San Diego Natural History Museum

This gem of a museum is located inside the famous San Diego Balboa Park. Besides the San Diego Zoo, you can also find this museum which is just across the way from the Ruben H Fleet Science Center. The museum is three stories and is full of fossils and animal bones. It is not as large at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History but it is still full of interesting and educational exhibits. There is plenty of interactive displays as well.

An exciting feature of the museum is an upcoming temporary exhibit on Pompeii. This will require a separate admission ticket from the general admission to the museum. The normal admission is as follows:

Adult	$9.00
Senior (62+)	$7.00
Active military, youth (13–17), student (with ID)	$6.00
Child (3–12)	$4.00
Child 2 and under	FREE

It is open everyday from 10 AM to 5 PM

San Diego Natural History Museum

1788 El Prado
Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
619.232.3821

A Day in Pompeii runs February 15 – June 15, 2008

Buried in 79 CE by a catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii remained hidden and forgotten until 1748 when archaeologists began to excavate the site. What they discovered were exquisitely preserved objects that offer a glimpse into the day-to-day life of this ancient city.

This compelling exhibition features more than 250 authentic artifacts. Most poignant and dramatic are the body casts of the volcano's victims, frozen in their last moments. Beautiful frescoes, jewelry, statues, and household items take you back in time to experience life and death in ancient Rome's favorite vacation resort.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is one of only four museums that will host this exclusive exhibition.

Ticket Prices for this special event:

A Day in Pompeii tickets include an audio tour, available in English and Spanish, and all other exhibitions and films. General Museum admission does not include A Day in Pompeii.

Admission	Member	Non-member
Adult	$10	$22
Senior (62+)/Military/Student	$8	$19
Child (3–12)	$7	$14

Vietnamese Tet Festival

Tet, is the most important and popular holiday/festival in Vietnam. It's the celebration of the Vietnamese New Year which this year will be celebrated on February 7th. The largest Tet festival outside of Vietnam is located in Garden Grove and is a great family festival. There will be games, traditional entertainment, contests and plenty of food. The festival will be celebrating the Year of the Rat and is in it's 26th year. I plan on attending and from what I've heard from family and friends it's a must visit if you can. I hope to see you there!! Garden Grove Park 9301 Westminster Ave Garden Grove, CA 2008 USVA Tet Festival Fri Feb 8 - 2 -10pm Sat Feb 9 - 10am - 10pm Sun Feb 10- 10am - 0pm Admission is as follows Adults - $5.00 Children 4 ft and under $ 4.00 Infants are free

Universal Studios Hollywood

Lucky for us we were spared by the rain gods on January 26th when we visited Univeral Studios Hollywood. Though it was a Saturday, the crowds were light, probably because most people expected rain. Also, late January is a great time to visit most amusement parks because it is off-season.

While my husband and I have visited Universal Studios many times in the past, this was the first time for us to venture there with our little ones. When we arrived, one of the first things we found is that Univeral offers an all-you-can-eat pass for $19.99. For children under 48 inches, it is only $9.99. The All You Can Eat Pass is good for 1 entrée, 1 side and 1 dessert every time you go through a food service line at Mel's Diner, Louie's Pizza and Pasta, or the Jurassic Café. You can go through the line as many times as you want. It does NOT include beverages. No sharing, take-out or refunds. You can save even more by buying the pass online. I would definitely recommend this deal if you will be having more than one meal at the park. We ate lunch before arriving at the park and opted not to take advantage of this deal. We did snack on some pizza slices and churros later on in the day. The pizza was very tasty and it's one of the items included in the all you can eat deal. We did buy a 32 oz souvenir sipper cup for less than $6 which allows you to buy refills for only 75 cents.

The first attraction we hit was the tram tour, which kept both of our children entertained. Our 2 1/2 year old daughter was a little scared with the King Kong and Earthquake portions of the tour. She just closed her eyes and did just fine. Our 1 year old thought that everything was cool and he oohed and ahhed at every turn. The tour lasts only 45 minutes and goes by really quickly. I wonder how our parents managed when they took us on the old tour that lasted over 2 hours?

