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08.02.2010 | Happy Birthday, Orange County!

It’s time to break out the candles & sing “Happy Birthday” to your little one. If you are thinking of planning a party check out our HUGE list of birthday party destinations, as well as parties that come to YOU! & We definitely want our to list to be totally comprehensive. If we’ve left one of your favorite birthday party locations, or companies, be sure to let us know in the comments!

Birthday Party Destination:
Adventure City: Anaheim
Chuck E. Cheese: Costa Mesa, Foothill Ranch, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Mirada, Laguna Hills, Orange, Placentia
Etnies Skate Park: Lake Forest
Freckles Frog Learning Center: Yorba Linda
Irvine Park Railroad: Orange
K1 Racing: Anaheim
Krispy Kreme: Orange, Mission Viejo
Laser Quest: Fullerton & Mission Viejo
The Little Gym: Huntington Beach, San Clemente, Tustin
Olivia’s Tea Room: Tustin
Pure Light Celebrations: Laguna Beach
Rockreation Sport Climbing Center: Costa Mesa
Sandlot Sports: Lake Forest
SweetSpot Baker’s Workshop: Irvine
Swim Venture: Laguna Hills
Team OC: Costa Mesa
Vans Skate Park: Orange
Waterworks Aquatics: Irvine
WowzVille: Laguna Hills
Young Chefs Academy: Irvine
Zoomars Petting Zoo: San Juan Capistrano

Bowling:
300 Anaheim: Anaheim
Concourse Bowl: Anaheim
Linbrook Bowling Center: Anaheim
Fountain Bowl: Fountain Valley
Carter Bowl:Fullerton
Titan Lanes: Fullerton
Valley View Lanes: Garden Grove
Irvine Lanes: Irvine
La Habra 300 Bowl: La Habra
Forest Lanes: Lake Forest
Saddleback Lanes: Mission Viejo
Lucky Strike: Orange
Tustin Lanes: Tustin
Strike Orange County: Tustin
Westminster Lanes: Westminster
Yorba Linda Bowl: Yorba Linda

Indoor Bounce Houses:
Scooter’s Jungle: Aliso Viejo
Seascape Kids Fun: Anaheim
Pump it Up: Anaheim Hills
Frogg’s Bounce House: Fountain Valley
BounceU: Huntington Beach
Pump it Up: Huntington Beach
Pump it Up: Irvine
Partyopolis: Lake Forest
Pump it Up: Lake Forest
Jump ‘n Jammin: Mission Viejo
BounceU: Orange
Hullabaloo’s Partyhouse: Orange
Scooter’s Jungle: Placentia

Mini-Golf (& more):
Camelot Golfland: Anaheim
Boomer’s Miniature Golf: Fountain Valley & Irvine
Golf n’ Stuff: Norwalk

Museums:
Aquarium of the Pacific: Long Beach
The Bowers Kidseum: Santa Ana
Children’s Museum of La Habra: La Habra
Ocean Institute: Dana Point
Discovery Science Center: Santa Ana
Pretend City: Irvine

Parties that Come to YOU:
Cheer Mania!
Creative Parties for Kids
Fairytale Puppets
Fantasy in Magic
The Game Squad
Game Truck
Gamez on Wheelz
Hollywood Glamour Girls
Jurassic Parties
Mad Science
Meringue Bake Shop
Orange County Jumpers
Portable Rock Wall Rental
Rock Star CD recording workshop
Super Game Bus
Train Party Express
Pop Up Picture Show
Posh Party Box
Quadra-Knights
Rent a Tea Party
Ultimate Race Car Parties

xoxo, K

by C & K in Best of OC, Parks, Playgrounds & Nature, Shopping Local, Special Events, Things To Do in OC with No Comments
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07.20.2010 | 12 for tuesday: kid-friendly (disc & mini) golf courses

Welcome to 12 for Tuesday, where we highlight 12 great finds in & around Orange County. This week we are featuring 12 golf courses you (& the kids) will LOVE. I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid I loved playing frisbee golf (although these days they call it “Disc Golf”) & miniature golf. Can’t wait to see if my kids enjoy it as much as I do. Unless otherwise noted, the “Disc Golf” courses are FREE, although the courses tend to be BYOF (bring your own frisbee). Want to make it even more challenging? Try Disc Golfing at night…

1. Twila-Reid Park, 3100 W. Orange Ave.,  Anaheim: FREE 9-Hole Disc Golf Course

2. Liberty Park, 19211 Studebaker Road, Cerritos: FREE 9-Hole Disc Golf Course

3. Prado Regional Park, 16700 S. Euclid Ave., Chino:  FREE 18-Hole Disc Golf Course (parking fee $7 M-F, $10 on weekends)

4. River Walk Park, 7674 Soaring Bird Court, Corona: FREE 7-Hole Disc Golf Course

5. Deerfield Park, 55 Deerwood West, Irvine: FREE 9-Hole Disc Golf Course

6. Huntington Beach Central Park, 18000 Goldenwest St., HB (west side of Goldenwest, across the street from the Sports Complex): 18-Hole Disc Golf Course, cost ranges from $1 on weekdays to $2 on weekends.

