Rose Parade Float Decorating Viewing

Does your family want a sneak peak of the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade? If you are in Southern California this week and are looking for something fun to do-look no further!! You can experience the magic of the Rose Parade before New Year's Day. There are four locations in the Pasadena general area where you can take a close up look at the majestic floats in their final stages. You will be able to see what it takes to put together a float and watch as volunteers apply the finishing touches to the breathtaking floats. I'm planning on taking the kiddos to catch a glimpse. I hope to see you there!!! Admission: $7 for any two visits, children 3 and under are free. Advance tickets are available through Sharp Seating Company at (626) 795-4171

There are two Locations at the Rose Bowl Stadium:

You will see a variety of fruit, seeds, bark, grasses and of course, breathtaking flowers being applied to the floats by hard working volunteers as well as experienced professionals.

Located at the Rose Bowl Stadium:

• Rosemont Pavilion 700 Seco St., Pasadena
• Brookside Pavilion (accessible to mobility-impaired viewers) Lot I - South side of Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena Schedule: December 28 and 29: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. December 30: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. December 31: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Located in Pasadena:

• Rose Palace 835 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena Schedule: December 28, 29 and 30: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. December 31: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Located in Irwindale:

• Irwindale Pavillion Exit from the 210 Freeway at Irwindale or travel north on Irwindale and follow event signs. Schedule: December 28 and 29: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. December 30: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. December 31: Not open for Public Viewing

2009 Tournament of Roses Parade Viewing tips

If you are thinking of heading out to Pasadena to view the 2009Tournament of Roses Parade- here's a list of tips to make it a fun and comfortable experience 1. Layer up- The high for New Year's Day is supposed to hit a high of 70 degrees- but it is very chilly at night and in the early morning. Dress in layers so that you can easily remove a layer or two when it starts to warm up. If you're bringing little ones I would also bring scarves, gloves, a blanket and mittens. 2. Overnight camping is permitted only on the night before the parade. Do not arrive before noon the day before the parade. 3. If you plan on camping - bring plenty of blankets, sleeping bags and pillows. You are also allowed to bring a small barbecue. You may not bring tents or start any form of bonfire. 4. If you are camping be prepared for a sleepless night. I've camped out a couple of times with my family and didn't sleep a wink. The crowd also gets a bit rowdy. I really wouldn't recommend camping out if you have small children. 5. If you would like to view the parade in style and be as comfortable as possible- splurge on grandstand tickets. For more info click here- Tickets are still available. 6. If you are light sensitive make sure to sit on the west side of the street 7. The Tournament of Roses Parade follows the same route every year: Starting on Ellis St., it heads north on S. Orange Grove Blvd., then east on Colorado Blvd, north (left turn) on Sierra Madre Blvd., and ending at Paloma Street.- Plan ahead to determine where you would like to seat- also there is no public, curbside parade viewing on Orange Grove Blvd. from Del Rosa to Colorado Blvd. and on Colorado from Orange Grove to Terrace. Grandstand ticket holders only. 8. If you would like to see the parade live in person, but have small children or the idea of camping out seems like a nightmare- this might be for you- Our friends suggested to leave about 30-45 minutes before the parade starts and head over to the end of the parade - on Sierra Madre blvd. You can easily find a spot without having to camp out. 9. Parking can be a nightmare. You can park in residential areas but be prepared for a walk. You can also pay anywhere between 10-25 dollars and park close up to the parade route in any of the private lots. If you are planning on this make sure you bring cash. 10. The parade starts at 8am sharp and is approximately 2 and a half hours long. 11. Bring plenty of water and snacks. If you have little ones- bring them along in a wagon and store your supplies in the wagon. 12. If you would still like to view the floats close up but can't make it out to the parade don't worry- Buy tickets for the best and most interesting part of the Rose Parade: float viewing. You can get closer to the floats and talk to their builders here. Crowds will be smaller if you can arrive immediately when they open on the morning after the parade. Use an area park-and-ride lot, or if you have a carful of people, try for one of the paid lots near Pasadena High School. I will be covering this in a later post Happy New Year!!!! Oh and almost forgot the winner of last week's dvd giveaway is Cristin. Please email me with your info so that i can send it out as soon as possible.

