EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Cover Story
|
||||
|
57 WAYS TO STAY COOL THIS SUMMER It begins with a single drop of water, then two, three and four. Soon, these drops become areas large enough to splash and play in. With these offerings, along with miles of beautiful coastline, it’s easy to forget that Southern California is considered a desert. Here are some ways in and around Orange County, the Inland Empire and Southern California to beat the heat this season – and to have some summer fun. Orange County 1. Wild Rivers Enjoy fun water rides, such as River Rapids, Wipeout, Chaos, Kiddie Congo, Pygmy Pond and much more. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Cost: General admission (48 inches or taller) $28.98, seniors (65) free, junior admission (48 inches or less) $17.98, children 2 and under free. After 4 p.m., reduced admission. Many packages and season passes are available, like Family Fun Package for $140, which includes four general admission tickets, a locker, and a family hot dog meal. Address and phone number: 8770 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine. 949.788.0808. Website: wildrivers.com 2. Soak City Located right next to Knott’s Berry Farm, this is the perfect place for thrill seekers to beat the heat. Thirteen acres are packed with 21 water rides and other attractions, including a 750,000-gallon wave pool, all set to the surf theme of California beaches in the 1950s. Be sure to check out the all-new ride this summer, Pacific Spin. Hours: July-Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Aug. 13-Sept. 4 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends. Cost: Southern California residents: General admission $21.95, Children (3-11) and Seniors (62) $14.95. After 3 p.m., $14.95. Season passes available. Address and phone number: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. 714.220.5200. Website: knotts.com. 3. Water rides at Disneyland You don’t necessarily have to go to a water park to cool off. Both Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm offer fun-filled water adventures that are sure to refresh you on a hot day. Enjoy the waterfalls on the Jungle Cruise, take a ride on the Storybook Land Canal Boats, paddle one of Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, and don’t forget to visit Brer Rabbit and friends on Splash Mountain. Also, at Disney’s California Adventure, get wet on the Grizzly River Run. Hours: 8 a.m.-midnight. Cost: General admission $59, children (under 3-9) $49. Address and phone number: 1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. 714.533.6840. Website: disneyland.disney.go.com 4. Water Rides at Knott’s Berry Farm Enter the Wild Water Wilderness at Knott’s Berry Farm and whitewater raft down Bigfoot Rapids. You’re guaranteed to get wet while braving the fast currents and waterfalls. Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Cost (Southern California Residents): General admission $31.95 ($22.50 after 4 p.m.), Children (3-11) and Seniors (62) $14.95. Address and phone number: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. 714.220.5200. Website: knotts.com 5. Ocean Institute – The Pilgrim tallship Take a tour of the replica of the historic Pilgrim tallship (from Richard Henry Dana Jr.’s novel “Two Years Before the Mast”) given by docents in authentic costume from the time period. (Also ask about the “RV Sea Explorer.”) Hours: The Pilgrim holds an open house most Sundays from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost: General admission to the Institute is $6 (13+), $4 for children (3-12), children 2 and under free. Address and phone number: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. 949.496.2274. Website: ocean-institute.org 6. Dana Point Harbor While there are a number of things to do at the harbor, such as kayaking, tide pool exploring, bike riding, fishing, swimming, windsurfing, jet-skiing, boating, many go to relax by the water, shop, dine, or watch the sunrise or sunset. Cost: Free, unless you wish to take excursions like a cruise to Catalina, rent jet-skis or go fishing. Address and phone number: Dana Point Harbor is located in south Orange County, on the coast and off the I-5. 949.923.2255. Website: danapointharbor.com. 7. Toshiba Tall Ships Festival On Sept. 9-10, the Ocean Institute in Dana Point will host the largest gathering of tall ships on the West Coast. Known as the Toshiba Tall Ship Festival, this year’s festival will feature an array of family-fun activities, including live music, arts and crafts shows, living-history demonstrations and a variety of food. Visitors can enjoy maritime displays and presentations, Polynesian dancers, sea-chantey concerts, an interactive pirate encampment, dramatic sunset cannon battles and explore the historic tall ships. Hours: Activities start at 9:30 a.m. Cost: Admission is $8 per adult, $5 for children under 12 (prices for activities and tours vary). Phone number: 949.496.2274. Website: tallshipsfestival.com 8. Kayaking and Canoe Tours around Newport Back Bay Get some exercise while you take in the sights of the Back Bay in Newport Beach. You can rent kayaks or canoes by the hour and launch them from the Newport Aquatic Center. Or, arrange a guided group tour in a double hull outrigger canoe. You can also look into weekend kayak and canoe tours at Shellmaker Island and the Newport Dunes. Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost: $12 per hour for a one-person kayak, $18 per hour for a two-person kayak or canoe. (Children must be at least 8 years of age, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.) Address and phone number: 1 Whitecliffs Dr., Newport Beach. 949.646.7725. Website: newportaquaticcenter.com 9. Newport Beach and Newport Harbor Newport Beach, with miles of beach area, also is defined by picturesque Balboa Island and the busy boating arena of Newport Harbor. Sailboats, electric boats, special-events boats and other floating things fill the bay, and spill out into the open ocean. There’s also the Balboa Fun Zone on the land side of the harbor, as well as the Balboa Pier. The famous ferry transports people and cars back and forth across the harbor, from Balboa Island to the peninsula. Lots to see and to rent. Website: newportbeach-cvb.com/. Rental information includes: paddlepowerkayaks.com. Also, boats4rent.com, including electric boats, parasailing. 10. Bank of the West Beach Games Activities, spread across 12 acres of sand in Surf City, include the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing, skateboarding, BMX, FMX, and beach volleyball competitions. Other highlights include 80 exhibits, athlete autograph signings, dance contests, DJs, live music and prize giveaways. The event takes place July 22-31 in Huntington Beach. Cost: Free Website: bankofthewestbeachgames.com 11. Scuba Diving Although scuba diving requires some formal training, it is a fun way to experience the unknowns of the deep ocean. Becoming a certified novice open water diver requires the completion of a set of classes, which can be taken through different providers. Some services even offer a video/DVD or CD ROM version of the classes. (See ladiver.com for a list of scuba diving resources near you.) Hours: Schedules of classes will vary. Cost: Group programs are $305 per person, $625 for private instruction at Beach Cities Scuba Center. Address and phone number: Locations in Newport Beach at 4537 W. Coast Hwy. 949.650.5440 – Huntington Beach at 19036 Brookhurst St. 714.378.2611 and Dana Point at 34283 Pacific Coast Hwy. 949.443.3858. Website: beachcitiesscuba.com 12. San Clemente Ocean Festival This two-day festival is put on by the nonprofit volunteer organization, the San Clemente Ocean Festival, and the city of San Clemente. Some events include fishing on the pier, free body-boarding and bodysurfing clinics, an ocean art show, ironman and ironwoman competitions and a sand sculpture team competition. Volunteers are also needed for the event. Hours: Presented July 15-16, events begin at 8:30 a.m. Address and phone number: Free parking at San Clemente High School and round-trip shuttle (Take Interstate 5 to Avenida Pico 1/2 mile inland to San Clemente High School on the right). 949.440.6141. Website: oceanfestival.org 13. Adventure Playground A wonderful experience for youngsters where they can raft on a small pond, travel down mudslides, build forts, navigate a rope bridge and use a cable slide. Suitable for children ages 6-12. Tennis shoes are required. Hours: Play days are June 27-Aug. 17, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $2. Address and phone number: 7111 Talbert Ave. Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach. 714.842.7442. 14. Boardfest ’06 This three-day sports beach festival, presented Sept. 2-4 at the Huntington Beach Pier, will showcase action sports, music, fashion, interactive exhibits with themes of health, beauty, fitness, and charity. Check out the beginning and intermediate surfing clinics, listen to a motivational speaker or one of the live bands while getting a makeover. Cost: Most events are free. Website: boardfest.com 15. Aquacycle at Irvine Regional Park Enjoy the scenic beauty of the park’s oak and sycamore trees, surrounding rolling foothills, and Santiago Creek as you leisurely “ride a bike” in the pond at the center of one of Southern California’s most scenic parks. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (park is open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.) Cost: $10 per half-hour. Address and phone number: 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange. 714.973.6835. Website: ocparks.com/irvinepark/ 16. Fish at Irvine Lake Located right at the base of Cleveland National Park, the lake is the perfect escape to nature. With its rocky cliffs, overhanging trees, quiet coves, and deep-creek channels, you’ll feel as though you’re miles and miles away from home. Try your luck fishing for trout, bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, red ear sunfish, or sturgeon in this 750-acre lake. Row boats, motor boats and pontoon boats are available for rental. Hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (Monday-Thursday only), $9 for children (4-12), $3 per fishing rod and $4 per pound of fish caught. Address and phone number: 4621 Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado. 714.649.9111. Website: irvinelake.net. 17. Bumper Boats at Boomers! Boomers! is fun for the whole family. Beat the heat on their bumper boats. Each boat comes equipped with a water cannon. Locations include Irvine, Fountain Valley, and Palm Springs. