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Orange County

16th Annual Taste of Huntington Beach on April 24th

April 11, 2016 / Food, Lifestyle, Orange County

The 16th Annual Taste of Huntington Beach will take place this year on Sunday, April 24th, from 12 to 4 p.m., at the HB Sports Complex. The event has become one of “Surf City’s” community traditions and is an exciting gathering featuring food, drink, live music, and fun. This year, Taste of Huntington Beach is presented by The Friends of the Children’s Library (FOTCL) and proceeds benefit the Children’s Department of the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Here’s a video highlighting last year’s event:

Tickets are available for purchase online at tastehb.com and in person at the Children’s Desk at the Huntington Beach Central Library. General Admission tickets are $70 and include four fun-filled hours of:

Unlimited tastes of food from 50 of the best local eateries
Sips from California and boutique wineries
Samples from premium and craft breweries
Live entertainment, silent auction and raffle
Free parking at the HB Sports Complex

VIP tickets are $90 and include all the General Admission perks plus:

An exclusive VIP reception from 11 a.m. – 12 noon
Distinctive hors d’oeuvres and varieties of champagnes
VIP tote bag, party plate and other special VIP giveaways
20-minute early entry into the main Taste tent

Reduced price General Admission and VIP tickets are available for bulk purchases (10 + tickets at one time) A Designated Driver General Admission Tickets is also available for purchase online. (must be 21+ to enter with a designated driver ticket). To purchase tickets for The Taste of Huntington Beach, click here.

Here is the latest list of participating restaurants, wineries, and breweries:

2nd Floor HB
Avila’s El Ranchito
Albertson’s/Vons Newland Center
BLK
Duke’s Huntington Beach
Gallaghers
Huntington Terrace
Imola Restaurant and Bar
Lazy Dog
Lemonade Pacific City
Lou’s Brews and BBW
Market Broiler
Rita’s Italian Ice
Saint Marc Pub and Cafe
Shades Restaurant/ Waterfront Beach Resort
Simply Layered
Slapfish
Solita
Red Table
The Longboard
Thunderburgerz
Traditional Twist Bakery
Ways and Means Oyster HouseWineries:
Cholame Vineyards
Christian Lazo Winery
Graveyard Vineyards
Pedroncelli Vineyards
Pomar Junction
San Marcos Creek Winery
Wilson Creek Winery
Breweries:
Baja Brewing Co.
Brewbakers
Four Sons Brewing
Firestone Walker
Green Flash
Merchant du Vin
Sierra Nevada Brew Co.
Non-alcoholic Beverage:
Surf City Soda
XS Energy Drinks

For more information about the 2016 Taste of Huntington Beach, visit their site at http://www.tasteofhb.com.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and video are property of the Taste of HB.

OCTA To Offer Angels Express Bus Service for 2016 Baseball Season

March 18, 2016 / Lifestyle, Orange County

Calling all Angels fans! Great news! Beginning April 4, fans can go directly from Huntington Beach to Angel Stadium. The popular Metrolink service is ready to roll again for the home opener! Baseball fans will have two easy and affordable options for hopping aboard the Angels Express to and from Angels home games this season, now that bus service is being added to complement the already popular rail service direct to the stadium. Both the Angels Express special Metrolink service and the new Angels Express Bus service will begin transporting baseball fans to the stadium on Monday, April 4, the home opener for the Angels against the Chicago Cubs at 7:05 p.m. The Angels Express (by rail or bus) allows fans to avoid traffic jams, and save gas and money, by skipping the car trip and parking fees.

Thanks to a $128,500 grant to the Orange County Transportation Authority from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, Express bus service to the stadium is being added this year. The grant was approved on March 17, just in time for the start of the season. The special Metrolink service has been running since 2011 and, last year, attracted 54,356 boardings during the season, a 24 percent increase over the previous year.

OCTA is excited to offer another option for the Angels Express this year so fans can get to the ballgame by bus or train. They’re ready to welcome back fans of the Angels Express for the new season and encourage new riders to check out a stress-free and affordable way to catch an evening game.

The Angels Express Bus will run from the Goldenwest Transportation Center, 7301 Center Ave. in Huntington Beach, to Angel Stadium, letting passengers off just feet from the stadium’s main entrance. The bus will serve weeknight home games beginning at 7:05 p.m., for a total of 50 games scheduled for the season.

The express bus is intended to serve communities in the west part of Orange County that can’t as readily access rail service, including Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Westminster and Seal Beach. Studies indicate that about 60,000 fans from those areas attended Angels games last season. The goal is to attract more than 9,000 passengers for the season.

