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 101th year and better than ever.
 
Watching the parade is one of my family's favorite Christmas traditions. The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a definite must see. The parade begins on Wednesday Dec 16thand ends on Sunday December 20th. The parade starts off at Bay Island at 6:30pm and ends there at approximately 9:30. 
 
 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 . We bring something warm to drink and lots of fun treats!
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 one of the giveaways!
 

10 under $10 or Free!!

I love love Newport Beach and I wanted to pass along a list 10 fun things that you can do in Newport Beach for Under $10 or free!! This is perfect ! Some outings you can do with the kids and some are perfect for a fun date night! Check it out! 10 Under $10 (or FREE) for Summertime Fun in Newport Beach 1. Across The Seas: A History of Navigation at Newport Harbor Nautical Museum Learn how to navigate across the seas with an all-new exhibit “Across The Seas: A History of Navigation,” a comprehensive multimedia exhibition that highlights the history and practice of the art of sea navigation. The exhibit combines modern technology with a historic setting, giving visitors an exciting new way to explore history, from the earliest days that seafarers looked to the skies to guide them, to the latest satellite guided systems. Visitors can also experience a fully equipped planetarium, which will offer them a chance to learn about celestial navigation. Dates: Now through December Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors. Children under 12 and NHNM members get free admission. 2. Astronomy Night at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center Join members of the Orange County Astronomers in the Newport Back Bay for Astronomy Night, an inspirational 2-hour tour of the night sky. This program is open to all ages and will include a presentation and observation with telescopes. There is no fee for this program, only a suggested donation of $2 per participant. Dates: July 17 (8 pm), August 14 (7:30 pm) Cost: No fee, suggested donation of $2 per participant 3. Balboa Island Evening Stroll Discover the charm and nighttime delights of Balboa Island as its merchants stay open later-than-usual and offer refreshments to visitors during the first Friday of every month from 6pm to 9pm. Dates: First Friday of the month; ongoing Cost: FREE 4. Cinema Orange Documentary Film Series Co-sponsored by the Newport Beach Film Festival and The Orange County Museum of Art, the 2009 Cinema Orange summer series showcases documentaries celebrating art, architecture and design from the recent Newport Beach Film Festival. This season's programming includes a collection of films that explore art, architecture, design, advertising, modernism and photography featuring prominent artists such as Milton Glaser, John Lautner and Julius Shulman. Click for Movie Schedule Dates: Now through October 29 Cost: FREE 5. Corona Del Mar Fashion Walk For an evening of fashion, food & fun journey to Corona del Mar Village Shops for the inaugural season of the Corona Del Mar Fashion Walk, a hip new tradition that brings together the Village's premier fashion boutiques and restaurants along PCH. Hosts for the event include Recycled Rags, On Que Style, Mottini, Bellissima Consignment, Oysters Bar & Grill, Bungalow Restaurant and Landmark Steak House. Dates: Second Thursday of the month; ongoing Cost: FREE (except for whatever impulse shopping occurs) 6. First Fridays Comedy Sapphire Lounge at the Radisson Hotel Newport Beach Every first Friday of the month follow the sound of laughter to the Sapphire Lounge at the Radisson Hotel Newport Beach where “First Fridays” Comedy Night starts at 8:00pm (now thru Dec. 25, 2009). Featuring professional comedians and stand-up comics in the intimate setting of the Sapphire Lounge, "First Fridays" is Orange County's new comedy hot spot. This is a no drink minimum and a full menu is served until 10:30pm, plus free parking. Please visit: www.myspace.com/firstfridayscomedy for more information. Dates: First Friday of every month: ongoing Cost: $10 at the door for the 90-minute show (Radisson hotel guests are free - must show room key), 21 and up with ID. 7. Movie Mondays at Orange County Performing ArtsCenter The alfresco “Movie Mondays” offers the biggest and most popular musical films under the stars and all for free. Held at Segerstrom Hall’s 46,000 sq. ft. plaza where guests can bring beach chairs, snacks and beverages. This summer's movies include: the original classic version of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” with Gene Wilder, the 80’s smash-hit “Footloose” starring Kevin Bacon, and the international sensation “Mamma Mia!” with Meryl Streep, among others. Click for Movie Schedule Dates: Every Monday through August 3. Movies begin at dusk (around 8pm) Cost: FREE 8. Movies on the Beach at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina Families of all ages can enjoy watching classic movies on the giant inflatable screen on the beach at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. Movies start once the sun goes down. Arrive early to reserve a great spot and munch on your favorite movie treats! Movies begin at dusk (7:30 pm). Click for Movie Schedule Dates: Now through August 28 Cost: FREE; parking $10 9. Target® Free Second Sundays at Orange County Museum of Art OCMA visitors can enjoy free admission to the Museum and access to family-friendly activities and programs on the second Sunday of every month, courtesy of the Target® Corporation. Group discounts are not available during special exhibitions. Dates: Second Sunday of the month; now through end of 2009 Cost: FREE 10. Shorty’s Historic District Fun Tour This one didn’t exactly meet our price cap but it’s so cool, we had to include it! This fun 2.5-hour educational tour is a fun combination of group theatre and ‘who-done-it’ mystery as participants go back in time to see what really happened in the Crystal Cove Historic District. Read for a part in a 1930’s Crystal Cove film shoot, investigate the case of the ‘missing’ cottage, shop for candy from a 1935 beachside store, and determine if the Crystal Cove resident named “Shorty” really had a pet sea lion that lived in his bathtub. Crystal Cove’s beach cottages were built between 1920 and 1935 and are a rich part of California seaside history. This Living History program is a fun introduction to the colorful characters that lived in Crystal Cove’s Historic District. Class size limited to 20. Dates: Fridays, 9 am – 11:30 am; July 1 through September 15 Cost: $25 for adults/$20 for Crystal Cove Alliance Members For more ideas on summertime activities and visitor information in Newport Beach, contact the Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau at (800) 94-COAST (26278) or visit www.visitnewportbeach.com.