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight. Cost: $5 for the driver, $2 for passenger. Address and phone number: 3405 Michelson Dr., Irvine. 949.559.8341 –16800 Magnolia St., Fountain Valley. 714.842.1111 – 67-700 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City. 760.770.7522. Website: boomersparks.com 18. Santa Ana River Lakes A great spot for a lazy day of fishing right in your own back yard! Santa Ana River Lakes consists of three lakes where you can fish for catfish, bass, crappie and trout. You can bring your own equipment or it is available for rent. Additional amenities include picnic areas and a food stand. Swimming, sailing and camping are not permitted. Hours: 6 a.m.-4 p.m. for day fishing, 5-11 p.m. for night fishing. Cost: General $20, Children 4-12 $7, Senior Citizens $18, Children under 4 are free. Address and phone number: 4060 E. La Palma Ave. 714.632.7830. Website: fishinglakes.com 19. Moe B.’s Watersports at Newport Dunes Newport Dunes Resort has opened its newly expanded aquatic park for the second summer. The park offers watercraft rentals and other fun attractions, including a climbing dome, floating lily pads, a water trampoline, a “Water Totter,” a 12-foot water version of a teeter-totter, and other activities for the whole family. Another highlight is Mother’s Beach, offering a mile-long stretch of sand along waveless waters of the Back Bay lagoon. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Address and phone number: 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach. 949.729.1150. Website: newportdunes.com 20. Centennial Exhibit at Newport Harbor Nautical Museum Located on “The Pride of Newport,” docked in the Newport Harbor, this museum offers exhibits and interactive experiences about maritime culture and heritage and marine environment. From June to October, the museum will host the Newport Beach centennial exhibit, “From Dredges to Dreamboats: 100 Years of Nautical History.” The display, which celebrates the Newport Beach’s 100th birthday, showcases historical artifacts from the city. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., closed Monday. Cost: suggested $5 donation for adults, children under 12 free. Address and phone number: 151 East Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. 949.675.8915. Website: nhnm.org 21. A Day at the Beach Pack your boogie boards, surf boards, and sand toys and head to your nearest beach for a day of fun in the sun. Great beaches to visit include San Onofre, China Beach in Corona del Mar, Crystal Cove near Laguna Beach and Calafia Beach in San Clemente. 22. OC’s Best Surf Spots The Quiksilver Young Gun surfers, an elite group of up-and-coming surfers from around the world, named Trestles, Salt Creek, and 54th Street as the best places to surf in Orange County. Trestles: Located at the intersection of Christianos Road and El Camino Real in San Clemente, the waves here make even the worst surfer feel like the best. Salt Creek Beach: The wave conditions at this beach in Dana Point offer great conditions for tube rides and peaks for longer rides. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy. 54th Street: The wave here breaks super quick, allowing for any condition from short hollow tube rides to long lefts and rights. On 54th Street on the Newport Peninsula. Another suggestion from OC Family Magazine: San Onofre State Beach is the area’s best family surf beach, with grandpas, fathers, sons and granddaughters all together. Waves are more gently rolling. Just north of the nuclear power plant across the Orange County line into San Diego County. Exit the I-5 at Basilone Road. 23. Fun at Home: Sprinklers, Slip ‘n Slide, and Water Balloon Fights You don’t need to leave your house to enjoy the summer sun! Head out to the back (or front) yard, turn on the sprinklers and let the good times roll. Get the old slip ’n slide out of storage or purchase some water balloons and host a friendly neighborhood fight. 24. Community Swimming Pools Visiting your local swimming pool is a fun and affordable way to spend an active summer day outdoors. Just don’t forget the sunscreen! Inland Empire 25. Lake Skinner This 6,000-acre park in Winchester is a favorite getaway for families in the Temecula area. Considering that a 40-pound striped bass was once pulled out of the lake, this is also a great spot for a day of fishing from the shore or a boat. Lake Skinner has two boat launches and a boat rental marina. A state fishing license is required at the lake. Hours: 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Cost: Day use fees are $2 adults, $1 ages 12 and under. Address and phone number: 37701 Warren Rd., Temecula. 