The cost to ride the Angels Express Bus will be $2 each way ($4 round trip), with discounts for seniors and passengers with disabilities, and free for children 5 and under when accompanied by a paying adult.

The rail service will run to the Anaheim station, immediately adjacent to Angel Stadium of Anaheim, with service from Los Angeles Union Station and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station for weeknight home games that begin at 7:05 p.m.

Service from Riverside is also available for Friday night home games, with a transfer at the Orange train station to Anaheim. Angels Express trains arrive at least 30 minutes before game time and the return trains leave 30 minutes after the final out.

The regular price for the Angels Express train is $7 round-trip, with discounts for seniors and riders with disabilities ($6), and children ages 6 to 18 years ($4). Children 5 and under ride free with an adult fare. Two events are planned for early April to kick off the rail and bus services, respectively. OCTA is hosting a pre-game rally at the Irvine Metrolink Station, 15215 Barranca Parkway, at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 4 to mark the beginning of Angels Express train service. The event will include free snacks, music and prizes. Angels Express trains will depart at 5:10 and 5:59 p.m.

To celebrate the start of the Angels Express Bus service, am event is planned for 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8 at Goldenwest Transportation Center in Huntington Beach. The first 100 people will ride the Angels Express Bus for free. The first bus leaves at 5:15 p.m. – three buses will run to the stadium prior to the start of the game.

For more information, visit http://www.octa.net/angelsexpress.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of OCTA.

Easter Bunny Photos at The Shops at Mission Viejo!

March 13, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

Easter is almost here and for families like ours, the season isn’t complete without a trip to the Shops at Mission Viejo to take photos with The Easter Bunny! It’s an annual tradition for us.Guests can visit the Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo now through Saturday, March 26. The Bunny is located on the lower level, near Nordstrom. (Just look for the adorable garden setting that he sits in.) We actually reserved a spot with The Bunny online before heading over. It was so convenient and helped alleviate some of the wait time. Reserving a spot ahead of time is optional and guests may visit The Bunny anytime. To reserve your spot with The Bunny, click here. We love The Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo because he’s very interactive with all of the kids and we saw him waving to children in the mall when he wasn’t busy.. My daughter likes that he wears glasses, just like she does! The Bunny at “our mall” is also really fun and after we finished taking the photos for our package, he took a couple of extra fun ones with us. Noerr Programs runs the Bunny Photos and offers several options for photo packages available for purchase. It’s really easy to select your favorite pose and have them printed out in a package, right on the spot. Have you visited The Bunny yet? If not, you’ve still got a little bit of time left but make sure to get there before March 26 cause he’ll be hopping away after that!

This is not a sponsored post. We received complimentary photos in order to write this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

10th Annual Kids Summer Opportunities Jamboree at Discovery Cube on 3/5

March 1, 2016 / Discovery Cube OC, Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

Parenting OC magazine has partnered with Discovery Cube in Santa Ana to present the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Kids’ Summer Opportunities Jamboree! The event will take place on Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the iconic Orange County family destination and is free to attend. Discovery Cube, which expanded this past summer and doubled in size, adding the 10,000 square-foot Julianne Argyros Showcase Theater and other attractions, is the leading hands-on science center for families in Southern California.
The Jamboree event will take place in the Showcase Theater and feature over 60 exhibitors from:

day camps
overnight camps
sports leagues and clinics
outdoor adventures
horse and cattle ranches
surf and swim programs
science and technology camps

The popular family event is designed to help parents plan their kids’ summer with one-on-one face time with camp director and program leaders. Moms and dads can research and get all their questions answered. One of several family fun attractions at The Jamboree event is Parenting OC’s “Cutest Kid Cover Contest”. The contest, which has been held every year for the past 12 years, includes four age categories:

Baby (6 months to 2 years)
Tot (ages 3 to 5)
Kid (ages 6 to 9)
Tween (ages 10 to 13)

The winner in each category will be photographed at the event by internationally-celebrated cover photographer, Ana Brandt. Each winner will be featured on the cover of the magazine, which has won national awards for its covers. All nominees are photographed at the event, and will receive a keepsake cover just for entering.

Families attending the event will also be able to have fun with:

a Curious George meet and greet with photo opps
Jedi Knights
those oh-so-popular Frozen princesses
hands-on opportunities with slithery snakes, giant frogs, hairy tarantulas and an alligator from The Reptile Zoo
The Extreme Game Truck – In the parking lot, gamers can show their X-Box and Playstation skills in the Extreme Game Truck, a hybrid luxury limo-semi with mood lighting effects in the ceiling, 6 55-inch screens, surround sound and every major gaming console known to little mankind.
The family scavenger hunt – There’ll be $3500 in prizes available to win by those who successfully complete the family scavenger hunt. Prizes include a week of summer camp (Camp James, Camp Galileo, Irvine Slammers Soccer), an OCSA class, $1,000 toward Smile Wide orthodontia and a two-year family pass to Discovery Cube. This event will be held on the exhibit floor.