The kids got to meet and greet with Dora, Sponge Bob, Shrek and Fiona. Our son even liked shaking hands with Frankenstein, who was quite friendly. Several times a day, a character caravan comes out with Fievel, Curious George and Crash. You can dance along with them and get pictures. The Nickelodeon kids is the best area for small children. There are some interactive water things, playground slides and climbing tubes. There is also the Coke Soak which allows children of all ages to get wet, 365 days of the year. It was 60 degrees on the day we were there, so we avoided that place.

Besides the tram, there are also two other rides. There is the Mummy roller coaster and the Jurassic Park water ride. Neither one are appropriate for small children. I'm not much of a fan of roller coasters , but my husband is, and he absolutely loved the Mummy roller coaster. The park has a child switch program for both of these rides. This program allows you and your spouse to be line together and be able to switch off with each other so that you can both enjoy the rides.

Universal is also hosts to many fun filled shows. Our kids loved the Animal Actors Stage show. Other kid friendly shows include: Shrek-4D, Waterworld, The Blues Brothers and Fear Factor Live.

Remember you can buy a day and get 2008 free when you buy a general admission ticket! SoCal Residents can also get a one-day ticket right now for $50. This offer is good through February 15th. You can then apply that ticket toward an annual pass for only $49 more.

For additional info click here

Reuben H Fleet Science Center - San Diego

This past weekend we headed south to San Diego to spend a day at the Fleet Science Center. The museum is part of Balboa Park. I love science centers, and had read that the Fleet Science Center is one of the best. The museum is very hands on, and offers your kids a fun filled day. The Fleet is home to seven exhibit galleries and is home to the world's first, and San Diego's only IMAX Dome Theater.

The seven exhibit galleries provide an interactive and self guided learning experience for kids of all ages. SoWatt is a fantastic exhibit where you will learn about ways that we produce energy and learn also about conservation. The Aging of all Ages exhibit, informs the whole teaches the whole family about wellness and healthy lifestyles. My kids favorite exhibit, Kid City, is geared for infants to 6 year olds and is a must if you have young children. It's a very hands on exhibit and it features a grocery store, story area and much more. The gallery of Illusions and Perceptions explores how our senses work. The Exploration Bar gallery is located upstairs and offers an interactive experiment and demonstration area. At the TryScience area you can play games and learn about many different science subjects at one of the six computers that make up the area. Listen Here is the center's visiting exhibit and features interactive and hands on area where you can learn all about sounds.

The center's IMAX theater is currently playing three films. The Living Sea film takes you on a tour of the world's oceans. Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure, is a National Geographic film that brings to life prehistoric creatures that once inhabited our waters. Dinosaurs Alive, is a must for your budding paleontologist.

The Reuben H Fleet Science center is a fantastic place to take your kiddos. They will have a great time and learn something too!! If you are in the San Diego area or plan on visiting, reserve a day to visit this gem.

Reuben H Fleet Science Center
Balboa Park
1875 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-1233
Open Everyday, Admission Hours vary

For additional information click here

Travel Town Museum

One of my favorite places to visit is Griffith Park. I love so many of it's attractions and it's natural beauty. I grew up only a couple of miles away from the park and have wonderful memories (I learned to ride a bike at the park) of visiting the observatory, hiking and fun picnics. I would have to say that many fun times were spent at the Travel Town Museum. If you love trains or your little ones love trains this is a must stop. It's an outdoor museum with many locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars and cabooses on display. There is of course a train ride that circles around the museum and is a must if you are going to visit. Train Rides are $2.50 for adults and children. There are also Public Play Days on the first Sunday of the month from 1 to 4pm where kids can play with the museum's 400 wooden piece Thomas set. There are also docent guided tours every 2nd and 3rd Saturday of the month. Tours start at 11am. Admission and parking is free!! If you're looking for something fun and inexpensive to do with your family this is it!! Travel Town Transportation Museum 5200 Zoo Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Operations: (323) 662-5874

The Museum is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed Christmas Day.

During pacific daylight time, the hours are extended one hour.

