We lived in California for just over a year and visited Gilroy Gardens at least 10 times. It is such a great theme park for the younger crowd WITHOUT the huge crowd of a place like disneyland. Of course it costs much less than disneyland and their season passes are really reasonable. One thing about Gilroy Gardens is that it is very clean and very well taken care of. They include rides for the super little to adults. Very senior citizen friendly. They have places to eat, places to get snacks and places to cool off. Make sure you check out all of the awesome trees they have growing in the park. Bring your swimsuits on hot days and cool off in the water park area.

This place isn't world renowned for nothin'! The Monterey Bay Aquarium is definitely full of stunning displays of animals. One highlight of the aquarium is the dinners that they offer. They can be pricey but you will get to see the Aquarium outside of business hours. We went to a Jazz dinner that included a wonderful dinner and wine pairing and then you got to walk around the aquarium listening to several jazz bands located in front of different animal displays. Of course kids love this place and beg to come back. If it's a nice day, spend some time outside checking out the scenery.

If you want a low key, out of the way, old fashioned day of fun Tiny Town is a place to go. I've been here a handful of times in the past 20 some years and basically everything is the same. You come, you ride the train, you meander down through all of the small (or large doll houses depending on how you look at it) houses admiring all the little treasures and details inside, and then end the tour with a seat on a picnic table while your kids burn out some more energy in the playground. They have a place for picnics, a place to purchase food and a gift shop. My kids definitely enjoy it but it doesn't really have enough to visit more than once a year.

Like Casabonita, White Fence Farm is another theme restaurant where you get more than just food. You'll get a place for the kids to play while you're waiting for a table or after you're done eating. The food is definitely better than Casabonita and you can expect a lot of down home favorites that everyone loves. Comfort food at it's finest. But with comfort food comes load of calories! The service was great which makes the visit well worth it. My kids enjoyed the pigs and other farm animals as well as the huge playground inside and out. You of course can get some of your shopping in at one of their gift shops.

Red Rocks is THE best place to listen to your favorite band or artist. It combines being outside with the beauty of Red Rocks and the music that you love perfectly! You will have a bit more walking than if you were going to a concert at your local civic center or concert hall but it is well worth it! You will also get to see the sunsetting over Denver while watching the concert. One thing that isn't that great is the price for snacks and drinks. That of course is where they hit you in the pocket book! But if you go to just one concert in your life, make sure it is at Red Rocks just outside of Denver, CO.