Field Trips in San Diego Archives

Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Flower Fields

Posted on February 18, 2021 | Filed Under: Field Trips in San Diego | 25 Comments

Soon it will be prime time to visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California. The Flower Fields are in 90% bloom around Easter and there are literally flowers everywhere you go.

The dates for the 2021 season are March 1 – May 9, 2021. My kids and I went to visit and see the flowers for the first time back in 2016. Since then, we have been back many times to enjoy the beautiful fields.

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The Flower Fields grow a gorgeous flower known as the Tecolote Giant Ranunculus, which is one of the finest strains of ranunculus plants in the world. The ranunculus flower is native to Asia Minor and is a member of the buttercup family. This unique blossom also is known as a Persian Buttercup or Ranunculus Asiatic.

I’m always enamored with the beautiful flowers around me when I walk through the flower fields. Pictures simply don’t do them justice!

The nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California are in bloom every year from approximately early March through early May.

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Discover the Anza Borrego Metal Sculptures and Galleta Meadows

Posted on February 9, 2021 | Filed Under: Family Outings in San Diego, Field Trips in San Diego | Leave a Comment

The Metal Sculptures of Anza Borrego Springs features over 130 large metal art sculptures on desert estate land that consists of many separate plots in Borrego Springs, California.

Travel to see the The Metal Sculptures in Anza Borrego Desert! You will astounded by their enormous size and unique beauty.

The sculptures were created by Southern California artist Ricardo Breceda, who was commissioned by Dennis Avery, the owner of Galleta Meadows, to add free standing art to his property. The first sculpture appeared on the property in 2008 and has grown to hundreds over the course of many years.

Metal Sculptures in Anza Borrego California

Over the long stretch of 15 miles, the artwork ranges from prehistoric mammals to historical characters, fanciful dinosaurs, and a 350-foot-long magnificent serpent.

Galleta Meadows Metal Sculptures

Breceda’s Sky Art sculptures in Galleta Meadows were inspired by three different themes: Fossil Treasures of the Anza-Borrego Desert, History and Nature of the Anza-Borrego Desert and Whim and Fantasy.

Galleta Meadows is unfenced and open to the public any time of day. You will need to drive since the sculptures are spread out and too far to walk in between. It will take you approximately a day and a half to see them all. recommend going in the spring or fall, as the summer in the desert is very hot.

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A Field Trip To Butterfly Farms in Encinitas

Posted on January 29, 2021 | Filed Under: Field Trips in San Diego | 1 Comment

It has been a goal of mine to take my kids to visit the Butterfly Farms in Encinitas since I first learned about it. So, last summer, on a warm bright day we took a day trip down from Orange County to visit San Diego.

First, we stopped by another favorite place of mine, Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary in Del Mar, and then made our way down to Butterfly Farms for an afternoon of learning and exploration.

Butterfly Farms, a hidden gem in San Diego, was established in 2012 out of concern with the decline of native butterflies and other native pollinators in Southern California. The focus of the farm is on education, conservation and research of these pollinators.

Butterfly Farms consists of a 3000 square foot Vivarium where butterflies constantly fly around you. Some will even land on you if you hold still long enough!

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2021 Best Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Southern California

Posted on December 14, 2020 | Filed Under: Field trips in Los Angeles, Field Trips in Orange County, Field Trips in Riverside, Field Trips in San Bernardino, Field Trips in San Diego, Field Trips In Ventura, Holiday Events | 1 Comment

Updated for 2020

Are you looking for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration to take your kiddos to this year? If so, then SoCal Field Trips got you covered with the Best Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Southern California and beyond!

In fact, if you attend one of these events virtually or in person you might just be able to tuck your children in before the ball drops at midnight in Times Square. Please visit each individual celebration’s website for dates, times, pricing and locations.

2021 Virtual New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Grand Park N.Y.E.L.A, Downtown Los Angeles, 12/31 @ 11:00 pm (Virtual)

Count down to 2021 safely from the comfort of your home with Grand Park’s NYELA 2020! Celebrate the new year with a lineup curated by Steve Aoki, featuring performances by Dim Mak En Fuego artists – 2DEEP, AQUIHAYAQUIHAY, Andrekza, special guest BIA, and Steve Aoki. Hosted by Jessica Flores and DJ Eddie One. Viewers can tune in or log on starting Thursday, December 31, 2020, from 11:00 pm –12:30 am to watch on Fuse, or stream on the Fuse YouTube channel, Grand Park’s digital channels and on The Music Center Offstage.

