This may seem obvious, but I'm sure each of us has had our plans ruined because we didn't check schedules ahead of time. This has happened to us on a couple of different occasions. For example, in the early days of the internet, we didn't really think about checking out conditions and hours on line. Once, when we were in Colorado, we drove all the way up to Estes Park before learning that Rocky Mountain National Park was still closed because of road conditions. Then we went to the Denver Mint hoping to go on a tour. We waited in line until one of the workers came out and cut off the line with the group just in front of us. If we had signed up for a tour ahead of time, or checked the hours and found out that the cutoff time for tours was before closing time, we would have gotten in. Instead, we added another chapter to our misadventure trip that year.
Another time, when we were in New York, we had planned on visiting the Jewish Children's Museum on a Friday. Unfortunately, we realized too late that it was closed all day on Friday and Saturday, so we missed out on seeing it.
Some places, like Rubel Castle are only open for tours a couple of times a month. Others require reservations ahead of time. So, make sure you do your homework and check the websites ahead of time for pertinent information. Even then, it is often worth the effort to call ahead of time to find out if reservations are recommended even when they aren't required. Last summer, when we went to Texas, we planned on stopping in Corpus Christi to take a boat tour on the Dolphin Connection. Having learned our lesson, we called ahead of time and found out that they didn't do tours on Saturday (even though it didn't say anything about that on their website). Since that was the only day we had planned on being there, we had to change our schedule. By calling ahead, we were able to change our plans before we were locked in to our hotel reservation.
Plan ahead, and good luck!
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Spotlight: Southern California - Rubel Castle
Spotlight: Continuing our tour of southern California, this week's spotlight is on Rubel Pharm and Castle in Glendora. This is truly one of those hidden gems along the path less trodden. My mother, who grew up in Glendora, never heard of it until a few years ago. She took me to see it almost two years ago. We took the tour, which was fascinating. I recommend it for anyone who likes to discover the unique, artistic, or quirky things in life.
Location: 844 N. Live Oak; Glendora, CA 91741
Google map to Rubel Castle
Time: For individuals or small groups (11 or less), tours are scheduled every first Sunday, second Tuesday, second Thursday, third Friday, third Saturday, and fourth Saturday of the month at 10 am. Allow a couple of hours for the tour and exploration.
Cost: $10 donation/adult; $5 donation/child (8-12)
Description: Rubel Castle isn't your typical castle. Rather, it is a castle built out of junk. It was built by Michael Rubel and hundreds of friends, aquaintances, and volunteers over a period of 20+ years during the 60's, 70's, and early 80's.
After purchasing an abandoned citrus packing house, Rubel moved onto the 2 1/2 acre lot with his mother - dancer Dorothy Deuel Rubel. They converted the 200-foot tin structure into a dance hall to host parties in The Tin Palace. Dorothy's friend, actress Sally Rand, never missed a party, and attracted other such celebrities such as Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Alfred Hitchcock.
Meanwhile, Rubel and a group of his friends decided to build their own palace - one they could live in. They cobbled together a castle out of rocks, cement, spare parts, and junk found in the nearby rock quarry, streets, and junk yards. Although most of the structure is made of rock, it is the odd pieces of junk (like bicycle parts, golf clubs, toasters, etc.) cemented into the walls that make it unique. The finished product covers thousands of square feet and is up to 5 stories high in places.
As the project grew, so did the donations. In addition to the castle, there is also an authentic caboose, a 74-foot clock tower (complete with a restored 1911 Seth Thomas clock and working chimes), a water tower, a tree house that people actually lived in, the Bottle House (made completely out of bottles), cars dating back to the 1920's, a blacksmith area, a printing press room, a graveyard with discarded tombstones (but no graves), underground dungeons, a drawbridge, and farm animals.
Rating: 4 1/2 of 5 stars
Things you should know: Tours are available by reservation only at 626-963-0419. There is no live operator, so be prepared to leave a message.
- Although small group tours are only given at limited times (see above), groups of 12-50 may schedule a separate tour 3-4 weeks in advance. Group tours must provide proof of liability insurance or fill out individual waiver forms provided at the website.
Rubel Castle website
- The compound is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The entrance fee donation is tax deductible, and must be paid with cash or check.
Nearby: Raging Waters (San Dimas), Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, Mount Baldy, Hollywood
Location: 844 N. Live Oak; Glendora, CA 91741
Google map to Rubel Castle
Time: For individuals or small groups (11 or less), tours are scheduled every first Sunday, second Tuesday, second Thursday, third Friday, third Saturday, and fourth Saturday of the month at 10 am. Allow a couple of hours for the tour and exploration.
