New Year, New Adventure

So...it's been a while.  I've taken my family on several trips in the months since I last posted.  We've been to Knott's, to Disneyland for Thanskgiving (we got drenched!), and to San Diego.  I was too busy to post a good summary/trip report, so I sort of let things slide.  But, for 2020, I want to change that.  I plan to do at least 1 new thing every month (here's hoping!).  So, we started today.  And wow, my writing has gotten sloppy since I've been taking a break the last few months.  Sorry.

I've been wanting to take my kids to play in the snow for some time.  But, I have this horrible fear of driving in snow, plus I don't own chains, which are typically required.  Recently, someone suggested going to Wrightwood, California, which is located in the mountains between the high desert and San Bernardino.  It turns out there's a really great Facebook page run by Mountain Hardware called Wrightwood Snowplay, which will tell you all you need to know about visiting for snowplay.  The people who run the page and work there are super kind and helpful.  I checked to see if they still had snow after the huge snowstorm that fell near Christmas, checked when the roads had been plowed with no chains required, stopped at the shop for a parking pass to park in the national forest for the day ($5), and got a map where they highlighted 3 great places to play in the snow. Within 20 minutes, we had found a great little spot at Grassy Hollow Visitor's Center to play in the snow. (Mountain Hardware also carries everything you'd need for a trip to the snow including plasic sleds). 

If you go when there's snow, get there early.  It's a popular place.  Typically, people park on the side of the road or at the vista lookouts, so trying to find parking and get around the tons of visitors is a bit challenging, especially as it gets later in the day.  We parked about a quarter mile from a good snowplay area and carried our saucers in.  Note to self (and all of you):  It's a high elevation.  Breathe deeply and slowly.  You might get lightheaded.

I also suggest bringing lots of food, water, and a thermos of your favorite warm beverage.  We brought snacks, but didn't realize the kids would enjoy it as much as they did.  We easily could have stayed a couple more hours if we had brought lunch and more water with us.  Also, there aren't that many restaurants nearby since the easiest route in takes you through the high desert and Wrightwood itself is a small town of less than 5,000 people.  So, make sure if you're considering this trip to plan around those ideas in your head.

Wrightwood snowplay makes for a great day trip if you live in the northern section of the greater Los Angeles area.  Honestly, my only complaint was the traffic/parking situation.  Walking down a narrow road with my kids while there was a ton of traffic was a little harrowing.  But, worth it.  Thankfully, everyone seemed to know to watch for pedestrians. 

The End of Summer Excursions

So, I've been really bad at updating on our adventures for the past month or so.  But, with school starting back up this coming week, I thought it was time to share some of the highlights of our summer vacation. 

First up, my oldest son and I went to Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park.  The observatory is free, though parking up close is $10 and hour and the planetarium shows charge a small fee for tickets.  My son absolutely loves astronomy, so this was a really fun day-trip for him.  His favorite part was the giant model of the solar system.  As an added bonus for tourists, you get a great view of the Hollywood sign from the top of the hill.  I highly recommend this excursion to anyone local or visiting the L.A. area.  Just get there early and be prepared to walk a long distance if you don't want to pay the crazy prices to park up close. 

We also took a trip to Santa Barbara, which has been one of my favorite trips since I was a young child.  We stopped at Stearn's Wharf for lunch and had delicious fish at Moby Dick Restaurant, which has beautiful views of the mountains and the ocean.  The food is good, but it's not cheap, so be prepared to pay about $10 for a child's portion and $20-$40 for an adult meal.  It's definitely worth it, but there are cheaper places to eat in the area, too. 

After lunch, we drove over the the presidio, which is a portion of Santa Barbara that was settled by the Spanish in the late 1700s.  There are exhibits on life back in that time period and opportunities to explore the grounds.  This area is located near shopping and dining in the heart of the city.  It's a great little beach city area to walk through, but parking is a disaster, so plan ahead.  Again, arriving earlier in the day will be your best friend.

Our final adventure of summer took us on our annual trip to the Ventura County Fair.  This year, we decided to go on a weekday, which I think was a good idea.  It felt a lot less crowded and we were able to go on a wristband day, so for $35 per person, my kids were able to ride unlimited rides.  While $35 sounds like a lot, sheets of tickets cost about $25 for 40 tickets. Each ride takes 4+ tickets.  So, really, it was a great bargain.  I think the best part this year though was watching the pig races.  If you're thinking of going out for the festivities this weekend, don't miss the pig races.  Funniest, best action of the day. My little ones agreed.

I'll be honest.  I'm sad to see summer go.  There were so many things we just didn't get to do that I really wanted to.  But, that's okay. We've got plenty of other adventures lined up later this year and next summer.  Best of luck to all of you with kids going back to school soon!