New Year's Celebrations in Southern California

Noon Year’s Eve, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, 12/31 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Virtual)

Join an Aquarium educator as you and your family celebrate the New Year. Create a fish party hat, meet a live Ambassador Animal, and dance your way to the Noon Year’s countdown with the Pacific Pals puppets! Make sure to have your craft supplies ready to create the party hat for our festivities. The event will be hosted on zoom. Advance registration is required. Cost: $5.

Live Stream Times Square Ball Drop, New York, 12/31 @ 6:00 pm EST (Virtual)

The first New Year’s Eve Ball lowering celebration atop One Times Square was in 1907. This proud tradition is now a universal symbol of the New Year and is watched by millions around the world. You and your family can enjoy a commercial-free, webcast coverage of the festivities leading up to the Ball Drop starting at 6 p.m. (EST).

Virtual New Year's Eve Celebrations

New Year’s Eve with The San Diego Symphony, San Diego, 12/31 @ 7:30 pm (Virtual)

To celebrate the launch of a healthy and hopeful 2021, the San Diego Symphony is proud to present an “at home” New Year’s Eve concert program of joyous music by Johannes Brahms, “Duke” Ellington, J. Strauss Jr. and Sr., plus a special performance of George Gershwin’s immortal Rhapsody in Blue featuring young piano sensation Ray Ushikubo. The concert will be led by music director Rafael Payare, and for a minimum donation of just $25 you can enjoy exclusive access to this lovely hour of music as part of your own New Year’s celebrations from the comfort of your own home!

New Year's Eve Celebrations in LA

Pacific Park New Year’s Eve Celebration, Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, 12/21 @ 11:30 pm (Virtual)

Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier will have a cool New Year’s Eve countdown online for free. The ferris wheel will display fun, colorful designs with a 60-second countdown at 11:59 pm.

Noon Year’s Eve Virtual Party, Gilbert House Children’s Museum, Oregon, 12/31 @ 12:00 pm (Virtual)

Purchase your party package complete with balloons, noisemakers and confetti and watch the balloon drop in the comfort of your own home through their special video presentation.

New Year's Celebration in LA

Annual New Year’s Eve Musical Revue, Santa Monica Playhouse, Santa Monica, 12/31 @ 7:30 pm & 10:30 pm (Virtual)

New Year’s Eve will be a little different at Santa Monica Playhouse this year, but just as much fun, as internationally acclaimed Actors’ Repertory Theatre livestreams a highly entertaining, family-friendly Rudie-DeCarlo musical revue, with Playhouse alumni from around the globe joining in the singing, dancing, humor and other delights culled from 6 decades of audience favorite Santa Monica Playhouse productions.

The 10:30 PST livestream performance features a midnight countdown with the cast.The early-bird 7:30 PST livestream celebration is a great way to enjoy New Year’s Eve with the entire family, letting the kids have a real New Year’s Eve treat, or kick off an evening of post-show dining and celebrating, and it’s perfect for those on the East Coast to celebrate their midnight countdown, too.

New Philharmonic New Year’s Eve Concert, DuPage’s McAninch Art Center, Illinois 12/31 @ 2:00 pm CST (Virtual)

College of DuPage’s McAninch Arts Center is ready to help you ring in 2021 with New Philharmonic and Maestro Kirk Muspratt. Introduce the kids to Strauss waltzes and polkas, arias, light classical, pop tunes and movie music all done virtually. Cost: $50

Rockin’ Rockfish Noon Year’s Eve, Seattle Aquarium, Washington, 12/31 @ 11:30 am (Virtual)

Celebrate the beginning of a new year with the Seattle Aquarium’s Rockin’ Rockfish Noon Year’s Eve! Gather the family to enjoy the full New Year’s Eve experience without staying up past bedtime. Join this free virtual event featuring music from Mikey the Rad Scientist, a dance party, fun facts about how the animals in the Aquarium’s care are spending the holiday, a count down at noon and more.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations In Person

New Year’s Eve Brunch Cruise, San Diego , 12/31 @ 10:30 am – 1:00 pm

Hornblower Cruise lines is offering a lavish champagne brunch on the San Diego Bay. Kids ages three and under are free. Find out all the details and how to book your tickets here.