Newport Beach/Balboa Island 4th of July Boat Parade

One of my favorite places in Southern Cali has to be Newport Beach and Balboa Island. I absolutely love hanging out when I can sneak it in. Newport Beach and Balboa Island are home to my favorite parade of all- The Christmas Boat Parade. It has become a family tradition and we look forward to it every year. I just recently learned that there is a boat parade for the 4th also!! I can't wait!! The American Legion 4th of July parade has over 100+boats participating and is sure to be a pretty cool treat for the family. The theme of course is All American and from what I've read it is a real treat for the eyes. The Newport Harbor fills up with of boats adorned in red-white-&-blue celebrating the time-honored Old Glory Boat Parade. It is tradition for boats try to outshine each other waiting for the loudest ovations from onlookers. It sounds like a lot of fun. You can observe the fun from 1pm to 5pm and watch from various locations from the harbor. My favorite location to watch would be the same as the Christmas parade- From Balboa Island or the Fun Zone. I would also maybe try to catch a fun lunch from one of the restaurants around the harbor. I would suggest heading there early and walking or biking over to Balboa or the Peninsula. If you want to splurge, you can also head over and take a cruise on the Hornblower yacht and have a champagne brunch with parade viewing. It looks very tempting and a real treat- but a little on the pricey side- $54.95 for adults and $27.48 for kids 4-12. Kids 3 and under are free. To learn more about the parade and route head over here The parade will be from 1-5pm. Enjoy!!

Balboa Island Ferry

Summer is almost here and that means going out and exploring. My kids are on a transportation kick and I wanted to share with you an excursion I posted about last summer that we will be repeating again this weekeend. Your kiddos will love it!!

I can't remember what my daughter was watching last week that mentioned a ferry ride- I think it was Dora the Explorer, but I'm not to sure. As soon as the show was over she started asking me about ferries. I explained to her what a ferry was and told her that this weekend I would take her on a ferry ride. There are only two ferries (I'm not counting the Catalina ones) in operation in Southern California. One is the ferry that runs between Coronado Island and San Diego and the other is the one that connects Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula. It's a fun five minute ride that you and your children will enjoy.

