Things To Do | SoCal Savvy Mom

Mar 13
2015

San Diego Science Festival 3/14

The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering (formerly known as the San Diego Science Festival) features a week of interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities and dynamic speakers to engage kids and families in science and engineering. This Saturday, March 14th, 2015 there over ten different events going on throughout San Diego County. The full list of the San Diego Festival for Science is below, next Saturday is the EXPO DAY at PETCO Park on the last of the Festival. All event are family friendly although there are suggested ages, and all events are FREE to attend with the exception of Birch Aquarium and Ruben H. Fleet Science Center.

San Diego County has earned a reputation as a thriving center of activity in science, biotech, engineering and medicine. However, research has shown that there is a shortage of students entering Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) fields. The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering was created to get kids excited about STEM fields and demonstrate why science and engineering are important in their lives.

Science Fun for Kids 9 to 99

Topics: Biology

Region: North County

Ages: Pre-K/Grade School/Middle School/High School/College/Beyond

Host: San Diego Miramar College from 9:00am to 2:00pm

SDSU Science & Engineering Sampler

Topics: Astronomy, Biology, Biotech, Chemistry, Computers, Energy, Engineering, Environment, Forensics, Geology, Math, Oceanography, Physics, Robotics, Zoology

Region: East County

Ages: Pre-K/Grade School/Middle School/High School

Host: San Diego State University: College of Sciences and College of Engineering from 10:00am to12:00pm

River Bugs Are Cool!

Topics: Ecology

Region: Central San Diego

Ages: Grade School/Middle School

Host: The San Diego River Park Foundation (in partnership with The 1to1 Movement) from 10:00am to 1:30pm

Fun Science with Mad Science & The Elementary Institute of Science

Topics: Astronomy, Biology, Biotech, Chemistry, Computers, Energy, Engineering, Environment, Forensics, Geology, Math, Oceanography, Physics, Robotics, Zoology

Region: Central San Diego

Ages: Grade School/Middle School

Host: Elementary Institute of Science from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Creative Careers Expo

Topics: Engineering, Manufacturing, Art, & Music

Region: Central San Diego

Ages: Middle School/High School/College/Beyond

Host: Media Arts Center San Diego from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Super STEM Saturday

Topics: Other

Region: North County

Ages: Pre-K/Grade School/Middle School/High School/College/Beyond

Host: College of Science & Mathematics, CSUSM and Classical Academies from 10:30am to11:30am

San Diego Junior Theatre Behind the Scenes Tour

Topics: Art

Region: Central San Diego

Ages: Grade School/Middle School/High School

Host: San Diego Junior Theatre from 10:30am to12:30pm

Tinkerers’ Club (This is a two-part workshop) The Science of Sound Waves!

Topics: Engineering, Art, Music

Region: Central San Diego

Ages: Pre-K/Grade School/Middle School/High School/College/Beyond

Host: The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center from 11:00am to 1:00pm

Ocean Exploration with Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Topics: Oceanography

Region: Central San Diego

Ages: Middle School

Host: Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution Oceanography from 12:00pm to 2:00pm

Saturday Science Club for Girls: Exploring Entomology

Topics: Entomology

Region: Central San Diego

Ages: Middle School

Host: Reuben H. Fleet Science Center from 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Family Science Saturday

Topics: Engineering, Art, Music

Region: Central San Diego

Ages: Pre-K/Grade School/Middle School/High School/College/Beyond

Host: The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Mar 12
2015

Allied Gardens Spring Egg Hunt

by Nicole Connerley

Allied Gardens Community Park will host the annual Spring Egg Hunt beginning at 11:00 a.m. and coming to an end at 2:00 p.m. There will be crafts, jumpers, fun for the kids and food available for purchase. The egg hunt times are set by age, the first to begin at 11:30 a.m. with children 2 years and younger. At 12:30 p.m. children ages 3 and 4 will be on the look out for eggs. Children ages 5 to 7 will race to find as many eggs as they can at 1:00 p.m., and children 8 years and older will begging at 1:30 p.m.

The Spring Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 28th this year. As every year there will be a Golden Egg you can exchange for prizes. There will be one Golden Egg per age group, and one prize per golden egg. Do not forget to bring your own basket or bag to scoop up all the fun eggs.

For more information on the Allied Gardens Spring Egg Hunt visit the City of San Diego’s website here.

Mar 11
2015

Regal Summer Movie Express 2015

by Nicole Connerley

To find the city nearest you and all dates and locations see Regal Summer Movie Express 2015 here.

Regal movie theaters just announced the list of summer movies for the summer of 2015, the $1 movies will run throughout the summer at select theaters. The movies are all rated PG, and are great for kids of all ages. It is only $1 per person to attend. All of the movies begin at 10 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Every week there are two different movies playing for you to choose from. The start date for movie theaters vary, Regal has just released which theaters will host the Summer Movie Express and when the start dates will be. Information below will be updated as it is released.

If you become a Regal Crown Club member (free to join) there are great perks and discounts. A great discount we always take advantage of is $2 popcorn on Tuesday’s for all Regal Crown Club members.

To find the city nearest you and all dates and locations see Regal Summer Movie Express 2015 here.

Regal Oceanside 2015 list may be found here.

Edwards San Marcos 2015 movie list may be found here.

