Mom & Dad Time | SoCal Savvy Mom

Dec 5
2014

Coronado Christmas Parade & Open House

The 39th Annual Coronado Christmas Parade and Open House Celebration is fun for all ages! On Friday December 5th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be snow at the ferry landing by the recreation department. Santa arrives by ferry at the Coronado Ferry Landing at 3:20 p.m. From 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. there will be merchants open house on Orange Avenue for all to enjoy.

The 39th Annual Coronado Christmas Parade will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. down Orange Avenue. Next Santa will light the Rotary Park 75-foot Christmas tree with the community band playing holiday music in the park. Fun holiday family event, free for all to attend. Get a picture with Santa and enjoy the holiday music.

For more information you may visit the event website here.

Dec 4
2014

Oceanside Christmas Tree Lighting 12/4

by Nicole Connerley

Hope you are enjoying December in San Diego as much as we are! There are so many fun activities it is hard for us to share all of them! We wrote a few weeks ago about everything Oceanside has to offer this season and we wanted to remind you of the tree lighting tonight. It is Thursday, December 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Oceanside will kick off the holiday season with a grand Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Regal Center Plaza at 401 Mission Ave. in downtown Oceanside.

This family-friendly event will be filled with activities for the whole family. Children can visit with Santa Claus, create a craft, enjoy the zip-line, tree climb, bounce houses, and games or take a ride to the pier in the horse-drawn carriage. After the tree lighting ceremony, visitors can head over to the Sunset Market for all their holiday gift needs, plus music, and a children’s activity area.

Also this Friday, December 5 from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. is the 4^th Annual Christmas Concert at Mission San Luis Rey – The historic church at Mission San Luis Rey is a majestic, spiritual setting for listening to traditional Christmas carols. Holiday carols are performed by Premier Brass and singers from the San Diego Opera Chorus. The concert will be followed by a delicious dessert reception in the Sacred Garden surrounded by thousands of holiday lights. Tickets range in price from $40 to $60 per person and proceeds benefit preservation and maintenance of the church. Register online by clicking here or call (760)757-3651, ext. 161. The mission is located at 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside.

Don’t forget about the “12 Days of Christmas” including giveaways and rewards for “buying local” with the California Welcome Center of Oceanside! Whether you are visiting Oceanside or live here stop by the welcome center (located at 928 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054) anytime between now and December 18th to enter to win.

For more events happening in Oceanside check out our full post about it here. Enjoy!

Dec 4
2014

December Nights at Balboa Park

by Nicole Connerley

December Nights at Balboa Park is a fun family event and it is free for the whole family to enjoy. There will be dancers, carolers, and other live entertainment throughout the event. Friday December 5th the event will run from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Saturday December 6th from noon to 11 p.m.

A wonderful part of the December Nights is participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9 pm both evenings! Yes, the museums will be open for free for all to enter and explore on both nights. Some of the museums included are the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum, San Diego History Center, San Diego Museum of Man, The San Diego Museum of Art, theNAT: San Diego Natural History Museum, and more. This year more than 350,000 visitors are expected to experience the joy of San Diego’s largest free community festival. Those who attend will participate in a truly multicultural experience, enjoying food, music and entertainment from around the world.

Revelers can watch top-notch musical and dance performances, enjoy delicious and diverse food choices and help spread a heavy dose of holiday cheer. Some of the more well-known traditions include food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; the annual Santa Lucia Procession at the Plaza de California; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; and musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree, and more.

Getting there:

With more than 350,000 people attending December Nights and extremely limited parking at Balboa Park, it is encouraged to use the FREE off-site shuttles or take public transportation. Avoid the 163 southbound during the hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., as this highway will be very congested. Use alternate routes to get to the Park and the shuttle stops. FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE – The December Nights Shuttles at PETCO Park and City College run on Friday from 3:00-midnight and on Saturday from 11:30 until midnight in all locations. The last shuttle leaves all sites at 8:00 pm so plan to arrive at shuttle location BEFORE 7pm! The last shuttle from the park is at 11:45pm.

PETCO Park Shuttle at Park Blvd. and Imperial Ave: There are more than 2,000 parking spaces in this area. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Shuttle takes less than 10 minutes and drops off at 6th & Laurel Streets. To get to PETCO use I-5 and exit at Imperial Ave.
City College Lots between 16th and “B and C” Streets: Parking is free and there are more than 1,000 parking spaces. This year a SECOND lot has been added. Shuttle drops off at 6th & Laurel Streets. The Park is approximately 1/4 mile from City College, so walking is an option. To get to the City College lots use I-5 and exit at “B” Street.

Nov 20
2014

Encinitas Fall Festival Street Fair

by Nicole Connerley

The Encinitas Fall Festival has fun for the whole family, and you will not want to miss it! With 450+ booths to visit, plus dozens of unique downtown Encinitas retailers, here’s a perfect opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping.

Enjoy music in The Lumberyard Courtyard and dance, music and demonstrations at the Community Stage next to Ace Hardware. The Kids Zone offers fun and activities for the young ones. The VCA North Coast Animal Hospital Dog Zone gives your dog a break from walking and shopping. Electra Bicycle is sponsoring Bike Valets at D and J Streets.

The street fair will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2014 from 9 am – 4 pm.

Of course, you will have many choices for food and drink from food vendors and all of the downtown restaurants.

For information on Parking and Transit at the Fall Festival click here.