Cost: $10 donation/adult; $5 donation/child (8-12)
Description: Rubel Castle isn't your typical castle. Rather, it is a castle built out of junk. It was built by Michael Rubel and hundreds of friends, aquaintances, and volunteers over a period of 20+ years during the 60's, 70's, and early 80's.
After purchasing an abandoned citrus packing house, Rubel moved onto the 2 1/2 acre lot with his mother - dancer Dorothy Deuel Rubel. They converted the 200-foot tin structure into a dance hall to host parties in The Tin Palace. Dorothy's friend, actress Sally Rand, never missed a party, and attracted other such celebrities such as Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Alfred Hitchcock.
Meanwhile, Rubel and a group of his friends decided to build their own palace - one they could live in. They cobbled together a castle out of rocks, cement, spare parts, and junk found in the nearby rock quarry, streets, and junk yards. Although most of the structure is made of rock, it is the odd pieces of junk (like bicycle parts, golf clubs, toasters, etc.) cemented into the walls that make it unique. The finished product covers thousands of square feet and is up to 5 stories high in places.
As the project grew, so did the donations. In addition to the castle, there is also an authentic caboose, a 74-foot clock tower (complete with a restored 1911 Seth Thomas clock and working chimes), a water tower, a tree house that people actually lived in, the Bottle House (made completely out of bottles), cars dating back to the 1920's, a blacksmith area, a printing press room, a graveyard with discarded tombstones (but no graves), underground dungeons, a drawbridge, and farm animals.
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| motorcycle wall |
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| Drawbridge |
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| bottle house |
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| clock tower |
Things you should know: Tours are available by reservation only at 626-963-0419. There is no live operator, so be prepared to leave a message.
- Although small group tours are only given at limited times (see above), groups of 12-50 may schedule a separate tour 3-4 weeks in advance. Group tours must provide proof of liability insurance or fill out individual waiver forms provided at the website.
Rubel Castle website
- The compound is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The entrance fee donation is tax deductible, and must be paid with cash or check.
Nearby: Raging Waters (San Dimas), Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, Mount Baldy, Hollywood
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Travel Tip #3 - Sun protection
With spring in full bloom, and summer just around the corner, I figured this would be a good time for a reminder about sun protection. Since both of my grandfathers and my father have all had skin cancer, it is something I am careful about. I realize that everyone in today's day and age has heard about UV rays, and the danger they pose; however, just knowing about the dangers doesn't seem to be enough. I am as cautious as anyone, slathering on sun block daily whenever I'm going to be outside during the summer months, but even I occasionally get caught by surprise. So with that in mind, here are a few suggestions to protect you and your family.
1. Whenever you or your children (over the age of 6 months) are going to be outside for more than 20 minutes, make sure you put on about one ounce of sun block. The skin cancer foundation suggests using a sun screen of SPF 15 or higher. SPF 15 blocks approximately 93% of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks approximately 97%. If you have fair skin or a family history of skin cancer, that 4% can make a long term difference. For best results, apply the sun screen about 30 minutes before exposure, and reapply every two hours, or sooner if you have been swimming or sweating heavily (even if you use water resistant sun screen). Since not all sunscreens meet recommended guidelines, you may want to look for the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation.
2. You can be burned even if it is cloudy outside. In fact, most people are more likely to get a sunburn in cloudy weather because they don't think about putting on sun block. The same is true if it is snowy outside. You may think you are safe if it's cold outside, but the snow reflects the UV rays back at you so that you get double exposure.
3. Babies under six months of age should not use sun screen since the chemicals can be harmful to their new skin. Rather, they should be kept out of the sun whenever possible. Just one blistering sunburn as a child doubles your chance of getting melanoma later in life. Since your children aren't aware of the dangers, or are incapable of protecting themselves, parents need to ensure that their kids are properly protected. More babies get sunburned during their second summer rather than their first because parents tend to become less cautious as they get older.
4. Clothing is your first line of defense. Although we tend to expose more skin during the summer, the less amount of skin exposed to the sun, the better protected you are. A light, long-sleeved shirt offers much better protection than a short-sleeved shirt no matter how much sun block you apply. With that in mind, you might want to check out those swim shirts that are becoming more popular. And don't forget to wear a hat - particularly if you are a bit sparse on top. I remember the first time I realized that I had a sunburn on top of my head - talk about adding insult to injury. Sunglasses aren't just for looking cool - the right pair can play an essential role in protecting your eyes from long term sun damage.
