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Year: 2018

Make the Most of Your Night at Knott’s Scary Farm with the Fast & Fright Lane Pass

/ SoCal Fun

I was hosted for a night at Knott’s Scary Farm in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. 

Let’s talk about Knott’s Scary Farm. Have you ever been before to this extremely popular & terrifying event here in Southern California? ? It’s so scary and also so much fun! This year, Knott’s Scary Farm’s lineup includes 9 terrifying mazes to take on,, special shows and frightening experiences just for Knott’s Scary Farm nights, 100s of roaming monsters and ghosts roaming the streets of Ghost Town and the other Scare Zones plus tons of attractions to ride.  There’s a lot to tackle between the hours of 7pm and 2am (It closes at 1am on some nights.)We had the opportunity to experience Knott’s Scary Farm in a whole new way: with a Fright & Fast Lane Pass! It was a game-changer and that’s no exaggeration! Some nights at Knott’s Scary Farm draw pretty large crowds, especially as it gets closer to Halloween.The Fast & Fright Lane add-on option is available for guests to upgrade their regular Knott’s Scary Farm ticket .I would highly recommend adding on Fright & Fast Lane to your Knott’s Scary Farm ticket because it definitely helps you make the most of your night.What is a Fright & Fast Lane Pass? 
This special pass, available as an add-on to your Knott’s Scary Farm ticket (see pricing HERE) grants you unlimited priority access to all 9 mazes and unlimited priority boarding to  the 13 regular Fast Lane attractions. It’s good for a single night at Knott’s Scary Farm and totally worth it!

Here are the 2018 Mazes included in Fright & Fast Lane :

  • Trick or Treat
  • The Depths (new for this year)
  • Paranormal, Inc.
  • Dark Entities  (new for this year)
  • Special Ops: Infected
  • The Red Barn
  • Dark Ride
  • Shadow Lands
  • Pumpkin Eater

These are the Fast Lane attractions you’ll have unlimited, priority boarding to:

  • GhostRider
  • Voyage to the Iron Reef
  • Pony Express
  • Xcelerator
  • Supreme Scream
  • Montezuma’s Revenge
  • Sierra Sidewinder
  • Halloween Hootenanny (aka Timber Mountain Log Ride)
  • Silver Bullet
  • Calico Mine Ride
  • Coast Rider
  • Jaguar!
  • HangTime

How does Fright & Fast Lane work? 
The best way to purchase a Fright & Fast Lane pass is beforehand and online. After you purchase it, you print out the confirmation and bring it with you to the Park where you’ll exchange it for a wristband at Guest Relations. The wristband must be kept on the entire night and you’ll be asked to show it at the entrance to each maze and/or attraction you wish priority access to. Each member in your party must purchase their own Fright & Fast lane wristband in order to gain the priority entry to mazes and attractions.Is Fright & Fast Lane worth it? 
With the Fright & Fast Lane wristbands, our family was able to get through all nine of the mazes in a little less than 4 hours. We actually did a few of them twice! We still had plenty of time for riding attractions (Have you gone on HangTime at night yet?), exploring all of the Scare Zones and getting chased by the monsters and also time for some of our favorite Knott’s treats. It’s totally worth it! Knott’s offers “Scary Farm” Packages
Did you know that Knott’s offers packages that include your Knott’s Scary Farm ticket and a Fright & Fast Lane wristband? For information about it, please go HERE. Also, don’t forget to purchase your Knott’s Scary Farm parking online (beforehand) HERE to save money on it. Guests can also book a hotel package at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, which is adjacent to the park. More information about hotel packages can be found HERE.

We had a blast checking out Knott’s Scary Farm this year and having the opportunity to take our daughter for her first experience. It’s recommended for guests 13 years and older. In my opinion, there are some 13 year olds who can handle it but there also may be some who are not yet ready. Some of the stuff you see and experience is really scary so just take that into consideration when deciding if it’s right for your own child.Knott’s Scary Farm Tip #1: Arrive early and they’ll let you into the front of the Park before 7pm. Then you can take some photos before all of the madness starts! Look for the cute backdrops right at the entrance. FunPix photographers are also on-hand taking pics. FunPix which is something you can add-on to your experience and have access to all of your event and ride photos.  

