Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

If you are looking for a place to take the kids for a beautiful walk and if they love Koi fish boy do I have a place for you. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the Cal State Long Beach Campus is a beautiful place to spend an hour or two or even an afternoon. The kiddos will enjoy feeding the colorful Koi. You can purchase Koi food for 25 cents per handful. You will want to bring a container from home to hold the food. It's a great place for your kiddos to wonder around and enjoy the beauty of the garden. Here's the best part admission is absolutely free. Tuesday through Friday: 8:00a.m to 3:30 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 4:00 p.m. Closed : Mondays and Saturdays Admission is FREE The Garden will be closed to the public from noon on December 24, 2008 through January 24, 2009 EBM Japanese Garden Cal State University Long Beach Long Beach, California

Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center- Free

I'm going to make it my special mission to bring to you at least once a week a post about a place where you can take the kiddos for free and sure to be a good time. This week you have to check out the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center in the Newport Beach Back Bay. This 10,000 square foot educational facility has been built into the side of one of the bluffs on the north side of the Bay. It offers panoramic views of the Bay yet is nestled so unobtrusively that few people are aware that the Interpretive Center is there. Visitors learn about life in and around an estuary and why Upper Newport Bay is such an important estuary. The knowledge and understanding gained here will give people an even greater appreciation of the Bay when they take guided walking and water tours or explore the Bay on their own. Watch the award-winning "Saltmarsh Seasons" in the Ray and Elsa Watson Theater. This innovative short film has different wildlife scenes shown simultaneously on three separate screens. Or check out the live reptile and amphibian displays in the classrooms. The classrooms are also open to the public when programs are not being conducted in them and your kiddos will be able to play around and make themselves at home. The center is home to exhibits and a butterfly garden. The center also offers a program for 2-5 year olds every Wednesday from 10;30 am to 11;15 am with storytime and activities. This program is 5 dollars per child There is also a program for 5-8 year olds- basyside buddies- every other Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:40 pm. The program features crafts, hands on activities and nature walks. The center is open from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Find out about Program and Events. For more information, call (949) 923-2290. The best park like I said is that this place offers free admission and free parking. Can't beat that!! Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center 2301 University Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949)923-2290

Los Angeles County Museum of Art- Free Admission on MLK

I'm all about doing free things. I'm sure you all are too!! If you are looking for something to do on Monday to celebrate Dr. King's birthday why not try a visit to the LACMA(Los Angeles County Museum of Art). Thanks to a generous contribution from Target(one more reason why I love Target- they are sponsors of several local museums),visitors of all ages are invited to a free day at the museum featuring live performances, tours, and self-guided activities. The museum will be having special performances and family friendly activities. Make sure to check out the children's special audio tour designed specifically with your little ones in mind. I hope you can enjoy a day at the museum and remember that free admission at the LACMA will be held every holiday Monday. Enjoy!! Portraits at LACMA Monday, January 19 | 12–8 pm | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Enjoy free admission all day with activities from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Discover the varied portraits in LACMA's collection—from ancient to contemporary—through gallery activities and tours and take in a live music performance by Musicàntica on the plaza. P.S. You still have time to enter the giveaway- just leave a comment!!

Daytripping Mom Giveaway and Review- Elmo Loves You

UPDATE- I HAVE 4 COPIES TO GIVE AWAY SO PLEASE PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!! My family is always on the go and that usually means popping in a DVD on our ride somewhere. I came across a DVD that the little kiddos will absolutely love. Elmo Loves You was a big hit with my kiddos. Elmo and his friends talk about love, emotions and friendship in a perfect Sesame Street Way. My kids ask to watch Elmo Loves you over and over!! I have an extra copy that I would love to give away to you. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you will be automatically entered in the drawing. Winner will be chosen at random on Sunday the 18th. I know your little ones will love Elmo Loves You and so will you!! Good luck!!!

Goat Hill Junction Railroad- Costa Mesa-Free Train Rides

I received a tip about another free great train ride for the little ones. The Orange County Model Engineers club offer free rides to the public on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of the month from 10 am until 3:30pm. . The club has a variety of engines and riding cars. Trains on public ride days are made up of 5 to 6 bench cars that seat 5 to 6 adults and children. The train rides are held at Fairview Park 2625 Placentia Ave Costa Mesa, CA My son is absolutely nuts about trains and railroads and I can't wait to go next Saturday. Hope to see you there!!

Disneyland/Disney California Adventure 2 for 1 tickets (2fer)

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 June 6. A single day admission ticket is $69 for guests 10 and up and $59 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 6, 2009 and June 6, 2009. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. You can purchase up to eight tickets per person per day with valid identification.