Wyatt’s New Year’s Eve Party, Big Bear Convention Center, Big Bear, 12/31 @ 5:00 pm – 1/1 at 11:30 pm

The family-friendly celebration at the Big Bear Convention Center includes activities for the kids, games, live music with the Doo-Wah Riders, party favors, shuttle service and champagne at midnight. Reservations required.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations Returning in 2021

New Year’s Eve Celebrations in the Inland Empire

New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade at Snow Summit, Big Bear, 12/31 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Returning in 2021!)

Ring in 2019 at the 55th annual Snow Summit Torchlight Parade. Watch 200+ skiers and snowboarders light up the night as they make their way down the face of the mountain in the dark with torches to create a spellbinding spectacle of light before the (snow)ball drops. Other activities include DJ entertainment, activation booths, face painting, champagne toast, stilt walkers, fire dancers, a photobooth and bounce house for kids. Come early and enjoy the snow!

New Year’s Eve Grape Drop, Temecula, 12/31 @ 6:00 pm – 12:30 am (Returning in 2021!)

Ring in 2020 Temecula-style at the annual Grape Drop with two countdowns – east coast style (9 pm) and west coast style (midnight). The celebration offers live bands and a free fun zone for kids (open 6 pm – 10 pm) with hat making, calligraphy art, face painting and a giant slide. Patio heaters and some chairs provided. Bring jackets to keep warm and extra chairs for extra seating.

Festival of Lights Family Celebration, Main Library Plaza, Mission Inn, Riverside, 12/31 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Returning in 2021!)

If you want to have an early night, there will be a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event with music, activities and a confetti celebration in addition to the usual Festival of Lights happenings.

Pennypickle’s Workshop New Year’s Event, Temecula, 12/31 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Returning in 2021!)

Celebrate the New Year Pennypickle-style…at noon instead of midnight! You won’t want to miss the Professor’s very special party for those too young to stay up late. Call 951-308-6376 to reserve tickets. Space is limited.

John’s Incredible Pizza, Riverside and Montclair, 12/31 @ 7:00 pm – 1:00 am (Returning in 2021!)

John‘s Incredible Pizza will celebrate New Year’s Eve with special hours and celebration packages. Each John‘s location will be open from 7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Los Angeles

LA Zoo’s Family New Year’s Eve Party, Los Angeles, 12/31 @ 6:00 – 9:00 pm (Returning in 2021!)

Attend the annal LA Zoo Family New Year’s Eve Party! Celebrate the new year in style with express entry to the LA Zoo Lights, a dinner buffet that includes soft drinks and dessert, a carousel ride, games, dance party, and live broadcast of the Times Square ball drop. Raise a toast to the new year with complimentary champagne for adults (21+) and sparkling apple cider for kids. Festive photos courtesy of PRIMs Photo Booth. After the party, families are welcome to enjoy L.A. Zoo Lights until closing. Fun for all ages!

Old Town Music Hall New Year’s Eve, Los Angeles, 12/31 @ 8:30 pm – Midnight (Returning in 2021!)

The New Year’s celebration at Old Town Music Hall features music, great performers, a grab bag of classic shorts and a surprise feature film. Guests can enjoy complimentary light refreshments and sparkling apple cider. For ages 10 and up. Reservations required.

New Year’s Eve Family Fireworks Cruise, Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach, 12/31 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm (Returning in 2021!)

Harbor Breeze Cruises is hosting a special evening lights and fireworks cruise on the waters of Long Beach Harbor. Boarding at 7:30 pm you will have a narrated cruise to view Long Beach harbor lit up at night. Observe the awe-inspiring firework displays performed at 9 pm.

New Year’s Eve at the Waterfront, Shoreline Village, Long Beach, 12/31 @ 5:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Returning in 2021!

This free family-friendly celebration takes place from 5:00 to 10:00 pm at Rainbow Harbor. There will be live music, a photo booth, face painting, interactive games, arts & crafts, food, jugglers and stilt-walkers. Then at 9 p.m., the sky will light up for an East Coast countdown with a fireworks spectacular from Rainbow Harbor’s lighthouse peninsula!

New Year’s Eve Glow Party, Burton Chace Park, Marina del Rey, 12/31 @ 7:oo pm – Midnight (Returning in 2021!)

