Travel | SoCal Savvy Mom

Oct 3
2015

Knott’s Spooky Farm…Perfect for little ones

Today was the first day of Knott’s Spooky Farm, unlike the nighttime Knott’s Scary Farm it was perfect for younger kids. Think cheer instead of fear. There is no additional cost to participate in Knott’s Spooky Farm, which will run every weekend through October 31st. One of the reason we love Knott’s is because they offer great incentives to visit, if you purchase a ticket online at least 3 days prior the visit you can save almost $30 per ticket. That is huge savings!

Kids are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes, which I love because kids can wear it more than just Halloween night. Children ages 3-11 are invited to cruise down Ghost Town for some fun trick or treating. Children may also have their picture taken with some friendly ghosts and ghouls. My son loved the spooky forest with gigantic jack-o-lanterns, keep an eye out for the Headless Horseman, he may be riding along side you without your knowledge. Not to worry though he isn’t there to frighten your little ones. After Spooky Hallow Maze stop to decorate a pumpkin and give it your own personal touch.

We stopped by Camp Snoopy Theatre to enter the Halloween costume contest, my son was Darth Vader and his friend was a DJ. The costume contest is Saturday and Sunday during October at 3:45 p.m. There were a lot of super heroes and surprisingly not a lot of Elsa’s (shocking I know) After the contest, the rest of the Peanuts Gang join the cast to participate in a Peanuts Dance Party.

All of our favorites at Knott’s Berry Farm that we know and love are open during Knott’s Spooky Farm. From my son’s favorite roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, children’s rides, water rides, to games and arcades and the live entertainment shows. Knott’s Spooky Farm is now on our list of MUST VISIT during the month of October. My son wanted to stay late and experience Knott’s Scary Farm, I told him maybe next year since he is only 9. To be completely truthful I am a huge wimp and do not like to be scared, but next year I will give it a try for him. Until then I’m going to stay in my comfort zone which is Knott’s Spooky Farm.

The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.

Oct 1
2015

Brick-or-Treat at Legoland – Halloween Fun!

by Nicole Connerley

Early bird tickets to Brick-or-Treat at Legoland may be found here for 2016.

Brick-or-Treat Party Nights is back and better than ever at Legoland this year. Brick-or-Treat is a family tradition in our house, Legoland AND trick-or-treating? We are so there! The park is open for five spooky-kooky nights – October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 30, starting at 5 p.m. There are costume contests, dancing, live entertainment, treats, dancing, rides, giant Lego Halloween models and the night comes to an end with fireworks.

Awesome fun awaits at Legoland for Halloween…after dark during Brick-Or-Treat Party Nights, and you will not want to miss out. The home of Halloween fun is filled with music, candy, surprises and snacks!

Highlights include:

Expanded Brick-or-Treat Trail, including 2 stations in SEA LIFE Aquarium
Coast Cruise transformation into the Ghost Cruise
Hubble Bubble’s Dance Party
Wanda’s Jelly Fish Disco in SEA LIFE Aquarium
Costume Contests with categories of LEGO, Creative, and a NEW Group category that
you can enter with family or friends
More Halloween adventures at Heartlake City and Fun Town!

Brick-or-Treat Party Nights at LEGOLAND Calfornia

Sep 16
2015

San Diego Zoo & Safari Park Free in October

by Nicole Connerley

Again this year the the San Diego Zoo and Safari park will be free for children ages 3-11. The entire month of October kids are FREE to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park! If you have been waiting to take your little ones (this includes children up to 11) this is the time to do it! The price for a child admission is normally $30, this is a huge savings! For more information on this amazing special offer click here, or see the fine print below.

While visiting the San Diego Zoo or Safari park don’t forget to hashtag your photos with #sdzkidsfree to win a fun contest.

*Via the San Diego Zoo’s website* Document your kids enjoying the Zoo or Safari Park and tag your photos and videos on Instagram with #sdzkidsfree for a chance to win a behind-the-scenes adventure for the whole family.
VIEW THE CONTEST GALLERY

It’s as easy as…


TAKE A PHOTO Use your smartphone to snap a pic or video of your wild ones during Kids Free	TAG IT Using Instagram, tag your photo or video with the hashtag #sdzkidsfree	UPLOAD IT Set your Instagram profile to public, and upload your photo or video! You are automatically entered into the contest!

Fine Print: Each year, from October 1–31, in honor of our Zoo’s founding, children ages 3–11 are admitted free to the Zoo and Safari Park when accompanied by an adult. The Zoo’s Guided Bus Tour and the Skyfari Aerial Tram are not included with Kids’ Free 1-Day Pass and must be purchased separately at the Zoo. The Safari Park’s Africa Tram Safari and the Conservation Carousel are not included with Kids Free 1-Day Pass and must be purchased separately at the Park.

Jun 11
2015

La Costa Resort July 4 2015 Firework Show

by Nicole Connerley

The Fourth of July is a big holiday and La Costa Resort loves to celebrate! The La Costa firework celebration for 2015 is a full line up of activities for little ones and adults alike!

To start the day at 11 a.m. you may try the fun daily craft (patriotic theme) at the Athletic Club Patio.
Have a little lunch and then stop by the Coastal Events Center for some fun cookie decorating.
To cool off don’t miss the water balloon toss at the Sport Court, or the watersides.
My son’s favorite is the s’mores roasting over the open fire, but I assume pretty much any child is the same. Chocolate, graham crackers then add a toasted marshmallow who says no to that?

The evening comes to a close at 9 p.m. with the annual fireworks celebration, you will NOT want to miss the 20-minute fireworks extravaganza! The La Costa Resort has the best fireworks in North San Diego County!

If you live in the area like us, please remember to keep your animals indoors. For more information visit La Costa’s website here.

May 20
2015

The newest must have Stroller & Car seat!

by Nicole Connerley

It is finally here, the DOONA, and it has just started shipping in the U.S. and we are the first to let feature it. The Doona is the world’s first infant car seat AND stroller. On my Fox 5 news segment today it was the highlight, actually the news anchor literally ran away with it! The Doona is perfect for any parent, but especially great if you don’t want to buy one more thing, it is a stroller and car seat all in one. Why not buy both at once? It is great if you need to save on space because the stroller closes down to the size of an infant car seat. No more carrying the heavy infant seat everywhere you go, just push two buttons and it is instantly a stroller. It is great for travel, and so easy to use. For more information on the Doona visit http://www.happykidzusa.com, where you will also find a list of retailers. To purchase one visit http://www.rightstart.com and http://www.giggle.com to order one today.

Doona is the first infant car seat with a complete and fully integrated mobility system
No attachments or extra parts necessary to convert from car seat to stroller; Doona opens and closes with the click of a button
Meets standards for and is approved as a car seat and stroller and is air travel certified
Features side impact and anti-rebound protection and utilizes baby safe materials
Eliminates the need to carry around a car seat and frees trunk space (no stroller frame needed)
Can be used with infants from 4-35 lbs and up to 32 inches long
Available in black, turquoise, grey and red with a full line of coordinating accessories
Doona is sold with a base for the car and retails for $499
Available at http://www.rightstart.com and http://www.giggle.com
For additional information visit http://www.happykidzusa.com

To see the Fox 5 news segment and see it in action click here.

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.