Chinese New Year Family Festival

It might be a bit early to start thinking about what to do this weekend (to be honest, I'm always thinking about the weekend), but I wanted to post about this event because you definitely have to pencil it in to your weekend plans. Chinese New Year is celebrated on February 7th and the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana will kick start the celebration with the Chinese New Year Family Festival. The festival will feature traditional crafts, ceremonies, dance numbers and music. The best part of this fantastic event is that admission is FREE!! Chinese New Year Family Festival Sunday, January 27th 11 am to 4pm Bowers Museum in Santa Ana for additional info click here

Goofy's Kitchen - Character Dining

If you are looking for a character dining experience without having to actually go inside Disneyland or DCA, you are in luck. The Disneyland Hotel features a character dining experience at Goofy's Kitchen. If you have never experienced character dining, you and your children will be in for a treat. You are guaranteed to have interaction with many of your favorite Disney characters. The food is good too. At Goofy's Kitchen, the food is served in an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Goofy's Kitchen is a great place to throw birthday parties too, so if you are celebrating a big day, be sure and come party Disney-style! Plenty of great choices for kids of all ages, including:

• Mickey Mouse shaped waffles
• Omelet made to order
• Peanut butter & jelly pizza!
• Goofy's Hot Chocolate Cake
• Fruit yogurt and yummy toppings
• Don't forget to bring your cameras to take a souvenir snapshot of your Gawrsh-darn favorite Disney Character

Cuisine: American, Vegetarian, Healthy Selections

Price: Breakfast and Lunch $32.21 for ages 10 and up, children 3 to 9 $17.54 Dinner $39.14 for 10 and up, children 3 to 9 $17.54 Make sure to make reservations. This is a popular spot and you might have to wait a while for a table. You can make Disneyland dining reservations by calling 714-781-DINE

Ports O' Call Village - San Pedro, CA

If you're looking for a fun and free family adventure, hop in your car and head over to Ports O' Call Village in San Pedro. The New England inspired seaside village features many family friendly eateries, gift shops, specialty shops and fish markets. I love stopping by for a bite to eat, and the kids enjoy waving to the passing ships. Ports O’ Call is also the departure point for narrated harbor tours, dinner dance cruises and whale watching excursions. You can enjoy a narrated harbor cruise of the Port of Los Angeles, one of the largest working ports in the world. I think that this is a must if you are planning a visit to the village. In the winter, you can also take a whale watching cruise. I did this a while back and it was a fabulous experience. We were able to see a couple of whales and their calves. It's a must if you visit between January and March. If your family loves fishing, you're in luck. Sport fishing boats leave daily from the village with rental equipment, bait, tackle and fishing licenses available. Remember to bring a jacket because it gets chilly!! Ports O' Call Village is open daily from 11am- Free admission and parking Ports O' Call Village Berth 76 1100 Nagoya Way San Pedro, CA 90731

Outdoor ice skating rinks in Los Angeles and Orange County

If you are looking for something fun to do and not typical for Southern California you might want to give ice skating a try. This is something that I've been meaning to post about but just never got around to it. I figured that I better get around to it since both outdoor rinks are on a limited run. There are two outdoor ice skating rinks in the Southland. One is located in Pershing Square in Downtown LA. The other at the Irvine Spectrum. Both rinks end their seasonal run on January 21st. For additional information click here and here. Bundle up and have a great time!!

Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog @ Discovery Science Center

My kids love watching PBS Kids and of course one of their favorite shows is Clifford the Big Red Dog. If your kids are Clifford fans also, then you have to pay a visit to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana for their newest exhibit - Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog.

The exhibit is specifically targeted to young children ages 2-5. The exhibit transports children to Clifford’s world and creates unique opportunities to engage children in rich educational content that reinforces “Clifford’s Big Ideas”—ten simple, tangible life lessons designed to help young children navigate their world, such as Share, Play Fair and Be Truthful.

Some of the highlights of the exhibit are:

Riding the ferry to Clifford’s home of Birdwell Island where your children can:

• Slide down the tail of a colossal nine-foot high Clifford
• Fill Clifford's big dog bowl with bones using a conveyor belt
• Find “bone”-ifide treasures at T-Bone’s Beach
• Visit the Post Office to sort and deliver letters
• Take an order at Samuel’s Fish and Chips
• Dress up as Cleo, T-Bone, Clifford or Mac
• Make artwork inside Clifford’s Doghouse

There is also a toddler area in Cleo's backyard that offers a crawling tunnel and various matching activities. I know that with two toddlers we will be making more than one or two visits. I hope to see you there!!

