Things To Do | SoCal Savvy Mom

Jul 25
2015

Del Mar Races with kids!

Every weekend during the Del Mar Race season has fun for the whole family! Children are free and adults can get in as low as $3 with a diamond club membership (free to join) To join the Diamond Club look for a tent right where you would purchase regular admission tickets. It takes two minutes to sign up and you receive tons of discounts. For details on becoming a Diamond Club Member click here.

The FREE family events are held in the infield every Saturday and Sunday throughout the Del Mar Race Season. It is fun for kids and parents. There are a ton of free activities for children like Pony Rides, Giant Scramble Slide & Obstacle Course, Del Mar Mascot “Pony Boy”, Inflatable Games & Rides, Magic Shows, The GameZone, Face Painters, Caricature Artist, and Jockey Stilt Walkers.

On weekends, families always win at Del Mar. Join the party in the infield with plenty of fun for the entire family. Children receive free racetrack admission, adults are only $6 down to $3 if you are a Diamond Club Member. The Del Mar Races are a great place to bring the whole family. Kids love the Del Mar Races although for different reasons than their parents, kids will still have a lot of fun!

To see the full line up of activities at the Del Mar Races for kids click here.

The FREE activities feature:

	Pony Rides		Giant Scramble Slide & Obstacle Course
	Inflatable Games & Rides		Del Mar Mascot “Pony Boy”
	Magic Show & GameZone		Face Painters
	Jockey Stilt Walkers		Caricature Artist

Jul 16
2015

Take the Pony Express to the Races

by Nicole Connerley

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.

Every race day, after Opening Day throughout the 2015 Del Mar Racing Season July 17 – Sept. 4, you can purchase the Pony Express combination ticket for just $11, which includes Stretch Run Admission (regularly $6) and round-trip COASTER fare (regularly $11) and a free shuttle between the Solana Beach COASTER Station and the track. That’s a 35% SAVINGS! You’ll also save $10 in parking fees. The one-day ticket is valid every race day, except opening day. It also includes rides on the SPRINTER light rail and BREEZE bus service.

Making it easier than any ever before the Pony Express may be purchased in advance online, or with the new mobile app and in the ticket vending machines in every NCTD transit station by selecting the “Current Promotions” button.

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!

Jul 14
2015

Summer Fun for kids, ice cream in a bag!

by Nicole Connerley

Last year on the last day of school we made ice cream in a bag with my son’s class. The kids loved it, and it was surprisingly very simple to make. If you have younger kids like we did (they were in first grade) you may need to help with the shaking. I would recommend wearing a pair of gloves to avoid frostbite! We loved making ice cream in a bag, it is so easy and delicious!

1/2 cup half & half
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 ziplock freezer bag small
1 ziplock gallon size bag (freezer bag works best)
3 cups crushed ice
1/3 cup rock salt

Put first 3 ingredients in the smaller Ziplock bag and seal bag (Make sure it is closed). Put ice and rock salt in the larger bag and then add the filled small bag. Seal the large bag.
Shake and squeeze bag until ice cream is thickened, about 5-10 minutes.
Remove small bag, unseal, and eat out of the bag, poor into a bowl, or put on a cone.
Add any toppings if you wish and enjoy!

Jul 13
2015

Family Days at the Races!

by Nicole Connerley

This Sunday, July 19, from 12:30-6:00 pm is the first Family Day at the Del Mar Racetrack and it is super-sized! We have gone a few times in the past and there is so much for young ones to enjoy in the outfield. Children 17 and under are free and adult tickets are as low as $6 (except on opening day)

The family fun day comes with rock climbing walls, bungee trampolines, obstacle courses, giant scramble slide and inflatable games and rides. There will be pony rides, face painters, body art and caricature portraits. Stop by the Rad Hatter to create your own hat! There will be a baseball clinic with the Lake Elisinore Storm, San Diego Padres Minor League Team. Kids will enjoy magic shows and the incredible game zone.

Enjoy Family Days every weekend during the race season but Sunday, July 19, is our “super-sized” Family Fun Day with more activities than ever before. Bring the whole family and take advantage of the numerous FREE attractions for the entire family. Racetrack admission is FREE for children 17 & under, adults are $6. WEBKINZ PLUSH HORSE GIVEAWAY (children 12 & under only, while supplies last)

Kids will love this adorable 9″ tall Webkinz Plush Horse. The attached secret code allows kids entrance into the Webkinz.com on-line virtual world where they can bring their horse to life with games and activities. Do not miss this unique giveaway, FREE for children 12 & under. Retail value $15.00

Jul 1
2015

July 4 Fireworks 2015 in San Diego

by Nicole Connerley

Big Bay Boom @ Shelter & Harbor Island, Embarcadero, Seaport Village & Coronado Landing – As most of you remember a couple years ago 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 and Listen to Musical Simulcast on the THE MIGHTY 1090 AM and MAX FM 105.7 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 are $25 in advance or #30 at the door and children 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 has decided (amongst the fighting) that there will Fourth of July Fireworks show this year at 9 p.m.

National City @ Kimball Park – The annual carnival will have fun games, rides, live musical entertainment and contests. The Firework show begins at 9 PM, the carnival opens at noon, for more information click here.

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 is on July 3 at 9 PM, not July 4th. The city of Oceanside is celebrating 127 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.

Jun 24
2015

Red, White, & BOOM at Legoland

by Nicole Connerley

Red, White and Boom at Legoland California is a family tradition in our house! Legoland has a full day full of games, contests, dance parties, with the day coming to an end at 8:30 p.m. with the fireworks show. Legoland does July 4th perfect for kids! You will not want to miss the Fireworks set to a patriotic musical tribute beginning at 8:30 p.m. with great viewing in designated locations throughout the Park. Throughout the day, kids of all ages can enjoy live musical performances and participate in all-American family picnic games, like water-balloon tosses, burlap sack races, family build challenge and LEGO Hamburger relay.

The celebration lasts from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and fireworks at 8:30 p.m. All Red, White and BOOM! activities are included in the cost of admission to Legoland California.

Red, White and Boom! Building Competition Stop by Build & Test 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. where one winner in each age category: 9 and under, 10-15 and 16 and up will be chosen.

Lawn Games on Miniland Lawn times are 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. You will not want to miss Buddy’s Dance Party with five different show times you will be sure to catch one! The party times are at 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and the last one at 6:45 p.m. A fun family contest on the Miniland Stage is the Patriotic Costume Contest it begins at 4:15 p.m., but be sure to register in Miniland before 3:45 p.m. to be able to participate Family Build Challenge at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band at 7:45 p.m. Uncle Sam & Statue of Liberty on Stilts – Miniland Lawn at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Dano Island Music at Water Park at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Fireworks being at 8:30 p.m.