Sunday, August 11, 2013
Knotts Berry Farm In Buena Park California Is A Great Place To Take Grandchildren For A Fun Day, Week or Week-end
[adsenseyu4]
[caption id="attachment_1407" align="aligncenter" width="352"]
Knotts Berry Farm Is A Great Place To Take Grand-Kids![/caption][adsenseyu2]
I've been going to Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park California since the 1950's. It was a great place to go as a child, but it's even better now if you love all the scary amusement park rides. I don't, but my children and their children love them, so it's a great place to take our grandchildren or visit with our children and our grand-kids. I like it better than Disneyland in Anaheim, California, but that's only because I like the smaller environment better.
The best thing about Knotts Berry Farm is that you can take children of all ages and there's something for everyone. It has all the highlights of an amusement park, but it's also got something for all ages of the older generation. It still has Virginia's Gift Shop which was there when I was a child. It's got the Chicken Restaurant and the old Ghost Town setting. Children can still pan for gold as well!
One of the highlights of the visit is the train ride. It's a great place to rest for a time and there's a real robbery that kid's love. The robbers are very engaging with the kids and they love it!
If you do take children, remember they may need you to go on some of the rides with them, especially if they are very small.
Visiting Knotts Berry Farm
While the park can be crowded, it's never been intolerable on any of my visits. There's always plenty of space and shade from the many large trees around the park. There's plenty of comfortable places to sit and rest. There are also many places to eat if you wish to eat inside the park. Of course, you can get your hand stamped and go to any of the variety of restaurants nearby, whether fast food and sit-down. However, there are very nice restaurants within the park.
If you have a problem walking for too long, you can just stay for a few hours, but plan well so that your grandchildren will be able to get on their favorite rides. However, you may wish to visit without children as the park is very pleasant. There are many displays, shops and stores where you can buy unique items or knott products and foods.
You can visit the front of the park free. If you wish to go on the rides, you pay one low price and that will cover them all. However, food and drinks are separate.
Parking At Knotts Berry Farm
Parking is easy but during the summer and week-ends you may have to park far out. However, they do have a tram if you don't wish to walk all the way. When we went with our daughter, we parked across the street from the park parallel with the entrance where knotts has a huge lot and a ramp to walk across to get to the park. It was very easy access from the parking lot to the park. There's a restroom before the ramp should you need one before you cross the street.
If yo wish to go only for the chicken restaurants and the store outside the park, you can park in their free parking. The parking lot attendants will guide you if you get onto the street of the restaurant and shops.
HAVE FUN!
Information
Pricing: The prices and times vary so it's best to visit the Knotts Berry Farm Official Website.
Passes: Yes. See official website.
Website: https://www.knotts.com/
Parking Cost: Yes. $15.00
"Camp Snoopy Is A Great Place For Small Children
One Of The Cutest Rides In "Camp Snoopy"
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Riverside International Automotive Museum or RIAM, is a non-profit corporation located in Riverside California
[adsenseyu4]
[caption id="attachment_1351" align="aligncenter" width="350"]
Riverside International Automotive Museum[/caption][adsenseyu2]
HISTORY
The Riverside International Automotive Museum or RIAM was founded in 2006 as a non-profit corporation by Ray and Doug Magnon. They are a father and son who love racing, which led to their collecting automobiles. They began their collection with the Maseratis which has a rich racing tradition in Europe. The son, Doug is the president of the Riverside International Automotive Museum.
Their facility was built in 2006. It's a 20,000-square-foot building to house and maintain their collection which continues to grow. In December 2007 they hired Bruce Ward as the director and opened the museum to the public.
Along with the cars, Doug has many types of Maserati memorabilia that includes slot racing cars, paperweights, brochures and key-rings. There are similar displays of memorabilia from the Riverside Raceway. There is no admission charge to enter the Riverside International Automotive Museum but a donation is suggested of at least $5.00.
Our Experience At The Riverside International Automotive Museum
We know the city of Riverside, California well, but we had a difficult time finding the museum it. It may have been our navigation system that steered us wrong, so I won't attribute that to the museum. However, when we found it, it was in a business park set in a lovely area of greenery and hills. I was surprised when we entered the museum to find so few cars. We've been to many car museums and found this one to be lacking for variety. I didn't think to count the amount of cars but looking back maybe there were about 35 to 40. I saw one Ford with the rest were Maserati's and Ferrari's.