WHEN: Opens Friday, Jan. 18. Discovery Science Center hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. *Also Open on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Monday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.


WHERE: Taco Bell Discovery Science Center
2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92705

For information on exhibits and programs, visit www.discoverycube.org
or call 714-542-CUBE (2823).

Dollar/Discount Movie Theatres in Southern California

A night at the movies has become painfully expensive. With prices hovering over $10 a person, it can really put a dent in your pocketbook. Thankfully we have several dollar/bargain theaters in the Southern California area. There are local dollar theaters in the Inland Empire, LA , Orange and Ventura Counties. I searched and searched and couldn't find anything for the San Diego area. If you know of one in the area , please email me so I can add it to the list. We love visiting bargain theaters because they're inexpensive and if the kids became bored and we need to leave, we are only out a couple of bucks. Family films are particularly popular at these type of theaters, so it's usually easy to find something for everyone. We've had a great experience and I'm sure your family will too!! As of January 2008: Los Angeles County Academy Cinema - Pasadena - $2 before 6pm, $3 after Cinemark Movies - Lancaster- $1.75 before 6pm, $2.25 after, $1.25 all day Wed Redondo Beach Cinema 3 - Redondo Beach- $3 all day Starplex Cinema - La Mirada -$1.50 before 6, $2 after, $1.00 all day Tue Orange County Charter Center Theatre - Huntington Beach - $2 before 6, $ 3 after Starplex Cinema - Irvine -$1.50 all day, $ 1.00 all day Tue PictureShow@Mainplace Mall - Santa Ana - $1.75 all day, $1.00 all day Tue Inland Empire Regency Towngate 8 - Moreno Valley - $ 2.00 before 6, $ 3 after Temeku Discount Theaters - Temecula - $3.25 before 6, $ 4 after Cinemark Cathedral City - Cathedral City - $1.50 before 6, $ 2.50 after Ventura County Regency Buenaventura - Ventura- $3.00 all day

San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park - New Membership Deal!!!

If you've been thinking of becoming a member of the zoological society of San Diego, you're in luck. For a limited time you can take $10 off a new adult membership. That means that you can get a dual membership for only $79 or a single membership for $61 . This is a fantastic deal!!! Benefits of the membership include

• Unlimited admission to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park for one full year
• 2 free guest passes (over $54 in value)
• Free Journey into Africa tour at the Park (save $10 each time)
• Free Skyfari aerial tram at the Zoo (save $3 each time)
• Four discount guest coupons (a $20 value)
• Four 2-for-1 Zoo Bus Tour coupons
• ZOONOOZ^® magazine subscription (a $15 value)
• Monthly member specials

Hurry and act soon this offer is only for a limited time For additional information click here

Santa Monica Pier

One of my favorite places to visit in Southern California is the Santa Monica Pier. I spent many days as a child there and it holds a special place in my heart. The pier has had extensive renovations since then and is now a fantastic place for both young and old to enjoy. I love that my children can now enjoy a new and improved pier. The pier is host to an amusement park, restaurants and retail shops.

Pacific Park is the West Coast's only amusement park located on a pier. It is home to six adult rides and six children rides. The park also has carnival games, a food court and a gift shop. The Santa Monica Pier also has a great arcade and a fantastic Carousel. The pier is also home to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.

There are a variety of restaurants ranging from food cart vendors to the themed Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory. You can also rent bicycles and fishing equipment from a couple of shops. One of my favorite things to do is to watch the fishermen bait their hook and reel in their catch of the day.

Each Thursday night throughout the summer, the "Twilight Dance Series" attracts huge crowds to concerts that feature popular performers. I could go and on about this magical place but you should really just see for yourself.