Week 1

Nut Job & Annie

Week 2

Earth to Echo & The Boxtrolls

Week 3

Paddington & Turbo

Week 4

Rio 2 &How To Train Your Dragon 2

Week 5

Mr. Peabody & Book of Life

Week 6

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb & Penguins of Madagascar

Week 7

The Lego Movie & Dolphin Tale 2

Week 8

Muppets, Most Wanted & Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Week 9
Teenage Ninja Turtles & (last but not least) The Spongebob Squarepants Movie

Mar 11
2015

Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe

by Nicole Connerley

Rancho Valencia is a beautiful resort set on 45 acres of gardens and olive groves, in Rancho Santa Fe, a 20-minute drive north of San Diego. A few years ago the property underwent a 45 million dollar renovation, and there is not one stone that when unturned. Most recently Rancho Valencia was voted #1 resort in the U.S. by U.S. News & World hotel rankings. It is no surprise as everything at Rancho Valencia is 5 star down to the heated toilet seats, and all is perfection. The resort features a spa, fitness center with exercise classes, sports facilities (including tennis, croquet and bocce ball), 2 heated pools and hot tubs (1 adults-only), 2 restaurants and a wine bar, plus complimentary use of luxury cars.

Rancho Valencia really does stand apart from most 5-star hotels, you will find everything has been perfected. There are no resort fees, no parking fees, complimentary WiFi, and waiting for you in your room are delicious snacks and drinks to enjoy during your stay at no extra charge. In the morning any newspaper you would like will be delivered to your door along with fresh squeezed orange juice. Enjoy coffee on the private patio, while reading the newspaper.

Suites feature flat-screen TVs, stereo systems and private patios, plus high-thread-count linens, espresso machines, designer toiletries and 24-hour in-room dining. My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Rancho Valencia during this trip. The resort knowing it was a special anniversary celebration for us, had a bottle of wine and an artisan cheese plate with dried fruits and nuts upon arrival.

After we were settled in, we hopped down to the Pony Room for a drink by the outdoor fireplaces while watching the sunset. For dinner we decided to opt for in-room dining and we ate out on the private patio. The patio hosts an outdoor fireplace, and a two person hot tub, perfect for a romantic getaway.

After dinner we took a stroll around the property and found the beautiful brick lined Wine Room. The room is perfect for an intimate birthday dinner or just nice dinner for a small group of friends. The wine cave has over 250 of some of the finest bottles of wine I have ever seen, the sommelier has to be one of the best in San Diego. With wines from France, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, South Africa and of course California you will be able to find a perfect wine for the occasion.

For breakfast we went to Veladora, one of the two restaurants on property. Veladora is beautiful and refined without being over the top, although can you really have too much luxury? We enjoyed latte’s and fresh pressed slow juices, as well as the famous fresh squeezed orange juice. My husband ordered the crab Benedict with vine ripe tomatoes, grilled asparagus, country bread with a chipotle hollandaise. I ordered the California breakfast panini with free range eggs, smoked bacon, avocado, white cheddar and herb roasted potatoes, it was divine! The only problem with breakfast is we couldn’t finish it all, but they were nice enough to box it up for us and had it waiting for us to pick up after we dined.

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is offering an exclusive offer right now of 15% off room rates. During the summer and during Del Mar Race season the resort will be booked solid, don’t wait make a reservation to visit this beautiful resort now!

Accommodations, meals, and spa treatments were complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are my own. See full disclosure policy for more information.

Mar 9
2015

Easy, DIY, Marshmallow Easter Treats

by Nicole Connerley

We had so much fun making these marshmallow treats last night. Not only are they very easy to make, it is a blast making them!

We used white chocolate chips and melted them in the microwave at 30 second increments until it was melted. I added a tbsp of vegetable oil to make it easier to work with, my son wanted to add food dye. The colors he chose didn’t turn out so pretty, I would recommend just sticking with the white melted chocolate and not adding color.

After putting the marshmallows on sticks, pretty self explanatory there, we dipped them into the melted chocolate. Right after dipping in the chocolate we dipped in the sprinkles. We tried different color sprinkles but because it needs to be fully covered for the finished look none turned out that great.

After dipping into the chocolate and the sprinkles, set on wax paper to dry for about ten to fifteen minutes. Be careful with the finished product because the sprinkles like to fall off.

After the treats have set, and are firm to the touch, wrap in any decorative wrap you may have. I found this really cute duck paper at Michael’s for $0.25 a roll a few years back and was able to grab a few rolls of it. Always check Michael’s clearance area, I believe I found it in the middle of summer.

The perfect finishing touch, put in a basket and add a little rubber ducky to pull it all together. I plan on taking these to my mom’s chemo nurses tomorrow, they loved the Valentine’s Oreo treats so much, I hope they like these too!

Mar 9
2015

Solana Beach Children’s Spring Festival and Egg Hunt

by Nicole Connerley

The City of Solana Beach is happy to invite you and of course the kids to the Children’s Spring Festival and Egg Hunt! It will take place at La Colonia Park located at 715 Valley Avenue in Solana Beach. The egg hunt begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 4th, please bring a basket or bag for the egg hunt, none will be provided. After the egg hunt at 10:45 a.m. to noon there will be fun games and refreshments for all to enjoy. There is no fee for the festival or egg hunt, but they do ask that all children be in the 3rd grade or younger. For more information visit the City of Solana Beach website here. The full list of Egg Hunts for San Diego will be up soon.