Knott’s Scary Farm Tip #2: Dress for the weather. Since this event is held at night, dress accordingly. Also, remember your feet. If you wear comfy, closed toe shoes, your feet will thank you. Knott’s Scary Farm even happens in the rain so be sure to bring a sweatshirt or jacket with you in case it rains. Also, the shops sell plastic ponchos if it does start raining. 

A very special THANK YOU to Knott’s for hosting our family at Knott’s Scary Farm. It was such a fun night taking our daughter for her first time and we can’t wait to return again! For more information about Knott’s Scary Farm, go HERE.

Some images and graphics are property of Knott’s and used with permission. 

Guide to Knott’s Camp Spooky Weekends Through 10/28

/ Knott's, SoCal Fun

I was invited to spend a day in the Park in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. 

If you’re looking for a great place in Southern California to spend the day celebrating fall and Halloween with your family, you should definitely head over to Knott’s Berry Farm. This time of year you’ll find all kinds of Halloween fun there during the weekend daytimes because it’s transformed into Knott’s Spooky Farm, a kid-inspired Halloween celebration with special “spooky” activities.

Here are some of the “spooky” things to do at Knott’s Spooky Farm this year: 

  • Go trick-or-treating throughout Ghost Town – Little ghouls can walk through Calico to collect sweet Halloween treats from the friendly ghosts and shopkeepers. Trick-or-Treating in Ghost Town is newly expanded and is sponsored by Hershey’s this year. Treat bags are available at the entrance for guests ages 3-11.
  • Visit the Creepy Critters of Calico – Guests of all ages can roam through the Livery Stable to get up close and personal with the creepy critters of Calico. There are insects and other bugs, snakes and other reptiles, rats, and the “Skeleton” horses.
  • Peanuts Costume Contest – Enter the Peanuts Costume Contest held over in the Camp Snoopy Theater. After the contest, sing and dance along with your favorite Peanuts characters in a dance party!
  • Pumpkin Decorating – Pick out a pumpkin and decorate it over in the Calico Park Pumpkin Patch. (for an additional fee)
  • Cookie Decorating – Stop by Calico Park and grab a Peanuts box filled with supplies and a freshly baked cookie to decorate. (for an additional fee)
  • Hope aboard the Grand Sierra Railroad –  This railway, located in Camp Snoopy, is transformed into a one-of-a-kind experience which takes riders on an adventure, along with the Peanuts Gang, to Camp Spooky with added special Halloween effects. It’s a spooky good time!
  • Ride Halloween Hootenanny – During Knott’s Spooky Farm, Timber Mountain Log Ride is transformed into Halloween Hootenanny which features fun surprises inside the ride as you ride past Calico Coffin Creeper Band, the town’s Green Witch, and splash down Skull Mountain at the end. It’s even scarier at nighttime during Knott’s Scary Farm!
  •  Dia De Los Muertos Celebration – Stop by Fiesta Village to admire all of the Dia de los Muertos decor.

Knott’s Spooky Farm also features Halloween-themed entertainment  including  a friendly magician who mystifies little ones with spell-binding tricks, “The Monsters are Coming” show in Camp Snoopy Theater, and . For a full schedule of entertainment, check out Knott’s  daily schedule HERE. All of the Knott’s Spooky Farm fun is included with regular park admission or your 2018 Season Pass. If you aren’t a current Knott’s Season Pass holder, now is the best time of the year to grab yours for 2019! A Knott’s Season Pass has no blackout dates plus allows you to enjoy early entry to select rides during the summer and special discounts on food & merchandise,

A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2019 to Knott’s Berry Farm with no blackout dates. New Passholders: Receive one free visit this year plus $14.99 additional visits for the remainder of 2018. Free visit and $14.99 additional visits not valid for Scary Farm or special events. Renewing Passholders: Receive a limited time renewal price and one free Bring-A-Friend Ticket valid any fall daytime from September 8, 2018 – December 14, 2018. Right now, a Regular Pass is just 11 Easy Payments of $7.50 ( After an initial payment of $12.50 due on the date of purchase). This pass can also be purchased for $95 total + applicable taxes and fees.  Applicable taxes and fees apply online. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.