951.926.1541. Website: cityoftemecula.org/homepage/Visitors/skinner 26. Lake Hemet This longtime favorite spot for fishing and boating is located in the San Jacinto Mountains about 25 miles east of the city of Hemet. The lake is open year-round and the surrounding mountains provide a spectacular setting. Rainbow trout is stocked by the state Department of Fish and Game. A valid fishing license is required. There is a boat launch ramp. Rental motor-boats are available in the summer months. Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Cost: Entry fee is $8 per car with 1 or 2 persons; additional fees for extra adults, children or pets. Address and phone number: 56570 Highway 74, Mountain Center. 951.659.2350. Website: www.lakehemet.org/ 27. Lake Perris State Recreation Area The water level may be down at this favorite family recreation spot near Moreno Valley, but not the level of fun. Boating, fishing, swimming and camping opportunities are all still available even as the state draws water out of the reservoir to inspect the dam for necessary repairs. Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. in the summer. Cost: Day use entry fees are $8 per vehicle and $8 per watercraft (no fee for canoes or kayaks). Address and phone number: 17801 Lake Perris Dr., Perris. 951.657.0676. 28. Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park This 150-acre, day-use park on the site of a vineyard offers swimming, fishing and picnicking near the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario International Airport and Ontario Mills. The park’s two lakes are stocked with catfish every Thursday through Sept. 1. The water park, staffed with lifeguards, features a 220-foot double-flume water slide that is handicap accessible, a half-acre swim lagoon with sandy beaches and a playground. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Cost: Park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle ($7 holidays). Swim entrance fee is $2 per person ($4 holidays) age 4 and older. Address and phone number: 800 N. Archibald Ave., Ontario. 909.481.4205. 29. Angler’s Lake This small fishing lake in the city of Hemet has about 1 mile of shoreline and no license is required to fish for the trout stocked in the winter and the catfish stocked in the summer. The lake also has some bass. There is no limit on trout or catfish, but the bass are catch-and-release only. No boats are allowed on the lake. Hours: 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. for day fishing, 5 p.m.-6 a.m. for night fishing. Cost: Entrance fee is $14 per person. There is also a store at the lake for tackle and supplies. Address and phone number: 42660 Thornton Ave., Hemet. 951.927.2614. 30. Castle Park This well-known amusement park in the heart of Riverside features, among its 35 rides and attractions, one of the steepest log-flume rides ever built, pumping through 20,000 gallons of water per minute. Hours: Friday 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Cost: Over 48 inches $19.99, under 48 inches $14.99. Address and phone number: 3500 Polk St., Riverside. 951.785.3000. Website: castlepark.com 31. Raging Waters San Dimas This waterpark covers more than 50 beautifully landscaped acres and has 36 slides and attractions, plus a sand beach. Guests can also float down the 1/2-mile Amazon River and Kids’ Kingdom and Splash Island allow the park’s youngest visitors to enjoy all the fun. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through Aug. 27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug 28-Sept. 3. Cost: $31.99 for adults, $16.99 48 inches and under, $17.99 for seniors, season passes are also available. Address and phone number: 111 Raging Waters Dr., San Dimas. 909.802.2200. Website: ragingwaters.com 32. Lake Cahuilla Park This Riverside County Regional Park, located about four miles southeast of La Quinta, offers shore fishing in its 135-acre stocked lake and a swimming pool that is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays through mid-October. Swimming pool hours: Saturdays/Sundays 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: $1 per swimming pool session (11 a.m.-1 p.m., 1:30-3:30 p.m., 4-6 p.m.). Address and phone number: 58-075 Jefferson St., La Quinta. 760.564.4712. Website: riversidecountyparks.org/lake_cahuilla.cfm 33. Lake Elsinore Southern California’s largest natural freshwater lake is located right along the booming I-15 corridor. The public beach is located along the 700 block of Lakeshore Drive and the public fishing beach is located along the 1400 block of Lakeshore Drive in Lake Elsinore. There is a city operated boat launch, Seaport Boat Launch at 500 Lakeshore Dr. (951.245.9308). Cost: A daily lake-use pass is available for $8 per vessel per day. Phone number: 951.674.3124, Ext. 265. 