Cool down, chill out and zip along while staying close to home this summer vacation.
The itch to get out and go do something — anything — only gets worse on a summer day for the average kid. Trying to find something the whole family can do together can occasionally seem impossible.
The big theme parks are always there, but if you desperately need fresh ideas, fresh places or even old classics you’ve somehow missed, summer is great for that. There are even new ways you can peacefully play with your dog outside home.
Cool down at a waterpark, go for an educational hike, see the stars in the daytime, or play a little fetch. Make a checklist of the different things your family is going to do this summer, and get ready to go.
Rent-a-What???
Sniffspot
A summer day can be well spent with humans and dogs. If you don’t have much of a yard or a nearby park to rely on, yards and properties of all sizes are available to rent in Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles counties and beyond. These yards can be big, expansive areas with trees, grass and various stimuli like dog toys, bushes, hills and pools — some designed just for dogs — and surrounded by dog-sturdy fences. If you and your pal seek something other than a simple yard, there are also private hiking trails, agility parks and even more.
$8-$25 per hour | sniffspot.com
Swimply
Part of living the Southern California dream summer is time in and by the pool. For everyone who doesn’t have a pool, or would like to upgrade for a few hours, private backyard pools are available for rent. Some are basic — if all you need is time in the water. Others are the kidney-shaped mid-century classics, tiki torches and all. Still others might make you think you’re swimming with the stars. But Swimply is also where families can rent pickleball, tennis or basketball courts and even backyards just to gather and relax.
$25-$100 per hour | swimply.com
Crystal Cove Cottages
By the time you’re reading this, the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in Newport Beach are likely booked for the season, but fear not, the tenacious parent can still score a historic cottage by the sea. Check the online booking calendar for cancellations or drop by the check-in office Cottage #35 for last-minute cancellations. Most days, the office will know by 11 a.m.
$49-$313 per night | crystalcove.org
Heat Up, Cool Down
Irvine Ranch Conservancy
A wild swath of land wedged down the middle of the county, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy is a protected reserve of plant and animal life. From wild flowers to mountain lions, IRC’s restoration and education efforts have created a unique wild land experience at the edge of several OC neighborhoods. Hiking and biking trips are always available, but chances to learn about animal tracking, birds, bats, native plants are available as well. Visitors can participate in some trail and land restoration projects as well.
irconservancy.org | letsgooutside.org/activities
Wild Rivers
Wild Rivers waterpark moved across the 5 Freeway and found a big new home at the Great Park in Irvine. Individual and group slides abound, providing rides by raft, belly or seat-of-your-pants. There are large areas available for smaller kids to play, food and drink stands, shaded areas, cabanas and a gentle stream to float along as you work on your tan. Open daily through Aug. 23 and weekends through Oct. 1.
$40-$50 | wildrivers.com
Knott’s Soak City
If your family can’t get enough of water adventure, Knott’s Soak City Waterpark in Buena Park is open select dates through Sept. 10. Catch a ride down 23 different speed, tube and body slides or take a long relaxing trip down the lazy river. The 15-acre waterpark has something for everyone — an interactive kid’s area plus The Wedge family raft ride for the adventurous types. Tidal Wave Bay wave pool has enough room for everyone in the family to catch some waves. After a day of soaking it all in, you can stay at Knott’s Hotel for a real staycation.
Soak City, from $49.99 | Knott’s Hotel, various packages available | knotts.com
Take a Drive — Or Boat Ride
Legoland
With a theme park, waterpark, aquarium and hotel, Legoland in Carlsbad has plenty of ways to keep you around. Ride the Lego space ship or pirate ship, or build and race your own ship. Visit octopi and rays, and when you’re all spent, stay the night at the hotel. Reservations required.
$89-$160 | legoland.com
Griffith Observatory
The sky’s the limit at this famous LA spot. One trip can take you across the stars at the planetarium, watching arching bolts of electricity on a Tesla coil, and seeing what the astronomers see through the observatory’s public telescope. If your timing is right, sunset walk and talks and star parties can also be part of your trip.
Free | griffithobservatory.org
Museum of Illusions / Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
LA’s great museums provide a variety of ways to stir the brain while escaping the heat. The Museum of Science and Industry and the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum remain family favorites, while the LA County Museum of Art and the Getty Museum are must-sees for classic painting and sculpture. Two newer museums offer something different for the eyes. The Museum of Illusions is a feast for visual trickery and even holds an entire upside-down house for your family to leave the marks all over the ceiling. The Academy Museum celebrates the history and artistry of the movies.
academymuseum.org | laillusions.com
Catalina Island
Take the Flyer to that silhouette off the coast and make a weekend of your dreamy destination. Scout for bison, zip line and climb, swing and crawl through obstacles suspended in eucalyptus trees, or explore the water in the glass-bottom boat. Or you can kayak, paddle board or snorkel. When you’re done, plenty of good food and hotels are available onshore. Most have an ocean view you can’t get at home.
catalinainfo.com | visitcatalinaisland.com/things-to-do/
By Shawn Price
Leave a Reply