5. Seek shade! This is particularly important between the peak hours of 10 am - 4 pm. Of course, the most crucial time to stay out of the sun is during the early afternoon (12 pm - 2 pm). The Skin Cancer Foundation counsels against tanning, particularly tanning beds. Although it adds color to your skin, it also ages it, and puts it at greater risk to various types of skin cancer.
6. Finally, if you do still get burned despite your best efforts, I recommend that you soothe the burn with aloe. It provides immediate relief and helps the skin heal faster.
Have fun in the sun this summer, just don't get burned!
1. Whenever you or your children (over the age of 6 months) are going to be outside for more than 20 minutes, make sure you put on about one ounce of sun block. The skin cancer foundation suggests using a sun screen of SPF 15 or higher. SPF 15 blocks approximately 93% of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks approximately 97%. If you have fair skin or a family history of skin cancer, that 4% can make a long term difference. For best results, apply the sun screen about 30 minutes before exposure, and reapply every two hours, or sooner if you have been swimming or sweating heavily (even if you use water resistant sun screen). Since not all sunscreens meet recommended guidelines, you may want to look for the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation.
2. You can be burned even if it is cloudy outside. In fact, most people are more likely to get a sunburn in cloudy weather because they don't think about putting on sun block. The same is true if it is snowy outside. You may think you are safe if it's cold outside, but the snow reflects the UV rays back at you so that you get double exposure.
3. Babies under six months of age should not use sun screen since the chemicals can be harmful to their new skin. Rather, they should be kept out of the sun whenever possible. Just one blistering sunburn as a child doubles your chance of getting melanoma later in life. Since your children aren't aware of the dangers, or are incapable of protecting themselves, parents need to ensure that their kids are properly protected. More babies get sunburned during their second summer rather than their first because parents tend to become less cautious as they get older.
4. Clothing is your first line of defense. Although we tend to expose more skin during the summer, the less amount of skin exposed to the sun, the better protected you are. A light, long-sleeved shirt offers much better protection than a short-sleeved shirt no matter how much sun block you apply. With that in mind, you might want to check out those swim shirts that are becoming more popular. And don't forget to wear a hat - particularly if you are a bit sparse on top. I remember the first time I realized that I had a sunburn on top of my head - talk about adding insult to injury. Sunglasses aren't just for looking cool - the right pair can play an essential role in protecting your eyes from long term sun damage.
5. Seek shade! This is particularly important between the peak hours of 10 am - 4 pm. Of course, the most crucial time to stay out of the sun is during the early afternoon (12 pm - 2 pm). The Skin Cancer Foundation counsels against tanning, particularly tanning beds. Although it adds color to your skin, it also ages it, and puts it at greater risk to various types of skin cancer.
6. Finally, if you do still get burned despite your best efforts, I recommend that you soothe the burn with aloe. It provides immediate relief and helps the skin heal faster.
Have fun in the sun this summer, just don't get burned!
Monday, April 20, 2015
Spotlight: Southern California - Balboa
Spotlight: If you are planning a trip to southern California, you are probably planning on spending some time at the beach. Some people enjoy picking a beach and spending all day lying on the sand and playing in the waves. If your family is like my family, however, that gets old pretty fast. When we choose a beach, we try to look for one that offers a variety of activities. One idea is to try Balboa.
Location: The Balboa Peninsula juts southeast of Newport Beach. Balboa Island is sheltered inside Newport Harbor between the peninsula and the mainland.
Google Map to Balboa Pier
Time: You can spend all day, or a couple of hours. Your only limit is the amount of time you pay for at the parking meter.
Cost: bike rentals - most are $10/day
- Ferry to the islands $1/adult & $0.50/child (add an extra $1 for a car and $0.25/bike)
- Fun zone rides cost per ride (between $4-$10)
- Parking can be found for as cheap as $0.50/hour near the pier
Description: Balboa Peninsula does have nice sandy beaches where you can lay out in the sun and play on the water. But it offers other activities as well:
- The Newport Balboa Bike Trail parallels the beach and is designed for both walking and biking. There are plenty of bike rental shops along the beach that offer tandem bikes and bicycle-powered carts in addition to regular ones. This allows you the freedom to explore the coastline, the city, or the nearby islands.
