Archive of ‘Mom & Dad Time’ category

Behind the scenes at SeaWorld San Diego

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A few weeks ago, my son and I were lucky enough to experience a behind the scenes tour of SeaWorld San Diego. Prior to visiting, I had no idea how much SeaWorld does for its marine life. If you have grown up in San Diego you no doubt have seen members of the SeaWorld team at a beach either helping to rescue an animal or release one back into the ocean. SeaWorld has rescued over 30,000 animals and 17,000 of them have been healthy enough to be released back into the wild – and the numbers keep growing everyday!

The day we visited was a unique one even for the SeaWorld crew because they had recently rescued a pregnant sea lion from the Oceanside Harbor. She gave birth the day before we arrived and we were able to see the one day old seal lion pup up close in the animal hospital. While we were visiting the state of the art facility, we also saw a penguin being checked out, which was particularly special for my son, because penguins are his favorite animal. And what’s even cooler, all of this is done on-site at SeaWorld, and their animals really have the best of everything, including their food. For example, just the penguins themselves eat over 700 pounds of  high quality fish per day!

We were also able to venture behind the scenes of the Penguin Encounter and come face to beak with a penguin. And not only did we get to meet a penguin we found out so much about them. There are five different types of penguins at SeaWorld, and over 400 penguins total. Everyday inside the Penguin exhibit they make fresh snow, that’s over 4,000 pounds of snow a day!

Want to see more of SeaWorld? Check out this FUN video from the Murray family made by WomensForum and SeaWorld San Diego.

Spending the day with my son at SeaWorld San Diego may have been one of the best days we have ever had. For more information or to purchase tickets visit SeaWorld’s website here.

This post was created in partnership with WomensForum and SeaWorld San Diego, but all opinions are my own.

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Free things to do in San Diego June 11-12, 2017

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Saturday, June 10

San Marcos Summer Music Fest @ Walnut Grove Park – Featuring local craft brews from Noon to 8 PM. Family Lawn Games including cornhole, badminton, table tennis, soccer ball and more. Co-sponsored by San Marcos Youth Soccer and San Marcos Boys and Girls’ Club. FAQ’s

$12 early bird (limited availability), $20 at door
Children under 12 are free

Band Schedule
12 noon Dani Arribere
1 pm The Sea Monks
2 pm Bill Magee
3:30 pm Calphonics 80’s Tribute
5 pm Peace Frogs Doors Tribute
6:45 pm Craig’s Band
San Diego Greek Fest @ 3655 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103 FREE – Treat yourself to an enjoyable Friday evening with delicious Greek food, imported wine and beer, live Greek music and dancing. Come back the next day for more fun. On Sunday, repeat as needed!
Get your annual super-dose of traditional and contemporary Greek Music all weekend!

  1. •The Olympians will tear it up all weekend long at the main stage, playing mainstream Greek favorites  for your listening and dancing enjoyment.
  2. •Kompanía will be churning out a variety of Greek music amalgamations at The Oracle Wine Bar, Friday and Saturday 6pm-9:30pm.
  3. •Tatoolis will be performing popular Greek tunes at The Oracle Wine Bar, Saturday 1:30-4:30 and Sunday 1:00-4:00.
  4. •Drómia will delight your senses with their selections of traditional Greek music spanning 200 years. See them at the main stage Saturday and Sunday, 11:00am-1:00pm.

Sunday, June 11

San Diego Makes Music @ Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park at 3:30 PM, enjoy a FREE Concert with members of the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra & Adult Amateurs Playing Side-by-Side with Festival OrchestraMainly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Michael Francis, conductor.

They are inviting any musician (regardless of skill level) from the San Diego community to participate in this performance by playing along from the audience. The five pieces of music for the general play-along portion of the program can be downloaded from the links below. In these links, you will find three levels of difficulty for each part with the #1 part being Advanced and #3 being the easiest (Beginner). Choose whichever level suits your ability.

Scripps Ranch Symphony in the Park @ Hoyt Park – This FREE family concert is fun for everyone! Information below:

Rule 1
 Bring Family and Friends with picnic baskets full of food map
Rule 2
Only low-to-the-ground beach chairs so nobody’s view is blocked.
Rule 3
NO dogs. It is too hot, too crowded and too loud for them.
Rule 4
No plastic tarps. It kills the grass and the City gets mad.

Scripps Ranch Blvd & Aviary Dr, San Diego, CA 92131

Coronado Promenade Concert (CPC) @ Spreckels Park – (FREE) The Spreckels Park summer concert series has been a staple of Coronado life for over four decades. Join at 6 PM to enjoy Marine Band of San Diego – Founded in 1921, Marine Band San Diego has thrilled countless audience members through a schedule of appearances averaging nearly 400 per year. Established to support the Marines’ Recruit Training Regiment, the band also performs a wide variety of military and civilian events throughout the Southwest. They are a perennial favorite of Coronado Concerts in the Park audiences.

