31 May Summer Bucket List 2019
School is out for summer! If you’ve been racking your brain trying to think of fun activities to do with your kids for the next 9+ weeks, we’ve got you covered. We put together a list of cool & exciting places to go and fun activities to keep you and your kiddos busy and entertained all summer long. Check out our top picks and start creating your summer bucket list to fill your calendar this summer.
Torrey Pines Gliderport
What a fun way to see aviation in action, from the top of the Torrey Pines Bluffs! Gliderport is home to one of the most historic aviation sites in North America. Be in awe as you watch paragliding, hang gliding, remote control models and sailplanes take flight over the La Jolla Bluffs and enjoy a coast view for miles. Bring a picnic or grab some lunch at the Cliffhanger Café and have front row seats to an amazing aviation experience! Also, from May to September, the Cliffhanger Café features live music and local bands on both Saturday and Sunday – check out their website for more details.
One Paseo
Don’t want to make a drive to the famous Grove in LA? Go hang out at the newest and impressively-stylish living, dining, shopping, and lifestyle destination. San Diego’s most anticipated development is officially open for business. This place is a mix of everything you could possibly need! You can shop, dine, and be entertained, all in the mix of multiple plazas, living complexes, and various office buildings. With plenty to do, you could spend an entire day at this new coastal entertainment stop.
Cinépolis Junior Theater
Catch a family-friendly movie at the Vista Cinépolis with a dedicated Junior Theater that screens all the latest and greatest kid friendly movies (G & PG) seven days a week. Designed for kids ages 3-12, the theater is equipped with slides, turf lawn, play structures, etc. Families are allowed to arrive 20 minutes early to let the kids exhaust all possible energy before show time. Once the lights dim you will be able to enjoy comfy, casual seating in either the long lounge chairs, or a huge bean bag chair. Talk about the perfect family movie spot!
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Garden
If you’re a fan of taking family strolls or anything mystic-related, you won’t regret this unique spot! Plan a day to check out this sculpture garden full of shiny and reflective collections of art. You might want to plan your timing wisely though, we hear it gets pretty crowded with everyone trying to capture their most insta-worthy photos.
https://www.escondido.org/queen-califias-magical-circle.aspx
Leo Carrillo Ranch House
Prance around with the peacocks and play on an authentic and historic ranch. The perfect place to bring the family for a day full of wandering. This ranch is equipped with old buildings and farming equipment and is a hidden treasure right in the city of Carlsbad. You can even pack a picnic and enjoy a nice lunch amongst the roaming colorful peacocks!
http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/parks/facilities/south/carrillo/default.asp
Moonlight Amphitheater – Musical Matilda
If you’ve ever been to a live play you know just how fun and entertaining they can be! Especially at the Moonlight Amphitheater where you get to enjoy the theater experience outdoors under the stars. It’s the perfect setting to enjoy a picnic dinner before the lights dim and the show begins. This summer from July 17th – August 3rd, Moonlight Amphitheater will be featuring the award-winning Roald Dahl’s, Matilda The Musical. Make sure you get your tickets in advance before they sell out. Trust us, this is one family date night you don’t want to miss.
https://www.moonlightstage.com/performances/matilda-the-musical
EcoVivarium
Combining a more complex understanding of nature, with a passion for learning the value, complexity and fragility of the natural world is EcoVivarium’s main goal. This museum features reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. We are pleased to share that 98% of their animals are rescues, while the other 2% are donated to the organization. If you schedule a tour through the museum, expect a very hands on experience, as you will have the chance to pet and/or hold up to 20 trained animal ambassadors.
Salt & Straw
First having major success in Little Italy, this will be Salt and Straw’s second San Diego scoop shop for the Portland-based creamery. If you’re looking for an excellent playdate to some handmade, deliciously interesting ice cream, this is your perfect escape. Known for their odd and limited creations, they also have the classics so there is always something for everyone!
Cat & Craft
North County’s newest feline phenomenon! Over 800 square feet of Cat & Craft is dedicated as a cage-free environment for the adoptable cats who reside at Cat & Craft until they meet their furrever family.
The cats get to enjoy plenty of cozy snoozing spots, natural light and vertical climbing space. As a guest at the cat lounge, snag a comfy chair or cushion and enjoy your favorite coffee beverage while meeting and interacting with Cat & Craft’s foster felines. Make a reservation for you and any other cat lovers (ages 6 and younger have designated “Kiddie Cat” hours), this will be your purr-fect playdate! Who knows, you may just come home with a new cuddly family member too! 😉
Waterfront Park
Enjoy a fun filled day at San Diego’s Waterfront Park, flanked with views of the city skyline and the San Diego Bay. Splash through interactive water fountains, play and explore in the futuristic playground and run free in the open park! A perfect place to get wet and stay cool on a warm summer day.
http://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/Waterfront.html
ICMonster
Odds are that you’ve caught wind of the newest dessert craze in town, rolled ice cream. Originating in Thailand, these creamy and colorful creations are not only a feast for your eyes, but a feast for your tummy. After pouring out all the fresh ingredients onto a freezing cold plate, it then freezes into a thin pancake-like consistency, and is curled with a sharp edge spatula into rolls, and placed into a cup where then you can have a free for all with whatever toppings you may choose. Each order of rolled ice cream is made to order right in front of you – kids love watching their “IC” treats being rolled before their eyes.