Amy's Farm

I'm always on the look out for interesting and fun places that my kiddos will like. I've been looking to take them to a farm and came upon one that caters to the little ones. Amy's Farms is a real working farm that provides hands on, guided tours to children of all ages. The guided tour allows you and your child to take a walk through a garden and learn about fruits and vegetables, pet goats and sheep in the petting zoo, feed baby cows, pet horses and see chickens, roosters, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, and guinea hens. The tour price is $7.00 per person. Children 2 and under are free. Tours are 1 hour to 1 1/2 hour longs. You can only tour the farm by making a reservation. The minimum size tour is 10 person- if you have less than 10 people they can add you to another group. The farm is open year round Mon-Fri year round. Tours start at 9:00 am, 9:45am,10:30am, and 11:15am. They offer a selected amount of Saturday tours at 10:30 am. There are season activities as follows year round-

• Only in January, the kids get to pet baby chicks.

• Only in February, the kids get to pet baby bunnies.

• In September, feed carrots to the horses!

• In the summer, everyone receives popsicles.

• In October and November, enjoy the tour, learn about pumpkins, and pick one out of the pumpkin patch!

This place is an absolute blast and is perfect for a playgroup or just going with a group of friends. You can pay by check or cash- no credit cards and can pay on the day of your tour oh and almost forgot - Amy's Farms is located between the border of Chino and Ontario. Amy's Farms 7698 Eucalyptus Ave Ontario, CA 91762 1 block from the Ontario airport You can call and make reservations at 909-393-2936 or click here for online reservations

Free Train Rides- Southern California Live Steamers

While we were visiting San Pedro a couple of weeks ago one of the conductors on the Red Cars suggested that since my kiddos are train enthusiasts I should check out the Southern California Live Steamers. What is the Southern California Live Steamers? It's a club of train connoisseurs whose mission is to educate the public about rail road history and promote interest in the hobby. They offer free train rides to the public on the first Sunday of the month from 11:30 am to 3:30pm. The rides are offered at Wilson Park in Torrance. Wilson Park

Wilson Park South East Corner of the park 2100 Washington Avenue Torrance, CA Click HERE for driving directions

There will be a second public ride day starting on Saturday Mar 21st, 2009. The additional day will be on the third Saturday from 12am to 3pm. Check it out- your kiddos will love it..

Disneyland Resort Annual Pass - Payment Plan

With the state of the economy it can be kind of tough to plop down a couple of hundred dollars to buy annual passes for the entire family. The folks at Disney have come up with a solution to this problem by allowing you to buy your pass in payments. The only caveat is that the offer is available only to Southern California Residents. It works like this for new annual passes - first, purchase your pass at the Main Entrance Ticket Booth at the Resort. You pay for the 1 day ticket-$69.00 and pay as little as $5.42 a month for the rest of the year. If you are a renewing Annual Passholder - you have a choice - you can prepay the entire year or pay month by month. Go to Disneyland Main Entrance Ticket booth to renew if you would like to set up a payment plan. This is a great deal if you would like to spread your payments apart. I hope many will use. I have been an annual passholder for over a decade and I just love visiting the park. I love that I can take my time and if it's crowded only do a couple of rides and not be in a rush. It's also a great date night without the kiddos. I had a "girls night out" with my 12 year old niece last Saturday and we had such a blast. We got there at 8:30pm and rode all the "big kid" rides that I don't usually get to ride in about 2 hours. If you don't have a pass already - get one - you will love it!! The best part is that you get into both parks.. It's a total deal!!!

Children's Book World

Children's Book World is a fun and magical place for every kiddo. It's a children's book store in West LA and has every children's book imaginable. They have storytime on Saturday mornings at 10:30 am. I love taking my kids to storytime and love independent bookstores. If you like storytime and independent bookstores then this is a must visit. CHILDREN'S BOOK WORLD 10580 1/2 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 559-2665 or (310) 559-BOOK STORE HOURS Mon. - Fri. 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Sat. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM for additional information click here

Post Rose Parade: Showcase of floats viewing tips

If you did not have the opportunity to watch the Rose Parade in Person or if you would like to see the Rose Parade up close you can this Friday and Saturday at the Showcase of floats at the end of the parade route.

The Showcase of Floats is a unique opportunity for the public to step up close and personal and see/smell the floats and their beauty.

A closeup view of the floats

After every Rose Parade, the floral masterpieces are parked along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena.

