Day Trips

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irvinehomeowner

irvinehomeowner

Well-known member
So the last several weekends we've been adventuring beyond the Orange Curtain (gasp) to do some family things:

San Diego Seaworld

I know this isn't really new to anyone, we haven't been there in a few years but it's more fun than an aquarium. I guess that killer whale incident changed the Shamu show quite a bit. Trainers didn't ride the whales and there wasn't very much interaction between people and the whales.

They have a roller coaster now (the Manta) but my kids enjoyed touching/feeding the bat rays more.

The funniest show is usually the seals (or the pets) but I didn't know the dolphin show is more like Cirque De Soleil, more people stunts than dolphins.

Very expensive though, even with their online discount, tickets were almost $250 for 2 adults/2 kids. Favorite place to eat was the barbecue place.

Hollywood

I don't even know if I've been there myself. Wasn't sure if I went when I was a kid because it all looked different. I didn't know where to park so I googled it and there is a shopping center called the Hollywood and Highland Center where there is tons of parking, shops and places to eat. We parked there and proceeded to walk down Hollywood Blvd like Julia Roberts.

First thing off the bat I noticed, lots of street "performers". At first we thought it was cool there were these different characters you can take pictures with (Darth vader, Stormtroopers, Captain Jack Sparrow) but the first one we took, the guy asked for a tip... ahh... so that was the catch. And then there were several individuals offering you free "hip hop CDs" but would ask for a donation after they gave it to you. I felt bad because it looked like they were targeting asian families and older asian tourists with claims like they were the next Jay Z and the CD would be famous.

We got to the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman/Mann's) to look at the different handprints. It was fun for the kids to try to find people and we resorted to my phone to locate ones we couldn't find with our eyes. Lots of picture taking.

After walking up and down, watching a paint bucket drummer perform, we went on one of the bridges in the H&H Center so we could take a picture of the Hollywood sign. We walked around the mall a bit more but then the kids started getting bored so we headed home after visiting a souvenir shop. You have to pay for parking but can get a discounted rate if you get your ticket validated at one of the stores in the mall.

California Science Center

Wow... we actually went to LA again! This turned out much better than we expected. The Science Center is in Exposition Park near the Coliseum and it's mostly a free museum. The only thing you have to pay for is the IMAX movies and the Endeaver Shuttle exhibits. The Shuttle exhibit is only $2 per person and highly recommended. One room is about the different things they had to do (the kids were enthralled by the potty and the micro gravity eating)... but the best thing is seeing the actual Endeavor in a giant hangar. It's an incredible experience seeing it in person (maybe I'll post some of my pics).

The rest of the museum are different rooms representing the ecosystem and there are very educational exercises for the kids. I like this one over the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana and the kids seemed to like it more too. We spent about 4 hours there whereas at the Discovery museum, after 2 hours, we've had enough.

I highly recommend the California Science Center and for $10 in parking... a very good value.
 
Cubic Zirconia said:
IHO, big hug :) You made it back, SAFELY!
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Only Hollywood was sketchy... and as long as you didn't go too far from H&H, you were okay.

At Seaworld, we like to watch what I call "Soaking Suckers". Every show, there are people who sit in the Splash Zone thinking it will be fun... but as soon as they get hit with that salty sea water... they are out of their seats and walking up to the higher rows. We were one of those many years ago, and unless you have a change of clothes and shoes (or were wearing slippers), you are miserable the rest of the day.

Also, next to the Science Center, there is also a Natural History Museum and the California African American Museum. We didn't have time for those as it was 5pm when we got out of the Science Center.
 
We're fans of the Aquarium of the pacific.  They have bat ray and shark petting tanks.  The arctic region section is being revamped so no jellyfish touching at the moment.

Family annual pass is a little over $100.  Parking is $8, or you can pick up a five pack of parking passes with the annual pass for $20.  IMHO, better than Sea World, not as crowded and only 30 minutes from Irvine and surrounds.

My son isn't old enough yet to do the Battleship Iowa there yet so we haven't done that.  There's also plenty of eateries, although most are chains.  Also, just up the hill is the revamped Pike and Pine street.  Plus you have the shore village too.

 
Took my son to see endeavor last month... He looked at it and then fell asleep.. All my pictures are of him sleeping and the shuttle in the background  :'(

What are other baby friendly places good for day trips??
 
Homer, I probably already know this buy how old is baby? 

The Santa Ana zoo is another favorite or ours.  Mostly monkeys, but they do have a farm area, you can feed the sheep, they also have a merry-go-round, train and it's small enough and not quite as crowed.  They also have a playard.

We also like Irvine Regional park and OC Zoo.  The park has the train.  Did I mention my boy likes trains? Ducks to feed and the zoo has a bear, mountain lions, ocelot, peacocks, a petting zoo park with little goats and you can feed the big goats and sheep.

Seal beach is another we like.  It's a smaller beach, gentler waves, stay left of the pier and you stay out of stingray zone.  The main street is small and quaint.  Plus a little play area for the tots.

 
H        O        M        E        R said:
He's only 6 months  :P

Just taking notes to see where I can bring him later!!
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Take him hiking!  Buy one of those hiking packs.  He/she will enjoy being higher up and looking around.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
Hollywood

I don't even know if I've been there myself. Wasn't sure if I went when I was a kid because it all looked different. I didn't know where to park so I googled it and there is a shopping center called the Hollywood and Highland Center where there is tons of parking, shops and places to eat. We parked there and proceeded to walk down Hollywood Blvd like Julia Roberts.