7. La Mirada Regional Park, Alicante Road & Adelfa Drive, La Mirada: FREE 36-Hole Disc Golf Course

8. El Dorado Park West, 2800 Studebaker Road, Long Beach: FREE 18-Hole Disc Golf Course

9. Frontier Park, 1400 Mitchell Ave., Tustin: FREE 9-Hole Disc Golf Course

10. Camelot Golfland, 3200 Carpenter Ave., Anaheim: prices start at $7.95 for adults, $7.45 for children 11 & under, and FREE for children ages 4 & under (one additional 18 hole course replay available for $4)

11. Boomer’s Miniature Golf, Fountain Valley & Irvine: prices vary depending on location

12. Golf n’ Stuff, 10555 E. Firestone Blvd., Norwalk: $8.50 per person, children 3 or younger are FREE with one paid round, find coupons HERE.

xoxo, K

by C & K in 12 for Tuesday, ALWAYS Free & Cheap, Beyond Orange County, Parks, Playgrounds & Nature, Summer 2010, Things To Do in OC with No Comments
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07.19.2010 | Guest Post: Box Canyon Park

Please help me welcome, Michele of Fun Orange County Parks. I don’t know about you, but as a mom to little ones, I’m always on the look out for new parks to check out. Although we definitely have our favorites we like to visit, it’s always fun & exciting to “play” somewhere new… that’s why I LOVE Michele & her website Fun Orange County Parks. Lucky for us, each & every month Michele features one of her favorite Orange County Parks here….

Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda is the most accessible park I’ve been to in Orange County. Not only are there ramps up to the play structures, a kid-sized wheelchair can actually navigate around the pirate ship and castle structures with big loops to make around the walkways (no backing up). There are even bridges to cross! Special Thanks to Lisa, our new North County mom, who volunteered to help us build up some info on North County playgrounds. She writes incredible posts filled with lots of highlights & things to be aware of. We’re so lucky she loves play as much as we do.

See the slideshow and more OC playgrounds and play ideas at Fun Orange County Parks.

___________________________________________________________

Thanks Michele! For a more detailed information about the Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda, or to find out about other local parks, be sure to visit Michele at Fun Orange County Parks.

xoxo, K
image via Fun Orange County Parks

Just Spotted received no compensation, of any kind, for this post.

by C & K in ALWAYS Free & Cheap, Guests Posts, Parks, Playgrounds & Nature, Things To Do in OC with No Comments
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06.15.2010 | 12 for Tuesday: Family Friendly Beaches

Welcome to 12 for Tuesday, where we highlight 12 great finds in & around Orange County. This week we are featuring 12 family & kid friendly beaches in Orange County.

1. Aliso Beach: sandy beach, rock promontories, scenic coastal foothills, marine life refuge borders the north & south, tide pool exploration, concession stands offering food & beach supplies, metered public parking lot, restrooms, fire pits, & PLAYGROUND.
2. Balboa Pier Beach: easy access with metered parking, restrooms & showers, Ruby’s on the pier, & a fantastic PLAYGROUND.
3. Bayside Drive Beach: a quieter than normal beach, free street parking, restrooms & children’s SWINGS.
4. Bolsa Chica State Beach: metered parking, restrooms, fire pits, snack bar concessions.
5. Doheney State Beach: campsites, restrooms, volleyball courts, food concession, metered parking, fire pits, aquarium & more.
6. Huntington City Beach: metered parking, food, restrooms, showers, & Ruby’s on the pier.
7. Little Corona Del mar Beach: free street parking, tide pools.
8. Mother’s Beach in Long Beach: volleyball, picnic sites, calm waters, restrooms, grassy lawn, metered parking & PLAYGROUND.
9. North Beach in San Clemente: fire pits, picnic tables, train tracks, metered parking & PLAYGROUND.
10. Rocky Point beach in Corona del Mar: free street parking, beautiful, scenic beach perfect for explorations.
11. San Clemente Pier Beach: restrooms, food concessions, fishing & SWINGS on either side of the pier.
12. Seal Beach: metered parking, nearby food concessions & PLAYGROUND.