Knott’s also offers a Gold Season Pass which includes unlimited admission in 2019 to both Knott’s Berry Farm and the newly expanded Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blackout dates. New Passholders: Receive one free visit this year plus $14.99 additional visits for the remainder of 2018. Free visit and $14.99 additional visits not valid for Scary Farm or special events. Renewing Passholders: Receive a limited time renewal price and one free Bring-A-Friend Ticket valid any fall daytime from September 8, 2018 – December 14, 2018. Right now, the Gold Pass is available for just 11 Easy Payments of $9 (after an initial payment of $16 due on the date of purchase) This pass can also be purchased for $115 total. + plus applicable taxes and fees. Applicable taxes and fees apply online. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.
Knott’s Spooky Farm runs weekends September 29 – October 28  and on Halloween Day. Hours vary from day to day so check out their daily calendar HERE. For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott’s Berry Farm, visit knotts.com and follow the conversation using #KnottsSpookyFarm.

How to Get Into Knott’s Scary Farm Early + Fright & Fast Lane Add-On

/ Knott's, SoCal Fun

I was provided with media tickets in exchange for coverage. All opinions are my own.

Have you had been to Knott’s Scary Farm yet this year? It’s Southern California’s largest and most terrifying annual Halloween event and it’s not for the faint of heart!  Knott’s Scary Farm only happens at night after the regular Knott’s Berry Farm Park is closed. The Park is fully transformed into “Scary Farm” and comes alive with more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding in every corner. haunted houses, mazes and attractions, sinister shows, a dozen thrill rides in the dark and more!Each night at Knott’s Scary Farm is unique as monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into terrifying scare zones. From the world famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide in Knott’s Scary Farm. It’s where nightmares never end! So, if you’re curious about how exactly you can gain early access to Knott’s Scary Farm, there is a way, so lean in while I spill. The Knott’s Scary Farm BOO-fet Grants Guests Early Access to the Park 
Come early and munch with the monsters before you face your fears! Treat yourself to a Knott’s Scary Farm BOO-fet dinner followed by early entrance (included with the BOO-fet) to select areas of Knott’s Scary Farm. The BOO-fet features endless portions of signature Knott’s entrees and desserts + receive a souvenir cup, which is a $14.99 value.)  Buy your Knott’s Scary Farm BOO-fet online HERE and save $5 off the price. Our friends over at Family Review Guide dined at Knott’s Scary Farm’s BOO-fet and the food looks fabulous. You can read about their dining experience HERE.

Please note: A separate Knott’s Scary Farm Admission is required for entry to the BOO-fet and is not included in the price of Boo-fet dinner itself. 

Add on Fast & Fright Lane to Your Knott’s Scary Farm Ticket
If you’re looking for a way to make your night out at Knott’s Scary Farm even better, consider adding on Fright & Fast Lane wristband to your ticket. With this special add-on, you’ll receive unlimited priority access for all mazes plus priority boarding on all Fast Lane rides. You can ride and scream as many times as you want, all night long! Fright & Fast Lane rides include:

  • The all-new HangTime
  • Ghostrider
  • Xcelerator
  • Voyage to the Iron Reef
  • Coast Rider
  • Silver Bullet
  • Calico Mine Ride
  • Sierra Sidewinder
  • Pony Express
  • Montezooma’s Revenge
  • Jaguar!
  • Supreme Scream
  • Halloween Hootenanny (a.k.a. Timber Mountain Log Ride)

For more information about the Fast & Fright Lane add-on, please go HERE. Please note: Admission to Knott’s Scary Farm is not included with Fast & Fright Lane. 