Myrtle Creek Botanical Gardens & Nursery
A gorgeous spot to take the kids and explore nature. Roam their blooming gardens, grab some pie and fresh lemonade at Cafe Bloom, enjoy the goat encounter, and meander the colorful trails. They have multiple ongoing daily attractions. For instance, creating and planting your very own fairy garden adorned with mini figurines that are guaranteed to let your child’s creativity blossom!
Annie’s Canyon Trail
Enjoy the outdoors with an adventurous day exploring the sandstone crevasse that has created a hiking path up to a 200-foot elevation above sea level. The canyon was sculpted by water over time, which poured over sandstone and smoothed its surface into narrow corridors with sandy footing like a dry creek bed. Whether you hike through the steep switchbacks, or choose the winding path to the overlook, once you reach the top you are welcomed with panoramic ocean and lagoon views! It’s an experience the whole family will enjoy.
Uptown Jungle Fun Park
If you’re looking for a good place to let the kids run amok and get all of their energy out, Uptown Jungle Fun Park could not be a better place! Let them jump, crawl, slide, run, and play around like monkeys, while not making a mess at home. The Jungle includes a trampoline court, a 14-level play structure, a towering 4-lane rock wall, slides, wall-sized video games, and more. As a parent you have two options, soak up some time in the parent lounges that are equipped with comfy seating, television, and free Wi-Fi, or join in on the fun! You are more than welcome to join the kids, relieve some stress, and get in some family play time yourself.
La Jolla Caves
Check out the world famous Sunny Jim Sea Cave in Ja Jolla. The unique and beautiful cave has a manmade tunnel from inside the Cave Store with a 145-step decent which allows you to enter the Sunny Jim Cave by land – this is the only cave you are able to access by land on the California coastline. It’s truly a great experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
Creme & Sugar
Indulge your sweet tooth with a unicorn sundae, mermaid milkshake, cookie monster shake, Reese’s Pieces E.T. Sundae, and so many more delicious treats. The experience is unforgettable with each order being a masterful creation bursting with color, personality and flavor! Visit their Del Mar location for a fun summer sweet treat! 2646 Del Mar Heights Rd. Del Mar, CA
Oceanside Harbor Boat Rentals
Rent a paddle board, kayak or canoe and get out on the water with the kiddos. Paddle your way through the harbor for an afternoon of fun in the sun and if you’re lucky…you might even have an occasional up close and personal seal encounter!
Ferry Boat from San Diego to Coronado
Ride the flagship ferry, the oldest wood working ferry in the US! Have some fun on the bay while traveling via ferry from San Diego to Coronado. They even allow you to bring your bike on for free if you choose to cruise around the island. Spend the day exploring the beautiful beaches, shops, eateries and parks of Coronado Island.
Urge
Check out the newest hang out in San Marcos – founded in 2017 Urge Gastropub & Common House is a one stop entertainment destination. Not only do they have great food and drinks, the hang out spot is also equipped with bowling, bocce ball and a ton of fun! This place is packed with fun for the whole family!
Alga Norte Aquatic Center
Who doesn’t love a day at the pool? Cool off this summer at the Alga Norte pool – tons of fun for everyone, including a splash pad and inflatable zone.
http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/parks/poolhours.asp
The New Children’s Museum
A great experience for the kids to be hands on with interactive activities, inspirational art and collaborative family fun! This summer, beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend the museum is participating in the Blue Star Program which offers active and veteran military families free admission.
Vital Climbing Gym
“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing!” Vital Climbing Gym is a great boulder climbing gym right down off the 101 in Oceanside. Take the whole family for an active experience filled with challenges and accomplishments!
Park 101
A family fun outdoor eatery to relax and dine in the summer sun! Enjoy playing Connect Four, Corn Hole or catching a sports game on the multiple TV’s while munching on pulled pork sandwiches, beet salad and killer fries! Top it off with handmade cotton candy for the kiddos. Throughout the summer, they are also doing movie nights, luau’s, and more!
If you’re looking for some activities that can be done without going out and about, we’ve attached a couple of those for you too, because we get it… sometimes you just want to relax in the comfort of your own home!
Color Made Happy
Colorful, kid friendly creations by our artistic friend Sam Sarles. Let your kids’ imagination blossom with inspiring and fun art creations – one of our favorite summer crafts are the painted seashells. Comb the seashore during your next visit to the beach to stock up on these free ocean gifts and you’ll be ready to turn them into a fun and colorful creation. Check out the link for a tutorial of this fun craft and many more.
https://colormadehappy.com/painted-sea-shells-puffy-paint-craft/
Check out our very own, Nadia Colucci, trying out this fun and festive craft herself!
Backyard Nature Weaving Frame
If you’re looking for an activity to teach your child mindfulness and relaxation, look no further. This nature weaving frame is a way for them to express themselves peacefully, while creating art with the beautiful creations from nature.
https://mothernatured.com/nature-play/backyard-nature-weaving-frame/
Science Experiments for Kids
Thanks to common household ingredients, some ingenuity and an easy step by step guide, these classic science experiments can make any day exciting. Check out this list of 38 fun and easy science experiments. They are for a variety of ages and can all be done right from your own home. Each experiment has been rated from one to five sponges so you know the messiness factor ahead of time. 🙂 Experiment, learn, repeat!
