Fun & Free | SoCal Savvy Mom

Dec 4
2014

Oceanside Christmas Tree Lighting 12/4

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.

Dec 1
2014

Encinitas Holiday Parade is coming!

by Nicole Connerley

The Encinitas Holiday Parade is one of our families favorite holiday tradition! If you have attended the parade in the past then I don’t need to tell you about the tens of thousands of people who come out every year for this special celebration. There will be floats and bands galore at the 2014 Encinitas Holiday Parade. The parade rolls along Coast Highway 101 on Saturday, December 6th.

This year’s theme is “Droppin’ In for the Holidays,” celebrating Encinitas’ reputation as THE mecca for Action Sports. I can say this from personal experience as my husband works in the action sports industry and their office is in Encinitas. Expect to see plenty of big name surfers, skateboarders, snowboarders and more and terrific representations of the action sports lifestyle on the many floats and entries in the parade.

2014 Parade Grand Marshals John and Pete Najjar, owners of Cardiff Seaside Market, will lead almost 100 parade entries along the Parade route. The City honors the Najjars for their long-time service to our community.

The parade begins at 5:30 PM. It is preceded by a 5:00 PM tree lighting ceremony a the Lumberyard (near Starbucks coffee).

Parade entries, which will include floats, marching bands and children’s groups among other things, will travel south along South Coast Highway 101 beginning at the corner of “D” Street and finishing at “J” Street.

Join us and cheer as the nearly 100 parade floats and entries make their way down the Parade route on Historic Coast Highway 101.

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.

Oct 23
2014

Safe Trick or Treating in San Diego

by Nicole Connerley

For the list of 2015 Safe Trick or Treating click here.

Halloween is just next week, do you have a tradition? Do you trick or treat only in your neighborhood? I love the idea of trick or treating at a shopping center or mall because there are not cars everywhere. I am always worried about children on Halloween and being struck by a car, this almost happened to us last year! The driver of the car got an ear full from myself and the other parents with us. So this year we will be trick or treating at one of the events listed below. Of course my child and probably yours too LOVES Halloween because of the candy, which is another reason I love this, I know who the candy is coming from. Happy Halloween!

Carmel Mountain Plaza Halloween Trick or Treat – Children 12 and under dressed in costumes are invited to trick-or-treat at participating stores from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Parents can enjoy live music with the 80’z All-Stars, or kids can enjoy balloon art, and more! Register near Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Reading Cinemas and receive a Free treat bag, while supplies last.

Carlsbad Forum Celebrate Halloween – Trick or treating for children 12 and younger in costume from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dress up your pups and enjoy the doggie treat and water station outside of Anthropology, for more information click here.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets Halloween Trick-or-Treating – From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. costumed children escorted by their parents are invited to trick-or-treat at Carlsbad Premium Outlets on Halloween. Participating merchants will distribute wrapped candy and treats adding to the fun, for more information click here.

Westfield Carlsbad Trick or Treat & Scare Away Hunger – At participating retailers from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. scare away hunger by donating a non-perishable food item at JC Penny to benefit the Salvation Army. Receive a free gift with donation (while supplies last) Children 12 years and younger are invited to hunt for treats, no masks or toy weapons, for more information click here.

Carlsbad Village Halloween in the Village – Stop by the FUN ZONE at 3:30 p.m. to pick up your merchant trick or treat map, check out the jump house and have your face painted. At 3:45 p.m. the kids costume contest will begin, from 6:30 p.m. to 0 p.m. the hounted house will be open. At 7:30 p.m. there is a costume contest for adults.

Chula Vista Village Walk Trick or Treat – Village Walk merchants will provide free treats for children ages 12 and under dressed in costume and accompanied by an adult. Two registration areas, one by HSBC bak and one near the children’s sandbox area next to T.J. Maxx, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for more information click here.

Encinitas Safe Trick or Treat – Along a stretch of South Coast Hwy 101, from Encinitas Blvd. to K street, will transform into Pumpkin lane from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be decorated with elaborately carved pumpkins at different viewing locations. Downtown businesses generously participate and join in the fun. Don’t miss the kids zone where children can enjoy games, music and activities at The Lumberyard Courtyard. Downtown merchants hand out candy in a tranquil, safe setting where tricksters of all ages have loads of fun. For more information click here.

Westfield Escondido Halloween Spooktacular – You’re invited to the Westfield Spooktacular at Westfield North County. Bring the kiddos by for some family Trick-or-Treat Halloween fun. Select retailers will be passing out treats from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Halloween night, for more information click here.

Westfield UTC Mall-O-Ween – Stop in for some fun trick or treating with participating retailers at UTC. From 3 p.m. to 7p.m., select retailers will be participating with in-store “carnival” festivities and bounce back deals available for you to use through the weekend. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., more mall retailers will be joining on the festivities, distributing candy for trick-or-treating and Plaza Unplugged performer, Ryan Brolliar, will be joining us in Palm Plaza for musical entertainment! For more information click here.

Westfield Horton Plaza presents HortonHalloween – Horton Plaza is hosting a fun night for kids on Halloween. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. join in for tricks, treats, & awesome beats! There will be a costume contest, Spooktacular Savings, Giveaways & More! Jamba Juice will have FREE smoothies for kids from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for more information click here.

Oct 16
2014

This weekend at Bates Nut Farm #PumpkinPatch

by Nicole Connerley

Start your fall mornings at Bates Nut Farm this weekend with the Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast from 7-10 a.m. each day. Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee and orange juice for just $6.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids. Proceeds benefit local charities.

Saturday October 18th is the 9th annual Costume Contest! You and your family have worked hard on your Halloween costumes…here’s your opportunity to show them off! While you’re at it, document your efforts with some photos in the Pumpkin Patch at Bates Nut Farm. Participants in the Bates Costume Contest will get a certificate of participation, Halloween treats and a tractor hayride ticket. Not wearing a costume? Come anyway to enjoy the costume parade and cheer for your favorite costumes. Prizes will be awarded in four age categories, so everybody has a chance to win. Registration begins at 9:00, and costume parade and judging begin at 11:00. Click here for the Entry Form.

On Saturday and Sunday will be mobile foods truck specializing in American comfort food. The menu changes weekly but they always have a special burger, outrageous hot dogs and kicked-up corn dogs. Each week will feature a few regional specials like New England Lobster Rolls, Brooklyn Burger or Seattle Salmon Burgers. They also have Whoopie Pies that are flown from a small town in Maine. There’s always a great selection of unique and retro sodas and chips to match the menus. The ingredients are all fresh, never frozen and hormone free. There will also be live music and variety-dance music from Calico Ridge on the Bates Stage from 12-3 on Saturday and Bayou Brothers on Sunday.

Don’t forget to visit the PUMPKIN PATCH: Over 50 years of fall traditions and memories have been created at the Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch. Family and friends enjoy the tractor hayrides, straw maze, petting corral and pony rides. Grab a wheelbarrow and pick from variety of pumpkins: Big Macs, Ghost, Cinderella, Jack O’ Lantern, minis, squash, gourds and other fall décor. In addition, weekends at Bates include live entertainment from 12:00 -3:00, BBQ, kettle corn, food trucks, rock climb, bounce, slide and other family friendly events. Admission and parking are free, for more information click here.