Our visit to the Planes of Fame Air Museum

Last Saturday afternoon I took my plane loving son(he asks me to drive him by the Nixon Library everyday so he can see the Presidential helicopter) to the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino. The museum is adjacent to the Chino Airport and a true hidden gem. The museum is dedicated to preserving WWII aircraft and artifacts. The Planes of Fame Air Museum is a "living history" museum, where the aircraft are not only preserved, they are also kept flying. My kids squealed in delight the moment we pulled into the parking lot. You are greeted by a B-17 Bomber, and as you can imagine my kids were jumping up and down because they were able to see a classic plane up close. There are 7 hangers filled with numerous aircraft. My son was in little boy heaven. My usually very busy soon was in awe and loved walking around just pointing and taking everything in. I think the highlight of the visit for him was being able to peek in and climb aboard the B-17 Bomber. The very friendly staff also gave him a poster of the plane that he absolutely loved. We also loved walking outside and being able to touch and look around the planes that are awaiting restoration. I can't even begin to describe how my son's eyes light up when he was able to run around and touch the planes that were outside the hangers waiting for restoration. He kept asking me to take pictures and loved running around. I have to admit that another highlight was just being around a small airport. The kids loved watching the small planes fly by and looking at the runway. We had a great time and I will be heading back in tow with my husband next time. On the first Saturday of every month, the museum holds a mini-airshow around a certain theme.Each mini-airshow starts with one or more talks or seminars given by people involved with the featured aircraft (such as combat pilots), followed by a flight demonstration of two or three aircraft related to that Saturday's theme. The next mini-airshow will be held on Saturday, November 7th, and the them will be "Dawn of the Jet Age". It is an incredible place and the volunteers that help run the museum are just as friendly as can be. I love visiting places that are staffed by volunteers. It's just a great feeling to know that the people there are passionate about their love for the aircraft and love sharing their knowledge with others. I hope you can make a visit with your plane enthusiasts soon! For additional info head here Planes of Fame Air Museum 7000 Merrill Ave. #17, Chino 91710 (there are two museums located at the Chino airport- make sure you head to the right one) Open everyday from 9am to 5pm Admission $11 Adults $4 Kids 5-11 Kids 5 and under are Free!

Free Admission to the Raymond M Alf - Museum of Paleontology

Do you have a little dino lover in your family? We have two dino lovers in our home and I can't wait to take them to Raymond M Alf Museum of Paleontology in Claremont. I am going to try to take a trip down to check it out today or next Wednesday. I thought I would give you the heads up on this great little place. I also wanted to pass on that admission is free every Wednesdays. If you are looking for something to do with your kids today- you might want to check this out! for directions and other info head over here Also you still have time to enter our SEALIFE 4 pack giveaway. I extended the deadline until Sunday. Just head on over here and leave a comment!! A BIG THANK YOU to the wonderful reader that tipped me about the museum. Keep those tips coming!!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Discount

The circus is coming to town (I know I have posted about this before - I'm super excited)!! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus proudly present Zing Zang Zoom, which will be playing the Southern California area from July 8th to August 2nd. I can't wait to take our family! I wanted to share with you an offer that is too good to pass up!! You can purchase a 4 pack of tickets for only $44 by logging onto Ticketmaster and entering the coupon code MOM. You can use the promo code when purchasing tickets at Arena Box Offices, Ticketmaster or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Enter the code in the "MC Promotion Box" on Ticketmaster. A minimum purchase of 4 tickets is required and you can buy additional tickets above 4 for $11 each. Offer is not valid on VIP, Circus Celebrity or Front Row tickets. The offer is good for all dates. Can't wait to see you all there!!

Imagination Workshop- Temecula Children's Museum

I can't believe this is the first time I'm writing about this fantastic place. The Imagination Workshop- Temecula's Children's Museum is a must stop for you kiddos. The museum is located in Old Town Temecula and sure to be a hit with your kiddos. The museum centers around Professor Pennypickle and his Imagination Workshop. Your kiddos will be able to romp around each of the themed rooms and partake in hands on exhibits and gadgets. There are several themed rooms such as The Library - the kiddos will learn about time and travel and the kitchen- the kiddos will learn all about physics and chemistry. I love places that can not only entertain my children but provide them with wonderful learning experiences. The Temucula Children's Museum is also a great place to visit because they break up the day into sessions. I think this is a wonderful idea because it allows you to experience the exhibits without long waits and of course it means more breathing room!! The sessions are as follows-

Imagination Workshop - Temecula Children's Museum hours: Closed Mondays Tuesday - Saturday: Session I - 10 am to noon Session II - 12:30 - 2:30 pm Session III - 3 - 5:00 pm Phineas' Family Night - 5:30 - 7:00 pm (Fridays only) Sunday: Session I - 12:30 - 2:30 pm Session II - 3 - 5:00 pm

Admission is 4.50 for guests 3 years of age and older. Not only is it a great place to visit but it's also great on the wallet!!

I hope you can all make time to visit the museum with your family and enjoy the rest of the day in beautiful Old Town Temecula!!