Join us for a Glow Party at 7 pm with fun activities for the whole family! Featuring Live DJs, dance music, dancers, circuit breaker robot, face painting, bubbles, photo booth, food trucks and more. At 8:59 p.m, there will be 30-second countdown and view of the Times Square ball drop followed by an amazing 10-minute fireworks display. Then at 11:59 pm, there will be another 30-second countdown to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Marina del Rey followed by another amazing ten-minute fireworks display. Watch the spectacular fireworks from Burton Chace Park, Fisherman’s Village, or the many waterfront restaurants in Marina del Rey! Parking is $8.00.

Boomer’s Noon Year’s Eve Celebration, Upland, 12/31 @ 11:30 am (Returning in 2021!)

Who says you have to wait until midnight to celebrate? Join Boomer’s in Irvine as we ring in the New Year with a fun, new twist! The party starts at 11:30AM— that’s right, AM! There will be a fun photo op, party hats and noisemakers, a traditional countdown to 12 o’clock, a balloon drop when the clock strikes noon and a new year’s toast with kid-friendly bubbly. All the fun and excitement of New Year’s without missing bedtime!

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Drive Thru Nativity Scenes in Southern California

Posted on November 16, 2020 | Filed Under: Field trips in Los Angeles, Field Trips in Orange County, Field Trips in Riverside, Field Trips in San Bernardino, Field Trips in San Diego, Field Trips In Ventura, Holiday Events | 48 Comments

Updated for 2020

The first living nativity was created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 to help explain the birth of Jesus to his followers. Throughout Europe, Central America, and South America the manger scene is a primary decoration at Christmastime. In the United States, the manger scene is often displayed in a church or as a part of a neighborhood Christmas display.

Live Nativity Scenes in Southern California

In Southern California, we also have several live nativities that take place throughout the month of December. And the good news is that they are FREE community events! Here is a comprehensive list of live, virtual, drive and walk thru nativity scenes in Southern California for your enjoyment!

Live Nativity Scenes in Orange County

Drive or Walk Thru Nativity, First Christian Church, Huntington Beach

December 9, 10, & 11 starting @ 6:00 pm

The Live Nativity at First Christian Church of Huntington Beach has been a staple in the community for more than 50 years. Actors and live animals tell the story of Jesus’ birth through 9 different scenes. Whether you’re driving through or walking, the true magic of Christmas will be remembered as you celebrate with friends and family. Come for the Live Nativity and stay for Christmas Carols in the Chapel, a photo opportunity for the family and crafts for the kids. Free admission.

A Drive Thru Experience, EV Free Fullerton, Fullerton

December 11 & 12 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Christmas BLVD is a popular family-oriented Christmas experience that is returning to North Orange County this year! You’re invited to a drive thru celebration of Christmas. So, pack up the car and head over to Fullerton Free to make some new Christmas memories with your family. You will stay in your car for this drive through our main campus all the while experiencing fun Christmas movie characters, Santa’s workshop, a light show, and the amazing story of the incredible birth of Jesus.

Walk Thru A Night in Bethlehem, Liberty Baptist Church, Newport Beach (returning in 2021!)

Experience the sights, sounds and excitement of the very first Christmas! Bring friends and family to experience a first-century marketplace. Meet Bethlehem’s citizens. Create interesting crafts. Enjoy delicious treats. And receive a free family photo as a memento of your evening in Bethlehem! See a wonderful promo video here. Free admission.

Living Nativity, Village Bible Church, Garden Grove

December 12 & 13 @ 4:00 – 9:00 pm

Join us on a tour through Bethlehem as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Your self-guided tour will walk through the streets of Bethlehem ending up at the nativity. There will be live interactions along the way that tell the Christmas story and give an idea of the setting of Christ’s birth. This is a great way to remind ourselves of the message of Christmas. Admission is free and tours will last about 20 minutes each.

Live Nativity Orange County

The Living Nativity, The Church at Green Hills, La Habra

December 19 & 20 @ 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm & 8:00 pm

You will see the true Christmas Story come to life right before your eyes! See Mary riding on a donkey, the Wise Men riding on magnificent camels, sheep by the manger, and then enter a toy shop where toys come to life. Plus you will be treated with hot chocolate, cookies, candy sticks and more. Admission is free.

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