Afterwards, families can head off for even more fun at the Cube. Free passes will be available to all children, ages 3 to 14, for admittance on the day of the Jamboree event. (Child must be accompanied by an adult.) The tickets (each valued at $12.95) can be downloaded from http://www.parentingoc.com.
The Discovery Cube is located at 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA, 92705. For more information, please visit http://www.parentingoc.com, or call 714-630-4510 x 6.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Discovery Cube and Parenting OC.

{Giveaway} Irvine Park Railroad’s 9th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza

February 29, 2016 / Family Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

Are you ready for Spring and some Easter fun? Ok it might be a little early for it to be officially Spring but the weather sure feels like we’re there and I’m super excited about having an early Easter this year! You know what that means? It means that the Irvine Park Railroad’s 9th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza is beginning earlier than usual! This year’s festivities will run from Saturday, March 5th through Saturday, March 26th. Watch this fun Easter Eggstravaganza video from Irvine Park Railroad’s YouTube channel.

This annual event has become a tradition for our own family and is so much fun! Irvine Park Railroad’s Easter Eggstravaganza seems like a family favorite of many Southern California families. This year, event activities will include:

Train rides – The cost for train tickets is $5.00 per person; children younger than 12 months ride free.
Easter Bunny meet and greet with photo opportunities – For the cost of $10.00, children can meet and have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. This cost includes one (1) photo that will be taken by Irvine Park Railroad staff. Each additional print of the same photo will $6.00. Photos will be printed in a few, short minutes at the Easter Bunny booth.
Easter egg hunts – Easter egg hunts begin daily at 10:00 AM and tickets may be purchased and exchanged for a wristband to participate in an egg hunt at a specific time. Please bring an Easter basket for each child that will be participating in the Easter egg hunt. Irvine Park Railroad will also offer Easter baskets for sale. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event in order to receive a wristband for the Easter egg hunt. Please visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com for complete details on the Easter egg hunts including times and costs.
Hay rides
Moon bounce
Easter cookie decorating
Carnival games
Picture stands
Face painting

Please visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com for full details including costs. Irvine Park Railroad opens daily at 10:00 AM and is located at 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869. While you’re at Irvine Regional Park, be sure to visit the park’s other activities including Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park bike and paddle boat rentals, pony rides and the Orange County Zoo.

Please note: There is park entrance fee , charged by the County of Orange, which is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends. Connect with Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Irvine Park Railroad is also providing 8 acitivity tickets for the Easter Eggstravaganza and 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Bike Rental (excludes the double surrey) for one of my lucky readers. Enter to win on the Rafflecopter below! Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to attend a media day at Irvine Park Railroad’s Easter Eggstravaganza. All opinions are 100% my own.

Kaleidoscope Center To Host 6th Annual Easter Garden Party on 3/26

February 18, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

Get ready for Kaleidoscope’s Sixth Annual Easter Garden Party on Saturday, March 26 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. The Easter bunny will hop into town and arrive at the center for the party which will be located in the center’s courtyard.

The free family event will kick off with an Easter egg hunt at 12 noon. Youngsters should bring their own basket to collect Easter eggs. Passport cards will be given out to the first 250 children directing them to all Kaleidoscope businesses where they will each receive one candy-filled egg per business.

The Easter Garden Party will also offer a complimentary photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny, for guests who bring their own camera. Adding to the fun will be cookie decorating from Donna B’s Bakery, free face painting, and a petting zoo with bunnies, baby goats, chicks, and ducklings.

Hope to see you there!

Connect with Kaleidoscope on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Kaleidscope Center.

The 2016 Easter Bunny Photo Experience at The Shops at Mission Viejo Starts March 5

February 17, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

With Easter arriving a little early this year, the Bunny Photo Experience will too! Guests can visit the Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo from Saturday, March 5 through Saturday, March 26. The Bunny will be located on the lower level, near Nordstrom. Kids will have the chance to visit with the Bunny and families can take home a treasured snapshot of the fun occasion. To view a full schedule of dates and hours, visit here. .

The Shops at Mission Viejo’s Caring Bunny™ event will offer families that have children with special needs a subdued environment to participate in the Bunny Photo Experience on Sunday, March 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Many steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for children’s cherished visit with the Bunny. The subdued environment is likely to include (specific elements or aesthetics may vary):

Turning off in-mall music, stopping escalators located near the photo set, dimming the
lights and shutting down fountains for the duration of the event.
Eliminating queue lines through the use of a numbering system whereby guests approach the set when their number is called.
Special activities geared toward the needs of the child during the ‘wait’ period to help the child understand what activities will occur during the visit.

