SoCal Savvy Mom

Nov 6
2015

You and your family are invited to ride on a magical holiday train with Santa Claus and his friends. North County Transit District’s Coaster Holiday Express is a specially decorated train that features photo opportunities with Santa and his friends, classic carol singing for children of ALL ages. Each 65 minute Coaster Holiday Express ride will travel non-stop and roundtrip from Oceanside to Solana Beach. The ride is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10. Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 12 at 8 a.m. and are $8 per passenger (all ages) and must be purchased in advance.

We took our child when he was 6, along with another family with a 5-year-old, and the kids loved it. The parents had hot coffee and we brought some snacks for the kids. I love the pictures on the Holiday Express because there is no extra charge, and you take the pictures yourself. Below is one of the pictures I took of my son with Santa.

The details: The Coaster Holiday Express is ONE day only on Saturday, December 12th. Families will board the train at the Oceanside Transit Center, and all passengers must have a ticket regardless of their age. Tickets sell out very fast and are not available for purchase on the day of the event. The first day to purchase tickets is on Thursday, November 12th.

There are two ways to buy your tickets: Online at GoNCTD.com/eticket or In person, CASH ONLY, at Oceanside Transit Center Customer Service Office
205 S. Tremont St., Oceanside, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sales are “first come, first served.”
Each person may purchase up to six tickets.

Tips:

Plan on eating before the 65 minute train ride; however, small snacks and drinks are permitted. Water bottles are allowed.
• Bring a camera to capture your child’s meeting with Santa.
• This event is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10.
• Plan on arriving at Oceanside Transit Center at least 20 minutes before the train departs to secure parking.
• Strollers and/or bicycles will not be permitted on the train.
• The COASTER Holiday Express will operate rain or shine.

Nov 2
2015

iTunes Special Offer & Giveaway

by Nicole Connerley

With Halloween behind us Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming, and soon! Throughout the month of November, even before black Friday there are many special offers we can all take advantage of for a limited time. Can you imagine having your Christmas shopping done even before December first? I am not that savvy that I could get everything done before then, but with all the special offers I know I will be close this year.

We all know someone who has to have the newest games or apps, which is why giving iTunes gift cards are such a perfect gift for any and everyone. My son received a $50 gift iTunes gift card last year, I thought it would last him a year, but it only lasted a couple months! I was so shocked that he could spend $50 so fast. Although since it was a gift I told him as long as the games were appropriate he could purchase whatever he wished.

When iTunes gift cards have special offers I ALWAYS snatch them up because I know many people love them as gifts. A great gift idea for teachers, every child my son’s class has an iPad. Giving his class or teacher a gift card for fun learning apps seems like such a wonderful gift.

This special offer I just found out about is through Bed Bath and Beyond, if you hurry you can purchase iTunes gift cards for 15% off! All iTunes gift cards purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond of $25 or more from now until November 22, 2015 will receive an incredible 15% discount. If you have a Bed Bath and Beyond Mastercard you will received additional savings!

We also have a giveaway running from now until November 22, 2015 for a $50 Amazon gift card. To ender the giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card click here.

This is a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oct 31
2015

Carlsbad Street Faire 11/1/15

by Nicole Connerley

Come one, come all to the 41st annual Carlsbad Street Faire! Each year Mmore than 100,000 people will take in the beautiful seaside city while browsing through unique booths, indulging in delectable eats and enjoying family entertainment when the largest one-day street faire. The Carlsbad Village Faire will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2015.

Vendors:

Just like at past faires, over 900 vendors will sell everything fathomable, including clothes, accessories, plants, household products, art, antiques and home decor. The international food court will once again feature more than 50 booths serving everything from Thai to Hawaiian cuisine. The children’s area will entertain youngsters with games, a super slide, a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, face painting and arts and crafts.

Entertainment:

The Rotary Club of Carlsbad’s beer and wine garden will entertain fairgoers with a large screen TV and live bands. The Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad will continue its more than 25-year tradition of hosting a pancake breakfast at the Carlsbad railroad depot. The meal, which includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice, will be served between 7 a.m. and noon.

Getting there:

Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street, and all of the cross streets in between, will be closed for the event. To make parking more convenient, complimentary shuttles will run to and from the faire. Shuttles will pick up and drop off passengers at the Poinsettia Coaster Station and the northwest corner of Sears at Westfield Plaza Camino Real. The Carlsbad Village Coaster Station is just steps away from the heart of the faire, so consider using the Coaster too!