Merry Christmas from Daytripping Mom

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Daytripping Mom Giveaway and Review- Goldilocks and the 3 bears

If you looking for a new flick for the kiddos to watch on the way to your Christmas destination or favorite day trip- I have a great one for you. Jim Henson's Goldilocks and the 3 Bears is a new twist on the classic tale. The movie centers around Goldilocks as a spoiled television star. She decides to revive her career by agreeing to star in a reality tv show with the 3 bears- think ala big brother style. She has to learn to get along with the bears and work on getting her career back on track. It's a cute movie that is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. I have a copy of the DVD that I'm giving away. Just post a comment and you're entered to win. It's that simple!!You have until the 21st to enter. Good luck and oh almost forgot Goldilocks and the 3 bears is available on DVD and a perfect Christmas gift!!

Toys for Tots- Knott's Berry Farm

If you want to do something fun this weekend(Dec 20 and 21) and at the same time help others in need - check out Toys for Tots at Knott's Berry Farm. Bring an unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more and get free admission to Knott's Berry Farm. Simply bring the new, unwrapped toys (one for each free admission in your group) to the Knott's Berry Farm admission booths with you. From there, you'll be issued your free admission pass, and Toys for Tots workers will be on hand to make sure the toy you bring gets where it needs to go. You do NOT need a coupon, computer print out receipt, etc to participate in the Knott's Toys for Tots Christmas toy drive. Just show up at the park with your toy! Knott's is decked out for the holidays and your family will love Knott's Merry Farm!! We should be free from rain this weekend so head on over for a day of fun and also help a needy child have a great Christmas. For additional information click here

Mission Viejo Holiday Lights Tour

The city of Mission Viejo has an activities committee that, among other things, organizes a holiday decoration home lighting contest for residents of the city. Here are the addresses of this years winners:

Best Religious: Henseler family, 27442 Via Amistoso

Most Humorous: Crick family, 26152 Cordillera

Bright Ideas: Schneider family, 23446 Bolivar

Simply Elegant: Pastorkovich family, 4 Amato

Magical Effects: Mezo family, 27093 Pinario

Source: Mission Viejo Activities Committee

Here is a map of the winners locations.

Winner of Disney on Ice - High School Musical

The winner of Disney on Ice is Branizm - who wrote "My kids both enjoy HSM ( it's like our grease, lol) both kids would enjoy seeing it on ice just as much as they did seeing it on the big screen (HSM3)... if we may be considered, that would be a very fantabolous treat for them!!!" Email me at mom @ daytrippingmom.com Just a reminder that Disney on Ice shows are coming up in the next few weeks. The Staples Center show is only 2 days away. If you have never seen a Disney on Ice show- trust me on this- your kiddos will love it. Dec 18-21 at the Staples Center, Dec 23-28th at the Honda Center in Anaheim and Jan 2-4 2009 at the Long Beach Arena. For additional information click here or www.highschoolmusicaltheicetour.com. You can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster or by calling 213-480-3232. I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season :)

Wild Animal Park’s Festival of Lights

The 2008 holiday season is the last opportunity to enjoy the glow of the Wild Animal Park’s Festival of Lights! Next year, the event will move to the Zoo under the new name "Jungle Bells." So this December, on the 20th anniversary of the first winter lights at the Park, gather the family and visit for the final Festival of Lights celebration. Brand-new holiday and animal-themed light features created specifically for the Wild Animal Park will set the atmosphere for family fun, which includes Snow Hill (open daily from 4–8:30 p.m.), new craft activities, a Light Magic Show in Discovery Station, and a Black Light Puppet Show in Benbough Amphitheater. Dates and Times: From 4 to 9 p.m., December 13–23 and 26–30, 2008; January 2 and 3, 2009 More information: SanDiegoZoo.org

This Weekend- AKC Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach

If you are looking for something fun and different to do this weekend head over to Long Beach and catch The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. I love watching the American Kennel Club Dog show and the Westminster Dog show on Animal Planet. This year the show will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center on December 13th and 14th Every year, nearly 3,000 of the world’s top canine competitors from all 50 states and more than 70 countries are invited to vie for Best in Show honors and a total of $225,000 at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. The event is one of the most highly competitive and exciting events in the canine world. It is held in conjunction with the AKC National Obedience Invitational and AKC Agility Invitational, representing the culmination of a year of competition in three AKC sports: Conformation, Obedience and Agility.