 

 


There are also hotel packages available at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, which is adjacent to the Park. You can “Scream and Dream” with a Knott’s Scary Farm Hotel Package. Play late and stay just steps away from the park. Nightmares are guaranteed. Click HERE to learn more about package details, pricing and availability.
This year, Knott’s Scary Farm runs select Thursday – Sunday nights through October 31. There are also 2 Wednesday evening dates on October 24 and October 31. The event hours are as follows:

  • Thursday nights – 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
  • Friday/Saturday/Sunday nights – 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
  • Wednesday October 24 & Wednesday October 31 – 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

To view the Knott’s Scary Farm calendar with remaining 2018 event dates, please go HERE.

Some images and logos are property of Knott’s and used with permission. 

 

 

 

Help Wipe Out Breast Cancer at Valvoline Instant Oil Change Locations

/ Lifestyle

I partnered with Valvoline Instant Oil Change for this post.  All opinions are my own. 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I’ve already seen the color pink popping up everywhere. From pink ribbons to special pink products in stores to sporting teams wearing uniforms with something pink on them, so many are showing their support for a great cause.Did you know this year, 252, 000 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer? That is a scary statistic, which is also why you need to make sure to do monthly self-examinations on your breasts and keep current on your mammograms. Speaking of…when’s the last time you did a self breast examination? Also, are you current on your mammograms? I really appreciate brands that go the extra mile to support great causes , so when I had the opportunity to partner with Vavoline Instant Oil Change to share about their “Wipe Out Breast Cancer” campaign, I was “in”.  VIOC is selling AutoTex PINK Wipers throughout October to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with proceeds going to National Breast Cancer Foundation.Lucky for me, there’s a Valvoline Instant Oil Change super close to my home. If you’ve never been to one before, it’s a full service 15-minute drive thru oil change with no appointment needed. You basically stay in your car during the entire service. It’s very easy for busy people and moms like me, especially if you have your kids in tow. VIOC does much more than just oil changes though. They also perform many other services including:

  • tire rotations
  • belt replacements
  • fluid exchanges
  • battery services
  • air conditioning recharges

Save Money on Your Next Service at Valvoline Instant Oil Change
Right now, you can stop by your local VIOC, save money on a service by using the coupon  I’ve posted below and pick up a pair of full Pink Wipers or Black Wipers with a small pink ribbon to have installed on your vehicle, to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The wiper blades fit 98% of cars, trucks and SUVs manufactured after 2003 and are available at participating VIOC locations. Check HERE if your local VIOC is participating in this promotion.What’s amazing about this campaign is that VIOC has raised over $86,500 for NBCF through this campaign to date. I’m excited to see the final dollar amount. This is obviously a cause that so many of us are passionate about, all for different reasons and personal connections. On October 19th, National Mammography Day, Valvoline Instant Oil Change is making a
double donation on all wipers sold that day. It’s the perfect day to stop by.

Hey, this is a friendly reminder to schedule your mammogram and be pro-active with your own breast health. To learn more about VIOC’s Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign please visit viocpink.com. Enter to Win Free Oil Changes for a Year
How cool would it be to win free oil changes for a year? Right now, after you stop by your local Valvoline Instant Oil Change location and purchase your own Pink Wipers, you can enter to win by uploading a photo of your vehicle with its new pink blades and telling why you “Pink’d Your Ride” at http://wshe.es/tIUjKeck.

Connect with Valvoline Instant Oil Change on Facebook and Twitter.

About Henley Enterprises
Henley Enterprises, Inc. founded in 1989, is the largest Valvoline Instant Oil Change
franchisee. Operating over 174 service centers across ten states including: California,
Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia

Brick-or-Treat Party Nights at LEGOLAND® California Resort

/ Family Fun, LEGOLAND, San Diego, SoCal Fun

I was invited to attend LEGOLAND® Brick or Treat Nights in exchange for coverage. All opinions are my own.