Oct 26
2015

Safe Trick or Treating in San Diego 2015

by Nicole Connerley

Halloween is this weekend, do you have a tradition? Do you love trick or treating in your neighborhood? I love the idea of trick or treating at a shopping center or mall because it feels safer. 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. 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. We always end our night watching Charlie Brown as our family tradition. Have a very save 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 6 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 6 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.

Carlsbad Village Halloween in the Village – Join Carlsbad Causes for Community (C3) at any time between 2 and 6pm for some Halloween fun in the village with our Village merchant Trick-or-Treat event! The fun zone at C3 Headquarters in the Yoga Co-op (2801 Roosevelt Street) is the starting point where you pick up your map of participating businesses! You’ll also find a Jump house, face painting, at free yoga play, prizes, and more! Come visit local businesses as you trick-or-treat through Carlsbad Village more than 40 merchants are offering trick-or-treat surprises and giveaways! Special thanks to our event sponsors: C3, Homelife Village Realtors, Carlsbad Village Yoga Co-op, and Heritage Senior Care!

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 bank and one near the children’s sandbox area next to T.J. Maxx, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, October 30th 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.

Flower Hill Promenade (Del Mar) Stop by for a Halloween bash that caters to children of all ages as well as their doting parents, Flower Hill Promenade will host its annual Trick-or-Treating event. Kids dressed as princesses, pirates, witches, superheroes and any other Halloween character you can imagine can run from store to store filling their baskets with treats and candies galore, parents can meander through Del Mar’s premier open-air shopping, dining and entertainment center collecting goodies of their own. Meanwhile, parents: feel free to drop into your favorite shops to treat yourselves. Pink Soul boutique will be gifting “Mommy Treat Bags” while kids overflow their Halloween bags.

Grossmont Center on October 31st come in your best Halloween costume and trick-or-treat through over one million square feet of stores, restaurants and eateries. Bring your family to a safe place to trick-or-treat this October for a Halloween to remember. The event will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Little Italy’s Trick-or-Treat – Little ghouls, witches and goblins will storm through the streets at Little Italy’s 9th annual Trick-or-Treat on India Street on Friday, October 30 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring their little monsters out in costume attire to this fun and safe Halloween event to enjoy traditional trick-or-treating, as Little Italy businesses along historic India Street open their doors to give out candy and Halloween treats. Sweet and spooky fun will be had by kids of all ages as the beloved and historic Little Italy community puts on this festive tradition. Maps of participating businesses will be available as the trick-or-treat fun happens on India St. and W. Fir St.

Carlsbad Westfield 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.

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 17
2015

ABC Family 13 Nights of Halloween Full Lineup

by Nicole Connerley

ABC Family has a full lineup of spooky fun for our little ones this Halloween season, and 13 Nights of Halloween is here! Nothing would be scarier than to miss out on these movies and shows, so check out the full schedule below:

Monday Oct. 19

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 1:30 p.m. ET | 12:30 p.m. CT
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 5 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Tuesday Oct. 20

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 6 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. CT
Stitchers 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT (All new Halloween special)
Casper 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Wednesday Oct. 21

Casper 5 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. CT
The Addams Family 7 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT
I Know What You Did Last Summer 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Thursday Oct. 22

The Addams Family 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 6 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. CT
The Hunger Games 8 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. CT
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Friday Oct. 23

The Hunger Games 5:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. CT

Sleepy Hollow 8:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. CT (ABC Family premiere)
Matilda 12 a.m. ET |11 p.m. CT

Saturday Oct. 24t

Matilda 7 a.m. ET | 6 a.m. CT
ParaNorman 9 a.m. ET | 8 a.m. CT
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride 11 a.m. ET | 10 a.m. CT
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 1 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. CT
Casper 2:30 p.m. ET | 1:30 p.m. CT
The Addams Family 4:30 p.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 6:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University 8:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR! 11 p.m. ET |10 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 11:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 p.m. CT

Sunday Oct. 25

ParaNorman 7 a.m. ET | 6 a.m. CT
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride 9 a.m. ET | 8 a.m. CT
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 11 a.m. ET | 10 a.m. CT
Casper 12:30 p.m. ET | 11:30 a.m. CT
The Addams Family 2:30 p.m. ET | 1:30 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 4:30 p.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR! 6:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University 7 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 9:45 p.m. ET | 8:45 p.m. CT