Families can reserve a spot for Caring Bunny here.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Simon Malls and Noerr.

Baker Ranch To Host Free Family Event on 2/20 Along With New Homes Release

February 11, 2016 / Lifestyle, Orange County

Have you been over to check out Baker Ranch yet? It’s a brand-new master planned community located in Lake Forest, with homes created by renowned builders, Shea Homes and Toll Brothers.

From the start, Baker Ranch has been designed for active people who love outdoor recreation and scenic natural settings. Here you can enjoy all the amenities of an exceptional master planned community without the excessive taxation of Mello-Roos. Lake Forest provides small-town charm with California Distinguished schools and modern services. It’s all within easy reach of the major employment centers, shopping, entertainment and attractions that make sunny Central Orange County the perfect backyard. The Community of Baker Ranch celebrates the relationship between nature and living well. On Saturday, February 20th, Baker Ranch will be throwing a Grand Opening event to celebrate the opening of their 3 newest communities! Everyone is invited to attend and from 11:00AM – 4:00PM, all attending guests will be able to tour these newest model homes by Shea Homes at Crestline and The Courts. Also, guests can preview three of Toll Brothers’ newest communities, Summit, Terraces, and Highlands East in their Sales Centers. In addition to the unveiling of the new neighborhoods, Baker Ranch will be debuting the spectacular Promenade Park, which will feature:

a new playground
climbing wall
Bocce Ball courts
walking path
barbecues
picnic areas

Along with touring these stunning new homes plus all of Baker Ranch’s other fabulous homes, you and your family can enjoy a day of awesome activities located throughout the community! Here are all the spots you need to hit during the event:

The Grove Clubhouse – This will be the hub for “FlashTag”, the ultimate Instagram scavenger hunt where you’ll be taking pictures at each event location using #BakerRanchLife. Once you’ve played, you’ll be entered into an amazing raffle to win a Pedego Electric Bike! Snacks and beverages will also be served here including chili tastings with toppings, lemonade, Paradise iced tea, and citrus infused water. There will be kid’s crafts as well as a master bubble maker!
Oaks Tennis Park – Opening soon and they can’t wait for guests to see it! After you’ve refreshed yourself with goodies, come and get some tennis tips! Then grab a racket or handball and play a few games. Make sure the kids get their faces painted and grab some citrus infused water!
Borrego Trail – Recently opened in December! When you’re done breaking a sweat on the court, hop on a Pedego Electric Bike for a test drive at “The Pedego Experience” along the trail!

Also….Get ready to get lost in Margaritaville with the Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band! How fun does that sound? It’s a perfect way to spend your Saturday afternoon! Complimentary shuttles and golf carts will be available to take guests to each location and activity. For more information about the event or to RSVP, visit their Facebook page here

This is not a sponosred post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Baker Ranch.

{Giveaway} 2016 OC Fair Super Pass Now on Sale at Early Presale Pricing Until 2/29!

February 9, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, OC Fair, Orange County

Who’s ready for summer and the annual return of The OC Fair? I know we are and we’re really excited for this year’s theme “Get Your Fair Face On“! This year’s fair will take place from July 17-August 16 (Wednesday-Sunday) with 23 days and nights of food, rides, shopping, exhibits, animals and headline performances in the Pacific Amphitheatre, nightly music in The Hangar and adrenaline-inducing events in the Action Sports Arena.

The Super Pass, the Fair’s annual season pass, is currently on sale at the lowest prices of the season through Feb. 29 online at http://www.ocfair.com/superpass. Early pre-sale prices are General (13-59) $25, Senior (60+) $18 and Child (6-12) $18.
Check out all of the Super Pass Perks:

Admission to the OC Fair for all 23 days
Express entry at all public gates during Fair hours
2-for-1 discount for tickets to select Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena concerts and events. There is a 6 ticket limit. Tickets are subject to availability which may change without notice.
20% off Fair apparel
2016 OC Fair souvenir pin
Free Admission to the Orange County Market Place (valid through December 26, 2016)
Carnival value book (includes 2-for-1 ride on La Grande Wheel, 2-for-1 carnival games, a Free water bottle (with a $10 purchase of treats from carnival food vendor, and a Free refill with a souvenir cup purchase in the carnival)

I’m also having a giveaway! The OC Fair is providing a pair (2) of Super Passes for the 2016 OC Fair for one of my lucky readers to win! You can enter below on the Rafflecopter! Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of the OC Fair.