Brick-or-Treat Party Nights have returned to LEGOLAND® California Resort. It’s one of our favorite annual Halloween events to attend and you can attend this year, Saturdays through October 27! This event is a separately ticketed party offering exciting entertainment, sweet treats and not-so-spooky thrills and it’s an event where guests of all ages are welcome to dress up in costumes.  Brick-or-Treat is a very family-friendly and a must-do for us each year. This year, Brick-or-Treat Party Nights is presented by Disguise Costumes and will be offered from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the following Saturdays:

  • September 29
  • October 6
  • October 13
  • October 20
  • October 27

The Park is transformed into a monster mash bash for the ultimate family fun Halloween party and features the following:

  • Treat stations with more than 1 million pieces of candy
  • Costume contests and interaction with the “Boo Crew”
  • a new pop-badge challenge
  • Ghost Cruise adventure
  • LEGO Character Meet and Greets
  • Heartlake City Fall Festival with Pumpkin Patch Build and craft time with the LEGO Friends
  • The AstroBash Dance Party
  • “The Curse of the Hallowmeenie” theater show
  • The “Spirits of Halloween” animated light show
  • Bluegrass Band Jamboree
  • a special LEGO Friends meet and greet in Heartlake City, where kids can decorate their own craft

In addition to all of these special Brick-or-Treat Party nights offerings, guests also have access to many of the regular attractions during the party.Admission for Brick-or-Treat Nights can be purchased for as low as $54, if purchased online and in advance. LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE® aquarium are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on select dates throughout October and LEGOLAND® Water Park is open weekends 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. through October 27. With special event admission to Brick-or-Treat Party Nights on September 29, October 6, 13, 20 and 27, guests can extend their day until 9 p.m. at both LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE aquarium to enjoy all of the Halloween festivities-plus- add on a second day Resort Hopper ticket to extend the fun all weekend long. For exclusive savings and more information, please visit http://www.BRICKORTREAT.com or call 760.918.5346.

A very special THANK YOU to LEGOLAND California Resort for hosting us for a fun night out! 

 

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch to Open in Los Angeles on 10/5

/ Lifestyle, SoCal Fun

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Los Angeles celebrity and family-favorite Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City will be open this year from October 5th through Tuesday, October 30. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch has been a Los Angeles–area seasonal staple since 1987, offering families a spooky, fun environment to celebrate the Halloween season. The location offers huge selection of fresh and unique pumpkins, lots of exciting activities and an outrageous boo-tique. Visitors can participate in pumpkin carving, straw mazes, face painting and more.

Admission to Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
Weekday admission is always complimentary at Mr. Bones Culver City, except Friday evenings. The weekend entrance fee is $15 per person, and children under 2 are free. Children receive 3 free activity tickets with admission. Adults receive a $5 pumpkin coupon with admission.  Activities are always available for an additional cost.

Daily activities at Mr. Bones include:

    • Life-size pumpkin houses in the Pumpkin Village
    • Tipi Village
    • Mr. Bones straw maze
    • Pumpkin decorating
    • Petting zoo full of sweet goats, sheep and ducks
    • Spooky Spider bounce house
    • Pony rides
    • Capt. Billy Bones Jump and Fly
    • Giant rocking horses (perfect for a photo op!)
    • Creepy and cute face painting
    • Glitter tattoos
    • Jumpin’ Pumpkin bounce house
    • Mr. Bones Super Slide

Special Passes Available for Purchase
This year, Mr. Bones will be be offering a VIP Pass (for Adults and Children) and a Kids Ultimate Pass, available for purchase. Please note: The Mr. Bones VIP EXPERIENCE is available on Saturday and Sunday only from 10 am to 5 pm. 
ADULT VIPs – $45 per person and includes:

  • 1 adult admission (children under 2 included)
  • Expedited Entry
  • Unlimited use of Jump + Fly and Petting Zoo
  • 15% discount on all pumpkins & merchandise (excluding activity tickets and food)
  • Access to exclusive VIP Area featuring:
  • Private toilets
  • Free cold drinks and snacks
  • Private, direct view of stage
  • Secure area to stow personal items & pumpkins
  • Guaranteed wagon access

This pass does not grant front of the line privileges. 

