mcfam's Passport
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
My husband and I have 4 kids... 3 boys and then our girl. We homeschool them all and travel when possible. We just started letterboxing and are finding ourselves a little obsessed with it.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, curious, structured, relaxed, simple, independent, spontaneous, easy_going
We Just Got Back From
White Stallion Guest Ranch in Arizona
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Camping in Kings Canyon or Yosemite
A Place We'd Love To Visit
The Redwoods in Northern California
Favorite Vacation Memory
Walking the meadows of Yosemite with my family. The quiet, the sparkling water, the rustling grasses, and a dip in the river made for an amazing day.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Anytime throw up is involved. Especially when one kid triggers another. And when we are in the car. And when they choose to use the box that is holding all their library books and toys.
Websites I Like:
Free Activities for kids & families in Orange & LA Counties
We love to find fun and free things to do nearby our home. We live in Southern Orange County so this list is not exhaustive to all free things in these 2 counties. It is a list of things we have found to do near us that we enjoy and are free.
These activities would be suited for a wide variety of ages of children, but especially ages 2-12. We did not include parks, beaches or shopping areas in this list. If there is a free activity that you would like me to add to this list, please send me a message. We hope this helps you and your family enjoy some fun activities for free!
Balboa Island
Newport Beach, California
reviewed on: June 02 2010
"Boardwalks and Ice Cream"
After you drive across the bridge on Jamboree Rd. and find a place to park on this beautiful little island, enjoy walking on the boardwalk. You will see beautiful homes, docks, boats, Newport Bay, and a street with fun shops to explore. My kids enjoy walking along the sand and picking up shells while we push the stroller along the boardwalk (which is constructed from cement). You must check out the ice cream at Balboa Bars, or enjoy a yummy lunch at Wilma's Patio. Travel the ferry by car or as a pedestrian to the other side of the bay which is Balboa/Newport Peninsula. There you will find Balboa Funzone which includes a ferris wheel, carousel and an arcade.
The beauty of this place is amazing with the sunlight, beautiful boats and amazing houses.
3842 Warner Avenue
Huntington Beach, California
reviewed on: June 16 2010
"Tidal channel"
We came on a homeschool field trip to this tidal basin. A docent led us on a long walk across a long bridge. I thought we'd never make it across because my little baby kept crying every time the stroller stopped. But my big kids learned a lot about the migrating shore birds, the pickle weed that grows in the shallows and how the tidal channel was rebuilt so that this basin's water levels can rise and fall with the tides. My kids enjoyed being on the long bridge and seeing the many birds in the water below.
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California
reviewed on: June 09 2010
"Working farm"
This working farm in the heart of Orange County is a great place to show kids how things grow and how animals live. The grounds are well kept and the animal pens are easy to see into. In the spring, many animals have babies which is a delight to visit. I couldn't resist showing my young boys (2,4) all the different vegetables and how they grew. I wanted them to know that they didn't grow in the grocery store. The barn is a fun place to visit and we saw 2 oxen get hooked up to their yoke, ready for plowing.Be sure to note that the farm is closed to the general public on weekday mornings. The farm is only open to registered groups.
1601 16th Street
Newport Beach, California
reviewed on: June 08 2010
"Be careful"
We came here for a homeschool field trip with a wide variety of ages of kids (elementary to baby). We all really enjoyed the nature center. It was full of hands on activities, animal specimens, animal pelts to feel, children's books to read and coloring pages. All the ages were occupied and busy.The nature trails were very inviting and beautiful. We ate our lunch near the pine forest complete with a small cascade of water and rocks.
The difficult thing about this place is that the staff and signs indicated that nature was "no-touch". I felt uncomfortable letting my kids hop on rocks, toss twigs and leaves in the water, and wander off the trails (as I would like to let them do in nature) because it was a clear "no-no". So we stayed on the trails, took our hike and explored the acreage and found it all beautiful.
I would return for the great nature center, but not for a hike or walk. I'll go somewhere that my curious kids can explore with a bit more freedom.
25151 Serrano Road
Lake Forest, California
reviewed on: June 15 2010
"History in OC"
The old schoolhouse and the hand water pump outside were the highlight of our half day trip to this slice of history in Orange County. My little boys peered over the wall into the school house and saw desks and an old stove and a blackboard. It was a little frustrating to not get to see inside any closer, so that's why they enjoyed pumping water by hand.The boys crawled through some old tepees, looked through the bars of the post office box, and ran around while I gaped at the beautiful old kitchen in the Bennet Ranch House. An old church, the serrano Adobe and beautiful grounds are also here to see and enjoy.