- The Balboa Island Ferry ferries cars, bikes, and pedestrians from the peninsula over to the islands for a small fee. Or you can drive across from the mainland on Marine Avenue. Once there, you can explore the quaint neighborhoods filled with cute little homes or shop in the quaint, family-owned shops and restaurants that line Marine Avenue. Many people rent these homes for a week of sailing, kayaking, fishing, or other coastal activities.
- Right next to the ferry is the Balboa Fun Zone. It offers a few carnival style rides for kids, including the "longest Ferris Wheel ride," the Ocean Motion bungee ride, and a mechanical bull shark. There is also an arcade.
- Next to the Fun Zone, the ExplorOcean Literacy Center is dedicated to teaching children about the ocean through a variety of hands-on activities.
- In the fun zone, you can also check out the various tour excursions that are available - including fishing trips, a semi-submarine ride, and whale-watching tours. You can also rent a variety of boats, kayaks, etc. by the hour or for the day.
- The Balboa Pier offers a scenic stroll out to the famous, original Ruby's Diner. If you are lucky you may even spot a whale or sea lion swimming near the pier.
- The beach isn't just a beach. There is playground equipment on the sand next to the pier that the kids can play on when they get tired of splashing in the waves. There is also grass areas with shaded picnic tables and soccer goals.
- To top off the day, try out the famous Balboa Bars - ice cream bars dipped in chocolate and covered in sprinkles. Or, if you prefer, there are plenty of other ice creams and goodies to choose from.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars (out of five)
Things You Should Know: The beach gets crowded on weekends and holidays (especially in the summer), so you need to get there early to get a spot.
- There are charcoal fire pits available on a first-come basis (6 am - 10 pm).
- South of the pier there is a drop-off, where the water gets deep pretty fast.
Nearby: Fashion Island shopping mall, Jetpack America, Catalina Island, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach
Location: The Balboa Peninsula juts southeast of Newport Beach. Balboa Island is sheltered inside Newport Harbor between the peninsula and the mainland.
Google Map to Balboa Pier
Time: You can spend all day, or a couple of hours. Your only limit is the amount of time you pay for at the parking meter.
Cost: bike rentals - most are $10/day
- Ferry to the islands $1/adult & $0.50/child (add an extra $1 for a car and $0.25/bike)
- Fun zone rides cost per ride (between $4-$10)
- Parking can be found for as cheap as $0.50/hour near the pier
Description: Balboa Peninsula does have nice sandy beaches where you can lay out in the sun and play on the water. But it offers other activities as well:
- The Newport Balboa Bike Trail parallels the beach and is designed for both walking and biking. There are plenty of bike rental shops along the beach that offer tandem bikes and bicycle-powered carts in addition to regular ones. This allows you the freedom to explore the coastline, the city, or the nearby islands.
- The Balboa Island Ferry ferries cars, bikes, and pedestrians from the peninsula over to the islands for a small fee. Or you can drive across from the mainland on Marine Avenue. Once there, you can explore the quaint neighborhoods filled with cute little homes or shop in the quaint, family-owned shops and restaurants that line Marine Avenue. Many people rent these homes for a week of sailing, kayaking, fishing, or other coastal activities.
- Right next to the ferry is the Balboa Fun Zone. It offers a few carnival style rides for kids, including the "longest Ferris Wheel ride," the Ocean Motion bungee ride, and a mechanical bull shark. There is also an arcade.
- Next to the Fun Zone, the ExplorOcean Literacy Center is dedicated to teaching children about the ocean through a variety of hands-on activities.
- In the fun zone, you can also check out the various tour excursions that are available - including fishing trips, a semi-submarine ride, and whale-watching tours. You can also rent a variety of boats, kayaks, etc. by the hour or for the day.
- The Balboa Pier offers a scenic stroll out to the famous, original Ruby's Diner. If you are lucky you may even spot a whale or sea lion swimming near the pier.
- The beach isn't just a beach. There is playground equipment on the sand next to the pier that the kids can play on when they get tired of splashing in the waves. There is also grass areas with shaded picnic tables and soccer goals.
- To top off the day, try out the famous Balboa Bars - ice cream bars dipped in chocolate and covered in sprinkles. Or, if you prefer, there are plenty of other ice creams and goodies to choose from.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars (out of five)
Things You Should Know: The beach gets crowded on weekends and holidays (especially in the summer), so you need to get there early to get a spot.