CHILD VIPs – $45 per child and includes:

  • 1 child admission
  • Expedited Entry
  • Access to exclusive VIP Area, if accompanied by a VIP adult
  • One Kids Ultimate Pass Wristband granting, unlimited access to:
  • Dancing Spider or Baby Spider bounce house
  • Captain Billy Bones’ Jump & Fly
  • Straw maze
  • Mr. Bones Super Slide
  • Petting zoo

Please note: Face painting, pumpkin decorating, and pony rides are not included in the Mr. Bones Ultimate Kids Pass. This pass does not grant front of the line privileges. 

Mr. Bones Ultimate Kids Pass – $30 and includes unlimited access to:

  • Dancing Spider or Baby Spider bounce house
  • Captain Billy Bones’ Jump & Fly
  • Straw maze
  • Mr. Bones Super Slide
  • Petting zoo

Please note: Face painting, pumpkin decorating, and pony rides are not included in the Mr. Bones Ultimate Kids Pass. This pass does not grant front of the line privileges. 

Special Events at Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch 

This year, Mr. Bones will be hosting some really fun events you won’t want to miss out on.

  • 10/6 – Slumberkins will be hosting a pop up market at Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch! Drop in from 10AM-5PM to shop parent-approved food and clothing brands such as Munchkin, Fawn Designs and Alice & Ames. You can even pick up a copy of the very first Slumberkins x Mr. Bones children’s book!
  • 10/17 – Howl-o-ween, our annual costume contest for dogs, scheduled from ~5:30 – 7:30 pm
  • 10/26 – Trick-or-Treat Night, a now-annual trick or treating event and costume contest at the patch, scheduled for 5 – 7:30 pm

Weekend Entertainment
Weekend entertainment at Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch this year will include performances from Bank of Harmony, whose members perform as Disneyland’s famous Dapper Dans,
Rhythm Child, The California Feetwarmers and more. For a full calendar of events and activities including scheduled food trucks please visit their site HERE!

Opening Weekend Specials 
Visitors can take advantage of Mr. Bones’ opening weekend specials on October 6-7. Purchase $10 admission to the patch all day, activities are additional, under 2 are free. Children receive 3 free activity tickets with admission. Adults receive $5 pumpkin coupon with admission.

Purchase tickets online
You can skip the lines and buy your tickets online. Advance admission and event tickets may be purchased in advance online here. How convenient is that?

Parking
Parking is available on site for a nominal fee. Pricing is as follows:

  • Weekdays $5
  • Weekends $6
  • Valet $12

Hours for Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch are as follows:

  • Friday and Saturday, 9am–9pm
  • Sunday-Thursday, 9am–8pm

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch is located at

West LA College, 10100 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

For more information, including activity hours and special events, please visit http://www.mrbones.com.

Image is property of Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch and used with permission. 

Small Plates and Sips at MainPlace Mall’s CPK + Enter to Win a Gift Card

/ Food, Lifestyle

I was invited to dine at CPK as a guest of MainPlace Mall in exchange for my coverage. All opinions are my own. 