The museum is located at 42081 Main Street, Old Town Temecula, CA 92590. For additional information click here. I hope you can visit soon and enjoy some time in beautiful Temecula!!

Western Center for Archaeology and Paleontology

Did you know that there is new museum in the inland empire dedicated to creatures from a long time ago? Yep, if your kiddos love anything related to big creatures that roamed the Hemet area some 230,000 years ago , this is the spot for you. The Western Center for Archaeology and Paleontology came about 10 years ago when the Metropolitan Water District started drilling 270-feet below the earth's surface to build Diamond Valley Lake in Hemet. While Digging for the lake they found more than a million fossils and artifacts. The new state of the art museum is home to 33,000 square feet of permanent and special exhibits that are sure to delight your kiddos. Current exhibits are

The Big Dam Hole

Use the interactives to learn about the people and animals that inhabited the Diamond Valley Lake site over time. Discover how scientists uncovered evidence of their existence.

Postcards from the Past

Learn about a typical 1880s house in the Diamond Valley region.

Travel farther back in time with the artifacts created and used by the earlier Native American residents.

Movies in the Theater Two short films are shown regularly in our circular, immersion theater with its 270-degree screen.

Enjoy the animated Echoes of the Past, which transports viewers to a time when giant creatures roamed the area. The informative, ten-minute documentary, Discovery and Recovery provides an eyewitness view of the excavation at Diamond Valley Lake.

Snapshots in Time Be amazed by the size of mammoths and mastodons that used to live in the Diamond Valley Lake area. See the real fossils of some very large animals: • A 10ft tall mastodon, nicknamed Max • A 12ft. tall mammoth, nicknamed Xena, • And a giant ground sloth nearly 7ft. tall. Use the magnifying glass to see fossils from some very small critters including birds and lizards. Walk over a re-created quarry site that holds the remains of "Little Stevie", a mastodon that lived nearly 50,000 years ago. Discovery Lab Follow the trail of these animals from their discovery in the field to curation and research in the museum. Explore discovery sites and the "Tools of the Trade" that archaeologists use in the field. Understand techniques used to date fossils and artifacts by using an interactive "Dating Game." Learn why "Not Everyone Gets to Be a Fossil" and make your own fossil cast using air-dry clay and one of our molds. The museum special exhibit- The Music behind the magic-explores Disney’s legacy and draws inspiration from Disney animation, television programming, theme parks, live-action films and Broadway musicals. .The museum is amazing and a must for that little explorer in your family. .Western Center for Archaeology and Paleontology-2345 Searl Parkway, Hemet Open Tuesday-Sunday 10AM to 5PM- Admission $8.00 Adults, $6.00 Youths (5-13), under 4 -Free For additional information click here

Free Admission- San Bernardino County Museum

The San Bernardino County Museum invites visitors to visit the museum and enjoy free admission the first Sunday of the month. The museum is a perfect place for the entire family and you won't have to spend a single dime since parking is also free. It's a great deal!! By the way I forgot to mention that the museum also happens to run it's Family Day program on the same day. For additional information and exhibit information click here San Bernardino County Museum 2024 Orange Tree Lane Redlands, CA 92374

R2374

• Open Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Holiday Mondays include: Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day.
• Closed most Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1

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

Tom's Farms

If you happen to be in the Corona/Lake Elsinore area sometime, make sure to make a pit stop with the family at Tom's Farms. My husband and I lived in Corona for a couple of years and anytime we had friends or family come out and visit we made sure to take them to this little gem. Tom's Farms is nestled in the Temescal Canyon and it first started out as a little produce stand more than 30 years ago. Tom's farms has come a long way from a small produce stand and is now home to a couple of restaurants. My favorite is Senor's Frogs(mmm.. they have the best nachos and breakfast burritos),they are also home to Tom's Olde Fashioned Hamburgers and Patio Pizza.

On the weekends you can take the kiddos on a ride on Tom's Farms 1800's steam-propelled train! Tour the property and beautiful countryside, including a trip under an Amish-style covered bridge. The kids will also love the carnival rides, balloon artists, face painting and every one's favorite and old fashioned Carousel.

They also have animals on display. This is a big hit with the kids. I remember taking my niece when she was a lot younger and she loved watching all of the different farm animals and sometimes even catching a glimpse of a deer or two. If you can visit on a Saturday the kiddos will be entertained with a magic show. The shows take place every Saturday at noon and 2pm at the Carousel Stage.

Moms and Dads, you will love the different shops. There is a wine and cheese shop - which is home to the best baked bread in the area. I can't rave about it enough!! It's delicious. There is also Wine Tasting daily from 11am to 6pm- You can have 3 tastes for only $1.00. There is also of course a produce shop with the freshest produce in town. There is also a home furnishings store which is great to browse.

There is always great live entertainment on the weekends. There is also a craft show every weekend. The weekend is obviously the most popular part of the week to visit Tom's Farms so plan accordingly. You will be guaranteed plenty of fun!!!

Tom's Farms

23900 Temescal Canyon Road
Corona, CA 92883

951.277.4422

Located at Interstate 15 and Temescal Canyon Road.

Hours: Mon. - Sunday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

For additional info click here