We always make a day trip out of it by exploring Balboa Island, one of my favorite places in Southern California. We usually take the ferry over from the Fun Zone in the Peninsula and head over to Balboa to walk around and have a frozen banana of course!! So yummie and a must when visiting. My kids can't stop giggling every time we ride. Trust me on this the kiddos will love it. The ferry ride is fun and totally inexpensive. Adults are $1.oo , children 5-12 ,are 50 cents and cars with drivers are $2.oo(each passenger is additional) and children under 5 are free. You will love exploring Balboa Island. For additional info click here.Balboa Island FerryBalboa Peninsula Fun Zone area (follow the signs) Hours: Ferries leave every few minutes Sunday through Thursday: 6:30 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday nights until 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. SUMMER HOURS 6 am to 2 am Daily Rates: Car and Driver: $2.00; Motorcycles and Mopeds: $1.50; Adult with Bicycles: $1.25 cents; Children with bicycles $.75 cents

Free Movies on the beach @ Newport Dunes

It's the first day of June and although summer doesn't officially kick off until June 21st- I am in full summer mode. Being in summer mode to me means visiting a ton of fun places with the kiddos, beach days, ice cream, Otter Pops and outdoor movies. If you are looking for something fun and unique- check out Newport Dunes' Movies on the Beach. From now until August 28th you can catch a fun family flick every Friday and Saturday night beginning at dusk. Get there early for a good spot. Bring your chairs and enjoy a great night. For additional information and directions click here. Here is the schedule for the rest of the summer. Enjoy!!!

June June 5 Little Rascals June 6 Sand Lot June 12 Night at the Museum June 13 Happy Feet June 19 Wall-E June 20 Alvin and the Chipmunks June 26 Horton Hears a Who June 27 The Incredibles

July July 3 Home Alone July 4 FIREWORKS July 10 Babe July 11 Beauty and the Beast July 17 Casper July 18 Chicken Little July 24 Dennis the Menace July 25 Finding Nemo July 31 Jungle Book

August August 1 Kung Fu Panda August 7 Monster's Inc. August 8 Shrek August 14 Tarzan August 15 Bolt August 21 Toy Story August 22 Lilo & Stich August 28 Hotel for Dogs OR Toy Story

Environmental Nature Center- ENC- Newport Beach

I had the opportunity to visit the Environmental Nature Center this past weekend and had to share some of the highlights of our trip to this little gem. The Environmental Nature Center or ENC is located in Newport Beach and a great place to take your kiddos to learn about nature. The ENC is home to three and a half acres of land that are dedicated to learning about our beautiful surroundings. The center is home to 15 plant communities that range from a fresh water marsh to a redwood forest. It's a great place to take the kids for a little hike and enjoy listening to birds and taking in the beautiful plants and flowers. My kiddos loved walking along the trails and pointed out every single bird, insect and plant out to me. They had a blast walking around. It's a nice place to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The center is also home to a butterfly house. We had a great time walking around and taking a look at the various butterflies that were flying around(just a bit of a warning- your 4 year old might talk about their adoration for butterflies but when they are face to face with one might change his or her mind). We just kind of stood around and observed the caterpillars and the different types of butterflies. The butterfly house is open during spring/summer. After checking out the butterfly house and walking around the trails we headed inside the center to check out their exhibits. They have a small section with books, coloring pages and a place for the kids to relax and enjoy. There is also a snake exhibit. My daughter loved it. My two and a half year old son HATED it. I made a mistake of picking him up to observe a snake that just happened to be striking against the glass and well that was that. My son started screaming and ran out to the parking lot and refused to come back inside. Thankfully we had checked out most of the center before our snake experience. It's a great place to take the kiddos to explore nature. I will definitely coming back. There are a couple of different events planned each month. There is a full moon walk coming up on Friday May 8th that sounds like a great one for the family. Check out their event section on their site for some great programs and events that are coming up. Almost forgot. The Environmental Center is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturdays from 8am to 4pm. Admission is free but donations are always welcomed. For additional info click here. Environmental Nature Center- ENC 1601 Sixteenth Street Newport Beach, CA 92663

Eco Events in Orange County- Fiesta Del Agua and Butterly House Opening

There are two fabulous events in Orange County that are free and loads of fun for the entire family. The first is sponsored by the Rancho Santa Margarita Water District for its annual Fiesta de Agua Water Education Festival and Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 2. Your family can learn more about the latest water conservation techniques and tools, like synthetic turf, low-water-use appliances and drought-tolerant plants and check out a sample yard.