- There are charcoal fire pits available on a first-come basis (6 am - 10 pm).
- South of the pier there is a drop-off, where the water gets deep pretty fast.
Nearby: Fashion Island shopping mall, Jetpack America, Catalina Island, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach
Friday, April 17, 2015
Travel Tip #2 - Meals at Amusement Parks
Buying meals at amusement parks usually ends up costing as much as the ticket itself. Since amusement parks have a monopoly on the food sold within their confines, as well as a "captive audience" that is unlikely to drive around looking for more affordable options, they can jack up the prices without losing too many sales. Even when they allow other food chains to sell within their gates, they get their cut, which is mostly paid for by the customer. So how do you spend a day at the park without ruining the budget?
One idea is to only purchase one meal. This can be done fairly easily with a little planning, even if you plan on staying late. If you eat a big breakfast, you can have a late lunch/early dinner at around 3:00. This will usually allow you to make it through the rest of the day unless the park stays open really late. Even then you can probably tide yourself over with a less expensive snack (like a funnel cake). In any case, eating meals at non-traditional mealtimes means shorter lines - you are riding while others are eating, and eating while others are riding.
Even though most parks won't let you bring food into the parks under the guise of security issues, you can always keep a cooler of food in the car. A parking lot meal might not have the ambiance of the park restaurants, but it is a lot more affordable. And besides, you are there for the rides, not the food. A few amusement parks even have picnic tables available to their guests. Also, don't just assume that they won't let you bring food into the park. Each venue is different, so check the website regarding their guidelines. You may be able to carry a pack around with snacks inside it - particularly if you have food allergies. At the very least, you can stash some snacks in the car to take the edge off your hunger on the ride home.
If you have a season pass to an amusement park, you may want to look into buying a season food pass as well. It would be a lot less expensive than buying meals each time you go. If season food passes aren't offered, it would be worth the effort to check out the prices at the different food venues within the park. In the past, I've been surprised to discover that the amount of food offered per dollar often varies greatly from one restaurant to another within the same park.
Regardless of what route you go, the most important thing is to have a food budget, and stick to it. Make sure your kids understand the budget too. For example, we usually tell our girls that they can have one snack, so they should choose wisely. Do whatever works for your family.
Regardless of what route you go, the most important thing is to have a food budget, and stick to it. Make sure your kids understand the budget too. For example, we usually tell our girls that they can have one snack, so they should choose wisely. Do whatever works for your family.
Bon appetit!
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Spotlight: Southern California - Magic Mountain
Spotlight: A trip to southern California usually includes a trip to Disneyland. Having lived more than half of my life in SoCal, I have been to the "Happiest Place on Earth" many times - and enjoyed it every time. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most crowded places on Earth, and between tickets, food, souvenirs, parking, etc., one day can easily eat up the bulk of your travel budget. Luckily, there are several other amusements parks around that are less expensive, less crowded, or both. The most famous are: Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Location: Just off I-5 at 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
Google map to Magic Mountain
Time: Hours vary depending on the season, but plan to stay all day.
Cost: General admission - $69.99 (the same as a season pass). But if you order single day passes on-line 3-5 days in advance, you can get big discounts ($44.99). Parking is $20. Food is typical of amusement park prices. However, because of an agreement with Discover card, any purchases you make with your Discover card earns you 5% back. Also, if you plan on going to two Six Flags parks during the year, it is worth it to buy the season pass.
Description: Magic Mountain is hands down the best amusement park in southern California for roller coaster enthusiasts. The park is home to several Grade A roller coasters including: Full Throttle, X2, Goliath, Scream, Green Lantern, Batman, The Riddler's Revenge, Tatsu, and Viper. It also has several Grade B coasters including: Twisted Colossus (not yet open, but will replace the wooden icon that was damaged by fire), Superman, Ninja, Apocalypse, Gold Rusher, and Revolution. There are several other non-coaster thrill rides including: Lex Luther: Drop of Doom, Scrambler, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Swashbuckler, Buccaneer, Roaring Rapids, Jet Stream, and Tidal Wave. Bugs Bunny World has about a dozen rides geared toward a younger audience. Whistlestop Park also has a couple of kid rides.
In addition to rides, the park has a couple of arcades and several carnival-style games. There are also several entertainment venues that host shows between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The park has dozens of restaurants or food stands including Panda Express, Famiglia, Johnny Rockets, and Cold Stone.