PCH
Laguna Beach, California
reviewed on: June 14 2010
"Travel with fun"
This is a great, fun way to travel through Laguna Beach. The trolleys are free and stop frequently along PCH, Broadway and Laguna Canyon Road. Traffic and parking in Laguna Beach can be incredibly difficult in the summer months, especially on the weekends.
We have parked in the Act V parking lot ($7 per day) and then taken the trolley down to Main Beach for some swimming and sand play. Other times, we have taken the bus down south on PCH to some less crowded beaches (Cress St. and Moss Point being our favs).
Our boys really enjoyed the trolley ride and waving to pedestrians in the streets of Laguna.
20452 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, California
reviewed on: June 09 2010
"Fish tanks"
This small outdoor store in Laguna Canyon has been a place I have found myself taking my young kids to on several occasions. They love running to the back of the area to a pretty little man made pond that has hundreds of large koi swimming around. The koi come right up to the surface, searching for food. They even allow themselves to be petted on occasion. The staff has been kind enough to give us some handfuls of pellets to feed the beautiful fish. The rest of the store is comprised of large tanks filled with a range of different sizes and types of koi to purchase. There is a garden area designed to give ideas to the buyer of items they need and arrangements they could use for their own gardens. My kids have traipsed across the little bridges and admired the pools here.
It's a quick stop on your way to Laguna Beach or coming home that offers some excitement and beauty.
Orange County Great Park
Irvine, California
reviewed on: January 20 2011
"Free Outdoor Carousel"
This is a beautiful carousel in the middle of the developing Great Park in Irvine, CA. It is beautifully crafted and includes some amazing paintings of local scenes, including orange trees and the airplanes that used to fill this area when it was a Marine Corps Base.My kids and I loved riding the carousel as we waited for our turn to go on the Orange Balloon. The ride was FREE. There were NO LINES. And we got to ride AGAIN and AGAIN.
So... maybe I shouldn't tell you how much fun we had, because then you'll want to come, you'll tell your friends, and soon, we'll have to wait in line! Oh well... it will still be FREE and we can still WATCH THE SUNSET from our horsey ride.
20612 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, California
reviewed on: June 09 2010
"Amazing rescues"
This center does an amazing job of rescuing injured, sick and distressed marine mammals found on the beaches of Orange County. The animals are kept in outdoor pens with pools of water and are cared for, fed and medically aided by a non profit staff and many volunteers.On our visits, we have seen seals barking loudly for their meals, a seal needing a feeding tube to get his food, and a large elephant seal splashing wildly as he was ready for release.
In our case, it's a quick visit because my boys are not very comfortable around loud, smelly animals. Even with the animals behind a secure fence, they are nervous. But I know it's good for them to see these beautiful creatures and how we can care for them.
Check the website for the many programs available or just stop by for a visit on your way to the beach.
Riparian View
Irvine, California
reviewed on: June 07 2010
"Birds and Binocs"
The chance to borrow a pair of binoculars and look at all the shore birds poking their long beaks into the sandy water to find food, always brings us back to this cool place. There are hiking trails that wander through the water ponds and many birds and wildlife to see. We have not come near to exhausting the trails, bridges and wildlife to see here. Stop first at the blue house near the parking lot to gather pamphlets on birds to look for and binoculars to borrow. There is a little gift shop here as well. Then set out on the trails (ask for directions or a map). There is a picnic area for groups and a butterfly garden near the Audubon House.
On one occasion, I borrowed a large box full of information on songbirds from the Audubon House (upon deposit) and my older boys (7,9) enjoyed viewing the 7 nests, multiple displays and story books, and listening to bird sounds on tape. It was a great resource for learning opportunities. Other kits are available for borrowing as well.
17829 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach, California
Comment:
A beautiful park in the city of Huntington Beach with a very nice nature center.
End of Modjeska Canyon Road
Lake Forest, California
reviewed on: June 15 2010
"Birds!"
I stumbled across this place in a newspaper article written by a woman who remembered visiting when she was in school. My kids and I enjoyed walking the beautiful grounds and seeing the desert tortoise, the bird feeders and the many birds. We had to be quiet and hold still in order to see them well, which was hard for my little ones to do. We explored the dry creek bed, sat as still and quiet as we could in the bird viewing house and then ended our time in the great little nature center. The nature center is in a tiny building but it well stocked for little ones. We could have spent hours in there. Coloring pages, books, taxidermied animals and butterflies were all there for them to enjoy.