There will be lots of activities for the kids, including water science experiments, crafts, face-painting, games and entertainment. The “prehistoric” reptile display and show was one of the most popular attractions last year, and the tarantulas, lizards and giant snakes will be back again this year to delight kids and adults alike.

Hot dogs, popcorn and snowcones will be available for the whole family.For the second year in a row, Fiesta de Agua will be held at the District’s Oso Reservoir in Rancho Santa Margarita. This natural setting will provide opportunities for bird watching, guided nature walks and enjoying the outdoors. The festival will be held from 10 am to 2pm.

The second event is one that my daughter has been looking forward to since I first leaned about it. It's the Environmental Nature Center's Butterfly House Opening and Eco Fair. The open house and fair will be held from 10 am to 3pm on Saturday May 2nd. You will be able to explore Orange County's only Butterfly House, which is home to OC native butterflies and nectar plants. There will also be butterfly and caterpillar face painting for the kids and nature scavenger hunts in the Center. You will also be able to buy native host plants to start your own butterfly garden. The fair will also have crafts and eco games. If your kiddos love butterflies- this is a can't miss event.

Environmental Nature Center address is 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663, 949-645-8489. For additional information click here.

Crystal Cove Cottages

I usually blog about daytrips , outings and events. Today I wanted to blog about a place some of you may or may not know about- Crystal Cove Cottages in Crystal Cove, Newport Beach. The cottages are state owned and offer you an opportunity to stay in a beachfront bungalow at a very reasonable rate from one to seven nights. Think of it as camping on the beach in style. In fact to reserve a spot in Crystal Cove you must use the reservation system used by all California campgrounds and parks- Reserve America.

The cottages are extremely popular and you can rent them on the first day of the month at 8am. You can sign on to the system and start trying at 7:50. If you want to make sure to snag one a night or two make sure to browse through the website for the cottages and let the agent know the one you are interested in. You can also call and see if there are cancellations for perhaps a last minute outing or book a cancellation online through Reserve America. You make a reservation 6 months in advanced. For example if you were to book a cottage on Mar 1st , you would be booking for your stay in September.

The Cottages are newly restored and are either Individual or Dorm-style Cottages Crystal Cove Beach Cottages offer gorgeous ocean views, charming historic details, and a glimpse of a uniquely Southern Californian beach community from a bygone era. Located in the heart of Crystal Cove State Park's 3.5 miles of pristine coastline, the Historic District first developed as a South Seas movie set due to its seclusion and tropical aura. The community thrived and became beloved for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere and picturesque landscape, and in 1979, the Crystal Cove Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can stay in one of 11 Individual or 3 Dorm-style Cottages. Located directly on the beach or overlooking it from a bluff top, each cottage has been painstakingly restored and furnished to recreate Crystal Cove's unique historic beach culture and ambiance. Reservations are available year-round.

I know that we are facing some tough economic times and the thought of renting a beach home or vacation sounds like a far fetched dream for many- but thanks to Crystal Cove you can afford a beachfront retreat for around the same price as spending a night at your local Marriott. Rentals are around $180.00 for a flat rate of 4 people. This does not include children 4 and under. There is an additional charge for more than 4 people over the age of 4.

I'm planning on renting a little cottage for one night.. I hope you can also and spend an unforgettable day or days at the beach.

For additional information click here and for reservations click here

Reserve America

Reservations 1-800-444-7275

Customer Service 1-800-695-2269

Target Free for Families- Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)