For the second year, the exciting Eukanuba World Challenge competition will feature dogs representing 52 countries from the far reaches of the globe competing for world-wide bragging rights!

One of the most exciting attractions is the AKC Meet the Breeds with over 150 AKC breeds on display for the public to meet and speak with breed experts. The AKC Demonstration ring features fun, educational and exciting demonstrations such as herding with live ducks, agility, obedience and seeing-eye dogs.

Click here for a complete schedule of events

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Southern California 2008

I'm loving this holiday season and it would not be complete without a post about outdoor ice skating rinks in Southern California. All are open and running through January. Here is a list along with admission prices. Happy ice skating!!! Los Angeles County Downtown On Ice- Downtown LA- Nov 20,2008-Jan 19,2009 Admission price $6.00- skate rental $2.00 ICE at Santa Monica-1324 Fifth Street-Nov 7,2008-Jan 19,2009 Admission price $10.00 (includes skate rental) Seaside Ice- Redondo Beach-Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach. -Nov 18,2008-Jan 11,2009 Admission price $14.00, children $12.00 Orange County Irvine Spectrum-Nov 1,2008-Nov 19,200 Admission price $11.00-skate rental $4.50 Riverside County Festival of Lights Ice Skating -Mainstreet Pedestrian Mall- Riverside -Nov 28,2008-Jan 04 Admission price $10.00- skate rental $3.00 Ventura County The Lakes Ice Rink- Lakes Mall- Thousand Oaks Dec 8,2008- Jan 4,2009 Admission price $8.00- Skate rentals $3.00 San Diego County Skating By The Sea-Hotel Del Coronado-San Diego-Nov 22,2008-Jan 3,2008 Admission prices- Adults $15(2hr) $20(3hr)- Children $15(3hr), $10(2hr)- Skate rental $5.00 Fantasy on Ice-Horton Square-San Diego -Nov 20,2008-Jan 4,2009 Admission prices-Adults $12.00-children $10.00(includes skate rental)

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Are you ready to really swing into the holiday spirit?? Looking for something that is fun to do and absolutely free?? Look no further and mark the dates on your calendar. The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is celebrating it's 100th year and better than ever. Watching the parade is one of my family's favorite Christmas tradition. The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a definite must see. The parade begins on Wednesday Dec 17 and ends on Sunday December 21st. The parade starts off at Bay Island at 6:30pm and ends there at approximately 9:30. This year in celebration of the parade's 100th anniversary fireworks will be set off at at 6:25 from the Balboa Pier. Just a couple of tips to make your evening as enjoyable as possible. 1. Dress warmly. I forgot to bring gloves last year and I will make sure not to forget them this year. I also will remember to bring a blanket for each of my kiddos. 2. Arrive as early as possible. Traffic is horrible and arriving early will assure you a spot and less congestion. 3. Be prepared to pay for parking. Whether you are parking in one of the state lots to an improvised private lot make sure to bring at least 10 dollars for parking. If you want to save on parking make sure to bring good walking shoes and park a little further away from the bay area. 4. Bring something warm to drink. I forgot to do this last year and I ended up paying a small fortune for hot chocolate and donuts in Balboa island. 5. Some of the best viewing spots are the Balboa Peninsula/Ferry area and Balboa island. You can't miss at any of these two spots. 6. If you would like to view the parade in luxury many of the waterfront restaurants along the parade route have dinner/viewing packages. Check to see if your favorite restaurant is offering a deal. 7. check out this website for additional information. I know that your family will enjoy this as much as my family does!! I promise!!! Don't forget to enter the Disney on Ice giveaway. To enter click here

LongShots winner

The winner of the Longshots giveaway is Gina- congrats!! Please email me at mom@daytrippingmom.com with your info.