Let’s talk about food. It seems to be one of my favorite topics and if you follow me on my Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, you already know how much I love to share about food. So if someone invites me to dine out somewhere, you can 500% guarantee I’m going to be all over that! And that very thing happened a couple weeks ago.MainPlace Mall extended an invitation for us to come and dine at their CPK location.  I was excited to head over after work one day. Have you been over to MainPlace Mall recently? It’s located in Santa Ana and has been undergoing a bit of “facelift” lately, a sign of the times. As a teen, many of us enjoyed roaming around MainPlace Mall with our friends, and now the mall is basically growing up, right along with us. I like the idea of the transformation into more of a lifestyle center, offering shopping, dining and family entertainment too. It’s also centrally located in the city and is within close proximity to many of the city’s museums and other hot spots. CPK, otherwise known as California Pizza Kitchen. is just one of MainPlace’s dining options and is located in the “Patio Restaurants” area of the mall. Did I mention how convenient it was for me to pull up and park super close and just go right in? Other eateries in this section of the mall include:

  • Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ
  • Wokcano
  • Applebee’s
  • Panini Kabob Grill

What I love about eating at CPK is whether you are stopping by for lunch, dinner or even small plates and sips after work, the food is always consistently fabulous because they strive to create unique dishes, using the freshest ingredients. You can actually taste how much care they’ve put into creating your made-to-order meal.CPK offers teas, sodas and other non-alcoholic options, as well as a full bar and beer and wine. We started the meal with a Cucumber Reviver, which is made with freshly puréed pineapple & cucumber with Monin. torn mint and agave sour and then topped with sparkling water. We also ordered a Sparkling Cranberry Cooler which is made with cranberry juice, sparkling water and fresh lime. These non-alcoholic drink options feel like a celebration any time of year.We decided to go with a few of CPK’s Small Plates and Appetizers to share, in lieu of ordering traditional meals. Do you ever do that? Maybe add in a cup of soup or a salad too? It’s fun to change it up. We tried to order things off the menu we hadn’t tasted before. If you ask me to choose which of these was my most favorite menu item, I wouldn’t be able to decide as they were all fabulous. Here’s what we tried:

  • Mexican Street Corn – This spin on a traditional favorite is made with creamy, sweet corn that’s been removed from the cob and roasted with smoked paprika, Feta and Parmesan. It’s served with fresh cilantro, lime and house-made Ranchito Sauce.
  • Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower – At first I wondered how this would even be a menu item and then I tasted it! Oh my goodness, it’s so good! Made with fresh cauliflower florets that are battered and fried to a golden brown. Then it’s tossed in house-made Sriracha buffalo sauce and topped with a salad of celery, cilantro, scallions and Gorgonzola.
  • Crispy Mac N’ Cheese – This is a twist on a classic dish. This mac n’ cheese is lightly fried with Panko and served on creamy cheese sauce.
  • Spinach Artichoke Dip – This is generally one of my family’s favorite appetizers and we make it all the time at home but we’d never tried CPK’s. It did not disappoint. It’s served hot with house-made blue and white corn tortilla chips.

We thoroughly enjoyed each of these are were so full after finishing them. However, it just seems unjust not to finish off a great meal with dessert. So we ordered one Butter Cake and a Brownie with Vanilla Häagen-Dazs on top from the Kids Menu. There’s always room for dessert, right?After we finished our meal, we took on the rest of MainPlace Mall for some serious shopping. I love the history of this mall as it has remained an integral part of the Santa Ana landscape over the years. It’s such a comfortable and inviting place to gather with friends and family for shopping, dining and entertainment. You should stop by and check it out soon!

MainPlace Mall is located at
2800 N Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705

I’m hosting a giveaway for one (1) of my readers to win a $25 gift card to CPK. To enter my giveaway, fill out the Rafflcopter below. Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information including the mall directory, dining options & hours, please visit HERE.