Monday Oct. 26

Tuesday Oct. 27

Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 6 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR! 7:30 p.m. ET | 6:30 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT
ParaNorman 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Wednesday Oct. 28

ParaNorman 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 6 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. CT
Dark Shadows 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 CT
Casper 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Thursday Oct. 29

Casper 5 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. CT
The Addams Family 7 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Friday Oct. 30

The Addams Family 2:30 p.m. ET |
1:30 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 4:30 p.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 6:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. CT

Poltergeist 8:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. CT
Poltergeist II: The Other Side 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

It all comes to a spooky end on Saturday Oct. 31

Oct 15
2015

Halloween Family Day at Balboa Park

by Nicole Connerley

San Diego has beautiful parks but none are quite as special as Balboa Park. This Halloween bring your families for a fun filled day of activities beginning at 11 am on Saturday, October 31st.

Since it is the last day of Kids FREE month, all children 17 and under are free to many museums with a paid adult. There are over two dozen participating museums with free hands on arts and craft projects for children. There will be events happening throughout the day, costume parades and contests, spooky tours, treasure hunts and tons of fun surprises until 4 p.m.

Children can also participate in the mini-carnival games with prizes hosted by the San Diego Park and Rec. One of our favorites not to miss is the San Diego Air & Space Museums annual rooftop Pumpkin Drop! The park will also host food trucks, zoo animals from our very own San Diego Zoo, and free activity and prize-drawing booths.

TIP: Adults can also receive best-value museum admission when purchasing the Balboa Park Explorer One-Day, Multi-Day, or Annual Pass. Children are FREE to all museums with a paid adult.

There are special family day activities and offers throughout the park, for the full list see below:

Balboa Park Visitors Center: Free gift to kids in costume who are accompanied by an adult (while supplies last). Enter a drawing to win:

Old Town Trolley/Seal Tour tickets
Live in Concert CD and 4 free tickets to a San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory concert in 2015-16
San Diego Junior Theatre Family 4-Pack of tickets to an upcoming show
4 tickets to San Diego Civic Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker

House of Pacific Relations International Cottages:Open houses and trick-or-treating at select cottages from noon to 4pm.

Japanese Friendship Garden: Build your own bee house using traditional basketry techniques with Spanish Village artist Margaret Black Bear. A variety of materials to build with are available for children of all ages and skill levels.

Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater: Free puppet-making activity for children accompanied by an adult from 11:45am until 1pm show; show ticket required for performance but not for this activity.

Mingei International Museum: Go on a spooky treasure hunt to find snakes, horns, spells, alligators, and dolls. Makeyour own Halloween mask using a variety of materials.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: All ages can tinker with sugar skulls in the Tinkering Studio and take your creation home with you (fee applies). Kids 12 and under free with paid adult for gallery admission only. Add an IMAX^® film for the special price of $9.95.

San Diego Air & Space Museum: Ghost rotor making activity (paper helicopters with a Halloween twist) at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm; rooftop pumpkin-dropping experiment at 2:30pm; kid-friendly short films in 3D/4D movie theater; and Kid’s Aviation Action Hangar all day (simulators not included). Discounted admission price of $5 to see Da Vinci Machines special exhibition.

San Diego Automotive Museum: Gearhead hat-making activity for kids.

San Diego History Center: “Scent-sing San Diego” activity to learn how much your nose doesn’t know about San Diego’s past.

San Diego Junior Theatre: Buy 1 ticket (adult or child) to Mary Poppins and receive the second ticket free thru November 8 (subject to availability).

San Diego Model Railroad Museum: Halloween-themed games, crafts, and trains aboard the Haunted Express.

San Diego Museum of Art: “Mask and Costume”Search and Find handout to guide families on a hunt for artworks in the galleries that feature masks and costumes.

San Diego Museum of Man: “Monsters” exhibit, exploring forests, caves, and deep dark seas in search of fantastical creatures;hands-on monster creating activity.

San Diego Natural History Museum: Celebrate bats and other nocturnal creatures that lurk in the night — grab a flashlight, visit the Critter Cave, get a tattoo, and make a bat craft to take home. Children 12 and under receive free general admission* to theNAT with a paid adult or can pay a discounted rate of $11 to see the special exhibition Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, which includes access to unlimited 2D and 3D films in the Giant Screen Theater. To redeem this offer, download the coupon from the San Diego Museum Council’s website and present in person at the admissions desk.