34. Glen Helen Regional Park This 1,340-acre park at the southern end of the Cajon Pass offers fishing, swimming and a full-scale water park. The park’s lakes are stocked with catfish every Thursday through Sept. 1. A state fishing license is required. The water park, open through the Labor Day weekend, has lifeguards on duty and features a 350-foot double-flume water slide, a swim lagoon with a grass picnic area, and a playground. A county fishing permit is required as well as the fishing license. Call for current fees. Cost: $5 for daily vehicle entrance, swim and all-day waterslide use $5, swim-only $2. Address and phone number: 2555 Glen Helen Pkwy., San Bernardino. 909.887.7540. 35. Rancho Jurupa Park This 200-acre park along the Santa Ana River in Riverside is tailor made for a quick respite from the city’s hustle and bustle. Cottonwood trees and green meadows form the setting for a day of fishing, picnicking, or horseback and bicycle riding. The park’s 3-acre lake, stocked with trout in the cooler months and catfish in summer, is a favorite local fishing spot. Hours: 7 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset Cost: $2 for adult entry, $1 for children 2-12, 0-2 free. Address and phone number: 4800 Crestmore Rd., Riverside. 951.684.7032. 36. Diamond Valley Lake Southern California’s largest freshwater reservoir, located just south of Hemet, is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the finest fishing locations in the country. Shoreline fishing is very limited as all bodily contact with the lake is prohibited, but fishing boats are available for rent at the Marina. Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Cost: Daily entrance fee is $7 and the boat launch fee is $6. A $3 fishing access permit in addition to a valid state fishing license is also required. Address and phone number: Located south of Domenigoni Parkway between Winchester Road and State Street. Entrance to the East Marina is from Searl Parkway from Domenigoni Parkway. 951.926.7201 or 800.590.LAKE for boat rental information. Website: dvlake.com 37. Pharaoh’s Lost Kingdom The Sphinx and pyramid that are landmarks for commuters on the I-10 mark the location of Pharaoh’s Lost Kingdom, the Inland Empire’s largest water resort and theme park. Address and information: 1101 California St., Redlands, 909.335.7275, www.pharaohslostkingdom.com. 38. Fiesta Village The Fiesta Village Family Fun Park in Chino has just opened the area’s newest water park, Pyrite Rapids Water Park. Besides tubing through the Pyrite River Rapids, guests can enjoy the thrills of the 250-foot Sidewinder Body Slide and the high-speed plunge of Blast Off. An all-day waterslide pass is $8.95, $6.95 for juniors (under 48”). Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Address and information: 1405 E. Washington St., Colton. 909.824.111. fiestavillage.com. 39. Yucaipa Regional Park This 885-acre park located in the rapidly growing area of Yucaipa and Calimesa offers fishing, swimming and a full-scale water park. The park’s lakes are stocked with catfish every Thursday through Sept. 1 and a state fishing license is required. The water park, open through the Labor Day weekend, has trained lifeguards on duty and features a 350-foot waterslide flume, a 290-foot aqua tube water slide, a 1-acre swim lagoon with a sandy beach, a grassy picnic area and a playground. Pedal boats and aqua cycles are also available for rent. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: Daily park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle ($7 holidays). Water park admission is $2 per person age 4 and older ($4 holidays). Address and phone number: 33900 Oak Glen Rd., Yucaipa. 909.790.3127. 40. Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area This park north of San Bernardino features a lake with something for everyone. It features hiking trails, swimming beaches and designated areas for boating, waterskiing and fishing. The lake is known among fishermen for trout, large-mouth bass, catfish and bluegill. There is a marina with a launch ramp, boat and equipment rentals and a store. The park has picnic areas, including three that can only be reached by boat. The park is also a good location for birdwatchers as the lake attracts waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. Hours: 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Address and phone number: The park is located via Highway 138, 11 miles east of I-15; or 20 miles north of San Bernardino via Highways 18 & 138. 769.389.2281 or 769.389.2303. 41. Lake Gregory Regional Park One of the smaller units in the San Bernardino County Regional Parks system, Lake Gregory is a 135-acre beauty in the forests near Crestline. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating, as well as a full-scale water park. The water park, open through the Labor Day weekend, has trained lifeguards on duty and features a 300-foot double-flume water slide through the pines, a 4-acre swimming lake with sand beaches, two sand volleyball courts and aqua cycle and boat rentals. Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: Entrance to the swim beach is $3 per person (age 4 and older). Address and phone number: 24171 Lake Dr., Crestline. 909.338.2233. 