We usually take about 20 minutes to an hour walking through car museums, but this visit only took us about ten minutes. Although it says only a donation is suggested, we went on a Wednesday, which is their free day, but were told that other days there is a charge.
Riverside International Automotive Museum Information
Address: 815 Marlborough Ave, Suite 200, Riverside, California, 92501
Phone: (951) 369-6966
- Kids Can Attend: Yes
- Cost: Suggested donation of $5.
- Hours: The museum is usually open from Tuesday to Saturday each week –
- check the museum’s website for details.
Walking: The museum is on the first floor. Easy to walk through.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Review For Heritage Park Victorian Village San Diego California
[adsenseyu4]
[caption id="attachment_1313" align="aligncenter" width="486"]
Review For Heritage Park Victorian Village San Diego California[/caption]My review For Heritage Park Victorian Village in San Diego, California is a bit different than my other reviews. This is because I visited the park vicariously through my husband. He was in San Diego and had some extra time, so he visited the park and called me on the phone. He suggested we visit the park together because the houses were so beautiful. I've included 3 of the 6 Victorian homes in the park. They also have the first Synagogue in San Diego. My husband took the photos from his phone and sent them to me so I used them for the slide slow.
He actually walked the grounds, giving me a report. It's sounds like a great place but we won't have time to go together for awhile, so this review for Heritage Park Victorian Village will have to do for now. The down side which makes me not want to rush into visiting the park is that the houses are for viewing only. This makes the park a great disappointment to me. However, walking the grounds within the Romantic Victorian setting is like experiencing an old fashioned stroll down the street during that time period. At least that's the impression I get.
According to my husband it was an easy walk around the grounds. So if you have walking problems or someone in your group does, you shouldn't face difficult problems. You're welcome to bring your own food and have a picnic if you wish. I give this park a 5 out of 5 for walking ease, but a 3 out of 5 for disappointment because of the inability to view the inside of the homes. There is plenty of parking.
About Heritage Park Victorian Village
The park began when the County of San Diego, along with the Save Our Heritage Organization, moved the historic Victorian Era homes and Synagogue to about eight acres of parkland in the Old Town area. It's located in the southeast corner of Old Town, Heritage Park. There is also a tea house on the grounds.
Heritage Park Victorian Village Information
Location: Old Town (4 Miles North of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM
Tours: Guided Tours take place at 11AM and 3PM and last about 30 – 45 minutes. A $2 donation is suggested.
Address: 2454 Heritage Park Row in San Diego, CA 92110.
Heritage Park Victorian Village San Diego California
Return To Travel Reviews In Southern California
Leave Review For Heritage Park Victorian Village San Diego California For Home Page
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Review For The 1897 Kimberly Crest House and Gardens Historic Landmark In Redlands, CA.
[caption id="attachment_1295" align="aligncenter" width="442"]
Kimberly Crest House and Gardens[/caption]I hope my review will be helpful. This is a beautiful place to spend a Sunday afternoon. We've visited the Kimberly Crest House and Gardens many times, but we were never able to see the kitchen so we thought we would give it another try today. Well, it really wasn't that great, but the house and grounds are so beautiful it was worth another visit. It was also a great chance to take more photos which I've included below.
The Kimberly Crest House was built in Redlands, California in 1897 by the Widow Cornelia A. Hill for $12,000. Later she sold the house for $29,000 to Mr. and Mrs Kimberly of the successful paper company, Kimberly-Clark. Under their ownership the beautiful gardens were created that you see in the slide-show below and other renovations that were quite significant.
Even though the grounds are breathtaking, as far as walking is concerned, I have to rate the Kimberly Crest House and Gardens a 4 (out of 10 with 10 the best). There are many steep stairs to get to the house that can be difficult for some. We watched a woman on a walker get to the top with great difficulty. She was a great trooper, but I just want to warn anyone with walking difficulties.