We want to return, but we have to remember to be quiet so we won't scare the birds away!
3720 Steven White Drive
San Pedro, California
Comment:
As other reviewers have said, "It's a great little aquarium" in San Pedro. With a touch-tank and great exhibits, we are looking forward to visiting this place.
reviewed on: March 08 2011
"Big little aquarium"
I was surprised at how large and well stocked this "little" aquarium was! I thought I might pop in and out with my 4 kids (2-10) in about an hour but we were captivated right from the start and stayed for a couple of hours. The tanks weren't huge like many other large aquariums are but they were well stocked with a great variety of sea life. My 8 year old spent a lot of time finding each fish, slug or anemone that was listed on the diagrams and he found each one. We were surprised by the massive lobster, the fish eating snails and the moon jellies. Several tanks were about 1 foot from the floor which made it easy for my 2 year old to see into, but most tanks were above her head. She needed lifting up for most of them.My little ones enjoyed the hand's on activities (turning a wheel to simulate waves, lifting levers of weights, but especially the touch tank. The touch tank is open for 20 minutes at a time at various times during the day. Check the entry board for details. All my kids loved touching the sea stars, anemones, sea urchins and more. Everything was safe to touch and in the next stone enclosure there were swimming sharks and eels. My son got "yelled" at to get down from the ledge over the shark tank, which sprang me (appropriately!) into action. According to the kind man who yelled, my son was in danger of scaring his sharks.
Several school groups were present during our visit, including high schoolers. It made the aquarium a bit crowded but there was still plenty of room. It cleared out around 1:30 pm, which made it much nicer for us.
Strollers seem welcome in this aquarium although most tanks will not be visible to a child in a stroller.
Free entry. Donations encouraged.
Exposition Park
39th Street & Figueroa Street Los Angeles, California
Comment:
This science center is located in Exposition Park in downtown LA with lots of hands on experiments and activities for your kids. A gift shop, eating areas and a rose garden make this place complete. Donations are greatly encouraged.
reviewed on: September 09 2011
"End of the summer is great"
We visited during a week day on one of the last weeks in August and we found the halls and exhibits fairly empty and the staff ready to help us out. This place can often be crowded with day camps and school field trips but August was great!! My kids loved all the hands-on exhibits but their favorite place was watching the divers, the fish and the sharks in the 2 story aquarium. I loved it too.
On the down-side: I noticed that several times my children didn't understand the concept of the display that they were interacting with because the actual "experiment" was behind plexiglass and my child was just pressing a button. I had to read the display to help them interpret what was happening. But for the most part, my children's interaction with many exhibits lead to a lot of learning!
Some tips we learned from our experience:
*Find out where the "kids play" areas are in the center. I believe there are 3. They are great for giving little ones a chance to manipulate lots of objects, use large muscle groups and generally get the wiggles out. And it gives parents a bit of a break. Plan your visit to stop at these places often!
*If you end up in the ecosystems exhibit where the aquarium is, right before lunch, don't try to get to the restaurants by going down to the first floor like we did. You have to cross over on the second floor and then go down to the first floor where the McDonalds and Taco Bell is.
18025 Bloomfield Ave
Cerritos, California
Comment:
One of the greatest libraries I have ever visited. An aquarium, T-Rex dino fossil, a full size rainforest tree, and a lighthouse... all inside the Children's Section. Not to mention the many books and inviting areas to read makes this place a great destination.
reviewed on: February 18 2011
"Library love"
I think I could live in this library... or maybe visit it every day... or just wish that I could because I actually live too far away! Let me just say again that I love this library! The Children's Section was a dream to discover. An aquarium to greet you, books to walk through, very inviting tables and lights that just beg you to sit and read to your kids, and a large dinosaur skeleton to wow you in the center. Many more features may certainly distract youngsters but my 8 and 10 year old were absorbed in their books. This section of the library is set apart by walls and other sound proofing ways from the rest of the library which I really appreciate as a mother of loud boys.
I wandered through other parts of the library and thought eagerly about coming back without my youngsters so that I could pull up a comfy chair and sit a spell. Everything is artistically presented, well lighted, and inviting. It is absolutely beautiful.
The one downside of this library is that it would cost my family $100.00 for a year long library card because we are not residents, employees or students in Cerritos.
We look forward to coming back on a sunny warm day to enjoy the fountain outside. But on this cloudy day, we enjoyed walking through the Sculpture Garden near by. It was beautiful as well!
