Category Archives: California Entertainment

Legoland’s Miniland New York

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Legoland California Miniland USA

Legoland California recently unveiled the tallest LEGO building in the United Stats just a few days before Independence Day. Athena and I attended the special opening to get us in the July 4th spirit. Accompanied by our best friends, we watched the red, white, and blue confetti rocket through the sky as Legoland California unveiled the One World Trade Center in the newly remodeled Miniland New York, located in the park’s Miniland USA. We always love exploring the park, but it’s such a treat to experience special openings. Athena soaks up the royal treatment yet she’s always appreciative and filled with wonder and excitement.  Continue reading →

A Bucket List Day at Knott’s Berry Farm

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Knott's Berry Farm roller coasterWe’ve been to Knott’s Berry Farm a number of times now, but we always fight traffic to drive up on the weekend and deal with lines and crowds. It stresses us rather than creating an amazing day with lasting memories. We wanted to experience Knott’s in a bucket list way with minimal guests in the park, minimal hassle to get there, and maximum fun all around. We planned the perfect Knott’s day including an over night stay at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, dining at the best restaurants, and a visit during the slowest day of the week, Monday. It paid off tenfold and we had the best day at Knott’s Berry Farm yet.  Continue reading →

Legoland Water Park the Bucket List Way

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Legoland Water Park, California, USA

Legoland is our favorite park in California. We love the staff, the rides, the food, and the hotel, but we never make enough time for the water park. With so much to experience in one day, I usually feel like we need to choose between spending the whole day at the water park or the whole day in the main section. Last week, though, we found the perfect balance between the main park and the water park. Here’s how we explored Legoland Water Park the bucket list way.  Continue reading →

Family Weekend at Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina

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Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina

With its world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, family-friendly dining like Corvette Diner and Waypoint Public, and terrific climate, San Diego is a perfect vacation spot for kids. There are so many amazing opportunities in the area that there’s never a lot of time at the hotel, but Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina is a destination in itself. There are activities for big kids, little ones, and kids at heart alike. It’s the only resort hotel in San Diego with multiple water slides and it’s close to all of the best activities. Even with tickets to San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, we wanted to spend most of our time at the hotel.  Continue reading →

Complete Joy at Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park

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Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CaliforniaWhen Darren and I first moved to California, I wanted to visit Santa Monica Pier before anything else. It is the end of Route 66 but the beginning of a new life for us. I had seen it on tv shows and movies but I never thought I would see it with my own eyes. When I did, it was as glorious as I had envisioned. Now, five years later, Athena had a similar experience at Santa Monica Pier.  Continue reading →

Hornblower Dinner Cruise in Newport Beach

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Hornblower Dinner Cruise, Newport Beach, California Hornblower Cruises are always visible in Newport marina. They are like a moving billboard for themselves. The guests appear happy, the boats look luxurious, and the location is ideal. We figured it was time we gave them a try for ourselves. They market celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries, but we like to celebrate every day. Rather than waiting for a special occasion, we like to bring the special occasion to us. We booked a Saturday night dinner cruise including a 3 hour yacht cruise, four-course dinner, a boarding glass of champagne, soda, coffee, tea, and water included, private tables, DJ entertainment, and a dance floor. We cruised Newport Beach in style, dined on scrumptious food, and danced until the music stopped. It was like New Year’s Eve but it was February 27th. Continue reading →

Excited for Upcoming Events in SoCal

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segerstrom center for the arts

After three weeks of nonstop travel, we’re back home in SoCal and excited for upcoming local events. Starting tonight, I have an amazing line-up of musicals, ballet, and extravagant shows. Here’s what’s to come in SoCal: Continue reading →

Exploring the Wonders of Science at the California Science Center

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California Science MuseumAthena loves science. She’s only three years old but it’s as easy to see that she loves science as it is to see that she loves macaroni and cheese. She’s inquisitive and always trying to figure out how things work. She asks millions of questions about things that I don’t even think about as an adult and she figures things out on her own that seem well beyond her age. Rather than just wondering where the heck it all comes from, I try to encourage it as much as possible. We buy her science kits and allow her to pick at things when they catch her attention. She’s very hands-on and enjoys interacting with her environment. Last weekend, we felt like it was time to visit the California Science Center. Filled with interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs, and awe-inspiring films, it’s the perfect place to encourage her curiosities.  Continue reading →

Act 3 at Laguna Playhouse

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ACT 3 at Laguna Playhouse

I recently discovered Laguna Playhouse. I don’t know why it took me so long to find this gem. I love theatre, especially musicals and plays and it’s a short 7 minute drive from door to door. Last night I went to the US premiere of Act 3 staring Rita Rudner and Charles Shaughnessy. I had never seen Rita Rudner perform before, although she’s been in over 3,000 solo shows in Vegas, but I loved Charles Shuaghnessy from The Nanny. Even though he’s quite a bit older than me, I always had a crush on him. His handsome looks draw a wide audience of women. It was no different last night at the playhouse.  Continue reading →

It’s A Snow White Christmas at Laguna Playhouse

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A Snow White Christmas

Photo Credit: Cathy Cunningham

We’ve been making our holiday entertainment rounds since returning from Thailand and tonight was Athena’s most interactive experience. We went to A Snow White Christmas at Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach and Athena was clapping and singing near her seat the entire night. A Snow White Christmas is a musical show based on the fairytale with pop culture references thrown in. It’s an interactive production where audience participation, including that of children, is strongly encouraged. The show encourages children and adults to interact with the performers and the adults get the pop culture references and subtle jokes. While there was very little reference to Christmas, as the name implies, we were clapping, yelling and laughing from our seats all evening.
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