Visiting Tips

• As you enter the float viewing venue, pick up a brochure to help you understand the Post Parade layout. The brochure is also available at all Park-N-Ride locations.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes as there are no trams and seating is limited. Viewing all the floats will require walking a distance of approximately 2.5 miles and will take at least two hours.
• Keep in mind the venue is often crowded and you will be walking and viewing at a leisurely pace.
• The best time to visit Post Parade is during the early public viewing hours on January 2. At peak viewing times, you may wait in line to purchase tickets, ride the Park-N-Ride shuttle, or enter Post Parade.
• Skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, tricycles, Segways and wagons are not permitted. Please note that use of a stroller is difficult due to terrain.
• There are a limited number of food vendors at the venue. However you are allowed to bring small quantities of food and non-alcoholic drinks into the venue. (no coolers, please).
• Before you begin viewing the floats, decide where you and your party will meet in case you are inadvertently separated and cannot communicate via cell phone. One choice is to meet near the Lost and Found tent at the intersection of Sierra Madre and Washington.
• There are two ATMs at the venue, sponsored by the Pasadena Federal Credit Union. ATMs are located near the West (Red) Gate and at the corner of Washington and Sierra Madre Boulevards

Admission is $7.00 for all - children 5 and under are free. Street parking is very limited- your best bet is to park and ride to the event.

The Tournament of Roses Association provides easy and convenient shuttle bus service from three Park-N-Ride locations. Shuttle riders have access to a priority entry line upon arriving at the venue.

Park-N-Ride Shuttle tickets are $3 for a round trip tickets, children 5 and younger ride free.

Park & Ride Lot	Address/Location	Ticket Booth Hours
Rose Bowl	North Arroyo Blvd. & Seco St. - Parking Lot H	Jan. 2 & 3 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (reserved for senior citizens anddisabled guests) 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Pasadena City College	1570 E. Colorado Blvd. (enter off Del Mar Blvd. or Bonnie near corner of Hill St.)	Jan. 1 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 2 & 3 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (reserved for senior citizens and disabled guests) 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Community Education Center	3035 E. Foothill Blvd. Enter Foothill Ave., West of Sierra Madre Villa	Jan. 1 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 2 & 3 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (reserved for senior citizens and disabled guests) 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

MTA/Gold Line Shuttle Service

The MTA offers shuttle service from the Sierra Madre Villa Gold Line Station on January 1st to the Post Parade venue beginning at 12:30 pm to 2:300 pm. Shuttle service from the Post Parade area back to the Sierra Madre Villa Station will continue to 5:30 pm. On January 2nd and 3rd, shuttle service from the station to Post Parade Park begins at 7:00 am and ends at 2:30 pm. Service from the Post Parade venue to Sierra Madre Villa Station will continue to 5:30 pm.

During the hours of operation the shuttle buses will pick up every five to ten minutes from the station. Cost to ride is a regular fare plus a transfer.

Driving Directions for Post Parade Park & Ride Shuttle Bus will be available on January 1st, 2nd and 3rd

	See how the floats are made

Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd.

From 210 Fwy, exit Hill, turn left on Colorado, turn right on south Bonnie, go south to Del Mar Blvd. and follow the signs to the parking lot.

From 110 Fwy, North, take freeway until it ends in Pasadena. The freeway then becomes Arroyo Parkway. Make a right turn onto Del Mar Blvd. Continue east to Hill Ave. Follow the signs to the parking lot.

Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd.

From 210 Fwy, take exit toward San Gabriel Blvd. Turn slight left onto La Tierra St. Turn right onto North San Gabriel Blvd. Turn left onto Foothill Blvd.

From 110 Fwy North, exit Orange Grove Blvd. and turn left. Turn right onto California Blvd. Turn left onto Pasadena Avenue and merge onto 210 Fwy east. Take exit toward San Gabriel Blvd. Turn slight left onto La Tierra St. Turn right onto North San Gabriel Blvd. Turn left onto Foothill Blvd.

Fun for the whole family

Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive (January 2 and 3 ONLY)

From 210 Fwy West. Continue west through Pasadena on the 210 Freeway until you reach the 134 Freeway. Stay west on the 134 and exit on the Orange Grove Boulevard ramp, which will be your very first exit on the 134 Freeway. Turn right on to Orange Grove. Continue until you see the sign for the Rose Bowl. Turn left on Rosemont Avenue and drive down into the Bowl area. Follow the signs to parking lot H.

From 110 Fwy, North towards Pasadena. Exit at Orange Grove Boulevard. At the top of the exit ramp, turn left on to Orange Grove. Go north on Orange Grove passing California and Colorado Boulevards. Continuing you will pass over the 134 Freeway. After several blocks, look for the Rose Bowl sign. Turn left on Rosemont Avenue and drive down into the Bowl area. Follow the signs to parking lot H.