between the hours of opening and 12:30 pm.) And did I mention, it’s free!

The Carlsbad Flower Fields



A little-known attraction in the San Diego area is the Carlsbad Flower Fields. They are easy to spot as you travel along the San Diego freeway. These fifty acres of flowers have been blooming in the hills above the Pacific Ocean for around fifty years. Visitors can walk the fields or take an open-air tractor ride through the flowers.

The Carlsbad Flower Fields can be found at 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008. The flower fields season just began this month in March and runs through mid May. The fields are open to the public seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Prices: $9.00 for Adults, $8.00 for Seniors 60+, $5.00 for Children 3 – 10, Children 2 and under are Free Wagon Rides: $4.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Children 3 – 10.

Information Line: (760) 431-0352

To get there fom from Los Angeles and Orange County: Head south on Interstate 5 to Palomar Airport Road exit. Head east (left turn) on Palomar Airport Road to Paseo Del Norte and turn left. Make an immediate right into parking lot.