The parking lot is quite a distance from the home, and since it's uphill all the way to the porch, it can be a difficult visit. However call ahead because the tour begins in the back of the home where there is a driveway and a place to drive into the back area. You may be able to drop-off someone in a wheelchair or walker and then go park your car.
The Kimberly Crest House and Gardens Tour
The tour of this historic landmark is well-worth the visit. The Victorian home sits on 6 ¼ acres of Renaissance style Italian gardens and is managed by the Kimberly-Shirk Association, a 501-C3 Non-Profit. As I said, the tour of the home begins at the back of the home. The docents are knowledgeable and in love with the home, sot it was a warm experience and quite educational for that time period.
The tour is an easy walk through the bottom floor and part of the second. Because of leakage on part of the top floor roof some of the rooms are being renovated. The stairs to the second floor is easy to walk up. They use the servant stairs to return to the first floor, but if you hold onto the railing it isn't difficult. There is a third floor but it is in use as offices and can't be seen.
The house operates as a museum that is open for public and private tours. The grounds are utilized for a variety of public events and can be rented for weddings or private events.
There is a Kimberly Crest House and Gardens Gift shop and museum in the carriage hour on the back side of the property which was the original carriage house for the horses and buggy.
Kimberly Crest House and Gardens Slide Show
Kimberly Crest House and Gardens Information
Days Open: Thursday, Friday and Sunday
Phone: 909-792-2111
Fax: 909-798-1716
Address: 1325 Prospect Drive, Redlands, CA 92373
Leave Kimberly Crest House and Gardens and Return To Retirement Travel Tips | Retirement Travel Reviews
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
My Maltese Dog Sammy Is A Great Little Pet and Friend
[caption id="attachment_1245" align="alignleft" width="235"]
Sammy, A Great Little Pet![/caption]If you're looking for a pet that is calm, happy and wants to stay close by you, Maltese dogs are the best! They don't make good watch dogs at only 8 pounds or less, and they don't bark a lot to warn against any trouble, but they "big" personalities make up for the small size.
Sammy is 6 years old, but he looks like a puppy. This is him when we brought him home from the Kennel. The video is what he looks like now. He has hair rather than fur which makes him hyper-allergenic. And he doesn't shed. As I've said, he doesn't bark much. Hardly ever. He only make noise when he wants something. His favorite thing to do is run, especially when we chase him. We chase him around the furniture in a circle and he keeps us from catching him. He could go on forever so we have to stop the game.
Why Sammy Is A Great Little Pet For Retired People
All of the reasons I've mentions so far make him a good pet. But he's also perfect if you like having a little furry friend close by. He's velvety soft and likes to sit at our feet. However, he has times where he like to sit on our laps. He loves everyone and especially loves our grandchildren. He also loves getting compliments. His tail wags with the words, "you're so cute." He expects compliments on a regular basis when we take him for walks. Lately he hasn't gotten too many due to the heat and less people out, but he's patient. He's a patient little dog, so he can wait for the Fall to arrive.
He travels well, but we've never gone on longs trips with him. He can get car sick, so we leave him with our daughter and it's good a fun time for everyone. I don't know about other Maltese dogs, but when he walks he skips. People stop us to remark about his unique walking habits as well as his habit of spinning. He spins like a top when it's time to do his duty. When there are people around him they find his little habits a bit strange, but no matter what, Sammy is a great little pet for us. We love him!
Visit my Getting a Pet page which is about how we care for him and what to look for when you decide to get a pet.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
[adsenseyu4]
Hemet California's Echo Hills Golf Club Review
[caption id="attachment_1171" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Echo Hills Golf Club Entrance[/caption]The 9-hole Echo Hills Golf Club in Hemet, California renovation is now complete. It was closed for over two years. It opened around March of this year so we visited and took a few couple of photos. It's actually quite beautiful! And it's my kind of course. I don't like the 18-hole courses--they're too long for me! I actually don't golf. However, when I go with my husband to the 7 Hills course I get somewhat bored. But that's just me.
The Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District did the renovation after purchasing it in pretty poor condition. The former owner had closed it down in the summer of 2010 because of losing money due to the high cost of water that made the course unprofitable.