- The videos on the official site can give you a much better idea of the rides than pictures can:
https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Things You Should Know: Almost all rides (including Bugs Bunny World) have a minimum height requirement of 36 inches. Most roller coasters have a minimum height requirement of 48 inches.
- If you have an injury or medical condition, you will not be allowed on some rides due to safety restrictions. To get a detailed list of which rides have which restrictions, you can obtain a copy of the Safety & Accessibility Guide at Guest Relations.
- You are not allowed to carry bags of any kind on most rides. Most rides have boxes where you can leave bags, hats, phones, etc., but some do not and you will be required to use a locker ($1) for the duration of the ride. So if it isn't essential, don't carry it with you.
- Be extra cautious about cell phones. Unless you have deep pockets, the g-forces generated by many coasters will cause them to fly out and shatter. (We know from personal experience.)
- You will get wet on a few rides, so you may want to ride them early so that you have a chance to dry off before it cools down.
- If you are a Discover cardholder, get in the early entrance line. It will give you a 5 minute head start to your favorite coaster before the gates open for the general public.
- If you buy a season pass, you may also want to purchase a season dining pass that gives you lunch and dinner with every visit.
- You can upgrade your season pass to include Hurricane Harbor - the adjacent water park.
Nearby: Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, Rocky Peak Park, Santa Barbara, L.A.
Location: Just off I-5 at 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
Google map to Magic Mountain
Time: Hours vary depending on the season, but plan to stay all day.
Cost: General admission - $69.99 (the same as a season pass). But if you order single day passes on-line 3-5 days in advance, you can get big discounts ($44.99). Parking is $20. Food is typical of amusement park prices. However, because of an agreement with Discover card, any purchases you make with your Discover card earns you 5% back. Also, if you plan on going to two Six Flags parks during the year, it is worth it to buy the season pass.
Description: Magic Mountain is hands down the best amusement park in southern California for roller coaster enthusiasts. The park is home to several Grade A roller coasters including: Full Throttle, X2, Goliath, Scream, Green Lantern, Batman, The Riddler's Revenge, Tatsu, and Viper. It also has several Grade B coasters including: Twisted Colossus (not yet open, but will replace the wooden icon that was damaged by fire), Superman, Ninja, Apocalypse, Gold Rusher, and Revolution. There are several other non-coaster thrill rides including: Lex Luther: Drop of Doom, Scrambler, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Swashbuckler, Buccaneer, Roaring Rapids, Jet Stream, and Tidal Wave. Bugs Bunny World has about a dozen rides geared toward a younger audience. Whistlestop Park also has a couple of kid rides.
 |
| Looking up at Tatsu |
- The videos on the official site can give you a much better idea of the rides than pictures can:
https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Things You Should Know: Almost all rides (including Bugs Bunny World) have a minimum height requirement of 36 inches. Most roller coasters have a minimum height requirement of 48 inches.
- If you have an injury or medical condition, you will not be allowed on some rides due to safety restrictions. To get a detailed list of which rides have which restrictions, you can obtain a copy of the Safety & Accessibility Guide at Guest Relations.
- You are not allowed to carry bags of any kind on most rides. Most rides have boxes where you can leave bags, hats, phones, etc., but some do not and you will be required to use a locker ($1) for the duration of the ride. So if it isn't essential, don't carry it with you.
- Be extra cautious about cell phones. Unless you have deep pockets, the g-forces generated by many coasters will cause them to fly out and shatter. (We know from personal experience.)
- You will get wet on a few rides, so you may want to ride them early so that you have a chance to dry off before it cools down.
- If you are a Discover cardholder, get in the early entrance line. It will give you a 5 minute head start to your favorite coaster before the gates open for the general public.
- If you buy a season pass, you may also want to purchase a season dining pass that gives you lunch and dinner with every visit.
- You can upgrade your season pass to include Hurricane Harbor - the adjacent water park.
Nearby: Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, Rocky Peak Park, Santa Barbara, L.A.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Travel Tip #1 - Navigating California Freeways
If you visit California, you have to be prepared to travel the convoluted freeway system. Not only is there a maze of freeways that merge and separate with others every couple of miles, it seems that every time you merge onto another one the traffic is jammed up even worse than the previous one had been. Occasionally you get lucky and find a freeway on which you can actually travel close to the posted speed limit; but often, it looks more like a parking lot. So, how do you avoid spending most of your vacation idling away your time and gas? Through careful planning, you might be able to find the path less trodden.