For additional information click here

California Science Center

If you grew up in Southern California, you might recall the commercials for the Museum of Science and Industry. I have fond memories of visiting with my family as a child. Well time has been very kind to the museum and it's now called the California Science Center. I've been meaning to visit with the kids for quite some time now and was finally able to make the trip this weekend. We packed a bag Saturday afternoon and headed off for a visit to the Science Center.

The Science is Center is located in Exposition Park and is the West Coast's largest hands on science center. It boasts 3 floors, which holds 4 permanent exhibits and a special exhibit gallery which showcases popular exhibits from museums around the world. The four permanent exhibits are The Creative World Exhibit, The World of Life Exhibit, Air and Space Exhibit and the Science court. The first exhibit we toured was The Creative World , which showcases advances humans have made in communication, architecture and transportation. My kids loved the exhibit. My daughter was fascinated with the communication section of the exhibit. The second and final exhibit we toured was the World of Life exhibit. My kids were in heaven. They did not want to budge from the gallery. They loved the the Life Source gallery which featured a chicken hatchery. The absolute highlight of the trip for them was a visit to the Discovery Room. If you have kids under 7 this is probably where you will spend most of your time. Your children will be able to see frogs, spiders, crabs, turtles, birds and snakes close up. There is a fantastic toddler area. My son Michael who is only a year old was entertained for at least an hour. We had planned to visit the Air and Space Exhibit but we ran out of time. If you are planning a visit make sure you allow for plenty of time.

I can't tell you enough how much we all loved the museum. I would arrive early to make the best of your visit. I would visit the second floor first and explore The Creative World Exhibit and The World of Life exhibit. I would then stop to have lunch at either McDonald's or Taco Bell Express, which are located on the first floor of the museum. After lunch I would head out to explore the third floor. Trust me your family will love this place.

California Science Center - Exposition Park, 700 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037
The California Science Center is open daily from 10am to 5pm- closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year's Day
Admission to the Science Center's permanent exhibit galleries is FREE!!
Parking is $6

For additional information click here

Magic Mountain -2008 play pass- pay for one day, get the rest of the year free

If you are searching for an inexpensive season pass to the most thrilling theme park in Southern California, you're in luck. Six Flags Magic Mountain is offering their 2008 play pass for 59.99- With the pass you will also get 5 free tickets to bring a friend on selected dates. Passholders also receive a Value Book with over $400 in discounts on food, games, souvenirs and more, plus one FREE admission to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.
For additional information click here

Sea World Fun Card

2008 SeaWorld San Diego Fun Card

For the cost of a full-price single day admission, you get unlimited visits to SeaWorld for all of 2008. A Fun Card is the best way to enjoy all of SeaWorld’s 2008 events. Return as often as you like for Spring into Night, Summer Nights, a not-too-scary Halloween, and SeaWorld’s Holiday Celebration. Your Fun Card won’t expire until December 31, 2008, but the offer expires April 30. So … don’t wait. Get your 2008 Fun Card today and start the fun.

For my review of Sea World San Diego and additional information click here

Universal Studios Hollywood-Buy a day, Get 2008 Free!!

As I mentioned yesterday in my Disneyland post, this time of year is the perfect time to visit theme parks and also find fantastic deals. Universal Studios Hollywood is offering the buy a day, get 2008 free, which basically gives you an annual pass for the price of a single day admission. As an annual pass holder you will get discounts on admission tickets for family or friends, CityWalk dining discounts and CineWalk discounts. If you purchase online you will not only be able to save time but also receive a coupon book. Don't' miss out on this great opportunity to become an annual pass holder for the price of one day admission. As an annual pass holder I promise you will not be disappointed.

Knott's Berry Farm- Adult admission only $19.99!!

Knott's Berry Farm is holding it's 7th annual canned food drive for the Orange County Food Bank from January 7th -February 3rd. Every guest bringing a can food during the drive to the park will get in for the kid's price of only $19.99. That's a savings of $30 dollars!! Bring a can for a day of fun!!! For additional info click here

Disneyland/Disney's California Adventure 2 for 1-(2fer ticket)

If you are a Southern California resident and you have been meaning to visit Disneyland or Disney's California Aventure you're in luck!! For a limited time you can visit either park and come back on another day and visit the other park for free!!