*Free general admission does not include 3D films or special exhibitions. Coupon must be presented at time of visit. No retroactive discounts. Limit two free child admissions per paid adult. Cannot be combined with other offers.

San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory: Free, open orchestra rehearsals (classical melodies) on the 2nd floor of the Casa del Prado building, rooms 207 & 205, 8:30am–7:15pm.

San Diego Zoo: Free admission to all children through 11 years of age, regardless of adult ticket purchase. Part of “Kids Free Month” (October) promotion.

Spanish Village Art Center: Doggie costume contest (1pm),trick-or-treat bag decorating (all day), studio trick-or-treating (with accompanying adult).

Spreckels Organ Society: Silent Film Night at 7:30pm. Organist Christian Elliott plays the musical soundtrack on the Spreckels Organ for Phantom of the Opera (1925) starring Lon Chaney. The evening’s film and performance are free of charge.

Timken Museum of Art: Family Activity Flyerto guide families on a fun-filled gallery tour. Free admission for the entire family!

UNA International Gift Shop: Free Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box to take along whiletrick-or-treating to benefitchildren around the world who need clean water, food, school supplies, etc.; one free U.N. pen to take home(while supplies last).

Booths along the Prado and in the Plazas

Fab Trailers Photo Booth: Come in costume and take fun photos of yourself and your kids to share on Facebook,Twitter, andInstagram, and to email to friends.

Fiesta de Reyes/Old Town State Historic Park: Spin the ornate 1800s replica “Wheel of Fortune” prize-wheel to win coupons and prizes from the Fiesta de Reyes shops and restaurants located in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Food Trucks(Plaza de Panama): Enjoy special selections from popular local food trucks Tacos la Mezcla and Simply Fresh. Tacos la Mezcla serves classic street tacos, and Simply Fresh makes fresh sandwiches, wraps, and salads, using 100% natural ingredients.

Japanese Friendship Garden: Halloween origami craft and a cardboard roll bat.

House of Pacific Relations International Cottages: Meet the HPR Queens who provide festive fun as well as information about HPR, the national cultures it represents, youth programs, and year-round events.

Metropolitan Transit System (MTS): — Pick up punch-out cardboard Rapid and Trolley banks, coloring books, and other fun items for kids, in addition to MTS Rapid, Bus and Trolley route and schedule information.

Museum of Photographic Arts: Create spooky images using otherworldly photographic techniques.

Russell the Giraffe: Chat and interact with the 17-foot tall electrical giraffe in front the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

San Diego Park and Rec (Plaza de Panama): Test your skills at various mini-carnival games to win prizes; Halloween costume contests in multiple age categories throughout the day starting at 11:30am; prizes for first, second, and third place.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: Explore the world of polymers and transform two liquids into slippery slime!

San Diego Civic Dance Arts: Dance performances and lessons for kids and adults guaranteed to give a real “thrill,” at Noon and 1:15 pm.

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet: Crown-making craft, see-and-touch props display, and costumed characters from The Nutcracker.

SDG&E: Information about energy-saving solutions to help families get rid of “energy vampires”; activities for kids.

San Diego History Center: “Scent-sing San Diego” activity to learn how much your nose doesn’t know about San Diego’s past.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum: Halloween-themed games, crafts, and trains aboard the Haunted Express.

San Diego Natural History Museum: Learn about our eight-legged friend, the spider.

San Diego Public Library: FHalloween crafts, library card applications, and info on the many free educational and cultural resources at 36 library locations throughout San Diego.

San Diego Zoo: Live zoo animals and free pins, decals, magazines, and Halloween candy for everyone.

Spanish Village Art Center: Pick up a free bag to take back to Spanish Village to decorate for trick-or-treating in all participating Spanish Village studios.

Think Blue San Diego: Pick up a coloring book and learn about watersheds and what can been done to prevent pollution at our beaches and bays

Timken Museum of Art: Create a spooky ghost to take home and hang in your window!

Whole Foods Hillcrest: Build your own food necklace station, with candy, pretzels, and other snacks that can be strung on a necklace; pick up literature about our Whole Planet Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation.

Worldview Project: Free exotic snacks from faraway places (while they last), culture quiz to see how much you know about world cultures; and a “Been There, Want to Go There Next” activity for the whole family.