For more information on Orange County’s local beaches visit: OC Beaches, OC Parks & Beaches, & BeachCalifornia.com.

xoxo, K

by C & K in 12 for Tuesday, ALWAYS Free & Cheap, Parks, Playgrounds & Nature, Summer 2010, Things To Do in OC with 2 Comments
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06.01.2010 | 12 for Tuesday: Splash Pads

Welcome to 12 for Tuesday, where we highlight 12 great finds in & around Orange County. This week we are featuring 12 places to get your “splash” on in Orange County.

1. Walnut Grove Park Water Features: 905 South Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim
2. Larwin Spray Pool: 6161 Ball Road, Buena Park.
3. Brenner Park Tiny Tot Wading Pool: 7373 San Rafael Dr., Buena Park. Open to parents with children ages 6 & under. Pool is 25 feet long & 1-2 feet deep.
4. Adlena Park Spray Pool: 300 N. Adlena Dr., Fullerton
5. Downtown Plaza Interactive, Pop-up Fountains: 125 E. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton
6. Lemon Park Spray Pool: 701 S. Lemon, Fullerton
7. Valencia Park Wading Pool: 2425 W. Valencia Dr, Fullerton.
8. Irvine Spectrum Center Pop-up Fountains: 71 Fortune Dr., Irvine. 2 sets of fountains: one “larger splash” play zone near the movie theater & restaurant area, another “smaller splash” play zone near Target.
9. Pioneer Road Park Water Feature Play Area: 10250 pioneer Rd., Tustin
10. The District Pop-up Fountains: Jamboree Road & Barranca Parkway, Tustin. Pop-up fountains located in front of Strike Orange Couny
11. Pop-up Fountain Play Area: Main St. & Prospect Ave., Tustin. Fountains located behind the City of Tustin sign.
12. Sigler Park Splash Pad: 7200 Plaza St. Westminster

A few other places you can take the kids to get wet, that didn’t quite make the list (because they aren’t open to the general public, or there is a fee required):

* Ladera Ranch: Boreal Plunge, Canterra Plunge, Celestial Plunge, Cherry Plunge, Creighton Plunge, Township Plunge, Terramor Aquatic Park. Move to Ladera Ranch, or at least make friends with someone who lives there, because all of these “plunges” require Ladera Ranch key card access.
* Slyders Water Playground: Huntington Beach Hyatt, $35 for adults, $20 for children ages 2-12
* Soak City: Buena Park, $25.99 for ages 12 & up, $19.99 for 3-11
* Splash!: La Mirada. $17 for general admission, $12 for kids (under 48″)
* Wild Rivers: Irvine. $32.98 for general admission, $19.98 for kids (under 48″)
* Disney’s California Adventure: water features & pop-up fountains outside “a bug’s land.”

xoxo, K

by C & K in 12 for Tuesday, ALWAYS Free & Cheap, Parks, Playgrounds & Nature, Summer 2010 with 3 Comments
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05.17.2010 | Guest Post: Serrano Creek Park in Lake Forest

Please help me welcome, Michele of Fun Orange County Parks. I don’t know about you, but as a mom to little ones, I’m always on the look out for new parks to check out. Although we definitely have our favorites we like to visit, it’s always fun & exciting to “play” somewhere new… that’s why I LOVE Michele & her website Fun Orange County Parks. Lucky for us, each & every month Michele features one of her favorite Orange County Parks here….

Serrano Creek Park takes me away from city life and makes me feel like I’m playing on an old California ranch. Hear horses whinny from nearby stables and see riders trot right by the playground. The rock features and natural setting under the eucalyptus trees make it one of a kind. The nearby bathroom makes it just about perfect for any playdate.

See the slideshow and more OC playgrounds and play ideas at Fun Orange County Parks.

___________________________________________________________

Thanks Michele! For a more detailed information about the Serrano Creek Park, or to find out about other local parks, be sure to visit Michele at Fun Orange County Parks.

xoxo, K
image via Fun Orange County Parks

Just Spotted received no compensation, of any kind, for this post.

by C & K in Guests Posts, Parks, Playgrounds & Nature, Things To Do in OC with 2 Comments
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04.13.2010 | 12 for Tuesday: Mountain Biking in Orange County

Thanks to a hubby, who is what you might call an avid mountain biker, & some girl friends who have developed a similar “habit,” I too have caught the mountain biking fever. Lucky for us, we live in a place surrounded by some of the most amazing mountain biking trails – a mountain biking mecca if you will. So, this Tuesday we’ve prepared a short list of 12 mountain bike rides you don’t want to miss….