Echo Hills Golf Club History
The 9-hole course is public. It originally opened in 1959 and was designed by Ed Dover. It measures 2229 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 92 and a 29.2 USGA rating. You'll find 3 sets of tees for different skill levels. This is a great course for beginners or people who love to play the game but either have little time or don't want to golf for 4 hours.
[adsenseyu4]
 |  |
Golf course details
- Holes: 9
- Public
- Open year round
- Open to guests
- Yes to Tee times
Facilities
- Pro in house: No
- Driving range: Yes
- Rental clubs: Yes
- Rental carts: Yes
Green fees price ranges
- Week days: $15 - $22
- Weekends: $15 - $22
Course policies
- Metal spikes not allowed
- Check for Dress
Course policies
Contact Information
Address:
545 E Thornton Ave
Hemet, California 92543
Riverside County
Phone: (909) 652-2203
Fax: (951) 925-7339
Return To Retirement Travel Tips & Budgeting | Southern California retirement Travel Reviews | Hemet California Reviews
Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles, California Slideshow
The Heritage Square Museum is an amazing place to visit on a Sunday afternoon. It's a peaceful place that takes you back to the end of the 19th century. This was a time when California was a new state and Los Angeles, which was once a cow town, was being formed into the large and diverse city it's developed into today. It's continually expanding so we make regular visits every few years. If you love turn of the century homes from the Victorian era, you'll this museum. It's a visual monument of the settlement and development of Southern California during its first 100 years of statehood.
This is a great place for learning about how people lived at that time--especially for children and teens. Although it's a great activity for grandparents and their grandchildren to share, some very small children get bored.
The California Heritage Square museum offers exceptional examples of architecture from the time with eight historic structures that were moved to the property at the museum. Besides the homes, there's a church, a depot and a Colonial Drug store filled with authentic items that were donated by a family who owned the store contents. They were left to them by a relative who owned such a store. None of the products are sold, it's completely for viewing.
Heritage Square museum isn't open for much of the week. It's open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and some holidays. See below for more information.
Heritage Square Museum For Elderly Visitors
For those who are elderly or have difficulty walking, this is a good place to visit. The square is mostly grass with a gravel road that makes it easy for walking. The tours are great, but you can also walk the grounds on your own. Not all buildings are accessible without the tour but some are. There is some climbing of stairs within the homes, but you don't have to climb to the second floors. There are photos and books in the Heritage Square Museum Gift Shop for reference if you miss that part of your tour.
You can visit some of the homes alone as well. If you need to walk slow and rest, go early so that you can take your time and make a day of learning about the different homes and about the history and names of each by perusing the books in the gift shop. I noticed a few of the visitors who utilized canes or walkers were seated on the porch of some of the largest homes at the front of the square. So there are places to rest if necessary and be cool in the shade.
I encourage you to visit the The Heritage Square Museum when it's cool. The first time I visited was at the end of June and it was very hot. We ended up leaving a little sooner than we planned just to get out of the heat, but as I said, there are cool places to rest.
SEE MY PHOTO SLIDESHOW OF SOME OF THE BUILDINGS BELOW.
Museum Hours:
The Heritage Square Museum is open from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Also, Friday, Saturday, Sunday & most holiday Mondays.*
Guided Tours
Guided tours depart on the hour between 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. from the Palms Depot.
Directions
Heritage Square Museum is located at 3800 Homer Street in Los Angeles off the 110 Fwy, 10 minutes Northeast of Downtown.
Admissions
$10 Adults (13+)
$8 Seniors (65+)
$5 Children (6-12)
Children age 6 and museum members are admitted free.
Discounts for AAA Auto Club and TimeTravelers® members.
Parking Ease:
We've never had a problem parking. There is a designated parking lot just outside the square, however, it's not large, but big enough for the normal traffic they get. Call ahead of time if you're going to be visiting during one of their many events that may cause a crowd.
Phone: 323-225-2700
Address:
3800 Homer Street
Los Angeles, California
(off the 110 Fwy, 10 minutes Northeast of Downtown)
Heritage Square Museum Slideshow
Return To Travel Reviews In Southern California
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)