You can take advantage of this offer until April 24. A single day admission ticket is $66 for guests 10 and up and $56 for kids 3-9 - kids 2 and under are free. If you haven't been in a while this is a perfect excuse to visit.

Did you know that this is the best time of the year to visit? The crowds are minimal and you can actually take in a park in one day. Our family loves visiting this time of year because we can usually hop right on to a ride and if there is a wait, it's usually very short. You can maneuver through the park easily with a stroller and there's plenty of room to get great seating at restaurants, benches, etc.. Trust me, as a seasoned Disney pass holder and being married to the ultimate Disney fan - there is nothing worse than a visit to either Disney park on a hot summer day.

Here are the details on the tickets-* Tickets are valid for Southern California residents within ZIP codes 90000 to 93599 and Northern Baja California residents within ZIP codes 21000 to 22999. Proof of residency is required for admission. Admission valid for one day at Disneyland® Park and another day at Disney's California Adventure® Park, but not for both parks on the same day. Tickets are valid 30 days from first use. First use must occur between January 7, 2008 and April 24, 2008. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. You can purchase up to eight tickets per person per day with valid identification.

for more information click here

The Giveaway Continues!

Due to the overwhelming response, we have decided to extend the deadline to our giveaway. Day Tripping Mom wants to make sure you start the new year with fun adventures. We'll be giving away an Entertainment 2008 book - in the region of your choice. To enter, email the following info to mom@daytrippingmom.com 1. Your full name 2. Email address 3. Tell us your family's favorite day trip! The new deadline is Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 10 AM Pacific Time. Enter now and tell your friends! If you don't win, you can always order one here and get $10 off and FREE Shipping on the purchase of the 2008 Entertainment Book!

Analog TV Converters and You!

Stay with me on this one because this does apply to you daytrippers. For those of you that might use an analog television set in your cars or even at home, (meaning you need an antenna to tune in regular tv), your days are numbered. That is to say that analog broadcasting will be going away forever after this year. Why do you need a converter, where according to the government website: At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders. You will need either a new TV that can received digital signals or else to purchase a converter for your analog TV set. Well the government is issuing up to two $40 coupons to a limited number of households. Get you coupons at this direct link https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx The site appears to crash frequently since it just went live on January 1st. Coupons will be mailed at the end of February or March. They did put a cap on the number of coupons issued, so you had better sign up quick.

Children's Theatre- La Mirada Performing Arts Center

Do you want to expose your children to live performance ? If you do, make sure to check out the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Young Audience program. It introduces children to live theatre and also acquaints kids with proper theatre etiquette. The shows are geared to children 5 years and older. Performances are one hour long with no intermission. Tickets are only 8 dollars or you can subscribe to a 3 show series for 18 dollars. Upcoming performances will be Beethoven's Wig on Feb 24th , Winnie the Pooh on March 30th and Fred Garbo Inflatables on April 6th. For additional information and directions click here. La Mirada Performing Arts Center- 14900 La Mirada BoulevardLa Mirada, CA 90638 Box office :562-944-9801 or 714-994-6310 Box office hours:Mon-Fri 11am - 5:30pm Sat 12 noon - 4pm

Family Friendly Museums in Southern California

If you live in Southern California - you're well aware that we are in the middle of a downpour this weekend. We've been pretty dry for the last couple of years with just an occasional sprinkle here and there. Well with the rain comes kids that are itching to release some energy but are stuck inside. I was going to post a couple of at home activities that you could do with your kids but decided against it. After some thought I felt that I should post about a great alternative to staying at home or heading over to your local cineplex. If you want your family to have a learning experience and also have fun then head of to one of the many local museums in Southern California. Here's a list of Museums that are family friendly Los Angeles County California Science Center - Exposition Park, Downtown Los Angeles Natural History Museum - Exposition Park, Downtown Los Angeles Zimmers Children's Museum - Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles Kidspace Children Museum - Pasadena, California Skirball Cultural Center - Los Angeles George C. Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits -Los Angeles Cabrillo Marine Aquarium - San Pedro Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach Petersen Automotive Museum - Los Angeles Orange County La Habra Children's Museum - La Habra

Discovery Science Center - Santa Ana

Bowers Kidseum - Santa Ana San Diego County San Diego Natural History Museum - Balboa Park, San Diego Reuben H Fleet Science Center -Balboa Park, San Diego San Diego Air & Space Museum - Balboa Park, San Diego San Diego Automotive Museum - Balboa Park, San Diego San Diego Model Railroad Museum - Balboa Park, San Diego Escondido Children's Museum - Escondido For more information click on the links. Have fun and drive safely!!