Metrolink's Holiday Toy Express

I received a great tip about a GREAT and FREE Christmas event from a reader that your kiddos will love. The Metrolink Holiday Toy Express is coming to a station near you. Metrolink's Holiday Toy Express has been delighting audiences for nine years – providing a free, enjoyable, community-based holiday experience across five Southern California counties. The Holiday Toy Express, a 450-ton Metrolink train decorated with giant glittering ornaments, animated displays, and more than 50,000 twinkling lights. Arriving with lights aglow and filling the night with toe-tapping tunes, the Holiday Toy Express offers a free live musical stage show for those at each stop. Following the show, children of all ages have the opportunity to meet Santa and his friends when they alight from the train. Some stations also provide light refreshments. The train is heads to different stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Ventura counties. Click here for the schedule and additional info. Make sure to enter the Longshots giveaway and the Disney on Ice tickets giveaway.Remember all you have to do is post a comment under each of the posts and you are automatically entered. Good luck!!

Daytripping Mom Giveaway and Review- The Longshots

As a promised here is the DVD Review and giveaway... All you have to do is enter the contest is leave any comment at the end of the post and you are entered to win.. that's all .. that's it. Pretty simple right? and trust me you will want a copy of this family film. The Longshots is a great little family movie inspired by a true story. It's a good little film about a former high school football star played by Ice Cube and his inspiring story of turning a struggling Pop Warner football team around thanks to his niece Jasmine. Curtis(Ice Cube) has recently moved in with his sister and his niece Jasmine. When Jasmine's mom asks Curtis to stay with her daughter after school, Curtis discovers an innate football talent hidden beneath Jasmine's sullen exterior. Once he helps Jasmine talk her way onto the local Pop Warner football team, it's only a matter of time before the plucky girl and her newly energetic uncle whip that team--and their town-- into shape. I think this DVD will especially be enjoyed by young girls. My daughter loved it!!! It's a great little film that your family will definitely enjoy. The Longshots is now available on DVD. I have 1 copy to giveaway. Just remember to post any comment and Good Luck!! Contest ends Saturday night. I will announce the winner on Sunday. Good luck!!!

Holiday Light Festival at Griffith Park

It's been a while since I've blogged. I've been under the weather and was out of town for the holidays and I'm feeling a bit better and ready to go on some adventures with the kiddos. One of the places I take the kids every year for the holidays is the DWP Festival of Lights at Griffith Park. It's a must if you live in the Southern California area and well worth the drive. We have been a couple of times and have decided to begin visiting it as a new family tradition. It's a really unique Angeleno experience. The section of Griffith park runs about one mile with the displays of lights along Crystal Springs Drive. The displays even feature music. It is a must see. I'm planning on visiting sometime this weekend. If you will be attending this weekend and possibly beating the crowds make sure to bring a good pair of walking shoes, a jacket, and a stroller for the little ones. Most of all, bring your holiday spirit. If you are planning to be in the Los Angeles area this holiday season include this on your list of things to see and do. The festival will be vehicle from now until Dec 7 meaning you have to have walk it. I have walked it before and loved it. Visitors may park at the L.A. Zoo parking lot or the parking lots on the south side of the festival near the Merry-Go-Round, or the lots near the pony rides. Parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Walkers are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and to dress warmly to walk the full one-mile route each way. It is also recommended that walkers have outerwear, as it can get chilly. Shuttles will assist in bringing guests from the remote parking lots to the route. I would bring a thermos with hot chocolate and if you have little ones a stroller is a must!!! The festival will return to its traditional configuration on December 8 and continue until December 30, 2008. Automobiles will have access to the festival route from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Pedestrians may also walk on the walking path and visit the festival, Shuttles will be available December 12 through 30. I can't rave enough about this event. If your kids love Christmas lights and music and really who doesn't right????Nake sure to take them. Trust me they will love it. for additional information click here P.S. I will be doing a DVD giveaway later on today - I promise and for now make sure to enter the Disney on Ice giveaway!!

Free Admission at the OC Marketplace

I know you've seen me blog about this place before, but this time its for something really special:

FREE ADMISSION FOOD DRIVE - to support South County Outreach www.sco-oc.org

Shop for the holidays at the Orange County Market Place and help children and families in need. Bring a canned good or dried food item any Saturday or Sunday through Dec. 21, 2008 and receive FREE ADMISSION (Ages 13 years and up) Kids get a FREE photo with Santa Claus this holiday season every weekend through Dec. 21, 2008. Photos with Santa are 10 AM. to 2 PM. The Orange County Market Place is held every Saturday and Sunday at the O.C. Fair Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Hours: 7 AM. to 4 PM See you there!