One suggestion is to find one place you want to visit, and stay there. That way you only have to drive in and out once. There are plenty of time shares that you can rent for the week and plenty of hotels. Unfortunately, the ones near the major tourist attractions are quite pricey.
Another suggestion is to take public transportation. Granted, LA's subway system isn't quite as advanced as most of the eastern cities, but depending on where you are, and where you want to go, the Metro Link might be an option.
Of course, a third option is to ask a local. The freeway system is a maze of interconnecting freeways that allow you more than one route to your destination. GPS devices will find the shortest route, but that doesn't often translate into the quickest route. On the other hand, most Californians know the best times to travel each freeway, and what times to avoid - despite the fact that most work schedules don't allow them to take advantage of that knowledge. For example, you want to avoid driving towards LA or Orange County during the morning hours (particularly between 5-10 am); and avoid driving away from the cities in the afternoon hours (particularly between 2-7 pm). If you have flexibility in your itinerary to do that, great. Unfortunately, visiting most tourist attractions will force you to drive with the traffic rather than against it. If that is the case, you might want to consider listening to 1070 AM - with traffic reports every ten minutes.
Good luck!
One suggestion is to find one place you want to visit, and stay there. That way you only have to drive in and out once. There are plenty of time shares that you can rent for the week and plenty of hotels. Unfortunately, the ones near the major tourist attractions are quite pricey.
Another suggestion is to take public transportation. Granted, LA's subway system isn't quite as advanced as most of the eastern cities, but depending on where you are, and where you want to go, the Metro Link might be an option.
Of course, a third option is to ask a local. The freeway system is a maze of interconnecting freeways that allow you more than one route to your destination. GPS devices will find the shortest route, but that doesn't often translate into the quickest route. On the other hand, most Californians know the best times to travel each freeway, and what times to avoid - despite the fact that most work schedules don't allow them to take advantage of that knowledge. For example, you want to avoid driving towards LA or Orange County during the morning hours (particularly between 5-10 am); and avoid driving away from the cities in the afternoon hours (particularly between 2-7 pm). If you have flexibility in your itinerary to do that, great. Unfortunately, visiting most tourist attractions will force you to drive with the traffic rather than against it. If that is the case, you might want to consider listening to 1070 AM - with traffic reports every ten minutes.
Good luck!
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Spotlight: Southern California - Palos Verdes Shipwreck Hike
Spotlight: This month's spotlight is Southern California. When most people think of vacations in southern California, they either think of Disneyland or the beach. Having grown up in southern California, I understand the attraction of both. Yet I also know that there is so much more. Since I'm spending spring break down here this year, I decided to highlight some of the things we are doing; activities that are more affordable alternatives and will add some variety to the typical CA vacation trip. Up first, the Palos Verdes Shipwreck Hike - a hike I had never heard about until about a week ago, despite having lived here for more than 24 years of my life.
Location: Palos Verdes, southern California. There are two recommended starting points:
The entrance to the Drain Pipe Trail is located to the right of the home located at 1801 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates at the junction of Paseo Del Mar with Cloyden Rd.
The entrance to the Rocky Shore Trail is located near the intersection of Paseo Del Mar and Oakley Road (northwest of Avenida Mirola).
Originally named the Melville Jacoby, the Dominator changed hands and names several times over the next decade. On March 13, 1961, the Dominator was en route to Los Angeles when she ran aground at Palos Verdes Point. After a two day fight to save the ship, it was finally abandoned. The cargo was unloaded before the ship broke apart. Its remains have since been strewn along the coast by the waves, but the bulk of the shipwreck remains stranded on the rocks at Palos Verdes Point.
The shipwreck is fun to explore and provides several fascinating photo opportunities. It is also fun to try and guess the purpose of the various pieces of wreckage you run across. Also, if you keep your eyes peeled, you can find several small forts with fire pits nestled along the bluff. It is definitely one of the most unique hikes you can take in SoCal.
Things you should know: Wear sturdy close-toed shoes with good traction. The trails down the bluff are steep and must be navigated cautiously. This hike is not recommended for small children, older people, pets, anyone scared of heights, or anyone who isn't in good physical condition. The rocks along the shore can be unstable and/or slippery - particularly when wet, so use caution and take your time. You will occasionally run across dead birds among the rocks, so beware of flies. The trail heads are unmarked, so don't bother looking for signs. Make sure you are aware of the parking restrictions before you start so that you can leave yourself plenty of time. The shipwreck is old and rusty, so handle with care.
