During Thanksgiving week, when schools are out, and families have time off, use this guide to plan day trips and activities to please the whole family. The guide includes a list of discounted amusement parks and free activities. Spend a Day at Knotts Berry Farm Knott's Berry Farm is the most … [Read more...]

The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey is taking a break in 2022 The Elf on the Shelf's Magical Holiday Journey is a drive-through Christmas attraction held at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. Generally speaking, most drive-through events are underwhelming. However, Fairplex has come … [Read more...]

Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula area of Newport Beach is a fun destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. If you have not visited Balboa, add this historic place to your calendar. Even if it has been years since you visited, now is a great time to plan a return trip to explore this area … [Read more...]

The Battleship USS Iowa is docked at berth 87 Port of Los Angeles. Open daily for tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Self-guided tours let visitors explore the seven decks of this massive ship. One of the many highlights of this trip is the enormous 16-inch … [Read more...]

Helgren's Sports Fishing operates out of Oceanside Harbor. Whale-watching cruises operate from December through April. Whale-watching tours last about two hours, and the captain fully narrates each trip. Whale Watching and Sea Life Adventures are offered seasonally out of Oceanside Harbor. During … [Read more...]

Madame Tussauds is located in the heart of Hollywood, next door to TLC Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theatre. Guests are encouraged to get up close and touch the wax figures, unlike other wax museums. When you enter Madame Tussauds, you will wonder if that person is genuine or wax. There are over … [Read more...]

Harbor Breeze Cruises has offered public whale-watching cruises for nearly two decades. The 2 1/2 hour ride out of Long beach goes in search of Pacific Gray Whales, Dolphins, California Sea Lions, and other marine life. Whale Watching cruises include informative commentary from experienced staff … [Read more...]

If you are looking for something different to do this weekend, we have a list of Bizarre Los Angeles Museums that might do the trick. Most of these museums are located in and around Hollywood, so it is possible to visit several in one day. Valley Relics Museum The relics museum is open every … [Read more...]

Greystone Mansion makes an enjoyable side trip while visiting Beverly Hills. The Mansion is only open for public tours one day each month, so advance tickets for the tour are a must. Day-trippers are welcome to walk around Greystone Mansion Park free of charge. You can take a peek inside the … [Read more...]

Oak Mountain Winery is the only winery in Temecula that houses two wineries under one roof. Wines from both Temecula Hills Winery and Oak Mountain Winery. Both wines are sold at the Oak Mountain location, which produces a combined 6,000 cases of wine annually. Nestled among the picturesque … [Read more...]

Karaoke! Tableside Barbecue! Shopping! Beauty secrets! Hidden gems! Koreatown Los Angeles, aka “KTown,” has it all. Located south of Hollywood and just west of Downtown, K-town is one of the city's most vibrant, diverse, and exciting neighborhoods. When you think about “shopping” in LA, you might … [Read more...]

San Clemente State Park is famous for its daily and overnight beach camping trips. The beach is located about a mile south of San Clemente Pier. Locals would like to keep this place to themselves, but the state of California has provided plenty of parking space so we can all enjoy this wonderful … [Read more...]

Potato Chip Rock is an eight-mile round-trip hike from the parking at Lake Poway Park lot to the top of Mt. Woodson. The walk up to Potato Chip Rock is steep, with little or no shade, and may not be suitable for novice hikers. This trip is best made in the early morning or late afternoon. On … [Read more...]

Carson City makes a great day trip from Reno. A short 30-minute drive takes you to the capital of Nevada, a modest town named after the famous legendary trapper, scout, and explorer, Kit Carson. Steeped in history, Carson City sits on the eastern edge of the Carson Range, a branch of the Sierra … [Read more...]