Sunday Concert Series @ Seaport Village – 1:00pm to 4:00pm Part of the FREE Sunday Concert Series. Bill Mcgee Blues Band is San Diego’s best blues experience. East Plaza Gazebo


Del Mar Summer Twilight concerts 2017

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Summer Twilight Concerts bring together friends and families to enjoy music, dance, picnic and experience a priceless Del Mar sunset. Bring low back chairs, blankets and a picnic basket. While dogs are allowed at Powerhouse park the organizers ask that you please leave your pets at home due to the large crowds. As always there is no smoking, you may reserve a “seat” by placing a blanket down as early as 8 AM on the day of a concert.

2017 Summer Twilight Concerts
All concerts are held at
Powerhouse Park

Blue Eyed Soul Band
Tue, June 20, 7:00PM
The Zel’s Opening Act The Flounders will start at 6:00PM

DSB – The Next Best Thing To Journey
Tue, July 11, 7:00PM
The Zel’s Opening Act Jocko and the Aces will start at 6:00PM

The Ultimate Stones
Tue, August 8, 7:00PM
The Zel’s Opening Act The Setting Sons will start at 6:00PM

The Mighty Untouchables
Tue, August 22, 7:00PM
The Zel’s Opening Act Clay Colton Band will start at 6:00PM

Sensation Show Band
Sun, September 10, 5:00PM
The Zel’s Opening Act Whitney Shay & Robin Henkel will start at 4:00PM


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San Diego Movies in the Park June 2017

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Summer Movies in the Park is a perfect chance to relax and enjoy a safe and special night under the stars with your family. Arrive early to pick out a good seat! Bring blankets or low back chairs to sit on while you enjoy the movies. Bring a picnic dinner for your family to share as well. Enjoy Free summer movies with your family at  your local park all summer long.

Movies are all rated G or PG, and this year because of Star Wars PG-13, and the movies are all family friendly. Movies this year include Moana, Sing, Secret Life of Pets, LEGO Batman Movie, are some top favorites this year.  Each movie is at a local park all over both the city of San Diego and San Diego County.  All movies start at dusk (approx. 15 minutes after sunset, 8 p.m.). Movies are subject to change. For more information visit the event website here. See below for the movie/park nearest you for the month of June:

Friday, June 9 

Saturday, June 10

Friday, June 16 (more…)


Pony Express to Del Mar Races *special discounts*

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Del Mar

Traffic in Southern California is brutal in the summer and getting to the Del Mar Racetrack is not always fun. This year try taking the Pony Express! Not only will you be able to enjoy getting there with a nice view of the ocean, but you won’t get stuck in horrible traffic. Parking at the Del Mar Racetrack is $10 for general parking or $20 for valet. There is no better way to get there (unless by limo) and the Pony Express ticket includes your admission to the races.

Through a combination ticket called the “Pony Express,” travelers can purchase a round-trip fare on the Coaster, Sprinter and Breeze, along with Stretch Run admission a free shuttle service between the Solana Beach Coaster station and the racetrack. Cost for the ticket remains at only $11, a $6 savings to racegoers. Additionally, those using the service save the $10 auto parking fee, allowing for a total savings of $16.

Tickets for the “Pony Express” special are available at all ticket vending machines at every NCTD station by pressing the “Current Promotions” button. Additionally, they can be pre-purchased on-line at http://www.GoNCTD.com/Races. “Pony Express” riders will be able to pick up their admission tickets at the track’s Diamond Club booth near the Stretch Run gate in close proximity to the double-decker bus stop.

Take the Shuttle from Solana Beach Station to the Track
Transit riders can take the COASTER or BREEZE bus route 101 to the Solana Beach Transit Station. From there, double-decker buses sponsored by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will shuttle race fans to the Del Mar Racetrack for every race.  Show your Pony Express ticket at the Diamond Club booth near the Stretch Run gate at the track to receive your race admission ticket.

The Double-Decker shuttle is FREE and leaves the track 15 minutes after every race ends.

Concert Admission
On concert days, you must enter the track gates with your Pony Express ticket before the last race.  If you do not enter before the last race, admission is $20.

Do not forget to sign up for the Diamond Club, it is free to sign up and you received discounts and special offers which include half price beer!

 

San Diego Fireworks Schedule 2016

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Aviara Resort @ Park Hyatt – The Aviara Park Hyatt Resort will host the annual July 4th fireworks show as well as a full day of fun activities. The fireworks show will begin at 9 P.M. for more information visit their website here.