Nearby: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Redondo Beach
Location: Palos Verdes, southern California. There are two recommended starting points:
The entrance to the Drain Pipe Trail is located to the right of the home located at 1801 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates at the junction of Paseo Del Mar with Cloyden Rd.
The entrance to the Rocky Shore Trail is located near the intersection of Paseo Del Mar and Oakley Road (northwest of Avenida Mirola).
https://www.google.com/maps/place/1801+Paseo+Del+Mar,+Palos+Verdes+Estates,+CA+90274/@33.7818169,-118.421857,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x80dd4cf41cb47121:0xcff5dc9408073c37
Time: The entire hike takes about 2 hours. The best time to go is during low tide. Also, there are parking restrictions on the streets on the bluff. Since they are different on each side of the street, make sure you either start well before 11:00 am, or after 11:00 am.
Time: The entire hike takes about 2 hours. The best time to go is during low tide. Also, there are parking restrictions on the streets on the bluff. Since they are different on each side of the street, make sure you either start well before 11:00 am, or after 11:00 am.
Cost: Free
Description: The Palos Verdes Shipwreck Hike is definitely along the "path less trodden." It starts at the top of a bluff in Palos Verdes, just south of L.A. There are two principal routes down - the Drain Pipe Trail to the north of Palos Verdes Point or the Rocky Shore Trail that starts south of the point. There is a third unofficial trail down from the Blufftop Trail, but it is extremely steep and fairly hazardous. If you take the Drain Pipe Trail, you start about 3/4 of a mile north of the wreck. Carefully walk down the drainpipe or the cement covered cliff just to the side of it. From there you hike south along the rocky shore about three quarters of a mile to the shipwreck. There are lots of rusty parts strewn all across the way. The Rocky Shore Trail starts about half a mile southeast of the wreck. After going down the narrow, twisting path along the side of the cliff, head northwest to the remains of the SS Dominator - a Greek freighter built during WWII.
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| "Trail" down from Blufftop Trail (not recommended) |
Originally named the Melville Jacoby, the Dominator changed hands and names several times over the next decade. On March 13, 1961, the Dominator was en route to Los Angeles when she ran aground at Palos Verdes Point. After a two day fight to save the ship, it was finally abandoned. The cargo was unloaded before the ship broke apart. Its remains have since been strewn along the coast by the waves, but the bulk of the shipwreck remains stranded on the rocks at Palos Verdes Point.
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| A view of the wreckage site |
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| The most interesting piece of wreckage |
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| The hull |
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| A fort we found along the side of the cliff |
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Things you should know: Wear sturdy close-toed shoes with good traction. The trails down the bluff are steep and must be navigated cautiously. This hike is not recommended for small children, older people, pets, anyone scared of heights, or anyone who isn't in good physical condition. The rocks along the shore can be unstable and/or slippery - particularly when wet, so use caution and take your time. You will occasionally run across dead birds among the rocks, so beware of flies. The trail heads are unmarked, so don't bother looking for signs. Make sure you are aware of the parking restrictions before you start so that you can leave yourself plenty of time. The shipwreck is old and rusty, so handle with care.
Nearby: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Redondo Beach
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
The Path Less Trodden
Robert Frost wrote a poem called "The Road Not Taken."
That poem was the inspiration for the name of this blog. As a school teacher, I find that although I often have time to travel, I don't usually have the money to travel everywhere I would like to go. Instead, I have to choose places that are more affordable. This has led me off the beaten path, away from some of the pricey, busy tourist traps to hidden gems along paths less trodden. I have often found that these less trodden locations are much more enjoyable than the overpriced, overcrowded tourist traps. They definitely provide more bang for your buck.
This blog will be dedicated to travel tips designed to save you money and make your trip more enjoyable. I will also spotlight places I've traveled to - particularly hidden gems along the path less trodden.
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."That poem was the inspiration for the name of this blog. As a school teacher, I find that although I often have time to travel, I don't usually have the money to travel everywhere I would like to go. Instead, I have to choose places that are more affordable. This has led me off the beaten path, away from some of the pricey, busy tourist traps to hidden gems along paths less trodden. I have often found that these less trodden locations are much more enjoyable than the overpriced, overcrowded tourist traps. They definitely provide more bang for your buck.
This blog will be dedicated to travel tips designed to save you money and make your trip more enjoyable. I will also spotlight places I've traveled to - particularly hidden gems along the path less trodden.
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