Day Tripping Mom Giveaway!!

Day Tripping Mom wants to make sure you start the new year with fun adventures. We'll be giving away an Entertainment 2008 book - in the region of your choice. To enter, email the following info to mom@daytrippingmom.com 1. Your full name 2. Email address 3. Tell us your family's favorite day trip! Giveaway closes Thursday, January 10th at 4pm, PST Good luck!!!

That's Entertainment - the book

I hope you all had a wonderful new year's day. To start off your New Year right, I have to tell you about a gift given to me by my DH for Christmas. It's the Entertainment book of coupons. You may have had a high schooler peddling this to you as a fundraiser, but these books are really worth it. My sister bought one last year and we used several of her coupons. After using just a couple of 2 for 1 coupons, this book pays for itself. We used a buy one, get one coupon for Todai last year. That place charges $25 per person for their sushi buffet. Just that meal alone made the book worth it. The book is published regionally, so you will find tons of coupons for things in your area. We have the Orange County book and it includes local theme parks, restaurants and even fast-food discounts. I am considering getting a book for LA and the Inland Empire for our travels. This comes in so handy for saving money on your day trips with the kiddos. It also turned out to be the most practical gift given to me this Christmas. Order now and Get $10 off and FREE Shipping on the purchase of the 2008 Entertainment Book! Discounts on dining, hotels, and fun!

Rose Parade-Showcase of floats

Ever wonder what happens to the floats after the Rose Parade? or you couldn't make it to the parade and you are itching to take a close and personal look at the beautiful floats -head over to the end of the Rose Parade route and be prepared for a breathtaking display. After every Rose Parade, the floats are parked along Sierra Madre and Washington Blvds in Pasadena and exhibited for visitors to walk by and see in close detail the design and workmanship that goes into these floats. Visitors are able to walk within a few feet of the floats and appreciate for themselves the creativity and the imagination of the floral displays. Here are some tips to make your visit to the Showcase of Floats as enjoyable as possible 1. Street parking near the event is very limited. I would strongly recommend to park at one of the park and ride lots and take a shuttle to the floats. Shuttle service will be available from three locations in Pasadena. Guests using shuttles enter the event through a priority line. Shuttle fare is $3 per person round trip, and children five and under ride free. 2. There are three park and ride lots. One is located at the Rose Bowl- North Arroyo Blvd and Seco St. Parking lot H- The Rose Bowl lot will only be available on January 2nd. The second location is at Pasadena City College-1570 E Colorado Blvd(enter off Del Mar blvd. near corner of Hill St). The third location is at the Community Education Center - 3035 E Foothill Blvd(enter Foothill Ave, West of Sierra Madre Villa). Ticket booths at the three park and ride locations will sell shuttle and admission tickets from 12-3pm on New Year's Day and from 9am to 3pm on Jan 2nd. 3. General admission is 7 dollars. Children 5 and under are free. Cash and credit cards are accepted 4. Hours are as follows: Jan. 1, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.* (general admission)Jan. 2, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (senior citizens and disabled visitors)Jan. 2, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.* (general admission)* ticket sales and guest admittance end at 4:00 p.m., venue closes at 5:00 p.m. 5. When you enter the viewing area make sure to pick up a brochure for float layout information. 6. Make sure to wear comfy clothes and shoes. There is plenty of walking involved in viewing the floats. Also if you will be bringing young children make sure to bring a stroller or wagon. 7. Bring plenty of water. There is a lot of walking involved and it will definitely come in handy. 8.Be prepared for a magical experience!! You will be amazed by the breathtaking beauty and detail of each float. I hope you all have a Safe and Happy New Year!!