42. Lake Fulmor Nothing fancy, just a delightful little fishing hole with a walking trail and picnic tables in the San Jacinto Mountains. The lake is stocked by the state Department of Fish and Game and a valid fishing license is required. Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Cost: A $5 Forest Adventure Pass is required. Address and phone number: located along Hwy. 243, south of I-10 between Banning and Idyllwild. 951.659.2117. SOCAL & Elsewhere 43. Knott’s Soak City Palm Springs The only water park in Palm Springs, Knott’s Soak City is 16 acres of wet, refreshing fun, all themed to the nostalgia of the Southern California coast of the 1950s. All of the rides, including the recently opened Pacific Spin raft ride, are included in the price of admission. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost (Southern California residents): Adults $21.95, Children (3-11) $14.95, Seniors (62+) $14.95 Address and phone number: 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail. 760.327.0499. Website: knotts.com/soakcity.ps 44. White Water Rafting White water rafting is a great activity that allows you to enjoy California’s scenic rivers and surrounding landscape while providing a challenging and thrilling experience. You can stay local here in Southern California and cascade down the Kern River in Sequoia National Park or head up north to the South Fork of the American River (about an hour east of Sacramento); a great rafting trip for beginners. Take a day trip or camp on the banks as you make your way down the river. Cost: 1/2-day trips on the Upper Kern start at $99 Sunday-Friday for adults ($119 on Saturdays), $89 for youth. Phone number: 800.400.7238. Website: whitewatervoyages.com 45. Lake Arrowhead Fishing and boating here may be limited to Arrowhead Lake Association members and their guests, but visitors who come to shop or dine at the picturesque Lake Arrowhead Village can still experience the area’s beauty from the water by taking a ride on the Lake Arrowhead Queen paddleboat. Address and phone number: off of Highway 173 in Lake Arrowhead. 909.336.6992. Website: lakearrowhead.net 46. Big Bear Lake High in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake offers fun on the water – sail or power boating, paddle boating, pontoon boating, jet skiing, windsurfing, sailboarding, or waterskiing. All boats and equipment can be rented at any of the marinas around the lake’s 23-mile shoreline. Private boat permits are required and are also available at any marina. For anglers, Big Bear Lake provides good catfish, bass and trout fishing. Fishing licenses are available at the local marinas and sporting goods stores. Forcruises, the Big Bear Queen. Address and phone number: from L.A. and Orange Counties take the 10 E to Hwy. 30 to Hwy. 330 to Hwy. 18. 800.4.BIG.BEAR. Website: bigbearinfo.com 47. Alpine Water Slide The Magic Mountain Recreation Area at Big Bear Lake operates a double water slide during the summer months that takes riders down two twisting flumes filled with cool water and ends with a splash into the heated pool at the bottom. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost: $1 for a single ride, $8 for 10 rides, $12 for an unlimited pass. Address and phone number: 800 Wildrose Ln., Big Bear Lake. 909.866.4626. Website: alpineslideatmagicmountain.com 48. Catalina Just an hour away, you can escape to California’s most popular island that offers various tours, water activities, horseback riding, shopping, good dining and more. To get there you can travel by air or sea. There are different camping sites on the Two Harbors, while only one is offered on Avalon, which has more lodging available. How to get there: For information from Newport Beach, Long Beach, or San Pedro, call Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce at 310.510.1520. You also may want to snorkel and parasail on Catalina. Website: catalina.com 49. Interact with Dolphins at SeaWorld Get up close and personal with SeaWorld’s friendly dolphins. The program begins with an instruction session to teach you all about these creatures and how they’re trained. You are then able to wade into the water and touch, feed, and even try some of the training techniques on the dolphins. Hours: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Cost: $150 per person (must be at least 6 years old and 44 inches tall); Purchase park admission first: Adults $53, Children (ages 3-9) $43. Address and phone number: 500 SeaWorld Dr., San Diego. 800.25.SHAMU. Website: 4adventure.com/seaworld 50. Maritime Museum of San Diego It has a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels, and has a variety of programs for children and adults. The museum has one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships, including the world-famous “Star of India.” Family sleepovers on the “Star of India” (ship does not leave dock) are scheduled for July 1, July 29 and Sept. 16, and always sell out. Hours: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. The family sleepover voyage begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday and ends at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Cost: Adults $8, juniors (13-17) $6, seniors (62+) $6, active military (with valid military ID) $6, children (6-12) $5, members and children 5 and under free. Packages are also available. Family sleepover is $65 per person ($45 for maritime museum members) and includes dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Address and phone number: 1492 North Harbor Dr., San Diego. 