1. Fullerton Loop (technical difficulty: beginner)
2. Sycamore Run, in Aliso Woods Regional Park (technical difficulty: beginner)
3. Blackstar Canyon Road to Beeks Place, in Silverdo (technical difficulty: beginner – intermediate)
4. Lake Loop, in Peters Canyon Regional Park (technical difficulty: beginner – intermediate)
5. Peter’s Canyon Figure Eight Loop, (technical difficulty: beginner to intermediate)
6. San Juan Trail, in Cleveland National Forest (technical difficulty: intermediate – advanced)
7. Whiting Ranch Loop (technical difficulty: beginner to intermediate)
8. Cholla to Top of the World to Meadows, in Aliso Woods Regional Park(technical difficulty: intermediate)
9. Fenceline to Boomer Ridge, in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (technical difficulty: intermediate)
10. The Barnum Ridge Trail aka Chutes, in Santiago Oaks Regional Park (technical difficulty: advanced)
11. Cactus Ridge, in Whiting Ranch (technical difficulty: advanced)
12. The Luge, at Cooks Corner (technical difficulty: advanced)

For even more Orange County Mountain Biking Trails check out GeoLadders, or the book Mountain Biking Orange County, California.

xoxo, K

Just Spotted received no compensation, of any kind, for this post.

by C & K in 12 for Tuesday, ALWAYS Free & Cheap, Parks, Playgrounds & Nature, Things To Do in OC with 1 Comment
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04.12.2010 | Guest Post: Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove

Please help me welcome, Michele of Fun Orange County Parks. I don’t know about you, but as a mom to little ones, I’m always on the look out for new parks to check out. Although we definitely have our favorites we like to visit, it’s always fun & exciting to “play” somewhere new… that’s why I LOVE Michele & her website Fun Orange County Parks. Lucky for us, each & every month Michele features one of her favorite Orange County Parks here….

Atlantis Play Center’s playground feels like a work of art. It turns out it was This turned out to be one of my most popular posts. People have very fond memories of this magical place created by artist, Benjamin Dominguez. The park itself is funky, fun, and HUGE! The number one comment I hear from visitors is that it feels safe because “adults are not allowed without kids, and kids are not allowed without adults.”

See the slideshow and more OC playgrounds and play ideas at Fun Orange County Parks.

___________________________________________________________

Thanks Michele! For a more detailed information about the Atlantis Play Center, or to find out about other local parks, be sure to visit Michele at Fun Orange County Parks.

xoxo, K

by C & K in ALWAYS Free & Cheap, Guests Posts, Parks, Playgrounds & Nature, Things To Do in OC with 1 Comment
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02.25.2010 | Guest Post: Rush Park in Los Alamitos

Please help me welcome, Michele of Fun Orange County Parks. I don’t know about you, but as a mom to little ones, I’m always on the look out for new parks to check out. Although we definitely have our favorites we like to visit, it’s always fun & exciting to “play” somewhere new… that’s why I LOVE Michele & her website Fun Orange County Parks. Lucky for us, each & every month Michele features one of her favorite Orange County Parks here….

Rush Park is a great place to meet friends from Long Beach or LA. It’s right off the I-405 at Seal Beach Boulevard with plenty of restaurants and shopping nearby. It’s set in an idyllic neighborhood with big lawns and a manageable playground partially-encircled by a small wall. See the slideshow and more OC playgrounds and play ideas at Fun Orange County Parks.

___________________________________________________________

Thanks Michele! For a more detailed information about Rush Park, or to find out about other local parks, be sure to visit Michele at Fun Orange County Parks.

xoxo, K

by C & K in ALWAYS Free & Cheap, Guests Posts, Parks, Playgrounds & Nature, Things To Do in OC with No Comments
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01.11.2010 | Whale Watching in Dana Point

Did you know that Dana Point Harbor is considered the “Whale Capital of the West”? Whale Watching is definitely in full swing right now. With thousands of California Gray Whales migrating from the cold Artic Seas to the warmer waters of Southern California & Baja, Dana Point Harbor is the perfect place view these beautiful creatures.

Interested in setting sail on your own little adventure? Check out what some of these companies have to offer:

Dana Wharf Sportfishing, (800)979-3370, (Be sure to check out their 2 for 1 special on Tuesdays!)
Aventura Sailing Association, (949)493-9493
Ocean Institute, (949)496-2274
Captain Dave’s Dolphin Safari, (949)488-2828

If you happen to visit the harbor on a Sunday, be sure to check out the Free Kid’s Fishing Clinics. The fishing clinics are held every Sunday from 12pm – 12:45pm. Your kids will receive “dockside experience… Ask the experts and learn new fishing techniques, new hook tying secrets, win raffle prizes and so much more! No reservations are needed!”

xoxo, K
image via Dana Point Harbor

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