The Orange County Museum of Art is offering free admission on the second Sunday of the month thanks to a generous contribution from Target. The Target Free Second Sunday of the month is a great way for families to explore art together. The Target Free Sunday's will offer all day family friendly activities and offer a unique opportunity to spend time as a family. Here is a calendar of the upcoming family events. TARGET FREE SECOND SUNDAYS 2009 CALENDAR Sunday, March 8, 2009 11-4 pm California Dreaming View contemporary artwork by California artists and create hands-on projects that explore the symbols and images of California culture. Stay and enjoy live entertainment by Razzle Bam Boom - a musical performance that teaches children how the art form of Rock n' Roll has developed and changed through the decades. Free tours of the of the 2008 California Biennial will also be available. Sunday, April 12, 2009 11-4 pm Art in Motion Experience art through motion! Activities include kinetic sculptures, action art, and live performances. Stay for family-friendly entertainment and free tours of Moving Images: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection. Sunday, May 10, 2009 11-4 pm Color, Form & Flora Create expressive and colorful representations of the natural world inspired by works in the exhibition Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce. Stay for live entertainment and free guided tours of the current exhibitions. This event is held in conjunction with the annual Orange County Imagination Celebration. Sunday, June 14, 2009 11-4 pm Art & Animation Discover the world of animation as you build your own kinetic sculptures, create simple animation and more! Entertainment includes animated children's films and free tours of the exhibition Moving Images: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection. Sunday, July 12, 2009 11-4 pm Fun with Flowers Create abstract and colorful floral representations inspired by works in the Illumination exhibition. Stay for family-friendly entertainment and free tours of Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce. Sunday, August 9, 2009 11-4 pm Sizzling Summer Fun! Create cool projects inspired by the summer heat. Take a free guided tour of Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce and stay for the live entertainment. Sunday, September 13, 2009 11-4 pm The Learning Curve Make fun and funky projects just in time to get back into the school groove! Create unique journals, bookmarks and other academically-inspired art. Don’t miss the free guided tours of Moving Images: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection. Target Free Second Sundays is generously sponsored by Target. This is an excellent way to spend a Sunday and the best part is that you can enjoy all of it for free. For additional inf0rmation click here Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) Museum Hours & Information 850 San Clemente Drive Newport Beach, California 92660 Phone | 949-759-1122 Admissions Desk: ext. 243 Fax | 949-759-5623 info@ocma.net

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

Balboa Island Ferry-one of only two Southern California's ferries

I can't remember what my daughter was watching last week that mentioned a ferry ride- I think it was Dora the Explorer, but I'm not to sure. As soon as the show was over she started asking me about ferries. I explained to her what a ferry was and told her that this weekend I would take her on a ferry ride. There are only two ferries (I'm not counting the Catalina ones) in operation in Southern California. One is the ferry that runs between Coronado Island and San Diego and the other is the one that connects Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula. It's a fun five minute ride that you and your children will enjoy. We always make a day trip out of it by exploring Balboa Island, one of my favorite places in Southern California. I know you might be asking why would she start blogging about the beaches when summer is almost over? It just so happens that I think the best time to explore the Southland beaches is after Labor Day. September and the beginning of October are always warm and the crowds have dwindled down across the beach cities. It is the perfect time to visit. The ferry ride is fun and totally inexpensive. Adults are $1.oo , children 5-12 ,are 50 cents and cars with drivers are $2.oo(each passenger is additional) and children under 5 are free. Your kids will love it and you will love exploring Balboa Island. For additional info click here. Balboa Island Ferry Balboa Peninsula Fun Zone area (follow the signs)

Hours: Ferries leave every few minutes

Sunday through Thursday: 6:30 a.m. to midnight,

Friday and Saturday nights until 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

SUMMER HOURS 6 am to 2 am Daily

Rates:

Car and Driver: $2.00;

Motorcycles and Mopeds: $1.50;

Adult with Bicycles: $1.25 cents;

Children with bicycles $.75 cents

Newport Bay Harbor Cruises

My kiddos love anything and everything that has to do with the ocean. If your kids sound anything like mine, then you have to check out The Fun Zone Boat Company's Newport Bay Harbor Cruises. I had the opportunity to take the kiddos and we had a blast. I've done the tour with and without children and they both have been so much fun. The Fun Zone company currently offers 45 and 90 minute cruises which depart from the Fun Zone in Balboa Peninsula(next to the Ferris Wheel) and offer a narrated tour of the area and a great look at the many sea lions and otters that inhabit the area. I've experienced both the 45 and 90 minute tour and if you can splurge on the 90 minute one. It's only a couple of dollars more and well worth the price. Trust me on this your family will love it!! Fun Zone Boat Company Harbor Cruises Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach Children 5 and under free Children under 12- $7.00 Adults- $14.00 for 45 minutes, $17.00 for 90 minutes Tours depart every hour from 11 am to 7pm For additional info click here