619.234.9153. For family sleepover reservations and information, call 619.234.9153, Ext. 124. Website: sdmaritime.com. 51. Aqua Adventures Kayak Center Aqua Adventures, located on San Diego’s Mission Bay, is a full-service kayak facility offering dockside rentals, quality lessons, guided 1/2 day to multi-day tours, and a well-stocked retail shop. Tours range from two-hour trips to the La Jolla Sea Caves to multi-day trips to Black Canyon near Hoover Dam and a Baja Sea Caves Kayak Expedition. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Cost (Kayak rentals): $15 per hour, $40 for 4 hours, $50 for 8 hours, $200 for a week for single kayaks; $20 per hour, $50 for 4 hours, $60 for 8 hours, $275 for a week for tandem kayaks. Address and phone number: 1548 Quivira Way, San Diego. 619.523.9577, 800.269.7792. Website: www.aqua-adventures.com 52. Mission Bay (renting boats) Cruise around Mission Bay on fishing boats, powerboats or sailboats and get serene views of the water and local surroundings. Family excursions on the water can be a fun and enjoyable experience. Sunset sails are also available. Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Last rental is 5:30 p.m. Starting cost: Powerboats $48 per hour, sailboats $30 per hour, fishing boats $45 for four hours. Address and phone number: Seaforth Boat Rentals, West Mission Bay Dr. (1641 Quivira Road), San Diego. 619.223.1681. Website: seaforthboatrental.com. 53. Houseboating Houseboating is a fun and unique summer family vacation that offers something for everyone, from beautiful scenery to relaxing in the sun to water activities like wakeboarding and tubing. Different houseboat rental options are available. Seven Crown Rentals, for example, rents boats from Lake Mead, Lake Shasta, The Delta and Lake Mohave. Cost: A boat that sleeps six starts at $1,050 for two nights/three days. Phone number: 800.752.9669. Website: sevencrown.com Another great destination, and many believe the most scenic, is Lake Powell, located on the border of Arizona and Utah, with its sandstone cliffs, more than 90 canyon and white sandy beaches. Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas offers houseboat rentals that sleep up to 12 or as few as six. Cost: A boat that sleeps six starts at $1,495 for three days. Address and phone number: 100 Lakeshore Dr., Page, Ariz. 800.528.6154. Website: lakepowell.com 54. Legoland’s Pirate Shores The Legos are now all wet. Legoland, the Carlsbad amusement park that is particularly suited for the under 12 crowd, last month added a four-attraction section, Pirate Shores, that includes a tall ship with multiple cannons, slides and water that spurts out from everywhere. And, every two minutes or so, a giant bucket at the top turns on its side to dump a mass of water on the giggling group below. Besides Soak-N-Sail, there is a log ride, a Swabbies Deck, and Splash Battle, the latter requiring families to cruise through pirate-infested waters. Bring a change of clothes and a towel. Cost: General admission $53, children 3-12 and seniors $43 Address and phone number: One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad. 760.918.5346. Website: legoland.com/california.htm 55. The Queen Mary Visit the historic ocean liner docked in Long Beach. Learn of its history on a guided tour, have a meal at one of their restaurants, shop or spend the night in one of their estate rooms. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: General admission for adults is $22.95, $19.95 for seniors, and $11.95 for children 5-11. Address and phone number: 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach. 562.435.3511. Website: queenmary.com 56. Blythe Summer can be unbelievably hot in this small town on the California-Arizona border, but it is a central location for refreshing fun in the waters of the Colorado River. There are more than 90 miles of navigable water between the Palo Verde Diversion Dam above Blythe and the Imperial Dam below Yuma offering opportunities for boating, canoeing, fishing, and other water sports. Phone number: 760.922.8166 (Chamber of Commerce). Website: blytheareachamberofcommerce.com 57. Mayflower Park This far outpost of the Riverside County Parks system is a haven for the true “river rats” who enjoy swimming, waterskiing, fishing, beach picnics, or just lying on the beach along the Colorado River. The park has 152 campsites and boat launching facilities. Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset Cost: $2 entry fee for adults, $1 for children. Address and phone number: The park is located 6 miles northeast of Blythe just north of 6th Avenue and Colorado River Road. 760.922.4665.m |
||||
RSS Subscribe
Digg This ArticleSEARCH THE SITE