18125 Bloomfield Ave
Cerritos, California
Comment:
A beautiful little garden with 5-6 sculptures artistically set in a serene environment. Near by to the Cerritos Library
reviewed on: February 19 2011
"Artistic Garden"
As we were walking back to our car from the amazing Cerritos Library, we saw this inviting garden beckoning from the other side of the Sheriff Station. What we found when we walked through the brick arch was a beautiful garden and several sculptures.Our kids liked the sculpture that reminded them of a Tie Fighter from Star Wars the best. But they also learned some history of Cerritos (the great air disaster in the 80's) and learned some US History from the replica statue from the US Capital Dome.
What was especially fun for our family was following the clues to find a letterbox hidden in this garden. Go to :http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gBoxId=154207 for the clues.
Combine walking in this garden with a visit to the Cerritos Library and be prepared to enjoy an amazing artistic feast for the senses.
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, California
Comment:
Although this museum is free, there is a cost for parking.
4730 Crystal Spring Dr
Los Angeles, California
Comment:
This large park in the heart of LA is full of areas to explore, have a picnic, take a hike or visit the many attractions and activities located within. Some of those activities include the Observatory, Travel Town, Pony Rides, and the LA Zoo.
2800 East Observatory Road
Los Angeles, California
reviewed on: June 02 2010
"What... it's free?!?"
I was sure that we would have to pay to go into this amazing place. We are in California after all. After being pleasantly surprised at it being free, our family spent about 4 hours here and could've stayed much longer.We enjoyed seeing Venus from the telescope (the sun was still out too!) and seeing the sun reflected through the telescope onto several viewing areas. I had to remind the boys, "that's the real sun!"
My boys really enjoyed the planet's paths around the grass and the elevator housing above ground. There were many enjoyable exhibits for kids and adults.
As an instructional note: the sun telescope is on the west side of the building and can be observed from the 1st floor exhibits.
The other large telescope is on the east side of the building and is reached from going to the second floor. It's worth standing in line for this one.
The large dome at the "back" of the building (towards LA) is the planetarium which charges a fee.
5200 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, California
Comment:
We look forward to visiting this section of Griffith Park with our boys who love trains and vehicles. There is a train museum with large trains and miniature ones. Train rides are available for additional costs.
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, California
Comment:
Free on the first Tuesday of each month. This museum will interest any child who loves dinosaurs!
2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, California
Comment:
Free admission on Thursdays.
reviewed on: September 29 2010
"Noah's Ark"
I took my 4 kids on a field trip to this great museum today in the hills of LA. They loved the Noah's Ark exhibit with it's MANY hands on activities. My 9 and 8 year old moved all the levers that made the storm sounds, turned the neck of the giraffe and played next to my 1 and 4 year old at the little ark replica with the miniature animals. I was impressed with the wide variety of interactive play, things to climb on, and the pure art of creating beautiful animals out of recycled materials. The group rate was a reasonable price for an excellent museum and the crowds were just right. Lots of young toddlers and preschoolers were playing in the ark, but because everyone is given a time to enter the ark (with a 2 hour limit) the play stations were always free for my kids to enjoy.
The story time was fun, although geared a bit low for my 4th and 2nd grader. However, they didn't complain at all and thoroughly enjoyed being read to "IF You Give a Pig a Party"
After our time in the ark, we wandered through the other exhibits of the museum. I was quite nervous as I led my young crowd through the glassed in exhibits of Jewish artifacts, art and clothing. Several docents watched my little group carefully and I wasn't sure that taking my kids through was viewed as "acceptable". However, we found a little "study room" off of the replica of a tabernacle that had children's books to read and a puzzle and I realized that, yes, my children were welcome, as long as they stayed on their best behavior. I found it worth it to expose them to some Jewish history and culture, and I found myself enjoying it as well.
When we got home, my kids begged me to take them back to the ark for next week's field trip. It was a success and I hope we can go again soon!
Vista Del Lago Road
Gorman Santa Clarita, California
reviewed on: June 04 2010
"water everywhere"
We stopped here for a potty stop on our drive over the Grapevine... and it turned out to be quite an educational potty stop! My young kids enjoyed the interactive displays on how they use water every day. I was awestruck by the maps and by the replica of how water flows uphill and down to get from the northern parts to the parched deserts of Southern California (the big water users). The building is new, clean and has stunning vistas of the mountains and Pyramid Lake. Now the kids want to stop here to use the potty on every trip!