2014 Fall Festival Entertainment – Semisi & FulaBula 11:00 am-1:00 pm & Bayou Brothers 1:30 pm-3:30 pm

2014 Fall Festival Dog Zone – Sponsored by VCA Animal Hospital, the Dog Zone features an artificial turf dog park, an agility course and a variety of pet-centric exhibitors. It will be located in The Lumberyard parking lot at I Street.

2014 Fall Festival Kids Zone – The Kids Zone will have an obstacle course, a bounce house and many other kids’ activities and attractions. It will be situated in The Lumberyard’s H Street parking lot and will be open throughout the festival.

Nov 17
2014

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Oceanside

by Nicole Connerley

We are so excited to share with you the “12 Days of Christmas” including giveaways and rewards for “buying local” with the California Welcome Center of Oceanside! Whether you are visiting Oceanside or live here stop by the welcome center (located at 928 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054) anytime between now and December 18th to enter to win.

oceanside sunset While at the welcome center check out the local gift section, there are tons of cute and unique gifts from local merchants, also all purchases will receive a 12% discount! The items included are a limited edition custom T-shirt by Surf Ride that features the Oceanside Pier and celebrates Surf Ride’s 40^thanniversary, beach-inspired, custom jewelry by Oh Yeah and Coola’s Hang Ten brand of natural sunscreen. Don’t miss Surf Ride’s annual black friday sale for HUGE savings on all the surf brands you love!

I have lived in Oceanside for ten years and this week was my very first time visiting the California Welcome Center Oceanside. I am happy I took the time to stop by to see all they have to offer. Tons and tons of local attraction information, maps, guides, visitor to do list and so much more! The welcome center is also a convenient spot to purchase discount tickets, coupons and maps to area attractions. The Oceanside Welcome Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the help of the wonderful volunteers.

Don’t forget to enter to win one of 12 gift certificates for your favorite local restaurants and attractions while at the Oceanside Welcome Center!

Upcoming Holiday Events in Oceanside

Thursday, December 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Oceanside will kick off the holiday season with a grand Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Regal Center Plaza at 401 Mission Ave. in downtown Oceanside. This family-friendly event will be filled with activities for the whole family. Children can visit with Santa Claus, create a craft, enjoy the zip-line, tree climb, bounce houses, and games or take a ride to the pier in the horse-drawn carriage. After the tree lighting ceremony, visitors can head over to the Sunset Market for all their holiday gift needs, plus music, and a children’s activity area.

Friday, December 5 from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 4^th Annual Christmas Concert at Mission San Luis Rey – The historic church at Mission San Luis Rey is a majestic, spiritual setting for listening to traditional Christmas carols. Holiday carols are performed by Premier Brass and singers from the San Diego Opera Chorus. The concert will be followed by a delicious dessert reception in the Sacred Garden surrounded by thousands of holiday lights. Tickets range in price from $40 to $60 per person and proceeds benefit preservation and maintenance of the church. Register online by clicking here or call (760)757-3651, ext. 161. The mission is located at 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside

Saturday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. Coaster Holiday Express – Families can take a ride on a magical holiday train with Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends on Saturday, December 6. North County Transit District’s Coaster Holiday Express is a specially decorated train ride that features photo opportunities with Santa and classic carol singing for children of all ages. Each 65-minute Holiday COASTER Express ride travels non-stop and roundtrip from Oceanside to Solana Beach. The ride is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10.

Last year we had so much fun taking our son on the Coaster Holiday Express! It is only $8 per person this year with departure times of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. from the Oceanside transit center. Please note tickets are not available day of and it will SELL OUT AND FAST! Tickets may be purchased beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12th in person at a transit center or online here.

Saturday, December 13th from 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Parade of Lights at Oceanside Harbor is a fun tradition that residents and visitors look forward to all year. On Saturday, December 13 from 7-9 p.m., fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dinghies will dress up in holiday swag and circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers. Many of the boats feature people dressed up like Santa waving to the crowd.

Each Thursday in December from 5-9 p.m., Oceanside’s weekly Sunset Market is transformed into a Holiday Gift Market with hundreds of unusual and exotic gift ideas from around the world. The Certified Farmers Market section features farm fresh produce and floral items plus a myriad of gourmet food items to take home for holiday parties. Strolling carolers add to the merriment. Kids are delighted by pony rides, face painters and a jump house. Sunset Market is located in downtown Oceanside at Pier View Way. Markets will be closed on Thaksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For information, contact MainStreet Oceanside at (760) 754-4512 or click here.

Nov 14
2014

Free & Easy Friday’s at the Del Mar Racetrack

by Nicole Connerley

Bing Crosby Season at the Del Mar Track has started with a bang! Every Friday is free & Easy with FREE admission, program and a seat! The Friday dates are November 14, 21 & 28, 2014.

Receive FREE Stretch Run Admission, FREE Program and FREE Seat along with HALF PRICE Beer (domestic drafts), Regular Soda and Regular Hot Dog at Stretch Run Concession Stands.

*You must be a Diamond Club member and scan your membership card at designated Admission Gates and Concession stands. Sign up for a free membership card at the Diamond Club booth before you enter the Stretch Run Admission gates.

If you are planning on bringing your children with you to the track please see our write up about it here.

How to Sign Up

Bring a valid photo identification and present it at special Diamond Club booths at the Del Mar Racetrack or Surfside Race Place. You’ll find Diamond Club signup booths located on the 2nd floor of the Clubhouse, the 1st floor of the Stretch Run and outside the Stretch Run admission gates. You can print out the registration form to fill out and bring with you to Del Mar to speed up the enrollment process.

Diamond Club Membership Rules – Please review the Diamond Club Membership Rules for program terms and conditions.