Connect with MainPlace Mall on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Plan Your Fall Getaway to Big Bear Lake’s Oktoberfest

/ SoCal Fun, Travel

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Have you visited Big Bear Lake before? Located in the mountains of Southern California, Big Bear Lake is just a couple of hours by car from Los Angeles and Orange County and about few hours away from San Diego or Las Vegas.Big Bear Lake is  a beautiful vacation destination for families, couples, and even large groups. The area offers a variety of seasonal activities to its visitors including:

  • fishing
  • water sports
  • hiking
  • mountain biking
  • horseback riding, tours
  • winter sports

and more!When planning your getaway to Big Bear, it’s important to have peace of mind you’ve secured a clean, reliable and affordable vacation rental. With more than 350 properties, ranging from single-room cabins to entire lodges, Big Bear Cool Cabins Vacation Rentals has the perfect lodging for your adventure.Did you know that each Fall, Big Bear has its very own Oktoberfest?  It’s a festival like no other that runs from September 8 through October 27. Guests in attendance are treated to “Knockwursts” direct from the German butcher, and enjoy the very same beers poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest for more than 150 years! If you haven’t been before, it’s the perfect time to visit Big Bear.Big Bear Cool Cabins is the Official Lodging Partner for the 48th annual Oktoberfest! They offer have multiple packages for visitors to choose from for 1, 2 and 3 night stays, as well as the ultimate way to Big Bear’s Oktoberfest: The Burgermeister Party Pack!  Keep reading and you’ll find a special discount code below that you can use when you book your own Oktoberfest package. First let’s take a look at what each package includes and the discount it’s offered at.

  • Oktoberfest 1-night stay package – This Exclusive Package includes a 5% discount on 1-night lodging, discounted Oktoberfest tickets, 2 free 2-hour bike or kayak rental from GetBoards and 10% discount on Scenic Sky Chair or Golf.
  • Oktoberfest 2-night stay package – This Exclusive Package includes a 10% discount on 2-night lodging, discounted Oktoberfest tickets, 2 free 2-hour bike or kayak rental from GetBoards and 10% discount on Scenic Sky Chair or Golf.
  • Oktoberfest 3-night stay package – This Exclusive Package includes a 15% discount on 3-night lodging, discounted Oktoberfest tickets, 2 free 2-hour bike or kayak rental from GetBoards and 10% discount on Scenic Sky Chair or Golf.
  • The Burgermeister Party Pack – Available for visitors 21 years and older, the Burgermeister Party Pack includes Oktoberfest admission both Saturday & Sunday, an annual commemorative 16 oz. beer stein, one beer ticket, one German meal ticket, and a set of party beads.

The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest offers a complimentary shuttle that runs from the downtown Big Bear Village to Oktoberfest on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you have a little too much Oktoberfest fun, let O’Douls do the driving. The O’Doul’s Complimentary Shuttle begins running on Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. and provides door to door service anywhere you are staying within the Big Bear Valley throughout the night. I love that you don’t have to worry about driving and can fully enjoy Oktoberfest.

The special discount code for these packages is OKTOB1, which you should apply at checkout. To book your own Oktoberfest package with Big Bear Cool Cabins Vacation Rentals please go HERE. You can also call or text them directly at 909-219-9681. For visitors who speak Spanish, se habla español y se puede llamar a 909-217-3144.Connect with Big Bear Cool Cabins on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To see if they are offering any additional discounts right now, please go here.

Images and logos are property of Big Bear Cool Cabins and used with permission. 

Watch the New Trailer for Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch

/ Entertainment, Movies

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 
I always get excited when the holiday season rolls around but this year I’m extra excited!  Illumination and Universal Pictures will present “The Grinch” this November, their eighth fully animated feature, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday classic. The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, it’s a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism. Watch the trailer:

Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice to the infamous Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbors in Who-ville when he runs out of food.

Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he decides he will pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.

Meanwhile, down in Who-ville, Cindy-Lou Who—a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer—plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother. As Christmas approaches, however, her good-natured scheme threatens to collide with the Grinch’s more nefarious one. Will Cindy-Lou achieve her goal of finally meeting Santa Claus? Will the Grinch succeed in silencing the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all?

So how great is Christmas season 2018 going to be now? The Grinch hits theaters November 9 and you can bet I’ll be there to watch it that day! For more information and to view the latest updates on this film please visit http://www.grinchmovie.com.