First thing off the bat I noticed, lots of street "performers". At first we thought it was cool there were these different characters you can take pictures with (Darth vader, Stormtroopers, Captain Jack Sparrow) but the first one we took, the guy asked for a tip... ahh... so that was the catch. And then there were several individuals offering you free "hip hop CDs" but would ask for a donation after they gave it to you. I felt bad because it looked like they were targeting asian families and older asian tourists with claims like they were the next Jay Z and the CD would be famous..
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Where's Iho? I need to talk to Iho. Ihoooo...! I just read this this morning & thought of your post above...

Panhandlers arrested for stabbing a woman to death on Hollywood's 'Walk of Fame' after she took photo of them on her cell phone and wouldn't pay $1 for it
 
The Sawdust Festival. They have art projects and glass blowing. The Festival also has 1 day art lessons during the summer that are well done.

The ENC (Environmental Nature Center) on the bluffs in NPB is a good place to stop by and hike around. It's well shaded in parts plus you're near the ocean. Google it.

Strangely enough, my kids (when they were 5-7 yrs old) loved to go to two places - anywhere there were horses (Serrano Stables off of Lake Forest and Trabuco) and a parking area near JWA to watch the planes land. Perhaps its the big jet noise that kept them wide eyed.

My .02c
 
The Sawdust Art Festival opens this Friday.

We are planning to go for the first time. I am a bit anxious about it, really. What would you do if your spouse's ex was a featured artist there? Avoid? Visit and play dumb? If they make small talk, fess up who you are? This is the scenario I may find myself in. Unfortunately, from snooping researching on the web, I see she is a successful and extremely gifted artist, I must admit (barf, hurl, upchuck.) I'm only going because I won a family pack of tickets. Maybe I'll tell her that. And put extra special emphasis on my last name. Say it real slowww. And flaunt the big rock on my ring finger. And accidentally spill her paint. No. No. I'm above this. Well, no matter what I intend to do, I just don't trust my mouth. Things have a tendency to slip out that I don't mean to say. It's probably best not to stop and look at her work.

WWYD?!! Awkward.
 
SoCal said:
The Sawdust Art Festival opens this Friday.

We are planning to go for the first time. I am a bit anxious about it, really. What would you do if your spouse's ex was a featured artist there? Avoid? Visit and play dumb? If they make small talk, fess up who you are? This is the scenario I may find myself in. Unfortunately, from snooping researching on the web, I see she is a successful and extremely gifted artist, I must admit (barf, hurl, upchuck.) I'm only going because I won a family pack of tickets. Maybe I'll tell her that. And put extra special emphasis on my last name. Say it real slowww. And flaunt the big rock on my ring finger. And accidentally spill her paint. No. No. I'm above this. Well, no matter what I intend to do, I just don't trust my mouth. Things have a tendency to slip out that I don't mean to say. It's probably best not to stop and look at her work.

WWYD?!! Awkward.
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So was it an amicable split or a they still hate the mention of the other person's name type split.

Frankly, if amicable, and you cross paths simply introduce yourself.  If not amicable, and you cross paths, just introduce yourself and move on.
 
Call the Sawdust main number. Ask when the Artist staffs their booth - usually on the weekends - then find out the days they aren't there and go then. Problem solved.
 
I'm confused, is your spouse going? If not, I don't see why you would engage in conversation with her as there are tons of artists at the event.

If he is going, than this conversation should be had with him... not us.
 
SoCal said:
The Sawdust Art Festival opens this Friday.

We are planning to go for the first time. I am a bit anxious about it, really. What would you do if your spouse's ex was a featured artist there? Avoid? Visit and play dumb? If they make small talk, fess up who you are? This is the scenario I may find myself in. Unfortunately, from snooping researching on the web, I see she is a successful and extremely gifted artist, I must admit (barf, hurl, upchuck.) I'm only going because I won a family pack of tickets. Maybe I'll tell her that. And put extra special emphasis on my last name. Say it real slowww. And flaunt the big rock on my ring finger. And accidentally spill her paint. No. No. I'm above this. Well, no matter what I intend to do, I just don't trust my mouth. Things have a tendency to slip out that I don't mean to say. It's probably best not to stop and look at her work.

WWYD?!! Awkward.
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I would just not make conversation. I've never been to the Sawdust Festival, but I assume you don't have to interact with all the artists, right? I would just avoid her booth. Unless your husband is planning on talking to her?

Did they have a particularly nasty or juicy breakup? If so, share details!  :D
 
nosuchreality said:
So was it an amicable split or a they still hate the mention of the other person's name type split.

Frankly, if amicable, and you cross paths simply introduce yourself.  If not amicable, and you cross paths, just introduce yourself and move on.
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It was not amicable at the time.
 
Soylent Green Is People said:
Call the Sawdust main number. Ask when the Artist staffs their booth - usually on the weekends - then find out the days they aren't there and go then. Problem solved.
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Good idea. Only thing is we have to go when it's convenient for us & fits into our schedule. Unfortunately, it is likely to be when she is there as well.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
I'm confused, is your spouse going? If not, I don't see why you would engage in conversation with her as there are tons of artists at the event.

If he is going, than this conversation should be had with him... not us.
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Thanks for being so helpful.
 
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