Big Bay Boom @ Shelter & Harbor Island, Embarcadero, Seaport Village & Coronado Landing – As most of you remember last year was the big bay bust, with all of the fireworks going off within 9 seconds! This year The Firework show begins at 9 PM, enjoy music on radio THE MIGHTY 1090 AM and MAX FM 105.7 for more information click here.

Carlsbad @ Legoland – The annual Red, white and BOOM! at Legoland California is a fun-filled day for the entire family.  You and your kids can enjoy live musical performances, family picnic games, like water-balloon tosses, burlap sack races and Uncle Sam Says.  The Firework show begins at 8:30 PM, earlier than most because they know kids need to go to bed!  For more information click here.

Coronado @ over Glorietta Bay – Coronado has a full day of activities on July 4th including the annual Independence Day Parade.  The parade begins at 10 AM from Orange Ave from 1st Street to Churchill Place.  Enjoy a concert in the Park at Spreckels Park at 4 PM where the Coronado Community Concert Band will perform.  The Firework show begins at 9 PM, enjoy music by KYXY on 96.5 radio, for more information click here.

Del Mar @ Del Mar Fairgrounds – The fireworks at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is always incredible, I love that you can sit on the beach and enjoy the fireworks.  The fairgrounds have a full line up of things to do on Independence Day including a Home Town Heros Parade at 7 PM.  The Firework show begins at 9 PM, the fair is open until midnight so you can still enjoy some rides after the fireworks if you wish.  For more information click here.

El Cajon @ Kennedy Park – This is a great family event to attend and it is totally FREE.  Enjoy carnival games, crafts, family games, skate park, kiddie train rides, live music and more.  The Firework show begins at 9 PM,the event activities begin at 1 PM.  For more information click here.

Escondido @ Grape Park – Enjoy a variety of free entertainment, including musical performances, magicians, baton twirlers, children’s arts projects, old-fashioned contests and fireworks!  The fun begins at 4 PM, and ending after the firework show at 9:30 PM.  The Firework show begins at 9 PM, for more information click here.

Fallbrook @ Grand Tradition Estates – Fallbrook’s 9th annual July 4th celebration is now at a much lower price!  Adults (12 and up) are $25 and 10 and under are FREE. Included is admission, parking, live entertainment, and of course the fireworks!  The Firework show beings at 9 PM, for more information click here.

La Costa @ La Costa Resort & Spa – La Costa has a full day of activities for children on July 4th including making s’mores (my son’s favorite) The Firework show begins at 9 PM, for more information click here or call La Costa to make a reservation.

La Jolla @ Elizabeth Browning Scripps Park – La Jolla’s Fourth of July Fireworks show will be at 9 P.M.

Ocean Beach @ OB Pier – The Firework show will begin at 9 PM, on the Ocean Beach pier.  The city asks if you do choose to roast marshmellows that you do NOT throw them.  It costs over $1,000 for the clean up and the city does not have the money for the clean up.  Please clean up after yourself!  For more information click here.

Oceanside @ Camp Pendleton – This event is for authorized patrons and their guests only.  It will be held at the Del Mar Beach Resort, which opens at 6 AM, Free family fun zone, live bands, and a fireworks show.  The Firework show begins at 9 PM, and runs until 9:30 PM, for more information click here.

Oceanside @ El Corazon – Please note The Fireworks show was on July 3 at 9 PM, not July 4th. The city of Oceanside is celebrating 126 of incorporation on July 3rd.  The annual parade will still be held on July 4th in the harbor, for more information click here.

Poway @ Old Poway Park – Bring your family and friends and celebrate our country’s independence “turn-of-the-twentieth-century-style” at An Old-fashioned Fourth of July. The Old-fashioned Fourth of July is followed by the The Firework show at 9 PM. Please note the fireworks are at Poway High School there is a $2 fee for adults, children 11 and under are free, for firework  information click here.

Rancho Bernardo @ Bernardo Heights Middle School – The Spirit of the Fourth is a fun evening that begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Athletic Field of Bernardo Heights Middle School at 12990 Paseo Lucido, with an array of live entertainment.  The Firework show begins at 9 PM, for more information click here.

San Marcos @ Bradley Park – The fun begins at 6 PM with carnival games, jumpers and food sales available on-site.  The Firework show begins at 9 PM, for more information click here.

Santee @ Town Center Community Park East – The Santee Salutes Fun Zone; will include a variety of inflatable attractions, carnival rides and games.  There is no cost for admission however parking is $5 – $15, The Firework show beings at 9 PM.  For more information click here.

Vista @ Moonlight Amphitheatre – Moonlight Amphitheatre is within Brengle Terrace Park in Vista.  Events include live music, the Light Up the Night Dinner, and one of the biggest fireworks displays in San Diego County!  The Firework show begins at 9 PM.  Admission is $5 (children under 5 are free) and parking is $15.  For more information click here.

fireworks

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